The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1866-10-27 00:00:00

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`i)e ci,tourtribge Obscrinr.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1866.

VOLUNTEER AMENITIES.

The now free and happy little territory of
Belgium has seen a very chequered career. Five
centuries ago it was under the dominion of
France; then it passed under the yoke of Aus-
tria; then Spain obtained possession of it with
other provinces; and then Germany held it;
and then again, at the close of the lust century,
it was united to France. In 1814 it was placed
! under the sovereignty of the house of Orange;
but in 1830 a spirit of independence sprung up
among the people, and a provisional Govern-
ment declared Belgium independent on the 4th
of October in that year. The allied Powers a
few weeks afterwards acknowledged this inde-
pendence, and a short period of internal commo-
tion was concluded by the election of Leopold,
Prince of Cobourg, as king, in July 1881. From
this time Belgium has grown in importance, and
has not only commanded the respect of the
great Powers but has exhibited a remarkable in-
stance of good government, the liberty of the
people and the respect due to the throne being
alike preservod. The connection of the Eng-
lish and the Belgian royal families and the
similarity of the institutions of the two coun-
tries have tended to create a growing feeling of
friendship between Belgium and ourselves, and
latterly this feeling has been further developed
by a friendly gathering at Wimbledon, at which
volunteers from tha two countries amicably con-
tended for the mastery of skill too often dis-
played in human slaughter.
The period of the year in which Belgium
passed through that trying time between the
declaration of her independence and its acknow-
ledgment by the great Powers, has fitly been
chosen for an international rifle match, and
simultaneously with this there have been such
fetes and rejoicings as may well nigh put us to
the blush, for, truth to say, we are not happy in
our welcoming of foreigners on such occasions.
We shall succeed better perhaps next time, but
meanwhile the reports of some of the scenes of
fraternisation are so pleasant and so significant
that they are worth special reference. We will
confine our attention to one of the most import-
ant of these gatherings, which was particularly
remarkable for the importance of its personnel.
Some writer—we forget who—remarks that
breakfast is the meal of friendship, dinner of
formality, tea of sociality, and supper of con-
viviality. He was probably an Englishman, but
the King of the Belgians has verified it in the
breakfast which he gave a day or two since to
the English, French and Dutch riflemen who
had been contending for honours on the rifle
ground. A large building used as the goods
depot of a railway was decorated in the most
charming way, the instruments of war mingled
with emblems of peace, and statuary and
flowers, mirrors and paintings, combining to ren-
der the scene one that was worthy of the occa-
sion. At this banquet—for such it really was—
this meal of internationational friendship, there
were present Leopold the Second, King of the
Belgians. all the Ministers of State, the Presi-
dents of the two Legislative Chambers, and all
the principal functionaries of Brussels. Near
the King were the French Minister our own
representative being unfortunately absent from
illness), the Lord Mayor of London decorated
with the order he had just received from the
King; and, amongst others, Lord Bury and
Colonel Lindsay, whose names are so deservedly
prominent in connection with the visit of our
volunteers to Belgium. The first toast, given
by the King, was in honour of the foreign sove-
reigns and to the spirit of international union,
and the hearty reception that this sentiment
met with is of good augury for the future.
Colonel Lindsay's speech was not less so, cheered
to the echo as it was by all present, even by the
! RUT and the foreign ministers. "We have
accepted your hospitality," said the Colonel,
"in the spirit of goodwill and free intercourse,
which we fully believe will lead to a good un-
derstanding and mutual improvement. The re-
sult of this must be an increase of goodwill
amongst men and the promotion of peace be-
tween the nations of the earth." After speaking
amidst the cheers of his auditors of all nations,
in favour of international friendship, he well
remarked, "It is not mountain passes or mighty
fortifications which secure the independenca of
a people ; it is respect for their institutions and
love for their sovereign." "Emperors and
Kings," he subsequently remarked, "have in-
augurated international exhibitions of industry.
It remained for Leopold the Second to inaugu-
rate an international exhibition of friendship—
a friendship which may well make nations and
their rulers rejoice; for it augurs well for the
future history of the world.' Similar senti-
ments of friendship towaids the 13ritish volun-
teers were expressed by the King, and " thunders
of applause" hem sound British lungs told how
heartily they were appreciated.
Now we look upon this as something far beyond
mere words. The welcome which Belgium has
given to our volunteers is a manifestation of
hearty good-will that already subsisted towards
us, but this international fraternisation will
greatly increase it. 1. hese friendly international
contests provide for the feeling of rivalry which
naturally exists among nations, but the victories
gained are victories over national antipathies,
and aids to the coming of that time when men
shall learn war no more.