1914-09-13aag

“Patriotism – that true Canadian brand of patriotism and love of motherland which expands and broadens in the face of reverses and tribulations; and that patriotism which entails sacrifices and the placing of the hand in the pocket to relieve distress – that was the patriotism that thousands of Hamiltonians displayed last evening at the monster mass meeting held in the new armories – the meeting which was held for the purpose of engendering enthusiasm on behalf of the National Patriotic Fund.”

          Hamilton Spectator.    September 9, 1914.

          It was an event that thousands upon thousands of Hamiltonians would remember for a very long time.

          The evening before the three day campaign to raise $150,000 in three days was to begin, a huge gathering of citizens were drawn to the armories on James street north. So great was the crowd that only a small percentage of it could actually get inside the huge building:

          “It was the most enthusiastic demonstration held in Hamilton since Britain entered into the European conflict, outrivaling even the celebration which signaled the departure of Hamilton’s troops.”¹

¹ “Hamilton Swayed By Patriotic Fervor : Thousands Attend Monster Meeting in Armories : Campaign Organized and Already $51,000 Secured   “

          Hamilton Spectator… September 9, 1914

The campaign’s purpose to raise money by donations or voluntary subscription to pay for the needs of families whose main source of household income had dropped everything to volunteer to fight overseas:

          “Many are left behind, who, without their breadwinner’s support, would face extreme and agonizing hardships during the coming winter, if the National Patriotic fund had not been promulgated. And if the enthusiasm of last night’s mass meeting can be taken as a criterion, Hamilton’s contribution to the fund will not be $150,000, but much more than that amount.”¹

               The Spectator reporter who managed to squeeze into the armories was amazed at the number of people inside and at the enthusiasm that was prevalent :

          “One had to be right in the midst of that sea of faces to grasp the full extent of the enthusiasm. At intervals the massed bands broke into the strains of the National anthem and other patriotic selections.

          “The first note struck was accepted as a signal for everyone to rise and whole-heartedly join in the singing, cheer after cheer echoing through the spacious building.”¹

               Music was a major part of the monster mass meeting, both within the armories and as a way to attract citizens from all parts of the city to the area.

          Bands had been located in all four corners of the city and at a coordinated starting time of 7:15, each band struck up a patriotic tune and started to march towards the downtown core. In each of their wakes, large numbers of citizens followed the musicians to the armories:

          “All streets on which the bands paraded were thronged at an early hour, and many who did follow a band downtown did not do so principally because they decided it would be impossible to secure admission.”¹

          At the armories, once every band had arrived , every marching band in 1914 Hamilton was present. The list of the bands comprised the following : the 13^th brass band, the 13^th bugle band, 91^st brass band, 91^st bugle band, 91^st pipe band, the Army Medical corps fife band, the Salvation Army band, the I.O.O.F. brass band, the East Hamilton Progressive association brass band, and the boys scouts bugle band.

          Among the musical selections throughout the meeting, there were speeches, many speeches. On the speaker’s platform were most of Hamilton’s most prominent citizens of the time. Col. John S. Hendrie acted as chairman and he was joined by Ontario Lieutenant-Governor John Gibson, his worship Bishop Clark, Right Rev. Dr. Mahony, George Lynch-Staunton, Rabbi Jacob S. Minkin, Mayor John Allan, T. H. Willis, Rev. W. H. Sedgewick, Brigadier Adby, Very Rev. Dean Abbott, Rev. George H. Williams and Adam Brown.

          It was estimated that approximately 6,000 people managed to get into the armories, the Spectator reporter noting that “particularly pleasing was the large representation of the fair sex, for, in truth, there were almost as many women as men present.

“Guards in uniform, selected from the various military units, acted as patrols and succeeding in keeping perfect order.”¹

Before the speeches and musical presentations began, Robert Hobson, chairman of the local finance committee, read a number of telegrams urging the Hamilton association of the National Patriotic association to spare no effort to make the campaign a success.

Although telegrams were read from Sir Robert Borden, Col. Sam Hughes and many other, it was the telegram from the War Office in London which drew the greatest reaction from the crowd. That telegram was from Lord Kitchener which read simply, “Best wishes for your campaign.

Although every effort was made to ensure the safety of the huge throng in the armories, one incident did occur:

“So great was the crowd packed in around the speakers’ stand that it was difficult to move or even breathe. One woman in the crowd fainted. Space was immediately cleared for her, and she was placed in a chair. Robert Hobson handed down a glass of water from the speakers’ stand. Recovering shortly afterwards, she was able to leave the hall unassisted.”¹

The Hon. John S. Hendrie opened the meeting with what the Spectator characterized as “terse, but appropriate speech” :

“ ‘It must indeed be gratifying,’ he said, ‘to those in charge of the movement to see the large numbers who were so interested in lending a hand. It was certainly a most important meeting. The empire required assistance from every part of Canada. The great Dominion was doing its duty, the province was doing its share, and he knew the city of Hamilton would not fall behind.

“ ‘It was not a war of aggression, nor a war of conquest, but a war of righteousness – a war for freedom – for the freedom of the world. (Cheers)

“ ‘The men who have gone from here have left behind those dependent on them,’ said the chairman. ‘We who are at home have a duty to perform. We may have another contingent leaving in a short, and the soldiers must be given cause to feel that those they leave behind will be looked after.’

“Continuing, Col. Hendrie quoted figures, showing the amounts subscribed to patriotic funds in other Canadian cities. Those of high station were interested, the chairman stated, and he read a telegram from H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught, hoping that the meeting would be entirely successful.

“Loud, continuous cheering echoed and reechoed throughout the building for several minutes at the conclusion of the chairman’s preliminary remarks.”¹

Rev. W. H. Sedgewick then offered a prayer, supplicating God to watch over the soldiers and sailors fighting in what he term a “righteous war.”

While Rev. Sedgewick led the assembled in prayer, an amusing, yet poignant as well, incident took place :

“One youngster immediately in front of the speaker’s stand sank upon his knees with such a saintly expression upon his face that a smile was noticed on many faces.”¹

Hamilton native, and the then Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, Sir John Gibson was next on the speaker’s list. He was greeted with a spontaneous burst of applause before he even began to speak:

“His honor said it was imperative that he, first of all, congratulate those in charge. He had been told, he said, that the text of the remainder of the week was : ‘Give! Give ! Give ! And don’t think any harm would accrue if we added another ‘give’ to the text,’ smiled the speaker. (Laughter and cheers)

“He had no doubt that the liberality of the citizens would be manifested, and that instead of $150,000, this amount would be doubled.

“ ‘It is our duty to give ourselves, first of all, to our country,’ continued the speaker. “Hamilton has already sent forth a steady contingent to the front, young men who would take their position on the firing line.

“But the speaker added, ‘Hamilton is full of young Canadians who should think of their first duty to the country and empire.

“ ‘Canadians were accustomed from childhood – from the cradle – to sing God Save the Queen or King. Loyalty to the empire was universal. Today was no exception, for the sentiment which animated every individual was identical. This was the time when all young Canadians should what they were made of. Another full regiment should go from Hamilton and the country. There should be a Hamilton and Wentworth regiment. It should be a distinctive regiment, and his honor said he sincerely hoped something definite would accrue from his suggestion.

“It was a crisis in the history of empire, a crisis for Canada, for the fate of the empire might be trembling in the balance. It was the vindication of what was right against that which was wrong.

“In conclusion, the lieutenant-governor touched on the great work the women of Canada did in the raising of money for hospital purposes and said he had no doubt that Hamilton would show herself once again.”¹

               When it came time for Mayor Allan to speak, he rose to approach the podium when a crash of drums and a wailing of pipes interrupted proceedings :

          “Then came such a din as never was. Round and round the hall the pipers marched and behind them waved dozens of ensigns carried by members of the collection teams. When the noise of the pipers died away, the team members gave in chorus the slogan of the day : ‘Give, Give, Give,’ winding up by singing Rule Britannia.

          “The mayor was then permitted to continue his speech. He was very proud, he said, to see so many present and interested in this great cause.. He considered it the largest meeting ever held in Hamilton.

          “ ‘Not only is the entire city aroused,’ he said, ‘but the whole country. I received a letter tonight from some Americans who have been working for the Patriotic fund in Toronto. They asked me to hand it on to some of the prominent Americans here, so that they can take it up from here. I am glad to say that Britain today has the sympathy of the civilized world.

          “ ‘If our citizens are brave enough to go to the front, the least we can do is look after their wives and families while they are away. I have no doubt as to the result of this campaign. The collectors will get double and treble what they are starting out after. In order to give them a good start, the city has voted $30,000.’ ” ¹

          Hamilton’s beloved “Grand Old Man” Adam Brown  was the next speaker who argued that it was a righteous war and only when every effort for peace failed did Britain go to war:

          “They were present to give inspiration to the movement to provide funds to help the dependents of those who had gone to the front

          “At the call of duty, everyone knew what the soldiers did. The women of Canada covered themselves with glory in this crisis by their magnificent contribution for the equipment of a hospital ship.

          “The speaker called upon the men present to give three cheers for the women and the response shook the very rafters.

          “Britain was not fighting Germany, but that awful war machine which dropped bombs on hospitals and cathedrals. The day would come, however, when that despicable war god would be crushed, then would also come the pride of conquest. He believed Canada would give its last breath in defense of the empire. The end of it would be the termination of tyranny; the birth of universal freedom.”¹

               Right. Rev. Dr. Mahony, vicar-general of the Roman Catholic diocese began his address with a joking reference to the Anglican bishop scheduled to follow on the speakers’ roster :

          “ ‘His Lordship the Bishop of Niagara gave us his assurance that he would not exceed five minutes. I will promise you that I will not reach five minutes.

          “ ‘While our kith and kin are abroad, you are assembled here tonight to show that your hearts are with them. There is no more Jew or Gentile, no more Catholic or Protestant. We are all one.

          ‘ ‘While those we love are gone, what is our duty at home ? Plainly, to make our actions correspond with our words. I was informed tonight that it is intended to raise $150,100 in a three day campaign. I was told that Toronto had raised about one million dollars; $150,000 would be about one-fifth of Toronto’s contribution. According to numbers, we are one-fifth the population of Toronto, but in the matter of patriotism we are more than one-fifth. Let us keep up the name of our city. Let us make Hamilton an encouragement to our boys abroad and an example to the rest of Canada.”¹

               His Lordship, Bishop Clark of the Anglican Diocese of Niagara began by touching on what he called “the sad sight of two weeks ago, when Hamilton’s left the city for the mobilization camp:”

          “There was a nobility about it, however, which took away that sting. They were not moved by the pomp of war or martial strains of music. They were animated by a noble spirit – the justness of their cause. They went forth prepared, if God wanted it, to lay down their very lives for King and empire.

          “ ‘ Pray God to make every man ready to follow after, and I shall not be the last,’ said his lordship. ‘For one hundred years the flag of peace had been flying, but Britain’s motto was not peace at any price. The flag now unfurled was the flag of righteousness, of justice and of freedom.

          “ ‘Britons never, never, never shall be slaves,’ thundered his lordship.”¹

               A grand banquet was held that evening for the two hundred, or more, members of the Hamilton Patriotic Fund Committee. The complimentary banquet for the fund volunteers who would be starting their efforts the following morning was tendered by Mr. G. W. Robinosn and held in the tea room of his big department store on James street south:

          “The excellently appointed tea room was specially decorated with flags and flowers, while Lomas’ orchestra, amid numerous palms, discoursed patriotic music of a most inspiring kind.”

          After the food had been served, and consumed, it was time for a few speeches and a few announcements which served to whip enthusiasm among the volunteers as the start of the 3 day whirlwind campaign was just hours away.

          Two of the city’s leading banks, the Bank of Hamilton and the Mercantile Trust had given substantial donations totaling $26,000, while J. J. Greene of the W. E. Sanford rose to say that while his firm had pledged $5,000, he was proud to say that the pledge was not $51,000:

          “Renewed cheers rang out, and the orchestra joined in the general jubilation by playing the national anthem, and crowds passing on the streets below stopped, looked in the direction of the open upper windows of the big store, and wondered what it was all about.”¹

               The volunteers, energized by the excitement of the evening’s proceedings, then made for their homes, hoping for a good night’s rest as they would all be going at a frantic pace over the coming three days.