Life in Afrikanderland as viewed by an Afrikander: A story of life in South Africa, based on truthCIOS
History
Life in Afrikanderland as viewed by an Afrikander: A story of life in South Africa, based on truth
CIOS
Afrikaners; South Africa -- History -- Fiction
race, and causing its name to be inscribed on the list of imperishable
names.
The joy of the dog seemed almost human when it saw the wakened child,
crowing as if nothing had happened. Steve waited to see that the child
was safely handed to the care of a kind and motherly-looking woman, and
then returned to his hotel for breakfast. At breakfast Steve learned,
with pleasure, that the President and other members of the Government
were on their way to Johannesburg to visit the scene of disaster. He
resolved to go to the station to see the arrival of the Presidential
party.
A great crowd was waiting at the station to welcome the man, who, a
little more than a month ago, would have been hooted and jeered at, if
not murdered, if he had ventured to visit Johannesburg unattended, as
he was doing now. But the generous and humane actions of the President,
during the last month, had prepared the way for the conciliation which
was now to take place; drawn towards each other, as both parties
were, by common sympathy at this moment of mutual loss and suffering.
Here, across the dead and wounded of Burgher and Uitlander, the
representatives of both parties shook hands, and forgot for the time,
if not for ever, their political differences.
The President and many of the most prominent men of Pretoria, who were
of the party, were driven through the destroyed township. They then
drove to the improvised hospital at the Wanderers. The President showed
visible emotion as he viewed the many wounded. The tears were seen to
force their way down the face of the man, who, in times of greatest
danger, showed no fear or emotion. But such is ever the way with great
and noble men. When danger threatens themselves, they know no fear or
pain; but when others suffer, they know how to sympathise and feel for
them.
With deep emotion, His Honour thanked the people of Johannesburg for
the sympathy and practical aid they had given to the wounded, and
promised that the Government should not forget to do their share in
succouring the needy ones who had suffered loss of parents or friends.
His Honour then reminded the suffering wounded that there was a
Great Physician on high, Who would heal all their wounds, bodily and
spiritually, if they would only ask Him.
His Honour was presented by an address from the Relief Committee,
thanking him for the practical sympathy shown to Johannesburg in this
visit, to which the President replied in suitable terms.
After a visit to the room upstairs, where some fifteen orphaned
children were housed, and some kindly words of consolation and advice
to the children, His Honour visited the permanent hospital, which was
also crowded with wounded.
As Steve was following in the rear of the Presidential party, his
sleeve was pulled by one of the attendants, who informed him that one
of the wounded patients, who had seen him passing, earnestly requested
to speak to him.
Steve readily consented, wondering who of the wounded could know him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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