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| Cecil Rhodes. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, October 17, 1899.
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
Britain vs. Boer—Development of the Motives and Pretexts for War.
To The Editor of The STANDARD
SIR—This war is a resumption of the Jameson raid, which was a combined insurrection and foray of British subjects, designed to revolutionize and subvert the government of the South African republic and exploit the rich natural resources of the country for the benefit of British speculators and adventurers, led by Cecil Rhodes, the ex-premier of Cape Colony, who is the Mephistopheles of the historic drama in which Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, colonial secretary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, acts the part of Faust.
Cape Colony was settled in 1652 by the Dutch, who left their native country to escape the persecutions inspired by those who sought to transplant in the Netherlands the infamous Spanish Inquisition, with its attendant horrors. After the revocation of the Edict Nantes, in 1685, many French Huguenots from similar motives joined the Dutch colonists in South Africa, where they subdued the wilderness and defended their lives and property against the Kaffirs and Zulus, the bravest, fiercest, most intelligent and energetic of the savage tribes of Africa. Here, of necessity, they became hunters, herdsmen and marksmen, and endured the hardships and privations incident to a life as pioneers and frontiersmen, with which the colonists and early settlers in America became so familiar. Such an existence develops character, if it does not afford opportunities for culture and intelligence.
With that earth-hunger characteristic of Great Britain, she seized and occupied the country settled by these colonists in 1796, and took final and complete possession of it in 1806, driving out the colonists, who retired to the north, across the Orange river, into the countries known as the Orange Free State and Natal, which were settled by Boers about 1838, annexed by the British in 1843, and organized into a British colony in 1856, as a result of which the Boers again "treked" or made tracks to the Transvaal, which they had no sooner settled than it was formally annexed as a British colony. After remonstrating in vain and agitating their grievances for two years, the Boers of the Transvaal declared their independence, whereupon the British undertook their conquest and were soundly whipped by the Boers at Laing's Nek and Majuba Hill, as a result of which the Boers remained free and independent.
In 1854, the Orange Free State being distant from the ocean and therefore not accessible to the commerce of Great Britain without crossing British territory, colonial rights over this state were renounced by Great Britain and the inhabitants organized an independent government, republican in form, under the name of "The Orange Free State," which formed an alliance with the Transvaal for mutual protection from British aggression, after the Jameson raid.
The discovery of rich deposits of diamonds near Kimberly in the Orange Free State, and of gold near Johannesburg in the Transvaal, have excited British cupidity and brought thither a horde of adventurous speculators, fortune-seekers and exploiters, who have taken possession of these mines and worked them, at enormous profits, reaching in some instances 160 per cent and upwards yearly.
Of these exploiters Cecil Rhodes is the acknowledged leader. He planned the Jameson raid, which was defeated and suppressed with great prowess by the Boers. Jameson was tried and convicted in England for this crime but, though nominally condemned, he was never adequately punished, and such punishment as he received was inflicted more because he had failed in the execution of this crime than because he had undertaken its perpetration.
The British government has taken up the cause of these rapacious and remorseless schemers where it was left by the failure of the Jameson raiders and, disguised as it has been by British diplomacy, the fact remains unobscured that this war upon the Boers is the adoption and continuance of the purposes of that raid by the British government, for which Joseph Chamberlain must accept the principal odium and responsibility, resulting from his official acts, in making the English nation responsible for this great crime, which precipitates a causeless and conscienceless war of races in South Africa, to the detriment of the whole world and especially of those who live upon the scene of strife.
The word "Boer" is of Saxon origin, and originally meant a rustic, a farmer or country peasant, hence a rude, uncultivated person, which has been applied as a name to the descendants of the Dutch and French colonists who left the haunts of civilization, the abodes of comfort and luxury, to preserve their liberties and their religion from subversion and extinction by civilized and enlightened foes. These foes were more dreaded by the colonists than the privations, sufferings and hardships incident to a life in the African wilderness, surrounded by implacable savages, which has served to develop in them those brave and indomitable qualities which made them victors at Majuba Hill, Langsnek, and on the field where the Jameson raiders were conquered.
William the Sudden's congratulation of President Kruger upon the defeat of the Jameson raiders showed Rhodes that it was necessary to pacify him in order to give these English plotters a free hand in South Africa, so Rhodes visited the German Kaiser ostensibly in behalf of a franchise and concession for his Cape to Cairo railroad from end to end of the African continent. Legislation to promote the construction of this railroad is evidently one of the Rhodesian schemes to be advanced by this war. The present ominous silence of William the Sudden lends force to the inference that in that interview, his neutrality and consent were secured for the advancement of these unholy schemes, and that Rhodes and Chamberlain, et id omne genus are to have a free hand to despoil the Boers in South Africa for some equivalent or consideration accorded to Germany or its kaiser in person.
What other diplomatic overtures were made is not apparent, but that Portugal has ceded Delagoa Bay to Great Britain is current news, which will undoubtedly prove to be true. And should other nations remain idle spectators of events, it is probable that this monumental, historic crime by Great Britain, the conquest and annexation of the South Africa republic, will be successfully perpetrated, for no one can conceive it possible that the Boers are a match in war for the English nation.
Various pretexts have been advanced to uphold the British policy toward the Transvaal, such as that the Boers are in the minority; that British subjects have invested their money and developed the resources of South Africa, but that outlanders, i. e., foreigners, are not entitled to vote or hold office; that the government has granted franchises for monopolies which burden their industries, and that the Boers have accepted bribes for the same franchises which they obtained and hold. Strange that those who obtain franchises and offer bribes should complain of those who grant the franchises and accept their bribes. If there is guilt it is mutual. What would be gained by substituting a government by bribers in place of a government by the bribed?
The Boers are ready to naturalize and enfranchise British subjects who will renounce their British allegiance, or will serve in their armies, disregarding previous residence. They have proposed a residence of seven years as a condition of naturalization, while service in the army shall be a substitute for a prior residence. The British colonial secretary insists that the term of residence shall not be more than five years.
By a treaty made between the government of Great Britain and that of the Transvaal in 1884, all persons other than natives, on conforming to the laws,
A—Will have full liberty, with their families, to enter, travel, or reside in any part of the South African republic.
B—They will be entitled to hire or possess horses, manufactories, warehouses, shops and other premises.
C—They may carry on their commerce either in person or by any agent or agents whom they may think fit to employ.
D—They shall not be subject, in respect of their premises or property or in respect of their commerce and industry, to any taxes other than those which are, or may be, imposed upon the citizens of the said republic.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the South African Republic, in his diplomatic correspondence with the British foreign office, recently quoted the foregoing from this treaty which has never been abrogated or annulled and is still in force, and added thereto the following pertinent statement among others: "This government wishes further to observe that the above are the only rights which her majesty's government have reserved in the above convention with regard to the Outlander population of this republic, and that a violation only of those rights could give that government a right to diplomatic representations or intervention; while, moreover, the regulation of all other questions affecting the position or the rights of the Outlander population, under the above mentioned convention, is handed over to the government and representatives of the people of the South African republic."
How would Americans receive the demand of any foreign nation that the subjects of such nation should be enfranchised, qualified and permitted to vote for members and representatives in our federal and state legislatures, under penalty of war if we refused to comply with the demand?
If these schemers who have plotted to plunge the English nation into an unholy and inexcusable war for their own aggrandizement, were permitted to elect the legislatures for the South African republic, they would then be prepared to enact any legislation or to obtain any franchises which their rapacity and foresight could devise, and might even disfranchise the Boers, who very properly object to creating a condition which renders such events possible; and they will fight for their liberty and independence with a zeal born of the conviction that they are justly defending their natural and inalienable rights, in which the great majority of the civilized world will heartily concur, and will approve their conduct.
So far as international law or existing treaties are concerned, the Boers of the Transvaal are as free to enact their own municipal laws, as is the state of New York. They are only restricted in their privilege to make treaties with other nations, except the Orange Free State, by their treaty with the British government reserving to it the right to revise such treaties, which right the Boers have never questioned.
The attempt to cast upon the Boers the blame for bringing on this war is like the wolf's accusation of the lamb in the fable. The massing of the British troops on the frontier and the hurrying of reinforcements to their support, is as much war as a battle, and is properly so regarded by the Boers.
History cannot fail to record that this is a war of conquest, begun by England, actuated by purely mercenary motives.
The question to be determined is, shall the native Boers govern themselves or shall British carpet-baggers and schemers govern and plunder the country of the Boers, with the aid of the English nation.
While justice commands our sympathy and approval for the Boers, international propriety forbids to the government of the United States any overt act of interference in their behalf. The United States government has its own duties to perform, which are incompatible with intervention in this war. But while duty, interest and propriety unite in forbidding any interference by the American government, the people are free to think and express themselves upon the merits of the war and to desire a speedy and permanent discomfiture for the British aggressor, but nothing more. Heaven only knows when, how or from which of the governments of Europe we may require assistance in the performance of our national duties, which renders it expedient that our national conduct should be circumspect, courteous and conservative towards all.
John Bull held Uncle Sam's coat while he thrashed Spain, but we are not thereby placed under any obligation to applaud John for bullying the Boers; and propriety, as well as prior engagements, prevent Uncle Sam from being present at the fight.
IRVING H. PALMER, Oct. 16, 1899.
[Mr. Palmer was a Cortland County attorney and resident of Cortland. He was twice elected president of the village. He was a stockholder and officer of the Erie and Central New York railroad and a prominent Democrat—CC editor.]
Mr. Palmer and the Transvaal War.
We surrender all the editorial space on our second page to-day to Mr. Irving H. Palmer's very interesting, instructive and forcible presentation of facts connected with the present South African war. And by so doing we not only mean to signify our approval of what he says, but we wish also to give the sentiments expressed our most emphatic endorsement. British greed has disgraced and degraded the Anglo Saxon name many times before, but never more shamelessly, wantonly and wickedly than in this unprovoked assault on the descendants of the brave and patriotic countrymen of the great William the Silent. To give English adventures a better chance to grab for gold and diamonds in the soil of these two heroic little republics, the Honorable "Jo" Chamberlain—one of the most conspicuous and immense specimens of the selfish, conscienceless, scheming, tricky and dirty politician—has bluffed and bullied and swaggered till he has compelled the plucky Boers to force the fighting or run the risk of being crushed by the British troops which were steadily being massed on the Transvaal frontier. The queen of England has gone to the limit of her constitutional authority in order to prevent a war which she must know is cruel, unholy and unjustifiable on the part of her government. But conscience seems to have died out of England's politics and diplomacy since Gladstone passed away.
We are frank to say that we were not of those who gushed over England's attitude towards this nation during the Spanish war. She could not well or wisely have done otherwise than she did. She is without a friend in Europe, and she naturally improved the opportunity to try to make a friend of this nation. Americans should consider well before they go into raptures over the mother country's love for the United States. There are too many men still living in this land who remember all too vividly how Confederate pirate ships, built by English shipmasters and sent out from English ports, swept the commerce of this country from the seas during the war of the Rebellion, and how the menace of English recognition of the independence and sovereignty of the Confederate states caused many a patriotic American heart to tremble, and added one of the heaviest to the burdens which Abraham Lincoln bore during those four dark years. But for the friendship of Russia, and the presence in New York harbor, at a critical time, of the great warships of that nation, it was then firmly believed that England would have united with France in recognizing and openly aiding the Southern Confederacy. She is a wrecker of nations, a bully towards the weak, a nation which never arbitrates anything with any power which she thinks she can whip. She bears a more smiling face toward this country now than she did in the early sixties, but the old Latin motto still holds good, "Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes,'' which might be very liberally translated, "Never trust your enemies, even when they offer you a horse." The animal may have more tricks in him than you could ever suspect.
But whatever England's recent attitude towards us may have had in it to call for kindly feelings, and whatever may have been her motives, she is to-day engaged in an outrage on justice, humanity and international rights, and is seeking, for the benefit of a lot of adventurers, to make of free men, fighting for their rights, a bloody sacrifice on the altar of that greed for gold, that cold and cruel and selfish materialism which is the curse and the shame of the closing years of the nineteenth century and the great cloud which overhangs the beginning of the twentieth.
It is apparently an unequal fight which the plucky Dutchmen are putting up, but no more hopeless perhaps than our Revolutionary struggle may have seemed to onlookers then. That the Boers may take the English forces piecemeal and wipe them off of the face of the earth, will be the wish of every American who loves liberty and fair play, and who has the capacity for righteous indignation when the strong attempt to rob and enslave the weak.
HON. PERRIN H. MCGRAW
Died at the Home of His Son Monday Evening, Oct. 16.
Hon. Perrin H. McGraw died at the home of his son, Albert P. McGraw, in McGraw Monday evening about 9 o'clock. He was the son of Harry McGraw and grandson of Samuel McGraw who settled in that place in 1803 and after whom it was named.
Perrin H. McGraw was born Dec. 28, 1822, and was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Pritchard April 26, 1848. In the forties he was associated with his father, who was the first postmaster at that place, in the leading store. Upon his father's death he was appointed postmaster, and later was associated with his brother, Hon. Delos McGraw, in the produce business. While in his prime his life was a busy one, for besides his own business he was always ready to assist in any measure for the benefit of the public. He was member of assembly in 1854, state senator in 1860, quartermaster of the One Hundred Fifty-seventh Reg., N. Y. Vols., in 1862. He was the promoter and the first president of the railroad which he lived to see built to Cincinnatus as the E. &. C. N. Y. R. R. He was for many years trustee of the New York Central college and its successors, the New York Central academy and what is now the McGraw Union school. He held many offices in that village and in the town. He was the originator of the corset and other industries which have built up McGraw and have in the past few years doubled its population. He was the principal mover in the laying out and grading of the Rural cemetery and for many years the president of that association.
In 1846 he united with the Presbyterian church and has for many years been a member of both the board of elders and trustees.
Much more might be written upon his life work and what his village owes directly and indirectly to him, but knowing his views as often expressed, that a man's life is a better sermon or obituary than a written one we refrain from dwelling upon his kindness and unselfishness shown in so many ways. This village has met with a loss which cannot yet be fully realized.
The funeral will be held at the home of his son, Albert P. McGraw, at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon, Oct. 19.
SCHOOLS OVERCROWDED.
Attendance at Village Schools Greater Than Ever Before.
A regular meeting of the board of education was held in the superintendent's office in the Central school building last evening. From a report submitted by Superintendent Smith, the overcrowded condition of many of the schools was the subject of some consideration. The attendance now is over 1,050, and new pupils are reported nearly every day from one or more of the schools. This attendance is over 100 more than the combined seating capacity of all the schools. In one room which has 54 sittings [seats], there are 67 pupils and the extras have to sit around on chairs on benches or wherever they can find a place. In nearly every schoolroom in the village there are more pupils than sittings. The board is of course limited by the appropriation in the amount it can expend for school purposes, and matters will undoubtedly have to go on the remainder of the year, making the best of present conditions. But it would be nothing surprising if next spring an increased appropriation should be asked for to afford additional school facilities in proportion to the increasing school population. It was voted to purchase twenty-five new primary desks and place them in rooms where most needed.
The superintendent was directed to allow each teacher one day in the year to visit any school outside of Cortland to make observations, and upon her return to make a written report together with comments and suggestions. This plan is carried out in other places and found to be of much practical value.
The following bills were allowed:
A New Railroad Project.
Mr. J. S. Bull leaves to-night for Pennsylvania, where for some time he will be engaged in purchasing the right of way for a company which is preparing to build a railroad from Towanda, Pa., to Binghamton, N. Y.
Movements in Real Estate.
L. M. Loope has sold for L. S. and C. Chittenden of Homer the property on Port Watson-st. in Cortland, formerly owned by Col. Frank Place, to Mrs. Wm. Stacy of Cortland; also the property at 10 Woodruff-st. owned by James Meager of Syracuse to Mrs. J. C. Haworth of Cortland.
A NEW LAUNDRY
Being Built as an Addition to the Cortland Hospital.
Ground was broken this morning for a new laundry building which is to be constructed as an addition to the Cortland hospital. It is to be of wood, two stories high and 28 by 23 feet in size and will be located at the southwest corner of the hospital building. The work is to be done by day's works and some of the material and some of the labor is contributed to the hospital. It is expected that the building will be completed in about three weeks.
Stockholders' Meeting.
Notice is hereby given that a meeting of the stockholders of The H. M. Whitney Wagon company will be held at the office of the company, corner Court and Pendleton-sts., on the first day of November, 1899, at 10 o'clock A. M., for the purpose of electing directors for the ensuing year, and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before said meeting. Polls will close at 11 A. M.
H. M. WHITNEY, Pres.
E. S. BURROWS, Sec. and Treas.
BREVITIES.
—Mitchell & Strowbridge's meat market has been connected with the telephone exchange.
—In police court this morning Martin Cahill was found guilty of public intoxication and sentenced to five days in jail or $5 fine.
—"Britannia rules the waves, but Columbia is the gem of the ocean," was Mr. Charles A. Brownell's comment on the victory of the American yacht yesterday afternoon.
—The carriage shed owned by Dr. F. P. Howland and formerly located on his lot on Maple-ave. is being removed to his residence on Port Watson-st. over the new asphalt pavement.
—A special meeting of the board of managers of the Hospital association is called for Thursday afternoon of this week at 3 o'clock at the home of the president, Mrs. Julia E. Hyatt.
—New display advertisements to-day are—R. A. Stowell, Make room sale, page 7; Mrs. C. H. Warren, Samson's Compound, page 6; Opera House, Vogel & Deming's Minstrels, page 5; M. A. Case, Drygoods, page 8.
—Scarcely had the news come yesterday that the Columbia had secured such a lead over the Shamrock as to make victory sure when Albert Allen, proprietor of The Kremlin, began to decorate the exterior of his hotel with flags.
—Cortland county is well represented in the advertising columns of The Hub, the trade paper of the carriage builders. The Cortland Wagon Co. has a two-page advertisement, The H. M. Whitney Wagon Co., a page and W. N. Brockway of Homer a page, while the Cortland Cart & Carriage Co. of Sidney, which still seems as though it ought to belong to Cortland has a page.
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