Page:George McCall Theal, History of South Africa from 1873 to 1884, Volume 1 (1919).djvu/125

 1878] Retirement of the Molteno Ministry. 105 maintained that the dismissal of the prime minister involved his retirement without any further action, and he would not recede from that position, so was regarded as having vacated office. In this manner the first ministry under responsible government in the Cape Colony was obliged to relinquish the duties it had undertaken, without an adverse vote of parliament, indeed with a good working majority at the close of the last session. Under Mr. Molteno's guidance the colony had made a wonderful stride forward, compared with any advance in earlier years. Moderate men of both the leading Euro- pean nationalities had the utmost confidence in him as a thoroughly honest and perfectly safe man, one who would not cause disaster by running any needless risks. His attitude towards confederation, as can be seen now better than at the time, was the wisest one : he did not want a mere linking together of states with different interests, with the heaviest portion of the burden of defence resting on the Cape Colony, but a real solid union that could only be brought about by time, and to which improved communication by wire and rail, friendl}" intercourse, and trading facilities would tend more than anything else. Different views are held as to the sound- ness of the principle for which he contended, but whether right or wrong, he believed he was maintaining the privileges and carrying out the duties of the colony, and therefore would not give way. Of him it can be said, without fear of contradiction, that there was, no man of his time to whose memory more respect is due from South Africans than Mr. John Charles Molteno. The ministry that succeeded consisted of Mr. John Gordon Sprigg, member of the house of assembly for East London, premier and colonial secretary, Mr. John Miller, member of the legislative council for the eastern province, treasurer, Mr. John Laing, member of the house of assembly for Fort Beaufort, commissioner of