The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-09-24
STANLEY and Africa.

after following the Congo river from its
source to It's mouth has already been an
nounced. The achievement was one OF
undoubtedly heroic nature; for whatever
distrust may be entertained Of travels gen.
erally,-of the supposed exaggeratlons
which may be indulged. under, the eSclte-
ment of flattery and ambition-there can
be no doubt that in journey OF such lenStn'
through land inhabited by savases exhio-
ting every phase OF savage superstition,
inhospitality, and brutality, there must
be peril and hardship unimaSinaDle !;
and STANLEY unquestionably has estab-
lisaed his claim to fame for sagacity'
deliberution, courage, and heroism. No
man could make such journey without
them. He had to be ever yisilant, shreWd'
and resolute. He had to understand the
nature OF the men that accompanied INN,
who, being savagcs, could only be ruled Dv
one whose talent to command them kept
them in fear. STANLEY will not be de-
priyed of any OF his rights to fame after
such achievements as he has performed, ana
to the New York Herald will be accorded
credit for the liberality and zeal in behalf OF
geographical discovery which it has dis
PLAYED in such q remarkable manner.
SANKEY'S successful tracing OF the Congo
river from its source, so nearly in contact
with the sources OF the Nile, opens new
ideas and new schemes to the commercial
and scientific world. Taking the Congo and
the Nile in consideration, the water COM
n,unication they might afford with intervals
OF railway would form line OF travel and
TRANSPORTATION OF possibly five thousand
miles. The country along the valleys OF the
Nile and the Congo must be wonderfully
rich, and presents attractions to adyentu-
rous traders and searchers for mineral
wealth that cannot be resisted. There must
be on the line OF such route native pro-
ducts OF great value in wood and ivory
and precious metals, as well as agricultural
and industrial products. that would enrich
the dealers in them. We shall likely soon
see projects looking to these objects.
Before the triumph Of STANLEY was
known in this country the african RepoSi-
tory, the colonization organ, published
letter from Mr.. AUGUSTUS WATSON propo-
sing an African continental railway from
Liberia enthusiastically through the Kong
mountain, and thence eastwardly to the
Niger valley. Thence, it is coniectured,
the road might he continued through the
table-land that lies between the desert OF
Sahara and the equator-a thousand miles
wide and four thousand miles long, from
the Atlantic to the Indian ocean. 1t is I'M
derstood that the country is rich, and has
many towns and walled cities, some OF them
having 10000 and $4,000 inhabitants. Mr..
WATSON estimates that such country would
demand 4 vast amount OF American manu-
features, and makes strong argument for
an appropriation by Congress for superb
cial survey Of a considerable section OF the
projected improvement.
Twenty-Five years ago Commander
LYNCH, native OF Virginia, who, by di-
rection OF the Naval Department, made the
Dead Sea expedition and examined good
portion OF the Holy Land, appealed to Con-
gress for an appropriation for an explora-
ton of the country east OF Liberia. y bill
was introduced for this purpose, and was
lost by one vote. And now Mr.. WATSON
proposes to renew the effort.
STANLEY's revelations about the Congo
will stimulate the projects with reference to
Africa, but will probably divert attention
for time from the exploration OF the table
land east of Liberia. The African continent
may not be inferior to any Of the others
in its wealth Of resources, and will assuredly
be made to yield its proper proportion for
the subsistence and comfort OF man. The
present time gives the enterprises with re-
gard to that quarter Of the globe a new inn
pulse, and there will probably be surpris-
ing advances made with within few years
towards utilizing African wealth and pro-
noting African civilization.
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