It was manifest even before war was declared that there would be
no indecision or division in Canada. We knew that with the mother
country at war we would be at war. We could not be neutral and remain
within the Empire. There was no apprehension of compulsion by the
Imperial Government. There was certainty of compulsion by Germany
if our attitude was not defined and unequivocal. We had to proclaim
independence and neutrality or pledge our manhood and resources to
maintain the security and integrity of the Empire. If we had done
otherwise than we have we would now be skulking in the world’s byways
and writhing under the contempt of decent peoples. Who suggests that
in time of peace we can sing God save the King, boast of our British
citizenship and send our trade on the seas under protection of the
British navy, and do nothing in time of war? There could, however, be
no greater mistake than to think that we are in the war at the command
of Great Britain or purely to sustain British interests. We are in
the war primarily to defend and maintain freedom and self-government
in Canada. At least Great Britain is fighting for Canada as surely as
Canada is fighting for Great Britain.