Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-27
CANADIANS WINNING GRAFTON
French Contestant for Honor Lauds Latin and Saxon
Influence in Development of Dominion.

lows each religious group to live accord
ing to its aspirations, assuring, how
ever, the contribution of every one TO
the common good of the nation. Do
we not owe to the federal system our
liberty in unity, our peace and good I'M
derstanding. in spite of the diverse
ideals of our populations?
The Canadian nation has a special
ethnic composition which assures her
great advantages Two remarkable
geniuses are to be found. namely the
Latin genius and the Saxon genius.
The Saxon genius. appanage of the
English, is the true commercial and
practical animating spirit. The Latin
genius. on the contrary, is literary and
philosophical 1t is ours, French
Canadians This genius unites us in
timately with France by means of
bonds, no longer political, but intellec-
tual and moral. What benefits must
our country derive from two geniuses
so different? For long while, a
struggle, useless as much as unfortunate.
troubled our national peace and de-
layed our prosperity. Fortunately this
national rivalry seems to be passing
away. Harmony between the two races
will be a sure guarantee of develop
ment; for if the practical genius of the
English unites itself to the intellectual
genius of the French, together they will
make of the Canadian nation a nation
both original and complete. This is
what we possess interiorly.
Exteriorlv, the ethnic situation OF
Canada furnishes her the indispensable
alliance of her two mother countries,
England remains strong and powerful
country in commercial life. Thus she
will be a precious help to our own COM
marcial advancement, for our country.
which has immense resources needs all
the possible means to exploit them.
France, notwithstanding her past hard
ships. always exercises a considerable
intellectual prestige over the world,
United to these two people, We shall
share their influence.
Today we speak the two most pre-
vailing languages in the world: Eng
fish is the language Of commerce, while
French is that If diplomacy, which as
sures the most intimate relations with
the great nations in the discussion of
international problems. Is it not on
account of these prerogatives OF Ian
guages that one Of our own has been
elected to the presidency of the League
OF Nations?
Here is, ladies and gentlemen. what
we are and what the work OF past gen.
erationS has won for us. What must be
said of the history Of people young
and strong, descending from two glo-
rious nations and who fought without
f1inching for its liberty and its tights?
What must be said of plead OF pollt-
ical men, Of journalists. Of orators, OF
soldiers who have made a great nation
of a small colony? Lastly, what must
be said of the history of two races, diff
fering In character, tongue and faith,
who unite their intelligence and their
efforts for common cause. that is, the
greatness of their country? We must
confess that this history Is beautiful,
that it is sublime. It is more than a
history, it is an epopee! 1t is the in
heritance that our forefathers left us.
It is the fruit of their labor, Of their
struggles, of their heroism. 1t is the
gift of their hearts. In a word, 1t is
their share. 1t is our turn now to act
in consequence. We are conscious that
the condition of our country is the most
favorable of ALL May we keep it intact
and derive benefit from 1t! May we
complete the union Of these nations in
Canada! 1t is especially our duty,
young men in the twenties, who are
rightly called the hopes OF tomorrow, to
bear the light, enkindled by our ances-
tors, to future generations, consecratlng
our minds and our hearts to that noble
task. In our turn, let US do something
for our country SO that chose coming
after US may find Canada more pros
porous and powerful, and still more
glorious among. the nations OF the
world!