The Dominion in 1983 | Page 7

in New York by an unemployed foreign artisan, the
night before, while leaving a mansion on Fifth Avenue. Troubles
between labor and capital, which had been brewing for some time, had
broken out in several manufacturing centres, and were threatening to
spread to all large cities. The money market was showing signs of
considerable derangement. Fearful storms and floods were chronicled
from all parts; while last, but not least, three transports which had
embarked the greater part of the "army," at San Francisco, that was to
have "delivered" British Columbia, had foundered in a hurricane only
two miles out, dragging all the poor deluded fellows to a watery grave.

The same day brought good news from the old world. Ireland's great
statesman had won for Britain a wonderful diplomatic triumph in the
East, which added to the Empire, without a drop of blood being shed,
territories extending from the confines of British India to the
Mediterranean. All the leading men in Europe (so the despatch read)
were astonished at the exhibition of so much moral force in the Old
Country after they had been imagining the Empire as about to go to
pieces under the recent terrible strain. Other good news which had its
effect here was that for Ireland there had at last been found men who
understood her wants, and what was better, whom she herself
understood, so that she considered herself as having just embarked
upon a new career of glory as an integral and indispensable part of the
Empire.
The effect of all this information on the electors of Canada was very
marked. The demagogues who elevated themselves upon barrels or
waggons and buggies to spout their frothy nonsense to the public, could
get but few listeners, though only twenty-four hours ago applauding
crowds would have assembled. Their hold on the people was gone;
every one was reading the papers or discussing the startling news.
Many men who the day before were noisily advocating everything
disloyal and rebellious, were silent and thoughtful. Men who had
remained loyal to Canada all through quickly seized the occasion and
appealed to the people to stand firm to the Dominion, pointing out the
uncertainty of affairs in the States and contrasting them with the vitality
and power of the Old Country, doubly powerful now that Ireland had
obtained perfect satisfaction and was contented. The election resulted
in a complete triumph for the government, and was a most satisfactory
vindication of their policy. The ranks of the Opposition were broken up
and their forces demoralized. Not a word was heard about annexation
that night unless in scorn.
The heart of the young nation was stirred to its very depths during the
next two months, while a most sublime period in our history was being
passed through. The would-be invaders of Canada were determined not
to be baulked in their enterprise, the movement having gone too far to
collapse suddenly, and perhaps the leaders had not sufficient foresight
to see that the troubles rising in the States must necessarily get worse
before they were better, and take several years to subside; perhaps they

did not realize fully the new unanimity of public feeling in Canada.
Anyhow the activity of their preparations did not lessen, but rather
increased, and the commencement of offensive operations was
postponed so that they might be more complete. Disloyalty was no
longer popular in Ontario or in any other province, in fact among all
who had been disaffected a reaction and revulsion of feeling set in, in
favor of intense loyalty to the Dominion, and a most felicitous union
was effected between the Conservatives and Reformers. The common
danger brought all parties together, forgetful of old prejudices, and the
old bitter hatred grew less and less until its final extinction. Henceforth
there was but one party with but one object in view--the welfare of the
Dominion.
Every able-bodied man in Canada between the ages of 20 and 45 was
under drill, and the country was fully prepared and fully expecting to
undertake the invaders without outside assistance, but Great Britain
being in no danger now in Europe, despatched 12,000 men to Canada,
and with her recovered prestige was enabled to remonstrate forcibly
with the Washington Government concerning American connivance.
The British remonstrances had the desired effect, for the American
authorities promptly arrested the leaders of the "army of deliverance,"
though by so doing they aroused the animosity of many of their own
supporters. The "army" then speedily fell away and all danger was over.
Of course the benefit to Canada of having had the national feeling so
deeply stirred was incalculable, for all classes of men in all the
provinces had been animated by the profoundest sentiments and the
strongest determination possible, and it was the opinion of leading
military