Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-21
THE BOER . MEETING
A Great Gathering in the Grand
Opera House.
PEECHES WERE LOUDLY APPLAUDED
The ENJOYS Tell the Object Of
Their Mission.
RESOLUTIONS PASS E d

| The mass meeting at the Grand Opera
| House in honor of the commissioners from
| the South African republic and Orange
| Free State last evening was very largely
| attended. There were various estimates
| of the number of people who We're
| unable to gain admission to the big
| theater, which was crowded in every part.
| In the audience and the stage were
| many senator's and representatives and
| others well known here. There were nu-
| merous eloquent speeches and the cause of
the South African republics was upheld not
only by expressions of sympathy, but by
! substantial money contribution OF over $50
| for the needs, of the Beers
| The theater was tastefully, though SIM
| ply. decorated for the reception to the COM
| misSioners of the South African republics.
| Boer flags We're hung either side of the
| stars and stripes above the stage, and the
| gallery was ornamented with American col
| ors.
The Delegates Cheered.
| The theater was filled in every part when
| the guests of honor arrived, and as they
| were recognized they were given ova-
| ton of applause that resounded through
| the big audience chamber. They We're
| seated on the front row Of the stage. In
| box was Mrs. Fischer, the wife Of the chief
representative
| to order and presented Rev. Father Mackin.
who opened the exercises with prayer. He
| then introduced Representative SulZer as
| the presiding officer, and Mr.. Sulzer pro-
| ceeded to make stirring speech in favor
| of the independence of the Beers. Mr.. Sui
| Ger referred to the representatives of the
| little South African republic as coming to
| America a mission of peace. AS the
i ont iynG xrfl-
come there was long and loud applause,
| which was renewed when he hoped their
| cause would be successful. America had
! fought Great Britain to gain independence
| and the Beers, he said. were fighting to
\ maintain their independence and that was
| the only difference between the two wars.
| He believed nine-tenths of the people of
| this country were in sympathy with them
| and wanted them to gain their independ-
| ence. The plain people of England were
| against the cruel war that country was
CARRYING on, and in the name of humanity.
| Christianity and civilization the war should
stop. England. Mr.. Sulzer said, had been
| the aggressor against the Beers.
Il glory in the spunk of grand old Paul
Kruger. He is one of the mmortals," he
declared.
This statement called out cries That's
| right, and every reference to the presi-
| dent Of the Boer republic was greeted with
! welcome here in the name of Washing
| ton, Franklin, Jefferson; in the name Of
| Monroe and Lincoln, said Mr.. SulZer,
| turning to the representatives of the South
| African republics. Welcome in the name
| of 75,OOO,00O Of honest, freedom-loving men
and women. Welcome to free America.
| They pray for you tonight all over this
land, and their prayer is God grant that
| the English army may never reach Pre-
toria.' >"
Mr.. Fischer's Speech.
| When Mr.. Sulzer concluded his speech he
was again greeted with tremendous ap-
| plause. In introducing Mr.. Fischer, the
chief envoy from the two South African
| republics. Mr.. Sulzer said he had never
met more genial gentleman. Mr.. Fischer
spoke briefly and used the English lam
guage fluently.
1--WE have come here" he said, "to see
whether the spirit of 125 years ago is still
alive in America. To see whether the SEN
timent that caused the patriots of America
| to take up arms to obtain freedom is still
| strong enough to recognize in kindly
| manner this same feeling when possessed
| by us
| He said they had come on mission of
peace and that the Boer government had
endeavored to avoid the war. They want
| ed to put themselves in the hands of the
American people and they hoped to obtain
hearing from them.
1--WE are prepared to abide by your judes
ment" he said. at has been encouraging
to us to find this sympathy and kindly feel
ing from the moment we set foot on your
soil.'
He said they desired to stop bloodshed.
In the history of every nation there had
been dark moments. but the darkest mo-
nents were frequently just before
brighter day.
Mr.. Vessels Trials of His Country.
Mr.. Vessels, who stands over six feet
high, wears full black beard and is re-
garded as typical Boer, was next intro
duced. He spoke simply Of the present
trials of his countrymen, and was ap-
plauded frequently.
MANY people here may not recall he
said, that the population of the two re-
publics of South Africa Is only $4,000
whites. counting all from the smallest baby
to man bigger than am
lie then told of the old men and young
boys who were fighting for their liberty in
the Transvaal: of the women sustaining
them at their homes and OF the determine
ton not to give up their struggle on the
part of ALL
Through nm interpreter.
Mr.. wolmarans. when called on, requested
to be heard through Mr.. Fischer. who acted
as his Interpreter. saying he did not speak
English well enough to address an audience
He thanked the people for their expressions
of sympathy, and referred to his position as
a member of krugers cabinet.
They had expected to receive the sym
pathy of the Americans, but they did not
anticipate SUCH reception tHcS WShS
given In New York and in this city.
THAT sympathy he said. will be help
in our struggle there and in dealing with
your government here. We will tell our
people when they pray they will be prayed
for here and when they fight they will be
fought for here.
Senator WellingtOn's Remarks.
Senator Wellington of Maryland then
made q stirring speech in favor Of the In
dependence of the South African republics.
He said that, as an American he had al
ways held that all men are entitled to life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Upon
this principle America sent forth a message
that shook the world. For that principle
every drop Of blood shed in the revolution
WAS given. With this sentiment on their
banners the people had marched for 125
years. and he hoped it would never be
changed. No true American would take
issue with that proposition. If that were
true for America, why should it not be true
for the Boers2
"'Why should 1t not be true for the Fill
pinos?" some one in the audience called