BX April 24, 1916
Secretary of the Liberal Club Presented with a Purse of Gold – H.D. McIntyre is Leaving to Take Course to Qualify as Lieutenant in the 215th Battalion – Was Honored by Liberal Club Officers on Eve of Departure
At the Liberal Club rooms on Saturday evening Mr. Herb McIntyre, who has been secretary of the South Brant Reform association for the past three years, was presented with a purse of gold on the eve of his departure to qualify as a subaltern in the 215th Battalion, in which he has enlisted. The proceedings were of an informal nature, only a few dozen of the officers of the Liberal organization and Mr. McIntyre’s closest friends being present, but the genial secretary was taken completely by surprise and the occasion was a most enjoyable one.
The address was read by Mr. John Muir and was as follows:
April 22, 1916
Brantford
Herbert D. McIntyre, Esq.
Secretary, Brant and City of Brantford Reform Association
Dr. Mr. McIntyre,
A good many interesting addresses have been delivered within these walls to which you have had the privilege of listening, but we think there is no address yet delivered here which will interest you more than the one you are now asked to pay attention to.
The tone of this address is typical of the truce which now prevails in party politics in Canada, in that it contains no glorification of our political leaders of our party’s achievements, yet we cannot forget that we are Liberals, or that the principles of democracy for which Great Britain and her Allies are fighting are such as our party has always cherished and sought by all constitutional means to advance. We are not surprised, therefore, that the call to service in this war has appealed strongly to one who like yourself, has always been a strong upholder of Liberal principles, and that you have asked to be relieved, for a time at least, of your duties here in order that you may play your part, as opportunity may afford, in the defence of the Empire.
Let us say to you that we applaud the course you are taking and are desirous that our approval shall take a tangible form. Will you, therefore, kindly accept the accompanying purse, as a slight recognition of that approval, as well as of the appreciation in which we hold your services to Liberalism in South Brant, and our prayer that having done your duty by the Empire you may return in full vigor of body and mind to resume the duties you are now called upon to temporarily relinquish.
On behalf of the members,
Joseph H. Ham, John Muir, Bert Henderson, John Moffat, Logan M. Waterous, James J. Hurley, Morgan E. Harris, E.C. Tench, J.W. Porter, W.B. Preston
The presentation was made by Mr. Bert Henderson. Mr. McIntyre, in acknowledging, stated that he found it very difficult to express just what he was feeling in his heart. He scarcely felt that he had deserved the great generosity of his friends as indicated by the handsome bag of the very kind sentiments expressed in the address. He felt that no tribute was due to him nor to anyone else who at this time was merely doing his duty as he saw it. The call had come to him and though he was frank enough to confess that he would much prefer to stay at home and fight political battles, still he felt that this was a time when the demands of King and country came before personal inclinations, and sacrifices had to be made. He was just going to do his little bit, and he hoped when he reached the trenches that his friends would pray that he would do his full duty. He hoped that the war would not be of long duration and that he would soon be able to resume his old work again. The political truce had been a splendid thing, as it had brought men of different political allegiance closer together and the country would be benefited thereby. When the next test of party strength came there would undoubtedly be much less bitterness. At the same time he liked a good fight, and he would look forward, after the Kaiser had been subjugated to taking part in a friendly scrap with the Conservatives. In closing, he thanked his friends with all his heart for their great kindness which he would never forget.
Following Mr. McIntyre, short addresses were given by Messrs. Joseph Ham, M.P.P., Morgan Harris, Logan Waterous, W.H. Biggar and others. A pleasing feature of the evening was the presence of Messrs. Sam and Arthur Burnley, who though members of the opposing camp politically had come up to pay their respects to Mr. McIntyre, whom they said, they had always highly regarded and were glad to have the opportunity of adding their expressions of good wishes for the Liberal Club secretary’s safe return.
Mr. John Muir acted as chairman, and after reading the address, paid a high tribute to the efficiency of Mr. McIntyre’s work as secretary of the Reform Association, stating that owing to his splendid organizing ability the party was in the best of fighting form.
