The readers of this paper may remark that the names of numerous workers and organisers appearing on these pages are French-Canadian. The reason, simply, is this: any message must be carried to those who do not have it by those who do have it. Now it so happens that it is in the province of Quebec that Social Credit took roots in Eastern Canada, and it is there that the movement is most flourishing under the formula of The Union of Electors. Consequently, it is from Quebec that the movement is spreading out into the Maritimes and over Ontario. But that fact by no means make it a matter of nationality, creed or race.
It is understandable that this might at first give rise to some mistrust. But generally speaking, any suspicion soon vanishes in the light of the complete sincerity and selflessness of those who carry and propagate our message.
Perhaps some of our English-speaking friends, or those of the Protestant faith, might react in this fashion: "From Quebec.! Aha! those wily Roman Catholics! They've devised another scheme to try and convert us! Well, we want no part or portion of these Papists!".
Well, it's true that in Quebec the population is predominantly Catholic. And since our workers come from the people, they too are Catholics. But they are not visiting neighboring provinces to act as missionaries for the Catholic Church. They are there as missionaries of Social Credit. It is the tremendous appeal of Social Credit, it is their love for the people, above all for people in misfortune, that motivates their labor.
And the proof that these missionaries are activated by only the highest motives is that they come to you in utter simplicity, almost in poverty. Do they drive a sumptuous car?
They drive only the most ordinary of machines and then only if it is absolutely necessary to their work. Do they put up at luxurious hotels? On the contrary, they ask for a meal and a night's lodging from charitable Crediters or from folks who sympathize with the work they are doing.
These intelligent, dynamic young people could be carving prominent places for themselves in the world if they so wished. But no, they've put that aside to bring to the people the message of Social Credit, the message which alone can restore order and balance to our disordered and unbalanced system.
There is no question that the principles and ideals of Social Credit are in complete harmony with true Christian teachings, and based on a genuine concern for mankind. At the same time, one need not profess this or that creed or faith in order to be possessed by a genuine concern for the welfare of mankind. After all, when you come down to analyze it, one generally isn't concerned about that vague, amorphous mass called mankind. One generally derives stimulation from the knowledge of particular cases of poverty or misery. The knowledge that children are hungry or cold or unsheltered will drive any man to do what he can to relieve this situation, regardless of whether or not he profess a faith or a creed. The doctrine of Social Credit will appeal to any man who has within him one decent instinct or one ounce of logic.
Social Credit is not tied up with any religious denomination. In fact, the founder of Social Credit, a Scottish engineer, Major Douglas, was himself a member of the Angļican Church, But that is no reason why non Anglicans, Baptists, Lutherans, Quebec Catholics, etc., should not come to know the wonderful light shed on the world by the genius of Major Douglas.
So if, at the present time, the active workers in our organization are mostly French-speaking Canadians, be sure, dear English-speaking friends, that our dearest wish is to see great numbers of you joining us in this great drive to spread the movement of the Union of Electors.
We are all Canadians; we are all working to make this country of ours a happier place for everyone to live in. Whether we are Protestant, Catholic, Hebrew or just nothing-at-all, we all want everyone in this country, to have a rightful share in the more than abundant production of this country.
Whether we are French-Canadians, Italian-Canadians, Hungarian-Canadians, we are all joined by that basic common factor — Canadian! The economic salvation of this country will not be the work of one class or one creed or one race. It will come only through the united efforts of all who say: "I am a Canadian!"
So, setting aside language and creed, let us rise up all together to carry the message of Social Credit from one end of our respective provinces to the other; from one end of Canada to the other. We almost said into every climate and under every sun. But then, why not? Are not the political and economic principles of Social Credit, like the philosophy which gave birth to them, universal in their nature? And it is this very character of universality which renders Social Credit so much in accord with human nature and the natural order of things in this life. Human nature is the same everywhere. And the natural order is something universal, a law we might say or to use a word dear to the heart of Douglas, a "canon" — which no nation, no people, can violate and escape retribution.
The locale in the photo below is St. Basile, N. B. The occasion, the Social Credit congress of 1958. The particular event depicted in the photograph is the official entry of the Honourable Edgar Fournier into the congress auditorium. By his side, wearing the white beret, is Mr. Louis Even, founder and director-general of the Social Credit movement of the Union of Electors. Mr. Fournier is there as the official representative of Mr. Fleming, premier of New Brunswick. In his speech from the platform that day, Mr. Fournier castigated high Finance:
"The monetary system is defective, he said, among other things." And again: "As official representative of the premier of my province, I will make it my duty to transmit to him the resolutions which you have adopted here. It will be a great honor for me to present them to my government." The main resolution of the congress was for finance by the Bank of Canada without interest or taxes. Both Mr. Fleming and Mr. Fournier support this proposition. Here then, was a government which was willing not only to meet its people, but to back up the will of that people.