Unfortunately, the effect of these wise words was marred by
other declarations of a very different kind. Sir Henry Can actually took upon himself to declare that had the Liberal party, remained in power the Jameson. Raid would never have taken place. "Does any one," said he, "in this ball, does any one on the surface of this island, I care not what his shade of opinion may be, believe that if a Liberal Government had been in power the Jameson Raid would have occurred?" That episode, he went on, would not have occurred. "It would not even have been contem- plated. It would not have required that Liberal principles should be brought into action. Their very echo would have prevented it." What possible right has Sir Henry Campbell- Bannerman to make such a statement? Has Sir Hemy Campbell-Bannerman already forgotten• that Mr. Rhodes, who planned and organised the Raid, was a subscriber to the Liberal party funds ? Did the very echo of Liberal principles prevent that transaction with the official charged with the organisation of the Liberal party? Did it prevent the Liberal Ministry making Mr. Rhodes a Privy Councillor? Did it prevent Mr. Rhodes insisting on Sir Hercules Robinson being sent out as Governor of the Cape, though there were the gravest objections to that course? Did the very echo of Liberal principles prevent Mr. Rhodes making the Matabele War and forcing a settlement of the conquered territories on the Government which allowed a system of forced labour—i.e., the worst form of slavery—to be set up in the dominions of the Chartered Company?
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