It is difficult to imagine a. better speech under existing
cir- cumstances than that delivered by the Duke of Devonshire on Thursday at York. It was firm and spirited without a touch of braggadocio, or even irritation. After dwelling on the grievances of the Outlanders, and contrasting the way in which we treated the Boers in our possessions with the way in which they treated our people, the Duke of Devonshire added : "When we come to look at the question from this point of view I confess th.tt it seems to me that we have reason to be astonished at our own moderation, and that, rather than seek to justify our tardy action, we shall be led to wonder how we have ever permitted such intolerable anomalies to grow up within the vast districts and regions for the government, for the good order, and the unity of which we are responsible." By every law of self-preservation we were entitled, if we had the power, to demand equality of treatment. We heartily agree, but we must not forget what it was that, in fact, pre- vented our taking action earlier,—the Raid, and nothing else. The Raid lent Transvaal oppression a new lease of life.
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