Page:Canadian Appeal for the Widows and Orphans of the South African War.djvu/1



I feel that there has been conferred upon me a distinguished honour in the invitation to address you for a few moments this evening upon a subject so dear, I am sure, to the hearts of all of those within sound of my voice, and of thrilling interest and importance to every citizen of Canada who can from the heart say, "This is my own, my native land," and who delights to hear not once, but oft repeated, the story of the heroic deeds of those of his own soil, who have crossed the sea to fight the common battle for the common heritage.

My theme is not a contentious one. There is no room for argument respecting it. There are not (to use a familiar expression), two sides to it. It affords no basis for heated discussion such as sometimes has been heard within these walls. There is absolute unanimity here, no dissent or disputation, not a word, not a sound of disapproval: but on the contrary heartfelt, atfectionate, intense accord when I give utterance to this sentiment—Love fervent, un-ending love, this day pours forth for our illustrious fellow countrymen who are fighting and dying to maintain unsullied and untarnished the honour and glory of the British Empire on the hills and dales of Southern Africa.

Our hearts were stirred with deepest pride, pride of our country, pride of its sons, (and how natural the feeling), when the news flashed under the sea and over the wires that these young men, fresh from peaceful vocations, untutored in the arts of war, mere tyros in military accomplishments, lacking wholly that knowledge which only comes from practical experience, had taken a foremost place, the place of danger and of death with the most thoroughly trained "soldiers of the Queen." and with heroic valour had precipitated themselves upon the foe.

I do not think I am making a rash statement, or one for which I could properly or fairly be rebuked, when I say thar the history of civilized nations will be searched in vain for the discovery of an instance of greater enthusiasm in a case where, as here, sentimental considerations, (as distinct from material advantages), largely prevailed, than that exhibited when by our own voluntary act, at the hint of danger to Victoria's Crown and Imperial Sway, the flower of Canadian youth and chivalry eagerly, joyously, went forth to meet the onslaught of a