UNITED STATES AND CANADA 263 



accompanied them ; and upon these I would say- 

 one or two words. They emphasize, in the first 

 place, what I have called the exceptional relations 

 which have always subsisted between Birmingham 

 and myself. I have lived amongst you pretty nearly 

 all my life. All my active work has been done in 

 your midst and inspired by your spirit, and that is 

 in itself a little unusual in our political history. In 

 America, I believe, it is almost unheard of that any 

 man should sit either for the House of Represen- 

 tatives or the Senate except as representing the 

 district in which he resides. But here the contrary 

 rule has almost prevailed, and it is very rare indeed 

 to find a prominent politician who has had any 

 lengthened personal connection with the district 

 which he represents. (Hear, hear.) I do not know 

 what may be the reason for this difference, but I can 

 only say for myself that in my own case all the 

 pleasure I have ever felt in the political strife, all 

 the strength that has been given me to pursue it, 

 have been increased by the sense, which has never 

 failed me, that I have always had behind me the 

 support, and the encouragement, and the sympathy 

 of my own people — (loud cheers) — of the people 

 who know me best, who have made me what I am, 

 and whose support has never failed me in every 

 time of difficulty, and which has laid me under a 

 weight of obligation which I am only too ready to 

 acknowledge, and which I can never adequately 

 repay. (Cheers.) No, ladies and gentlemen, ours 

 is not a mere political connection. If need were to 

 prove it, I should find it in your statement, Mr. 



