Effect of the Anti-Slavery Congress on Public Opinion
The first and most difficult obstacle that presented itself to such an undertaking was the diversity of points of view and political opinions that exist with regard to Africa among the divers nations of Europe. Since the beginning of this century, the black continent has been the object of the civilized peoples' attempts to introduce enlightenment in its barbarous regions. There was only one way to succeed, which was to take sovereignty of protectorates over these countries.That is what Spain and Portugal did, and, successively, England and France, and after the Berlin Conference, Belgium, Germany and Italy.
But men will not forget their interests, and the European governments legitimately busied themselves thinking about the future benefits that these efforts could yield. To avoid rivalries and vexing competitions, independent national committees were created in the different capitals of countries, who sought to find resources in their respective nations.
What remains common between these distinct Societies is the thought of the abolition of the African slave trade and slavery, which was at the origin of the whole project. It is this thought of civilization and fraternal solidarity that maintains the links of sympathy between the diverse committees.
At a time when Europe is exhausting its resources and its strength to maintain the most gigantic and the most impressive armaments that can be conceived, at a time when peoples are staring each other down with hate and mistrust, without ever considering that it would be more useful to work together to improve the lot of humankind, it is good, it is consoling to attend the birth of a noble and generous idea that was fruitful enough to unite so many diverse interests.
The anti-slavery campaign is a work of mediation, of peace; the Congress was a meeting for calming down and coming together; that is why all those who, like us, piously hold in their hearts, as a sacred flame, the love of humanity, will bless the sovereign magnanimity that took the initiative for this beautiful cause and the Holy prelate in whom the thought of the abolition of African slavery is incarnated.
An English Philanthropist