Sunday, November 11, 2007


Remembrance Day, 2007.

Greater words have rarely been spoken in the annals of Canadian public life. The last paragraph embodies the heart of all that I believe and cherish.

Sir Robert Borden's appeal for National Service: Ottawa, October 23, 1916

To the People of Canada:

The worldwide struggle in which our Empire is fighting for its rights, its liberties, and its very existence has continued for more than two years. Every effort that could honourably be made on our part to avert war was put forth with the deepest earnestness and sincerity. There was no escape from the contest save in dishonour and ultimate disaster. The wonderful extent and thoroughness of the enemy's long and careful preparation was imperfectly understood at first, and the magnitude of the struggle has surpassed all anticipation. Great Britain's first expeditionary force has been increased more than twentyfold, and that of Canada more than twelvefold. The climax of the war is rapidly approaching. The last hundred thousand men that Canada will place in the fighting line may be the deciding factor in a struggle the issue of which will determine the destiny of this Dominion, of our Empire, and of the whole world.

The most eloquent tribute would fail to do fitting honour to the youth of Canada who have already rallied so splendidly to the colours and whose heroic valour and glorious achievements have crowned this Dominion with imperishable distinction before the world. Remembering the sacrifice by which that distinction was won, we recall with solemn pride the undying memory of those who have fallen.

In the history of every people there may come such a challenge to the spirit of its citizens as must be answered in service and devotion if the nation is to have an abiding peace in the future. The events of this war bring that challenge today to the manhood of Canada.

Since the war began, more than three hundred and seventy thousand men have enlisted in this Dominion. Two hundred and fifty-eight thousand have gone overseas, and more than one hundred thousand are now in the battle line. During the first ten months of the present year, the number sent forward will aggregate one hundred and forty-one thousand. From 1st January to April 15 of this year the enlistments were at the rate of nearly one thousand per day. Up to the present, our forces have been enlisted and organized more rapidly than facilities of transportation and accommodation in Great Britain could be provided. During the past four months the number of enlistments has greatly decreased, and having regard to future needs the time has come for this appeal.

Notwithstanding the success of the allied forces in various theatres during the past summer, there is reason to know that the enemy is still strong and determined. A mightier effort than may be imagined is necessary to secure a conclusive victory. This war must have so decisive a result that lasting peace can be secured. We are fighting, not for a truce but for victory.
In all mechanical appliances which have played so great a part in this war, the allied nations have almost if not quite overtaken the enemy's standard of preparation. Therefore, the result will depend upon the organization, of the man power of the allied nations. Canada must be strong and resolute in that great endeavour.

Our strength can be most effectively thrown into this conflict by utilizing, in all our national activities for sustaining the agricultural, industrial, and commercial stability of Canada, those who through age or by reason of physical condition are not available for service at the front; to the end that we may place in the battle line the greatest possible proportion of those fit for military service. With this view the Government has asked the Director General and the Directors of National Service to undertake duties of the highest importance and urgency. It is imperative that the men and women of Canada, individually and through their various organizations, shall serve the nation in those capacities in which their services may be of the most value. Thus, it is the urgent duty of the Canadian people to join with the Government in organizing the full power of the nation in terms of human energy.

Under the responsibilities with which I am invested, and in the name of the State which we are all bound to serve, it is my duty to appeal and I do now appeal most earnestly to the people of Canada that they assist and co-operate with the Government and the Directors of National Service in the endeavour for this purpose. To men of military age I make appeal that they place themselves at the service of the State for military duty. To all others I make appeal that they place themselves freely at the disposition of their country for such service as they are deemed best fitted to perform.

And to the women of Canada, whose spirit has been so splendid and so inspiring in this hour of devotion and sacrifice, I bid Godspeed in the manifold works of beneficence in which they are now engaged, and I pray them to aid still more in every field of national service for which they may feel themselves fitted.

Let us never forget the solemn truth that the nation is not constituted of the living alone. There are those as well who have passed away and those yet to be born. So this great responsibility comes to us as heirs of the past and trustees of the future. But with that responsibility there has come something greater still, the opportunity of proving ourselves worthy of it; and I pray that this may not be lost.

Source:
Borden, Robert Laird. "The appeal for National Service." [Ottawa: Office of the Prime Minister], 1916.


4 Comments:

At 5:26 pm , Blogger Ryan said...

I'm intrigued to know your personal opinion on the First World War itself, asides from duty to King and Country that you undoubtedly hold as a traditional Conservative.

Was it a just or worthy cause?

 
At 3:34 pm , Blogger Aeneas the Younger said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

 
At 3:35 pm , Blogger Aeneas the Younger said...

ryan:

In that the German Empire provoked the British Empire numerous times between 1898 and 1914, and that Canada was proudly part of the British Empire at the time, and given that British Policy focused on two broad policy goals:

* preservation of the British Empire and;

* prevention of the rise of a single-hegemon on the European continent (a policy since at least the Napoleonic Wars ...)

... then the war can be seen as a matter of self-defence for the British Empire and thus for Canada.

Wars fought on the basis of self-defence and self-preservation are - in my opinion - always worthy and just.

The violation of Belgian neutrality provided a moral and legal (Treaty of London, 1839) pre-text for British entry into the war, but the reasons for entry were more direct than that.

The Great War was, of course, a terrible carnage, and while we should never try to force the ethics of 2007 on to the time, it remains a barbaric and tragic episode in modern History.

Having said that, and by the ethics of 1914, I feel the war was worthy and just British cause.

Now ask me if we treated the returning Soldiers and the War Widows and Orphans worthily and with due justice, and I will give you a whole other answer.

 
At 7:43 am , Blogger Ryan said...

I was going to write a long reply, telling you that I agreed, but disagreed. But it's easier to just say that.

I wouldn't agree that by the ethics of 1914 it was a worthy and just cause, however. Empire breeds unjust war, no matter which century, whether it be the Romans, Pax Britannia, or the empire of George W. Bush (which I'm sure you'd be inclined to agree with). Although, yes, the ethics of the time were different by the majority, the presence of a strong anti-war movement always suggests an alternative view that would be just as valid to argue as being contextual ethics.

Though that is not to say we should not honor the soldiers or civilians who died in the conflict. All were brave and courageous indeed. And maybe the fact that it was an unjust war suggests that they require us to honour them moreso.

 

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