anada came to being absorbed by the United States
in that critical period.

At that time Canada was in a peculiar position, which may be described
as "a house divided within itself," as there was no cohesion among the
scattered Provinces, each regulating its own affairs, with the exception
of Canada East and Canada West (now Quebec and Ontario) who were
governed by the same Parliament. The situation was certainly a dark and
serious one. We had subtle traitors at home and scheming enemies abroad
who labored assiduously to bring about annexation, but the stern spirit
of loyalty to the British Crown which pervaded the hearts of the people
as a whole, and the wise statesmanship of that noble group of patriots
whose names will go ringing down through the corridors of time in the
existence of our nation as "The Fathers of Confederation," saved the
situation, and made Canada what it is to-day, a heritage of which our
sons and daughters may well feel proud.

It was during the year 1866 that the apostles of Confederation were busy
educating the people of the different Provinces in the creed of that
very desirable proposition. While they met serious opposition in some
portions of what is now our grand Dominion, yet in others the proposal
was received favorably, while one or two of the Provinces expressed an
antipathy to the movement. But just at this time two important events
occurred which had a material bearing on the question, and had an effect
in bringing about the Union. The first was the sudden abrogation by the
United States of the Reciprocity Treaty which for some years had existed
between the Canadian Provinces and that country, and the second the
Fenian Raid. Each of these events sent a thrill through the
Canadian people which fired their hearts and settled the project
of Confederation. The necessity of united action in defence, and
co-operation in other matters for the benefit of the whole, was heartily
admitted, and forthwith the Provinces joined hands and hearts in
bringing about its early consummation. The full meaning of the motto,
"United we Stand--Divided we Fall," was realized by the majority, and
the necessary legislation was carried through the several Provincial
Parliaments that year, which received Imperial sanction, and resulted in
the birth of the Dominion of Canada on July 1st, 1867.

While the campaign for Confederation was in progress, and its stalwart
advocates were using their best endeavors through