Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-05-03
SPEAKERS OPPOSE WAR.
Addresses of David Ferris and Lewis W.
Brosius at the Peace Meeting.

Interesting addresses were delivered, the
sneakers being David Ferris and Lewis !
W. Brosius. MIR. Ferris spoke about
aEnehsh Friends and the War in South
Africa" He said:
at is always time Of great proving
to Friends when theif-country engages
in war. Although our society took an
ultra stand for peace from its organiza-
tiop, aud early Friends were unanimous
in supporting that stand through great
persecutcn, yet il is an inherent CHAR
acteristio of humanity TO glide with the
current to follow the orCwd. The ma
jority do not reason closely and decide
according to conviction OF what IS
right, but they follow their party
| leaders In politics, and their pastors or
| priests in theoretical or doctrinal re-
| iipion. 1t was said Of old 'the leaders
| of the people caused them to err. Now,
| in the war this country is waging
against the Filipinos, and England
against the Beers, the great mass and
heart Of humanity would decide both to
be entirely unnecessary and unjust. but
the leaders appeal to every selfish lust,
to AVERAGE, power. glory, the spread OF
dominion and commerce. A false and
| demoralizing patriotism is inyoked.
such maxims as Our country right or
wrong may be heard. Waving banners
and shouting, excited crowds drown the
voice OF reason and justice, and close
the heart to the appeal for mercy.
Friends cannot be expected to be I'M
influenced by these selfish considera-
tions, and SO We see sone yielding to
the popular current and justifying or
palliating the wrong. But we believe
| S.. ..F Eata N nrIF
country are utterly averse to the Philip
pine war, and large majority of Eng
fish Friends equally opposed to tho
South African war.
"I, this country the friends OF peace
have not been disturbed by mob yio-
lence, evipcing that public sentiment is
In favor OF freedom of discussion. But
in Great Britain it has been different.
The war fever has ragged more madly
and many meetings have beer prevented
or broken up and In some instances
private property has been ruthlessly de-
stroyed only because 1t Belonged to
those who were opposed to the war in
Africa. OF this violence propose to
give some account that We pay feel
sympathy for our English Friends, and
thankful that Friends in this country
have not been subjected to their suffer
ing and loss.
i IA private letter from a friend il
England to one in America dated l0tt
, no. 10th last, says: just now have
, been struggling against my countr,
going into this wanton, wicked wa
with the Transvaal. Ii is shocking; ",
are almost heart broken land 80 are al
here whom you knew and esteemed il
| this country. The newspapers with
, few noble exceptions) have been fomenr
| ing the war and the war spirit, b.
) falsehood and by misren esentation
, more mischieyious than downright
falsehood. William T.Stead in the Re
A view of Reviews, wrote as 10 the ex
4 cuse for the war on the part Of Eng
) land: 'There has been no real aroun
of dispute on Great Biitain's part wit
{ President Kruger'a government. Eng
land has demanded a variety of thing
relating to the internal administratio
Of country which had the fulles
I right to ORDER its internal affairs al
|. cording' to its own preferences. OF
. list of 28 instances of mob violence all
( destruction of property, 10 were unprc
I voked by any meeting; the sufferer
4 weie understood to BIZ opposed to th
8 war. At Canterbury, Ramsgate an
o Stratford on Avon, local tradesmen
4 windows were smashed; also at Mic
4 hurst, Weston Fsufer Mare Peterhea
h and Norwich. In these instances n
y meetings were being held or oontaA
n plated. AT Redruth an opponent of til
l. war was tarred and feathered in til
street. At Brierley II i'll the house of
/. preacher was broken into. At Norwic
A. the house of u local resident was fire
d into. None OF these appear to ha,
" been Friends. The fury of the mob W,
against all who opposed the war.
If Paddineton peace meeting was a
" tackled and windows broken. At She
70 field private meeting was abandoned
,r owing to newspaper Indictment to VII
az lence. The same at York. At GloI
4. cester during a lecture in Cooperate
a Hall windows were broken, promote
~ of the meeting assaulted, and memb
,e of stop the war committee, mobile
At At Alvsstcn meeting of tho concili
re tion committee was abandoned, OWL
"a to disturbance. At Northampton NEE
m ing at the Town Hall was prevents
o. and the speakers were assaulted. Maj
> more Disturbances OF this character o
IN CURED. At some private meetings Il
N mob obtained admittance by forg
% tickets and speakers were 6rutally a
ne saulted; this was the Case at Ed
w burgh. The greatest violence to Frien
and the most serious damage 10 the
be property took place Sd month, 18th,
rp Scarborough. The family Of Rowntret
or prominent Friends and. greatly /
spected as citizens Of tie highest chs
a acter, do largo business here
on branch of the South African Concili
on tion Committee was formed. Josh
on Rowntree, president, and Robert q
;e- christ, secretary. 1t was arranged
DOWNRIGHT Schreiner and J. A. Hobs
to give a lecture on South Afric
affairs on the 18th and reception
the 18th at John Rowntree 81 Sol
in cafe. About so persons attended,
of them ladies. The reception was
he ticket and strictly private. A GRO,
in assembled and jeered at the people W
", entered. While refreshments were !
ne ing served stones were thrown at |
windows. The chief constable a
on councillor urged the abandonment
30 the meeting. So the reception v
ZIP closed and the meeting abandan,
>" Some persons were injured by stol
on and beaten while leaving. The priv
ok houses of John W. Rowntree, AL
he Rowntree, Joshua and old Wilt
ge- Rowntree were broken and danag
N, The cafe of j. W. RowntIee was mt
Q, damaged. Il will not go further il
led this detaik In every instance the I,
y of the mob was visited upon peacea
ore unresisting citizens Of the high
re, standing. William Rowntree is nea
b" 50 years old. The British Friend sa
the Our Friends lthe Rowntreesl hi