Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-04-16
WORTHY OF IMITATION,

The remarkable powers Of resistance
and endurance exhibited by the Beers.
IN the war with Great Britain, have as
tonlshed the whole civilized world II
was expected ON the outbreak Of hos
Utilities that though at FIRST there might
be a few successful repulses, the tri-
umph Of British forces and British tao
tics would only be a question OF a few
months. even with the comparatively
small army then sent TO South Africa.
But all thece calculations have been
upset by the stern realities of the cam
palgn. and the farmer Beers have. so
far not only withstood the onslaughts
Of the trained soldiers OF the British
Isles. under some Of the most success
ful generals IN the army. but have ac-
tually achieved victories in the face OF
odds that appeared overwhelming.
The Beers had been preparing for the
outbreak for several years. They had
the food ready and the ornaments and
munitions Of war at hand. They have
a mode Of warfare suited to the locali-
ties where the conflict is being waged.
They are skilled in the use Of arms,
and IN the kind Of horsemanshlD re-
qulred In the broken country to be
traversed and defended Their supplies
and reinforcements are readily OBJ
tained. These are advantages greatly
IA their favor, but there is something
more than all these. that give them
strength 10 endure and courage 70 go
forward and conquer
There are two factors in the problem
OF the Boer resistance which are
worthy OF general understanding, and
which account IN a large degree for
their astonishing II temporary sue
cesses; They are a hardy, temperate,
working and therefore vigorous race,
and they really believe and trust in God
whom they worship sincerely, These
traits make them powerful foe. and
fighting Tor home and independence.
render them formidable and not easy 10
subdue.
As to the Righteousness Of their cause,
or It's wrongfulness or folly. we have
no argument to offer, But their man
ner OF lie. which gives vlgor to their
manhood and womanhood. is such as 10
make them stalwart and brave, and
II somewhat rude In their department,
gives them a sturdluess and power OF
physical endurance, which enables them
TO Withstand the onslaughts Of an en-
envy vastly superior IN numbers.
They also pray as well as fight They
go into the fray, seeking the help Of the
God OF battles" At night, when the
horrid sounds OF war are stllled. they do
not revel In debauchery or indulge in
rlbald song and story but bow the knee
together In solemn prayer. and sing the
hymns that they learn in religious meet
ings. They, therefore. not only so into
the strife In The strength OF healthy
vigor, but they fight in faith that they
win prevail.
These are two lessons for the youth OF
all nations to learn. These examples
are worthy Of imitation. Temperate,
chaste and active lives. without excess
and free from vice, genuine faith and
trust in the Supreme Being under every
circumstance, will prepare any people
FOR the bat,e OF lie and be Of immeas-
urable strength and value in peace or
In war, Whatever may be the outcome
OF the conflict now raging. these partic-
ular exhibitions Of the Boer character
are worthy Of consideration. and will
become conspicuous In the history Of
South Africa.