Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-04-10
From the NCrth Ann.
The Cape Colony Trou~.

Among all the items of foreign news by the
steamships Franklin and Arctic, none appear
stranger or possess greater interests, political
and eihnographical than those which relate to
the rebellion of the negro races in the British
colony of South Africa. Instructions are no
uncommon things there; but all the serious
ones heretofore chronicled have been revolts OF
B0ers-the Hollanders, or Dutch creoles-who
have never shown themselves satisfied with tho
English yoke and it is not very long since a
war ofthis kind was raging in the colony. The
insurgents are now the negroes-the poor de-
spised Kaffirs and Hottentots- allies, depend
ants, subjects, and quasi slaves, accustomed to
equal ill~treatment from Dutch and English, and
consequently the equal enemies OF both: Who
such is the grave character OF the revolt lind
it necessary to reconcile their own difficulties,
and unite in a common defence against the reb-
els. The accounts indicate very great-indeed
a surprising degree of success on the part Of
the later, who have swept the open country and
devastated all the farms along the frontier, have
carried several posts, routed q number of detach-
ments, threatened important towns, and, in gen.
eral, exhibited designs 81 menacing, with so
much strength and energy Of purpose, that the
British Governor, Sir Harry Smith, while pro-
claiming 8 a war of eXtermlnation," has deemed
it necessary to summon in haste rellltorcments
from the Mauritius and even the British minis
try at home, annie all the a~gltatlons at their crl-
sis, have not forgotten to hurry off troops and
supplies to the far off scene Of battle.
Now it is Hardly to be supposed that this re-
bellion can have any other termination than that
which is unfavorable TO the blacks. An uncivi-
LIKED race cannot long contend in war with a
civilized one and the oVernowering force the
whites can bring to bear, with The advanta gesW-
discipline and superior resources of every kind,
must sooner or later give them the victory
though at the expense of much blood and suf-
tering and prodlgious injury cone to the colony.
In It's political aspect, the affair is one Of pres
ent evil and future good. We are already told
by the restored premier that the colony would
be expected to bear the expense of the war -
and devastation and debt are therefore to be
the burthens under which it will be Frustrated
for a while; but, meantime, the better effect
will be a reconciliation of the two classes of
white ~coIonists the Dutch and English, who will
have been taught the necessity and value of
union, from which the colony cannot hereafter
but derive great benefit.
The most interesting and curious feature, per-
f haps. IN this case is the degree OF spirit and ca
paclty, the boldness and enterprise, 50 uneXpect.
q edly shown by the native blacks of the Cape,
who are commonly held to be among the lowest
variety Of a race which is itself not estimated
f very highly among the separate classes of the
n human family. Perhaps, however, the negro
i. race is not altogether so incapable, or SO hope
o less of advancement, as is supposed. Nearly all
e other races have, in the long history of the world,
If made their way from barbarism to civilization,
and even empire; and some have sunk back
e again to their original inslgniticance, or perish
d ed-died out, as it were-leaving their places
d to be filled by families of a newer civilization.
This is, at all events, true CT the subdivisions Of
If the white and brown races. The red and the
black races have, apparently not yet reached
their appointed time but it is most in conso.
nance with the philosophic view to believe that
N a time has been appointed for them, when they
h. also will rise from their low estate and struggle
I'd for civilization and empire. The capacity Of
the red man was shown three hundred years
u ago, when the coming of the Spaniards broke
h down the first efforts of American aboriginal
le civilization in Peru efforts which is moi. improb-
able may be renewed, more successfully, in a
future age. 1t seems but fancy yet there are
A. grounds for the theory that a change is about to
take place perhaps is even now prepaIing-in
.e the character and condition OF the African races ;
for while more than six millions of them are now
acquiring ideas, arts, and ntelligence-whatev-
ct may We IH6lT utpClueW Sldle-ln tnP new
pr world, las in our own country, the West Indies,
and Brazil, and civilization is directly introduce
a. ed into Africa, with the forms of law, govern
lie ment and religion, at Liberia, there are move
it. ments within that continent itself, which beto-
is ken SOME awakening Of the race elements. The
il rebellion at the Cape Colony, considering the
e aspect 1t has assumed, Is no slight sign. The
of growth OF the DahOmey power, exhibiting q
- savage energy and ambition of character, is an
" other indication of change. A still more strik-
" ing one is shown by the CALAIS of Eastern Afri-
IN ca, who have been for years past extending their
c. ravages IN Abyssinia, and are slowly-or rapidly
asserting their superiority over the old and
once civilized race-the Caucasian Christian
Il. race-of the Amharas. In Central Africa,
S. though hidden from us in the depths of the des-
i'll erts, we may discern, amid the clash of barbar-
eli &c kingdoms ever at feud, the similar signs of an
IN animated spirit and ambitious ideas, which have
heretofore heralded approaching changes in the
a condition of q race.
1e In this point of view, the irsurrectlon of the
r blacks at the Cape Colony, with the exhibition
ry OF a courage, purpose, and the power Of combi-
n nation they were never supposed to possess, Is,
Ms whatever be the cost to the colony, of profound
philosophic interest. The Kafirs have always,
It. being at a distance from the whites, a frontier
re pCoptS CAJuytu d hIIu vi IuuG ilNepeNGeHCeS
of and a reputation for boldness far superior to that
on of the Hottentots, a mild and submissive tribe,
c. long domesticated among the Beers. 1t seems,
ht however, thai the Hottentots take part with their
list Kat1ir brethren, rising against their masters and
n joining the former wherever they appear, and
fighting in their ranks with the SAINT fiery and
ed %resolute courage. This is an evidence, or ap-
or pears to be, that the change is a general one
10 a rare change-and that the movement extend
he ing to all tribes, classes, and other subdivisions
IN and we only, perhaps, require to be made better
10. acquainted with Africa, to learn that the impulse
is felt among all the negro nations in all parts of
as the contincnt. The consequences will b. felt
ke hereafter.