If in the public press, the legislative assemblies, the labor meetings, public gatherings, where mind meets mind, ideal clashes with ideal, knowledge with knowledge, where facts are being examined and weighed, where ideas are thrown into the melting pot of public debate, if then and there, there is no one to stand for Catholic views in the various matters under discussion, can we be astonished that we are absolutely ignored, and our views not considered?  “We believe that an attitude of merely destructive criticism, of aloofness, scepticism, pessimism, is a deplorable mistake.  It is not by standing aloof from the movements of our day, but by going fearlessly into them with the message of truth entrusted to our charge, shall we best fulfil our high mission towards our fellow countrymen.  We must seize these opportunities in the spirit of high confidence and dauntless zeal which befits those who have the Truth, know they have the Truth, and are assured that the Truth is great and shall prevail.”  (Universe—­June 13, 1919.)

Never has a greater opportunity challenged the Church and her leaders than at this great turning of the tide in the history of the world.  Canada itself is on the threshold of the most eventful and decisive period of her national life.  “The war has brought our country into the broad stream of internationalism . . . and a new national consciousness is being born and is sweeping over the land.”  In the future, as in the past, our Dominion will remain divided by race and creed.  But let us not forget that the various religious and ethnical groups will have only the influence that gives true leadership.  The value and the measure of higher education among Catholics will therefore give the value and the measure of their participation in the remodelling of their great country.

If such is the case of Catholics throughout Canada, what would we not say of Catholics in our Western Provinces.  In this reconstruction of our Dominion the prairie Provinces are without doubt to play a preponderant part.  One has only to open his eyes to see the trend of our national policies, and immediately grasp the growing importance of our Western Provinces.  The West is gradually passing from the pioneer conditions and becoming conscious of its importance.  With the beautiful qualities and unlimited resources of youth, it has also its dangerous shortcomings.  Daring, venturous, over confident, the western mind is easily and frequently hasty and radical in its conclusions.  Intoxicated with wealth and success, inspired and aroused by the great possibilities of his new home, the Westerner is ever tempted to experiment in legislation, make extreme views prevail and believe the newest is always the best.  He will boast of broadmindedness, of love of freedom and at the same time will, under the deceiving tyranny of number, suppress the most sacred rights.  Nowhere we claim in our Dominion, is Catholic leadership and therefore