had been in Washington during one period of the Civil War. He noted
what he thought was the great defect of the American system, and he
attributed the Civil War to that defect--namely, that all powers not
specifically delegated to the federal government were supposed to rest
with the states. Therefore, when Canada formed her federation of
isolated provinces, Sir John and the other famous Fathers of
Confederation reversed the American system. All power not specifically
delegated to the provinces was supposed to rest with the Dominion.
Only strictly local affairs were left with the provinces. Trade,
commerce, justice, lands, agriculture, labor, marriage laws, waterways,
harbors, railways were specifically put under Dominion control.


IV

Now, stand back and contemplate the situation confronting the new
federation:

Canada's population was less than half the present population of the
state of New York; not four million. That population was scattered
over an area the size of Europe.[1] To render the situation doubly
dark and doubtful the United States had just entered on her career of
high tariff. That high tariff barred Canadian produce out. There was
only one intermittent and unsatisfactory steamer service across the
Atlantic. There was none at all across the Pacific. British
Columbians trusted to windjammers round the Horn. Of railroads binding
East to West there was none. A canal system had been begun from the
lakes and the Ottawa to the St. Lawrence, but this was a measure more
of national defense than commerce. Crops were abundant, but where
could they be sold? I have heard relatives tell how wheat in those