The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-10-03

and the Websters, and which was un-
conquerable through the years of the
war for independence.
The formidable difficulties which the
Dutch farmers now face are exactly
those that would have descended upon
the farmers Of New England had the
worlds most profitable gold mines been
discovered in their territory. Suppose
the conditions were reversed-that
South Africa had been rapidly develop
ed after the original settlements, in
tead of New England and North Amer
lea. Suppose that New England to-day
really had civilization something like
that in existence Is years ago. that it
was an independent state after the
manner of the Transvaal, and that sud-
denly vast immigration of gold-seek-
ers, capitalists and spectators from
foreign countries should descend upon
it. Is there any doubt that the "uit-
landers' in New England would con-
slider the Yankees a backward, I'M
couth, bigoted, uncivilized race, who
were standing in the way OF business?
That the natives would have been
abused, ridieuled and misrepresented,
is obvious enough, since our ancestors,
as it was, formed a butt for the ridicule
of English and French travellers very
far into the present century.
The enemies of the Beers assert that
they represent social rigidity and re-
action, and must give way before the
march of civilization" With the history
of New England and the United States
before our minds we cannot view the
situation in just that light The Beers
apparently, have the essential quail
ties, in the rough, which would make
a great people if given fair time for
natural development. Opposed to them
to-day and demanding their extinction
IS the gross, material civilization of the
mining camp and the stock exchange.
Which was of more consequence, the
agricultural and rural civilization or
New England rs years ago or the min
ing camp civilization of Is years ago?
What has happened to Nevada may
happen to johannesburg. The mines
may cease to be profitable and then the
population attracted by them would fit
away.
Great Britain, in its imperialistic fe-
yer, has evidently forgotten the rela-
tive value of different kinds Of civili-
cations. Having ceased herself to be
her energies to trading. mining and
rapid money getting, she fails to see
that there is no civilization known to
mankind worthier to exist than that
of the earlier New England and the
present Dutch independent state of
South Africa. For such civilizations
are hardy, being rooted in the soil 1T
self, and, like half-grown plant, they
have their futures before them. They
are the hardest to root up. because
of the tenacious virtues they possess
and because they have the best quality
of white European stock-the Teutonic.
The infinite trouble Great Britain is
now having with the Beers only con-
firms the claims made as to their
high natural powers as founders of
commonwealth. The courage of their
present attitude in facing the might
est empire Of history deserves the ad-
miration of the world. It is possible
that in making a deadly enemy of SO
virile a race British Imperialism will
overlap itself and make its most terri
BILE blunder since the American revolu-
! ton.