Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1858-08-28
Franco and Mt dagascar.

On the eastern coast Of Africa, and defended
like that continent by climate fatal to the white
race, at least along the coast, lies the magnificent
island OF Madagascar, strangely neglected but
wonderfully ricn field l5r the colonizlng ambition
Of Europe. France has glanced in that direction
before, but it has remained for the daring, far
sighted Napole III Ia really comprehend It's great
capabilities, and grasp them boldly, us ali appen.
age Of his prospective African empire. 1t Is now
! quietly announced TIM, the vast island, ,hous
and miles ia length, and Of twice the area of
France, is and has been for two centuries French
property. 1t has population of several millions
oi negroes, with II large sprnkng Of straight
haired Arabs, who are not entirely destitute of
civilized ideas.
What Napoleon the Third intends to do with
the island or its inhabitants is not declared, but
1t may have some Kind of relation with the fact
that among the ways and means suggested for
the construction u NJ. Bclly's Nicaraguan canal,
ii WAS stated that excellent, ablc-bodied laborers
could be obtained in Madagascar, and delivered
pn the lsthmus at 900 francs, or S2OO head -
Supposc---we advance it merely in the way of con-
lrcurc--tliat two, or three, or four, Or hive hun
dred slaves had their liberty bought by the canal
contractors on condition Of their serving fifteen
wears III Central America what European power
would he likely To Interfere? Is there anything
t. hinder this project 30 ''cmincntly adyanta-
,,"ous to humanity aud clyillzatlon.' We
think that is the phrase used by the French
journalist IN rcpeiiiug the sublucd circumstances
II Englnnd at the Napoleon plan Of spelling the
British cody trade by taking up the Airicon line
al opposition.
BE that As it may, France comes out with Der
Ct i'm to Madagascar, III the calm. noiseless way
IN which Napoleon always strikes his sure and
sudden comps; and certain it is, that no Euro
pecan Power will venture to dispute it. The
rpation Of Perrin by England is u stronger
and more unjustitabe act. and Napoleon has
pu. in his word of objection that III such form
thu. it can lay over rs long or DO taken up ms
soo.i rs shall suit his policy. Perrin is noless
in the way Of the Suez rond to MAZDA sascar than
it il Watchdog in the path to India: and it
will be II charming subject of quarrel whenever
Nap oleon has occasion for second edition OF tho
CriI war.
All these African arrangements may he nothing
t" u even in the barely possible contingency Of
Fran &C paintings rival emf ire of cheap African
labo on our Southern borders; but as another
step IN the develppmentof his gigantic colonial
loilcy y, which we have before indicated. it prom
tcs hccome an interesting item in tho history
Of the day, nevertheless. 1t is of the grains
of mu.'tard-sccd which will grow of Itself, if onco
it is ju dciousy planted. for Madagascar will pro-
du6e anything India can, and has the right pop
uatou to employ in it, The chief potcntate Of
the island is oppressive aud unpopular with the
petty chiefs, and has besides ill-treatel some
French subjects, all of which opens the way hand
soncly- a few presents and little timely AS
sistance to the discontcned chiefs, and after
that, some soldiers, missionaries, and
some traders, and Madagascar shines forth
splendid and profitable slayehodng COLONY of
France Udshinytoa States