Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1868-02-07
Prom the New York Herald.


Men often, by some foftnoate accident hit
the very nick OF time in their undertakings
or discoveries. This seems to be the case
DuChaillu. He Is fortunate In revealing To-
The world facts regarding the previously un-
explored portions OF Africa near tse equator
at time when mankind Is earuestl, seeking
information about that old and vast con,i-
uent He Is fortunate In bringing to light
mnny facts regarding the negro race and In
the discovery OF the gorilla, an animal that
approaches nearest ia, the human family, at
Z time when philosophers, ethuologists. phys
biologists and men Of science generally are
greatly occupied With subjects pertaining 70
the races OF Snen and animals. He Is fortu-
nate In returning to the Culted States 70 lec-
ture on these subjects and his discoveries
when the public mind is profoundly moved
about the status OF the negto In our political
and social life.
Some Of our citizens viii have the privi-
lege OF seeing Mr.. Dn Chaiiln's fine diagrams
Of the bony skeletons of the gorilla, tie
chimpanzee, the ourang outang, andof man,
as well rs OF African scenery, natives and
different animals, aud OF hearing explana-
tions by Mr.. Du Ohaillu at the Travellers
Club tonight. Afterwards he will CON-
mence an extensive lecturing tour through
the United States, beginning at New York in
course Of three lectures at Steinway Hall,
on the l1th, Gath and 26th of February
Mr.. Du Chaillu did not 60 TO Equatorial Af-
rica twice, and remain there many years for
the sake Of adventure or for sport In shoot
ing animals, like many English travellers in
this and other countries, but he went as a
sdpant to study iu q new field the races of
men aud animals, and especially the negro
In his primitive condition and home. He
visited and lived among thirty tribes Of ne
groes, many Of which had never had befofe
any knowledge or intercourse with the white
man. His lectures, therefore, must prove
highly interesting and instructive 10th 10 The
mass of the people and TO men of science.
The public mind Is ripe, as we said before
for just snch facts, with regard TO the negro
race as Mr.. Du Chaillu has presented In his
books and will present In his lectures. Not
being politician or partisan In any sense,
and simply treating the subject in scientific
point of view, he win be listened to by all
parties and classes. He should By all means
go to Washington and enlighten the pro-ae-
gro and auti-negro members of Congress on
the subject Of races. The hall Of ReI.fesen-
tatives should be assigned TO him for this
purpose. This would be q much more Aps
propriate use Of II than when used by the
ranting strong. minded women lecturers and
f< other equally Objectionable purposes. II
may be profitable, perhaps, for our negro
worshipping Congressmen to learn how far
the gorilla aud negro of Africa are removed
from the white Caucasian race Of this conn.,
try. The continent Of Africa, as Mr.. Du
Chailu shows, Is the oldest but whether the
negro inhabitants are the oldest race Of the
human family, or whether, 40 some main
tain; all Of the four great divisioas--the Ne
gro, the MonKolian, tho American Indian
and the Caucasian are descendsd from the
same stock, 10 Of little consequence in view
of the actual and great difference that exists
This latter 10 the paramount question now
that an effort is being uads to put the high.
est and lowest of these races on q political
and social level. 1t may be useful to know
that the negro through all his long history