SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CANADIAN MIGRATION 823
industry ; the one strong, hopeful, independent ; the other weak, fearful of the future, fettered. This is not a pleasing picture for those who shout imperialism loud. Imperialism as a sentiment is grand ; as a practical solution of pressing political and economic problems it is valueless, Utopian, a dream of poets ; not a practical program for practical people. What the farmers of the maritime provinces need is a near-by market for their butter and eggs, fish, fruit, and vegetables ; not a man to represent them in the British Parliament in the far-away future. Boston is the natural market; but the tariff eats the profits. The only reasonable receiving- station for the produce of these provinces is Boston. There are no Canadian cities of any size near by. Montreal and Toronto, besides being too far away, are amply supplied from surrounding agri- cultural communities. Everyone admits the need of better trade relations between the two countries; and it likewise should be patent to all that the only satisfactory trade relations which will ever exist will come through political union. The provinces west of the Rockies and east of the Laurentians are certainly bound by ties of nature and necessity to the United States, whatever may be said of the intervening territory. Infant and invalid industries would grow and strengthen when nurtured by American capital and enterprise. Galicians and Doukhobors and the fostering care of a nation across the sea will never make a great country of Canada ; but a grand future awaits the people if they will but cast in their lot with their cousins who have made such a success of self-government. Canada for the Canadians is a myth; Canada for the British is dwarfing; while America for the Americans a continental state is the hope of the future. Then speed the day when Old World rule shall be withdrawn from the North American continent, and we may all Canadians at home, Canadians in the United States, and American citizens be one family ; one in policy and government, as we are now one in ideals and interests.
ANNIE MARION MACLEAN.
CHICAGO.
