The New York herald., 1879-09-20
Colonel Gordon and African Slavery.

Colonel Gordon and African Slavery.
Ismail Pacha, ex-Khedive Of Egypt, at
the commencement of his reign, conceived
the idea Of attempting the eradication of
the slave trade in the lands of the Upper
Nile. He first called Sir Samuel Baker to
his assistance, but the eminent traveller did
not prove great success; and after him
Colonel Gordon, who has proved himself to
be the right man for the work for Ismail
in his meritorious work OF destroying
the infamous business of the slave
traders, wanted . man of some military
genius, who could command an army,
open up the country, so to speak, and do
little annexation now and then. How
successful Colonel Gordon has been is told
briefly in the letter Of our Cairo correspond
ent published in this mornings issue of
the HERALD. Since the year 1874 the
Colonel succeeded in mapping out--other-
wise annexing-a tract of country larger
than the Southern States, besides almost
extinguishing the slave trade in Ohose
regions With Captain Gessi's defeat
OF the notorious Suleyman, Gordon's
work in the slavery extinction bust
ness was virtually over. But the
ex-Khedive had some idea of developing
the interior resources of the annexed
provinces; for he was wise enough to know
that the slave dealers would eventually
find it more profitable to employ men in
cultivating the soil and in developing the
mineral wealth Of the country than in
their earlier nefarious traffic. But Prince
Tewfk, whose character and influence were
so thoroughly described in the article
published yesterday, has not the ambition
of his extravagant father, and finds him
self compelled by the European money
lenders to cut down expenses. The
regulators of his finances do not like
this yearly deficit in the Soudan
accounts, and, as Colonel Gordon informs
our correspondent, they have persuaded
him to abandon this and the province OF
the Bahr-ei-Gazal, thus virtually permitting
these districts to lapse into their original
condition or into the possession OF the first
Power that comes along to claim them. No
wonder the Colonel feels disappointed at
the new state OF things in Egypt. He is
willing apparently, to get out OF the slave
extermnating trade. which certainly,
under present conditions, can no longer
be carried on advantageously or with
honor to himself Alter settling with King
John of Abyssinia about the disputed ports
on the Red Sea he tells US that he shall
consider his work in Egypt finished. Well,
he will retire with an honorable fame He
hopes eventually TO embark in the task of
civilizing Central Africa by means OF trad
ing companies. He thinks there is grand
opening for business in the great interior
Of the African Continent, and that the
profits will be an ample reward for the
outlay. His ideas are quite worthy Of con-
sideration; for, rs he says sooner or later the
continent must be opened up. and those first
in tho field will have the richest reward.
He hints that Africa may eventually replace
India in the business affections of John
Bull. To all appearances. however, Eng
land will not bo alone in tho work With
| African exploration associations in almost
every country in Europe there is prospect
OF seeing, sooner or later, a general race
among European nations in the work of
carrying civilization to the heather and
annexing the rich lands Of the Dark Cont.
| nant