Paris Geographical Society, and it was then I
began to feel "Well, after all, I have done something, haven't I?" I
felt superb [laughter], but you know I have always considered myself a
Republican. I have those bullet-riddled flags, and those arrow-torn
flags, the Stars and Stripes that I carried in Africa, for the discovery
of Livingstone, and that crossed Africa, and I venerate those old flags.
I have them in London now, jealously guarded in the secret recesses of
my cabinet. I only allow my very best friends to look at them, and if
any of you gentlemen ever happen in at my quarters, I will show them to
you. [Applause.]

After I had written my book, "Through the Dark Continent," I began to
lecture, using these words: "I have passed through a land watered by the
largest river of the African continent, and that land knows no owner. A
word to the wise is sufficient. You have cloths and hardware and
glassware and gunpowder and these millions of natives have ivory and
gums and rubber and dye-stuffs, and in barter there is good profit."
[Laughter.]

The King of the Belgians commissioned me to go to that country. My
expedition when we started from the coast numbered 300 colored people
and fourteen Europeans. We returned with 3,000 trained black men and 300
Europeans. The first sum allowed me was $50,000 a year, but it has ended
at something like $700,000 a year. Thus, you see, the progress of
civilization. We found the Congo, having only canoes. To-day there are
eight steamers. It was said at first that King Leopold was a dreamer. He
dreamed he could unite the barbarians of Africa into a confederacy and
called it the Free State, but on February 25, 1885, the Powers of
Europe and America also ratified an act, recognizing the territories
acquired by us to be the free and independent State of the Congo.
Perhaps when the members of the Lotos Club have reflected a little more
upon the value of what Livingstone and Leopold have been doing, they
will also agree that these men have done their duty in this world and in
the age that they lived, and that their labor has not been in vain on
account of the great sacrifices they have made to the benighted millions
of dark Africa. [Loud and enthusiastic applause.]

EDMUND CLARENCE STEDMAN

TRIBUTE TO RICHARD HENRY STODDARD

[Speech of Edmund Clarence Stedman as chairman of the dinner given
by the Authors' Club to Richard Henry Stoddard, New York City,
March 26,