The readers of "Social Credit" have probably remarked that most, if not all, of the names of our organizers and workers 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 the Province of Quebec which saw the rise of Social Credit in Eastern Canada, and it is there that Social Credit is at its most flourishing. Consequently, it is from Quebec that the movement is spreading out into the Maritimes and over Ontario. But that fact by no means makes of Social Credit a matter of nationality, race or creed.
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! these are Roman Catholics. They're here to try and convert us. We want no part or parcel 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 Catholic. But they're not visiting neighboring provinces to act as missionaries of the Catholic Church. They're there as missionaries of Social Credit. It is the tremendous appeal of Social Credit, it is their love of the people, above all for people in misfortune, that motivates their labor.
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. But 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 Anglican Church. But that is no reason why non-Anglicans Baptists, Lutherans, Quebec Catholics or any others should not come to know and benefit from 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 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 Social Credit.
When the bearer of our message passes on from your locality, it is for you who remain to carry on the work there and in all the surrounding territory. That is why we set up, wherever possible, Social Credit Centers. The Centers are for the people of the town or district. It is in these Centers that Crediters can meet informally, intimately, to study and discuss the movement, to learn the ways of Social Credit and to plan how to propagate it in their own locale and in neighboring towns and districts.
French - Canadian, English - Canadian, Protestant or Catholic; 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.