The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-11
BANQUET FOR "BOBS.
Reception Given British Com
mander at Cape Town.

Cape Town, Dec. 11.-At the reception
in honor of Lord Roberts yesterday
when the British commander rose to re-
spOnd, after the presentation to him of
the sword and casket, all present rose to
their feet, cheering and waving hand
kerchiefs. The demonstration continued
for some minutes At it's conclusion,
Lord Roberts made an eloquent address
After expressing deep thanks for the
honors accorded him, he said the war in
South Africa had a peculiar interest for
him inaSmuch as it enabled him to bring
to what he hoped was a successful con-
cluSiOn the work entrusted to him ~
years ago-that of diSpelling by force OF
arms If necessary, the aspirations OF the
Beers to render themselves Independent
of British control.
Referring to his abortive visit to the
Cape in 1881, he said:
1.-The wisdom of this world is foolish
ness with God The guiding hand OF the
omnipotent will bring good out of what
to our finite understanding was the most
unfortunate war of 1881, for that war
could not have consolidated the whole
British Empire as firmly together as
this had done because it was fought by
regulars alone, whereas the present war
was fought by the militia, yeomanry and
volunteers, the admirable and workman
like colonial contingentS all fighting as
brothers in arms under the dear old flag
of the queen
In this respect Lord Roberts said he
held the unique position OF the first field
marshal having the honor to command
such an imperial outburst. He was con-
WINGED, he declared, that this spontan-
eous outburst of patriotism was not
ephemeral. England had only to give
the signal and her sons would again
flock to her banner from the ends of the
world. Never had a mother more rea-
son to be proud of her sons than had
England today. God had brought them
out of what in the dark days of Deem
Der had appeared to them the valley of
the shadow of death; and they could
now remember the days of tribulation
with deep gratitude for the mercy
vouchsafed them.
Lord Roberts then paid a deeply NOV
ing tribute of gratitude to all who hal
worked with him. He added that his in
terest in South Africa would notacease
on leaving its shores, but that he should
watch its settlement with the utmost
eagerneSS. Dwelling upon the necessity
for cooperation between the Dutch and
English, he said it would be his proudest
boast If he could claim to have done
nothing but what stress of war had
compelled to hinder the friendly fusions
of the two races in the republics. They
must try to forgive and forget all that
tends to bitterness Of feeling, leaving the
idea that nothing remained to be atoned
for on either side.
God has given into our hands" said
the field marshal, s. a great heritage, for
which a heavy price has been paid in
the blood of the best and bravest ard
we must not be neglected of the trust
as we have been in the past, but must
be able to give a good account of our
stewardship, and must remember there
are other duties than national glorifica-
tions''
He declared he could not better con-
clude his speech than by quoting the
first verse of Kipling's occasional:
God of our fathers, known of old;
Lord of our far-fiung battle line,
Beneath whose awful hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine;
Lord God of Hosts be with us yet,
Lest we forget, lest we forget