ON POLITICAL SCIENCE. 15 



who thought deeply aud acted vigorously, and if they had fewer opportunities than we 

 have, yet they made the most of what they possessed. Indeed, we must not forget that 

 after all they had in some respects the same advantages as we have: they had the admir- 

 able teachings of Burke aud Montesquieu, and the suggestive aud inspiring examples of 

 Pym, Hampden, aud Eussell, of all the fathers of parliamentary government in the parent 

 state. The majority of the people, certainly in Canada, have understood the principles 

 of British liberty, and were always faithful to them, while at the same time they recog- 

 nized their obligations to the l"]mpire, aud remained faithful to the Crown at times when 

 their patience was sorely tried, aud their fortunes seemed at the lowest. The point 

 which I should like to make here is this : that we can learn much from the examples of 

 the men, who have preceded us, in stirdying the social and political development of 

 Canada. "We should do well to emulate their patience and perseverance amid what 

 seemed at times insurmountable obstacles, as well as their insight into the safest maxims 

 on which to rest civil liberty aud local government. 



Let me here utter a warning against mere shallowness. To master one good work 

 at a time, to be able to understand its teachings, and apply them to the conditions of the 

 present and to the exigency that may arise at any moment, should be the aim of every 

 student of Political Science. The tendency in some uui^'ersities as in the public schools, 

 I am inclined to think, is to overburden the student wàth work, instead of giving him 

 opportunities for devoting himself to those particular studies for which his inclinations 

 and abilities fit him. I do not know that it is best for a country like this to have too 

 many superficial Crichtons. I should therefore hope that all persons who wish to take 

 up a course of Political Science in addition to those studies which are necessary for men- 

 tal discipline and to fit them for their respective vocations, will not look upon it as a 

 mere pastime, as C|uite subsidiary to other things, but will bring to it the perseverance, 

 diligence and interest which will enable them to master its true teachings and make it 

 an invaluable aid to them in the practical pursuits of their lives. 



In no department of study is there more danger of being deceived and carried away 

 by dangerous theories aud delusive ideas than that which leads us to consider political, 

 social and economic problems. In attempting to lay deep and firm the foundations of 

 government and society in the Dominion — for remember we are at the basis as yet of our 

 national structure — our rulers and thinkers must carefully study the systems of other 

 countries, for there is always much to learn from them ; and by no other country are we 

 likel)^ to be more influenced by reason of language aud origin and neighborhood than by 

 the remarkable nation alongside of Canada ; but we must be careful not to be deluded 

 by the glamour of republicanism or the social tendencies of purely democratic conditions, 

 and to level those old landmarks which can best lead us in the direction of true social 

 happiness and national greatness. It is well to have conservative tendencies — I mean 

 " conservative " in the true sense and not iu the elastic political meaning of the word — 

 and not adopt new ideas and opinions simply because they are new. Let us, above all, 

 remember that the Social and Political Sciences are inseparably allied, that the laws of 

 the one influence the laws of the other ; and that laxity of morals in society must teud to 

 lower the political conditions of a country. AYe see in the neighboring United States the 

 danger that is threatening the social fabric from the lax principles that prevail on the 

 subject of marriage ties. This unhappy laxity must and indeed does sap the foundations 



