If the emigration wuz prudently conceived and carried out, the glowin’ accounts sent home by the first settlers would soon dissipate all fear and reluctance on the part of the others.
But to make this available, it would have to be undertaken at once, says Stanley. For if it hain’t taken advantage of by the American negro, the railways towards that favored land will be constructed, steamers will float on the Congo, and the beautiful forest land will be closed to such emigration by the rule, first come first served.
And then this beautiful, hopeful chance will be lost forever.
Victor read this, and more, from Stanley’s pen, and felt deeply the beautiful reasonableness of the skeme.
With all the eloquence of which he wuz master he tried to bring these facts home to his people, and tried to arouse in them something of his own enthusiasm.
As for himself he wuz bound to go—as teacher, as missionary, as leader—as soon as he could; his mother’s health wuz failing—his unhappy mistress needed him sorely—his preparations wuz not all completed yet.
There wuz several hundred young, intelligent negroes, most of them with families, who wuz workin’ hard to get the money Victor thought would be necessary for a successful venture.
For besides the cost of transportation, Victor wanted them to be placed beyend the possibility of sufferin’ and hardship while they wuz preparin’ their land for cultivation.
But I sez, “Most probable this Nation will fit out some ships and carry you back to your old home.” Sez I, “More than probable Uncle Sam will be glad of the chance to pay some of his debts, and clear the slate that hangs up behind the Capitol door, of one of the worst and meanest debts it ever had ciphered out on it, and held up aginst him.”
But Victor smiled ruther sadly and looked dubersome.