New-York tribune., 1900-07-15
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
FALSE CLAIMS OF BOER ADVOCATES.
THE COUNTRY AN OLIGARCHY, NOT A REPUBLIC
WHY ENGLAND Is PREFERRED.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir I have been the recipient of several bro
chures from George ". Van Siclen. a Son Of the
American Revolution" advocating the cause of
the ''Boer Republic" I wish in all kindness to
to "A Son OF the American Revolution that
I inherited from my Pilgrim ancestors the love of
liberty for all good, honest men, and from my
religious training a settled objection pretence.
I make these points strongly because be
lieve these Beers and their advocates are guilty
under both counts
First-They claim to be a republic (and that is
the basis of their appeal to the American people,
What Is a republic? One of the founders of ours
defined it as "a government which derives all its
powers directly indirectly from the great body
of the people, and is administered by persons hold
ing their offices during pleasure for a limited
period or during good behavior" If such gov
ernment existed in the Transvaa it would not
have been necessary to go up and down through
this land pleading for sympathy with their cause
1t would have been spontaneous.
What is an oligarchy? 1t is defined govern
ment by the few, in which the supreme power is
vested in the hands of a small exclusive class"
Now, this definition fits precisely the Boer Gov
ernment: but to call this a republic is a fraud, in
my Judgment.
These Beers claim to be very religious. too
Having put forth this claim they rightly
judged by it. There was another class who made
the same claim 1900 years ago, TO whom the Master
said. Woe unto YOU hypocrites," and "Whatso-
ye would that should do unto you. do ye
them Clearly. their religion does
not correspond to this definition and is a pre-
tence.
Their advocates plead for sympathy because "it
was weak nation against strong one, a boy
against a giant" 1t would seem to be the part OF
wisdom for the boy not to fight the question at
issue could be more easily, quickly prohtably and
satisfactorily settled for him without; it does not
seem to be a case for sympathy. if he chooses to
fight and gets what he expected. plus much valu-
able experience and knowledge; albeit deplore
the loss of life caused by his choice
On these bases "A Son of the American Revou-
ton sent out requests pro and con, and argues
from the returns he has received that this Nation
faVOrS the Beers and Great Britain has lost the
hearts Of Americans This is just falaCiOus as
previous claims. Who signed these Naturally,
grievance against England Who did not sign at
all? Those who had netheT-COmpriStng the great
majority of unprejudiCed. thoughtful people. Inc
that he only l06,S30 out of 100000 people
sufficiently significant. Besides the Boer ad-
vocates had an uncontested field the English ad-
voCates made no appeal, but ! sustain the action
lily in favor Of the English Government extending
its rule over all that territory 1T does not hurt
my conscience First, because by their fruits
We shall know them" With all the faults of the
English Government compare it's fruits with those
Of the Boer Government. The larger liberty. the
happiness and content, the progress, the greater
second to none. and only equalled by the United
States. Second. because | believe this VIII be the
greatest blessing that can come to all the Boers,
viz. that they with their courage. sturdlnSsS love
corporated into the English nation, and enjoy all
its privileges without any discrimination on ac-
count Of race nationality or previous conalIiioIiS
when they and their children VIII be lnhhltely
better off than under their Boer olGarchy
| have not replied to any OF George W. an
SicIens previous effusions sent me, but he makes
me tired" I one Of the f,SJ3l'O VINO &c not
vote in reply 10 his queries. NJ .
New-YOrk, July II. 1900.