Willmar tribune., 1900-01-03


cord ance with d resolution, unanim-
ousIy adopted at q meeting of Afri-
cander and Bond Members of Parlia-
ment, that we address you as follows:
Notwithstanding the most strenuous
efforts made by our clergymen, our
ministers, our party in Parliament,
our Bond branches, and our women,
by means of respectful petitions, pub
lie meetings, and by other means to
preserve:the invaluable blessings of
peace for South Africa, the much
dreaded war has virtually broken out.
Her majesty's forces will soon be
involved in a bloody war with the
burghers of the Transvaal and the
Free State, who are one with US in re-
ligion, language, and descent.
There are but few Colonial Afri-
canders who are not bound to the in
ha abitants of both Republics by ties of
relationship, intimacy or friendship.
This makes war still more painful to
you and us, and much more calamit-
Gus to South Africa than it would
otherwise be.
It is not our object to inquire to
wl'om al this misery and calamity
which await our country, owing to the
existing circumstances, are due.
Enough acrimony exists without such
inquiry. Much more does it hefit us
to yield to the overpowering impulse
which fills the heart of our people
with a desire to do something in aid
of our kinsmen and friends beyond the
Orange and Vaal rivers, by giving it
an opportunity to express itself in
some legitimate manner in work and
deed.
What may, what can, we colonial
Africanders do in this sorrowful time?
Join in the work Of warfare with the
weapons? The law and our duty as
British subjects forbid this, even
should other circumstances not op-
pose such.a course of action.
But what neither the law nor the
duty of the subject forbids, and what,
moreover, agrees in every respect
with all principles of religion and
humanity, is the Offering of help to
the wounded, to the widows and the
orphans.
If you are in earnest in your ex.
pressions of sympathy with your
brothers and sisters in those parts,
you will make sacrifices in favor OF
those men who will be wounded or
mutilated on the field of battle, and
for the sake of those wives and chill.
dren who will be robbed of their only
support in life by sword or bullet.
With that object in view we entrea1
you to subscribe to the appended list.
and to do so with unstinted liberality
When the war is concluded there
will be hundreds, perhaps thousands
of widowe and orphans left quite up
provided for. It is chiefly on thei,
behalf that our party in Parliament
appeal to you: Large sums of money
will be needed to provide them, ever
to a slight extent, with the necessaries
of life.
Let each one, therefore, contribute
and not only a triae, as if it were fol
an ordinary matter, but to the utmos
OF his or her means; even though he
or she should have to deny himself OF
herself some pleasure or other for :
long time to come.
Provision will be made to preven
the abuse of your donat ons
Mr.. G.. e. de Villiers has kindly un
dertaken the duties of Hon. treasurer
OF the committee.
Give literally and speedily. Oper
subscription lists in each district ant
each Field-cornetcy, and appoint col
]ectors to call upon each inhabitant te
solicit contributions, so that no per-
son be omitted. ~
Convinced that we have not appea'e'
in vain, and trusting that an all-wist
Providence may see fit speedily to ter
inmate the calamity of war in Soutl
| 4 frica, we subscribe ourselves will
duo respect, your obedient servants,
| Cape Town, October 10, 1899. z 4
N. F. DEWAAL, NJ. L. A. II.
Jos. N. HoFFMAN;M. u. A.
i -. = ~. I II HnItA1Ex13 Es.I5t- :. - Il