130 CANADA AND THE EMPIRE.

sympathy, tact and recognition. He is not a
dependent, and is only to be governed by consent.
Above all, he desires modernity of method and
liberty of trade. If Great Britain respects Colonial
opinion, consults Canada when Canada is concerned,
encourages Imperial patriotism, cherishes the good
name of the British Empire, and avoids ignorant
blunders and irreparable follies, if she avoids conflict
and friction, and leaves bargaining to those who
must, the Empire is permanent.
It has been well said that the Liberal party in
the past tried to lose the colonies and succeeded in
securing and establishing Imperial unity. On the
other hand, the Conservative party is making
a desperate but unnecessary attempt to define,
codify, and so to strengthen Imperial relations,
but their policy, if adopted, would rather lead to
the disruption of our Empire.