The story of the Congo Free State : $b Social, political, and economic aspects of the Belgian system of government in Central AfricaWack, Henry Wellington
History
The story of the Congo Free State : $b Social, political, and economic aspects of the Belgian system of government in Central Africa
Wack, Henry Wellington
Belgium -- Colonies -- Africa -- Administration; Congo (Democratic Republic) -- History -- To 1908
A great wave of sympathy for all enslaved races had spread throughout
the civilised world. Nations heretofore indifferent to the weal of
the black man in the brutal toils of the slave-raider, were actuated
by a desire to co-operate with the practical forces already at work
for emancipating the Dark Continent. All religions combined in
the motherhood of the human race and, now thoroughly alive to the
principle of human liberty, lent their support to the great cause of
African civilisation. The movement, now become general throughout
Europe, gained impetus in 1888 by the abolition of slavery in Brazil.
In that year, Pope Leo XIII. reiterated the appeal made by Leopold
II. in 1876, and besought all nations to unite in purging the page of
history of a further record of the abominable crime of slave-hunting.
In addressing that wonderful engine of missionary work, Cardinal
Lavigerie, His Holiness pointed out the misery of “that disinherited
land,” and urged all who are moved by human impulse to devote their
lives to “this sublime work of redemption.”
[Illustration: Types of Turumbus (Stanley Falls).]
The self-sacrificing work which Cardinal Lavigerie has done for the
salvation of Africa will for ever be a white monument in a black
wilderness. It was his appeal to the peoples of the Christian world
which witnessed the first organised work of Leopold II., and it is
this prelate’s indefatigable industry, and his love for these savage
souls of Africa, which has largely carried that work to its present
fruition.
The world-wide adhesion to the cause of Christianising the Dark
Continent took diplomatic shape soon after a meeting held in London
on July 31, 1888, at which Lord Granville presided. On motion of
Cardinal Manning, the following resolution was adopted:
The time has now fully arrived when the several nations of
Europe who, at the Congress of Vienna, in 1815, and again at the
Conference of Verona, in 1822, issued a series of resolutions
strongly denouncing the slave trade, should take the needful steps
for giving them a full and practical effect. And, inasmuch as the
Arab marauders (whose murderous devastations are now depopulating
Africa) are subject to no law, and under no responsible rule,
it devolves on the Powers of Europe to secure their suppression
throughout all territories over which they have any control. This
meeting would, therefore, urge upon Her Majesty’s Government,
in concert with those Powers who now claim either territorial
possession or territorial influence in Africa, to adopt such
measures as shall secure the extinction of the devastating slave
trade which is now carried on by those enemies of the human
race.[12]
On October 27th, an anti-slavery convention was held at Cologne, at
which the following resolutions were passed and sent to the Reichstag:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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