The sun., 1893-03-07
Mr.. Goldwin Smith and the Toronto
Tories.

lOTlSS,
Unable to check by fair means the spread
OF Canadian opinion in favor OF continental
union. the Toronto Tories are resortinG to
social persecution. At meeting OF the st.
Georges Society OF that city held on March
3, u resolution was passed ccnsurinR Mr..
GoLDwIN SMITH, one OF its life members,
for openly expressing his conviction that
the interests OF Canadians would be ad-
vnnced by political fusion with the United
Statcs.
To appreciate the contemplate bigotry
OF this proceeding. we should recall the
object OF the st. Georges Society. bearing
in mind that the Toronto institution is but
one OF many affiliated associations bearing
the same name. These associations were
formed exclusively for benevolent purposes
and without tho slightest reference to
political sympathies. Never before has any
one OF them attempted to comment on any
members opinions or to influence the vote
OF any member at the ballot box. It is not
even q condition OF membership In these
societies that an applicant should be a
British subject On the contrary, their or
ganiZation stretches across the border aud
includes associations in the United States
as well as Canada.
These societies are primarily formed for
the relief and comfort of distress. At the
same time, it is true enough that one prac-
tical effect Of membership has been to keep
alive in the hearts OF those who recognize
England as their mother the memory OF a
land which Is the object Of their love and
pride. 1t Is ridiculous to suppose that Mr..
GOODWIN SMITH needed the stimulus OF
such an association to feel and to express
profound attachment to his native country.
Ono OF the main grounds on which he advo-
Gates continental union Is that 1t would eS-
tinguish n fruitful source OF irritation and
controversy between the two sea-divided
sections of the Anglo-Saxon race. That Ia a
matter OF tremendous import to interna-
! tional peace and civilization. and by the side
Of it. Mr.. GoLDwTE SMITH has scarcely
thought 1t worth while to name the purely
commercial fact that England would gain
| money. and not lose it, by relinquishing her
nominal control OF the Canadian Dominion
| From tho viewpoint Of an English patriot
! who thoroughly knows the history Of the
last hundred years, and who is, therefore,
qualified TO detect the germs OF future
| trouble. nothing could more greatly re-
dound TO the welfare and security OF his
mother country than tho healing Of the
! schsm of tho Angio-Saxon race upon this
continent AIr. GOODWIN SMITH may well
| say to his Tory critics at Toronto: If this
| be treason, make the most OF it,"
1t is by constitutional means and with the
| consent OF the mother country that Mr..
| GOODWIN SMITH. in common with many
other Canadians. is seeking the reunion OF
tho Engish-speaking race In North Amer
lea. 1t is not even pretended by the To-
| ronto Tories that he or those Canadians
| with whom he is associated have sought to
| bring about such reunion by means other
than constitutional. or without the consent
| OF Great Britain. II there were the slightest
pretext for a charge OF unconstitutional
agitation. we may be sure that tho charge
would be brought. That is evident from
the virucnce with which Mr.. GOODWIN
SMITH has been for years nssailed by the
Empire. the Tory organ published Mt To-
| rOnto On ole occasion til 1t newspaper I'M.
| dertook to connect his name with treason
able transaction by the publication OF a
| document which it pretended to have OBJ
tanned from a printer who had betrayed the
confidence OF his office. By a recovery OF
the genuine document Mr.. SMITH was able
to prove the Empires imputation to be
based upon fragrant forgery.
The disgust with which this fabrication
was regarded by decent men caused the
rabid Tories Of Toronto to observe for a
time moro caution in their attacks on Mr..
| GOODWIN SMITH. OF late their caution
seems to have been tempered by cow
ardice: for the adverse resolution moved In
the st. Georges Society was not intro
duccd until Mr.. SMITH was known to have
left Toronto in pursuance OF his custom to
20 southwark in winter for his health. It
has been behind his back that campaign
OF defamation has been carried on by men
who absurdly fancy themselves counter
parts of English gentlemen. unaware that
gentlemen In all countries are as careful OF
the honor OF others as they are OF their own.
The st. Georges Society OF Toronto can
not degrade Mr.. Goodwin SMITH by allow
Ing itself to be made the engine OF party
rancor and personal malice. 1t has dis
honorcd itself. however. by injecting
political intrigue and blgotry into IN
association organized for charitable and
benignant ends.