The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-06-24
PRE- S|DENT KRUGER
AND HIS LOST CAUSE
A Heroic and a Momentous
Struggle.
NOW DRAWING TOACLOSE
Its Bids Fair to be Far-Reaching in
Its Bids Fair to be Far-Reaching in
It's Results.
OPENING UP OF THE DARK CONTINENT
The Clash Caused by the Rumor That Geld
Was Locked Up in The Mountains Of the
Transvaal. Rule of the White
Man to be Universal.
TO the Editor:

10 the Editor:
Perhaps one of the most heroic
struggles of modern times, as it bids
fair to be one of the most momentous,
in far reaching results, is now draw
ing to close. The causes leading up
to such a contest of Titans, may be
briefly condensed into the syllogism,
love of home versus the greed of en-
pire. Suffice it, that the Dark Conti-
nent, held by swarthy and barbarous
peoples from prehistoric time, has
by inscrutable cause managed to bar
it's gates against all ingress of the
white or governing race of the world.
Singular, most singular this of all the
ehtnologic mysteries of time. 1t had
probably continued Terra Incognita'
for ages to follow, if oracle, or rumor
had not proclaimed that there was
key of gold studded with precious
stones lying dormant in her bleak
hills. that alone could open those
sombre portals. Behold on the in
stant two stiff necked races clamor
Gus for the possession of that mythic
grappled and torn each others threats
on the water, like brace of marine
bulldogs. for the dominion of Nep-
tunes element. So to bring repe-
tition on land was only IL question
of knocking a chip off the shoulder.
Alas; that one of these hereditary
haters, should give, and the other
not take the dare. 4't'
Perhaps, too, one of the most unique
and original historic figures of recent
years, is he whose name heads this
sheet. According to a writer in the
last number of McClure's Magazine,
who seems to know him reasonably
well, he appears to be a strange con-
glomerate of opposites; peasant, mil
lionaire, rebel, autocrat, fillibuster,
visionary, and statesman. OF course,
there must needs be IL striking simili-
tude in all heroic attributes between
him and another president, Lincoln,
as there is in the fancy of some fool
infatuate, between the last and every
remarkable parsonage in all story,
mythololic, poetic or historic, from
,Joye the thunderer to John Brown
the murderer.
If the old Beers panegyrist in imi-
tation of Plutarch must needs run as
a presidential parallel between him
and another. / respectfully submit
that in kind heroic attributes, and
more opposite to occasion and concom-
itants, that other was not far off.
Nay more, barring boorishness. and
conceding his hero the heroic quail
ties claimed, the impartial critic will
from now until the tattoo of eternity.
hold and maintain that as standard of
the patriot hero, Mr.. Kruger's eulo-
gist is iniudicious, in selection of
choice. Without derogation to that
other, and yielding him the merit of
honest impulse and good intention,
we are nevertheless at loss to under
stand how any out of reach of blind
bias, could ever presume to place him
on the heroic plane, and enter him in
the field of candidacy for admission
into the exclusive halls of Walhalla
The field of standing room is very linn.
tied, on that little arena and in those
post norton rooms beyond. Some
there be who claim prerogative of in.
gress into those sacred portals, rely
ing on the ill-advised boosting of in
considerate friends. A fall is sure tC
follow soon or late. Caesar required
10 boosting or ticket of admission tC
either locality. Those who do, viii
find the foothold precarious if reach
ed. But enough of heroic comparison
and essay estimate. Let's return tC
the one in hand, who by the worlds
sanction stands forth as the --latest
evolution of that sublime character
the patriot hero. Rough, uncouth, il
literate, he is conceded to be; but none
the less hero. Perhaps the more
owing to such drawbacks and deficien.
cies. True, his antecedents and sur
roundings were conducive to the de-
velopment of such rare historic char.
acters. According to Gibbon, greatest
of historians, a primitive agriculture
people is ever most prolific Of that
sort That he dared overwhelming
odds for home, land and inherent
rights, and made perhaps the mos