Although Prairie boosterism took many forms, it often
consisted of simple comparisons of earlier views of
a community with latter-day views. As demonstrated in
this excerpt from a political pamphlet, urban growth
was equated with urban progress, both of which were
a source of civic pride and were widely flaunted.
Although A Book of Contrasts does not have
a proper title page with the publisher, author, and
date of publication, some of this bibliographic information
can be obtained through an analysis of the contents.
Only by undertaking such an exercise is it possible
to understand the context in which the pamphlet was
produced.
For example, in each of the cities presented in the
pamphlet, the "before" and "after"
dates are consistent - all the "before" dates
are 1896 and all the "after" dates are 1908.
The front cover features a prominent portrait of Wilfrid
Laurier who was first elected Prime Minister in July
1896. He was reelected in 1900, 1904, and 1908. We
can then assume that A Book of Contrasts was likely
produced by the Liberal Party in connection with the
1908 general election. Using urban "progress"
as its central theme, the pamphlet called on civic
pride and reminded voters that the Prairie West had
experienced an impressive growth record under the
Laurier administration. The underlying implication
was clear: if westerners want the progress to continue,
they should vote Liberal.
The pamphlet may have had some effect on voters.
In 1908, the West helped to return Laurier and his
Liberal government to the House of Commons with a
comfortable majority. They retained power until 1911.
