28 CANADA AND THE EMPIRE.

is opposed to the Canadianism they cherish. The
“Imperial” campaign itself is thus feeding the
“ Canada for the Canadians ” attitude.
There is a body of men belonging to the Conservative
 party in Canada which, though neither
very numerous nor particularly influential, has yet
made its voice heard more loudly in England
upon this question than many larger and more
important bodies. It is the only body in Canada
which has given Mr. Chamberlain its whole-hearted
support. At its head stand the United Empire
Loyalists, a little knot of gallant men whose family
histories form a record of devotion and self-sacrifice
to the cause of Empire unsurpassed in the annals
of any country. They are descended from the
men who, when the United States won their
independence, remained true to Britain, and, sacrificing
 all they possessed, marched into Canada in
order to remain under the British flag. They
are inspired by a fervent loyalty to the Empire
for which they have suffered so much, and
intense hatred of the United States, the cause of
their sufferings. In Mr. Chamberlain’s scheme they
see the means of gratifying both sentiments. They
are not moved by the commercial side of the
question, for few of them are engaged in commerce.
They would be prepared to go to extreme lengths
to ensure to Britain an adequate return for a preference
 in the British market. But where they fail
politically is that they are inclined to regard all
Canadians as being as ready as they themselves