When the Uitlanders in Johannesburg became dissatisfied with the existing state of affairs, and began to ask for greater privileges, they betook themselves to the platform.  Now the Boers had no objection to their forming political organizations, or holding public meetings in which they could agitate for redress of grievances.  But what they did object to, and very strongly, was the blatant manner in which these Uitlanders referred to their governments and themselves.  Instead of exercising the art of “gentle persuasion” by laying their grievances before the Transvaal Government in the form of a polite request, and so achieving their desired object, these Uitlanders resorted to the policy of fortiter in re, the policy of intimidation, by threatening the Boers with the right arm of the British Empire unless they granted their requests instantly.  When they adopted this method of procedure, they naturally did not get what they wanted.  So they agitated and cried for redress of grievances until the unhappy war was brought about.  Not only in South Africa, but also in England thousands were misled by these platform agitators, who were bent on placing the Dutch in a false light before the civilized world.

And the pulpit, as represented by some ministers not only of the Church of England, but also of the Nonconformist Churches, ministers of the gospel of peace on earth and good-will towards man—­what an attitude did it assume!  Surely if these clergymen had been as eager to promote peace as they were zealous to set in motion the waters of strife, they might, have accomplished a work meriting eternal reward.  Alas! that some who are, or call themselves, followers of the Prince of Peace should have favoured a war of destruction, and been led to say very hard things and utter unfounded charges against the Dutch.

To cite only one of many instances, the Rev. Dr. Hertz, writing from Lourenco Marques, worded his letter thus:—­

“We are safe, having left all we possess in the world behind us, and in all probability shall never see a single thing of it again.  When I found the game the President and his crew were playing I thought it best to clear out ...  The Boers have threatened to kill, burn, and destroy everything and everybody, women and children, and some of them at least are bad enough to do it.  I had the verbal assurance of the President that I could stay safe and undisturbed, but he would not put anything in writing.  Then they appointed a committee to give permits, and they would not give me one.  And so it became more and more manifest that they meant to decoy me into staying, and then hold me at mercy.  And what this mercy is may be seen from the last news from Johannesburg; any one without a written permit has been condemned to 25 lashes and three months’ hard labour.”

Such statements flowing from the pen of a Reverend Doctor were believed by thousands.  Now what is