The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-08-13
The English in South Africa.

lance to the recent defeat Of the Zulus
than some of our American papers, which
make merry at the spectacle Of John Bull
boasting of victory over savages, as if it
were second Waterloo 1t is quite pos
sible that the exultation in England is
little overdone, and we can hardly re-
strain a smile when we read the formal
military bulletin which tells how the
British troops were drawn up in hollow
square Gas Wellington's veterans were
drawn up to repel the French cuirassiers)
to withstand, not the cavalry of a great
European army, but simply the onset of
Africans armed with spears 1t is true
that the Zulus are not a contemplate foe.
They are men of splendid physique, born
to be warriors, and are trained from their
youth to feats of strength and daring.
They have also a respectable military or
ganization, so that they can act in masses;
and when they are able to steal upon their
enemy by surprise, as at Isandula, and to
come up to Gloss quarters, so as to engage
in hand-to-hand conflict, their physical
strength and courage, especially if multi
piled by overwhelming numbers, may give
them a victory even over European troops.
But when the latter have fair warning,
and are able to form their lines and
squares" and plant their artillery and
Calling guns, it is hardly possible that
any rush of savages, however brave or
desnerate could he victorious.
But the late battle, if not great mill
tary achievement, may still be great
event in its bearings upon the future Of
that part of Africa, and as such we are
disposed to regard it. We do not enter
into the question of the right or wrong of
this war in the beginning, about which
there are two opinions even among those
who may be supposed to be the best in
formed. Bishop Colenzo defends the zu
lus, whom he thinks much injured race.
He champions their cause with a degree
of courage which we cannot but admire
however we may differ from his opinion,
since in this he goes against the strong
feeling of his countrymen, both in Africa
and in England. But on this point we
give more weight to the opinion Of an
American missionary, who has lived
among the Zulus much longer than Bish-
op Colenso. The venerable DR.. Lindley
has spent great part of his life in teach
ing them the Gospel. He fully apprecl-
ates their fine qualities, and has high
idea of theIdegree Sf improvement Of
which they are capable. Yet to our
question, asked but a few weeks since,
IF the English were guilty of a great
wrong in this war; he answered prompt
ly mo" In his view it was conflict
which was inevitable so soon as the Brit
ish settlements began to advance into the
interior. AS soon as the two authorities
came in contact, there would be COLI
sion; and whatever individual wrongs
the natives might have to complain Of,
yet in the great struggle now brought on,
our sympathies must be on the side Of
civilization against barbarism. This If
the testimony, not of soldier, who night
be supposed to delight in war, nor Of a
mercenary trader, who hoped to profit by
army contracts, but of heroic mission
ary, who has lived among that people,
who has slept in their huts, who has given
more than half his life to them, and been
ready to die for them. He has loved the
Zulus; he loves them still; but he sees
that for their own good, temporal as well
as spiritual, the power Of the cruel tyrant
who enslaves them must be broken
This is reason and common sense. King
Cetywayo, whatever his natural ability.
is savage-a man Of blood, who ruled
his people with a rod of iron, taking hui
man life whenever it suited his purpose
or his caprice. Not long before the war,
daughter of Dr. Lindley visited the
kraal Of the Zulu chief, and describes him
as fine specimen of the noble savage,
having a commanding presence and rath-
er a benevolent countenance. But the
impression of benignity was marred by
certain things which came to her ears,
though they were told in whispers. A
"chief man" had just been strangled, be-
cause some witch-doctor had pointed a
finger at him, and accused him of witch
craft, at which maid of the court, who
had loved him, could not restrain her
tears, whereupon the Hing had her strang-
led too; and still another was made to
share her fate, because Of an untimely
manifestation Of sympathy. 1t is not long
since Cetywayo order massacre Of hun
dreds of the young women of his people,
because they refused to be married to his
old soldiers. The overthrow Of such a
brutal despot is a greater rehefto his own
people from the terror which keeps them
in bondage; than it is to the English col
onists who are their neighbors.
For the sake of the Zulus therefore, as
well as the English, we rejoice that King
Cetywayo is at last soundly beaten. He
He may take to the bush, and keep up a