The sun., 1907-08-25

forth, our author contends that America
had reason to congratulate herself upon the
northern campaign. He points out that
only the colonial invasion Of Canada pre-
vented Carleton from regaining the Oom-
maDd Of Lake Champlain, rolling up sub
stantial force and coming south In I775; the
eject OF such movement upon the situation
in that year and the next would have been
serious, perhaps decisive. The invasion did
still more for the Colonies. IL caused d.
vision Of the British strength, which other
wise would very likely have been cOncen-
/ trated against us. as a wedge OF steel. at
New York. Prof. Smith thinks that other
fruits ripened on the same thorny tree. The
early successes gained at the north in
spirited the patriots and attracted voIun-
teers 20 the ranks. Such bright instances OF
heroism as those exhibited by Montgomery
and Arnold set an example for the Americans
and ennobled them in the eyes OF the world.
The martyrs blood proved seed for the
cause. Even the common people, who sell
dom perceive a principle until il strikes
them, came 10 realize the value Of discipline
and the evil Of short enlistments. The idea
that military officers ought to manage
actions In the field after the manner Of a
caucus gave way in Congress TO a saving
belief in the authority Of Commandcr-in-
Chief. The meaning of war and some
knowledge Of It's methods got abroad, as
could not result from an irregular fight like
Bunker Hill or a mere investment like that
around Boston. Not a few Dolunteers had
time to graduate as veterans. Sterling
officers had q chance to show themselves and
qualify before the real tussle began, while
on the other hand many clever, pretentious
rogues who had got into uniforms for the
sake Of the buttons, the sword and the
epauIettes were sterply sifted out. The
manufacture Of munitions and equipments
gained a start. In q word, the Canada
struggle was a dress rehearsal for the war.
It revealed weak points; II made plain some
things that could be done and some that could
not; and perhaps it's failure was a schooling
that made the Revolution succeed.
BY way Of explaining an assertion that
may seem a paradox. Prof. Smith proceeds
to argue that from a political point OF view
the Canada campaign created q COM
pulsive. common interest and helped
evolve q nation In several other ways,
particularly two. The first Of these was
internal. At the beginning Of the northern
campaign. the colonies addressed one an
other almost as though they were foreign
States. Repeatedly during the Stress
troubles and disappointments Of those
campaigns provincial jealousies did great
and patent mischief; but at their close.
before the real war began, Congress in
structed Schuyler to recommend in the
strongest terms harmony between the
officers and troops of the different States:
to disoountenance and repress all provin- |
cial reflections and mgenerous jealousies
OF every kind. and to promote by every
possible means discipline. order and zeal |
in the public service
This our author would pronounce a |
lesson not too dearly learned. He further |
maintains that from an external point |
OF view also the war in Canada helped to |
lead confused agitation to it's logical |
goal. One after another, step by step, |
q series OF exigencies not met with at Cam l
bridge but brought out in the northern |
campaign drew Congress and the country |
toward a plain issue: Independence or sub
lection. Events in Canada taught that
the army must have a flag and the colonies
must have Constitutions. Our Declara-
ton OF Independence has given vigor to
the spirits OF the people, wrote Samuel
Adams. and he added that had this de-
Cisive measure been taken nine months
ago it N my opinion that Canada would
now have been In our hands Joseph
Hawley. -the Nestor Of the Massachusetts,
patriots.' on hearing Of the flight Of the
Americans from Quebec exclaimed: will
your Congress now delay for moment the
most explicit declaration OF independence?'
The fact that such leaders understood what
aid such a measure would give tended to
bring IL about. Our author. indeed. submits
that were there nothing else to say for the
abortive campaign in Canada.
except that IL served as the background for
the Declaration OF Independence, IL was
fully worth what IL cost. In spite OF
many human frailties displayed in the
struggle. the lofty patriotism. the keen
the bold initiative. the daunt-
less courage and the splendid fortitude
which also were exhibited there made II q
At prologue TO our whole national career
while. ~ II in response. the bell OF the first
glorious Fourth rang in a new era, not
only for the sauce ~ .elf- government but
for the hopes OF those-and thew were
not few-who still dreamed Of securing
Canada"