New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-25
AN AMERICAN LIE 1IoN IN CANADA

tFrou The Toronto Gi0bcJ
The tables are turned A half century $40
in the awful tragedy of the Civil War in d,
United States, many thousands Of Canadian
crossed the lines, enlisted in American req
ments, and fought for freedom and humanity
on all the great bsttlefelds Of the Repsbk
To-day a new battalion is being organized n
the Dominion, the 97th Of Canada. compose
wholly, throughout all its ranks, Of men bon
within the United States. Those men NOR
than eleven hundred officers and men are p.
listing for overseas service in the army .
Canada on the battlefelds Of Europe Tas
will be known as "The American Legon
And they also. in their turn, will tight for ii'
ever sacred rights Of freedom and humanity
Back OF all this, alike in Canada and y
the United States, there is something o. he
profoundest significance TO the democracy q
North America.
The other day there died in Toronto .
Canadian veteran Of the Civil War wis
fought under General Meade at the decsH
battle Of Gettysburg. Several years ago b
was one OF dozen members OF the Torohp
post of the Grand Army of the Republic, sh
met one day in "The Globe" Office They ws'
representative Of contingents Of Carax'.
who fought in Lincoln's armies; in the ARM
Of the Potomac, in the Army OF the James,
the Army of the Cumberland in the Army
the Tennessee, and in the Army Of the h'
Grande. They had their story, each man ~
bit. told after the way Of the soldier Shos'
memory Is undimmed through fifty yesn
And they had stories of their Canadian con
rades in arms. Some Of those Canada"
fought with Grant at Vicksburg. some WIZ
Thomas at Chickamauga, some with C8'H
in the West, some with Meade at Getiy''vE
some with Sheridan in the Shenandoah s'"'
with Sherman on his march to the sea
The military archives al Washington r'c'"
some $4,000 Canadian enlistments during w
years Of the Civil War, and tell OF more 'a',
$4,000 Canadian casualties IN defence
American citizenship and for the integrity
the American Union. Some Of those Canals"
languished in the Libby Prison. and OMEN
like +. ". Thompson, who afterSard se''"
for years as an editorial writer on }"
Globe" suffered the horrors Of the Andefs0'
willie camp. They fought for Lincoln ana ''
cause Of liberty under the Stars and S'rN'
but, in death as in life. the Gag o. W'"
Canadian hearts was the Union jack
In that day, and through that Ciyl "" "
the United States. Canada as a nation -
neutral, and thousands of law-a0ding so'A
en citizens found homes and peaceful ''V
lection under the Canadian flag; ol
mind OF the Canadian people was not ne'r
nor. when the controversy ceased 70 % g.
state rights against federal sovereign!
became a struggle for human ngf"
civilization. were the sympsth,es o.
dams held in suspense. They could "'
The honor Of humanity and the 'n'.'
Of civilization in North America 'e'
peril and a. stake.
To-day. and fronting tho worlds SAL
rope. the United States a. a nation '
ua! is still neutral; but the n''d OF
great bod, Of the American people
comes up against tho uncovered '-e"
estimates the supreme issues. D. no. 's'
cannot much longer even pretend 90
trail. In the judgment hall Of the N"e Il,
mind there can be no neutrality eNesP -
moral Indifference. II b. for or y is as a,
As never before in the worlds h'sioP =.
honor OF humanity, all the noble liber'is, -.
all the rights Of the innocent and me oe'' -
less, for which the name OF Nssa',s ~
stands and for which Lincoln agonliea ~
to-day trembling in the balanc, Of The S''
war. ~
With Belgium in the asssssin'S GRIP =,
Poland under he opprcssor's heel WV -
bia crucfed and slaughtered ArmcnS
ing at every pore. and with democr'o =,
world over mcnaccd by desporsm. Is -
wonder that the sons Of Americans "h0 =,
th-' The slave might be free are crossing !,
border to join Canadians under the 80.
Jack. as Canadians once crossed to JON A'
leans under the Stars and Stripes. III
The American Legion N Canada's arm! AZ,
be u pledge Of North America 10 the "''
democracy.