Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-07-11
Farm and Fareszae.
RRsURRBCTBD BGrPT.

It wonld be gratifying indeed to the
friends of humanity and progression to be-
leve that the present awakening in the
land of the Pharaoh's and the Ptolemies,
from its lethargy of ages was the result of
accidental civilization, the contagion of
which had infused its ruler, and would
lead to the eventual enlightenment of be-
nighted Africa, were not the extension
and fostering of negro slavery the hidden
though real object which influences the APP
parent remarkable changes and improve
ments now occurring there, most of which
have been inaugurated under the regime
of the present Khedive. The greatest of
these is the projection of the Soudan Rail-
way, by which 1t is proposed to connect
the navigation of the Nile with interior
Africa. The beginning of this road is at
Wady Halfai, a short distance above the
second cataract of the Nile, from whence it
will traverse the country across Nubia to
Shendy, distance of FIVE hundred miles.
This point is its present terminus. Event
ually the Road is intended to be continued
to Kartoun, from whence it will branch to
the Red SEA in one direction, and TO the
fertile regions of Equatorial Africa in
another. The survey has already been
finished to Kartoun, under the direction
of British engineers and presents no great
difficulties for the proposed construction
of the Road, as the country is level. It's
cost is estimated at $50, OO0, 900, and three
years are allotted for its completion.
The resources of the undeveloped coun-
try through which this Road is projected,
are described as unlimited. Cotton, sugar,
tropical fruits, ivory, ebony and aromatic
woods and perfumes are indigenous to the
soil, and hut require the laborer's touch to
produce them in enormous Quantities
Commerce, it ia represented, will receive
an important stimulus from its com pletion,
as machinery, cutlery, furniture, firearms
and every species of manufactured goods
will be imported. While these projects of
the able African despot give excellent
promise of the future development of vast,
rich and uncultivated territory, it is sad to
contemplate that slave labor is to he the
unjust means intended TO bring about its
accomplishment, unless enlightened ma
tons enter and enforce timely protest
thereto.
Within ten years, the present Khedive
has made himself OF of the most opulent
sovereigns of the globe, mainly through
the enforced servitude Of his Ethiopian
slaves. The PROJECTION of his Equatorial
Railway, has for its object, not the devel-
opment and civilization of the territory
through which il is proposed to pass but
the cultivation of vast cotton fields, and
great sugar plantations to increase his enor-
l..
Though ostensibly proclaming himself an
enemy to this inhuman traffic, secretly
conaives at it, and constantly permits its
continuance, swelling his profits and fill
ing his Golfers to repletion thereby. 1t be-
hooves enlightened and humane nations TO
solemnly protest against this national in
humanity and cruel wrone in the meridian
of our progressive century. If they do not
desire the Inauguration and establishment
of more gigantic Slave Empire than has
ever cursed the world since its foundation.
whose Influence cannot fail to deaden the
beneficient effects of free labor in every
portion of the globe.
A Railroad in Egypt, five hundred miles
in extent, cannot fail to exert most pow
erfu' Influence in elevating the standard of
civilization in that country and in develop
ing exceedingly important commercial ad-
vantages, but If ii must be purchased at the
price Of human liberty, its advantages
would fail to compensate for its cost. 1t is
hardly possible that the Khedive may feel
justified in pressing his subjects into this
work temporarily, just as governments
sometimes press men into the army by
draft, while he has no purpose to establish
and perpetuate slavery. There might be at
least the shadow ofan excuse for thus COM
polling his subjects TO aid in constructing a
work which promises such great blessings
for all future time. At all events, the Road
will be built, and II the Khediye should
fail to liberate the men who build II at the
completion Of the work, the civilization
which must grow up through the influence
of such great improvements will speedily
do that work for him.-Toledo blade.