Development of New National Spirit in
the Dominion Discussed by Earl
Grey and Secretary Root.
Canada has been making tremendous strides in the last few years. The
opening up of the vast untilled grain lands of the Northwest has been
followed by an influx of new blood from other countries, and particularly
from the United States. Throughout the Dominion energy is dictating to
enterprise. In all the provinces there are stirrings of a new national
spirit.
Relations between Canada and the United States are certain to assume a
different character in view of the changing local conditions. The future
before Canada is so great in its promise that any pronouncement by high
authorities as to her newer feelings is at present very important. Such
pronouncement was made at the dinner given in New York by the Pilgrims of
the United States to Earl Grey, Governor-General of Canada. The earl and
Mr. Root, our Secretary of State, made significant speeches.
Said Earl Grey:
Any idea of the possible annexation of Canada by the United
States is scouted by us as an impossibility as great as you
would regard the annexation of the United States by Canada.
And now, gentlemen, may I say the more we see of Americans
the better we shall be pleased. All we want is to know each
other better than we do, and to help each other as much as
we can. If Canada can at any time help the United States in
any direction which will improve the conditions of life for
your people, she will consider it a blessed privilege to be
allowed to render that assistance; and I feel sure that the
people of the United States will also be only too glad to
assist us in our struggle toward the realization of high
ideals and toward the attainment of a national character
distinguished by the fulness with which the principles of
fair play, freedom, and duty shall be applied by the people
of Canada to the various occupations of their lives.
There are several questions outstanding between the Dominion
of Canada and the United States which have been left open
too long, and which call for settlement.
Both governments desire to take advantage of the opportunity
which the present feeling of amity between the two countries
affords, and I am persuaded that the people on both sides of
the frontier will be glad when their respective governments
have given effect to their desires.
Secretary Root denied the rumor that at this banquet any sensational or
unexpected announcement would be made, declaring that all existing
questions between Canada and the United States had been settled. "I wish,"
he said, "it was so." But he pointed out the attitude that must be adopted
to facilitate the settlement of disputes--an attitude considerate and
just.
Of the changed conditions in Canada he said:
I think the American people recognize the fact that much has
taken place on the other side of the border--much which
materially affects the theoretical, assumed, or supposed
relations between the United States and Canada.
It was with apparent doubt that the American people read the
treaty of the eighteenth century, whether Canada was to
become a part of the United States, and in 1812, the British
governor-general of Canada wrote that a majority of his
people were rather in favor of the Americans than the
English.
We must recognize that a great change has taken place.
Canada is no longer the outlying country that it once was,
when a few remnants of French descendants were left upon its
borders to subsist upon precarious livelihoods. It has
become a great community with increasing population and
wealth.
In her relations with England one can see that, while she is
loyal to her mother country, as she has attained maturity
she has contracted a personality of her own. Her relations
to us have become of great importance. With enormous natural
wealth, and with vigor and energy, she is protecting her
industries, as we are protecting ours.
Her people are proud of their country, as we are proud of
ours, and we appreciate that from what was a little dominion
upon our borders there has grown a great and powerful
nation. And the people of America look with no grudging or
jealous eye upon her development.