34 



may look forward with that hope which is justified by the 

 immensity and value of our resources, by the law-abiding, 

 moral and religious character of our people. If we be true to 

 our God and ourselves in the great trust He has imposed 

 upon us, endeavoring to avoid those strifes of race and creed 

 which it was a great part of the life work of the great 

 Canadian who now, amid the sorrow of the nation, sleeps with 

 his fathers at Cataraqui, to reconcile, we may be the builders 

 of a nation forming part of an empire greater than any the 

 world has yet seen ; and upon this continent to be a Canadian 

 citizen may be even a prouder boast than was that of the 

 citizen of an ancient empire, less great than is ours now, 

 " Civis Romanus sum." Mr. President, I have spoken too 

 long, and will now proceed to execute the duty with which 

 your council has entrusted to me ; and in the name of the 

 contributors to this memorial, in the name of the president, 

 officers and members of the Historical Society of Manitoba, I 

 unveil this monument, which marks the scene of the battle of 

 Seven Oaks, in the hope that when these rocks are seen from 

 the historic path near which it is placed, and from the railway 

 which passes close by, types in themselves of the change from 

 the old to the new, it will be remembered that as nature has 

 clothed with verdure this spot, once wet with blood, so should 

 we, except as matters of historic interest and record, clothe 

 with i'orgetfulness all animosities, jealousies, bitternesses and 

 strifes, and turning to the fair prospects before us as an united 

 people and nation, thank Almighty God that the sad past is 

 indeed past, and implore His blessing upon our efforts for a 

 brighter future. 



At the close of his remarks His Honor unveiled the monu- 

 ment, the act being greeted with general applause. The 

 monument is of native Selkirk stone, and the workmanship a 

 credit to the designer, Mr. S. Hooper. It stands nine feet six 

 inches in height, and its size is four feet at the base. On the 

 top is carved a wreath of flowers. The inscription is on the 

 west side, facing Main street. On the upper portion are 

 carved the words, " Seven Oaks," and beneath is the inscrip- 



