United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada: Colonel G. Sterling Ryerson, President; Colonel G. T. Denison, Lieut.-Colonel George A. Shaw, Mr. R. E. A. Land, Vice-Presidents; Mr. J. Stewart Carstairs, Honorary Secretary; Miss Helen M. Merrill, Honorary Assistant Secretary; Mr. A. R. Davis, Honorary Treasurer; Mr. C. E. Macdonald, Miss Catharine Merritt, Mr. R. S. Neville, K.C., Captain Victor Hall, Miss O. V. Widner, Mrs. F. O. Loft, Mrs. Edmund Phillips, Mrs. Dignam, Toronto.Six Nations Indians(United Empire Loyalists): Warrior F. O. Loft, Mr. Allen W. Johnson.British Empire League: Colonel G. T. Denison, Toronto.Canadian Club: Dr. A. H. U. Colquhoun, President; Mr. F. D. L. Smith, Toronto.Canadian Defence League: Colonel Fotheringham, Dr. J. L. Hughes, Mr. R. E. Kingsford, Toronto.Empire Club: Mr. J. Castell Hopkins, Dr. E. K. Richardson, Toronto.Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire: Mrs. A. E. Gooderham, Mrs. E. F. B. Johnstone, Mrs. John Bruce, Miss Constance Boulton, Toronto.Sons of Scotland: Dr. Alexander Fraser, Dr. John Ferguson, Toronto.[Pg 26]St. George's Society, Toronto: John W. Gamble Boyd.Lundy's Lane Historical Association: Mr. J. Jackson, Superintendent Queen Victoria Park, Secretary, Niagara Falls, Ont.Niagara Historical Society: Miss Janet Carnochan, Niagara-on-the-Lake; Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson, Mrs. Charles Lewis Shaw, Toronto.Ontario Historical Society: Dr. Alexander Fraser, Secretary, Toronto.Women's Canadian Historical Society, Toronto: Miss M. Agnes FitzGibbon, Toronto.Women's Wentworth Historical Society: Mrs. John Calder, Hamilton, President.Governor-General's Body Guard: Lieut.-Colonel Frank A. Fleming, W. E. L. Coleman, Toronto.12th Regiment: Major Curran, Toronto.48th Highlanders: Captain Darling, Adjutant.'66 Veterans' Association: Captain Geo. Musson, P. E. Noverre, David Creighton, Lieut.-Colonel A. E. Belcher, Lieut.-Colonel Geo. A. Shaw, Toronto.'85 Veterans' Association: Sergeant A. G. Scovell, Toronto.
United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada: Colonel G. Sterling Ryerson, President; Colonel G. T. Denison, Lieut.-Colonel George A. Shaw, Mr. R. E. A. Land, Vice-Presidents; Mr. J. Stewart Carstairs, Honorary Secretary; Miss Helen M. Merrill, Honorary Assistant Secretary; Mr. A. R. Davis, Honorary Treasurer; Mr. C. E. Macdonald, Miss Catharine Merritt, Mr. R. S. Neville, K.C., Captain Victor Hall, Miss O. V. Widner, Mrs. F. O. Loft, Mrs. Edmund Phillips, Mrs. Dignam, Toronto.
Six Nations Indians(United Empire Loyalists): Warrior F. O. Loft, Mr. Allen W. Johnson.
British Empire League: Colonel G. T. Denison, Toronto.
Canadian Club: Dr. A. H. U. Colquhoun, President; Mr. F. D. L. Smith, Toronto.
Canadian Defence League: Colonel Fotheringham, Dr. J. L. Hughes, Mr. R. E. Kingsford, Toronto.
Empire Club: Mr. J. Castell Hopkins, Dr. E. K. Richardson, Toronto.
Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire: Mrs. A. E. Gooderham, Mrs. E. F. B. Johnstone, Mrs. John Bruce, Miss Constance Boulton, Toronto.
Sons of Scotland: Dr. Alexander Fraser, Dr. John Ferguson, Toronto.
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St. George's Society, Toronto: John W. Gamble Boyd.
Lundy's Lane Historical Association: Mr. J. Jackson, Superintendent Queen Victoria Park, Secretary, Niagara Falls, Ont.
Niagara Historical Society: Miss Janet Carnochan, Niagara-on-the-Lake; Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson, Mrs. Charles Lewis Shaw, Toronto.
Ontario Historical Society: Dr. Alexander Fraser, Secretary, Toronto.
Women's Canadian Historical Society, Toronto: Miss M. Agnes FitzGibbon, Toronto.
Women's Wentworth Historical Society: Mrs. John Calder, Hamilton, President.
Governor-General's Body Guard: Lieut.-Colonel Frank A. Fleming, W. E. L. Coleman, Toronto.
12th Regiment: Major Curran, Toronto.
48th Highlanders: Captain Darling, Adjutant.
'66 Veterans' Association: Captain Geo. Musson, P. E. Noverre, David Creighton, Lieut.-Colonel A. E. Belcher, Lieut.-Colonel Geo. A. Shaw, Toronto.
'85 Veterans' Association: Sergeant A. G. Scovell, Toronto.
The first meeting of the General Committee thus formed was held on September 25th, 1912, in the Canadian Foresters' Building, College Street, Toronto. There was a large attendance of members.
Colonel Ryerson was appointed Chairman, and Miss Helen M. Merrill Secretary, of the Committee. The report from the United Empire Loyalist Association of Canada, as given above, having been read to the meeting, resolutions to the following effect were passed:
(1) That Brock's Day be celebrated by a public gathering at Queenston Heights.[Pg 27](2) That the various patriotic and historical societies, local as well as those within easy reach of Queenston, be invited to send as large delegations as possible to Brock's Monument on Saturday, October 12th, 1912, in commemoration of his death.(3) That the various patriotic and historical societies be asked to send wreaths for the purpose of decorating Brock's Monument on October 12th.(4) That a special invitation be sent to Mr. J. A. Macdonell, K.C., Alexandria, Ont., to attend the celebration as the direct representative of Colonel John Macdonell, the Attorney-General of Upper Canada, and Brock's Provincial A.D.C., who fell with his leader, and whose remains rest beneath the monument on Queenston Heights.(5) That the Honourable the Minister of Militia be asked to order that salutes be fired on October 12th from all saluting points in Canada.(6) That the churches be asked to arrange that memorial sermons be preached throughout Canada on Sunday, October 13th.(7) That suitable exercises relating to Brock and 1812 should be held in every school in Canada; and that this suggestion be not only given publicity through the newspapers, but that the attention of the various Ministers of Education in the Dominion be specially drawn to it.(8) That the Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs at Ottawa be asked to take measures to have the history of Brock and the events of the 1812 war brought specially before the children in all Indian Schools under the charge of the Dominion Government.(9) That a wreath be placed on the picture of Brock in the Parliament Buildings, Toronto.(10) That it be suggested to the Dominion Government to place a wreath on Brock's Monument in St. Paul's Cathedral, London, England.
(1) That Brock's Day be celebrated by a public gathering at Queenston Heights.
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(2) That the various patriotic and historical societies, local as well as those within easy reach of Queenston, be invited to send as large delegations as possible to Brock's Monument on Saturday, October 12th, 1912, in commemoration of his death.
(3) That the various patriotic and historical societies be asked to send wreaths for the purpose of decorating Brock's Monument on October 12th.
(4) That a special invitation be sent to Mr. J. A. Macdonell, K.C., Alexandria, Ont., to attend the celebration as the direct representative of Colonel John Macdonell, the Attorney-General of Upper Canada, and Brock's Provincial A.D.C., who fell with his leader, and whose remains rest beneath the monument on Queenston Heights.
(5) That the Honourable the Minister of Militia be asked to order that salutes be fired on October 12th from all saluting points in Canada.
(6) That the churches be asked to arrange that memorial sermons be preached throughout Canada on Sunday, October 13th.
(7) That suitable exercises relating to Brock and 1812 should be held in every school in Canada; and that this suggestion be not only given publicity through the newspapers, but that the attention of the various Ministers of Education in the Dominion be specially drawn to it.
(8) That the Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs at Ottawa be asked to take measures to have the history of Brock and the events of the 1812 war brought specially before the children in all Indian Schools under the charge of the Dominion Government.
(9) That a wreath be placed on the picture of Brock in the Parliament Buildings, Toronto.
(10) That it be suggested to the Dominion Government to place a wreath on Brock's Monument in St. Paul's Cathedral, London, England.
An Executive Committee was appointed to further these resolutions, consisting of the members of the following special committees:—
Travelling Arrangements, etc.: Colonel Ryerson, Dr. James L. Hughes, Mr. J. S. Carstairs and Mr. C. E. Macdonald.Press: Mr. J. Castell Hopkins, Dr. Alexander Fraser, Mr. F. D. L. Smith, Miss Helen M. Merrill.Chairman and Secretary of the Executive Committee: Colonel Ryerson and Miss Helen M. Merrill.
Travelling Arrangements, etc.: Colonel Ryerson, Dr. James L. Hughes, Mr. J. S. Carstairs and Mr. C. E. Macdonald.
Press: Mr. J. Castell Hopkins, Dr. Alexander Fraser, Mr. F. D. L. Smith, Miss Helen M. Merrill.
Chairman and Secretary of the Executive Committee: Colonel Ryerson and Miss Helen M. Merrill.
Miss Helen M. Merrill, Honorary Secretary.Colonel George S. Ryerson, Chairman.James L Hughes. LL.D.J. Castell Hopkins.J. Stewart Carstairs, B.A.Charles E. Macdonald, Esq.Alexander Fraser, LL.D.F. D. L. Smith, Esq.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
The General Committee met on October 2nd, 1912, Colonel Ryerson presiding. The reports of the special committees regarding the arrangements were very satisfactory, and it was made abundantly clear that the proposed celebration had touched a tender chord of public feeling. Travelling arrangements by train to Niagara Falls and by electric car thence to Queenston Heights were approved of. The co-operation of the Women's Institute, Queenston, was promised in connection with the decoration of the grounds there; the Ontario Government consented to police the grounds, and the Victoria Park Commission to reopen the restaurant at the Heights for the day. It was agreed to advise the hotels at Niagara Falls, Ont., that luncheon would be taken at that town on arrival of the train, and to arrange with the electric railway for the conveyance of the visitors to the Monument. The publicity so generously afforded by the press was gratefully acknowledged. A letter from Mr. J. A. Macdonell, K.C., Alexandria, accepting the Committee's invitation, was read; and a motion by Mr. F. D. L. Smith that a bronze tablet to mark the centenary celebration be placed on Brock's Monument was deferred for consideration at the next meeting to be held on the week following.
At the meeting of the General Committee held on October 9th in the Canadian Foresters' Hall, Toronto, Colonel Ryerson presiding, the following report of the Executive Committee was received and adopted:—
"The Executive Committee met on October 7th and received satisfactory reports of the progress made in carrying out the proposals of the General Committee. A programme for the celebration at Queenston Heights was drafted, and the President was requested to arrange with the Department of Militia that the permanent forces be sent from Toronto to Queenston Heights to take part in the proceedings. It was also resolved to publish an account of the proceedings in connection with the celebration as an interesting record of a notable event."
"The Executive Committee met on October 7th and received satisfactory reports of the progress made in carrying out the proposals of the General Committee. A programme for the celebration at Queenston Heights was drafted, and the President was requested to arrange with the Department of Militia that the permanent forces be sent from Toronto to Queenston Heights to take part in the proceedings. It was also resolved to publish an account of the proceedings in connection with the celebration as an interesting record of a notable event."
The Executive also reported that all arrangements had been completed for the journey to Queenston Heights; that the Militia Department had ordered that salutes be fired from all saluting points in Canada on the 12th inst.; that commemorative church services would be extensively held on the 13th inst.; that special exercises would be observed in the public schools in accordance with letters received from the Honourable R. A. Pyne, M.P.P., Minister of Education for Ontario, Mr. Augustus W. Ball, Deputy Minister of Education, Saskatchewan, Mr. Alexander Robinson, Superintendent of Education, British Columbia, and from Mr. R. Fletcher, Deputy Minister of Education, Manitoba; that a detachment from the permanent infantry force at Toronto would proceed to Queenston Heights on the 12th inst.; that the Toronto, Hamilton and other corps of militia would be represented, and that large delegations from patriotic, national and historical societies would take part; that many wreaths would be sent to the monument; that the Dominion Government had ordered its representative in London, England, to place a wreath on Brock's Memorial in St. Paul's Cathedral; and that letters from prominent public men had been received, either regretting their inability to take part or accepting the invitations to be present.
This being the last meeting of the General Committee, it was agreed to refer the suggestion that a bronze centennial tablet be placed on Brock's Monument, the striking of a Centennial medal, and all business connected with the celebration ceremonies, or arising therefrom, to the Executive Committee, with full power to dispose of the same.
The meeting then adjournedsine die.
It had been decided to travel by the Grand Trunk Railway train leaving Toronto at nine o'clock a.m. (a few only going by steamer from Yonge Street wharf). The unsettled, rainy weather of the two previous days had caused some misgiving as to the number of people who might venture on an open air demonstration on a cold October day, and the grey looming skies at dawn on Saturday, the 12th, held no hidden hope of a silver lining. The enthusiasm awakened by the name of Brock, however, was resistless, and betimes the seats in the waiting train were crowded. The Union Station witnessed a lively scene—the soldiers in bright colours, the ladies and gentlemen in gay humour, and the stirring music of the bagpipes, combining to enliven and mark the unusual character of the occasion.
At Hamilton a number of friends joined the party, and others who could not do so came to the railway station to express their good wishes. St. Catharines also gave its contingent. Niagara Falls was safely reached at 11.45 o'clock.
Shortly afterwards Major Gordon J. Smith, Brantford, Superintendent of the Six Nation Indians, and a fine delegation arrived, and luncheon was served at several of the hotels.
The journey was resumed by electric cars, the large company arriving at Queenston Heights in the course of an hour.
During the forenoon the sky had cleared, and now the sun shone out brightly for a space on alandscape unsurpassed anywhere for spacious magnificence and scenic beauty. And crowning the domed escarpment the stately column spoke forth a people's patriotism and love, a memorial to the brave, the scene harmonizing with the feelings of the great gathering.
About two thousand people gathered at the foot of the Monument. Colonel G. Sterling Ryerson, President of the General Committee and of the U. E. L. Association, presided. Among those present were the Hon. R. A. Pyne, M.P.P., Minister of Education for Ontario, and Mrs. Pyne; A. Claude Macdonell, M.P., Toronto; W. M. German, M.P., Welland; Colonel George T. Denison (U. E. L. and British Empire League); J. A. Macdonell, K.C., Glengarry; A. MacLean Macdonell, K.C. (representatives of Colonel the Hon. John Macdonell, Provincial A.D.C. to General Brock); Dr. Alexander Dame (a relative of Hon. Colonel John Macdonell); James L. Hughes, LL.D. (Canadian Defence League); Doctor Jessop, M.P.P., St. Catharines; Mr. Evan Fraser, M.P.P., Niagara Falls, Ont.; Alexander Fraser, LL.D. (Ontario Historical Society, St. Andrew's Society, and S.O.S. Association); Mr. F. D. W. Smith (Canadian Club, Toronto); J. Castell Hopkins (Empire Club, Toronto); Miss Helen M. Merrill (Honorary Secretary, Brock Centenary, and U. E. L.); Miss C. Macdonell; Miss Kate Fraser, Toronto; Mr. John Stewart Carstairs, B.A. (Honorary Secretary, U. E. L. Association of Canada); Mr. Charles E. Macdonald, barrister, Toronto (Honorary Counsellor, U. E. L. Association of Canada); Chas. R. McCullough, Hamilton (Union of Canadian Clubs).
Royal Canadian College, Kingston: Colonel J. H. V. Crowe, Commandant.
Royal Canadian Regiment: Captain J. F. Brown (in command), Lieutenant J. W. Cox, and sixty-eight non-coms. and men.
Governor-General's Body Guard: Lieut.-Colonel Prank A. Fleming, officer commanding; Lieutenant A. D. Kirkpatrick; A. M. Stretton, Sergt.-Major, W. O.; S.Q.M.S. W. E. Borlace, Sergeant E. Pelletier, Mr. W. E. L. Coleman, Robt. D. Cox, Q.M. Sgt., 1st Cavalry Brigade; Corporal Worsick, Corporal Douglas; Troopers G. L. Collins, E. Lightbody, Sewell, Thos. Preston, G. W. C. Clarke, John S. Kilpatrick, W. Lennox, W. Hill, S. Norse.
9th Mississauga Horse.
St. Catharines Field Battery: Colonel F. King, Lieut.-Colonel Campbell.
Canadian Engineers.
2nd Regt. Q.O.R., Toronto: Sergeant-Major Geo. Creighton, Sergeants J. I. Matthews, A. G. Scovell, R. F. Reed, W. F. Meaforth, Forsyth, Scott; George Sanderson, E. R. Fitzgerald, retired, New Westminster, B.C., and others.
10th Regt., "Royal Grenadiers," Toronto: Edward Johnston, Geo. H. Briggs, Robert Hazelton, and seventeen men under Captain Campbell.
12th Regt., "York Rangers": Major Curran.
13th Regt., Hamilton: Lieut.-Colonel Moore, Bt. Lieut.-Colonel Ross, C.O., Major Lester.
19th Regt., St. Catharines: Lieut.-Colonel W. W. Burleigh and others.
22nd Regt., "Oxford Rifles."
36th "Peel" Regt.: Royal Grafton, Ensign.
48th Regt., "Highlanders," Toronto: Lieut.-Colonel W. Hendrie, Major J. A. Currie, and thirty-two non-com. officers and men in charge of Sergeant Cameron.
91st Regt., Canadian Highlanders, Hamilton: Lieut.-Colonel John J. Maclaren and others.
York and Simcoe Battalion, Toronto: Corporal Thos. Laird, N.W.F.F., 1885.
North-West Mounted Police: J. W. Scott.
Ridley College Cadets and Bugle Band.
'66 Veterans' Association: P. E. Noverre, President; Captain John A. Macdonald, '70; Colonel Belcher; Major J. Beck, 33rd Huron Regt.; Captain Geo. Musson, John Robinson, Walter R. Nursey; Captain John Ford (Chicago Volunteers), Past-President; Andrew K. Lauder, Captain F. H. McCallum, A. E. Wheeler.
Niagara District Veteran Volunteers' Association, St. Catharines: Jamieson Black, President; C. Chapman, Past-President; Robt. J. Black, Vice-President; W. H. Drysdale, Treasurer; J. Albert Mills, Secretary; George Wilson.
His Majesty's Army and Navy Veterans' Association: Mr. C. H. Robertson.
Canadian Militia Veterans: Captain W. Fahey, President.
Canadian Baden-Powell Boy Scouts: Ed. Nix, J. Gordon Rosser, Toronto.
United Empire Loyalist Association of Canada: Major W. Napier Keefer, Past-President; Mr. R. E. A. Land, Vice-President; Rev. Canon Alex. W. Macnab, Honorary Chaplain, and Mrs. Macnab; Mr. E. M. Chadwick, K.C., Honorary Genealogist; Mr. A. R. Davis, Honorary Treasurer; Mrs. Edwards Merrill, Miss Emily Merritt, Miss Catharine Merritt, Miss Laura Clarke, Captain G. S. Ryerson, Miss Laura Ryerson, Miss Flora Powel, Miss J. J. MacCallum (descendant of Laura Secord), Miss Henrietta Loft, Miss Affa Loft, Major J. G. Beam (retired, 44th Batt.), Captain M. S. Boehm (30th Regt.), Mrs. Birdsall (descendant of Laura Secord), Niagara Falls.
Council of the Six Nations Indians, Oshwegan, Brant County (United Empire Loyalists): Mr. Gordon J. Smith (Honorary Chief, De-ha-ka-res, Bear Clan, Mohawk Tribe), Superintendent, Brantford; Chief Josiah Hill (Sa-ko-ka-ryes, Wolf Clan), Secretary; Chief William Smith, Interpreter;Chief J. C. Martin, Speaker; Chief J. S. Johnson (Ka-nen-kwe-yah), Deputy Speaker; Chief J. W. M. Elliott (Mohawk); Chief A. G. Smith (De-ka-nen-ra-neh, Bear Clan, Mohawk); Chief Elias Lewis (De-ka-ri-ho-gen, Turtle Clan, Mohawk); Chief Abraham Lewis (Ah-yon-wah-ehs, Turtle Clan, Mohawk); Chief John A. Gibson (Seneca); Chief Peter Isaac (Mudturtle Clan, Seneca); Chief Alexander Hill (Ot-go-taw-yen-toun, Deer Clan, Onondaga), Fire Keeper; Chief Lawrence Jonathan (Sha-ko-ken-he, Eel Clan, Onondaga), Fire Keeper; Chief David Jamieson (Cayuga); Chief Jacob Isaac (Hon-wa-sha-de-hon, Oneida); Chief Joseph Powless (Ha-dva-dho-nen-ta, Wolf Clan, Oneida); Chief Richard Hill (Ra-rih-whi-tyen-tah, Wolf Clan, Tuscarora); Chief Elias Carrier (Tuscarora); Warrior Frederick O. Loft and Mr. Allen W. Johnson, Toronto, Delegates to Brock Centenary Committee; Chief Isaiah Sickles (Da-Da-hon-den-wen, Bear Clan, Oneida); Warrior George Aaron; Daniel McNughton (Ha-don-da-he-ha); Dennis Palmerston (Tuscarora, American Indian).
Canadian Club, Toronto: Mr. James M. Sinclair, Mr. W. J. Clarke, G. Frank Beer, P. H. Jennings, J. R. Collins.
Empire Club, Toronto: Mr. Fred B. Fetherstonhaugh, K.C., President; Mr. Richard A. Stapells, First Vice-President.
British Empire League, Toronto Branch: James P. Murray.
Sons of Scotland, Toronto: Dr. John Ferguson, Mr. Evan Hugh Fraser, representing Camp Alexander Fraser, S.O.S., Toronto.
St. Andrew's Society, Toronto: Captain Herbert M. Mowat, K.C., U.E.L., Vice-President; Mr. James Murray, Manager; Mr. T. C. Irving, Manager; Mr. J. P. Martin, Robert Farquharson.
St. George's Society, Toronto: Mr. John W. Gamble Boyd.
Centre and South Toronto Liberal Conservative Association: Mr. Arthur VanKoughnet; Women's Branch, Mrs. Arthur VanKoughnet.
York Pioneers' Historical Society, Toronto: Daniel Lamb, President; John W. Millar, Secretary; John Harvie, J. G. Hughes, Wm. Crocker, J. C. Moor, J. Hawley, E. Gegg, Josiah Rogers, John F. Ellis, A. E. Wheeler, W. D. McIntosh, W. J. Adams.
Knights of Malta and the Grand Chapter of Ladies of Justice, Toronto: Mr. R. E. A. Land, Mr. A. G. Horwood, Mrs. A. G. Horwood.
British Women's Society: Miss Perkins.
Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire, Toronto: Mrs. A. E. Gooderham, Mrs. John Bruce, Mrs. E. F. B. Johnstone, Miss Constance Boulton, Mrs. E. Humphreys, Mrs. Wm. Humphreys, Mrs. E. A. James, Miss Laura Brodigan, Miss Watson, Miss Maud Watson.
Women's Canadian Historical Society, Toronto: Miss M. Agnes FitzGibbon, Miss Mickle, Mrs. Kearn, Mrs. Campbell Meyers, Miss Clara Port, Miss J. J. MacCallum.
Brant Historical Society, Brantford: His Honour Judge Hardy, Honorary President; Mr. S. F. Passmore, President; Miss Isabella Gilkison, Mr. T. W. Standing, Vice-Presidents; Mrs. J. Y. Brown, Secretary; Major H. F. Leonard, Curator; Mr. J. J. Hawkins.
Lundy's Lane Historical Association, Niagara Falls: Mr. J. Jackson, Secretary.
Thorold and Beaver Dams Historical Society: T. H. Thompson, President; Miss Amy Ball.
Niagara Historical Society, Niagara-on-the-Lake: Miss Janet Carnochan, President; Rev. J. C. Garrett, Mrs. J. C. Garrett, Mrs. Ascher, Mrs.T. F. Best, Miss M. Ball, Mrs. Bottomley, Miss Creed. J. Eckersley, H. Macklem, Mrs. Macklem, Wm. Ryan, J. deW. Randall, Mrs. Randall, E. H. Shepherd, Mrs. Shepherd, Miss C. Waters, F. Winthrop, Mrs. Winthrop, Niagara; R. Field, Miss E. L. Lowery, Mrs. H. Usher, Queenston; Miss Amy Ball, Thorold; Miss S. Crysler, Niagara Falls; J. C. Ball, C. A. Case, St. Catharines; J. S. Carstairs, A. J. Clark, Miss E. Long, Mrs. Charles Lewis Shaw, Miss Annie Clark, Mr. G. J. Clark, Toronto.
Women's Wentworth Historical Society, Hamilton: Mrs. John Calder, Miss Calder.
Canadian Club, Hamilton: Mr. C. E. Kelly, President; G. D. Cadeaur, Secretary; Mr. Harry D. Petrie.
Women's Canadian Club, Hamilton: Mrs. Harry D. Petrie.
Women's Institute, Queenston: Mrs. A. A. Ramsay.
Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire, Hamilton: Mrs. Harry D. Petrie, Miss B. Gaviller.
St. George's Society, London: Mr. N. F. Willmot.
St. George's Society, Guelph: Mr. H. J. B. Leadlay.
Canadian Business Women's Club, Toronto: Miss H. Williamson, Miss Winnifred Macdonald, Miss Effie Telfer, Mrs. Anna Fox.
Others present were: Mrs. (Col.) William Hendrie, Hamilton; D. Macgregor Whyte, artist, Oban, Scotland; Lieutenant-Colonel Fred W. Macqueen, Toronto; Wm. Rea, Mrs. Rea,néeJane Thomas, daughter of Mr. James Thomas, who was one of the contractors for the erection of Brock's Monument, and resided at Queenston during the entire time the Monument was being erected; Rev. S. A. Laidlaw, Ridgeway; Mr. W. H. Banfield, Mr. Benj. P. McKay, Mr. H. E. Wilmot, Mr. Samuel O'Bryen, Miss F. May Simpson, Miss MarjorieFitzGibbon, Miss Perkins, Miss Lulu Crowther, Mr. William Moss, Miss J. E. Douglas, Mr. H. B. Adams, Miss D. F. Waite, Miss Helen J. Sturrock, Mr. James Young, Mr. John Hawley, Mrs. Rees, Miss Amelia Rees, Gonnie Rees, A.T.C.M., Toronto; Mr. Fred Landon, Press Gallery, Ottawa; Mayor J. deW. Randall, Niagara-on-the-Lake; Mrs. A. Servos, Miss Mary Servos, St. Catharines; Mrs. Redhead, Miss Oliver, Niagara; Wm. Milliken, Toronto, and Dr. Campbell Meyers, Toronto.
The stirring interest taken by the public in the celebration was in no way made more apparent than by the large number of costly and beautiful floral offerings sent to decorate the monument. Immediately on assembling on the Heights, these expressive tributes were formally received, one by one, by Colonel Ryerson. The names of the givers were announced by Mr. Chas. E. Macdonald, who also read out the patriotic mottoes and inscriptions. The wreaths were then carefully placed on the monument, and so numerous were they that they almost covered its huge base. The luxuriant ivy growing on the lower masonry was richly tinted with autumnal bronze, and on the natural background thus unexpectedly provided, the delighted celebrators worked out an effective colour scheme. It has not been possible to obtain a complete list of those who brought wreaths with them, but the following were noted:
A magnificent Cross of St. George, made of oak leaves, from the Guernsey Society of Guernsey Island, Brock's birthplace, was placed on the cenotaph which marks the place where Brock fell, by Mr. J. L. Burney, whose father was a lieutenant under Brock and was by his side when the General was fatally stricken.
J. A. Macdonell, K.C., Glengarry, A. McLean Macdonell, K.C., Toronto, and Angus Claude Macdonell, K.C., M.P., Toronto, as representatives of the family of Colonel the Honourable JohnMacdonell, General Brock's aide-de-camp and military secretary, placed on the monument two handsome wreaths of laurel leaves, decorated with white and pink heather and heavily trimmed with purple, one to the memory of Brock, and one, with the motto "From Kith and Kin," to the memory of their kinsman, Colonel Macdonell.
Colonel George T. Denison placed a wreath from the British Empire League (England), he being the President of the Canadian branch.
Mr. J. Murray McCheyne Clark, K.C., LL.B., Toronto, sent a wreath on behalf of the Toronto branch of the British Empire League, of which he is the President.
Wreaths were sent by the Canadian Club, Toronto; the Canadian Club, Hamilton; the Caroline School pupils, Hamilton; Centre and South Toronto Conservative Club, Ladies' Branch; Governor-General's Body Guard, Toronto; 91st Regiment Canadian Highlanders, Hamilton; Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire, Toronto; Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire, Hamilton; Chapter General of Canada Knights of Malta and the Grand Chapter of Ladies of Justice, Toronto.
Mrs. Fessenden, as founder of Empire Day, sent a sheaf of crimson carnations tied with the national colours. To this was attached, with a League of the Empire brooch, a card bearing this inscription from Palgrave:
"If the day of a nation's weakness rise,Of the little counsels that dare not dare,Of a land that no more on herself relies,—O breathe of the great ones that were,Burn out this taint in the air!The old heart of England restore,Till the blood of heroes awake and cry on her bosom once more."
"If the day of a nation's weakness rise,Of the little counsels that dare not dare,Of a land that no more on herself relies,—O breathe of the great ones that were,Burn out this taint in the air!The old heart of England restore,Till the blood of heroes awake and cry on her bosom once more."
Lundy's Lane Historical Society, Niagara Falls, Ont.; 9th Mississauga Horse; Niagara DistrictVeteran Volunteers' Association, St. Catharines—Mr. Jamieson Black, as President, placed a wreath on the grave as a tribute from St. Catharines. For many years this Association has placed a wreath at the foot of the tomb of Brock at their annual outing at Queenston Heights.
Niagara Falls City, Ontario, Mayor and Aldermen; Niagara Historical Society, Niagara-on-the-Lake; Niagara Public Schools; Ontario Historical Society; St. Andrew's Society, Toronto; St. George's Society, Toronto; St. George's Society, Hamilton; Sons of Scotland Benevolent Association; Sons of Scotland, Camp "Alexander Fraser"; Six Nations Indians (Oshwegan), Brantford; United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada, Toronto; Upper Canada Old Boys' Association, Toronto; Welland County Teachers' Association; Women's Canadian Historical Society, Toronto—Wreath of scarlet gladioli and carnations tied with scarlet and green, the colors of the Society, the motto in gold on a green band: "Deeds Speak"; Women's Wentworth Historical Society, Hamilton.
Miss Ball, granddaughter of Captain John Clement Ball, carried a lithograph of the battle scene (Queenston Heights) made in 1813 from a sketch by Major Dennis as he lay wounded on the field, October 13th, 1812.
In addition to the wreath placed on the monument the United Empire Loyalists hung a wreath on the portrait of General Brock in the Parliament Buildings, Toronto.
The scene presented was unique, and in many respects a remarkable one. Not the least striking feature was the character of the gathering. Descendants of soldiers who fought with Brock were there, some of them carrying the burden of years, some barely out of childhood's leash. Others, and scarcely less interested in the proceedings, represented loyal and patriotic societies, widely spread over the Province. The Indian contingentfrom the Six Nations occupied a conspicuous place of honour most worthily, their presence recalling the signal service rendered by their brave forefathers at Queenston Heights and in the campaign generally. The military detachments added colour to the animated scene. The men of the Royal Canadian Regiment, of the Governor-General's Body Guard, of the Forty-eighth Highlanders, the Queen's Own, the Royal Grenadiers, the Mississauga Horse, the Ridley College Cadets, and of other corps, were drawn up on the outside of the crowd, and beyond them, on the escarpment, the St. Catharines' Battery, Field Artillery, was stationed. Over all floated the Union Jack.
An incident of the gathering in which much interest was shown was the unfurling of an old, historic Union Jack from the top of Brock's Monument by Miss Helen M. Merrill, Secretary of the Committee. When the first monument erected to Brock at Queenston was destroyed (17th April, 1840) a great indignation meeting was held on the Heights. Among those present was a British sailor from one of the ships that conveyed the Toronto people to the meeting. He had brought with him a Union Jack, and climbing to the top of the broken shaft, waved it aloft, amid the cheers of the assembled patriots. The flag was preserved, and Mr. Comer, Kingston, Ont., readily loaned it for this special occasion. Accompanying Miss Merrill to the top of the monument with the flag were Misses Marjorie FitzGibbon and Laura Brodigan and Mr. Allen W. Johnson (Six Nations).
Several relics of the War of 1812-14 were shown by their possessors, who held them sacred, among them a Union Jack, carried by Chief Paudash (Johnson) of the Mississauga Indians, from the Ontario Archives Department; early sketches of the Queenston battlefield, and pictures of officers who took part in the war.
At the close of the speeches the Six Nation Indians present formed a Council, and, in recognition of her services as Honorary Secretary of the Celebration Committee, conferred on Miss Helen M. Merrill the honour of tribal membership by the name "Kah-ya-tonhs"—one who keeps records.
The wreaths having been placed, the programme of the day was opened by the firing of a general salute by the 7th St. Catharines Field Battery of the Royal Canadian Artillery. This was followed by the playing of a lament for the dead by the pipers of the Forty-eighth Highlanders and Pipe-Major Dunbar, piper to Lieut.-Colonel William Hendrie, of Hamilton.
Letters expressing regret for inability to be present were read by Colonel Ryerson from the following gentlemen: The Right Honourable R. L. Borden, M.P., Prime Minister of Canada; His Honour Sir John M. Gibson, K.C.M.G., Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario; Colonel the Honourable Samuel Hughes, M.P., Minister of Militia, Ottawa; the Honourable Sir James P. Whitney, Prime Minister of Ontario; Major-General C. J. Mackenzie, C.B., C.G.S., Ottawa; Major-General W. D. Otter, C.V.O., C.B.; Major-General D. A. Macdonald, C.M.G., Ottawa; Brig.-General F. L. Lessard, C.B.; Colonel R. W. Rutherford, M.G.O.; Dr. R. A. Falconer, President, University of Toronto; Hugh Munro, M.P.P., Glengarry.
The preliminaries over, the gathering was addressed by a number of well known gentlemen whose speeches follow:
This meeting to-day is held to commemorate the death of a brave and wise man who died in the defence of his country. It is not a pean of victory we sing but a requiem. We are not here to glorify war; nor is our object to exult over our brave but defeated adversary. Rather is it an occasion when Canadians should pause and look back over the past and give praise to God that in the days of stress and storm He raised up great, good and brave men who were willing and able to fight for their king and country in order that they might enjoy civil and religious liberty under the British flag, and that they might hand down to their posterity a fair and goodly heritage which they had won from the primeval forests by their labour and sacrifices. The United Empire Loyalists came to this country not as those who desired to better their condition in life, nor were they possessed by land hunger, nor by ideas of political and social aggrandisement. They came solely because of their devotion to the British Crown and Constitution, and because they preferred to live in peace and poverty under a monarchical Government rather than in wealth and discord under republican institutions. It was to these men that Brock appealed, nor did he appeal in vain when war was declared. It wason July 27th, 1812, that in reply to an address from the Assembly of Upper Canada he said:
"Gentlemen: When invaded by an enemy whose avowed object is the entire conquest of the Province, the voice of loyalty as well as of interest calls aloud to every person in the sphere in which he is placed, to defend his country. Our militia have heard the voice and have obeyed it. They have evinced by the promptitude and loyalty of their conduct that they are worthy of the king whom they serve, and of the constitution which they enjoy; and it affords me particular satisfaction, that while I address you as legislators, I speak to men who, in the day of danger, will be ready to assist not only with their counsel, but with arms."He concluded as follows: "We are engaged in an awful and eventful contest. By unanimity and despatch in our councils, and by vigour in our operations, we may teach the enemy this lesson, that a country defended by free men, enthusiastically devoted to the cause of their king and constitution, can never be conquered."
"Gentlemen: When invaded by an enemy whose avowed object is the entire conquest of the Province, the voice of loyalty as well as of interest calls aloud to every person in the sphere in which he is placed, to defend his country. Our militia have heard the voice and have obeyed it. They have evinced by the promptitude and loyalty of their conduct that they are worthy of the king whom they serve, and of the constitution which they enjoy; and it affords me particular satisfaction, that while I address you as legislators, I speak to men who, in the day of danger, will be ready to assist not only with their counsel, but with arms."
He concluded as follows: "We are engaged in an awful and eventful contest. By unanimity and despatch in our councils, and by vigour in our operations, we may teach the enemy this lesson, that a country defended by free men, enthusiastically devoted to the cause of their king and constitution, can never be conquered."
We know the response, and others who will follow me will speak of it in greater detail. With the Canadian poet we can say and sing:
"We boast not of the victory,But render homage, deep and just,To his and their immortal dust,Who proved so worthy of their trust—No lofty pile nor sculptured bustCan herald their degree."No tongue need blazon forth their fame—The cheers that stir the sacred hillAre but the promptings of the willThat conquered then, that conquers still;And generations yet shall thrillAt Brock's remembered name."
"We boast not of the victory,But render homage, deep and just,To his and their immortal dust,Who proved so worthy of their trust—No lofty pile nor sculptured bustCan herald their degree.
"No tongue need blazon forth their fame—The cheers that stir the sacred hillAre but the promptings of the willThat conquered then, that conquers still;And generations yet shall thrillAt Brock's remembered name."
Nor must it be supposed that the United Empire Loyalists and their children were the only men who responded to Brock's call to arms. Our gallant French-Canadian compatriots were not a whit behind in their hearty response. Coming from a brave and adventurous race, they performed deeds of valour and endurance equal to the best in the defence of our country. The hardy Highlanders of Glengarry, too, were rallied to the flag by the Macdonells. Not the least active among these Scottish Roman Catholic Loyalists was the Rev. Alexander Macdonell, a priest who afterwards became the "Good Bishop," a brave and loyal man whose country's welfare was ever near to his heart. Another Macdonell, George, was second in command of the Glengarry Regiment, and still another, Colonel John Macdonell, was aide-de-camp to Brock in addition to being Attorney-General of the Province. He, alas, lost his life in his gallant efforts to second his chief at this battle which we commemorate to-day. Scotsmen are ever brave and loyal, and we have in the Scottish population of the country an element on whom we can rely in time of danger.
Let us not forget that we owe not a little to our Indian allies in the War of 1812. Tecumseh and Brant played great parts. Nor was Brock niggardly in his praise. After the fall of Detroit he says in his despatch to the Governor-General:
"The conduct of the Indians, under Colonel Elliot, Captain McKee and other officers of the department, joined to that of the gallant and brave of their respective tribes, has since the commencement of the war been marked with acts of true heroism, and in nothing can they testify more strongly their love for their King, their great Father, than in following the dictates of honour and humanity by which they have hitherto been actuated."
"The conduct of the Indians, under Colonel Elliot, Captain McKee and other officers of the department, joined to that of the gallant and brave of their respective tribes, has since the commencement of the war been marked with acts of true heroism, and in nothing can they testify more strongly their love for their King, their great Father, than in following the dictates of honour and humanity by which they have hitherto been actuated."
Why do we single out Brock as a hero among so many who have rendered good service to the country? I think that it is because he was a man of loyalty, vigour, energy and administrative ability; because he was the embodiment of the patriotism and loyalty of the people; because he had within him the power to inspire others with the spirit of patriotism and self-sacrifice; and above and beyond all, it is due to his efforts, and to the spirit of resistance and Imperialism to which he gave form and substance, that Canada to-day is an integral part of the British Empire, and a daughter nation within that great galaxy of the nations known as the British Empire.
What does it mean to be a British citizen? What benefits accrue to us by having this status? Are not the paths of the sea open to us and to our commerce by the grace of the British navy? Can we not go to all parts of the world as individuals, knowing that the Union Jack protects us? Is it a small privilege to share in the brave deeds of the British army? Are we not proud of our common literature, and are not Shakespeare and Milton and Tennyson our very own? Not borrowed plumes we are wearing, but our own. And are not the benefits of British civil, religious and political liberty ours also? Is not British justice and administration of the law something to be proud of and to be thankful for? What should we do to maintain our status as a partner, a full partner, in the Imperial concern? Is it not our bounden duty to contribute directly to the support of the British navy? Are we to lag behind the other self-governing nations of the Empire in this essential duty? A thousand times No! A Government which will subscribe twenty-five millions of dollars for this purpose, and at once, can go to the polls in perfect confidence when their time comes to ask the people for their verdict.
Some good people seem to think that the time of universal peace is at hand. One has only to look at the state of affairs in Europe on this very day, to perceive how far we are removed from the millennium. In time of peace we must prepare for war; preparation for war is the best insurance policy against it. We wish to live at peace with all nations, but at all costs and at all hazards we must defend our shores. Universal military service is the duty of the Canadian people in the near future. The people will be better for it morally and physically. It will surely come, for the policy of the future is the maintenance of the integrity of the British Empire. We love our country, we believe it has a great future; we must make it secure. What says a sweet singer of Canada: