The entire controversy leaves the most painful impression on our
minds. It certainly does appear as if Englishmen going to tropical Africa left their moral natures behind them, and in particular lost their abhorrence of cruelty,—a change often remarked, both at the Cape and in the parts of Aus- tralia disturbed by aborigines. Even Mr. Bonny, the principal witness against Major Barttelot and Mr. Jameson, accuses himself of selling Negro women for food, amid much laughter on all sides. Nor, though we acquit Mr. Stanley of useless cruelty, or any cruelty which he did not think necessary to change his followers into disciplined soldiers—a task in which he succeeded—can we acquit him of serious blame. Knowing Major Barttelot, he had no business to leave him in command, and he has shown insufficient loyalty to those under his com- mand. He believed monstrous tales against them, tales in- cluding ridiculous charges of theft ; he published insinuations which were worse than charges ; and he showed no regret at being compelled—if he was compelled—to destroy the reputa- tion of dead officers chosen by himself. We fail to see even now why the Jameson story was published, or why it was impossible for Mr. Stanley to say simply that he would submit the conduct of the Rear-Guard to any distinguished and impartial authority for a secret inquiry. As we have throughout supported Mr. Stanley's claim to be considered a hero, though not a philanthropist, we confess to the gravest disappointment at the deficiencies of character which his action reveals.
