The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-01-14

ideas OF freedom. They took possession
of Natal and founded q republic. Here
they remained until ls43. when the Brit
isn again moved on their possessions, aud
keeping. which plan people call larceny,
added 1900 square miles more to their
territory. Conquered, but not discour-
aged. the Beers again turned their backs
on their homes and renewed their march
into the wilderness.
IN AFRICA.
They crossed the Orackensberg
Free STATE; the Vaal aud the South
African republic Though the Anglo
Saxon, working ont his destiny, has
driven the farmers from their homes in
Cape Colony ana satal. one thing Il alone
his might, he cahnot destroy the nomen-
ciature of the Dutch. It is imbedded ia
the rivers aud engraved on the noun
tains and table lands OF that vast terri
terry as immovably rs the DunderberRs OF
the Hudson. But England. not satisfi d
with what she had already taken by
proclamation in 1877. annexed to her do
minions the new home OF the Dutch.
This series of wrongs to them cannot be
justified. They are a simple people, but
honest, Of good sense and desire to march
In the ways of civilization. They are not
strong In power, nor skilled In science.
nor polished In refinement, but in ener-
gy, in heroic courage, In humanity and
in faith they are the equals<if not the su-
English not excepted. They settled and
improved Cape Colony only to be
driven out. They settled Natal only
to be driven out. Again they moved into
the wilds. subdued the fierce tribes and,
amid dangers by field and Hood. built mp
anew home for their people. Again came
their ancient enemy to take away their
la nd. nstT baf fr.r 4nu
onf" Whithers Out of the continenti
Forbearance was no longer permissible.
The endurance OF even the patient Beers
was exhausted. "Pursue US, - said the
Scythians TO the naughty Persian. ''pur-
sue us TO the graves of our fathers, and
You will then see II we forever fiy." The
determination of the fathers who let in
the sea to devour the country. in defence
of liberty, was undiminished in their de-
scendents. Two hundred aud thirty
years residence on the dark continent had
not brought forgetfulness of what was
due to themselves as the descendants of
the heroes of the eighty years war.
THE TRANsvAAL.
Their right to the TransFaal had been
recognized by England in 1852, and the
independence of the republic acknowl-
edged. Yet, In 1877, 1t proclaimed an
nexation. In 1881 Mr.. Gladstone, then at
the head of the ministry, said it was ''the
resolute intention of the government to
establish the British authority in the
Transvaalp' Aud this because the con-
struction of q railroad from Pretoria to
Delagoa Bay might prejudice England's
influence and the interests of her trade.
The issue being thus made up. there
was no alternative between Independence
and that peace which Tacitus describes
as the devastation of the country and the
annihilat;on of its people. To their last
ing honor be it said that when consulted
by their heroic defenders, the women of
the Transvaal gave their voice for war in
defense of their homes.
During the Siege of Leydem the iuhaD-
ltants sent this message TO the Prince of
Orange:-'.As long as there Is a living
man left in the country we will contend
for our liberty and our religion" Their
descendants in Africa sent this message
to the world:-
The people declares that with the help
OF God, 1t demands strong form OF the
South African republic, respect for the
laws, the prosperity and progress of the
country, and that it promises man for
man to cooperate for that purpose, and
So truly help US God Almigf1ty." !"
"what stronger brestpIate than a heart un-
tainted;
Thrice is he armed that has his quarrel Just:
s'And he but naked. though lockeI up in steel,
Whose conscience with injustice is corrupted" !"
The call to arms resounded through the
republic. With a courage not inferior to
that of their fathers they met the English
in four successful battles, and from the
heights of Spitz-Kap lifted the republic
from the dust aud proclaimed 10 the
world that the Dutch in South Africa are
the worthy descendants of hberty-lov
inc ancestry