as to enable it to pursue a selfish policy out of harmony with the interests of South Africa as a whole. We have missed our aim if we have failed to convey the idea that the men of America saw the critical point at which they had arrived in 1787, seized the opportunity and founded a great nation. We will add a further testimony on this point: In "The Convention met at the most fortunate moment in American history. Between two storms there is often a perfectly still and bright day. It was in such an interval of calm that this work was carried through. Had it been attempted four years earlier or four years later, at both which times the waves of democracy were running high, it must have failed. In 1783 the people, flushed with their victory over England, were full of confidence in themselves and in liberty, persuaded that the world was at their feet, disposed to think all authority tyranny. 1791 their fervid sympathy with the Revolution in France had not yet been damped by the excesses of the Terror, nor alienated by the insolence of the French Government and its diplomatic agents in America. But in 1787 the first reaction from the War of Independence had set in. Wise men had come to discern the weak side of popular government; and the people themselves were in a comparatively humble and teachable mind. Before the next wave of democratic enthusiasm swept over the country the organization of a national government under the Constitution was in all its main features complete. It was seen that liberty was still safe, and men began ere long to appreciate the larger and fuller national life which the Federal Government opened before them. History sees so many golden opportunities lost that she gladly notes those which the patriotic foresight of such men as Washington and Franklin, Hamilton and Madison and Roger Sherman seized and used." 1 No power Is another golden opportunity to be lost in South Africa? Are we not at the parting of the ways? one to disunion and feebleness, the other to union, to power, to self-respect, to the respect of other nations, to the vindication of our proper rights and desires and the adequate care of our vast interests, England will protect our seaboard. can do it so effectively, no power will do it so generously. She will have her reward, our gratitude, the honour of founding and protecting the infancy of a great nation, and in a material point of view the value of our great trade carried on chiefly with her. But for all internal questions between the colonies and states, and in all the territories which may justly be claimed as belonging properly to the South African system, there we must be absolutely and entirely independent. While we see large tracts of South Africa in foreign hands we cannot feel safe or content, we must, as did America under similar circumstances, wait and seize our opportunities of recovering and restoring these territories to South Africa; this can only be done by a United South 1 Bryce, "American Commonwealth," p. 639. Africa. It can hardly be doubted that opportunities will occur for the peaceful acquisition of these lands, as they did with the great western possessions of America. We shall be ready to avail ourselves of any such opportunity so soon as it arrives. CHAPTER XIII. OUR CONNECTION WITH EUROPE. Must be connected with some European power-Which power -Spanish, French, and English systems tried in America— England's colonies self-governing-French and Spanish despotically ruled-Victory of English system-Collapse of French Canada when attacked by English coloniesDespotic rule-Cause of collapse-Same despotic rule in Portuguese and German colonies in South Africa-Consequent stagnation-English colonies in America resist England when she coerces-America after independence adopts English system-Special mechanism by which England has avoided despotism-Develops principle of representation and local self-government—Origin of principle-Territorial as opposed to Græco-Roman city system -Failure of Græco-Roman system-Goths introduce free institutions to Europe-Loss of this freedom on Continent, save in Holland and Switzerland-Cause of loss-Necessity for military organization-Insular position of EnglandPermits development of freedom-Contact with sea increases tendency to freedom-Importance of principle of self-government-Attempt by Sir Philip Woodehouse to destroy at Cape-Instances of safety of England due to insular position-Expansion of English institutions in America-Revolt against arbitrary rule in America— Similar revolt at Cape-Anti-convict agitation-Constitutional struggle-Sir Bartle Frere-Despotism-War of Independence-Dangers of interference in internal affairs of South Africa-Importance of using great principles of self-government and Federation at Cape-For above reasons connection must be with England. IN the early days of our national life we must derive force and strength from a connection with some one of the great powers of Europe, otherwise we would fall a prey to their jealousies, their greed of territory and their dissensions. Why should we, in the interest of our young nation, prefer to see England the paramount power in South Africa? This question is well worthy of our careful thought; let us, then, devote a few lines to its consideration. In the sixteenth century the great political question lay between Protestantism, or individualism, and Catholicism, or despotism; Holland and England supported the one, while Spain and the Pope supported the other. The struggle mainly went on in Europe, but the discovery of America at this time. opened up a vast field for the operation of political principles. Spain, the greatest power in Europe, was first in the field, then France and England. These three powers contended for the dominion of that vast and almost uninhabited region, which was so admirably suited for colonists of European descent. England planted its sturdy communities, who immediately put in operation the principles of selfgovernment,' whilst Spain and France governed their 1 Sir John Seely says :—' -"In the old colonial system there was no such thing as a Crown Colony in which Englishmen are governed administratively without representative assemblies. In the old system assemblies were not formally instituted, but grew up of themselves because it was the nature of Englishmen |