In this speech, Wendell Phillips, a white American Abolitionist uses many strategies to

get his main point across. Among these strategies are those that apply to emotional appeals, a
logical argument/ comparison, and authority. He clearly shows his motives and the fact that he
believes that African Americans can serve in the military. His motives remain unselfish due to
the fact that he is speaking up for a race which is not his own saying that they are just as able to
fight in the military as we are.
Phillips shows emotional appeals by using imagery to show the hatred and disgust many
had for Toussaint-Louverture, then going on to the strong prideful feel of not comparing to
Toussaint, and finally a passionate and powerful emotion when speaking of how Toussaint will
be an important figure in the future. In the text Phillips strengthens his speech by expressing the
contrasting emotions, -men who despised him as a negro and a slave, and hated him because
he had beaten them in many a battle/ I would call him Washington, but the great virginian held
slaves/ but fifty years hence...the Muse of History...then, dipping her pen in the sunlight, will
write...above them all, the name of the soldier...Toussaint-Louverture. (line 11-13, 29-30, 3544).
In the speech, Phillips argues that he is better than many war generals and political
leaders. He speaks of how he would compare them to these leaders but then again wouldnt
because they held flaws when it came to their leadership. In the text, he states, I would call
him Cromwell but...the state he founded went down with him to his grave/ I would call him
Washington, but the great virginian held slaves. This man risked his empire rather than permit
the slave trade (line 27-32). Not only does Phillips highlight the flaws of the leaders, he also
shows how Toussaint- Louverture is so much better than them.
The last strategy that Philips uses is authority. He shows this by showing the unfairness
that Louverture has received and having the audacity to down many great names in history in
the name of making his point stand out. In the speech he says, All the materials written for his
biography are from the lips of his enemies.../ The Muse of history...will write in the clear blue,

above them all, the name of the soldier, the statesman, the martyr, Toussaint- Louverture. (line
13-14, 35-42). He shows that Louverture has not boasted about himself and his
accomplishments because the only thing that is known about him is known from his enemies.
He also has the audacity to say that he is the most important person and should be written
above everyone else.
Phillips has done an exceptional job expressing that African Americans can serve in the
military due to the fact that Toussaint- Louverture has done such an important and selfless thing
by not allowing the slave-trade to further be held. This shows that African Americans can be
trusted and can make good decision on the subject of political and military matters.