launched reciprocity as a political dodge, he would have sounded public
opinion and learned that it was no longer with him on tariff
concessions; but because he was absolutely sincere in his belief in the
Cobden-Bright Gospel of Free Trade, he rode for a second time to a
humiliating fall. A trimmer would have sounded public opinion and
pretended to lead it while really following. Laurier believed he was
right and launched out on that belief.


IV

There was probably never at any time a more conspicuous example of
politicians mistaking a rear lantern for a headlight. I had come East
from a six months' tour of the northwestern states and Northwestern
Canada. I chanced to meet a magazine editor who for twenty years had
been the closest exponent of Republican politics in New York. The
Canadian elections were to be held that very day. In Canada a party
does not launch a new policy like reciprocity without going to the
country for the electorate's approval or condemnation. The editor
asked me if I would mind reading over a ten-page advance editorial
congratulating both countries on the endorsation of reciprocity. I was
paralyzed. I was a free trader and had been trained to love and revere
Laurier from childhood; but I knew from cursory observation in the West
that there was not a chance, nor the shadow of a chance, for
reciprocity to be endorsed by the Canadian people. The editor would
not believe me. He was in close touch with Taft. He sat up overnight
to get returns from Canada, and the next night I left for Ottawa to get
the views of Robert Borden, Canada's new Conservative Premier, as to
why it had happened.