New-York tribune., 1876-10-05
THE TR1NSViAL REPUBLTC.

The little independent South African State,
founded by PrctOrius and lis followers, after
the defeat of the Dutch Beers by the British
troops. on Orange RivcT, i'll 1S4S, seems to be
near the end of its uneventful history. The
migration northward into the interior, and the
establishment of settlements so lar removed
from the channels of trade and supply, soon
proyrd to have been unnecessary; for the cx-
igencies of the Kaflir wars compelled England
TO recognize the independence of the Orange
River Republic, six years aitcrward. since
then the native Dutch population of South
Africa have enjoyed their own autonomy IN
the two ne ghboring States. not yenturlng to
rcGstabIiSh slavery, the abolition of which was
their chief cause of hostility to English rule,
but preserving, with the stubborn .conserva-
tism of their Iacc, their habits in all else, and
restoring many features of their former laws.
The founders of the Transyaal Republic $50
called because it lies beyond the Vaal, large
northern branch Of the Orange Ryer) took
possession of territory covering five and a
half degrees of latitude, something larger than
the State of Illinois. 1t is for the most part
IN elevated arid table-land, with Iich valleys
descending toward the LnnpOpo River on the
north.
Here, fer more than quarter of century,
tbe Beers have found the means Of subsist-
encc and all the independence they desired,
but not much else. The entire population, in
Guiding the native tribes is less than 10000.
The Dutch families, although rude, ignorant,
aud stubborn, have the viltuc OF hospitality,
and their little towns Of PoichciStrom and
Pretoria have of late ye - furnished the best
points of departure for exploring expeditions
TO the Zambcsi country. The government is
conducted by yoILradd Council of the Pco-
plc), which meets four times year. Until
recently, tie State has maintained itself with
out particular trouble. even the rush to the
god-fclds in the southern at but slightly
rulling its settled order. Now however, war
with the kailirs has broken ont. aud the ina
bilty of the Beers 10 stand against that strong
and courageous native race is glarngly cXhib-
tied. They appear to be worstcd in every fight :
cowardicc and dcscuion weaken their ranks,
and disgust their native allies and thcir COM
mander, President Burgers, is an utterly in
c0mpcnt leader. At a public meeting held at
Lydcnburg, the chief town Of the gold dis
trict. il was resolved that the territorial soy
ercignty be offered to England as the only
means of saving the colony. The IoHSIGdd
was 20 deliberate upon the same question ON
the lth ult., but ITS decision has not yet arrived.
The English Government, however, shows itself
ready TO meet the Beers half way. IL has sent
ont commission, at the head of which is
Sir Garnet WolSelcy, of AShantre fame, to
negotiate with the latter, and it can scarcely
be doubted that the transfer of tn territory
To English rule will soon be accomplished.
If this is done, the Orange River Republic
would form small cpcIGrc among The English
South-AfIican provinces. lis white population
of less than 10000 would then scarcely find
it TO their interest to preserve an insignificant
natonalty,-cspccially since, under the wiser
and more liberal colonial policy of England,
they would lose no material part of their in
dependence in giving il up. Sooner or later,
this State is sure to follow the example of the
Transyaal Republic England will therefore
and probably in a very short time-p0s,cs'
South Africa, with its Atlantic and Indian
coasts, from the Cape of Good Hope to Lat.
22' ). This j. u magnificent territory. and
is further settlement and material develop
mcnt will inurc to the interest OF all nations.