He
was thought a level-headed fellow who didn't expect
miracles; his forecast in most matters was quoted, and
his defeats at the polls had been to some extent neutralized
by his sagacity in computing the returns in advance.
So that we may safely follow Mr Winter to the conclusion
that the Liberals of South Fox were somewhat put to it
to select a successor to Robert Farquharson who could be
depended upon to keep the party credit exactly where he
found it. The need was unexpected, and the two men who
would have stepped most naturally into Farquharson's
shoes were disqualified as Winter described. The retirement
came at a calculating moment. South Fox still declared
itself with pride an unhealthy division for Conservatives;
but new considerations had thrust themselves among Liberal
counsels, and nobody yet knew what the country would say
to them. The place was a "Grit" strong-hold, but its
steady growth as an industrial centre would give a new
significance to the figures of the next returns. The
Conservative was the manufacturers' party, and had been
ever since the veteran Sir John Macdonald declared for
a protective "National Policy," and placed the plain
issue before the country which divided the industrial
and the agricultural interests. A certain number of
millowners--Mr Milburn mentioned Young and Windle--belonged
to the Liberals, as if to illustrate the fact that you
inherit your party in Canada as you inherit your
"denomination," or your nose; it accompanies you, simply,
to the grave.
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