WHAT BRITAIN MIGHT DO. 101

when he chooses and if he chooses. It is in this
kind of bond alone that the many races and many
interests of which Canada is composed find common
ground for satisfaction and loyal adherence. If
any alteration is to be made in the nature of the
Imperial tie, no alteration that does not guarantee
to the Canadian fully as much liberty as he at
present enjoys will meet with his approval.
But to reiterate the impossibility of Mr. Chamberfain’s
 scheme should not be the whole duty of
those who are interested in the welfare of the
Empire. We do not propose to depart from our
alternative Imperial policy—that of leaving freedom
 of government and of trade arrangements
to each colony and of trusting to the loose
elastic bonds of sympathy and respect. But our
Imperial policy requires manifestation by something
 more than mere declaration, it demands
definite action to prove that it is undoubtedly a
live policy. There are certain conditions under
which a policy of negation becomes a policy of
construction. It is so often inquired, If you are
not going to do this, what are you going to do?
Nothing ? And the complete answer seems to us
to be: We are not going to depart from our past
policy, but we are going to do our utmost to remain
sensible of the responsibilities our policy imposes
upon us. By this means we shall demonstrate to
all whom it may concern that whilst we believe Free
Trade essential to our prosperity, and freedom to
make their own trade arrangements essential to the