108 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
A fear of militarism is not a prelude to peace but to subservience 
and attack. In 1837 and in 1866 if the troops, even in their then 
imperfection, had not been ready to be placed in a few hours upon the 
frontier, a foothold might have been obtained and hordes would have 
followed and greater loss of life have been occasioned. Peace was won 
by readiness. The patriotic maintenance of our volunteer militia in 
full numbers and equipments is not in antagonism to any one else, 
not to create a desire for war, but to prevent it, to improve our self- 
reliance and to keep our country and our homes in peace. 
