The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-03-07
ASHANTI AND FANTi,

The Ashantis of the west coast of
Africa are a brave, fighting people.
Lord Wolseley says, in an article on
'The Negro as Soldier" that they
have been made so by physical edu-
cation which appeals to the dread of
bodily punishment. II in battle the
Ashanti turns to fly, he encounters
close behind him men who are on the
lookout to kill every coward. Should
these men in the second line fail to do
their duty, there is third line of
subaltern officers, who will kill them
and the runaway coward.
If the commanding general fails to
gain victory, he answers for his fail
ure with his head when he returns to
his king Mt Coomassie.
The Ashanti in the trout fighting
line feels that he incurs less risk by
going forward than by running away.
The refrain of the war song. which
they sing in shouting voice when
going into action, expresses this feel
ing:
''If go forward die,
If go backward l die;
Better go forward and die"
The principle of fear has so con-
verted the Ashanti into a brave war
rior that individual Ashantis often dis
PLAYED, in their battles with English
troops, cool courage worthy of men
to whom political li0erty is dear.
The Ashantis once made an attack
on British post and weret repulsed.
General Wolseley sent a party in pur-
suit, who found the Ashanti camp
guarded by a few scattered men, the
main body having fallen back to gather
food. One of these men remained
alone within five yards of tile road
along which the English were advanc-
ing, and coolly fired into them.
Another was discovered, as the party
advanced, who, with the utmost cool
ness. leveled his gun ut the Officers
leading the party, and fired at them.
As a contrast to the effect of this
stern discipline, Lord Wolseley men,
tions the fact that the mild British
rule uuder which the Fanti tribes have
lived for generations ''has left them
the contemplate towards they are by
nature"
The Fanti knows that he can run
away with impunity, and he will look
British officer in the face, and with.
out shame tell him that he ran away
because he was afraid.
Lord Wolseley examined Fanti boy
as to what took place between the
Fantis and the Ashanti. army. The
| boy said he had accompanied his IA
ther into action, and carried a case oi
ammunition on his head.
"What did your father 'doe' asked
the English general. a
"He ran away" - ..
"And what did you doa"
al ran away, too"
'.And what became of the ammuni
tionP" -;
Il threw him away" said the boy
as if talking about some natural oc
currence.
In 1873 thousands of Fantis turned
out to help relieve small British gar
rison besieged by the Ashantis. -,
Wherever the governor lays his heat
there we will laysours,' said the chief
to General Wolseley. The place wa
relieved by night, and the next dal
the Fantis were ordered to follow thu
retreating enemy into the bush.
| They were drawn up in-line. unde
their kings and chiefs, but not a stel
| NOulu tHcy auNducc. 1WO .EuShsl
officers tried to persuade them to g
forward, by smacking the backs of tn
kings and chiefs with umbrellas. The,
only made them run hither and thithe
in mortal fear.
A company of savage cannibals, VIII
fought only with swords. was draw
from n regiment, and ordered to ad
vance behind the Fautis land driv
them forward. Clanking their sword
and bowling like fiends, these savage
approached the-rear of the Fanti line:
Whereupon the Fantis,-kings. chiei
and people.-hed into the forest.