(falcoxkrI 1776 and 1914— BRITISH COLONIAL ACTION 249 



him, struck down in the same glorious fight. Am I not, then, justified, 

 my Lord, in claiming for my countrymen that constitution, which 

 can be withheld from them by no plea but one unworthy of a British 

 statesman — the tyrant's plea of power? I know that I am; and I 

 feel also, that this is not the race that can be hoodwinked with sophis- 

 try, or made to submit to injustice without complaint. All suspicion 

 of disloyalty we cast aside, as the product of ignorance or cupidity; 

 we seek for nothing more than British subjects are entitled to; but w^e 

 will be contented with nothing less."^ 



And this constitution the provinces got and kept, thanks to 

 Lord Durham, Lord Sydenham and Lord Elgin. Never has any 

 colony or dominion or dependency had three abler governors, and they 

 became the architects not only of Canada but of the British Empire, 

 which has just been proved to have been built on the most solid founda- 

 tion, "natural affection, pride in their history, and participation in the 

 benefits of a government combining executive power with individual 

 liberty." (Howe). 



The willingness to trust men of her own stock with liberty in 

 the confidence that they would not mishandle such a priceless pos- 

 session, has been the secret of Britain's success in the latter half of 

 the 19th century as a colonizer and builder up of young nations. And 

 this is a secret which most other nations have not learned and which 

 they hardly realize thtit we possess. The battle having l)een fought 

 in Canada was decided once for all. and the Empire was pervaded 

 almost unconsciously by the new idea which created confidence in 

 each part, and drew each to the Mother Country for which they had 

 an antecedent affection. 



The Imperial system, however, is not yet complete. We have 

 for years been entrusted wath our own fortunes within the Dominion 

 of Canada. We enjoy provincial and dominion autonomy, but what 

 about our relation to the outside world ? This is now determined 

 simply by our union with Britain. We cannot escape the dangers 

 that beset her with her world-wide Empire. We know by experience 

 that if she is at war we must be at war too. We would not, it is true, 

 have it otherwise; at least those of us who belong to the English- 

 speaking provinces. But hitherto we have had no voice in foreign 

 policy. We have not had a representative even at Washington. Nor 

 have we undertaken the obligations of our own protection, though in 

 the present war indeed we have assumed a larger share of our defence 

 than ever before. This condition cannot long remain so; the responsi- 

 bilities of the future in a world so full of possible troubles are beginning 



^The Speeches and Public Letters of Joseph Howe, Vol. L 263. 



Sec. I & II. Sig. us 



