The free citizen. (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-12-04
African Exploration.

The explorations sok Stanley in the
heart of Africa are of the utmost geo
graphical interest and Importance. He
is II plucky, clear-headed man, who push
cs his way through difficulties like n
steam engine through n snow drift; and,
considering the delays and slowness of
former :cxIed tions, the rapidity of his
movements and the promptness of his
communications are quite remarkable
He has too much business on hand to be
sick, and is too active and energetic and
vigilant to be entrapped by the treacher-
ious natives or captured by the malaria.
1t is quite evident that the natives stand
lin awe of this man, who seems to be Il
sort Of locomotive in boots, though they
shoot his men when out Of his sight with
out hesitation or remorsc, and his two
letters came stained with the lifc-blood of
one of the Khedive's officers. Stanley
has now demonstrated by actual observ-
alton and surveys that Livingstone,
whose health and mind failed in the last
years of his long African sojourn, was
mistaken i'll supposing the Victoria Ny
ANA was a chain of five lakes connected
with each other. He finds that Spekc,
whose explorations were made in 1862,
was right i'll his opinion that the Victoria
Nyanza is one body Of water; but what
Spoke took for two islands Stanley finds
arc peninsulas in this great inland sea-
This is undoubtedly the upper reservoir
of the Nile, and should future explor-
ations confirm the Importance of the
River Shimceyou we shall have ti. key
to the whole Nile system, and the mys-
terry of Africa will be lencciorth an open
secret 1t is n matter of national pride
that these final explorations arc made by
an American, who, though he follows
the trail of distinguished explorers,
seems to have q capacity of gathering up
tlc results of their discursive discoveries
and observations, and combining and
correcting them, and supplemcnting them
with original explorations of his own,
Which are quite rs important as any that
have been made.
These African explorations are of vast
ly more consequence and practical utility
than anything that has been or is likely
to be discovered in the Arctic regions,
where so much treasure has been spent
and SO many lives have been thrown
away. Africa is not only puzzle to
geographers: it is now problem fol-
civilization to solve, and throws down its
challenge to tbs craftsmanship and hui
manity of the globe. 1t lies in the high
way of commerce, inviting the inter
course of all nations. Its fertile soils and
salubrious climates and valuable produc.
tlons give it a vast Importance, which is
increased by its accessibility on all sides.
The cradle of civilization and tho seat OF
commerce for centuries, it is now sparse
ly peopled, and to all practical intents is
a virgin continent inviting immigration
and furnishing almost unlimited scope to
the enterprise of civilized man. What
shall be done with it and for it are cues
tions which will ask themselves with
increasing frequency and force in coming
years. Mr.. Dalton has suggested that an
attempt be made to colOnize it with
Chinese. The plan has plausibility. II
has bcen found that the Chinese who
ave settled in the Oceanic Islands have
developed quite remarkable faculties O.
thrift aid enterprise and government
atHaa have improved considerIbIs,c OH Tho
Nome tips 9s lgatt with are' IS over:
crowded with population and all he1
great cities suffering from an excess ol
poor and perishing classes, it certainly
seems that the key Of African civilization
need not be sought in eastern Asin among
the Mongolian races. It only wants the
ability to organize colonization on
grand scale and carry it out with the
appliances of modern science and art and
the modern spirit of humanity to make
Africa a power in the civilized world and
= :, means me- an. OF rcnovating Europe. Daily
Z. Graphic.