Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1903-07-01
". c. 7. Q. COLUMN.
Conducted by the Iadi.. of tn. W. c. +. ..
A PROHIBITION KING.

L
How an African king made q prohi-N
bitlon law and enforced It in his do
minlOn is described by DR.. A. T. Pierson
in the Missionary Review. 1t appears
that Sekhome. the chief of Bamangwato,
the father of Knama, had no faith In
Christianity. and when khama became
Christian, Sekhome tried to prevent
him succeeding him. After some
trouble, however, khama did succeed
and set about governing according TO his
Christian principles.
He began 70 fight red rum systemat.
ically. He called the white men to-
gether and told them his mind.
They pleaded to be allowed to bring in
small cases of brandy as medicine. He
gave consent, but he must see no drunk
enness OF course the drunkenness came.
Then there was q new summons for the
white men. this time they were for.
hidden even to bring drink for their
private table USES Bring none! l will
allow none! here's an end to it!'' He
had to resort to fines. threats, and even
to Punishment from the country; but he
stood firm. When, after many provoca.
tons, the crisis came and not with.
standing oft repeated warnings, there
was drunken violence and uproar, the
good Kbama wore a stern face, which
always meant fixed purpose. He went
and saw with his own eyes how his
laws were trampled on, and then he
said:
You despise my laws because / am
a black man. Well If am black am
chief Of my own country, and I rule
here and shall maintain my laws. Go
back to your own country. Take all
that is yours, and 60. If there is any
other white man who does not like my
laws. let him go. too. am trying to
lead my people to act according
to the Word of God. which we have
received from you white people, and
you, white people, show them an ex-
ample of wlcKedness such as We never
knew. You know that some of my
brothers have learned to like the drink
1t that they may forget the habit; and
yet you not only bring 1t and offer it to
them. but try to tempt me with it. I |
make an end of it today. Go, leave
my town, and never come back"
The effect of such talk from an
African chief was like thunderclap-
everybody was stunned. One man at |
last ventured to plead for exemption
from the stern law Of Punishment on |
the ground that he had grown up In
the country. and he and Khama we're
old friends. "Surely, for old friend
ships sake you will pity me!''
Friendships said the indignant
Khama. you call yourself my friend,
do you? You are the rlngleader among
those VINO insult and despise my laws"
Then, with whitening words Of rebuke, |
LIE answered his plea for pity, by re-
minding him that there was a "plty"
which he owed lis own people. His |
answer was worthy of Chief Justice |
Hale, who had used similar words, of |
the mercy" due to his own country
and which he would endanger if he was |
unduly merciful to criminals. Khama |
famed with righteous anger, but he |
cleaned his, town that day of the white |
mans drink curse; and then he also |
forbade the use and sale, and !
manufacture of native beer. At one |
time death seemed to threaten HIM if |
he carried on his holy crusade: but he
only answered, GU may kill, but you
cannot conquer me.''