e defence of himself. He said:--

The question of the Clergy Reserves, or in other words, of a
dominant ecclesiastical establishment in this Province, embracing
one or more Churches, has been a topic of public discussion for
nearly twenty years. For thirty years after the creation of Upper
Canada (in 1783) there was no ecclesiastical establishment in the
country, except in the letter of an Act of Parliament. During that
time there was no weakening of the hands of Government by
discussing the question of a dominant church.... But from the time
that the Episcopal clergy commenced the enterprise of
ecclesiastical supremacy in the Province, there has been civil and
religious discord. The calumnious and persecuting measures they
have pursued from time to time to accomplish their purpose, I need
not enumerate. For twelve years I have sought to restore peace to
the Province, by putting down their pretensions. I have varied in
the means I have employed, but never in the end I have had in view,
as I have always avowed to them and their partizans, and to the
Colonial and Imperial Governments, on every suitable occasion.

It was a favourite weapon of attack to denounce as rebels and
republicans all those who opposed the exclusive claims of the then
representatives of the Church of England. And this stigma was, in 1838,
a personal and social one which every person to whom it was applied
resented. But the more such persons resented the charge of disloyalty
the more was the charge reiterated, and they were harassed and denounced
as "radicals" and "republicans."

In repelling this unfounded charge, Dr. Ryerson did not descend to
vindication or explanation. He became in turn the assailant, and began
to "carry the war into Africa." With scorn and invective he replied to
the charge, and showed that his opponents, with all their boasting and
professions of loyalty, had failed to render the necessary aid in time
of need. Thus: It has been said that I prevented the militia from
turning out when first called upon.... It is true that I did not exhort
any one to volunteer.... One reason ... was that I desired to have the
country furnished with a practical illustration of high-church
patriotism and loyalty in the hour of need. The _Church_ and the
_Patriot_ had boasted of their multitudes; but those multitudes
shrivelled into a Falstaff's company in an hour w