Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1901-08-23
Why Not to Kruger?
From Bryan's Commoner.


pressing regret because OF the death of the
Emperors mother. Referring to this good
woman, Mr.. Mckinley said: "Her noble quail
tiles have endeared her memory to the American
people, in whose name and in mine, tender to
your Majesty heartfelt coincidence"
It was proper that Mr.. Mckinley should ex-
press sympathy with the German emperor be-
cause of his mothers death, but we are remind
ed that, although Mrs. Kruger, the wife of the
president of the South African Republic, died
more than thirty DAYS ago, the president OF the
United States has not seen fit to tender his SYM
pathy, or the sympathy of the American peo-
pie, to the grief-strckeu president of republic
that is fighting for existence.
Let us ask ourselves seriously why this very
apparent duty has been neglected
1t cannot be that Mr.. Mckinley feared to ex-
press his sympathy with the republics presi-
dent on the ground that it might be construed
as an expression of preference between two
friendly powers that are now at war. 1t hap
pened that the Queen of England died while
this war was in progress, and no words OF eulo-
across the water by way of assuring the Eng
lish people that we sympathized with them in
their great loss.
How, then, does it happen that, although the
president of small republic is staggering un-
der the greatest load that can fall upon man,
no word of sympathy has reached him from the
president of the greatest republic on earth?
How does it happen that, although the pres
ident of this great republican government loses
no time in expressing sympathy with kings and
emperofs, he utterly ignores the opportunity TO
express sympathy with the president of re-
public?
It is true that the mother of the German en,-
peror possessed "noble qualities" These did
"endear her memory to the American people"
exactly as the memory of any good woman is
endeared to any good people. But the wife Of
Paul Kruger possessed "noble qualities" She
made sacrifices which the good mother OF tie
German emperor was never called upon to make.
She showed heroic devotion to her husband and
to her country which the good mother of the
German emperor never had an opportunity to
display. She died prisoner of war, held a
prisoner of war by the representatives of an
empire, and her life was sacrificed because of
hei devotion to the principles which, in the
past we have been fond of calling "Americln
principles"
And yet, the president of this republic has
no word of comfort to give to the president of
the South African republic. He has no word
of consolation to offer to the stricken people OF
The South African republic. He has no tribute
to pay to the "noble qualities of one of the
most heroic figures in the history of. the world
for the wife of Paul Kruger was an heroic
figure.
But it cannot be doubted that the American
people, regardless of political prejudice, do eu-
terrain for President Kruger the most since'e
sympathy in the hour of his bereavement; and
thew do entertain for the memory of his beloved
wife that high and endearing respect which is
due from people who have lived and prohIed
by great principle TO any man or woman who
has suffered and died because of devotion to
that Same principle.
Mr.. Mckinley missed an opportunity when
he permitted the time to pass away without
giving expression to American sympathy for
the bereaved president of the South African
Republic.
1t is entirely proper that we Should have
tears and love for the stricken people of a mon
archy, but should we not also have love and
tears for the stricken people of a republic9