The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-21

''uitlanders'' into the Boer Republic? Love
OF gold developed our own Pacific coast,
and is now developing Alaska as no other
incentive would. Wrongs have been perpe-
trated on both sides in South Africa. but
this does not alter the general situation
nor establish the right OF wrong OF the con-
test now being waged and evidently draw
ing toward the certain extinction on both
the Boer Republic and of the Orange Free
State.
1t is but natural and II is also credit
able TO this Nation that our people SYM
pathiZe with any and all peoples who are
seeking independence and liberty. Having
enjoyed the blessings of a republican form
of government, IL is creditable that we de-
sire to see our fellow-men, of whatever ma
ton cline, enjoy like blessings in the
right to life, liberty and the pursuit OF
happiness" When our forefathers (and my
grandfather was among them) fought for
liberty and independence, they fought for
and established liberty. not for themselves
alone but for all who were or who chose
TO become citizens among them, except the
African negroes, who were here, not by
choice, but by force, and held in slaV-
cry, and they, too, are now free before
the law of the land, and are slowly, but
surely, working their way to actual liberty
by intellectual, moral and material per-
sonal Improvement. Suppose the Beers had
succeeded in holding the British back and
forcing acknowledgment of the independ-
ence of the Boer and Orange Free State
republics. does any informed person nav nave
-
landers'" rights of ''life, liberty. and the
pursuit of happiness would be secureT We.
like Patrick Henry, have no way or 1udg-
ing the future but by the past"
Why are not the citizens of the United
States given, through the medium of the
public press and public men, the real facts
as to the laws and regulations enforced
by Mr.. Kruger and his official associates
against the uitlanders which are the real
basis of the war? Why this evident effort
to cloud the judgment of the American
public by the pro-Boer declaration That
England has forced the Beers TO tight
for their independence and solely through
greed for gold, without even an attempt
10 justify 1t by historic facts beyond re-
cital of lamentations and strife, which
resulted from avariciousness melting the
uitlanders to open revolt againt the in
justice to which they were subjected In
violation OF solemn treaty rights! In my
judgment, the newspapers could 40 their
readers and the American public no greater
service than to collect and publish the
main historic facts in regard TO the abuses
of which the uitlanders complained, and the
resulting action of England and of the
Boer Republic, which led the war.
Does any informed person believe that in
case the war results in the Boer Republic
and the Orange Free State becoming de-
Tendencies of England that any set of
English ministers can long maintain pol
icy for England which will deny equal rights
to all the residents of the Transvaal? Has
England tyrannized over her colonies or
dependencies since the lessons taught her
by the valor of our revolutionary fathers?
Let us have the facts and look them
sQuarely in the face.
The American people are not given to
foolish sentimentalism when advised as to
''the truth, the whole truth and nothing
but the truth" Turn on the light OF the
full facts, and let US judge not as pro-Boers
nor yet as Britishers, but as intelligent
American citizens, who, above all else per-
tanning to governmental policies. desire TO
be correctly informed We should remem-
Der that false and misleading ideas were
at the bottom of the causes that led to the
war of the rebellion and the sacrifice OF
hundreds of thousands of precious lives
and billions Of treasure. AS the leader of
nations we cannot afford to stultify our
selves by opinions or sympathies based on
either blind sentimentalism or blind pre-
judice. We must exert our influence, so
far as we may within our proper province,
so as to promote progress in the direction
of liberty. justice and equal rights before
the law among all peoples.
If Mr.. Kruger and his official associates
have the confidence the so-called peace
commission represent they have in the
sympathy of liberty-loving people, why
did not they appeal to the republics of
France and the United States before they
began their suicidal war against England?
The evident purpose of those peace COM
missioners" to tour the States. to work up
public sentiment in order to bring pressure
to bear on the administration to interfere
in behalf Of the Beers, is an impertinence
nation, and can be accounted for only on
the ground that 1t is part of that ignorant
assumption which, relying on the fact that
the Boer and Orange Free State armies
combined outnumbered the garrison forces
England then had in South Africa, assumed
that by immediate action, for which they
were prepared, they could invade Natal, lay
siege to the principal English garrisons
whip the English army in South Africa and
force acknowledgment of their independ-
ence before her Majestys government could
bring its great resources to bear on the con-
test. Having failed in that assumption.
Kruger and his associates now assume that
"a liberty-loving people" will violate the
laws and traditions of national intercourse
to help them out of the pit into which they
deliberately jumped
Is it not time the intelligence of the peo-
pie in this country of real liberty should put
a stop to this nonsense? Are we to allow
ourselves to be made to appear before the
world as blind leaders of the blind? Are
the good people of the United States to be
misled by the fact that the burghers sing
psalms and are devout? Have we so soon
forgotten that devout people right here in
our own land upheld and advocated human
slavery through mistaken ideas of right?
Let us have the light of intelligent judg-
ment on this subject and there will be more
sense and less nonsense about senti-
ments, and our sympathies will cease to
be a plaything for ignorant assumption.
o. d. COTTON.
Indianapolis, May 10.