A Century of Peace

A Century of Peace

BY FRANK C. STEELE

A century has virtually passed since the thunder of artillery

and the clash of steel resounded throughout the English-speaking

world, the treaty of Ghent, signed by the representatives of Eng-

land and the United States December 24th, 1814, bringing to a

close the last armed conflict between the two great Anglo-Saxon

nations. The effect this hundred years of peace has exerted in

the material and social progress of the world cannot be computed.

As a factor for closer international friendship it has towered high

above all other influences, and the propitious feelings that are

mutually entertained today augurs well for the future.

THE TIES THAT BIND

The three great branches of the Anglo-Saxon race England, —

the United States and Canada —

are so closely related by the ties

of kinship, that, finding their inspiration in a common source, they

shape their ideals along

similar channels. We

are distinct, yet we are

one. This thought was

beautifully expressed in

a figure used by one of

Canada's noblest states-

men, the Hon. Edward

Blake, as early as 1854,

when he said in a mo-

ment of inspired elo

qence "The clover lifts

:

its trefoil leaves to the

summer sky, yet it draws

its nourishment from a

single stem."

And why should we

not be at peace? Why

THE RT. HON. ROBERT LAIRD BORDEN, P. C. K should the lust of Cain

M. P. PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA. still stir the breasts of

brothers? For centuries

we were one people. Our forefathers fought side by side at

Hastings and heard the curfew toll. They wrenched their liber-

A CENTURY OF PEACE 921

tiesfrom the tyrant, John, and, under the banner of the Lion

hearted,met with unfaltering arm the waves of infidel soldiery.

They witnessed the intellectual emancipation of Europe, and be-

held a New World rise in splendor out of the mysterious western

seas.

THE PARTING OF THE WAYS

Years later came the parting of the ways. Many reasons are

advanced for the withdrawal of the thirteen colonies from the

parental roof. But these were minor influences contributing to

—

one great, underlying cause that strange, intangible power called

Destiny. Independence was secured only after a long and bloody

war, and we in Canada are now enjoying the results of the lesson

which came as a natural sequence to that determined struggle.

It is because of a liberally revised colonial policy that England

retains political control of her over-seas dominions today. Truly,

the lesson was well taught.

TRADE, A POTENT FACTOR

The experience of all ages furnishes abundant evidence that

trade ever the most potent agent for peace and good will be-

is

tween nations. Stimulated by the supreme consciousness of un-

limited resources from which to draw for the future, providing

their conservation is secured, Canada and her big brother to the

south clasp hands across an imaginary line, unmarred by a single

piece of artillery for over three thousand miles.

It is but logical for two peoples linked together by race,

language, institutions and proximity, to engage in commerce.

This is as reasonable as it is for two Missourians to "swap" mules.

Although Canada's frontier is guarded by a formidable tariff wall,

yet even this impediment seems not to prevent the plucky American

from bartering with his northern neighbor.

WHY RECIPROCITY WAS DEFEATED

It is true that the reciprocity pact was overwhelmingly de-

feated in Canada, in 1911. And why? If we reason aright it was

chiefly this Amrican statesmen apparently forgot, during the

:

heat of political warfare, that Canadians still were British, and

they unwisely made assertions fatal to the cause they were so

emphatically expounding. Besides the irrational declarations of

Prsident Taft himself, Senator Champ Clark made a most se-

rious mistake when he dispassionately remarked in the course of an

address: "I hope to see the day when the American flag will

wave over the whole Northern American continent to the North

Pole." This utterance was followed by Congressman Bennett's

much-quoted speech in which he said that "Annexation was the

922 IMPROVEMENT ERA

logical result of reciprocity." Although this latter statement was

promptly suppressed, it had already begun to inflict its deadly

work.

From a thousand platforms throughout the Dominion rang

out the appeal to stand by the Empire and British ideals. The

loyalty cry was sounded by the Tory press from ocean to ocean.

Conservative orators seized upon the effective claim that the ulti-

mate purpose of American statesmen was annexation. Rudyard

Kipling's message to Canada to "preserve her own soil," also

exerted a powerful influence, especially in the eastern provinces

HARVEST SCENE

On the thousand-acre farm of the Jensen Ranching Co., Msgrath, Alta,

Canada. This field averaged 58 bushels to the acre

where the imperialistic spirit was strong. Thus, reciprocity was

defeated, and partially, if not wholly, by the indiscretion of Ameri-

can statesmen themselves.

OUR TRADE EXPANSION

Notwithstanding the defeat of reciprocity, Canada's trade

with the United States has wonderfully increased. Figures prove

President Taft's opinion in his message to Congress to be unsound,

when he made this assertion: "They (Canadians) must soon

decide whether they are to regard themselves as isolated per-

manently from our markets by a perpetual wall or whether we are

"

to be commercial friends

A CENTURY OF PEACE 923

Since the defeat of the proposed pact in the general election

of 1911, our trade with the United States shows a most gratifying

increase. In 1912 Canada imported from her southern neighbor

goods to the value of $356,358,179, and her export trade in the

same market amounted to $120,534,993. The figures for 1913,

fiscal year ending March 31st, tell a still greater story: imports,

$441,155,855; exports, $167,110,382. It is rather suggestive to

note that Canada's trade with the United Kingdom in 1913

amounted to $316,641,431, as against $608,266,237 with the United

States.

THE TREK NORTHWARD

The immigration figures also speak volumes. For many years

the trend of U. S. emigration has been to Canada, particularly to

Oil is one of Southern Alberta's greatest assets. Rich fields are

located west and south-west of Cardston

prairie lands of which

the north-western provinces, the fertile

have inestimable value from an agricultural standpoint. The

gradual increase

following series of figures best illustrates this

since 1901-1901, 17,687; 1908, 58,312; 1910,

103,798; 1911, 121,-

451; 1912, 133,710; 1913, 139,009.

should be

Usually, statistics make dry reading, but these

pleasure and profit, as they bear an eloquent

perused with keen

924 IMPROVEMENT ERA

testimony to the power of peace in the material growth of a na-

tion.

THE FUTURE OF THE DOMINION

The political future of Canada is somewhat problematical

What lies in the bosom of time for this rapidly-developing nation

is sealed from mortal eye. However, at present, there seems to

be three conditions possible for Canada, namely, national inde-

pendence, as a part of the British Empire, or annexation with the

United States. Whichever course the Dominion shall follow will

be developed along natural principles, and probably will not be

apparent for many years to come. But come, it must.

The British Empire is merely a consolidation of self-governing

countries, comprising peoples bound to the motherland by bonds

of sentiment. Sentiment is indeed a powerful factor in the unify-

ing of a great empire, the units of which are widely scattered,

but in the progress and expansion of commonwealths, possessing

full independence, even the deepest ties may be disregarded. The

various elements of the British Empire must soon be welded to-

gether by more than sentimental ties, or the fatal process of dis-

integration will set in.

VIEWS THAT COUNT FOR SOMETHING

Nor is this view confined to a few meddling spirits who de-

light in exciting strife and contention. It is held bv the most emi-

nent men in our national life. Premier Borden clearly indicated

serious consequences in reference to imperial control of the foreign

policy. Said he, December 5, 1912 "In my humble opinion

:

the adherence to such a position could have but one, and that a

most disastrous, result."

Sir Wilfrid Laurier, ex-premier of Canada, declared in

Toronto, January 6, 1910, that "we are a nation. We feel that

we are a nation. Our country is the finest under the sun. We

bow to the king of England, but he has no more rights over us

than are allowed him by our own Canadian parliament. If this

is not a nation, what then constitutes a nation?"

British statesmen accept this same view. The late Mr. loseph

Chamberlain has said, "How are we to bring these separate inter-

ests together these states which have voluntarilv accepted our

;

crown and our flag, and which in all else are absolutelv independ-

ent of one another!" And Sir Frederick Pollock, one of the best of

English living jurists, advises British statesmen to "leave the con-

ventions alone and look at the facts, and we find the self govern-

ing colonies are, in fact, separate kingdoms, having the same king

as the parent group." "Moreover," says Lord Milner, "we are slip-

ping back to the antiquated conception that the mother country

;

A CENTURY OF PEACE 925

is the center of the political system with the younger states re-

volving around it as satellites. Against that conception the grow-

ing pride and sense of independence of the younger states re-

volts."

Thus men of eminent standing hold that Canada is in reality a

sovereign state, ruled over theoretically by the King of England

and further, that there is grave danger of the British Empire

some day becoming a disorganization.

ANGLO-SAXONS MUST STAND TOGETHER

But whatever course the Canadian people may choose as the

most feasible condition in which to work out its destiny, we may

The frontiers of two great nations, marked by peaceful monuments

instead of bristling fortresses

logically predict that they will remain true and devoted to our

common institutions and traditions. Much rests in the hands of

the Anglo-Saxon race. We must stand shoulder to shoulder,

opening our portals to the oppressed of all nations. For true

patriotism, after all, is not to be found in the waving of the national

colors or in the singing of the national airs, but rather in the gen-

uine service we render society as a whole, lifting our fellowmen

from a lower to a higher life. The sooner we realize this the

earlier will burst upon us that glorious age—that vision of

prophets and song of poets in all ages— the Millenium of the

world.

THE MORNING STAR

The future of the new world is as bright as the morning star.

Every artery of material strength running through the continent