le find more immediate and more
complete expression than in our Dominion. With us political liberty is
both a heritage and an achievement, a heritage from our forefathers who
made this Empire what it is, and an achievement of our own people led by
great and wise statesmen. This priceless possession of liberty we shall
never surrender, for the nation that surrenders its liberty, no matter
what other possessions it may retain, has lost its soul."

The address concluded with an appeal to the people for loyal devotion
to the daily duties of life in their various relations as members of
families, members of the community, citizens of the Province and of the
Dominion. In the applause that followed the conclusion of this address,
even old McTavish was observed to contribute his share with something
amounting almost to enthusiasm.

CHAPTER XI

THE SHADOW OF WAR

It was finally agreed that a part at least of the responsibility for the
disturbance which marred the harmony of the Dominion Day celebration at
Wolf Willow upon this occasion must rest on the shoulders of Mr. Alvin
P. Jones. The impressive presentation by Mr. Gilchrist of Canada's
greatness and the splendour of her future appeared to stimulate Mr.
Jones to unusual flights of oratory. Under ordinary circumstances Mr.
Jones' oratory was characterised by such extraordinary physical vigour,
if not violence, and by such a fluency of orotund and picturesque
speech, that with the multitude sound passed for eloquence and
platitudes on his lips achieved the dignity of profound wisdom. Building
upon the foundation laid by the previous speaker, Mr. Jones proceeded to
extol the grandeur of the Dominion, the wonders of her possessions, the
nobility of her people, the splendour of her institutions, the glory of
her future. He himself was not by birth a Canadian, but so powerful a
spell had the Dominion cast over him that he had become a Canadian by
adoption. Proud of his American birth and citizenship, he was even more
proud of his Canadian citizenship. He saw before him a large number of
American citizens who had come to throw in their lot with the Dominion
of Canada. He believed they had done a wise thing, and that among the
most loyal citizens of this Dominion none would be found more devoted to
the material welfare and the spiritual well-being of Canada than those
who came from the other side of the line. He saw a number of those
who were sometimes improperly called fo