Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-12-22
An Appeal to the People.

Dear Countrymen-It is in accordance
with resolution, unanimously ADOPTED at
meeting OF Africander and Bona Menu
bers.of Parliament, that we address you as
follows:
Notwithstanding the most strenuous eff
forts made by our clergymen, our minis
ters our parry In Parliament, our Bono
branches and our women, by means OF
respectful petitions. public meetings a and
by other means to preserve the invaluable
blessings OF peace for South Africa, the
much-oreaded war has virtually broken
out.
Her Majesty's forces will soon be invoiv-
ed in a bloody war with the burghers of
the Transvall and the Free State, who are
one with US in religion, language, and des-
cent.
There are but few Colonial Africanders
who are not bound to the Inhabitants or
timacy and friendship. This makes war
still more painful 10 you and US, and mucn
more calamitous to South Africa than II
would otherwise be.
1t is not our object to inquire to whom
all this misery and calamity which await
our country, owing to the existing clrcum-
without such inquiry. Much more does 1t
befit US to yield TO the overpowering I'M
pulse which fills the heart of our people
with desire to do something IN ald OF our
kinsmen and friends beyond the Orange
and Vaal rivers, by giving 1t an opportun-
ity to express itself in some legitimate
manner in work and deed.
What may, what can, we Colonial A1rl-
canders do in this sorroWful time! JOIN
in the work of warfare with the, weapons!
The law, and our duty as British suo1ec1s
forbid this, even should other circum-
stances not oppose such course OF ac-
ton.
of the subject forbids, and what, moreover,
agrees In every. respect with all principles
OF religion and humanity, IS the oIeflnS OF
help to the wounded, to the WIDOWS anu
the orphans.
If you are in earnest in your expressions
of sympathy with your brothers and SIS
var tn ortG will
in favor of those men who Will be Wounoen
or mutilated on the field of Eatue, and Tor
the sake of those wives aud children w ineo
will be robbed of their only support in life
by sword or bullet.
With that object in view we entreat you
to subscribe to the appended list and to 90
When the war is concluded there will be
hundreds, perhaps thousands, of WldoWs
is chiefly ON their behalf that our party in
money will be needed to provide them,
even to a slight extent, with the neeessar-'
les of life.
Let each one, therefore contribute and
not only trife, as If it We're for an ordln-
means; even though he OF, she should have
to deny himself or herself some pleasure
Provision will be made to prevent the
abuse of your donations.
Mr.. G. c. de Villiers has kindly under
taken the duties Of hon. treasurer OF the
committee
Give literally and speedily. Open SUBJ
scription lists in each district and each
Field-cornetcy, and appoint collectors 70
call upon each inhabttant to solicit contri-
buttons, so that no person be omitted.
Convinced that we have not appealed TO
you in vain. and trusting that an all-wise
Providence may see fit speedily TO termin-
ate the calamity of war in South Africa,
we subscribe ourselves with due respect
your obedient servants.
Cape Town, October TO- 1899.
N F. DE WALL, NJ. L. A.
JOS. ". HOFFMAN, M. l.. A.
j. II. HCFMEYR,
THCS p. THERON, NJ. l.. a.
ID. ]. A. VAN ZYL, NJ. l.. A.
Subscriptions for the above may be Tor
ayarded directly to Mr.. Van Siclen, Hon.
treasurer 1A Broadway. New York, TO be
transmitted to Cape Town.