Widnes Examiner. — 1881-01-22 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

THE DEBATE ON THE ADDRESS. The member for LerrNcnstow, in moving that an address he presented to Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, said the House would receive with a feeling of thankfulness the intimation that friendly rplations continued between this country and the other powers of Europe. (Hear, hear.) Every member would look at the rebellious state of the Transvaal with anxious eyes, and before he gave his support to this part of the Speech he would endeavour to explain his reasons for doing so. He would carry the House back to the state of the Transvaal before the annexation took place. He read that English emigrants and Dutch Boers had settled there in considerable numbers, but that a feeling of jealousy was ever prevailing. It arose from various causes—that slavery existed to a degree; that the Republican Government was feeble, and also in debt; that they were waging war with most of the native tribes; and that the settlers were continually threatened by the since subdued King Cetewayo, and they lived in dreara that he and his dusky tribes would invade their territory. Into this disquieted and terrified country the Government sent Sir Theophilus Shephstone as a helper, adviser, and friend. He stayed there a considerable time anxiously watching the struggle of the Government, calmly listened to those who were in favour of and against the annexation- and he ultimately decided that the only way in which he could protect the English settlers and the means by which be could dissipate the fears of the whole country was by annexing it to the Cape Colony. The admirable manner in which he performed that great work was ably described by the author of the work he held in his hand (" The Transvaal of to-day.'” It read as follows:—"Now it is :impossible to conceive anything more admirable for its discretion, more wisely calculated a.s to the moment of its occurrence, or more suavely and yet firmly done than this act. There .was not a blow struck, not a shot fired; and the first impulse of nearly every 1 person in the country, whether in principle opposed to annexation or not was to congratulate Sir Theophilus Shephstop on the skill, tact, and good fortune with which he had put an end to the excessive anxiety, the mental strain, the fears, hopes, and expectations by which thewhnoleow country paralysed. Whether the annexation be eight, Its anonnwrpehgat Itsan th e the In.:cut g itosrelf,rl tact, mndesty, and firmness.' exScuuntpio; liesiorutfartrni• Dutch settlers were attempting to crush the power that swept sway terror in the Transvaal. (Hear, bear.) He (the speaker) held that the Colonial Govern9ent had been trbitrary in calling upon the settlers to disarm. (Hear. hear.) But it was not sufficient jestification—("Oh ")—for heir persecuting and murdering the English settlers— hear, hear,)—and that did not justify them tearing down he British flag—(" Oh"); and he was proud to see that the Ministers of the Imperial Government intended to protect life and property and show those who bad trampled upon our standard that it was an act which this country would not tolerate. (Cheers.) The House would be called upon