Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-08-22

IL II uOt uiuhtiY lllht lne uOhl mOncltOnS
changes on the face of the earth in the next
half century will occur on the continent of
Africa. Civilized nations are getting out Of
patience with its obstinate barbarisIn and
making preliminary assaults on all sides that
must sooner or later break down the barrier
that from the beginning of time guarded the
mysteries of the interior and kept out the re-
genernting influences of civilization. Science
is eager to know the secrets of its geography,
its geology, its zoology, its ethnology, and
governments and learned societies are ready
to promote and push on its Investigations
Trade Is importunate for new realms to open
up, and anxious to get at the unexplored
treasures of the vast tropical regions in which
intelligence and enterprise are yet to begin
their work. Christian zeal is ready to begin
its powerful aid in behalf of the salvation of
those dusky millions that still bow down TO
wood and stone Heretofore these various
agencies have made but feeble attacks upon
this great stronghold of darkness. but they
have caused IA breach here and there, aud
once a beginning is fairly made the work will
go on with accumulating vigor.
History, whether in ancient or modern
times, has scarcely ever got beyond easy
reach of the sea-coast, and has confined it
self chiefly with the Mediterranean shore.
Egypt has long record, picturesque with the
exploits of men in war and peace, in arts and
philosophy. A few colossal figures, like Jug
urthR and Hannibal, stalk in the dimness of
antiquity over the plains of Numidia and
Mauritania. Commerce in recent centuries
has prodded here and there along the vast
and varied coast-line, for ivory, for gold for
precious minerals and curious birds and ami
mails and has not scruplcd to carry of the
simple inhabitants into slavery that turned to
a curse in their hands. Missionaries, with
the intrepid zeal that comes of religious
faith, have fixed their stations around the
whole vast circuit, but have hardly gone out
of sight of the ocean that alone connects
them with the world of civilization. Adven-
turous explorers have taken their lives in
their hands and plunged into the unknown
depths, without knowing where they were to
come out, or whether they would ever emerge
from the perils that beset their way. But all
these were only pioneers, reconnoitring the
dark continent, and making reports for the
real forces that were waiting to attack. Eu-
ropean nations have gained foothold on the
outposts, and are strengthening themselves
there, and science and commerce are con
certing plans for the conquest of Africa.
Great Brtain's colonies in the South bid
fair TO extend, from time to time, through
constant collusion with native tribes on the
border, until great African Empire is built
up beyond the equator as another huge de-
pendency of the wonderful island from which
has gone so much of the civliZing power that
is conquering the earth. Who shall say but
there may be u field here for the exploits of
warriors and statesmen, such rs have made
the history of India like heroic romance
There needs only the incentive of rich gains
and if commerce can find profitable work in
developing this region, conquest will go hand
in hand with it, even TO the verge Of the great
desert. On the northern coast Egypt is al
ready between the hands of England and
France, and may he plucked from the pos
session of the sick man" who nominally
holds it, whenever the occasion is convenient
and the inducement sufficient. 1t is not like
ly to be permanently held as joint acquis-
sition, but there will be plenty of chance for
an amicable division of this and adjacent
plunder. France already holds Algeria with
firm grip, aud is planning a connection by
railroad with the interior. On the recon-
mendation of NJ. Freycinet, her Minister of
Public Works, a commission has been ap-
pointed to prepare and direct or aid eXplo-
ration with view 10 establishing the practical
bility of constructing line between Algeria,
Senegal, and Central Africa, and 10 determine
the best direction for it TO take. A railroad
1000 kilometres, or about |, 200 miles in
length, piercing to the heart OF Soudan and
connecting the Mediterranean with the river
Niger is in contemplation. The compactness
of the African Continent, the absence of
deep CULTS and penetrating seas aud inlets, has
been the chief protection against successful
invasion; but let one such enterprise MS this
be executed aud made profitable, and it will
speedily be stabbed in all directions, deeper
and deeper with railroads, which will carry
with them the irresistible forces of trade and
civilization, These will overcome the savage
natives and dispel the mystery of Ethiopia.
Flooding the Sahara and transforming it into
an inland sea may be an impracticable prof
ect, but the fact that it has been seriously
broached is another indication of the drtcrn-
iuation of European enterprise to get into the
heart of Africa and open it to commerce and
industry. Exploring expeditions are multi
plying and taking more and more the charac-
ter of recORHOisSdaoes in the interests of trade,
and the different nations of Europe are max
ing haste to take part in the competition that
is springing up. Politics. science, commerce
and Christianity are concentrating their forces
upon Africa, aud if once they get to work
with persistent energy, it must sooner or
later fall under their sway, aud the dOminat-
ing races of the North viii determine the des-
tinies of another continent ~, J. Times.