Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-01-20
Slavery and Secession IN South Africa.

Fdcilis est desctnSuS.-ln times like the pres
eDt we are naturally inclined to study the teach.
ngs Of history Let Us look, then, at few facts
touching Slavery, Emancipation and Secession in
South Africa. The DuIch began settlement at
the Cape of Good Hope, about the middle OF the
seventeenth century. Nor vas it long before
they we're oned by some Of that noble band Of
Hugusnots, whom intolsrarce drove from Francs
under the reign Of Louis NV. Eventually, in
the early part OF the present century, this Cape
Colony came into the hands of the English.
When the Dutch first began their settlement
in that country they proie'sed the kindeh tlig-
loas regards Tor tue welfare of the natives. At
length, however. they began to take and hold
them al first for limited period, then for life, as
slaves. Like the letting out Of waters, the prac.
tice Of slavery, once commenced, grew upob
them, was openly approved, advocated, sanctioned
by law, established as an institution. But the
British Government was finally induced to oppose
and abolish it. On the first Of December, 1884,
the slaves, numbering at this time upwards Of
$4,000, we're raised from the condition OF a chattei
to that Of an apprentice, with a view to their
having their liberty at the end Of four Yeas.
During this interval arrangements we're complet-
ed By which the owners we're to be paid some
El200000 sterling, or about G34 "a little more
than S 1907 for each slave With these measures
both emancipation and the amount paid, many ol
the Shareholders were dissatisfied, some Of lhen
to suca aH extent as 10 refuse TO acce,t the prof
ierec compensation. II mistake not, the sums
rejected, amounting TO about $4,000, were event.
ualy expended IN efforts TO enIghten snd elevate
the reedmen.
But while the slaye-owDer was venting bis wrath
upon both the black man and the British Govern.
ment the sun arose on the eytntiul lit Of De.
cember, 1888, to shed its lustre on day Of uni
versa and unrestricted freedom 10 all persons 10
Southern AfiIea and it is uu, just to add, says
the Hon. II. Cloete LII. D., Recorder Of The
District " that the perfect propriety Of demean'
or, vita which that blessing was hailed and ac-
cepted by $1,000 Individuals, mas established their
capacity lor the enjoyment OF those privileges
which they have now possessed for thirteen Lnow
twenly-iour] years
Some Of the owners approved the measure,
and were satisfied with the compeh, alton SO far,
at least, as 10 cqliesce in what was done and
these are nov enjoying the increased and ncreas-
ing prosperity OF the colony. O.her', being c'
satisfied, indignant, set up a rebellion, seeded,
withdrew from unier the British rule going in
and beyond the limits Of the cJony,-some to
the District Of Natal, some to the Beehuana
colntry, some s,il farther north. At Natal they
tried TO set up an independent Government, but
siguay failed, though tot ILL.,. after they had split
much blood, aad lost many lives, in war, first vii
the natives, the Ialus, and afterwards with the
English. Ner have those who bent their steps
towards the interior met with better success. ID.
,ded into petty clans, each jealous Of The other
rowing many Of them, here aud there, without
any fixed abode and living much i the time in
their wagons or in temporary novels Of the rudest
descrpton ofien al war With the surrounding
native tubes, Killing Tue men, aed ,aNms ,.S|
cattle, women and children captive for the most
par, without schoo 5, without preached gospel,
without sympathy or connection with the leading
Intelligent and Christian communities or nsLltu'
tons Of Na,aI, the Cape, md other lands, the,
re ias, sinking to level with the most supsrsti-
lious and degraded Of the African races,-a sadly
instructive, yet striking witness and warning
against the wte;ehednen 10 which slavery and
secession will eventually reduce even the best ei
men.
SAxtons River, Dec. 26, 1862.
Chronicle.