The Holland Society of New York - Yearbook (New York, NY)

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5 Bible in one hand and the shotgun in the other, but don't let us miX up in any way. Mr. Robert B. Roosevelt said: We all are agreed as to sentiment, but there are different ways of expressing this sentiment. It is open to question, and very serious question, too, whether this Society should appeal to our Govern- ment. We want to call the attention of the world to the fact that we sympathize with the Transvaal, but shall we appeal to Washington, which will take no action, and which, in my judgment, should take no action ? I I ' Had any other government interfered with us in the recent war we would have taken deep offense. If we interfere abroad, even most delicately, it will be in an offensive way. Perhaps at the present moment we are under obligations to England. It seems to me .that the friendship between us is of value, and will tend to good. With this friendly feeling these two nations could police the world. If we did n't appreciate the friendliness of England during our late Spanish war we certainly did appre- ciate the unfriendliness of other nations. I believe that England, as a conscientious nation, still will stop. I object to that part of the resolution, that thelconscience of mankind will not condemn, as offensive, and I move to substitute, on terms hon- orable to both parties. Judge Augustus Van Wyck followed : I am surprised at the timidity of some of our members, descendants of a race that established lib- erty in Europe and a model here. Can it be that a race led by William the Silent has become so de- generate that it has nothing left but a boast of

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7 t into the Transvaal. There was no interference with the Transvaal until gold was found there. Those are the richest mines ever discovered, turn- ing out already SIO0,000,000 a year. And suddenly England Hndssome of her rights have been trampled upon, not long after the dis- covery of this gold. So she ,insists that in the Dutch Parliament of the Republic members may speak English, and that British subjects shall have the right of franchise there without forswearing their allegianceto England. Don't disembowel these resolutions of all virility and simply say we are descendants of Dutch ancestors. 4 There is nothing offensive in this country say- ing to England, America is a lover of peace, except Where War is necessary, and it offers its kind services as an intermediary if her services are desired. Oom Paul fa cry of God bless him l J sent jameson and those invaders to England to be tried, so that there might be no question of fairness. , Mr. Warner Van Norden said: ' There is right and Wrong, on both sides. We sympathize with the Boers, but England has built up the greatest empire on the face of the earth, and We owe to her, more than to any other nation, the splendid progress of our race. We must not forget that little nations now are being absorbed by the greater. We have no right under our Society's Con- stitution to present such resolutions, and I am sur- prised that a learned judge should overlook that fact. VVe may as well pass resolutions in favor of a political party. , T The discussion was participated in by several