The Irish standard., 1892-05-21
PROGRESS IN AFRICA.
The Star Of the Dark Continent In
the Ascendant. .
areat Improvement Being Made In the
Social Condition of the Natives
White People Planting Schools
for the Blacks.

Bishop Henry Mcneil Turner, who
recently returned from a trip to Africa,
in a lecture stated that he had been
misquoted in advocating wholesale
emigration of colored people from the
United States to the land of their IA
theirs. He has and even now advances
the idea that it is the duty Of the col
pred people of this country to do all
that they possibly can towards building
up that country. 1t was this idea that
led him last year towards the CONT
nent of his fathers. He wanted to see
the people from which he sprung:
Great was his surprise, says the Bos-
ton Globe, to find on the west coast OF
Africa it's black inhabitants, whom he
had heard spoken of in a contemplate
manner, were in many instances adj
~anced far and even farther in art, Sci
ence and literature, than those of his
own kindred in this country.
His heart leaped with joy when he
beheld cities and towns owned and con-
trolled by black men, who he had been
told belonged to an inferior race. On
the bays and rivers were great fleets of
small craft propelled by native Afri-
cams In their cities were commercial
houses, beautiful residences, magnifi-
cent churches, and schools of wonder
full advancement. Horses, he saw but
three the whole time he was in Africa,
the heavy work being done by native
Africans with broad black backs and
muscles of iron.
He was surprised at the skill of the
artisans. He saw work in gold and
metal of all kinds and he thought that
surely Africa was not so benighted as
he had been led to believe. He had
great hopes for the future Of that coun-
try.
The native African man is noble and
strong. The native woman is beau
tiful and symmetrical figure in black.
But all the natives of that country are
not black He saw native Africans as
white as any American he ever saw.
He thought that the native African
women could give some of the Ameri-
can women points in the manner of
dressing their hair. All African wom-
en- did not have short, kinky hair, as is
often thought, for he saw women with
hair as long as his arm, and it was
either straight or had a beautiful wave
to it superior to that which the Ameri-
can women of to-day are trying to Gull
tivate.
The men are as keen at bargains as
any Yankee. He was surprised to find
way back in the bush and jungle of
Africa rocking chairs, beds, tables and
other evidences of modern civilization.
The native Africans are sending their
sons and daughters to Europe for edu-
cation and they return to their homes
with European wives. But, with this,
France, Germany and England are fast
acquiring the continent for commercial
purposes, and the kings of the CONT
nent turn with longing eyes to the
Gland beyond the sea- in hopes that a
spirit of love for the land of their IA
theirs would guide some young American
colored omen back to the land which
their forefathers left SO unwillingly.
These old kings are concerned for the
future of the continent, and they often
in disguise steal into the towns where
portion OF the English army is stationed
and watch the maneuvers of that body,
and then return to their kingdoms and
teach their subjects what they had
learned.
White people are planting schools all
over Africa, and the day will come
when blessings from millions Of African
throats will ascend to the great God
who rules the destinies Of men and ma
tions, and we as colored people are sit
ting calmly down and are taking no
part.