president's address. 31 



progressive type, those who are and who will become the leaders 

 in our national destiny. During the late war the South African 

 youth found himself judged beside the youth of England and of 

 the Dominions, and assurance was everywhere forthcoming that he 

 stood for gentlemanly action, uprightness, intelligence, and ability 

 in leadership, as well as valour in war. A type imbued with such 

 virtues I hold to be that which South Africa's environment pro- 

 duces, and will produce more freely under the settled conditions 

 ahead. The presence of an inferior dependent race in sympathetic 

 relationship, acting on the right type of manhood, engenders the 

 virtues of good-will, self-control, self-respect, initiative, independ- 

 ence, and leadership. Our sunny clime may not conduce to over- 

 much study of books. The call is to the open and to the veld, 

 which bring expansiveness of mind and effort. Sustained mental 

 and physical vigour may not attain the standard of that of older 

 climes, but there are compensations in reflectiveness and freedom. 

 A new country, it provides opportunity for all, black and white. 

 A nation which has given the world a Smuts and a Botha, and 

 produced a Hofmeyr, a Steyn, a De Villiers, a Merriman, and 

 an Olive Schreiner, may well aspire to play a noble part in the 

 future, and rouse a national pride in her sons. 



I conclude with words recently written by General Smuts in 

 another connection, and express the hope that they may be said 

 of South Africa in the future: ''It has ever formed a platform for 

 the championship of great and disinterested causes. It has ever 

 held aloft a great banner to which lovers of the great human 

 causes could repair. Its appeal has been to what is best in human 

 nature, to the good sense and human sympathies which go deeper 

 than party feelings or sectional interests." 



(In the preparation of the Address I have had the great 

 advantage of consultation with my colleagues, Professors Cory, 

 Dingemans, and Russouw ; also with Mr. J. Hewitt, Director of 

 the Albany Museum, the Rev. W. Y. St. George-Stead, and Miss 

 Edwards, Lady Warden of Oriel House, Rhodes University 

 College. These are all authorities upon different portions of the 

 matters dealt with, but in no measure do they share any responsi- 

 bility for the statements or views presented.) 



