But the victory for freedom has not yet been fully won. The foe, in
turn, retreats but he contests every foot of ground, and the advance
of the allies is as costly as it is glorious. In this advance the
soldiers of Canada have fought as bravely as their comrades of Britain,
France, Belgium and Australia. They call for the reinforcements which
the draft will supply in confidence that we at home are as jealous for
the reputation of Canada as they, and as determined to prosecute the
war until complete victory is achieved. The call comes from those who
gave themselves in answer to our appeal. They are not asking to be
taken out of the trenches. They do not seek consideration or relief
for themselves. They ask only that the gaps in their ranks shall be
filled and we who sent them away to guard our honor and protect our
institutions cannot do less than resolve that the response to their
appeal shall be speedy and adequate. It may be that the day is still
remote “when peace shall over all the earth her ancient splendors
fling,” but somewhere in the distance there is a hilltop bathed in the
sunshine of victory and radiant with the glory of the morning.