Epilogue 237

forget the patience shown by the British in the years 1714-1755, and their equal justice after the Aca- dians had taken the oath of allegiance.

If the tragic period must be revived, it should be treated as a whole in its true relation to the rival policies and practices of both French and British; and he who would “see life steadily and see it whole,” must not be content to rail at either Lawrence or Le Loutre; but must look back to the politico-religious and commercial imperialism of Louis XIV, which threatened to strangle both Holland and England, and brought the howling savage to the doors of the English colonist in America, before it met its cruel nemesis, first in Acadia in 1755, then in Quebec in 1759, and finally in Paris in 1793.

Further, if and in so far as the Acadians are being urged to do their duty, in religion, education, and government, to that extent they must in a sense register a protest against their ancestors for adopt- ing the false idea of neutrality in citizenship. As they assume public offices under free British institu- tions, offices which were never in existence under the French, as they administer justice and discharge the duties of government, they will learn, and should proclaim, that no attack is being made upon their religion, their race, or their rights. They are free to worship and do worship as they wish, their race is enshrined in its traditions, and their rights are the duty of finding complete self-expression according to their nature. The more they educate their sons the more positions of trust and responsibility they