The Durham daily globe. (Durham, N.C.) 1889-1894, 1892-09-22
A LEADER OF SLAVES.
ROMANTIC RISE AND FALL OF
TOUSSAINT L'OUVERTURE.

A Character in History Which Has Fur
nished "a Theme for Poets and Orators.
'SapoIeon's Base Treatment of the Great
General-His UntimeIy End.
Thirty years ago Toussaint Lower
ture was a name to c~onjure with. Poets
and orators described his virtues n his
genius and cited him as an illustriOus
example of the capabilities of his race.
A romantic interest will always attach
to his name. The fact that for fifty-four
years he lived i'll deepest obscurity as a
slave on a Haytian plantation and the
epic character Of his subsequent achieve
ments give a tinge Of antique herOism to
his history.
The French colony in Hayti was long
one Of the greatest slave marts in the
world. At the time Of the French revo-
luton there were in the colony 10000
whites, 90. 900 free mulattOes and 800, 600
slaves. The mulattOes, many of whom
had been educated in France, took adj
vantage Of the revolution and obtained
a recognition Of their political rights
from the French assembly; the whites of
Hayti refused to recognize the decision
and a war broke out which was soon
complicated by an uprising of the whole
slave population. On a memorable night
in August, 1871, the plantations were
fired and many of the whites were muir
dered.
Toussaint had not at this time &C
quired the name Of L'Ouverture. This
word, meaning "the opening" was APP
piled to him afterward because he
opened a way for the freedom Of his race
through the chaotic conditions Of the
following years.
In the dreadful wars Of the years fol-
lowing the upTisal Of the slaves his eX-
~traOrdinary influence over his race and
his military genius gave him pre-emi-
ncnce over all other chiefs. A design
of freeing his race, which could only be
accomplished by making it the ruling
race Of Hayti, gradually took shape in
his mind and forms the key note of his
career.
France, Spain and England each bid
high for his alliance, but France de-
Clared for the freedom of the slaves and
he finally ranged himself under the
French flag. 1t was evidently his desire
+, maintain q 1asirab II connection with
f., r,,aon nowar which would yat
L., We him at liberty +o devotion his Mans
for his own race, but the realization Of
his idea renuired q disinterested coon.
GRAFTON Of which no European govern
ment was capable.
In a few Years he had been r~ecopnized
by France as commander i'll chief of the
army Of Havti and was practically die
tator Of tbe island
rs a ruler Of Hovti no snrrounded
himself with he nomn of = nrince ri.
thorob ne~rsonaIlv he retained habits Of
so,,o,.o ~ei,,pI.;+v uo +osrorinn7, on5
sIa,t IittIa heinr noesessei of eGvtraor.
dinarv mowers Of endurance Tn DIGNITY
of mannnr ba WIS cntire1v en1al RI his
posjtion. He c~ndeavored TO reconcile
conflicting races. ard his r7Ie was inn
rartial ana able.
nrt N,noIaon was NOT +ha man +o al
low, = dictator nnda, himself He eent
nm army of 20 600 men to Havti to re-
store Slavery and reduce tine COLONY TO
srbiact;on
Suspectir.s the true purpose of the ex-
pedition. IousS9iut resisted the landing
of the army but finally laid down his
arms after he had been assured that
there was ma intention Of RESTORING
slavery and that he injured the cause of
his race by resistance
He WIS sill too poyyerful TO be onenIv