W. L. Morton 1908–1980

JOURNAL OF CANADIAN STUDIES REVUE D'ETUDES CANADIENNES Editor Editorial Committee Managing Editor Business Manager French Language Advisor Editorial Board JOHN WADLAND HARVEY McCUE JAMES PAGE MICHAEL PETERMAN (chairman) DENIS SMITH JAMES STRUTHERS ARLENE DAVIS MARGARET PEARCE TERENCE MELLORS DAYID CAMERON WALLACE CLEMENT RALPH HEINTZMAN MARGARET LAURENCE JACQUES MONET, S.J. W.F.W. NEVILLE GORDON ROPER DONALD V. SMILEY PHILIP STRATFORD T.H.B. SYMONS W.E. TAYLOR DONALD F. THEALL CLARA THOMAS MELVILLE H. WATKINS ALAN WILSON W. L. Morton 1908-1980 Directeur Comite executif Gerante de la redaction Administration Conseiller de languefranraise Comite de redaction The Journal has lost a staunch friend. W. L. Morton graciously responded to every request for advice from our editors from the Journal's inception: he would never have been so presumptuous as to try to force his views upon others. His dedication to the idea of a journal directed toward concerned Canadians, whatever their interests or profession, reflected his own commitment to communication and discussion. He reinforced our sense of purpose. The Journal and this young university were a twin birth: during those early years Bill's experience, maturity and wisdom often helped to carry others over periods of doubt or indecision. Ideas, especially ideas and values that could help to interpret Canadian experience, consumed him. A temperament that often directed him toward detachment - even skepticism about human behaviour - was balanced by a wry sense of humour, by compassion, and by his devotion to intellectual action and to broad and effective communication. Journal ofCanadian Studies Vol. 15, No. 4 (Hiver 1980-81 Winter) Even as a senior colleague, he came comfortably and with conviction into first year teaching. He once remarked that the graduate schools could only be justified if we sent on to them young men and women who knew what education was about; if they didn't, they would never learn it there. His years on the Board of the CBC reinforced his recognition that in a country as large, as scattered and as socially diverse as Canada, communication was the best means of our survival. To recognize and celebrate our regional and cultural differences by constant dialogue was as essential to keeping our kind of federalism alive as were the political processes by which we sought to define and protect it. Canada's political culture was unique, and it demanded a many-sided approach. Commenting on a manuscript, suggesting a contributor, urging a board that would reflect all regional and class lines, inviting a distinguished visitor to his college, he always saw an opportunity of building. His was so often the youngest spirit and the wisest voice. Despite his gentle, amused skepticism, one of his favourite expressions was ''It might be best...." The "might" reflected both his humility and his perennial aspiration toward improvement; the "best" affirmed his uncompromising attachment to excellence. Modesty and dignity were reflected in everything he did or said. Integrity and humanity were his clearest qualities. The Journal and all those associated with it sensed the privilege of associating with a great spirit. Yet simplicity also lay at the heart of this complex man. It was fitting that Bill Morton should be the Journal's longest and most experienced advisor. The Journal has tried to achieve a goal of presenting complex public issues and sound scholarship in terms that could be appreciated and debated by those who were not experts in the field. This was always Bill Morton's concern. When we at Trent were questioning whether to insist 2 upon the preparation of a dissertation by candidates for the Master's degree, Bill's was the strongest voice in support of this requirement. His words will be remembered by his colleagues: ''A man should be able to present the results of the most difficult research in sound English prose. He should, if it's good enough, be able to compress it further for the Journal. After all, we should expect it to sound intelligent and informed, and not merely learned.'' Those words were given a larger meaning in his own life and work, and in his example to the Journal. A.W. Editor's Note In keeping with Bill Morton's concerns for...