Arizona republican., 1892-09-18
A LEADER OF SLAVES.
ROMANTIC RISE AND FAcl OF
 TouSSAINT uiOuVERTuRE.

Napoleon's Base Treatment of the Great GeneraI-His UntimeIy End.
 Thirty years ago Toussaint L'Ouver- ture was name to conjure with Poets and orators described his virtues and 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 in deepest obscurity as a slave on Haytian plantation and the epic character of his subsequent achieve ments give 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- lution there were in the colony 30, 900 whites, 20,000 free mulattoes and 800, 900 slaves. The mulattoes, many of whom had been educated in France, took ad- 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 war broke out which was soon
  slave population. On memorable night in August, 179l, the plantations were fired and many of the whites were mur- dered.
 Toussaint had not at this time &C., quired the name of L'Ouverture. This word, meaning "the opening" was ap- 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 uprisal of the slaves his ex- traordinary influence over his race and his military genius gave him pre-emi- hence 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. It was evidently his desire 10 maintain desirable connection with a European power which would yet leave him at liberty to develop his plans for his own race, but the realization of his idea required disinterested coop eration of which no European govern ment was capable.
 In few years he had been recognized by France as commander in chief of the army of Hayti and was practically dic- tator of the island.
 As ruler of Hayti he surrounded himself with the pomp of prince, al- though personally he retained habits of severe simplicity He ate sparingly and slept little, being possessed of extrsor- dinary powers of endurance. In dignity of manner he was entirely equal to his position. He endeavored to reconcile conflicting races, and his rule was i'm partial and able.
 But Napoleon was not the man to al low dictator under himself He sent an army of 30,000 men to Hayti to re- store slavery and reduce the colony to subjection.
 Suspecting the true purpose of the ex- petition, Toussaint resisted the landing of the army, but finally laid down his arms after he had been assured that there was no intention of restoring slavery and that he injured the cause of his race by resistance.
 He was still too powerful to be openly seized, but he was decoyed into the French quarters and was then hurried on board vessel and carried to France. He hoped to meet Napoleon and defend his conduct, but on landing he was se- cretly hurried to lonely fortress in the Alps, where he shortly afterward died. Many wild stories attributing his death to murder found credence at the time. Neglect and the change from tropic to an Alpine climate doubtless hastened his end.
 By his removal the progress of his race was incidentally retarded.
 While Toussaints fate and place of i'm prisonment were still unknown, Wads- worth wrote the beautiful sonnet, "To Toussaint LOuverture. His history is the subject of drama by Lamartine, and of a novel, "The Hour and the Man." by Harriet Martineau. During the antslavery agitation in the United States he was cited us most illustrious example of the real capabilities of his race. A poem by Whittier and an ora ton by Wendell Phillips commemorate his virtues and his genius. Free Press.