PROCEEDINGS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. I33 



a corporation than to make a just defence of a corporation. It takes courage to 

 turn in the teeth of a mob or a wave of sectarian or national prejudice and strike 

 a man's blows for one's own opinions. But. after all, the citizen who speaks his 

 own mind, rests on his own judgment even in the face of press or caucus or 

 pulpit, is the only free man and the only man worthy of representative institu- 

 tions. A needless war against corporations is a menace to credit and a drag upon 

 progress^ but we are far more likely to surrender unduly to the corporation lobbyist 

 and the concession hunter than to be over-vigilant for the rights of the people in 

 public franchises and natural resources. We cannot hold for the people too much 

 of what is left; we cannot too soon establish the right of control and of taxation 

 over what has been surrendered. But, after all, the outlook is hopeful. We are 

 neither oppressed nor in peril of war or famine. We live in a land of plenty and a 

 time of peace. Within the past year or two there has been a wonderful upgrowth 

 of Canadian feeling. Here at home we feel a new impulse to progress, a splendid 

 confidence in ourselves, and across the old world the name of Canada is ringing 

 as it never rang before. It is not a time to bicker and snarl as to w'hat man or 

 what party is responsible for these happy and hopeful circumstances and condi- 

 tions. It is not a time to revive the memories of old quarrels and deliver judg- 

 ment on the mistakes and follies of earlier days. Are we sure that we would have 

 done better if we had had to bear the responsibilities of the fathers ? Let us 

 rather unite to honor all men who give us faithful public service, to recognize the 

 good intent of all men who labor for the public betterment, and to make the 

 splendid promise of to-day the more splendid achievement of to-morrow. 



The golden fleece is at our feet, 



Our hills are girt in sheen of gold, 

 Our golden-flower fields are sweet 



With honey hives. A thousandfold 

 • More fair our fruit on laden stem 



Than Jordan's tow'rd Jerusalem. 



