IsiXhosa Intellectual Traditions (IsiXIT) Digital Archive

A VERY important assemblage of Natives is to be held on Tuesday next at Tyume, for the purpose of taking into consideration the advisability of forming something in the nature of a League; the most prominent feature of which shall be a pledge of loyal devotion to our Most Gracious QUEEN. But it is not merely a pledge of fidelity to the QUEEN which will satisfy the minds of leaders of Native opinion in this country. They know well enough of what serious importance to the Native races are the various political questions which throng around South Africa to-day. They know that a question has been raised as to whether the people of South Africa care any longer for the QUEEN'S Government, and that out of this question has been evolved another, viz., whether the QUEEN'S Government will long find it worth while to take any trouble on behalf of what is unhappily looked upon as a troublesome Colony. But these questions, it is well to remember, have hitherto been raised in connection with the European Colonists, or Colonists of European descent, the views of the thousands of Native subjects of the QUEEN not having for a moment been taken into consideration. It is well that the Native people of South Africa who glory in being subjects of QUEEN VICTORIA, and who well know that no Flag but the Flag of England can insure them the liberty and privileges they at present possess—it is well that such a people should band themselves together in such a cause and at such a time. Of their political power, provided they act together, and provided they defeat every attempt which may be made to create discord in their ranks, there cannot for a moment be any doubt. The recent registrations throughout the Colony have resulted in some thousands of Native names being placed upon the electoral roll. And it is in the use of the political power which they will wield at elections for the Parliament that the Native people can, and will make their voices heard and their influence felt. A great deal is said and written about the ' Afrikander Bond,' a ' Flag of United South Africa,' and the rest. It will be no part of our duty to discuss the merits or otherwise of the ' Afrikander Bond.' We have no wish to say a word which may possibly give offence to any section of European Colonists. If such a course were to be pursued much harm and much bitterness of feeling might be brought about, with only bad results to all concerned. It will be best for Natives to abstain from criticizing other Institutions in the Colony, and to content themselves with declaring firmly and distinctly that they are, and that they will remain, true and loyal subjects of the QUEEN of England. This must necessarily be the leading principle of any Association which may be formed, and we believe it is a principle to which thousands of Natives throughout this Colony and the Transkeian territories will eagerly subscribe. We say nothing for the present about Natives in the Territories now being dealt with by Sir CHARLES WARREN, these can be left out of consideration for the present, although they must know by bitter experience what would be their fate should the protection of Great Britain be withdrawn from them. It is unlikely that anything much will be done at the meeting on Tuesday at MABANDLA'S, the real business in view will be better effected at subsequent gatherings which will no doubt be arranged. Enough will have been done on Tuesday if the meeting resolves that an Association of loyal Natives should be formed, that the leading principle of the Association shall be a pledge of fidelity to the QUEEN, and the support of British supremacy in South Africa. A committee might also be appointed to draw up a regular Declaration of Principles in which provision should be made with regard to details into which for the present we are unable to enter. But these principles must be such as shall give every candidate at a Parliamentary election to understand clearly and distinctly that he cannot hope for a single Native vote unless he is an undoubtedly loyal British subject whatever his nationality by origin may chance to be. Elsewhere we refer to the recent speech of the Right Hon. G. J. GOSCHEN at Edinburgh. We would have every Native dwell thoughtfully upon Mr GOSCHEN'S words with reference to the flag of England. It is no doubt true that there are men in South Africa who will, if they can, weaken, if not altogether destroy, the interest of Great Britain in this country. The Native people of the country do not favour such attempts; they do not wish to exchange the British flag for that of Germany or of France, or for the flag of any other nationality, they know that by so doing they would exchange liberty for servitude, prosperity for certain poverty, and pave the way for their final extermination. It is well that our people should awake to a sense of their political strength at a time when political questions which have arisen show clearly the danger of doing nothing. They must combine, and speak out in language very firm if very moderate and we do not doubt but that if this is done they will have the support and encouragement of every loyal Englishman in South Africa.