New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-25
rs THIS "REPUBLICANrf
SOME QUESTIONS FROM A CAPE TOWN
WOMAN FOR DIR. PARKHURsT

SOME QUESTIONS FROM A CAPE TOWN
WOMAN FOR DIR. PARKHURsT.
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir; 1t is with grief and disappointrnent that
an American in the TransvaaI reads the extract
in The Tribune of DR. Parkhurst's Thanksgtv-
ing Day sermon That man who has been so
conspicuous for clear thinking who has rem
dered such signal service 10 the present genera
ton Of younger clergymen in the great denom-
nation he represents. should have Iapsed into
such confusion of thought in regard to the Boer-
British war is lamentable. He says: IF the
Americans of to-day felt as the Americans Of
1I16 felt, the great body Of American citizen
ship would rise in grand protest against the
snuf1ng out of republican Independence in
South Africa"
Republican independence'-two words dear
TO every true American heart but in the case OF
the TransvaaI controversy absolutely mislead-
ing In name only does q republic exist in the
Transvaal. Does a republic persstently dis
franchise two-thirds Of its adult male white
population, keep them disfranchised and frame
laws for DISTINGUISHING their children?
Does republican independence permit the arbt-
trary imposition Of taxes on this two-thirds
majority Of unrepresented citizens, taxes which
are cunningly contrived to fall on this class
alone, which are excessive TO render all
but the richest mines unavoidable which render
the necessar1es Of life dear beyond all reason
and which enormous taxes. worst Of all, do not
benefit the Transvaal. but go into the pockets
Of a few people? Was that the American spirit
Of 1T76?
Does republican minority tax republican
majority for an enormous secret service fund?
Does republican minority tax an unenfran-
chised majority, forbidden TO carry arms TO
build and equip huge forts which at a moments
notice can be used against a defenceless people?
Does not republican independence include the
freedom Of the press and the right to hold pub
lie meetings?
Does it not insure trial by a jury composed
Of ones peers?
Can true republic permit its President to
dismiss its judges. reverse their decisions and
command its Legislature TO pass Law declar-
ing Nat the judges not entitled 70 test
the validity Of a law by its agreement or con-
fiict with the Constitution?
Can an agglomeration Of one hundred thou
sand people. American, English, Germans.
French. endure for any length Of time imposi-
lions like these? Is not the righteous intuition
of the civilized world against II?
And when. in the face Of facts Ike these q
, clergyman Of keen thought talks about "snufing
out republican independence" does he not
thereby put aside something Of his directness Of
thought? For one does not snuff out great
forts, vast ornaments, splendid cavalry and
artillery, and the strategic skill OF some Of the
finest mercenaries in the world (who, DR.. Park
hurst should know are this time with the Beers,
not with the British). One attacks them and
takes them slowly. painfully. and solely and
only in the name Of truth, Righteousness and
justice
A sufficient answer 70 many people is Presi-
dent Rutgers oft repeated assertion, We do
not want the Outlanders, did not ask them
10 come; this is our country, let them leave II
/ if they don't like ways" True enough. He
/ does not want them now, but he did want them
just after the London Convention, when, wish
ing 10 raise money, his secretary was instruct
ed 70 write from the Albemarle Hotel on De-
cenber 81, 1888: This Government will view
with satisfaction the development OF properties
which concessions have been granted" and
he assured the companies that they could count
/ on Government protection. Then the penniless
President desired the Outlander Now the
millionaire President would like the Outlanders
10 leave the mines they have fairly bought and
fairly paid for, which they have spent tens OF
millions sterling in developing, and which have
made Mr.. KRUGER and his oligarChy rich % mill
ions; he would like them 70 leave these mines.
10 his and their further delectatton.
And this Christian minister describes
"sanctfed mulishness inherited from Dutch
ancestors who fought the Spanish Inquisi-
aon- = mere Ihe sLIehtesI PaIaIel DSLNeen
/ fighting for liberty 10 worship God according TO
the dictates Of ones conscience and fighting
for extOrtionate taxation without representa-
ton? And is fighting England at the close Of
I the nineteenth century the fighting
Spain at the close of the sixteenth century?
Further is il republicanisrn when a railway
scheme is TO be hoated that four-ffths Of the
Legislature shall receive presents for their ia
vorable votes. and the eminently Christian
President make the candid confession Of his
principles that he saw harm in members
/ taking presents?
Every Monday morning in johannesburg sees
/ twenty thousand Kafirs too drunk go to
work. They are drunk the Yilest liquor ever
manufactured or sold A law was framed
stricting its sale. Nh KRUGER. Ostentatious
total abstainer. denounced the law as immoral
because it deprived a number OF honest people
OF a livelihood"
Does a republican government in time Of
peace deliberately hold up a train, rob 1t OF
100000 in gold and appropriate the same to
its own use?
May one hold UP 70 Almighty God hands soiied
with bribery and corruption. and with a tongue
foul with falsehood and treachery ask and
expect His favor, and shall Christian minister
call that "sancUiied Obstnacy' and better
Christianity" than that of those who are fight
ing them2 STELLA ii. SEYMOUR
Cape Town. Jan. %. 1900.
TAXES ON BONDS.
! I. PRONIEENN-s