for the momentous achievements and excellence of which it has been the arena, for its moral and intellectual improvement, and for the share it has taken in the relief and delivery of the nations from difficulty, want or distress.
If these feelings animate us, a sympathy indestructible will attract us to our own beloved land. Our imaginations will be aroused, and all the passions which inspire and give vigor in the hour of dnager will awaken at her command, and be devoted to her serivce to the end, and until time for us shall have been annihilated.
Let us see to it that we “do our duty as a man is bound to do,” bury in the grave of oblivion the animosities of the past, respect the feelings and the honorable yearnings of others, deal kindly with the prejudices of all, sink beyond all hope of resurrection the differences between race and creed that sometimes tax to its utmost the statesman's skill to adjust, and from this course of action incalculable benefit will be the inevitable result.
It may be, it doubtless is the fact, that difficulties will arise that must be met, and obstacles present themselves that must be surmounted, but what of that to a determined and courageous people? All obstructions to perfect peace and complete contentment will fade away before the enthusiastic pursuit of justice and of truth as darkness disappears in the effulgence of the rising sun.
Banish distrust and suspicion, and the way is open to a realization of our not unreasonable hope that Canada may shortly attain to that position among the nations of the earth for which her infinite resources, and the thrift and enterprise of her people amply qualify her, and continue to be the bright particular star of that mighty Empire, upon whose dominions the sun never sets.
Then there will be justification for almost limitless rejoicing. Flowing like a gentle and pellucid stream from that determination to bear and forbear, permanent union and undoubted harmony will, of a certainty, ensue, and when such a condition has been reached, it passes the wit of man to form even an approximate idea of what may be the possibilities for this “Canada of Ours,” but this we may, without being regarded as wildly extravagant in our views or unduly optimistic, safely predict, that ere many years have passed away we shall have succeeded in constructing upon this portion of the American continent a nation that will command the repsect and provoke the admiration of the world.
If we of this assemblage have taken a part, no matter how humble, in this glorious work, it will bring to us a sensation of satisfaction and pride, and we shall have gratified a noble and natural ambition, and perchance be excited to still more exalted aspirations by the consciousness that we have performed our duty, “as a man is bound to do,” to the land in which our dearest interest are centered, and around whose name and fame we long so much to see encircled the garland of imperishable renown.
