The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-01-16
TO cIvILIzE AFRICA.
New scheme in Operation for Aboi-
ishing Slavery In the Dark
Continent.

<the dark continent, am introducing TO
the natives the first stages of civilized
life, and by systematic effort starting
the civilizing of this part of the coun-
try. The villages are being built on
what are now wild wastes of land.
No expedition, however large, will
ever be able 10 stamp out slavery in
Africa by force, for the very reasonable
fact that ii is extremely unlikely that
any expedition will ever. be sent here
of large enough proportion to success
fully cope with 250,000,000 natives who
believe in this ancient and baneful Gus
tom.
The plan l am working upon for the
civilizing Of this great continent, or al
least part OF it, is different from any
thing before tried. In substance, ii is
the requirement of fertile lands by ces-
sion from European governments and
by purchase from native chiefs. Upon
these lands l am building model viii
lagos and towns, composed of free ma
tive settlers and liberated slaves. Quai-
ity rather than quantity is aimed at.
Such villages. when completed, will
at once radiate good influence, and will
be object lessons to all the dark regions
around. As soon as the natives see for
themselves how much easier and more
profitable life is under civilized meth
DDS Of living, than under their savage
customs they quickly move to the VII
lagos and become part of them. Ir
joining the village they have to re-
nounce slave hunting. polygamy witch
craft and rum. This, | think. from my
experience with them. many thousands
Of them will very readily do when they
see for themselves how well the villages
get along without any Of these evil in
auences TO which they have beea accus-
toned.
The natives, although barbarous, are
quick to learn and are great imitators
When once shown how TO do a certain
thing they remember it, and make good
workmen. They are strong and able
bodied and capable of accomplishing
great results when started on the righ;
track. The first Of these villages is be-
ing established between Benguella and
Lake Nyassa, in the southwestern part
of the continent. High tablelands exist
in this region, and here 5000 feet above
the sea level. the town is being laid out.
The climate is healihful and the soil
is particularly good.
As quickly as possible each village
will be made self-supporting. The ma
tiyes are being taught house building.
farming and various Industries and
trades. All the members of my expedi-
tion fare much the same as the natives
eating the same food and living in
houses built Of native materials. But
soon we shall teach the natives i'm
proved methods of agriculture and the
cultivation of all the new products nee
essary for the maintenance ard deyel-
opmeni of the village.
The native settlers will also soon be
taught carpenieriug. blaeksmithing
and other lines of work and industry.
and gradually there will spring up
solf-m-lde and self-supporiiug town.
constructed on modern lines. When
once thoroughly established, il will
probably grow rapidly, as every native
that joins will be an incentive to others
10 follow suit; and having once demon
sirated that by joining us they can i'm
prove their condition, we shall have no
difficulty in getting recruits. As soon
as this first village is thoroughly cstab-
lished we will start second one on the
same lines. some distance further in
land. In like manner. a third and a
fourth will be addSd, and SO on until
all this section of the country is dotted
with them.
The natives aie aot being pressed to
join any of these villages, Work is be-
ing pushed with the express purpose of
creating an object lesson for them and
Of their own free will they make appli-
cation to como in and be granted their
assignment of land on which to build
their house and help develop the re-
sources of the country. Each village
will be conducted on civilized and mod
ern principles. and every body will work
for the advancement Of the district.
In this way Africa will be civilized
BY peaceful methods, which believe is
the only way il will ever be done. I'm
der our plan the natives are really civ
ilizing Observation-Disclosures Maga-
zine.
Spider Saved Life.