A U «rC
SATURDAY,
DECEMBER
Subject Races
And South A frican Nationhood
The Chalm ers M em orial E ssay
ti­
lt
id
ve
Id
a
y,
ar
at
Ih
rrlle
Jit
lif
Il­
ls
In
fa
re
I is
Id
1°
Fis
he
rne.
fv e r
pn.
Iher
[sh e
fe­
lin e
IriIh e
ler
fcul>n.
ve
(g
flattering to our sense of justice that in
the Transvaal severe
penal legislation
should restrict -the intercourse between native men and European women, while the
relations of white men and coloured women
should be wholly unfettered. To the fear
begotten of the presence of a horde of
semi-civilised savages must charitably be
As already announced, the winner of attributed many of those political acta on
t ie Cape University Chalmers Memorial the part of Natal which have, by their
Essay Prize is this year Air. Leslie Black- apparent injustice, attracted the unfavour­
well, B.A., of the Transvaal Bar. In his able regard of the British public. Nor doe*
essay Mr. Blackwell does not adopt any it seem consonant with modern ideas that
particular theory, but states his intention in some parts of South Africa the natives
of discussing a number of historical in­ should be heavily taxed, and yet given no
stances where races have lived together voice in the disposal of the money eo
on a basis of social and political in­ raised. On the other hand, indications are
equality, and of attempting to form his not wanting of the fact that the presence
conclusions from these.
In accordance of a servile population has deepened the
with this plan he discusses in turn the pride of race in the colonists, and has
cases of the Israelites in Canaan, after es­ made them self-respecting, honourable, and
cape from their bondage in Egypt, the patriotic. They have felt that even the
Greeks and the Romans, the Normans and poorest of them is an aristocrat among the
English, and, lastly, the negroes in the natives, and this feeling has given them
United States. To this last-named por­ a sense of responsibility and superiority
tion of his subject he devotes a great deal which would otherwise have been lacking.
of attention, and shows from numerous The meanest of the whites seldom loses
authorities how prejudicial to the United the consciousness that he is a ‘ baas,’ and
States has been the introduction of the with a white man’s privileges has a white
Especially is this
negro.
He says: “ The United States, man’ s responsibility.
then, is confronted with the problem of effect noticeable among
dealing with a numerous, alien, unabsorbSOUTH AFRICAN WOMEN,
able population which, from reliable ac­
the
who compare very favourably with
counts, has practically ineradicable vices
women of any country on earth.
of
thriftlessness,
inefficiency,
and
“ In the foregoing pages I have discussed
laziness.”
He goes on to point how in with as much detail as possible a number
all ages and climates slavery, wherever
of typical instances where servile and
practised, brings in its train evil effects on
dominant races have lived together. The
masters and servants alike. Then follows
space allotted will not permit of a further
the remainder o f his essay, dealing with
investigation, but I am of opinion that
South Africa, and which we quote in full:
the discussion of other examples would but
“ In this country, as in the Southern
confirm the main conclusion irresistibly
States, there is a numerous subject-popupointed at by those already
examined,
lation of negroes, though slavery was
namely, that the contact of two races on a
abolished three-quarters of a century ago,
basis of inequality has almost always been
and, even when permitted, was of the
debasing to both. Slavery, in fact, is one
mildest type. A t the time of their eman­
of the most detestable of human institu
cipation, in 1834, there were less than tione; of its harmful economical effects suf
40,000 slaves in Cape Colony. Since then, ficient has been stated. It has been pointed
there has been no legalised slavery in
out also that it is morally lowering. All
South Africa, fhough there may have been
the best writers are agreed on this point
isolated cases o f the enslavement of na­
Hume writes of ‘ the little hmuanity com­
tives by emigrant farmers beyond the Immonly observed in persons accustomed from
*ial jurisdiction. It will be seen, then,
their infancy to exercise so great authority
[that slavery had not influenced this coun- over their fellow-creatures, and to trample
,ry nearly as much as the Southern States, upon human nature.’
Lecky constantly
here most of the coloured inhabitants dwells on its evil results. The facts of
ere slaves until the close of the Civil history continually attest its evil cone©
ar.
But the influence of slavery in quences. How shiftless and indolent are
uth Africa should not altogether be dis- the Spaniards and Portuguese of to-da y!
;arded, as to it we may in some mea- Yet, before they were enervated by inter­
ascribe the beginning of those na- course with tke countless slaves of ^ the
failings which are spoken of below,
New World, they justly were accounted
we should not forget that, though one of the most active and vigorous races
.e from slavery, the natives of this in Christendom, when, inch by inch, they
,ry are -politically and socially an in- expelled the Moorish invader from their
soil and became the pioneers in the dis­
class. It should also be mentioned
covery and colonisation of America. Con
"he negroes in the United States, aider the idle, thriftless -lazzaroni
o
though outnumbering the coloured in­ Southern Italy or Southern Portugal to
habitants o f South Africa, form mere­ day; how different would those countries
be if no liegro blood had ever been mixed
ly one-tenth of the total population
with that of the energetic and lordly races
and even in the black belt of the South, that held the land ! Nor are these hurtful
do not greatly surpass the whites in num­ consequences much lessened when the sub­
ber. In &11 parts of this country, however, ject race is not actually enslaved. ’ Tis
the Europeans are outnumbered many but the substitution of caste for slavery
and though some of
the more glaring
times by the natives. Of a total popula­ evils of the latter are not so patent, the
tion of 5,787,678 in British South Africa, harmful effects of
a caste system are
there are, according to the South African abundantly plain.
“ It may possibly be urged that many
Native Affairs Commission, 4,652,662 na­
tives. By far the greater number of these races have gained in civilisation and cul
ture through contact with their subjects,
are still uncivilised and illiterate.
that the Israelites made a distinct advance
“ In the nature of things, it is inevitable in civilisation after
their conquest of
that this huge mass of men should exercise Canaan; that poetry and literature came
to
Rome
along
with
the sovereignty of
a potent influence over their European
the world. Admitting the truth of these
masters. This influence, in many respects,
contentions, it may pertinently be asked
appears to be detrimental. It may be if Israel and Rome did not strike very
considered an axiom o f political economy bad bargains when, in exchange for t
that where there is a numerous subject knowledge of the softer arts of peace,
population, who have been made hewers they acquired with them a Pandora’ s box
all those vices which were to bring
[rawer* of water, manu&1
tout fheir MownfaTT
”
"TUMI as
“ It
OF
THE OLI
removes all
making the
the appetite, I
one to obtain
Accept no <
g e t AYER’S Sj
T a k e A y e r ’s !
PAI
H I R S
Box 1191.
You add
of yoi
dippij
%o y\
You can buy it frq
on to the to
Powder
F. c. d
«ocem®ToIbeTalaw o f nature, firm and
immutable, uiat wLen a race ceases to live
by its own exertions, and passes its days
South A frica is no exception to this mle. in a slothful ease and inactivity, so surely,
The notion that a white man who under­ as a bound limb is atrophied, will it wither
existence.
takes rough, unskilled work has lost caste away and be forced out of
is very prevalent among us, though there Jean Finot, in his book, ‘ R a ce, Pre­
judice,’ points out with numerous examples
have been hopeful indications recently, as how aristocracies, unless they are to be
a result of the prevailing depression, of overtaken by extinction, have to mix with
the growth of a contrary feeling. There other social classes, * for,* he says, ‘ de­
are in our midst thousands of Europeans generacy, premature death, folly, de­
who have not the training and intelligence bauchery, alcoholism, and sterility are the
requisite for skilled labour, and who, by common lot of these favourites of for­
tune.* ’ Nature will in the end take its
reason of this unhealthy sentiment, are de­ own meet revenge on those races which
barred from performing unskilled labour, disregard its law, for, in the words of
r which they are eminently fitted. In U lp ian :
ler words, we are cursed with a numer- ‘ Omnes homines jure naturae aequalee
sunt.’ ”
and increasing 4poor white ’ class,
are faced with whafc Maine calls the
tost disastrous ’and blighting of all
an institutions—caste.’
This point
y be developed still further. In purely
ite countries, skilled workmen begin
ally as unskilled hands or assistants,
M embers’ M onthly Shows
gradually, in the course of their emyment, acquire sufficient knowledge to
Arrangements have now been made by
hie them to become skilled artisans. the Transvaal Horticultural Society for
South Africa, however, all this work i« the holding of monthly members’ shows,
e by natives, who are at present ex
the first U. bo held in the Volunteer Drill
ed more or less from the pale of Hall on January 13. Should the show be
illed labour. The result is that there a success, a second will be held in March
e comparatively few opportunities for and a third in April. The shows are being
hite men to become trained artisans, held with a view to bringing the members
lost of whom have to be imported from more closely together, creating keener in­
broad. Serious as th^s reflection is, it terest in the culture of pot plants, flowers,
comes graver still when we oonsider that fruit, vegetables, etc., the correct method
this process is causing many of the chil­ of staging, enable members and the public
dren of the working classes to grow up un­ to view the latest and best varieties of
fitted for any trade or handicraft. In the flowers, fruit and vegetables, and to fur­
ther interest not only in horticulture, but
mines of the Witwatersrand'the white man
in agriculture. In order to make the
has become simply *an overseer, and the monthly shows valuable and practical, it
field o f skilled labour is daily being en
i6 the intention of the committee to in­
croached upon by natives. The report of augurate at the monthly shows short lec­
tures by well-known men on subjects ap
the Mining Indusjry Commission, 1907-8,
pertaining to horticulture. The committee
affords ample proof o f this fact, and shows rely entirely upon members of the society
that, though the output of gold is increas­ to help in every possible way, not only by
ing rapidly, the number o f w^iite men sending in exhibits (there will be no en­
employed is decreasing, while that of the trance fees), but by obtaining new mem­
bers, so as to place the society on an
Kafirs 6hows most substantial increases.
equality with the largest societies in other
Industrially, then, it must be admitted parts of the world. It is hoped that mem­
that the influence of the natives upon the bers will realise the importance of ex­
white population is most unsatisfactory. hibiting the smallest plant, or even a
single bloom, should the member consider
That pernicious phrase,
same worthy of exhibiting or of interest
from a horticultural point of view.
‘ IT ’ S K A F IR ’S W O R K ,’
As there will be no entrance fees for
all too quickly learnt by newcomers, still exhibits, and members will be admitted
occurs in our daily life with' lamentable free to the show (a nominal charge of Is.
frequency. In every branch of creative being made to the general public), these
members’ showS must necessarily be run
industry (which term does not include upon an economic basis, and, as instruc
mining), South A frica compares unfavour­ tion is the main point aimed at, the usual
ably with Canada and Australia, where elaborate arrangements w ill be discarded.
the population is almost wholly European. No schedules or entry forms will be issued,
“ To arrive at any general conclusion with but. members must notify the hon. secre­
tary three days before the date of the
regard to the social influence o f the Kafir show of the particulars as to nature of ex­
population is a matter of some difficulty. hibits. N o cash prizes will be awarded,
The existence of such tribes as the Griquas but the society will award first, second
and of our numerous half-caste popu­ and third-class certificates. Mr. D. W.
lation
bears irrefutable testimony to Gavin, hon. secretary, Box 4856, will be
pleased to supply further particulars and
the
illicit
relations which
subsist­ to receive applications for membership.
ed
in
past
years
between
the As the subscription vis only 10s. 6d. per
settlers and the Hottentots and Kafirs. annum with one badge of admission, or
Even at the present day this immorality one guinea and two badges, it is hoped
still continues. The report of the Natal that many amateur gardeners will join
the association and thereby become eligible
Native Affairs Commiesion speaks of the to compete at the members’ shows.
extent of this evil in Zululand to-day.
We are pleased to be able to state that
The existence of these practices, though the society has arranged a second large
directly affecting only a emali minority, open show, to be held in the Volunteer
Drill Hall on Friday and Saturday, Feb­
must be accounted an influence on the na­ ruary 12 and 13. The Government A gri­
tional life wholly bad. It is impossible to cultural Department has kindly consented
deny also that in the indolence and supine- to stage a magnificent collection of fruit
from their experimental farms, and hope
nees, end even in the cruelty manifested by
to exhibit specimens of the various pests
many South Africans, we can trace the that make horticulture in this country such
effects on a people, that is descended from a precarious hobby or business. At the
two of the most humane and industrious same time, methods of eradication will be
etocks in the world, of intercourse with en given. There will possibly be an exhibi­
tion of silkworms and their products—a
inferior race. In our daily life instances Government-fostered industry that is mak­
continually occur of flagrant injustice suf­ ing considerable headway in the Low
fered by the natives. Public opinion'^will Country. At this show it is certain that
tolerate an evil done to a Kafir which it many of the classes that did not fill last
month—fruit, vegetables, etc.—-will be
would reprehend most severely were the strongly supported, and a huge success for
victim a white man. It is not an anomaly this show is practically assured.
A BADGE
®c \
12. 1908
D E G lfeD A T IO N .
Ashl
Inf;
For
duij
and
Horticultural Society
We
to
he
le
a
Ithen,
Ran.”
laively
•omng,
m ust
fitch en
every
punday.
Id leave
T m ust
f in -.” .
a missis
floor on
I wicked
f
rs.
deaf,
er ufl­
atter
Me,
ill in
but
they
M R S, G IB S O N l
forward me a 1/14 '
gave her some of t|
done the baby such
your Powders it has I
so much. As for m y l
they have done him t l
very much, but since usf
is a great relief to me
post if possible.” — ApJ
U SED
IN
With all the resourd
wealth and position
Parsons’ Infants’
Nursery in Europe J
value and excellenci
and Princesses with
Bopij
H.I.M. THE DO]
H.R.H. THE Dlj
H.R.H. THE Cl
H.I.H. THE 0^
H.R.H. PRINC
H.R.H. PRI!«
H.R.H. PRIi
H.SJL THE
Are guaranteed to be *_
child— produce a natural
prevent pain and d is o rd ^
action— may be given to 1
no possible objection to th"
Ashton [
Powders1
Pric$ in Great Britain.
Box\
60 Powders, 2j9g
To be obtained at 1
ASHTON & PARSONS, Ltd