(_July 29, 1915_)
In the Dominions beyond the seas the same ideals have led inevitably
to the establishment of self-governing institutions. That principle,
which in the eyes of the short-sighted seemed destined to drive the
far-flung nations of our empire asunder, has but united them by ties
stronger than could be dreamed of under any system of autocratic
government. Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada--all these
great free nations possessing full rights of self-government, enjoying
parliamentary institutions, living by the voice of the people--why
have they joined in this conflict, and why are their citizens from
the remotest corners of the earth fighting under a common banner and
making common cause with the men of these islands in the greatest war
the world has ever known? And why are the descendants in Canada of
those who fought under Wolfe, and of those who fought under Montcalm,
when contending for the northern half of the American continent, why
are they now standing together in the empire's battle line? To speak
of later events, why do we find beyond the Channel, in France or in
Belgium, the grandson of a Durham and the grandson of a Papineau
standing side by side in this struggle? When the historian of the
future comes to analyse the events of this war, he will realize that
some great overmastering impulse contributed mainly to this wonderful
result. One such impulse is to be found in the love of liberty, the
ideals of democracy, and the spirit of unity founded thereon, which
make the whole empire one in aim and purpose. But there was also the
intense conviction that this war was forced upon our empire; for in
honour we could not stand aside and see trampled in the dust a weak and
unoffending people whose independence and liberties we had guaranteed.
Beyond and above all this we realized the supreme truth that the issue
forced upon us by this conflict transcends even the destinies of our
own empire and involves the future of civilization and of the world.