The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-09-23
LETTER FROM AFRICA.
STANLEY CITY, Congo, Africa,

OIANLEI SIII, OODnO, AltlCd,
Sept. is, 1893.
Colonel NJ II. Murdock, Wichita, Kan, U. S. a.
DEAR COLONEL = You are probably
surprised to hear from me at this late
day and distant place; but the extern
sion of the Ujlji subterranean and the
French submarine cables through our
growing metropolis enables me to COM
municate with you by wire. AS | hap
pen to be the treasurer of the Congo
state, l can work this in as official bust
ness, and as pass upon my own vouch-
ers, as well as pay them, if this Is held
strictly as entire nous, no one need be the
wiser.
1t has been a great many years since l
have heard from the United States, and
now that our leading morning daily
publishes the press dispatches, l am
greatly puzzled to understand many
things concerning my beloved native
land mentioned therein. l note with
horror dark hints OF a civil war which
distracted our free land for L still
consider myself an American, in
which it is indicated that million
lives Were sacrificed and thousands of
millions of values destroyed and an I'M
mense national debt fastened upon the
country. | also learn that an erratlc
philanthroplst known as Old John
Brown arose with prominence and sacri-
feed his life to free the American negro
and that although he gave up his life
over thirty years ago, we still hear of
him occasionally as marching on. Why
it is, that among so many elderly people
he should be called Old John Brown l
can hardly understand. but he perform
ed a great work in freeing the negro.
That Is, great work for the white
American and honor him for that, if he
would only cease his marching. The
free negro of Africa as they say at Albert
N'yauza are not having picnic. and
only hope those OF America get on better.
/ see also that another great man arose
in those dark and bloody times and
reached great emmence in political life.
| refer TO Old Abe, Lincoln | think was
his family name, but can't understand
how a Scotchman, which / take him to
have been, from the telegram this
morning, of the unvaIling of his
statue in Edinburg, could become presl-
dent of the United States. Perhaps the
constitution OF the fathers has been
amended. l am sorry TO think that
Americans have SO degenerated that
competent men can no longer tie found
who are native of the soil. The Scotch.
however. are great people, and old
Abe beyond doubt, one of the great and
good men of the ages. But was he so
phenomenally agedj
Then there is reference to a General
I. 5. Grant: was he founding and his
name bestowed upon him by act of leg
iSlature, anu the U. S. which undoubt-
eddy stands for United States taken from
his uniform belt buckle, and WAS he a
Scoichman as his name implies? He
must have been great man and ! should
like to know more about him. Think of
it, from general of the army, commander
IN chief 10 president OF the United States
three or four times, which was ii? As the
Nahoos of Central Africa say, he was
jim dandy, and | am proud of him.
But it is apparant that greatness in
our public men, you will note l
speak as an United States mani
is cumulative. First we have Old John
Brown who Is marching still, Old Abe
Lincoln whose glory Will never fade,
and cid U. S. Grant, Tor by the way was
he old, who taught the nation war, and
now we cap this solid pyramid, this trio
of demi-gods. with the wonder of the
world. Cleveland, named after Ciere-
land. Ohio. suppose. and probably born
on the western reserve. General Cleve-
land, as l understand it, commanded the
colored troops and free lances at Ber-
muda Hundred, and bottled up the
rebel General Butler. Cleveland's name
as a great warrior is mentioned in
whispers and with uncovered heads by
the blacklist tribes Of darkest Africa.
and they call their fetishes after his
potent cognomen. What grand thing
it is. /, too, am an American AS the
great senatorial pugi!ist so aptly said,
Me, too." Up TO this point | am
guided by hints, gathering information
in illusions By wire, and may not be
correct in all points, and would take
it as personal favor If you would set
me right If by cnance / am as.rav.
but now and hencefo-th unless the cable
breaks | viii not be mlsinlormed.
And this | learn since We have been
provided with communication with the