The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-30


whence he came, he would have more
splendid field for his ambition than he can
ever hope to have in Europe. In the interest
OF the United States, in the interest of all the
parties to this quarrel, in the interest of civili
zation itself, We think it right and proper that,
II invited to take part our Government should
send representatives to the proposed Congress
PretOria-A New Republic in South Africa.
From the Chicago Republican.
In travelling in the south OF France last
summer, Bayard Taylor discovered in a ro-
mantle valley of the Pyrenees the little quasi
republic within the limits of the French Em-
pire known as Andorre, to which he gave the
name of the New Republic. For longer
period than the length of the reign of Nspo-
leon Ill, the primitive republicans of Audorre
have, by sufferance, enjoyed their indepen
dence, and have rendered salt and granted
benedictions to any stranger who CHANGED to
find them in their mountain seolusion. A
district in Southern Africa has now better
claim to the title of New Republic. Nothing
republican is foreign to us; and this new men,
ber of the community of States deserves q
special notice at our hands, inasmuch as we
have q common origin-a revolution against
British oppression.
On the southern peninsula of AfI lea, near
the Natal land-the diocese of CoensO-aud
the country of the Caffres and the wild Zou-
loos, 1t seems that there has been, for nearly
thirty years, an established form of govern
ment, calling itself republic, of whose exist
ence there has been but little knowledge. In
the early part of this century, among the
many Germans who emigrated to the Cape of
Good Hope, there was one Pretorius, from
Silesia, province of Prussia. A son Of this
emigrant, restive under the yoke of British
Government at the Cape, removed to Natal,
with other emigrants, where, after having
IA harharOna
succeeded in 1888 in establishing a colony.
British troops, however, followed them to Ma
tai, and in 1912 the hardy band of rebels were
obliged to yield to the superior numbers and
discipline of the red coats.
Determined not to remain subjects of Great
Britain, these resolute pioneers moved inland
to an unknown and dangerous country, where,
fighting for the soil inch by inch with the
savage natives, they succeeded in establishing,
and have to this day maintained, the form of
government which they call republic and
have named il Pretoria. A recent letter from
the President of this republic, son of the
sturdy pioneer, published in the Cologne Ga
ee,te, gives an interesting account of the foun-
dation, struggles, condition, and prospects of
this new African Republic. Leaving Natal in
1912, and battling with the natives who opposed
their progress, after much loss Of life and sub
stance, the rebellious pioneers succeeded in lay
ing the cornerstone of the republic which they
now inhabit. In 1852 Great Britain acknow-
ledged their government as free and indie
pendent State, and has since lived in harmony
with it. The Constitution, says the Presi-
dent, as becomes young republic, is very
simple. The President is elected by popular
vote, and holds office for five years. There is
a Cabinet consisting of four members. The
General of the Army and Secretary of State
have seats in the Cabinet by virtue of their
office, and the remaining two are filled by
councillors who have no official duties when
the Cabinet is not in session. The legislative
department of the Government is represented
by one body-the VolkSrah, or Council
of the People, the members of which are
annually elected by a majority of the
popular vote. The sessions are an
nual. Justice is administered by district
Judges in the several districts into which the
country is divided, who with several sworn
advisers, have jurisdiction of all minor causes.
For more important matters, three OF these
judges sit IN bdnc in their respective districts
twice each year. The common language OF the
people is that of Holland, although in the
towns and villages English is much spoken.
| The climate is described to be healthful, and
the soil productive and adapted to agricultural
pursuits. The mountains are rich in mineral
wealth, and with the aid of skilled labor
metallic productions might form an impor-
tant article of export. Pretoria has diplo-
matte dignity in the person of Consul in
London, and soon expects to establish a
consulate at Berlin. The republic has bank
notes. but for hard money, of which they pos
sess some, they are dependent upon the coin
of the adjacent British colony. Happiness
and contentment are described as the normal
condition of the people, although they would
be more learned if there were more teachers,
and less subject to disease if physicians were
more numerous, and could add much to their
primitive enjoyment If thsy had musicians,
of which there are none. The new republic
makes very fair showing; and if it is not
already recognized by its sister republic, the
United States, doubtless the authorities al
Washington would gladly extend the hand o.
fellowship to the Dutch-African Pretorians.