n
Parliament and many of them. None but a slave will consent to a
Parliament dominated by any group, whether farmers, manufacturers,
lawyers or labourites. Democracy means free government on behalf of the
people; not on behalf of a great group which arrogates by organized
majorities the right to represent the people. Agrarianism is not a
nation-wide interest. Quebec has more to hope from the Government now in
power than from the farmers. Ontario cannot elect a clear working
majority of farmers. It is the West and the West only, which has become
Agrarianism rampant. And according to the new officialdom of the West
the farmer must save us all. Elect him to Administration and he will
open the golden gates of real prosperity by establishing a maximum of
free trade, on the assumption that our present protective investment in
great railways (two of them bankrupt), in banks, industries and
speculative land is all wrong.

The prospect glitters. Mr. Crerar is not dazzled. He sees with a calm
and collective gaze into the future. He contemplates with profound
elation the scrapping of our present system built by experience, and the
setting up of another which makes theories a substitute. Nothing is
difficult to a revolutionist. Crerar's success in building Agrarian
grand opera is a mere augury in his mind to still greater success in
rebuilding a nation, which he thinks is the same thing because the farmer
is the nation; and a nation is the easiest thing in the world to
revolutionize so long as you do not obliterate its institutions. We are
not expected to abolish Commons, or Cabinets, or even the poor old
Senate--until further notice. Mr. Crerar may need them all in his
business. "For this relief much thanks!" Mr. Crerar is not to be
nicknamed Cromwell.

The repeal of the Underwood Tariff and the Agrarian majority in Medicine
Hat gave him great joy. The prospect for a farmer victory in the general
election is to him almost certain by some form of coalition--perhaps with
the Liberals; possibly with Labourites. In 1920 a man very close to
Crerar estimated a return of 75 National Progressives in a total of 235
had the election been held at that time. Since then farmer prospects
have bulled on the market. Alberta has gone Agrarian, following Medicine
Hat. Organization has been extended. The old Liberalism on the prairies
has been absorbed. Dafoe, of the _Free Press_, has swung into line with
Crerar. There is