Los Angeles herald., 1892-10-01
A LEADER OF SLAVES
ROMANTIC RISE AND FALL o.
ToUssAINT L'oUvERTuRE.


TOussAINT L'OUvERTuRE.
A Character in History which Has Fur.
nished Theme for Poets and Orators.
Napoleon's Base Treatment of the Great
Gcneral-His Untimely End.
4 Thirty years ago Toussaint L'Ouver.
ture was nameto 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-
luton there were in the colony 80, 900
whites, 10000 free mulattoes and 500, 900
slaves. The mulattoes, many Of whom
had been educated in France, took adj
vantage Of the revolution and obtained
q 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
complicated by an uprising Of the whole
slave population. On memorable night
in August, 1891, the plantations were
fred and many Of the whites were muir
dered.
Toussaint had not at this time ac-
quired the name Of L'Ouverture. This
word, meaning "the opening" was ap-
piled to him afterward because he
opened 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-
nence 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
to maintain desirable connection with
q 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
Grafton 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 die
tator Of the island.
] AS ruler of aayti 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 extraor-
dinary powers of endurance. In dignity
Of manner he was entirely equal to his
position. He endeayored 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 10000 men to Hayti to re-
store slavery and reduce the colony to
subsection.
Suspecting the true purpose of the ex-
pedition, 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 Sc
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 FASTENED
his end.
BY his removal the progress of his
race was incalculably retarded.
I While Toussaints fate and place of i'm
prisonment were still unknown, Wads-
worth wrote the beautiful sonnet, "To
tToussaint L'Ouverture." His history is
the subject of a drama by Lamartine,
and of novel, "The Hour and the
Man." by Harriet Martineau. During
the antislavery agitation in the United
States he was cited as 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. Detroit Free
Press.
Wide Columns and the Eyesight.