be two dissimilar and antagonistic political
systems in that which nature and history have irrevocably decided
must be one country. To agree to a compromise which would leave
any ambiguity on that point would not be magnanimity: it would be
weakness, ingratitude, and cruelty--ingratitude to the heroic
dead, and cruelty to the unborn generations.

"But when I say that, do not think that I wish to join in the
outcry, at present so prevalent, against the fine old virtue of
magnanimity. I believe in it as much as ever I did, and there is
plenty of room for it in the South Africa of to-day. We can show
it by a frank recognition of what is great and admirable in the
character of our enemies; by not maligning them as a body because
of the sins of the few, or perhaps even of many, individuals. We
can show it by not crowing excessively over our victories, and by
not thinking evil of every one who, for one reason or another, is
unable to join in our legitimate rejoicings. We can show it by
striving to take care that our treatment of those who have been
guilty of rebellion, while characterised by a just severity
towards the really guilty parties, should be devoid of any spirit
of vindictiveness, or of race-prejudice. We can show it, above
all, when this dire struggle is over, by proving by our acts that
they libelled us who said that we fought for gold or any material
advantage, and that the rights and privileges which we have
resolutely claimed for ourselves we are prepared freely to extend
to others, even to those who have fought against us, whenever
they are prepared loyally to accept them."[211]

[Footnote 211: Cd. 261.]

It is the third of three critical utterances of which each is
summarised, as it were, in a single luminous phrase. To the Cape Dutch
he spoke at Graaf Reinet, after their own manner: "Of course you are
loyal!" To England, on the Uitlander's behalf, he wrote: "The case for
intervention is overwhelming." And now he gathered the whole long
lesson of the war into the two words, "never again."

[Sidenote: British policy.]

A month later Mr. Chamberlain, speaking at Birmingham (May 11th), made
a general statement of the nature of the settlement upon which the
British Government had determined. The separate existence of the
Republics, "constantly intriguing as they had done with