Iwrong[ fifty years OF CONFEDERATION 69 



the point established in theory as well as in practise, the resolve to 

 make a declaration of independence in no sense hostile to Great 

 Britain, but simply to satisfy the amour propre of a proud young 

 people. Such a declaration would make little practical difiference, for 

 the independence exists, but it would make Britain's hegemony one 

 not of right, but of agreement. In certain directions, it would create 

 difficulties, and of these perhaps its advocates take too little account. 

 Of course, it is in connection with foreign affairs that the chief ones 

 would arise for, with the same king, it could hardly be possible for 

 Great Britain and Canada to speak with different voices to a foreign 

 state. When one was at war the other would certainly be at war. 

 What would be the effect if Great Britain and Canada sat together at 

 a Hague Conference and did not happen to agree on some vital matter 

 brought before the Conference ? We maybe sure that tact and mutual 

 self-interest would meet such problems with success. Certain it is 

 that educated opinion in Canada is determined that the colonial 

 relation shall end and that either by federation or by full partnership 

 with Great Britain. Canada shall take her place as the equal in 

 status of the other sovereign states in the world. This means the 

 sharing of responsibilities and for these, I believe, she is ready. 



As we confront the future this seems to be the first great problem 

 requiring solution. But, while we consider it, we need always to 

 remember that political institutions alone do not make a nation. The 

 best things in a nation are inspiring traditions, unity in pursuit of 

 noble ideals, thought and insight in regard to the life of its people. A 

 real nation must have a literature, an art, a civilization, which it has 

 itself created. It would be well for those who are intent upon com- 

 pleting the political fabric of the Canadian state to ask whether in 

 these other respects, too, Canada is qualified for national standing. 

 The outlook is not unpromising. There are Canadian leaders in the 

 world of science, Canadian men of letters, Canadian artists. It is not 

 to be expected that their achievements would, as yet, have startled 

 the world. The growth of national life must involve deep reality 

 and influence in the things of the spirit. In some respects Canada is 

 still an intellectual parasite living on the mental labours of other 

 nations, reading their books, appropriating their ideas and doing too 

 little of such things for herself. A nation must be independent 

 in learning how to feed its own soul as well as in its political action. 



The new portent in Canadian life during the last fifty years is 

 the rise of the West. Fifty years ago, the West counted for nothing 

 in Canadian politics. To-day it exercises a powerful influence and 

 it is almost certain that, during the next fifty years, this influence 

 will become dominant. Already the West leads the East in con- 



