It was a case of shirking or fulfilling a most arduous duty.
There could be no question of a plot for the annexation of the Transvaal.

In a free country the Government cannot move in advance of public opinion, and public opinion is influenced by and reflected in the newspapers.

One may examine the files of the press during all the months of negotiations and never find one reputable opinion in favour of such a course, nor did one in society ever meet an advocate of such a measure.
But a great wrong was being done, and all that was asked was the minimum change which would set it right, and restore equality between the white races in Africa.

'Let Kruger only be liberal in the extension of the franchise,' said the paper which is most representative of the sanest British opinion, 'and he will find that the power of the republic will become not weaker, but infinitely more secure.

Let him once give the majority of the resident males of full age the full vote, and he will have given the republic a stability and power which nothing else can.