St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-02-27
"A REMARKABLE DEMONSTRATION.

The reception which Dr. Jameson has
had at the hands of the English public
is something as remarkable as it is dis
creditable to the people of Great Brit
ain. No lingo demonstration made in
the United States, even by those who
shout for effect without considering
their words, has ever equaled the up
rising of the London populace in favor
of the man who, whatever may have
been his purpose, is plainly guilty on
the face of it of high treason against
his own country. state of profound
peace existed between England and
the Transvaal republic. There were
no questions at ISSUE and Great Brit
ain was bound by its own treaty stip-
ulation to abstain from any interfer-
ence with the domestic affairs of the
Boer government. In this situation
OF affairs DR.. jameson, in the employ
Of the British government, prepared
an expedition with the avowed pur-
pose of invading the TransvaaI
Learning Of this, his superior officer
sent him a peremptory order to desist.
He put this order CONTEMPORARY in
his pocket, marched his forces into the
territory of a friendly people, made
an attack, was defeated, taken pris-
oner and esurrenderedp-to the English
authorities for trial. On his appear
ance in court he is the center of attrac-
ton and the target for unlimited pop
ular enthusiasm. The officials of the
court could not restrain the spectators
from bursting into wild cheers at every
glimpse Of him. When he left the
court room, 1t was with difficulty that
he could tear himself away from the
populace, who desired to carry him
through the streets in triumph. AL
though the judge had stated the case
clearly, and declared that any such ex-
hibition would be a disgrace to the
English name, Jameson has only to
show his face in public to be the lion
of the hour, and to gather cheering
thousands at his heels.
What has this man done to deserve
such reception? Absolutely nothing.
He is filibuster and a marauder. The
act Of which he was guilty, if commit
ted on the high seas, would be called
piracy. Committed on land, it was
not merely an unprovoked attack upon
q friendly people, but, being in de-
hance Of positive orders from the gov
eminent of which he was a subject. it
was clear case of treason if there is
any such crime. 1t reflected and could
reflect no glory nor credit upon the
British name. If it had succeeded. he
would have acquired new territory for
the British empire, it is true, but he
would have done it precisely by the
methods of the highwayman who re-
plenishes his purse by holding a pistol
at the head of the first conner. Hay-
Ing failed, he has not only plunged
the government which he disobeyed
into great embarrassment, but has set
an example Of mutiny, which, if fol-
lowed or approved, must destroy all
government except by the mob.
1t is an extraordinary thing that
England has treated. this gross Of
fender with every appearance of SYM
pathy. Mr. Alfred Austin's ode on
"Jameson's Ride" was less remarkable
for its execrable quality as alleged
poetry than it was as an expression of
sympathy with his act by one who
might be supposed to represent the
highest thought and the sense of honor
of the British people It is, of course
a foregone conclusion that Jameson
will receive only a nominal punish
ment, If any. The atrocity of his Of
Tense, not merely against the Beers.
but against his own sovereign, makes
the general approval of his act the
strongest evidence of the weakening
of English honor, and the deterioration
Of principle among the English peonle