1.--_That Gold is Mine!_

Let us see in what terms Dr. Kuyper justifies the Boer policy of
exaction:

"The Leonards and their set are very ready to tell us that the
taxes in Johannesburg exceed in proportion those levied in every
other country.... As to the quota paid by Uitlanders to the State,
we beg leave to remind the British of two points: first, that they
are exempt from all military service; secondly, that it is a far
more serious matter for the Boers to pay with their lives, and the
lives of their sons, than it is for these wealthy owners of gold
mines to pay so much per cent. upon their enormous dividends; and
that if they do pay the Transvaal some thousands of pounds, they
pocket their millions. Moreover, love for the Transvaal has never
entered their metallised hearts."

This little gem merits careful analysis. Mr. Kuyper shares the belief
that one has only to go to Johannesburg to shovel in the gold. If the
working of mines were so simple a matter, Boer intelligence would be
equal to the undertaking. As they are not worked by them, it must be
because there are difficulties. These difficulties have been overcome
for them by the Uitlanders. Once overcome, the Boers present themselves
and say: "That gold is mine!"

"Why then did you not take it yourselves?"

The Boers, who pride themselves upon driving their teams of oxen, but
who consider that to in-span them is work only fit for Kaffirs, consider