8o JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS. 



nor yet had the courage which animated them during these trying 

 times died out in the breasts of their sons. True in their devotion 

 to British rule, and inspired by a deep, patriotic enthusiasm, they at 

 once organized themselves into battalions of militia, took up arms, 

 and were ready to lay down their lives in defence of home and coun- 

 try. 



Whatever reasons there may have been to provoke the colonists 

 to revolt in 1776, it is quite evident that the verdict of history does 

 not in any way recognize the justice of the declaration of war in 18 12. 

 The difficulties that arose during the few preceding years might have 

 been peaceably adjusted by the diplomatic agents of the two count- 

 ries, had not a reckless Democratic majority, bent on conquest, 

 determined to invade the homes of their peaceful and inoffensive 

 neighbors to the north. This they did, but not one acre of territory 

 was annexed, nor yet did they gain one single permanent advantage. 

 On. the contrary it strengthened the allegiance of the Canadian 

 people and bound them more closely to the throne of Great Britain. 



At this time the situation in Canada was indeed precarious. 

 With a population of less than 300,000 all told, and these widely 

 scattered in small settlements without any means of rapid communi- 

 cation, wdth a long and exposed boundary, and with the mother 

 country embroiled in European wars, is it at all surprising that the 

 hearts of these sturdy pioneers were filled with misgivings as to the 

 fate of these colonies ? Did not the burden seem greater than they 

 could bear ? Had they not been strong in their allegiance to Great 

 Britain and true to the principles of their forefathers these provinces 

 would have been conquered and Britain would have been stripped of 

 her colonial possessions in America. However, Providence had de- 

 creed otherwise, and we are now left to work out our destiny as part 

 of that Greater Britain, "upon whose shores the sun never sets." 

 May we then as Canadians be true to our country, loyal to that great 

 Empire of which we form a part, and ever bear in mind that this is 

 the 



" Land of the beautiful and brave 



The freeman's home — the martyr's grave, 



The nursery of giant men, 



Whose deeds have link'd with every glen, 



And every hill and mountain stream 



The romance of some warrior dream." 



