Peace
into Canadian language. He gave Canada a voice in Europe. He did try
so far as one man might to play up to the voice given to Canada by the
dead in Flanders. In the big occasion when great tumult of forces were
rushing to a climax Rowell rose to the opportunity--as he always has
done--and he earned the lasting gratitude of his country. We needed
just that intellectual power and that moral audacity, not only in
Europe but in Washington.

Yes, N. W. Rowell has made a big use of opportunity. He has even
created it. But it was seldom the little simple thing at his door that
roused his great qualities. It was the bigger issue that lay out among
the mountain tops. He was overwhelmingly eloquent for the universal
eight-hour day when he attended the International Labour Conference in
Washington. The League of Nations had recommended it. But what of the
cheap-labour competition in the Orient? And what did Mr. Rowell know
about Industry and Democracy at all?

Mr. Rowell made a bold bid for recognition as a statesman of
international repute. And he got it. His speeches on the Empire were
consistently a greater voice than Borden ever could have had. The
colleague of the Premier became his Imperial master because he had the
power which Borden lacked, of making the British world-Commonwealth
live in great public utterances.

What a journey had this man travelled now from "Is That You Daddy?" in
Queen's Park!

And it may be sensibly asked--What was his great intention? Canada is
interested to know what is "the big idea" in this man's mind.
Corporation law cannot contain him now. He has tried his strength and
knows it. He knows that other men know it.

Once during the derelict days of the Coalition it was rumoured that
Rowell on a Western trip would sketch out a new leadership--for
himself. But he was not a man to throw Borden overboard. He had a
profound respect for the Premier, who had made great use of him.

Perhaps, if only Rowell had been born Conservative instead of a
Win-the-War Liberal converted into a Coalitionist, the Premier might
have called him to succeed. We know not. There was a predicament.
White, Meighen, Rowell--all must be considered. There was the
Washington post, if ever it should come to be. Did Mr. Rowell ever
intimate that he wanted either of these? Nobody has said. But Sir
Robert was wise at least not to have offered him the Premiership. Too
long had that been the office