The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-23
CIVILIZATION OF
THE DARK AGES
Some of the Difficulties that Confront
the Reformer.
De GE { R ALTON RESULTS.
The Uplifting Influences Apparently
Lose Their Power ana the
Subject Drops Back to
Former State.
De G K N { RATION RESULTS.

The civilzng of the dark races, OF which
work 50 much now falls to the lot of Eng
%Ishmen, would be an easier as well more
satisfactory task if it were certain that
they would always stay civilized; but that
is not a certainty at all. We DO not know.
that is. whether the moment independence
were attained. and the severe pressure
of white dominion withdrawn, there
would not be a rapid reversion to lower
ideals or even TO utter SlVaSerE. Inc
late Duke of Argyll always maintained IN
his thoughtful speCuiationss on the Suolect
that the tendency in some races towards
retrogression was US strong as the teH-
dency towards progress, and was inclined
to believe, though he could not scsent!i-
cal!v prove, that certain tribes of saVages
We're men who had survived as the detrl-
tus or ruined fragments OF higher clAlilla-
tons. The evidence as the permanent re-
suits of white control is still most impef-
feet because the white and dark races
have been in close contact Tor such very
unlimited periods. but the little there is
tends to raise doubts as to the truth Of
the optimistic view. The withdrawal of
white ascendency in Spanish America has
not been q complete success, the natives
as Il body, and with remarkable individual
exceptions, having betrayed a distinct ten
dency to sink back to their ancient level,
though the revolving cruelties of Aztec
Mexico have not been revived. The keen
est observers in India doubt whether, if
we withdrew, there would in fifty years
be any trace left of our century of do
min:on either in the thoughts OF the peo-
pie or their ways Of life. The missionaries
say that 1.-The time for independent native
pastors has hardly vet arrived. " The con-
viction of the people themselves resem-
bleS that OF the keen observers, they re-
-.,,Fr n.
mtted for q moment to obscure the clear
sky of EEin6loo.sm. We rather distrust
comments upon negro mental status. be-
cause the initiative habit of the negroes
which may. like the initiative way Of
our own lower classes, be a method of
stretching towards the Highland Their
ABNORMAL vanity excite in white man m
irritation and scorn which disturb the
equanimjty OF his judgment. Still. the
accounts Of the emancipated slaves in the
Southern States-a!lowing, we repeat, for
remarkable eXceptiOns-potnt to retrosres-
sion at least as clearly as to advance,
especially in the general ideal of morality.
About FFayti the only negro State which
was once ruled by white men, the obser-
vctions of travellers are uniformly unfav-
cradle, and this at considerable intervals
Of years. We confess we remain uncon-
vinced by the stories Of cannibalism, ex-
after grea. droughts or other disasters
affecting food; but the iHaytian certainly
tolecate5 Vaudoo.sm, a foul variety OF ser
ent worship brought no doubt from
Africa, and exhibits to a fuIl degree his
ancient Calous cruelty. The worst Ro-
man Emperor would hardly have been
capable OF the conduct related by Mr.
Pr.ch2rtl in Where Black Rules White:
Haytt' CA Constable & Co, 12s) of the
able tyrant the Emperor Christophe:
NO APPEAL. POSSIBLE.
There seems to have been nothing to
acpeal TO in this mans nature. Bravery
humility, all alike failed to touch him. He
had no bowels of mercy, He was one day
on the blttlements with 4 youth. who
perhaps presuminS on PAST favors, in some
manner displeased him. The drop from
those sheer walls is 1000 feet TO the plain
5slow You are. of course, about to die
:. aid Christophe, 7bUt will be kind TO you.
You shall have a chosSe of deaths Either
you throw yourself over here or the sol
iiers shall shoot you. The young man
chose 10 fing himself into space But ty
a miracle he fell amonst some trees or
bushes on the clif-S:de. and 50 escaoed
with {. broken arm He gathered himself
Up somehow, and presented himself again
5efore the Emperor. Your b.tld ne has
been done sir he said. Yes. it has, re-
marked CnristCDhe. and I am very INNS,
Interested to find that you survive
GS!:;se me BY trying if you can do il
ugain.'''
There is, too. the curious evidence
Known. we believe, to every experienced
white man in Africa. and. if we recoI.ect
Alright, in Australia also. of the tendency
Of individuals who have been thoroughly
trained IN civilization to go Fantee,''
that is, to revert to the sevagery OF one
If the most SAVAGE tribes. Mr.. Grant
Allen Was supposed in London to have ex-
asseIated the truth 10 aosuri:ty in his
story Of. the Rev. John Crowdy. -but LsIds.
Rroonie in this mouths Cornh.ll relates
A story of a Zulu girl which is nearly as
suggestive The Authorization In this
case is perfect, for the girl Eyea in Lady
5Broomes own house. and her mistress