When a Government assumes a more or less aggressive attitude, or something tantamount, it is safe to predict that such a Government will encounter difficulties.  It may be a good Government; but it will not be a successful one.  The actions of any Government reflect upon the country, adversely or otherwise.  In a country like the Transvaal, the Government is a weighty concern which does not so much consider the voice of the people as the preservation of its own individual sanctity.  The presidential chair represents the universal criterion either for good or for evil, although it is not usually associated with evil.  It practises the art of cabling—­with Mr. Chamberlain for preference.  The voice of the people is duly represented, but it is a very weak and halfhearted voice.  There is not that hearty ring in it which is so marked when, for instance, a crowd of Englishmen greet their Queen.  President Kruger represents the Transvaal burghers, and the requisitions which are published previous to the Presidential election are sufficient and convincing proof that he is a popular and highly respected man.  These requisitions usually refer in a general way to the numerous difficulties through which Oom Paul has so ably piloted the country.  According to such requisitions innumerable difficulties have assailed the poor country on all sides, and the general tone throughout would imply that they were insidious and uncalled for.  The country had done nothing; the people had gone about their business innocently, and attended church regularly, and no thoughts of intrigue or anything resembling it had existed in their bosoms.  Their desire was to govern the country honestly and with a view only to its prosperity, adopting precautions at the same time which would exclude the participation of foreigners—­Englishmen, for example.  They didn’t believe in the English element; it was too dangerous.  The President all the while tried to make out that he liked the English; but he didn’t.  Of course, a great Power like the Transvaal must keep up appearances.  The German Emperor, for instance, doesn’t say straight out that the English are a bad lot, and therefore Oom Paul must not display official ignorance by doing that which the German Emperor does not do.  A man may not exactly be born a King, or a President, but he can learn a lot of useful little formalities by watching the other Kings and Presidents.  It will be observed, therefore, that the Transvaal has all along been very docile and consequently very badly used.  And because it has displayed the best and noblest qualities and on all occasions endeavoured to obviate friction with other people, it has been unjustly assailed and trampled upon.