1914-10-22ff

“Seldom in the history of Hamilton has a more enthusiastic meeting been held than that of last night in the Association hall in commemoration of Trafalgar day .”

Hamilton Herald.   October 22, 1914

Unwavering support for the mother country was the feeling in the air as the streets leading to the Association hall were crowded with Hamiltonians :

“Long before the time set for the concert to start, the hall was packed and patriotic fervor dominated the gathering.”¹

¹ “Premier Was Greeted Warmly”

Hamilton Spectator.   October 22, 1914.

The event was held under the auspices of the Sons of England in conjunction with the St. George’s Benevolent society. All proceeds were directed to the cause of the city relief needs.

As well as the anticipated musical performances were a draw, it was the appearance of the main speaker, the Honorable W. H. Hearst, Premier of Ontario.

Hamilton Mayor Allan was called upon to introduce the speaker of the evening:

“The mayor contended that we, as British people, should be very thankful for all the privileges which we are able to enjoy in spite of the great war now raging.

“ ‘It is my sincere hope that very soon we shall be able to celebrate as great a victory as the one we are now commemorating.’

“He then introduced the speaker.”¹

Premier Hearst was greeted when extended rounds of applause and cheers as he stepped forward to deliver his speech. It took several minutes for the welcome to die down so that the premier could begin:

“ ‘I must thank you from the bottom of my heart for the generous reception accorded me, and I would say that it is only one of the many ways in which Canada is showing its untold generosity.

“ ‘It is a pleasure to see our good friend, the Englishman, take this opportunity to celebrate this anniversary, and it is a great pleasure to me to be able to come here tonight to speak to you.

“ ‘These kind of demonstrations are a powerful force in helping England to maintain its proud position, and the never-to-be-forgotten words, ‘England expects that every man will do his duty,’ has run down through the years, inspiring thousands of men to do their duty to their king and country,’ he said.”¹

Premier Hearst outlined the history of Lord Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, noting that all should pray for as great a victory for Britain in the present war.

The speaker declared that those who were not able to fight in the war in Western Europe had a duty to help at home relieving distress and poverty.

Premier Hearst proceeded to exhort his speakers to the highest of patritic support for the mother country

“ ‘Great Britain today is threatened by a far more formidable foe than Nelson was by Napoleon, and it will take all the forces which we can muster to bring about the desired end. When we realize the extent and value of Great Britain, we should be justly proud to be British and be proud of our heritage.The Englishman should be proud of being born in that country, the Scot of his native land and the Irishman of the Emerald isle, but I say the greatest privilege of which we should be proudest is that we are all citizens of Great Britain.

“ ‘The fate of the world is in the result of the battles to be fought in the immediate future, and it is our duty to support the motherland, not with the idea that we are helping her, but are defending ourselves, as this is just as much our war as England’s. Do we, as Britishers, want to submit to Prussian rule in this fair land of the maple? This is what the result would be if ever defeat overtook us in this war, and it is up to us to supply all the help possible to try to avoid this lamentable end.’ ”¹

In outlining the cause of the outbreak of war between Austria and Serbia, Premier Hearst showed how, in spite of all efforts to broker the dispute, Austria, backed by Germany, had been determined to wage war :

“ ‘Today, thank God, Great Britain is innocent of the blood which is drenching Europe. Had Great Britain failed to step in and come to the aid of Belgium and France, it would have been forced to fight Germany at a later date at a far greater disadvantage and under less favorable conditions. It would also have lost forever its honor and name.

“ ‘The course adopted was the only one. What would happen if the Union Jack ever ceased to stand for liberty, freedom and justice? I have no more fear for the ultimate result of this war than I have of the justness of Britain’s cause.

“ ‘Now we must fight to a finish so that when the bugle sounds the last ‘cease fire’ it will be the signal for everlasting peace. We have boasted, as Canadians, that should England ever light the beacon fires for help, we should respond eagerly. Now that the call has rung out, we must answer it.

“ ‘Stand together until the Union Jack flies in the streets of Berlin. I would like to leave you with this message ringing in your ears, ‘Britain expects that every man will do his duty.’ ”¹

Premier Hearst again was the recipient of a prolonged ovation, his speech stirring the hearts of all present deeply.

As the following days, newspapers went to press the final tally of contributions to Hamilton’s United Relief Fund were not known exactly, but the organizers of the event were confident that expectations had been exceeded and a godly sum had been collected.