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The Citizen, 1991-06-25, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26,1991. Opinion Patriotism, not nationalism As Canada marks ils 124th birthday, Monday, it is an example to the world about the delicate balance between a country with too much nationalism, and one with too little. Canadians are in a unique position in the world. We were founded as a country when two major European groups, the British and the French, either defeated or bargained with, the native population to take over the northern part of the continent. To that mix of two founding people, we have added people from every nation in the world to make the world’s most cosmopolitan population. We are a country that has been dominated by two of the greatest empires in the history of the world. We were created by the British Empire and it dominated history and culture for most of the first century. The British influence only started to wane when the American influence pushed it aside. For the last 50 years we have more and more been dominated by American business and culture. Only since the Centennial celebrations of 1967 has the country shown signs of self-confidence in itself and begun to develop a culture that is uniquely Canadian. But events of the last five years, from Meech Lake and the reaction to its failure, to the Free Trade and to the growing globalization, have made us doubt we can continue that sense of Canadianism. Our self-doubt is something foreign to either our British or American cousins. Reared in a sense of destiny, the people of both nations never doubted their country was bound for greatness. Our future, in many ways, is endangered by our doubts. Our lack of nationalism, our humility, means we don’t build the kind of strong bonds that make the country easy to destroy. At around the same age, remember, the U.S. also had a crisis when the southern states seceded to prolong slavery. So certain were Americans of their destiny, they were prepared to go to war to keep the country united. It's hard to see Canadians taking that route and that is the other side of our lack of nationalism. Because we don't feel the need to conquer the world, because we don't feel the end justifies the means, Canadians have spent little time in fighting wars. Aside from three brief rebellions we have spent few years at war and none of those wars have been wars of conquest We have felt no destiny to save the world or rule the world. We have, instead, been willing to offer our services as peacekeepers, trying to resolve the problems of other nations. We've just wanted to be left alone. Just being left alone, however, isn't the kind of exciting vision that unites people in common cause. The challenge for Canadians is to build the positive kind of nationalism that helps weld a country together, without going so overboard the country becomes aggressive in die world. Canadians need more patriotism but, eye-witnesses as we have been to the extreme nationalism of the British and Americans, we're reluctant to wear our hearts on our sleeves. Yet if we don't have a more dramatic demonstration of caring for our country, we won't have a country to care for. With our self-effacing nature, our relative tolerance to accept people from all the world around, and our lack of aggressiveness, Canadians are a peaceful example for all the world. But to be that example, we have to find a way to hold the country together. How the other half lives Provincial governments in Ontario and Saskatchewan aren't very popular with some of their employees these days. The governments have asked some employees to discover there is life beyond the capital city and the employees don’t want to go. Civil servants in Ontario, for instance, aren't being too civil about the idea they may have to move to Windsor. For many, this is akin to sending them beyond civilization...which slops at Mississauga...if not Etobicoke. But Windsor! And the government is somewhat handicapped in expounding some of the benefits of life in Windsor. It can hardly, for instance, point out the civil servants will only be a few minutes drive from avoiding provincial sales tax by shopping in the U.S. Pity the poor civil servants, however. Now they'll actually have to live in the province they're helping govern, they’ll have to experience (ugh) the world outside Metro. It's a traumatic thought. No wonder they're worried. It was a scream! Looking Backward LOOKING BACKWARD ONE YEAR AGO JUNE 27,1990 Organizers of the first annual Rutabaga Festival agreed that despite the rainy weather, the ven­ ture was a huge success. Mel McCutcheon was installed as District Deputy Grand Master for District 8 of the Oddfellows. Walton Sports Club finalized plans for a booth at the upcoming FunFest event in Brussels. Wallace (Jake) McDougall cele­ brated his 90th birthday at a parly held in Londesboro United Church. Fujihiko Yoshino, of Japan, made a return visit to the home of George Procter, RR5, Brussels, where he had stayed 23 years earli­ er on an agricultural exchange. With Mr. Yoshino on this trip were his wife, Kazue and son, Yusuke. Bill Vanstone, Chairman of the Library Board, Grey township Reeve Leona Armstrong, County Warden Lionel Wilder and Harold Bragg, Cranbrook Library Board Chairman cut the ribbon opening the new Cranbrook Library. A Field of Flowers opened at Blyth Festival. THREE YEARS AGO JUNE 22*1988 A chemical spill in Ethel, at first feared to be deadly PCB, but was later called "harmless" by an Ontario Hydro spokesperson after testing the liquid in a laboratory in London. The spill resulted from an acci­ dent, where a truck took down two hydro poles. Terry Lefor, a 16-year-old Cran­ brook youth, sustained serious leg injuries after the all-terrain vehicle he was driving collided with a car. Blyth council held its local lax increase to 1.5% Dorothy and Laurie Scott of Blyth celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Jennie Turnbull of Brussels turned 90 on June 16. Over 100 guests attended a party in her hon­ our. Five members of the Blyth Girl Guide company were awarded their all-round cord. They were: Karin Lee, Crystal Cuckscy, Heidi Scrim- geour, Nikki Snell, and Kathey Bakker. Morris township council applied for a grant to construct new side­ walks in Walton. FIVE YEARS AGO JUNE 25,1986 The new EMA store opened in Brussels. The 6000-squarc fool building stands on the site of the former Queen's Hotel which was tom down earlier in the year. Ken Scott principal of Brussels Public School for 19 years was transferred to East Wawanosh to lake on the position of principal there. An Open House in his hon­ our was held at the school. Bev Elliott and Marilyn Forbes opened their new business "Christ­ mas and Country" in Blyth. The specialty store offered an option to theatre goers who could come and browse through the unique inventory. Jim Axtmann was honoured al Grey Central School for his years as principal there. Mr. Axtmann moved to the Brussels School. Some 400 people attended the annual Country Fayre in Belgrave. United Way studies Huron The United Way of Sarnia - Lambton has set up a project office at Huronview Retirement Home, to study the feasibility of the United Way in Huron County. Wednesday, June 26 at 1 p.m. an information meeting is planned for social service agencies, business, industries and media. The theme for this meeting is: "We are here for you!” There are presently 122 United Way offices throughout Canada. Last year United Way raised $210 million and supported 3600 social service agencies. Each United Way is specifically designed to meet the needs of their own region. For more information contact The United Way Project Office al 482-7643. The Citizen P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O Box 152, BRUSSELS. Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 The Citizen Is published weekly In Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable In advance at a rate of $20.50 year ($19.16 plus $1.34 G.S.T.) for local; $19.16 ♦ $1.66 for each month after March 31/92 ♦ G.S.T. for local letter carrier in Goderich, Hanover, Llstowel, etc. and out-of-area (40 miles from Brussels); S60.00/year for U.S.A, and Foreign. Advertising Is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, only that portion of the advertisement will be credited. Advertising Deadlines: Monday, 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p.m. - Blyth. We are not responsible for unsolicited newscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copywright. Serving Brussels, Blyth, Auburn, Belgrave, Ethel, Londesborough, Walton and surrounding townships. Editor & Publisher, Keith Roulston Advertising Manager, Dave Williams Second Class Mail Registration No. 6968