The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-11
CANADA AND OUR COUNTRY.
CONTINENTAL UNION AssocIA TON AND
ITS WORK FOR THE GREAT END.

Soiawin Smith, the Founder OF the Associs-
tioa, on the Great Questioa-Eiements For
aud Against Union-The Roman Catholic
Church In Quebec Has Become Unionist-
No "SoIia Cana di.a Vote" Possible I'm.
der Cnion-Mr. Smith Expects No British
Oppositios wke. CansdA's Mind IL Made
rp-A Martyr 10 the Cause.
TonoNTo, Dec. "a year ago the farmers
OF Oxford. perhaps tho richest county In On
tnrio. which means In all Canada. began to
=. Id meetings for this discussion OF political
union. Like the farmers everywhere. they
feel the pinch OF tho agricultural schedule OF
the Mckinley tariff. and despalr OF getting
relief through reciprocity. oxford returns to
the Legislature Sir Oliver Mowat, the First
Minister OF the province Sir Oliver Ia
Liberal in name. but Tory In instinct: q man
OF many excellent qualities. but a reactionary
from the Continental point OF view. He under
took to discipline his constituents. but as It
turned out they disciplined him. His accept
ance OF knighthood. which had been refused
by Mr.. Blake and other Liberals. was made
tho most OF. and when he dismissed Mr.. Myers.
Y. C.. the Crown Attorney in q ncighborinC
county. for advocating political union some
Of his warmc,t supporters In old days m ct and
protested against his conduct as altogether
un.I.berai- like
The controversy thus aroused gave birth TO
the Continental Union Association of Ontario.
or course there had always been a great deal
Of floating sentiment in favor OF union. but
since 1910 1t had never found organized OK
preston. 1t was thought well to hnvc the
central oflce at Toronto. not only because
Toronto is tho capital Of Ontario. but because
It Is ths headquarters Of colonial loyalty Tho
club is purely campaign bureau. with paid
secretary and fund for lrfraying the en-
pcnses OF speakers and distributing literature.
The chief eyt-book Is Mr.. Goodwin Smiths
Canada and tho Canadian Question:" which
Americans interested in She subject should
rend The club docs its best to aid tho pro-
vncial newspapers on its side. and looks after
the esta blshment of branch associations. 1t
has rooms in tho Canada Life building. on tho
principal street ANON: those wiz rave
cent subscriptions nre many who pass. out
wardy. for loyaIists. The active members
represent both tho old political parties in about
equal proportion. A number Of public meet
inCs will be held during the winter. There is
a brisk demand for literature. and by nnd
BY n daily newspaper will DO established in
Toronto. Newspapers cost money. however.
and for the present the association deems it
best TO employ its funds in starting branches
and preparing other cheap machinery for tho
important mission it has in hand.
TIKI Sun correspondent asked Mr.. Goodwin
Smith. Who having set this organ aation on
Its legs. Is about to leave the MANAGEMENT to
younger men, for his views on tho outlook.
and Mr.. Smith WAS good enough to suy this:
with regard to tho outlook. can only re.
Peat what have said in 'C&nada and the
Canadian Question 1t eems to me that tho
great forces. geographical. chronological. and
economical. as well as those OF language. of
- Aft
are on the side Of continental union. and that
they arc sure in tho end to prevail The groat
force OF sentiment is on the same side. for
nothing can appeal to senti nert moro power
fully than the idea OF n united continent IN
habitod BY people OF the Same blood and
language living in assured roacc. devoted to
industry. and carrying on tho same great OK
pertinent Of fres institutions. John Bright
said that such confederation would afford
him some hope that man wis not forsuken Of
heaven. and that tho future OF our race
would . better than the past.
Il have not failed to observe that there are
secondary forces on tho other side. and
Tint their Intervention may for an uncer-
tain period delay tho contamination. as the
action OF secondary forces long delayed tho
union OF England and Scotland. the union Of
Italy. and tho union Of Germany. though in
each case the union was sure to come. There
Is the interest Of the official class in existing
political establishments There is the inter.
est OF protected manufacturers in commercial
isolation. There is tho Old Flag sentiment
which VIC must allow to DO natural and re-
epectable wherever it is sincere. There is the
social sentiment. lostercd by the hestowal OF
British titles. There are special influences.
such MS That Of OranGeism. and that Of tho
Anglican Church. which clcaves to the State
Church OF England. There Ia. finally. the gem
erul uhwillinEness TO change which makes it
difficult to lift any community out OF tho
groove in which 1t has been running. In tho
case OF Quebec thorc is the authority Of the
Konian Catholic clergy. which Inns hitherto
been cSer;cd on thu sido OF separation. ue-
cause tho priests feared that that Church.
which 10 practically established in that prov
ince would. 10y immersion in tho great repuh.
lie lose hor local power and privileges. 1t
seems. however. that the priesthood OF Quebec
Is now alarmed by tho vast exodus OF its
CocE--ths necessary consequence Of CONNER
cial ntrorly which acts with special severity
OF the peasant farmers Of that province. 1t
erpears not unikc.y that Quebec. which
seemed TO lag in the rear. may come to the
front and lead the way % continental union.
1T is useless I" make general assertions
about the tendency Of public opinion before 1t
has bern brought t"a practical test. especially
Otional irerossessionS and to certain strong
aud sonnwhat mastsif,.l interests. requires
moral courage for its avowul But ] think
Their" can hardly 10 n mistake as to tho
rapid spread OF unionism among our farmers
and oven In the cities. though In the cities.
whore men arc afraid Of suffering in their
business or profession. utterance. or at least
public uttsrance. is loss free. Tho exodus
from Canada 10 tho United States. ever in
creas!ng in volume. forces conviction even on
conservative minds II WAS tho President OF
q Conservative ass citation In this city who
lanented that Canada WAS Icing annexed in
Job lots and that we were keeping the mud
while the United States took tho mon.
There was u loud call from many sides for
the formation in Toronto OF II centre for this
unionist movement. Tie Continental Union
Association is response to that appeal. AS
II has only Just been SGT on foot the time is not
yet como for measuring its success. 1t has to
contend with difficulties. especially with tho
m,plf pf ind ,vhn r,th