PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS SECTION E. 99 



The younger men, and especially those who have experience 

 of the unity and sohdarity of the European races, urge a united 

 racial movement on the part of all Bantu people. This move- 

 ment, which is very widely spread, is of no ordinary significance 

 for it is based on race consciousness, one of the most potent forces 

 in the development of any people. 



A generation ago I thought the trend of history, in these later 

 jears, would be for the Native to break up into a congeries of 

 isolated and unrelated parts, each section simply living its own 

 meagre life of dependence and of hopelessness. I have no longer 

 that view. There is, right over the land, a growing feeling among 

 the Natives of race consciousness'; an increasing pride in the 

 dignity of race, and a very definite hope with regard to the future. 

 This movement towards unity, unity of thought, and of purpose, 

 and of action, is making considerable progress in the Cape Colony, 

 but less so in the outlying portions of the Union. At present we 

 stand between the old and new. 



Fortunately, the graver-minded men of both races are deeply 

 concerned with the dangem that such a time of transition gives 

 rise to, and in many of the prominent centres of the Union asso- 

 ciations have been formed, composed of leading men of both races, 

 with the purjDose of guiding and informing public opinion, and 

 specially of bringing the most outstanding men together for a 

 common cause, the welfare of South Africa. 



Although at various times in my cax'eer my thoughts as to 

 what the future of the Native people would be have changed 

 considerably, I have never wavered in my conviction that what- 

 ever road we travel along we must travel it together as comrades, 

 or the way will be strewn with ruined hopes and the end will be 

 possible chsaster. It is impossible in this complex and strange 

 land for one race to do without the other, and the safety and 

 salvation of both depend very largely upon mutual and 

 sjanpathetic understanding. 



It was in this spirit that I embarked upon the present address, 

 that I venture to deal with questions bristling with difficulties 

 and perplexities, that I urge a course of action and thought upon 

 mine own people that may not generally commend itself. 



The Native has entered upon a period of transition, a difficult 

 time in the history of any people. It is the impact and the 

 demands of the white race that has brought this condition about. 

 We urge on the part of all men a wise and sympathetic under- 

 standing, much patience and forbearance, a generous outlook on 

 waywardness and weakness, for at such a time of unrest and 

 • disquiet, folly and imprudence in word and deed will not be 

 wanting. 



As old traditions lose their power, as old customs cease to 

 charm, as old restraints grow weak, as old habits pass away, and 

 as new methods of conduct come into being, the Native will be 

 a good deal the sport of many winds. It is for those who respect 

 hie fine qualities and honour his many manly virtues to see to it 

 that he is kept from drifting on to lea and treacherous shores. 



