Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 March 1881 — THE BOERS. [ARTICLE]

THE BOERS.

How They Came to Possess the Land Over Which Great Britain Now Claims Jurisdiction. [From the Cleveland Leader.] The history of the Boers is interesting. It tells of triumph over obstacles almost insurmountable, and of a simple religious faith founded on an unostentatious Bible. About 200 years ago four ships sailed from Holland, carrying to Oape Colony, the most southern point in Africa, on the Mediterranean, then settled by Dutch, certain French Huguenots, exiled by the revocation of the edict of Nantes. These vessels contained about 150 men, women and children. Among them were names which had figured conspicuously in France. These people took to the colony no ambitious designs, and within fifty years the French language had died away, the second and third generations had intermarried with the Dutch, and the all-conquering mother tongue had had its triumph. The descendants of these people became known as Boers. The war cloud constantly hung over them, and, though not innately belligerent, yet when aroused they fought with a determination that hurled death and destruction into the ranks of the enemy. In the years 1835-6 there began a movement among the inhabitants of the Cape Colony that has produced great results. It was the emigration of a large number of Dutch farmers over the then recognized boundary of British dominion into that vast tract of land spreading north from the Orange river into regions unexplored. With lumbering wagons they marched toward their land of Canaan. Two years passed and found them still moving. Hardships had reduced the number of people and cattle, but the attack of lions and fierce tribes did not for a moment waver the determination of the emigrants. On they moved, ever buoyed by the hope of reward. Finally, from the crest of a hill, they saw stretched out before them the beautiful land, their agricultural goal. On the hill top the snows of winter lay, and the chill blast swept with fierce breath, but below in the valley birds sang, green leaves waved and green grass carpeted the soil. Imagine that band of suffering people that had traveled for years in search of a home. See them stand and with swelling breasts offer up silent prayers for the bounteous kindness of Him in whom they had never failed to trust. But the emigrants were not to obtain this fair land without a desperate struggle. Their leader, Pieter Reties, and seventy of his best men were treacherously slain at the King’s Rrail, in Zululand, whither they had gone to arrange the cession of the country. Months of conflict followed. Zulus swept upon the Boers, and the Boers, in turn, went into Zululand. Finally the Dutch, by a mighty effort, broke the Zulu power. Three years passed and the republic of Natalia was established The country became prosperous. The homesteads were numerous. But the clouds gathered, and the storm burst. In the year 1842 a body of regular troops appeared at Port Natal and took possession in the Queen’s name. The Boers arose, flew to arms, and besieged the troops. More troops came, and the Boers, finding themselves beaten, tumedi took their flocks, and set their faces toward the wilderness again. The misery of their second exodus was indescribable. But even here they were not to be left alone. In 1848 another proclamation appeared, declaring the land to be British territory. Then the Boers became desperate. They had fled from the old home to Natal, and from Natal to the wilderness. In 1849 they rose in insurrection. It was a wild, hopeless attempt. And now, t> day, these poor people are being oppressed. Not satisfied with the hardships and privations of years and years, the British lion still pursues, and with his monstrous paw strikes deatfy and devastation. • 4