CHAPTER LVII. 



The Growth of Canada and Imperial Federation. 



growth in population, trade and commerce — extension of 

 territory — consolidation — confederation cemented by 

 the means of interprovincial commerce — the era of 

 nation-building — the great ra.ilroads — the hudson's bay 

 route — its' advantages to canada and great britain — 

 imperial federation. 



REGARDING the proposed enterprise of opening the Hudson's 

 Bay route as one of the necessary steps in the work of 

 [%\v nation-building that has been going forward in Canada so 

 rapidly during the past fifteen years, it will be well now, at 

 the close of this volume, to consider that question in connection with 

 Canada as a whole. Hitherto, and naturally enough, the subject 

 has been discussed only in connection with the North- West, but this 

 consideration nlust have impressed the reader with the necessity of 

 looking at so important a question from a national standpoint. This 

 at once brings us to the questions, " Is Canada making rapid material 

 progress nation-ward ? and whither is she tending ? " 



The first question must be answered most emphatically in the 

 affirmative. Canada, during the past fifteen years, and indeed 

 during the last quarter of a century has made rapid and material 

 progress. There may have been equal periods in the history of the 

 United States when the forward strides were greater, but if so, 

 they were for the most part attended by somewhat disastrous reac- 

 tionary consequences. Canadian progress is as rapid as can be con- 

 sistent with permanency. The development now taking place is of 

 two kinds, viz. : material progress and national growth. Sir John 

 A. Macdonald, in addressing the recent Toronto Convention of his 



