On the brink of the civil war, Northern abolitionists were distraught on military plans. In 1861, Wendell Phillips, an abolitionist white man, proposed that African Americans should be allowed to serve in the union army. Phillips attempts to sway the northern abolitionist leaders and supporters by using figurative tools, acknowledging the previous misunderstandings of a martyr, and presenting his knowledge of the matter at hand.
Needing to portray African Americans as competent soldiers able to fight for the north, Phillips directly compares Toussaint Louverture to a plethora of historically significant figures. Tousaint Louverture was a revolutionary leader during the successful slave revolt of Haiti, and Phillips uses him to show the true potential of African American soldiers. Phillips proves Louverture’s dedication and strength to be relevant when he …show more content…
The marvelous city of Athens was the very capital of Attica, and its presence is infinite for western society. Phillips admits that Haiti was not a particularly large country, but he refutes by stating that the quality, not the quantity, is what truly matters. By comparing Haiti to Athens, Phillips conveys that the slave revolt in Haiti may have not required an enormous amount of effort, but it’s effect will be everlasting. Louverture’s rebellion represented the power and dedication of the oppressed, and how the strength of African American soldiers could do the same for the Union Army. Wendel Phillips compares Toussaint to an important English politician, infamous for his military skill, of the name Oliver Cromwell, “I would call him Cromwell, but Cromwell was only a soldier, and the state he founded went down with him to his grave.” Phillips displayed the similarities of Louverture and Cromwell, which were their military skills and passions for their country. Phillips establishes Louverture as general worth referencing to Cromwell, as well as a leader who had more redeeming qualities.
Needing to portray African Americans as competent soldiers able to fight for the north, Phillips directly compares Toussaint Louverture to a plethora of historically significant figures. Tousaint Louverture was a revolutionary leader during the successful slave revolt of Haiti, and Phillips uses him to show the true potential of African American soldiers. Phillips proves Louverture’s dedication and strength to be relevant when he …show more content…
The marvelous city of Athens was the very capital of Attica, and its presence is infinite for western society. Phillips admits that Haiti was not a particularly large country, but he refutes by stating that the quality, not the quantity, is what truly matters. By comparing Haiti to Athens, Phillips conveys that the slave revolt in Haiti may have not required an enormous amount of effort, but it’s effect will be everlasting. Louverture’s rebellion represented the power and dedication of the oppressed, and how the strength of African American soldiers could do the same for the Union Army. Wendel Phillips compares Toussaint to an important English politician, infamous for his military skill, of the name Oliver Cromwell, “I would call him Cromwell, but Cromwell was only a soldier, and the state he founded went down with him to his grave.” Phillips displayed the similarities of Louverture and Cromwell, which were their military skills and passions for their country. Phillips establishes Louverture as general worth referencing to Cromwell, as well as a leader who had more redeeming qualities.