The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-09-24
"O'or Uulabitable downs,
IllCgt eIenhants Tor want Of towns ,,

Placed elephants want of towns"
we now hear of peaceful nations rich in enormous
herds of cattle which swarm over the luxuriant
pasture lands, or happy in their simple and primi-
tive agricultural pursuits. Beyond the great
deserts, whose arid wastes were once supposed
fairly to represent almost the whole of Africa, lies
land literally flowing with milk and honey"
All that part Of the Continent within 90 degrees
and on both sides of the Equator, comprising
country about twenty-five hundred miles in
width, and stretching from ocean to ocean, is,
as far as yet explored, well fitted to become
a great centre Of civilization. Many portions of
it are SO healthy that even the unaccimated white
man may inhabit them with safety; and even in
the unhealthier regions the causes of disease are,
IN many cases. not only apparent, and, therefore,
IN some degree under control but are such as will
be materially diminished as the cultivation of the
soil becomes more general and perfect. Nor is it
only as land of peace and plenty for those who
u"ell therein, that the interior of the continent is
VI importance. 1t contains within it vast re-
sources OF wealth and power that it bchooves the
commercial world to assist in developing We
can merely allude to few of the products men
lmaSgIne for themselves what land so fruitful
Iron, coal salt precious stones, and gold-dust are
only few Of the valuable minerals found in differ
ent quarters. Ivory, butter, hides, palm oil, and
wax already find their way to the coast in no
inconsiderable quantities. 1t is, however, to the
exhaustless variety of the vegetable kingdom that
attention will be chiefly drawn. Cotton, indigo.
tobacco and the sugar-cane, scarcely need the
care of the agriculurist. Wheat coffee, corn,
and rice repay thousand fold the labor expended
on them, as do the melons, beans, sweet potatoes,
manioc, and ianumerable fruits which now
constitute so large a part of the food of the
natives The few great rivers flowing from
the interior TO the sea, are navigabe
for many hundreds of miles, and no serious
obstacles will be encountered when the day
shall come for opening those great high
ways upon the land which facilitate the intercourse
between nations. If foreign statesmen are now
pondering upon the future condition of the new
world that has come wheeling as it were from the
outer realms Of space into our own system, and
philosophers are specializing upon the probable
destineS Of the empires that may there arise what
Snail we say concerning these discoveries. They
point out to us another field for the operations of
our industry and enterprise, so vast and so in
portan and they also bear directly upon the ques-
uons whose solution we so anxiously desire. The
free coIored population that is, and is to be, will
demand in the free States clearer recognition of
"Aa' they term their equal rights Their present
Po''uoh Is melancholy one, and their future is
u''FN and doubtful. The antipathies of race, and
tue od traditionary laws of society are all hone
leSsy against them. The wild favings of the male,
anu lleoler ncoherencies of the female Missionaries
WEI WORK no good or definite result But true
"-iu ABLE men both North and South are bending
".'''"s minds IN direction which promises better
.i'HsS' The Colonization Society stands upon
tae loneiy sea shore and beckons towards the land
u promise. Though it has had hard struggle
80 universe fortune and has accomplished as
small part Of the Hercuean task it so
Aa&guratel we think we even now
- So ''s sHmmcrings of that brighter dawn
80 '"',' "ieaA around its laborers at their work
u WISE P'"."a'hropy. To them will the praise
;n 80 measure if not wholly due, if succeed
Ing generations Shall find US relieved of much of
e,' ''' now rergexes US, and shall trace its
removal to the foundation of civilized emnire in
Africa. VI Il Wv iii@'u eiii'ife III