N.S.W. TROOPS FOR SOUDAN.
The following address was delivered by Lord Loftus to the New South W*les Soudan contingent immediately before their embarkation:—‘‘Soldiers of Nqw South Wales, —I have deemed it my d«fy as representative of Her Majesty the Queen, to say a few words to you at this solemn moment, before your embarkation. For the first time in the great history of the British Empire a distant colony is sending, at her own cost, a completely equipped contingent of troops, who have volunteered with an enthusiasm of which only wo who have witnessed it can judge to assist the Imperial forces in their bitter struggle tor the suppression of unspeakable cruelty and for the establishment of order and justice in a misgoverned country. Countless as have been the pccasions when the blood and treasure of England have been poured out freely to protect the feeble, to shield the defenceless, and to maintain the right there has never been one in which humanity is more deeply interested in the triumphs of the arms of England than the cause which you have heroically resolved to uphold by your valor. You will be greeted in Egypt by the hearty welcome of thousands of chivalrous soldifts who have never jet looked upon such an action as yours. The eyes of your gracious Queen will be bent upon your exertions, and in every part of the word where our flag floats men and women and children will eagerly read of your exploits and pray for your success, rfoldiers, you carry in your keeping the honor of this great colony, which has made such splendid sacrifices to send you to the front with an equipment of which nations moat practised in war might nave been proud, and you will have the glorious privilege of helping to maintain the honor of the Empire. In your ranks are numbers who are voluntarily leaving the p»ths of fortune, worldly advantages, the comforts of home, and the sweetneSß of domestic life, for heroic service in a bloody war, in which already many brave men have been stricken down. You are doing this to show to the world the unity of the mighty and invincible Empire of which you are members. Your country charges itself with the care of your dear ones whom you leave behind. All that generosity, tenderness, and gratitude can do to care for them, to succor and console them, will be looked upon as a labor of love by the nation. Soldiers, you leave us amidst the acclamation of your fellow citizens, whose hearts will be with you in your camps and your conflicts, amidst an enthusiasm of admiration and sacrifice unexampled, with the sympathies of every true citizen of the Empire, with our earnest hope that it may bo your glorious privilege to share in the triumph as in the service, and to come back to us crowned with England’s gratitude, as you are now encompassed with her sympathies. Soldiers, on the part of your fellow citizens, I now say to you farewell, and may God ever have you in His holy keeping. ”
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Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1486, 12 March 1885, Page 2
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518N.S.W. TROOPS FOR SOUDAN. Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1486, 12 March 1885, Page 2
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