to the last moment, that a reprieve would come. Lord Charles Somerset
sent none, and the tragedy was completed. The place is called to-day
“Schlachter’s Nek,” or “Butcher’s Ridge.” Every South African child
knows the story. Technically, any government has the right to hang
those who rise against its rule. Superficially it is a short way of
ending a difficulty for all governments. Historically it has often
been found to be the method for perpetrating them. We may submerge for
a moment that which rises again more formidably for its blood bath.
The mistake made by Lord Charles Somerset in 1815 was as the mistake
would have been by President Kruger if, in 1896, instead of exercising
the large prerogative of mercy and magnanimity, he had destroyed the
handful of conspirators who attempted to destroy the State. Both would
have been within their legal right, but the Transvaal would have failed
to find that path which runs higher than the path of mere law and leads
towards light. Fortunately for South Africa our little Republic found
it.
The reign of stern military rule at the Cape had this effect, that
men and women, with a sore in their proud hearts, continued to move
away from a controlling power that did not understand them. Some moved
across the Orange River and joined the old “Voortrekkers” that had
already gone into that country which is now the Free State. England
kept a certain virtual sovereignty over that territory, till, in 1854,
she grew weary of the expense it cost her, and withdrew from it in
spite of the representations of certain of its inhabitants who sent a
deputation to England to request her to retain it. Thereupon the folk
organized an independent State and Government; and the little land,
peopled mainly by men of Dutch descent, but largely intermingled with
English who lived with them on terms of the greatest affection and
unity, has become one of the most