The Declaration of Peace.

Southland Times, Issue 16053, 3 June 1902, Page 2

The Declaration of Peace.

fNTHUfSIASM IN INVERCARGILL

A few minutes alter ten o'clock yesterday morning the whole lowa was thrown into a state of wild excitement by the ringing of the firebell, and cheers from a little knot of people who had gathered in front of the " Southland Times " office. What is it ? Is it really peace ? were the questions thrown out on every hand, and the enquirers leant forward to catch the answer. No answer was given. It was not a moment for words, and hearts were too full of joy and thankfulness and pride for speech. The answer was in the brimming;, glowing eyes of those who had read the message. Yes, it must be true. The long expected news had come. Peace had heen declared, and the whole Empire was ringing with the cheers and shouts of a triumphant people. The war was over, and the glorious British race had emerged from the throes of a terrible conflict, victorious, honoured, and with added lustre to its mighty name. The intelligence soon spread. Bells tolled and clanged, whistles shrieked and tooted, everything that would raise a clamour and a clatter was banged and dinned, and in a few minutes the empty streets were electrified into life. Flags flew to every mast, banners waved everywhere, and the people came pouring in from every quarter. The schools -emptied themselves, and the children raised their hearts and voices in agreat noise. People hardly touched the ground. They were in mid-air, bewildered and intoxicated with pure delight. Shops were shut in an instant and the factories and foundries poured their scores of blackened, shouting, dancing men and boys into the streets. Hundreds carried bells, there were trumpets and bagpipes, and for a brief space— in the first shock of the news— the people were beside themselves, and hardly knew what they were doing. The very horses seemed to join in the delirium of the moment, and the early trains leapt on their way to the country like mad things bounding along the rails, and tooting joyously. It was a pandemonium, but soon there came a calmer time, when men found speech, and hand grasped hand, and the light of thankfulness was in every eye. It was now possible to make some arrangements, and placards were posted announcing that speeches would he delivered from the rotunda at 11.30. The intervening half hour passed quickly away. Miniature processions had already formed Mr W. Martin's vans— eight of them —crammed with shrieking imps, paraded the streets, and their din must have been heard afar, while Mr Gray marshalled his junior singing class, provided them with flags, and raised enthusiasm wherever he went. Soon after the appointed time the Battalion Band, followed by the volunteers and cadets, marched into Dee street, and formed up in front of the post office. By this time a huge crowd had assembled in the square and near

THE ROTUNDA and the Band and volunteers were cheered again and again.

The Mayor (Mr CS. Longuet) then read the telegram from Sir J. Ward as follows :— " It is with intense pleasure that I advise you . I have just received definite intimation that peace has been declared. The people cheered with renewed fervour, and the band played the National Anthem, the crowd joining in with great 1 lustiness. Mr Longuet then addressed the people. He said that it was now getting on for three years since war had been declared, and all that time they had been looking forward to peace. The colony ! had played a great part in the war, and the Empire had been more closely united by the struggle.— (cheers). We now felt that we were truly part of one great Empire. To-day we were rejoicing with the whole of the Empire. We felt now that the conquered country would be under the British flag, and we knew what that : meant— it meant freedom and prosperity. The war had dragged on a long time, and the sacrifice of life • had been very great. Both sides had suffered. We could now have kindly feelings for the Boers ; they were brave people who had been misguided by some of their leaders, but they had fought well, and we could sympathise with them in their desolation We thanked God for this peace, and we hoped it would be lasting and bring happiness and prosperity in its train.— (Cheers).

Mr J. A. Hanan, M.H.R., said that they were joining in the general rejoicing all over the Empire because of the glad intelligence that peace had been restored in South Africa. We recognised that British justice had at last triumphed, and that under the British flag freedom, justice, and happiness would reign in South Africa. We admired the Boers for some things, and they had shown many worthy traits of character. The releasing of Lord Methuen was a gracious act for which we admired them. Fighting had been severe, but our regret was crowned with success. We had been fighting for a just cause, and it was a peace in which we could take pleasure. New Zealand had shared in the glory won by the success of the British arms. Our boys had upheld the honour of the nation, and we shared in the peace which had now come.— (Chee-s). Mr Hanan called for three oheer.* for the hoys who had gone to .Sout*i Africa and who had fallen in the v*ar. We could not restore '.hem to tpeir lonely mothers and bereaved families, but we could honour them. — (Loud cheers).

The Hon. 11. Feldwick, M.L.C., said that it was a long time since such a gathering had assembled to send away the First Contingent. This was the first foreign war in which this colony had taken part, and he joined most heartily with %he previous speakers in the sentiments which they had expressed. They would join with him in feeling a deep

pleasure that their King would ascend the throne at aperiod when the Empire was at peace. This must have been the intense desire of their Prince, and now the nation was at rest in all its parts. On a previous occasion he had called for the singing of " Rule Britannia." It had been sung loudly then, but now it would be raised in a manner, with a spirit, and volume of sound such ashad never been heard before in Invercarp;] 11. —(Cheers).

After " Rule Britannia " had been sung with great zest,

Mr J. Stead, whowas mayor when the First Contingent left the colony, said that they should never forget the four men who left Invercargill to represent the district in the First Contingent. At Waterloo the British vvcit- looked to by the whole world to restore liberty. Here the British had stood practically alone, but nevertheless their mission was to restore peace There had been many sacrifices and great deeds had been done, but one of the greatest of all was the part which this colony had taken. New Zealand now shone as one of the brightest gems in the British Crown— placed there by the blood of her sons. He hoped that their enthusiasm would not be spent in one day's rejoicing. They would soon have an opportunity to assist in raising a worthy memorial in honour of the men who had fallen at the front, and he trusted that they would be generous and enthusiastic when the time came.— (Cheers).

Mr J. S. Goldie, who was mayor at the rejoicings in connection with the relief of Ladysmith and MateRing, said that this time they rejoiced in the end of the war. Although peace had been declared it would bo some time* before everything settled down at the seat of war, but when that time did come the Boers would be happier than h&vy had ever been before—(Applause).

Captain J. Iv Watson, who was received with cheers, was then asked to address the people. Captain Watson spoke with great feeling and earnestness, and gave one of the most impressive speeches which have been delivered on these patriotic occasions He said that they had had many happy gatherings round the rotunda during the last two years and a half to celebrate successes gained irom time to time, but he thought that there had never been an occasion on which their joy had been so pure and unalloyed as on this day, to celebrate the final victory of peace. Let us pray God that that peace may be lasting and enduring, that Boer and Britou may never again face each other with rifle and cannon, but settle down together to blot out the memories of the last three years by rebuilding waste places, by re-stock-ing farms, and by keeping afloat the flag which had always staod for peace and justice. It was not out of place for us to again refute the aspersions cast on the nation— that the war was due to a few political men, or that it was in the sordid interests of capitalists. The war was forced on Great Britain. Once our country was embroiled in the strife there was no termination possible but the present successful issue. Had Britain failed to carry this war through she would have had to abdicate the position she had always kept, in the van of the world. The Empire had come through stronger than ever. Thank God that the Government never quailed or wavered, not even in those dark days of December, 1899, not under the vile and filthy calumnies from the Continent, nor the jeers and scoffs of the proBoers at Home. Nor would it be long before the Boers thanked God also that the war had ended as it had done. He looked forward to the day when the Boers would be willing and proud to take their stand with the soldiers of the King, and fight for the flag which had given them a freedom and liberty which they had never had before.— (Cheers). Let us not forget that this colony had done to win this great victory. Let us say to- day in this hour of our victory that we will put our hearts into this work of putting up a worthy memorial to show that the people of Invercargill are proud of the heroes sent from their midst, and that we intend to keep their memories green for all time.— (Loud applause).

Mr J. A. Mitchell's remarks were mostly of a humorous nature, and at his request three hearty cheers were given for the mothers, of the boys who went to South Africa.

Captain Gardner also addressed the meeting shortly, and was followed by the Rev. W. G. McLaren, who. in concluding, hoped that the people of Invercargill would rejoice heartily but rejoice soberly.—(Applause).

The Mayor then announced that the band would give a concert from the rotunda in the evening, and after singing the National Anthem and cheering again the people dispersed.

The volunteers were marched back to the Garrison Hall where they were dismissed hy Major Hawkins, who thanked them for turning out so well on such short notice. In the afternoon the streets were quiet, but the crowd assembled rapidly in THE EVENING, and before eight o'clock the town was thronged by a jubilant but orderly multitude. There was not the wild unrestrained excitement which has prevailed on some of the previous cerebrations, but the people were filled with a joy and thankfulness all the deeper and truer because it was quiet. The young people gave themselves over "to jubilation, and they were responsible for most of the din and racket. They had an effigy of Kruger, which was triumphantly hauled along Dee street and then burned with great cheering. The band turned out in strong numbers and ' played a splendid programme from the rotunda; The new band is a capital one, and while ifc has lost none of the dash and spirit of the Garrison it has gained in delicacy by the amalgamation. The music was much enjoyed, and after it stopped the streets cleared as rapidly as they had filled. At 10.30 only the rowdy element remained, and happily there wore few of them. It is a poor patriotism which finds its expression in drunkenness, and last night the streets were remarkably free from those who had lost their senses in drink. By 11 o'clock even the roysterers went off, and the midnight chimes rang out through a deserted town and over a people wrapped in sleep.