The Question of Immigration. 529 



but as the resources of the newly acquired territories began to be 

 known, confidence was increased and immigration to Canada com- 

 menced. Three years later, when the Canada Pacific Railway 

 scheme was attempted, a new star arose in the firmament of the 

 Dominion, and again in 1879, when that gigantic enterprise assumed 

 a practical shape, and promised early consummation, the Canadian 

 country became an object of attraction throughout the whole of 

 Europe. Thus one step after another has been taken, until the 

 Canada of a quarter of a century ago, which was insignificant, has 

 became the hope of a great nation. 



The work of Confederation, the construction of the Intercolonial, 

 the building of the national transcontinental highway, the acquire- 

 ment of British Columbia — all these things have conspired to fill 

 the Canadian people with hope concerning the future of their 

 country, and command the attention of Europe ; but no one of these 

 potent circumstances, or all of them together, has been as instru- 

 mental in bringing this country to the attention of the world, and 

 assuring for us a future great importance, as the dissemination of a 

 knowledge of the extent and vast resources of the North- West. 

 The construction of the Canadian Pacific, besides providing Canada 

 with a national highway from the Atlantic to the Pacific, besides 

 rendering this country independent in all respects of a foreign 

 nation, has been the means of bringing to the notice of the world, 

 that greatest of all known fertile areas, the Prairie Region of the 

 North- West. I may well say that as yet that region has been 

 brought but to the merest notice of the nations of the East. But 

 little is known or understood concerning it, and that little is still 

 surrounded by doubt and unbelief. However, the work of spreading 

 information concerning it has been commenced, and, like some grand 

 monument in nature, nothing can stop its onward sweep. 



When the Canadian Pacific Railway shall have been completed ; 

 when the Canadian people shall have laid that great financial 

 burden down ; when the national breath has been fully recovered, 

 and, when our statesmen, embued with the great successes already 

 attained, and impressed with the vast commercial, industrial and 

 agricultural possibilities of the Dominion, shall, carrying forward 



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