..
"But the alternative before Canada is not a mere choice
of markets; we are confronted with a much graver issue.
In this matter of dealing with our neighbour our very
existence is involved. If we would preserve ourselves as
a nation, it has become our business, not only to reject
American overtures in favour of the overtures of our own
great England, but to keenly watch and actively resist
American influence, as it already threatens us through
the common channels of life and energy. We often say that
we fear no invasion from the south, but the armies of
the south have already crossed the border. American
enterprise, American capital, is taking rapid possession
of our mines and our water power, our oil areas and our
timber limits. In today's Dominion, one paper alone, you
may read of charters granted to five industrial concerns
with headquarters in the United States. The trades unions
of the two countries are already international. American
settlers are pouring into the wheat-belt of the Northwest,
and when the Dominion of Canada has paid the hundred
million dollars she has just voted for a railway to open
up the great lone northern lands between Quebec and the
Pacific, it will be the American farmer and the American
capitalist who will reap the benefit. They approach us
today with all the arts of peace, commercial missionaries
to the ungathered harvests of neglected territories; but
the day may come when they will menace our coasts to
protect their markets--unless, by firm, resolved,
whole-hearted action now, we keep our opportunities for
our own people.
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