The speech betrayed a certain irritation against politics and politicians,
but of its earnestness, courage, and sincerity there could be no doubt. Lord Milner said that he would live in the memories of the men of South Africa, if he lived at all, in connection with the struggle to keep it within the limits of the British Empire. But, he added, "what I should prefer to be remembered by is a tremendous effort subsequent to the war, not only to repair the ravages of that great calamity, but to restart the Colonies on a higher plane of civilisation than they had ever previously attained." In conclusion, he defined his conception of Imperial unity as a group of States bound, not by alliance, but in a permanent organic union. "The Dutch can never own perfect allegiance merely to Great Britain, but the British and Dutch alike could unite in loyal devotion to an Empire-State in which Britain and South Africa would be partners. So you see the true Imperialist is also the best South African."
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