The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-03-11
THE BOERS.
How They Came Ia Possess the Land
Over Which Great britain Now
Claims JurisdictiOn.
From the Cleveland Leader.1

From the Cleveland Leader.l
The history of the Beers is interest
ing. 1t tells of triumph over obstacles
almost insurmountable, and of simple
religious faith founded on an unostenta-
tious Bible.
About 200 years ago four ships sailed
from Holland, carrying to Cape Colony,
the most southern point in Africa, on
the Mediterranean, then settled by
Dutch. certain Frepch Huguenots, ex-
lied by the revocation of the edict of
Nantes. These vessels contained about
$50 men, women and children. Among
them were names which had figured
conspicuously in France. These people
took to the colony no ambitious designs,
and within fifty years the French lam
guage had died away, the second and
third generations had intermarried with
the Dutch, and the all-conquering
mother tongue had had its triumph.
The descendants of these people became
known as Beers. The war cloud con-
stantly hung over them, and, though not
innately belligerent, yet when aroused
they fought with determination that
hurled death and destruction into the
Talks Oh the enemy.
In the years 1866 there began a
Movement among the inhabitants of the
Cape Colony that has produced great re-
suits. 1t was the emigration of large
number of Dutch farmers over the then
recognized boundary of British domin-
ion into that vast tract of land spreading
north from the Orange river into regions
unexplored. With numbering wagons
they marched toward their land Of
Canaan. Two years passed and found
them still moving. Hardships had
reduced the number of people and
cattle, but the attack of lions
and fierce tribes did not for q
moment waver the determination of
the emigrants. On they moved, ever
buoyed by the hope of reward. Finally,
from the crest of hill, they saw
stretched out before them the beautiful
land, their agricultural goal. On the
hill top the SHOWS of winter lay, and the
chill blast swept with fierce breath, but
below in the valley birds sang, green
leaves waved and green grass carpeted
the soil. Imagine that band of suffer
ing people that had travelled for years
in search of home. See them stand
and with swelling breasts offer up silent
prayers for the bounteous kindness of
Him in whom they had never failed to
trust. But the emigrants were not to
obtain this fair land without a
desperate struggle. Their leader,
PETER Retief, and seventy of his
best men were treacherously slain ut
the Kings Krail, in Zululand, whittier
they had gone to arrange the cession of
the country. Months of conflict fol-
lowed. Zulus swept upon the Beers,
and the Beers, in turn, went into Zulu
land. Finally the Dutch, by mighty
effort, broke the Zulu power. Three
years passed and the republic of Natalia
was established The country became
prosperous. The homestesds were nu-
merous. But the clouds gathered, and
the storm burst. In the year 1912 a
body of regular troops appeared at Port
Natal and took possession In the Queens
name. The Beers arose, flew to arms,
and besieged the troops. More troops
came, and the Beers, finding themselves
beaten, turnedi took their focks, and
set their faces toward the wilderness
again. The misery of their second ex-
o1us was indescribable. But even here
they were not to be left alone. In 1Si8
another proclamation appeared, declar-
ing the land to be British territory.
Then the Beers became desperate. They
had fled from the old home to Natal,
and from Natal to the wilderness. In
1S49 they rose in instruction. 1t was
wild, hopeless attempt. And now, To-
day, these poor people are being OPP
pressed. Not satisfied with the hard
ships and privations of years and years,
the British lion still pursues, and with
his monstrous paw strikes death and
devastation.