east and west. Reciprocity to divert traffic north and south seemed a
menace to their receipts. To a man these systems were against
reciprocity.

You have forced us to work out our own Destiny, said Canada. Very
well--now that we are at the winning post, don't divert us from the
goal! We love you as neighbors; we welcome you as settlers; we embrace
you as investors; but when we came to you, you rejected us. Now you
must come to us!

Deep beneath all the jingoism these were the economic factors that
rejected reciprocity. It is all a curious illustration of the
difference between practical and theoretical politics. Theoretically
both parties have been free traders in Canada. Practically free trade
had thrown them both down. Theoretically Canada rejects reciprocity.
Practically trade across the boundary has increased one hundred per
cent. since she rejected reciprocity. Theoretically Canada was
protecting her three transcontinental systems when she rejected
reciprocity. Practically the growth of lines with running rights
across the boundary has increased from _sixteen_ to _sixty-four_ in ten
years.

When American industries have become rooted in Canadian soil beyond
possibility of transplanting, no doubt the fear will be removed; and at
the present rate of the increase of trade between the two countries the
tariff wall must become an anachronism, if it be not worn down by sheer
force of trade attrition.

Comical incidents are related of the Canadian fear in individual cases.
There was a Scotch school trustee in Calgary. He had voted