The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-30
PRO-BOER MEETING.
New Workers Express Sympathy for
the TransvnaIs Cause.


the Transvnars Cause.
NEW YORK, Jan. "a mammoth pro-
Boer meeting was held tonight in the
Grand Central Palace. 1t was called to
express American sympathy for the South
African republics. Another object was the
raising of funds to care for the i'll and
wounded within the Boer lines. Ex-Judge
George NJ Vanhoesen was the presiding
officer. On the platform were more than
one hundred vice presidents of the New
York Committee to Aid the United Repub-
lies" 1t was this committee which called
the meeting
The Grand Central Palace was filed to
its capacity. The Boer. Free State and
American colors were conspicuous in the
decorations. Letters of regret were read
from Gov. Chas. s. Thomas, of Colorado;
L. ID. Warfield. of Lafayette College, Eas-
ton, Pa; Senator Geo. l.. Wellington. of
Maryland. and others. Senator Wellington
was to have been one of the speakers. He
expressed sincere regret that the state of
his health would not allow him to attend
the meeting.
The first speaker of the evening was Rep
resentative David A. De Almond, Of Mis-
souri,, who, in mentioning some of the rea-
sons why he would sympathze with the
Boers, spoke of the cause of sentiment In
this connection he said: There is no spe-
cial tongue or particular language that can
ally us to tyranny. Liberty is the dream
and aspiration, the noblest hope of all who
ever dreamed or hoped for advancement"
Continuing Mr.. De Armond spoke of the
inc fl. all.
by the United States. The mention of this
subject was greeted with Kisses. mo Brit
ish alliance for u.s." he remarked 1t was
fully five minutes before Chairman Van
housen could restore order. "In Great Brit
ain are many noble men, and yet in every
crucial period Of our history she has been
our foe and to-day is our rival" In clos
ing the speaker made stirring appeal and
expressed hope that the South African Re-
public might live and the United States
might lend the Beers some assistance. thus
bringing to successful conclusion the
present controversy
This speaker was followed by Represen-
tative Chas. Z. Cochran, also of Missouri.
The speaker mentioned in sarsactic terms
the fact that England is often spoken of
as ''The mother of civilization" He tbea
alluded to the Beers and their fighting
qualities and declared that they were now
fighting the battle of humanity. "why
should England be called the mother of
civilization?" he continued. what has she
ever civilized? What has she done for the
Beers? What did she do for India? Now
there is Alaska; there never was any dis
pute about the boundary line up there un-
| til gold mine was discovered. It's the same
way in South Africa. This mother of civi-
lization took no interest in that part of
South Africa until diamond mines were dis
covered. Then this pirate nation and gold
| thief stepped in and began a warfare for
the sake of civilization and liberty War
! was forced on the Beers. There were ul-
terror forces at work. There was the in
| fluence of Cabinet greed. There was a
policy carried out by those answerable only
| to a capitalistic Cabinet in London, a Cabi-
net frequently of fits own creation"
The speaker then referred to the recent
| battle at Spion kop and was greeted with
cheers. He said: when I'm the agony OF
| thinking of the temerity of that handful
of Beers going into this battle prayed God
that they might hold out long enough SC
| that the price of Grape might be raised in
| the London market. There is God who
| overrules battles and 1 trust that to Hin
it may seem well that the cause Of liberty
and not of tyranny may achieve victory
| in this unholy war" In closing Mr.. Coch.
| ran said: Let us give the lie to the brazer
assumption tnat in any portion of the
United States there exists any sympathy
| for this unholy crusade"
| The following resolutions were unani.
/ mously adopted:
"That every nation has a right to form
and regulate its own laws and institutions
to suit itself
"That the law of naturalization is a mat
ter in which no nation has any right Il
| control or interfere with any other nation
| THAT the right of a nation to regulate
it's own affairs does not depend upon the
| number of its population, or upon the ex
tent of its territory.
THAT the right of the South African
| republic to regulate its own affairs wa.
not diminished by the convention of 1854.
THAT the naturalization law of the South
| African republic is to-day far more liberia
than the naturalization law Of Grea
| Britain, because in England the home sec
retary has the right TO refuse naturaliza
| tion in any case without giving a reason.
THAT ii is morally wrong and politically
| absurd to aid and abet England in he
| wrcng-doing because she Will lose prestige
if she fail in her iniquitous attempt {,
| steal and annex the territory of the Soutl
| African republic.
THAT the much-vaunted English civiliza
ton has failed to produce a better soldie
| than the Boer. a more willing tiller of tn,
soil, man more vigorous, Christian
| more devout. a patriot more unselfish,
| citizen better able to protect his home.
THAT the South African republic de
serves to be free.
THAT the Boer regards the English domi
| nation with horror, is proved by his re
peated abandonment of his home. his lonl
and weary tricks, his gallant, his awfu
| sacrifices.
THAT We request the President to SCI
TO ii that the feeling of the American peo
pie with respect of this most wicked wa
is made known TO the British Ministry
and we further request him not to wal
until both combatants ask him TO act a
arbitrator, but TO proffer his services.
..That a copy of these resolutions be sen
to the President of the United States an,
TO every Senator and Representative IL
Congress"
Among those in attendance at the meet
ing was Miss Maud Come, just arrive,
from Ireland. Over 5000 was raised.