Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-27
roUssAINT LouyERrURE.
The Brief Story of y Remarkable Career
Begun In slavery ~ the Age of Sc.

The Brief STORY OF . R~markss,~ Career
Begun In slavery ~ the Age ef Sc.
From the DETROIT fres Press
Thirty years ago Tou-saint L'Ouverture ~ss
name 10 coniure with Poets and orator. de-
scribed his virtues aud hi. genius. and cited
hmm o. an ilnstrious example Of the cspsbih-
ties Of his race.
romantic interest will always attach 20 his
name. The fact that for ifty-four yesrs he
lived in deepest ob-curity a. . slave on q Hay
than plantation and the epic character Of his
subsequent achievements give = tinge Of an
,iqne hercism 10 bis history.
The French colony in HAyti was long one oi
the greatest slave msrts in the world AZ th.
time Of the French revolution there were in "a,
colony 1900 whites. $4,000 free mula,toes sne
5Oo.on slaves. The mulsttoes many of whom
had been educated in France. took advantage O,
the revolution and obtained . recognition o,
their political rights from the French s-.embl,
the whites Of Hayti refused 10 recognize the de-
clsion and q war broke out which was soon COM
plicsted by uprising OF the whole slave pop
ulstion. On a memorable night IN August,
1881. the plantations were fired and many
whites murdered
Toussaint had not At this time acquired the
name OF l. Overture. This word. meaning
1.-THE opening" Was applied TO him sftervara
because he opened a way for the freedom %
his race through the chaotic conditions Of the
following wears:
In the dreadful war; Of the wears following
the upriss.l OF the slaves his extraordinary in
nuence over his race and hi. militsky genius
gave him pre-eminence all other chief.
A design OF freeing his race. which cosld onlv
he accomplished by making il the ruling race
OF Hayti. gradually took shape in his mind aud
forms the keynote cf his career.
France, Spain and Englsn nd each bid high FOG
has alliance, but France declared for the freel
dom OF the slaves. and he finally ranged himself
under the French flag. IL was evidently has dee
sire 10 maintain a desirable connection with q
European power which would Vet leave him &c
liberty TO develop his plans for his own race.
but the realization of his idea required disir-
terested cooperation. " which no EuropoAr
government capable
Ina few wears be had been recognized bv
France as commander-in-chief az the army ot
Hayti and vas practically dictator.
As ruler Of Hayti he surrounded himself with
The pomp OF a prince, although personally he
retained habits Of severe simplicity. He ate
sparingly and slept little. being Possessed 81
extraordinary powers Of endurance. In dignity
OF manner he was entirely equal TO his position.
He endeavored TO reconcile conflicting races,
his rule WIS impartial and able.
But Napoleon was not the man 20 allow a die
tator under himself. He sent an army Of 30 600
men to Hayti 10 restore slavery and reduce tho
colony 10 subsection.
Suspecting the true purpose Of the expedition.
Ioussalnt resisted the landing Of the army. bus
finally laid down his arms after he had been as
sured that there no intention OF res,orinx
slavery and that he injured the cause OF his race
BY resisting
lie was still too powerful 10 he openly seized.
but he WAS decoyed into the French quarters
and was then burned on board vessel aud cat
ried 10 France. He hoped to meet Napoleon
and defend his conduct. but ON landing ho VA.
secretly hurried 60 a lonely fortress in the Alp.
where he shortly afterward died. MANY wild
stories attrihuting his death to murder found
eredence 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 va.
intellectually retarded
While Toussaints fate and place OF imprson-
ment were still unknown Wordsworth wrote the
beautiful sonnet. ITO Toussaint LOuverture
His history is the subject of a drama by Lamar .
tine and ola novel, The Hour and the Man. -
by Harriet Msrtineau. During the snA -slsver~
agitation in the United States be was cited q =
most illustrious example Of the capabilities oe }
his race. poem by Whittier and an Grafton
by Wendell Phillips commemorate his virtuef
and genius.