Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1865-01-27


TIE AMERICAN CONFLICT AND THE Duty
OF CANADA.-At the annual celebration of the
New England Society of Montreal, on the 22d
ult., Rev. John Cordner of Montreal delivered
the usual address which he devoted to a con-
sideraion of the war in this country and the
duty of Canada toward the United States. The
address has been printed. 1t is a very clear
statement Of the causes and origin of the war,
and an able and eloquent vindication of the
course of the North. The consequences to
Canada if she permits rebel emissaries to stir
up a war between the United States and Great
Britain, as they are now striving to do, in or
der to transfer the war from the South, are very
strik;ngiy set forth. 1t is shown that Canada
must become battle field on which marches
like those of Sherman and Sheridan might be
re- enacted, and in such case il is pertinently
asked, "What would Canadian banks be worth
or Canadian shipping or property of any kind?"
In regard TO the duty of Canada, he pointedly
and eloquently remarked
"Our people have been talking a good deal
of late about our means of defense, as against
our neighbors, on the other side of our long
frontier. Fellow citizens, our best defense is
very close at hand. The Chinese method is
poor shift at best. 1t is said they blow horns
drum up all sorts of discordant noises, and yell
defiance at their approaching enemies, in order
to inspire them with terror. This is not very
rational or dignifed m thod. and we soon dis
cover that it is only puerile way of trying TO
conceal weakness and hide their fear of being
considered AFRAID. 1t is the poor device of a
f. 6 4
not use Chinese blowing horns, but if our mind
is OF the Oriental type, we may set up our clat-
ter, and howl our defiance through the trum-
pets of our daily newspapers Our true de-
Tense, as have just said, is very close al hand.
| hope we all read the Bible. 1t is wonderful
storehouse of wisdom for all emergencies
There is q saving there by the Hebrew sage and
preacher and it is this: Wisdom is better than
weapons of war; We read there of little
city against which mighty force came up 10
besiege it, and poor man delivered the city
by his wisdom Therefore, saith the Bible
sage, Wisdom is better than strength; ! wis
dom is better than weapons of war; And this
wisdom may he shown in the manifestation OF
peaceful sIirit, and of an honorable purpose
to fulfil, in all good faith, our treaty slipula-
tions with our neighbors. 1t may be shown by
, our observance as dutiful subjects, of our
Queens proclamation Of neutrality, and by re-
fusng 10 sanction, directly or indirectly, any
overt act or implied purpose which would EN-
barrass our Queens government, or embroil in
war the great, industrious. peaceful and pros
porous empire, with which ii is our privilege to
be connected. il may be shown by our fidelity
to the roblest traditions of that empire which
forbds us to aid or abet, by word or deed, the
iniquity of slavery, prop its falling fortunes
on this continent. 1t may he shown by our
human
spirit thereof, and in our living desire that all
men should he free. 1t may be shown through
our respect for honest and honorable toll and
2 our pronounced desire that the honest toiler'
in all lands, whether they be black or white
shall receive an honest wage for their toll, and
enjoy as their indefeasihle right, all the priv
leges of Christian men. Wisdom is better
| than weapons of war;; and such wisdom as this
? | hold to be the bounden duty of Canada ant
her people to cherish and manifest at the pres
ent juncture of our affairs"