The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1900-04-14
Hon. Webster Davis Great Lecture on
The Transvaal War.

On Sunday night last every available
bit Of standing room in the opera-house,
the largest auditorium in Washington,
was filled TO hear Hoo. Webster Davis
on the South African war, a subject
which is interesting the thoughtful
men Of civilized nations. AS is already
known, Mr.. Davis resigned his position
as Assistant Secretary Of the Interior
because his sym pathies we're in favor
solely with the Boer Republics, and
that he might give free and unlimited
expression OF his sentiments. He was
sent to the Transvaal by the U. S.
government to investigate the troubles
between the English and Beers, finding
the preponderance OF evidence in favor
OF the latter. Mr.. Davis is an orator
OF national reputation and impresses
his hearers with the truth OF his
burning thoughts and eloquent words.
1t is his purpose to lecture In various
portions of this country in the COM
passionate interest of the little band
OF invincible warriors who, without the
splendid armament of the enemy, with
every thing indeed, to their great
disad vantage are battling so heroically
for liberty and justice, for home
and independence.
1t has been said by the British that
the Beers disregard rules and customs
governing civilized warfare, but
Webster Davis strongly denounces the
charge and says that the English them
selves are guilty of barbarous acts
towards the Beers, as he witnessed on
the battle field, during his visit to
South Africa, horrible atrocities per-
pretated by them. His speech pub
lished by New Orleans and other
metropolitan papers,is very interesting
and will enlighten many as to the
hardship and struggles of the Beers,
as well as the conduct of the English
toward them. The St Louis Republic,
OF April 10th, in an editorial on the
subject, truthfully says:
1T is to be noted with satisfaction that
webster Davis, in his public lecture on the
South African situation, refrains from in
diligence in oratorical pryotecnics and
makes a calm and clear statement of the
cause for which the Beers are fighting and
of the developments leading up to the war.
This statement shows quite plainly that
these sturdy Dutchmen are Of very much
the same patriotic and liberty-loving strains
as were the men who won independence for
this country. and that they are equally In
the right in their brave stand against Brit |
ish aggression, They are the pioneers OF
South Africa, They own the county in
which they live by the divine right of sacri-
flee and suffering. 1t is English avarice alone
that has led the English nation into the sin
OF attempting the subjug alton and spolia-
ton of this people.
Time was when American public sentiment
would have mad it impossible for an Ameri.
can administration to refuse assistance to a |
little people such as the Beers, fighting for
freedom and the right. 1t would have been
felt that our passive consent to the extinc-
ton OF such a people constituted a plain
of Reputation of our own faith
fine faith that all men are born free and |
equal and that all government must be based
ON the consent of the governed. 1t would
awe been held US a shame that the worlds
Republic should stand careless by
when two little Republics were being crush
ed for the further spread of Empire.
1t is not to be believed that this spirit is |
dead in the American bosom. The Mckinley |
administration repudiates it, but there is as
no convincing proof that the American
people sanction the reputation. The
people themselves are still to be
heard from at the polls. 1t will be ominous
indeed If they fail to so rebuke Mckinley
for its sin against liberty as to prove that
the faith of the Revolutionary Fathers is
still vital as controlling the course of their
sons"