tion.

Is it something in the soul; a habit of discouragement; of marking
time; of fighting shy on the defensive instead of jumping into the
aggressive; of self-derogation; of criticism instead of construction;
of foreshortened vision? A diagnosis can be made from symptoms. I set
down a few of the symptoms. There may be many more, and the thinker
must trace up--a surgeon would "guess"--his own diagnosis.

IV

If it were not such a tiresome task, it could be shown from actual
quotations that there is not a paper published in Canada that at some
time during the year does not deliver itself of sentiments regarding
the United States which may be paraphrased thus: "We thank God we are
not as Thou art!" Now the point may be well taken; and Canada should
be thankful to God (and keep her powder dry) that crimes are punished,
that innocence is protected, that vice is not a factor in civic
government; but it is a dangerous attitude for any people to assume
toward another nation. It does not turn the soul-searchings in on
self. It does not get down beneath the skin of things; down, for
instance, beneath a hide of self-righteousness to meanness or nobility
of motive. A big ship always has barnacles; the United States is a big
ship, and she keeps her engine going and her speed up and in the main
her prow headed to a big destiny. It ill becomes a little ship to bark
out--but let it be left unsaid!

While this curious assumption of superiority exists internationally,
there is the most contradictory depreciation nationally. "We," they
say, "are only a little people." So was Switzerland. So was Greece.
So was Belgium. So, indeed, were the Jews.

You never mention a Jim Hill, a Doctor Osler, a Schurman, a Graham
Bell--or a host of similar famous expatriates--in a Canadian gathering
but some one utters with a pride of gratulation that fairly beams from
the face: "They are Canadians." Canada is proud these famous men are
Canadians. It has always struck me as curious that she wasn't
ashamed--ashamed that she lost their services from her own
nation-building. To my personal knowledge three of these men had to
borrow the money to leave Canada. Their services were worth untold
wealth to other lands. Their services did not give them a living in
Canada.

At time of writing--with only three exceptions--Canada imports the
presidents of her great universities; though she exports some of the
greatest presidents and deans wh