The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1900-05-03
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Paper Read Before the ChdutauQ,d Circle

Paper Read Before the Chautauqua Circle.
Since the war between England and
the Transvaal has been in progress,
various papers have been read and dis
cussions had before this circle upon
that subject. In order to keep up with
the procession, 1 too have elected to
though l am in no position to make
any new or startling revelations in
connection with it; neither can | give
you the benefit of any personal expe-
rience or observation upon the prem
ises, and L shall endeavor only to
briefly speak of it without bias or
prejudice, as it has been impressed
upon my mind by perusing the vari-
Gus versions as they have been de-
scribed in the public press.
[ do not wish to convey the i'm
preston that L believe England to be
wholly justified in engaging in the con-
fiict, but neither can l bring myself to
believe the Beers to be entirely with
out blame in declaring war. 1 am safe
in saying, without fear of contradic-
ton, that nine-tenths of the American
people are in full sympathy with the
Beers. 1 am also safe in saying that
they believe the Beers to be in the
right about the principles involved;
first because the belligerents represent
two different forms of government;
the one republican which appeals
and is dear to the heart of every Amer
ican, and the other a mOnarchy-and
that one EngIand-which is to an
equal degree the very opposite, repug-
nant to their feelings. Second, because
the disparity as to numbers is so great
as to invite the sympathy which all
mankind possess and express for the
weaker in conflict, 5e it nation with
nation or man with man, regardless of
the merits or justness of the dispute.
l yield to none in my wish and de-
sire to see republics established and
perpetuated, but 1 do not believe that
the name should be used as a shield
for tyranny, oppression, iniquity and
injustice.
A synopsis of some of the Boer laws,
which constitute most of the griev-
ances of the outanders, gives us some
idea as to the methods pursued by the
Boer government to deny to those who
bear its burdens, fair and equal repre-
sentation. The citizens are divided
into two distinct classes; namely, first
and second class burghers. The su-
preme law-m making body consists of
two chambers, known as the first and
second chamber.
First class burghers are those who
have resided within the territory prior
to 1876 and those who bore arms
against England in the war of 1881,
and they alone are eligible to be men,
bers of the first chamber chosen by
first class burghers only.
Second class burghers are the natur-
allied Outlanders, who secure the in
dorsement of two-thirds of the burgh-
.ers in their respective districts after
having resided in the state fourteen
years and then become eligible as
members OF the second chamber chos-
en- by all the burghers.
have failed to find out what the
object is of having the second chamber
when the first may make laws regard
less of the second, while when the
latter propose any laws they must be
acceptable to the former before they
can become such.
A five per cent tax on all income of
the mines and a two and half per
cent tax on all mining property is
imposed. Prohibition to teach any but
the Dutch language in the public
schools and many other like measures.
And now can imagine someone say
ing, surely the people there have the