I have thought that a short life of TOUSSAINT LOUVERTURE might
be desirable for two purposes:—one is, that it may, in some
degree, weaken that bitter prejudice of color, which denies the
blacks the rights of citizens—which drives them away from the
Communion-table—and will not let them enter an omnibus, nor, if it
can prevent it, into Heaven.
The other is, that it may encourage the blacks to deserve respect and
honor—as he did—by growing industrious, and rich, and intelligent,
and brave, and noble, and strong, and so prove their manhood against
all infidels, north and south—in the Church and out of it.
It should be borne in mind, that Toussaint was a negro, and that he
was not more ashamed of being black than he should be of being white.