The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-29

I confess 1 hardly know how to deal with
such n statement which 1 must say. with
out any exaRgeration. simply astounds me. 1
freely admit that the main issue In the
war now declared by the Beers IL whether
England shall. or shall not. be the par
amount power In South Africa. But I
must ask you and your countrymen to observe
that 1t is the fundamental issue. and has come
to be everywhere recognized as such. only be-
cause the Beers claimed. and claim. an 'inde-
pendence' incompatible both with the continue
ance OF Englands paramount power. and with
the cofcession OF equal rights to all white
denizens In the Transvaal l have not felt
moved to invegh. whether In verse or prose.
against tho Beers. for. while my countrymen
need no stimulating to defend either OF the
two great causes expressed in the consecrated
motto. Inpe'iunt et Liberals. IL might not be
very generous to indulge In such course
against people who. having their own definite
ideal OF life and government. are. though rela-
lively weak. prepared to fight. and. imagine,
to perish. on behalf OF 1t. But surely the Boer
ideal OF life and government Ia no more the
German ideal than 1t Ia the English ideal. 1t
involves the Withholding OF liberty and In
dependence from others. and the exclusive
enjoyment Of these by the Boer burghers
themselves. And how any fair-minded man
can deny that England has been patiently en-
ploying diplomacy. and will now regretfuy
employ the sword. to secure those inestimable
boons for every white person In South Africa.
for Boer and Uitlander. for British. Dutch and
Afrikander. aye. and for German also. utterly
battles my com prehension.
Il shall be much gratined should this letter
In any degree further the object for which 1t Is
written for. while opinion in Russia is too
rudimentary and imperfectly informed to call
for serious comment. and opinion In France
one 10 panied to have to say. 10 at present too
much dominated by general envy. hatred. and
all unchartableness and even in dom este con-
troversies exhibits too rooted nm ncapacity for
arriving at conclusions in conformity with evil
dence to carry much weight, German public
opinion can In no circumstances be brushed
aside as undeserving Of consideration But, II
this friendly appeal to the higher tribunal Of its
more judicial mind should prove unsuccessful
fear most persons will only conclude that the
spectacle OF a world wide British Empire still
in process OF expansion. and Notwithstanding
that with each further development OF its do
minion the lingering letters OF MANKIND fall of.
is too irritating to certain legitimate but as yet
unqualified mbitions to DO viewed with perfect
equanimity. or judged with adequate fairness.
Fortunately the English people. being. i'm
agine. rather proud than vaingorlous race
too strong to be representative. and success
full enough not to feel TEMPTED to retaiate
with injustice for injustice. W ill patiently await
the return Of your countrymen to a more eQuit-
able frame OF mind. Meanwhile. the good will
whS at 81 nys
discerned in the Government Of Pretoria an
astutely organized tyranny under the traves-
thusiastic approval and eager cooperation OF
our own self; governed colonies. are for Eng
llshmen ample corroboratiou of the righteous
ness OF their cause. and con frmation strong OF
the healthy soundness OF their conscience"