CONCLUSION.

129

Imperial connections into hard cash is not a step
back from the path of Imperial progress and
prosperity, a disastrous retrogression towards the
doctrines of the dead and gone colonial school,
which it took so many years, fraught with the
loss of blood, treasure, and colonial possessions, to
eradicate,
From what we have said, the conclusion seems
to usirresistible. The only practical Imperial policy
demanded is to overcome geographical difficulties
by communications, and thus to defy sea and
mountain to separate the different parts of the
Empire.
Canada looks with scorn on an insulting attempt
to purchase her loyalty, and requires nothing to
increase her prosperity, while she fears a loss of her
independence. She desires to develop her own
trade and resources, and believes that in working
for her own welfare she is working for Imperial
welfare. She begs us to consider our interests and
to safeguard hers. Her prosperity is assured, and
she wants nothing done for her at our expense.
Her farmers are ready to face foreign competition
wherever they may meet it, her manufacturers
desire the monopoly of the home market, while her
people generally desire freedom and peace under
the British Crown. Of Great Britain the Canadian
has a right to expect tolerance, sympathy and
knowledge. An Imperial Government ignorant
of geography and disdainful of his civilisation is
abhorrent to him. He desires confidence and

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