New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-06
sTlNIEy-EXPLORER AND MAN.

The greatest 1clluft Vi INC NOhuVil" Jo"ihN!
which has Just ended on the African shore OF
the Indian Ocean is not the magnitude OF the
enterprise itself. Ii is not the happy saving OF
Emn and Casati and their followers. 1t Is not
the vast store of information that is added to
tho worlds knowledge of the geography and
natural history of Equatorial Africa. 1t is not
the promise which is unf0ided of the entrance
Of civilization into these dark and savage re-
cesseS. All these are great. But the greatest
is the man who made them possible. While we
ale rejoicing in the results OF the expedition
and endeavorng to reckon up their value TO
mankind, it is fitting to look first and most
earnestly at Stanley himself, as he is to be seen
in the story Of his adventures, and best of
all, as he mconsoiously pOrtrays himself in the
characteristic letter to the Editor of "The
New York Herald" which we reprint on the
eighth page.
What will first impress the reader isithe great
explorers simplicity and modesty. He knows
that the worlds ear is strained to hear his every
word. Yet he makes no loud trumpeting. He
waits for an invitation to speak, and then enters
upon the most marvellous narrative of the age
in almost a deprecating fashion. He shows
himself, as Tenryson wrote of the Iron Duke,
" in his simplicity sublime" In the first person
he must speak, but it is oftener q" we" than l."
He tells Of the work Of his comrades, even of
the humblest of his dark skinned aids "They
have faced dangers every day.; they have
borne all that was imposed upon them" There
is not one from Jephson and Stairs down to
the most obscure Of the unnamed natives. TO
whom this gallant chronicler does not give
higher need of praise than he reserves for him
self.
Another impressive feature of the scene is
Stanley's reSOuIcefulness. His plans were often
brought to naught by the failure of others or
by unexpected obstacles. Death and disaS-
ter, disaster and death" encompassed him The
average man would have given up the SEEM
ingly hopeless task and saved himself, and the
world would not have blamed him. But this
man was ready for any and for every emer-
gency. New obstacles only meant new energy
Like MOltke before SadOwa. the frustrating of
one plan merely cllled another into use. We
can find pity for his suffering comrades and
horror at their fate all through his letter. We
can find full appreciation Of all the terrible cir
cumstances of that md-iunge march. But
what we cannot find, search as we may, is one
single word of doubt or fear or hesitation His
was " a heart for any fate,r and a heart, too as
unwavering and relentless as fate itself in push
ing onward to the goal.
Strongest, perhaps, of all the characteristics
of the man which are revealed in this thrilling
recital is his constant, revcient and dominating
faith in God. This trait, which was possessed
to such degree by those kindred spirits Liv-
ngstone and Gordon, was long ago developed
in Mr.. Stanley, and his successive adventures
have only deepened and confirmed it. psv-
biologist might find much food for speculation
in thiS-in the effect upon the soul of wander
ingS through vast SOlitudeS and Of communion
with nature in her most luxuriant her most
deSOlate and her most savage moods But fine
spun theories aside here is the significant fact.
that the most heroic Of living men is also one
Of the most devout. He sees nothing unmanly
in being religious. He is not ashamed to saw
that he believes in God and trusts in Him for
guidance. lie repudiateS what the vulgar call
luck and the unbelievers chance. To him the
wisdom and the mOnitions of Supreme Power
are a tremendous verify. 1t is with the frank
ness Cf a most inspiring faith that he concludes
his sclf-tOd Odyssey with the fervent cry
"Thanks be to God forever and everr' And
to this every one who appreciates high achieve
'ment and exalted manhood will add his thanks
for the life and the enrolling example Of Henry
NJ. Stanley.