"For the diminution of this suffering, not only of the direct kind, but of the indirect kind, the one thing needful is the checking of international antagonisms and the diminution of those armaments which are at once the cause and consequence of them. With the depression of militant activities and decay of militant organizations, will come amelioration of political institutions as of all other institutions. Without them no such ameliorations are permanently possible. Liberty overtly gained in name and form will be unobtrusively taken away in fact" (Spencer, " Principles of Sociology,” vol. ii. p. 665). We see, then, that both lines of investigation lead to the same result. The diminution of warfare is not only a noble ideal, but turns out to be the actual condition precedent to the development of the highest civilization. It appears, then, that in furthering the Federation of South Africa we are taking our part in the great work which the principles of Christianity enjoin upon us, "peace on earth, and goodwill towards men," and which the ethics based upon an elaborate, a powerful, and a cogent argument in accord with the principles of evolution as elaborated by Herbert Spencer, confirm in the fullest manner. To those who have followed us thus far, and to those with whom it may rest to decide upon and to formulate the plan of Federal Government for South Africa, we will commend the immortal words of Washington, who, when the great Federal Convention had met, and many began to fear that the task of devising a constitution was beyond their powers, and palliative and half measures were suggested rather than any thorough-going reform, suddenly interposed and said in tones unwontedly solemn, with suppressed emotion: "It is too probable that no plan we propose will be adopted. Perhaps another dreadful conflict is to be sustained. If, to please the people, we offer what we ourselves disapprove, how can we afterwards defend our work? Let us raise the standard to which the wise and the honest can repair; the event is in the hand of God." APPENDIX I. FIGURES from "Fiske's Civil Government in the United States," illustrating the acquisition of territory by the United States : Area of United States in 1783 . Louisiana Purchase, 1803, with the portion Florida Purchase, 1819 1,171,931 1,171,154 59,268 England and Wales. 58,320 APPENDIX II. THE following quotations taken from Dr. A. R. Wallace's work on "The Malay Archipelago," I have thought worthy of insertion here, as they raise a question which for South Africa has supreme importance. The determination of the proper principles upon which the white races should treat the black in South Africa is of the highest moment to the welfare of both; while the observations and opinions of a man of such high attainments as Dr. A. R. Wallace, especially when formed after a personal experience of the Dutch system extending over some years, must carry considerable weight. In speaking of the Celebes Islands he says: "Forty years ago the country was a wilderness, the people naked savages, garnishing their rude houses with human heads. Now it is a garden worthy of its sweet native name of 'Minahasa.' Good roads and paths traverse it in every direction; some of the finest coffee plantations in the world surround the villages, interspersed with extensive rice-fields more than sufficient for the support of the population. "The people are now the most industrious, peaceable, and civilized in the whole Archipelago. They are the best clothed, the best housed, the best fed, and the best educated; and they have made some progress towards a higher social state. I believe there is no example elsewhere of such striking results being produced in so short a time-results which are entirely due to the system of government now adopted by the Dutch in their Eastern possessions. The system is one which may be called a 'paternal despotism.' Now we Englishmen do not like despotism-we hate the name and the thing, and we would rather see people ignorant, lazy, and vicious, than use any but moral force to make them wise, industrious, and good. And we Q |