The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-10-19
The same correspondent also says
VIM. Z. Wilson On the Beer War

VIM. I. Wilson on the Beer War.
Lexington Va, Oct Is Hon. W.
l.. Wilson, president Of " ashington
and Lee University. used as the topic
of his last address before the students
of the university that which is now
the issue of great in terest- England
and the Beers
He said that when Southern Africa
was acquired from the Dutch by the
English there was found there people
descended from the Dutch. These peo-
pie had now cut loose from European
customs and desire only the name Of
Airikanders They became, Mr. Will
SOD said, slave. holding narrow people.
In 1882, when England emsncipated
the slaves, the Beers organized them
selves into a grand trek and wandered
into Southeast Africa, away from the
English, where they could live accord.
ing 30 laws Of their own making The
result Of this emigration was the es-
Establishments Of the Transvaal Republic.
The attempted secession was looked
upon by England with much disfavor,
and frequent fights occurred. Finally
affairs assumed such a state that del
egation Of Beers conferred with the
English, aud the result was that the
Transvaal was put under the British
flag.
A majority Of the Beers became dis
satisfied when the British flag became
the dominant emblem oflthe Transvaal.
Notwithstanding the defeat Of the
British at Majuba Hill by the Beers
and the British cry for vengeance,
Gladstone took up the cause OF the
Beers, dared to do right, and restored
TO them their rule.
Diamonds and gold in large quaint
ties were soon found in the Beers ter
ritory. and the result disastrous. Ad-
venturers poured into the rich fields
Johannesburg was built, property was
acquired, mines were opened by the
throngs that poured in The Beers re-
sented this intrusion. Heavy taxes
were imposed upon the strangers, and
they were not allowed to take part in
legislation.
1t was inevitable that struggle
would soon begin for recognition for
political rights and the disfranchised
appealed to England. II it is TO be
war. the one disastrous result can be
readily foreseen. The intrepid Beers,
brave, obstinate and willing to fight to
the death, will be completely crushed
by the equally brave Englishmen.
An Organized Secret Movement to Pre-
vent the Nomination Of Mckinley.
The Washington, D. O., Star of
Tuesday says:
There is an organized secret move
ment looking to the defeat Of Presi-
dent Mckinley for denomination. The
existence of the movement is known to
some of the Presidents friends, and it
is Caid that the President was induced
to make his western trip somewhat Of
a campaigning tour with the view q
counterscting what is being done IN.
der cover by his enemies The posi-
tivesness and openness of the PIesi-
dents recent speeches, especially that
of Monday in Wisconsin, in which he
comes out without equivocation in de-
Tense of the policy Of expansion, is re.
garded as proof that he has become
thoroughly satisfied that the country
is behind him in this policy and that
by that sign he can defy all opposition.
1t is known that the planning to
bring Admiral Dewey into the field as
a candidate against the President is
not the only thing that is being laid
out in the way of developing an op.
position in the Republican national
convention. An effort is being made
to perfect an organization strong
enough to prevent McKinley's renomi-
nation independently Of the candidacy
of any particular man at this time in
mind. II Dewey should be available
he would probably be the first choice,
but it is not proposed to make the issue
dependent upon his availability. How
far the movement has met with en-.
courgement cannot be ascertained, but
number Of prominent men have been
approached on the subject and a def
mite plain of campaign has been dis
closed to them.