578 Our North Land. 



I believe that, even under a cloud of misfortune loyalty and allegi- 

 ance should be the ruling principle in every honest heart. I believe, 

 as was believed in the times of the old Cavaliers, that 



' Loyalty is still the same, 

 Whether it win or lose the game, 

 True as the dial to the sun, 

 Although it be not shined upon.' 



But when we have loyalty and allegiance of a kind which joins 

 a pure patriotic sentiment to self-interest, then there can be no 

 doubt as to the course we ought to pursue. We are passionately 

 loyal to the sovereignty of Great Britain. We love our Queen and 

 we love British institutions. Our institutions are modelled upon 

 those of England. We draw our inspiration from the great men 

 who have governed England and who are now governing England, 

 and we believe and know that our future prosperity depends greatly 

 upon the continuance of union with the Mother Country. It has 

 been represented that I was in favour of Federation with the Imperial 

 Parliament. I have never made any such statement ; I never had 

 any such opinion. I have stated my personal opinion and belief that 

 Canada must still preserve her Canadian Parliament. Canada is 

 the best judge of the best means of governing herself. I believe 

 that to Canadian statesmen only can be confided the trust of putting 

 burdens upon the shoulders of our people, and that no parliament 

 sitting in England, however great and able it may be, and although ' 

 Canada may be represented upon it, can faithfully, fully, and satis- 

 factorily administer our affairs. The word confederation means a 

 union by treaty, and I believe that a treaty can be made between 

 England and Canada by which we can have mutual commercial 

 advantages and a common system of offence and defence. The 

 Australian colonies will soon be united in a bond similar to, though 

 perhaps not identical with, the Canadian Confederation. Then 

 what will we see ? We will see England with her thirty-five 

 millions united to Canada with her five millions, soon to be twice 

 that number, and to Australia with a similar population, and the 

 world will know that if the old Mother Country is attacked, she 

 has two auxiliary nations standing ready to help her." 



