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Wilfrid~Laurier
ON THB PLATFORM
'"^T ' ECTION OP THE PRINCIPAL SPEECHES MADE IN
" PARLIAMENT OR BEFORE THE PEOPLE BY THE
HONORABLE WILFRID LAURIER,
p. C, Q. C, M. P.,
Member for Quebec-East in the Commons,
SINCE HIS ENTRY INTO ACTIVE POLITICS IN 1871
COMPILED BY
Illustrated with a portrait of Mr. Laurier and prefaced
with a sketch of his career and loork
QUKBEC
Tdbcotm a Me;»abd'8 steam printing ofBce, 59, St-Joieph street
1890
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Frontispiece Portrait of Mr. Laurier
Page
Dedication.
Intkoduciion:
I.— THE MAN :—
Wilfrid Laurier, L. 0. David Ill
Laurier in Parliament, Rodolphe Lemieux.. VIII
Mr. Laurier's home, J. S. Willison XI
II.— THE WORK, Ulric Barthe XXI
Mr. Laurier's I'arliamentari/ debut — (Translation)
Quebec Legislative Assembly, 10th November 1871. 1
Abolition of Vital Representation — (Translation)
Quebec Legislative Assembly, 24th November 1871...
Louis Riel in the Commons —
House of Commons, l5th .^pril, 1874 21
The Tariff question in 1877—
House of Commons, 22nd March, 1877 41
Political Liberalism — (Translation)
Lecture at Quebec, 26th .luno, 1877 ."il
The Quebec Ministerial Crisis in 1878 —
House of Commons, 11th April, 1878 81
Liewfenniit- Governor fj''tdtier's Art —
House of Commons, 12th March, l.s7y 80
All iilfectimj Scene in flie House —
House of Commons, 15th March, 1 880 Ill
A Toast to the French Acailemij — (Tuaxslatiox)
Bamjuet to Mr. Louis Frechette, 17th Xov.,1880 11.5
The Construction of the Pacijic —
House of Commons, 21st December, 1880 123
>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ij-
Jivnorali/e Eilirunl Hhikf at Mnulrcul — 0'"a>''*I'VTIO\)
HiiiLjuot to Mr. JJIiike, J'.Hh Miiicli, IHSI 141
T/ir Ontario liuiiuilarij qinsthni —
ilou^ie of Coiniuons, 4ih April, 1882 147
A ijmnfioii of autoitomi/—
(The Lioenirt Act, 18S:{) IStli Miucli, 1884 159
I'arlidnnnl Life— ( Tkaxslation)
Lecture at Montiettl, I'.ttli May, I8H4 171
Au'itlier question of Provincial Autonomy —
(Thu Franchise bill) 17tli April, 188J 193
The wrontl llebellion in tlie Nurth- IKe.*< —
House of Commons, 7 til -luly, 1^85 211
The Execntimi of Jlicl —
House of Commons, IGth March, ISSti 251
Mr. Ldiirier at Toronto —
Horticultural Pavilion, 1 0th December, 1 880 303
Home Rule for Ireland —
House of Commons, 21st April, 1887 341
Mr. Laurier as leader of the Canadian Liberal Party — (Tiiansl.)
Speech ut Somerset, 2ml August, 1887 353
Unlimited Commercial Reciprocity—
House of Commons, r)th April, 1881 389
JJeath nf Jlonorahfe Thomas White —
House of Commons, 23r(l April, 1888 439
Mr. Laurier before the people of Ontario —
Speech at Oakville, 13th August, 1888 441
Thv Fisheries* Emliroijlio —
Speed J at St. Thomas, (i)nt.) 27th August, 1888 463
The Fishery dispute —
Jlouse.of Commons, 26th February, 1889 469
The Jesuits' Estates^
House of Commons, 2Sth March, 1889 493
f
I
, *i
I
TAnr.E OF CONTENTS ///
'2ilh June, 1S«'J_(TraN.si,ation)
National fiuiiqiiet at Quehec ^ori
A\Mexmije <>/ I'cace-m.
Speoch nt Toronto, 3()tli September, I.HS',) ryy^
The Dual Lnnijumjc qiiestii>n^
House of Commons, 17th February, 1^0(» ru\
Triumph of I'rocinnifif /^'//A/.i,— (Tim.vslatiox)
Banijuet at Montreal, 2nil July IMIKJ ,i„9
Consulting index (qr)
h
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1H71-1SOO
WILFRID LAURIER
ON THE PLATFORM
INTRODUCTION
THE 3N.d:A.3sr
WILFRID LAURIER
Tall, thin and straight as an arrow, with the pale,
sickly face of the student, hair chestnut, thick and
inclined to curl : countenance mild, serious and ren-
dered sympathetic liy an air of nielanclmly ; manners
plain, delicate, reserved and res]tect-commanding;
voice sweet and scmorous.
Charact r lofty, peaceful. frank and independent ;
a choice nature inclined to the lieautiful and the
good, loving justice and truth.
Mind u]tright. hroad and luminous ; judgment
sound, calm and deej) ; inuigination sulllcicnt ; me-
niorv excfllent.
IV
INTHnDUCTION
The most remjvrkable I'iirliiimentiiry orator oftlio
(lay possessed by Lower Canada. Others may liave
iixjre brilliant eb)quenee, more captivating ima,cery ;
he has neither the voice, the gesture, nor the fire of
the tribune; his temperament like his nature does not
lend itself to those impetuous movements, those
energetic inspiratioii'^.fiir which certain men arc noted.
Jfe is not gifted with the energy of Frechette, the fire
of Chapleau or the nervous and flowery language of
Chauveau, I)ut more than our distinguished orators
has he the tone, the method, the loftiness of ideas,
the ci»rrev.t reasoning, tlic purity of diction and the
elegance of language which constitute the Parliamen-
tary orator.
Eloquence has often been compared to the torrent
which hurls itself with thunder or to the rij)|>ling of
tlie Itrook which tlowe* through Howery meadows.
Mr. Laurier'a elo<iucnce resembles neither the
one nor the other ; it may ]»e compared rather to the
pure and limpid waters of the great rivers of our coun-
try.
iMr. Laurier's well balanced intellectual faculties
produce in him that measured language for which he is
distinguished and which so well befits Parliament.
His eloquence springs rather from the mind than
from the heart; he does not sjteak for an hour over a
comma as do eome lawyers and does nut lose himself
in the clouds like the poets ; no. at a glance, he em-
braces all sides of a «iucstion, seizes its biading prin-
cii>le and draws therefrom a series of reasonings
which are connected together like the links of a
chain, of close arguments, whose dryness he tempers
Avith noble thoughts and ca[>tivating reflexions.
•
INTRODrt'TIoN
Always master dt' liis thoujilitn. lio novor says inuro
thtan he wanti to any and lie i-ays it without ♦■irort nt'
mind, voice c)r gesture and witiiout hesitation. His
hvnguajje is so simple ami so natural, his delivery so
easy and his thoujihtss so true as to give theimpres.sion
that any one could do as muih. Tliis is i)rccisely
the chiel' merit of the jjreat orators, of Mr. Tliier.s, tor
instance, to seem to say just what every one helieves
that he has already said or thought.
This ])er feet ion is not attained witiiout study ; to
Le aide to treat dillicult t|Uestions so as to make them
intelligihle to every one. calls tor a lucidity, a pene-
tration of mind, which few men possess, and great
reasoning jtower.
Mr. Laurier enjoys the ailvantage of l)eing a born
orator, hut he lias the merit of having cultivated this
sitlendid natural gift, of having respected it, and of
having understoi-d that the oratoi must l»e an honest
and a good man.
Listen to him and it is at once seen that his
language is the echo of conviction, of correctness (»f
mind, and of ii noble heart. And the im{)ressiou which
he creates upon his auditory constitutes the greatest
and best part of his force and liis merit.
.Mr. Laurier was born on tiie twentieth Novembei',
1S41, at St-Tiin a (juiet, modest parish, which little
thought, especially then, of producing orators and
statesmen. He is the son of Mr. Carolus Laurier,
land surveyor. He entered the Assomi)tion cidlege
in 1854 and gave early evidence of his literary and
oratorical abilities. He was the i)opuhir speaker of
the college and the fraiiicr of its addresses.
Laurier was a good seholai, fcrious and kindly,
VI
1!«tuoiu(;ti<»n
esteomed by his teachers and his comrades and noted
already for the j)oHtaMioss and delicacy which are his.
characteristics at present, lie was as a general thing
ohedieiit to tlic rules, but he incurred punishment
several times for jioin^ without leave to hear the
lawyers plead in the villajre court house or to listen
to the popular orators. Mis vocation was asserting
itself in spite of rules and rcjruhitions.
Having linished his studies, he \\g t to .Montreal
to study law witii Mr llodolphc Lnlhuniue, mernljer
for .Ta(!quos C'artier. His student life was not stormy
and dissipated like that of so many young incMi. who
imagine that there remains notiiing for them to le.irn
after they leave college.
He was sidmitted to the I)iir in ISflland jtractised
for two years in ^[ontreal. Tiiis was the time when
every one was turning lawyer, when tjileiit alone was
not enough to get on ra])idly. i.iurier naoreover soon
l)egan to feel the first attacks of the disease which
for a long time caused much fear to his friends. The»e
reasons induced him to tpiit the city in ISfiG to esta-
blish himself at .\rthabaska and take editorial charge
of /.(' hi'frirlicnr in the [)lace of Mr. J. ]>. I*]ric Horion,
'■ l.'Enfiml Trrriblr, " who had just then died.
b' Ih'j'rirlu'nr ceased to ajtpear some months after-
wards and Laurier had tiic happy thouglit to devote
liims^If exclusively to his profession, inaUing himself
Ml a short time a reputation as a lawyer which b: ought
him money and acquiring a popularity which led to
his election ia 1871 to tiie Fiocal Legislature l)y a
majority of 10(MI votes over .Mr. llennuing.
The efTuct whicii his elotjuence produced in Par-
liament and the applause which it won even from his
INTnODUlTIOX
VII
'
udver3arie.« will liercinciubored. The youthful orator's
debut was greeted with flowers and the riaing star
was sr.luted on all sides.
At the last general elections lortheFedend Hougo,
he ran against Mr Tesaier and succeeded in getting
elected.
Invited tosecond the address in reply to the Speech
fr Jiii the Throne, he at once took his place in the
foremost rank of theoratorsof the Federal I'nrliiinient.
On that itccasinu, he yielded ton much, perliaps, to
the desire to please the majority of the llou^e, hy
giving exj)ressi<in to ide.is whic i <lo not (juite agree
with the opinions to wiiich he has often given
utteiiince in favor of independence.
The Kngiifcli members v.ere unanimous in their
praise of Mr f.aurier's talent, hut they were still more
astonished wlien they heard him deliver in KnglisJi
his splendid speech iigainst the expulsion ot' Kiel. Tn
that speech, Mr Laurier displayed with (M'lat the cnr-
rectness of reas(tning. power of tliulcctit; and all those
eminent oratorical ciualities which we liave noted.
Mr r.aurier speaks English as lluently as French,
a precious advantjige destined to give him conside-
ralile influence in a House almost wholly English.
liauricr is therefore one of the most remarkable men
whom tlie future lias in store for us. Lower- Canada
has reason to count upon him and he will not disap-
point tlie patriotic hopes insiiired l)y his brilliant
debut, for his character is <)n tlie same level jis his
intellect.
L. (>. DAVID,
(III the Ciiiirrii r ilf Miiitri'iif,
of llth Od.iliir, I,S74.)
?fir
IXTlKiDl* riox
LAURIER IN PARLIAMENT
It is not everyone who jileases who lan lie a
dt'l)ater in the House of ("oiiini<»ns. To coniniund the
attention of Parliament, it is not auHicient to have
the eloiiuence whieii moves and swaya the masses, and
the man, whose voice and action liave over and over
Hjrain electrified the crowd and aroused frenzied
Hplilause. will l)e hardly remarked hy the House
How many men jrifted with remarkahle talents,
skilled andcnnnin«i in discussion, have miserably
failed when they have had to take part in a dehate
heforetht House I To hea Parliamenlary orator, in the
genuine sense of the words, one must hring to the dis-
cussion not only an ajrreeahle voice and a chaste style,
hutaraie faculty of organization, a very practical
mind, and a great knowledge of facts. Mr l.aurier
possesses these ((ualities and it is enough to once hear
him to be no longer astonished at the fact that he has
taken rank as the foremost debater of the Parliament.
No one else knows so well how tt> express in correct
and llexible language what he wants to say ; no one
else speaks with so much authority. Partisans or
adversaries admit that he speaks as a statesman,
not fur efTcct, although his language is musical, but
for a real result. With him, e^ich word is weigiied and
corrc9i)onds to an inliexilile resolution. Does he state
a])rinciple, an idea, which'it does not weary to return
to, it should be seen with what ability and what re-
sources he attains bis object. The hurmonious phrase,
the solter and methodical gesture, all in L'lurier lieara
the stamp of the originality of his character.
IXTl!«)I>lXTI(i.\
IX
LAURIER AxM) CHAPLKAU
Nereis Cliaplcau ri?in«i to speak, ftniijilit almost
be said thai lie is muvcliiii^; to tlio assault, there i3
so much movement in him. It is enough to see that
Ma/.in;j: eye, that hr(»\v tVciglited witli jiassion. thai
liead thr<»\vn hack, that hair whiih he take.=! a <lelij;ht
in shaking. that open breast waiting tor and provokiu}?
the tight, to feel that the orator has an alisolute conli-
denoein tiie jiower ot'his tahmt. Tlie clear, re.";ounding
voice .seizes the audience and holds it under a charm.
He concentrates the attention ofthe llouseupon him-
sell'and always know how to render his si»eeche3
attractive hy laying stress on happy expressiona
and em[ihasizing witty sayings.
On the other hand, look at Laurierl He rises cool
and collected. His harmonious voice, his elegant and
eober gestures have a soothing etVect on his hearer?. No
incident disturbs his presence of mind. Tn the face
ofthe greatest danger, liegeostotheend of his tiiought.
Everytliing about him denotes the calmness of a self
possessed mind.
Cliapleau's eloquence is more animated, more
brilliant, more emphatic, more nervous and more
theatrical.
Laurier's elofiuence is more self contained, more
loity, more nolilu and more persuasive.
Chapleau's speeches are often captious, ditruse and
obscure. Passion and vehemence are tlieir heading
features.
Laurier's speeches, on the other hand, are always
clear, correct, studied, and his language is elegant and
chaste.
■V
INTRODICTION
Althou-rli irr.'iver and Ic^n pathotic than Cliiipleau,
Liuuicr sometinjt's risws to spheres unl<iiv)\vn t<» otlier
orators and wliirh his oratorical genius alone is
capahle ol' attainin<f. His voice then l»ecome^ more
liariiiiiuions and inor(f sonorous and ins eloquence
assuiiK?-! surdi a ciliaractcr ol" majesty and nohility tliat
it touches your heart and causei you to (piivc^r with
enthu?-iasm.
To sum up. Chapleau is the orator oj' the crowd
and I. uirior is aliovc all a I'arliameutary orator.
L.XURIER BEFORE THE PEOPLE.
Alth'iaLrli the House of ("omnions is the stage on
which Mv. L.iuri<'r has ino^l displaye<I hisLxrcat talents,
our leader is not a little indeltted for his ^reat poi)u-
larity to his successes tm the hustiniis. Who iloes not
recall the famous oratorical joust at L )iigueuil at the
election of Mr I'roroiitaino. on the oOtli July, ISS!*..
Mr Laurier spoke licforc Mr Chapleau, it is true, hut
he liiid tin; al)ility to destroy in advance all his adver-
sary's arijuiiHMits. It secuH to me that T still see him
turning to tlic Secretary of State an i hurling at him
this stuniuug apo-?(ropiie ; Vou will speak after nie,
hut T know wluil you will say and T will therefore
answer it at once. For a long time past T have known
the circle in which the liall chained to your feet per-
mits you to trav( 1 " . Fo.\, the great Fo.y, could not
have ch:iracteri/ed more hitingly the humiliating
position in which Mr. Chapleau found himself at
that time. Another incident will show the enormous
INTItoDICTION
XI
power he wielded over the crowd. T (luoto tlie words
of my friend Donoso of I'ljimn l.iberaU".
Durinii tlio Lociil elections of ISSO, thcro was u i^roat
meeting ht'ld ot the Emrlisli spoakiii'.' electors of .Meguuii!.
Kiinaticisiii liiul (lone its work : the < >rangeinon, by means of
the Kiel (juestion,liail arouseJ the invjinlices of the Protestant
elemt^'nt against us. One of our liiends was ooncludmg his
cijieecli, when an < trangeinun of the jilace sliouied out in a
rage : "none of you have spoken of l{iel ami none of you will
dare to do so ! '' Veils arose, vociferations broke out. in all
directions. I.am-ier simply replieil : •• / will. " And, worming
liim^flf into their sympathies by an appeal to ]?riti*h loyalty
and by reminding them of the spirit of tolerance and jiistici^
nhioh should animate all the eiti/.ens of a mixed country, he
related to them the details of the dark tragedy in the North
West.
We have been told that that hostile crowd liowed their
hea<l.< not wholly convinced, hut tamed, sul^jugited by the
courage of tiie man and the elotjuence of the orator.
RODoidMiK rd:MTKrx,
llii a li' tiiif liilur.' II..' ('lull NMiiiinal ot MihiIiimI,
(in the 2'itli N.iviinlicr, Ibs'i.J
Mk LAURIER'S HOME
M r. r.aurior'rt home is ;i two-st<irey red lirick liouse,
witli little attempt at outside itrnamentation, with no
su<rj^e=tion td" o->toiitatiuri, hardly sugjrestivc of wealth,
hut of only nniilerate means and simple comfDrt. A
verandah runs across the i'ront of the house, to which
a high flight of steps asionds. Vou enter intn a wi<le
hall, and are shown into the drawing rinuu to tli-' left.
Thia room runs the full width of the hou-ie, and is
tastefully, but nut extravagantly furnished. There are
many pretty and tastefid decorations uiion its wall.-?,
liome pictures that attract tiie fancy and engage tlie
sym|iathies, and here or there a statue <jr a purtra't of
XII
INTRoDIi TIiiN
soTiic oiic or utlior of i\w riil)or!il chiol'tiiini. tVniu tho
lessons of wlmse caroer Mr liUiricr Iiii9 gathoruil cou-
rnfje, or foriiied |)riiici])l(', or ciiuglit u purr uinl lofty
inspiration.
rpon the rijrlit, entered l'r(»ni tlie hall, is a parlor,
and lievtind that is the diiiinjj; room, all hearinu; the
eanie niarlvs of (juiet elegance, the same ahsence of
lavish display, and all sujrgestive of the same rare,
situple home life in whieh the liiheral leader and
Madame iiaurier delight.
The platform at the rear of the house, Hanked by
II profusion of flowers, is one of Mr Laurier's favt)rito
Bumme r resorts. Here he often does his morning
reading. Here in the evening the visit<»r smokes, if
smoke he does, an exercise in which he will not he
joined by Mr iiaurier, while the host talks in his
frank. "asy. unaffected way, and ''still the wonder
grows ' at this man's mastery of pure, stron<'-, melo-
dious English.
Tl>9 grounds are eight acres in extent. Thehouse
is approached hy a winding drive through a grove oi'
fine young trees. The grounds are 1)roken midway
by an ahruitt elevation, and tlie plateau above is
reached by a flight of steps or an invigorating climlj,
ns may best suit the fancy of the visitor. The summit
of ibis ridge and the face of the ascending hillside
are thick with maples, and all the grounds form a line
natural p' rk which has not been refined out of the
rugged image of nature l>y over-decoration, nor
marre<l in its native beauty by over-cultivation.
THE VOICES Of (.MII.DKEN.
All about and all throughout the house are rare
INTFti'l'l (THiN
Mil
plants iiml llowcrsi, ni' wliicli Mjuliiiiit' LauritT is a
(Un'oted lover. Nor lo ymi misH tlio voices of chil-
dren, iiotuitlHtiindinjr that Mr. lianrior and
Mailaine l.anricr have no oliililrt'n of their own, f(>r
till! house socnis full of vi<itin;^ littlo oncH, and Mr.
liauricr's unaiTectt'd love for his little ^ursts. tin;
attention with which III' heai'H their little irrievances
and he«t iwj conuscl and adniinisttM'.s conHolation, is
one of the line.--t traits in one of the finest characters
in the puhlic life of Canada. The children, too. trust
him instinctively, and seek his counsel with simple,
delij^htful contidencp, uiulall their trouble is consoled.
fl
-Mr. Mlal<(! hasthissame marked t'ondnt'ss forchil-
dren, and the little ones jj;o to him with the same
instinctive trust. Hut. in the (ireat Advocate the reve-
lation of this trait is a surprise. Tn Mr. Laurier it is
sinip'y what one expects.
MADAMK I.AflUEl!.
Tn .Madame f^aurier one finils many of the same
(lualities which make the i-haracter of her distin-
guished husband. There is the same unafTected friend-
liness, a refinement of manner and ;i, native kindliness
and sympathetic courtesy which put the nmst retiring;
visitor completely and forgetfully at home, and whi(di
is not less marked in her outside intercourse with the
critical and not always sym()athetie world of society
and of politics. And there is. too. a purpose and a
spirit and a pelf mastery in this amiahle, kindly,
admiralde woman that would make her very stronj^in
the crises of life. One knows readily that the homo
is the sphere of her heart and of her thought, and one
XIV
INTUMKITTloN
recoj^ni/.es 03 instinctively tliat hIio has the native
grace and tact and streiigtli for any plnce that I'ortune
may call upon licr to cntor, and t hat, whatever Iturdcn
of care and rc.s{)onsi!iility the future may roll ui»on
Mr. Laurier'.s .slioulders, hi-i wife will never fail to
encourage, stimulate and strenj^tlicn him.
TriK t.inuMtv
But naturally the room of suprente interest in
the home of Mr. fiaurior ig the lil)rary. There the
Liberal leader 8i)end3 many of his leisure hours, and
there he is most likely to lead the talk to topics that
reveal his wide range of readinj,' and best betray the
solidity of his mind,the grasp and scope of his intellect,
the taste and fancy of the critic and scholar.
Perhaps few men in Canada have a finer collec-
tion of the best works of French and English literature.
Here again the Liberal leader has not aimed at display.
His collection of books is a modest one as contrasted
with many of the greater libraries that too often
siguity wealth rather than culture. His books have
been selected for the voice within, not for the covering
without. They have been read, not simply exhibited,
and from the pages of his favorite English volumes
he has acquired a command of pure, strong, sym-
pathetic English that has made him the peer of the
very masters of tliis tongue to " which he was not
born."
Mr. Laurier has a marked fondness for the best
books of philosophy and works of higher research.
He has barely patience with the dogmas of warring
theologians. He is more than familiar with the
I
INTIUtlUt TION
XV
clioicest English poetry, nii»l puts Hums in the first
runic of ptMits. 15ut. the liooUs of liis iieiirt arc Siiakea-
peare, MiKauluy,tiie speeches of John IJiight, and tlie
few speeclies and pnpers of liinroln that have hccn
preserved. Lincoln's toucliin^' address at (lettyshurg
and his second inaugural are great fav»>rites with tlio
Liberal leader, and many of the eloquent sentences of
John Hright's strong and simple oratory come readily
to his lips. On the walls are portraits of the late lion.
(Jeorge llrown, I-ouis* Joseph I'apineuu, (lladetone,
Edward lUake and other of the great leaders of Lihe-
ralism. On the lines of policy laid down by these
great men .Mr. Laurier lays his faith and shapes his
oareer, and in the sijuple, masterful English of Uright
and Lincoln he reasons and persuades iind wins upon
the peot)le.
O.N THE l'I..\Tl-oliM
For many years Mr. Laurier has been one of the
most popular oratcrs of his luitive province. One of
the greatest of his platform succespe.s was his famous
address on Liberalism, delivered in the city of Quebec
in the summer of 1877. That great speech was pro-
nounced before one of the most cultured audiences
that could be gathered in tiie Ancient Capital, and
the orator's was an unequivocal triumph.
One who was pre.?ont on tliat occasion told the
writer that when Mr. Laurier rose to uddrcns the great
audience before him ho was deathly pale. A momen-
tary fear that he was ill passed upon his friends, a
subduv • whisper passed from lip to liji. and then for
several moments in absolute stillness the orator and
XVI
IXTUODITTION
his jiudience looked into each other's factes. The
^|»c'al^<'r fU'oiiounccd his opening sentences with eahn
and measured deliberation, but the trenaor in his voice
was hardly concealed ; liis eyes were yet bravely
scanning the bearing and his judgment deliberately
searching the temper of his audience. Then as he
saw the looU of mere curiosity pass from the faces
before him and an awakening interest manifest its
kindly presence, and the kindling of enthusiasm
freshen i)n the more earnest faces, the tremor passed
out of the speaker's voice, and the full courage of
eontidence came to him, and wlien he had pronounced
the elocjuent i)eroration of that magnificent address
he was by common consent more than a politician,
more than a brilliant campaigner, more than a mere
platform debater. liy that noble address he proved
himself a profound thinker, a ripe and cultured
scholar, and a very master of pure, persuasive oratory.
But that method of feeling tor the temper of his
audience is still a favorite one with the Liberal leader.
The iipening sentences of his speeches are always pro-
nounced with great deliberateness, and even in his
most eloquent and most impassioned passages he
never loses iiis absolute self-mastery. Tie can fight
a mob from the hustings with a (luiet, steady self-
jiossession that knows no wavering. He never flinches
in the teeth of the most hostile demonstration. He
rarely fails to subdue the most turbulent audience to
order and decorum. The most brutal partisans yield
to his engaging persuasiveness and quiet, uncompro-
mising firtnness. But .Mr. iiaurier is at his best in
the House of Ctimmons. Tiiere his liest eloquence is
spoken, his lofty patriotism is most effectively
INTR(M)I'(."rinN-
X VII
revealed, and there he rises to his utmost supremacy
U5 the master of men's mintls uiid emotions. By his
patient ctmrtesy and kindly cnnsideratoness for friend
and opponent, he commands the he^t attention and
the best feeling of that assembly. Whatever estimate
men of ditrering opinions may put uptm his abilities,
few will deny that he is the mnst jtojjular party leader
that Ikh ever sat in the Canadian Parliament.
EI.HVATKI) TO TIIK l.IIiKRAI, LEAOEUSHIP.
Perhaps few outside of the Liberal I'arliamentary
party know how hardly Mr. I.aurinr fought the pro-
posal to elevate him to the Liberal leadership. He
is not a man greedy of honor. He has gone to no
man seeking gift or place or preferment. He had the
confidence of his associates, an honorable place in
their council !, and a mode of living suited to his taste
and his income. He would not entertain seriously
the proposal that he shouhl change all this, advance
beyond the limit of his ambition, give himself wlutlly
to the business of i)olitics and take up the burden.9
and the responsil)ilities which had broken Alexander
Mackenzie in the rii)e prime of a stalwart manhood,
and had borne down the great frame and the peerless
intellect of Edward lilake. One can well understand
that Mr. Laurier, knowing a>< he did the service Mr.
Mackenzie and Mr. iilake had given t(» Canada — for
they had no more loyal follower — .standing in Mr.
lilake's very presence, his magnificent voice still
echoing through the Commons Chamber, enthusiasm
for the great leader's marvellous resources as a Par-
liamentary tactician still warm in the hearts of his
XVIII
IXTRnorcTIOX
followers — for nowhere was ]Mr. Blake so miu'li a
niabter of liis fellows as on the fluor of Parliament
— knowinjr all this, and feeling all this, one can under-
etand that Mr. Laurier put from him as unwortliy of
one poor moment's consideration the nomination for
the leadershii) hest<nved upon him by his Parliamen-
tary associates. JUit the nomination was pre:*sed,
urged with increasing persistence and growing unani-
mity, and at last Mr. Launer yielded, moved because
he waa called, not that he would go, and in Ihe hope
that he would be ashed to give but a temporary ser-
vice in the high place to which he had not aspired,
and which was not of the true purpose of hia heart or
of his ambition.
Perliaps Mr. Laurier was not alone in the cunvic-
tion that his assumption of the leadersliip was but an
experiment, and that failure was well witliin the possi-
bilities. But long before he had completed his first
session as Edward IMake's successor there was no voice
from the ()p})osition benches that did not speak witli
enthusiasm of his patience,antl prudence, and courage,
and sagacity ; and no man among the Liberals of the
Commons who was not his devoted friend and follower.
CllAKACTKU ANO MliTIlODS.
Tie is not viciously aggressive. He is not unwisely
pugnacious. Put lie is very, very firm ; a calm, strong,
steadfast man, who will rot l;c turned from his pur])ose
while a hope of achievement remains, who will esti-
mate well thestrcngth of the forces that nuut beover-
come, and who basin a very unusui^l degree that
courage that will build for a future triumph on the
INTRODUCTION
XIX
fresh ruins of defeat. He has no uiiiul fur the paltry
jars ofriv.il factions. He couhl not achieve success
throufj;h intrigue. The influences which dcbastf and
demoralize and corrupt have no place in his methods.
He cannot ti<!;ht well except his heart lie in it. His
heart is not in the trivialities of parish politics. Hut
this man would be a giant in some great national
crisis, and there is no labor or sacrifice he would not
give to a cause in which his heart and conscience
were engaged. He is not a lladical. He is a
Liberal ; a Liberalin every conviction of his mind;
a strong, brave, independent thinker, and a man
whom duty, rather than ambition, will compel to play
a great part in the future of his country. As he is
esteemed and trusted Ijy his friends, as he is lield iu
regard and honor by his Parliamentiirv associates, so
he deserves to hold the confidence of the whole Cana-
dian people
.T. S. WTLLTSOX,
(In tlio Toronlo (llolie olMinli AuKust, 1»89.)
THIE "W-OEyK:
The foregoing gives an ideii of the luan. The por-
trait drawn by Mr. L. 0. David in 1874 is still, after
the lapse of sixteen years, a striking resemblance ;
and time, far from obliterating its lines, lias rather
graven them more deeply.
Tn professing for Mr.Laurier's talent an admiration
amounting to the enthusiastic, Mr. Ilodolphe Lemieux
has not only responded to the impulse natural to a
young man, but he has given expression to a senti-
ment shared l)y our entire generation.
To better know the new Liberal leader and to
make him Ijetter known to its readers in the English
provinces, the managing editor of the lUnJn', Mr. Wil-
lison, has even taken tlie troul)]e to seek him out in
his rural retreat at Arthabuhka and has given us a
most charming home picture, wliich encircles, like a
frameof foliage, tlie fine, calm figure of the thinker
the public man and the orator.
I have reserved for myself the task of saying a
word as to his work. The sketcli which I have the
honor to (tffer to the public has led me to study him
thoroughly. One cannot si>end months, as T have
just done, in association with a man's tlioughts, with-
out becoming deeply imbued with them.
Written eloiiuence, stripped of the magic of voice
and gesture, is like a bird deprived of its wings
xxir
INTUODICTTON
has lost the incessiuit moltility which charmed and
dazzled the liearer, but which at the same time con-
ceuled its finer shade*, as well as its defects. It is
Iiencetbrward an anatomical subjoct laid on tho table
for dissection and upon wliich the scalpel may work
its will at leisure. Under these condititms, elociuenoe
appeals only to reason and no longpr to tl)e senses.
Still, tho.-ie cold, inatlimato pages, which Iliavc; iiad to
read and re-read so 'luiny times, analyze, turn over
in all directions, and, so to say, learn by heart, have
excited in luc the same emotions wiiicli must have
previously thrilled the numerous audiences of the
orator.
The attentive reader, wlio ])eruse3 this volume,
will not escape frum this mysterious inliiicncc. lie
will not have before him the inisc rii scene of the
popular or parliamentnry giitherings, always so pre-
disposing to Sdlenin thouglits. IFc will not see rising
up above the thousand curious heads of the crowd
or emerging from th(> horizontal line of the benches
of the Commons that tall ligure, that pale and medi-
tative countenance, and that large and well developed
brow so indicative of strength of mind. His senses
Avill miss tlie music of that singularly grave voice,
of that sonorous accentuation, as classical as the
accompanying gesture, never rising above a certain
height, except in the great movements, learnedly
prepared, and of which Mr. Laurier. unlike his rival
in the Commons, Mr. Chaplcau, does not make an
immoderate use. All these accessories are wanting
here. And yet this lifeless stenography, often dull
and incomplete, still emits powerful, irresistible gal-
vanic shocks. And upon what does this depend ? On
INTIiOnUCTION
xxrii
tlio fact that Mr. liaurier ia not a moro rlietorician,
that his eh)4uence is not a marble statue, and that,
stripped of the perishable heauty of exterior forms,
it still possesses a much more beautiful soul, the soul
of thought, true, cijnvinced and strong.
The human mind is so complex that it is a com-
plete study to try to discover the true secret of the
talent of a superior man. The humble compiler of
Mr. fjaurier's speeches believes that he has found it
— perhaps without seeking to do so — through the force
of circumstances. Tiu'.^e speeches were scattered
through a hundred (lifforent collections and news-
pai»ers, and between them there were gaps of time
and ])lace, twenty years lietween the (irst and the
last ; but. in bringing them together, I think I have
united ihe thread of Ariadne which runs through
them all.
Mr. Laurier's style of discussion is a syntiiesis,
just as that of other powerful orators is an analysis.
Both he and ^'r. Mercier prove, by their extraordi-
nary aHccn laacy over thnir contemporaries, that both
modes are weapons of equal value in expert hands.
Read calmly one of Mr. Laurier's dissertations and
what strikes you at the first glance is the perfect
clearness of the thought ! Listen to Mr. >rercief hand-
ling the first aul)ject that suddenly comes up, deve-
loping a thesis, relating a fact or rendering an account
of an tidministrative act I tliere is in what he says
something that confounds you — it is the lucidity, the
prodigious ease of his languag-'". .Mr. .Mercier seizes
XXIV
INTRO or( TlOX
Ins question from all sides at once Jind cxliausts liis
fiul)joct; Mr. Liiurier iiilialc'? at lung draughts tlio
o.sscnice. The one exeels in analyzing a theory ; tlie
other in generalizing it. The first co-ordinate.-? and
symmetrically arranges hi.s arguiueiits, disposes of
each olijeetion in its turn and, according to the com-
mon saying, does not overlook a pin's worth : once he lias
treated a point, he passes on to another, to only revert
to it at the conclusion, where the whole constitute
11 formidahle and nearly alway.s victorious line oi'
battle. Tlie second attain.? effects equally as jKiwerful
by devnting liiniselt' to tiie ileveloijiuent ol' a limited
number of leading ]tropi)sitions, whose formula,
Avhich he even doe.? not always take the trou})le to
give, stands out triumphant and luminous irom Die
8j)eech in its entirety. Mr. Mercicr i)rid)es a question
to the bottom ; Mr. I.aurier keeps at a distance from
and a sullicicnt height above it to take it in at a single
glance. IJoth. however, arrive at the same results by
different methods ; they equally imi>ose silence and
commanil attention and both enlist tlie admiration
of adversaries as well as of friends. The most minute
of the two never tires )iis audience, wliile tlie mn«t
superficial supplies a com])lete whole, whicli leaves
110 room in the mind for Die slightest doubt or uncer-
tainty.
I presume that, before prejjaring a speech, Mr.
Laurier says to himself : 1 lore are two or three consid-
erations which, to my mind, cover the whole debiite ;
they should suflice for me and beyond tliem T forbid
myself to go. And it is within this magic circle that
he shuts himself up with his thouglils T have
used the words " before prei)aring his speeches, '' but
INTIU)I)l\TIi)N'
X X \'
tlio fact is that Mr. Lanrier never write:^ liiis ppe eclies ;
lie ela1)0rate.s, lie matures the grouiulwork, hut
tlie l)rilliant imagery, the!?()nt)rou3 jieriocls. nri' imprd-
visations. Few men have loss of the vanity ot the
author than he has. T know something of this from
having had to collect his sueeches Iiere and there, to
the host of my knowledge. When I a.sked his permis-
sion to i)ul)lish them, his first impulse was to try to
dissuade me from tlie work, fearing tliat no one would
purchase it and that T would be a loser, when T
already had the certainty of a good sale ,and
every one was wanting to suhscrihe. He nevertheless
kindly jilaeed ins collection at my disposal, hut it
amounted to very little. Not only does ho not keep
a co]»y of his own works on the shelves of the lihrary
vhere my colleague, Willison, admired such a fine
collection of French and English works, the finest,
])erhai)3, he says, in the country ; hut Mr. fiaurier
•was (juite astounded to discover, after the lapse of
years, iiow ahominabiy he had been translated and
hadly reported in the llttiisnrd. T presume that he has
never read his own utterances and that, likciill otlier
modest men, he judges himself toit severely to look
backwards.
* *■
The pursuit of a fixed idea absorbs his exii^tence.
All statesmen have their fixed idea. Mr. Mercier has
his in Provincial politics, as Mr.fiaurier has his in the
Federal sphere. This is the imjn'ession which lias
been left on my mind by a three months' intimacy
■with his thoughts. His eloquence is !iii endless
vafi'iatiou on a single theme. His first puhlii' utter-
XXVI
IN'moDl'CTIOX
nnces wore inspired I>y tho samo sentiiuout uliich
still iiiDvus liiiii tit diiy when he ri«o.s to luMrfss his
fellow citizens, eitlier from the pulilii' iilatforni or
from his seat in Piirlianient, in those iulmirahle
haran,i;ue-i whieli rinj; from one end of tho couulry to
the other and even to Kuropo. \\U maiden ^speech
in tho Fifigislativo Asi^embly in 1>>71 prodn<'ed an
extraordinary iiujiresHion, precisely ))ccatise it went
to (he heart of the ([Uestion which was heiii<; dis-
cussJed. A re-perusal of that speech, in fact, shows
that it was more in koepin;;- with tiie tone of the lloii<?o
of I'ommon-i. which tho voun"; nuMuher was destined
to reacii heforo lon^j;.
I hav(? described his method as a synthesis ; I
may describe his entire work as a system. Kvery
thini; is connected ; his speeches are like thechaptera
of a book, the periodsof a demonstration. Ttisthe per-
sistent outcry of an honest soul, a f^enerons heart anl
a broad mind against the shameful failures of duty,
against iniijuity, despotism and injustice, against all
that savors of fanaticism and intolerance. The lirst
time he raised his eloiiuent voice, it was, as he said
himself, to loll his country Iiard truths, and, bn- the
twenty years since that he has been speaking, he has
not deviated to the extent of hair\sbreadtli from this role
of thinker and censor, lie always lays his finger on the
sure spot and ol'teu so unexjtectedlyand with so sudden
a pressur<' that the sutTerer cannot help emitting
aery of pain as well as one of admiration. Now,
the diseases of a nation take time to cure, when it is
badly governed. Ours has been so badly governed
that it has been ailing with the same rheumatism for
twenty-live years. Consequently, Mr. F^aurier would
INTKODl'rrioN
XXVII
crciite absolutely tlioHtiniesensation liy takinjr uimguia
in 1S9(» tlicHiiiiic tiicsifl w Iiicli lio niaintiiine.l in his lirst
Parliamentary spoeeli in ISTl. Why? ik'causc the
situation lias not inijn'ovod ; years have; rather ajigrav
ated the evil. Ami to-day he would ajrain thrill the
House and th(> country Ity repealing; his la;i:nuH
words (»1'1S71 : •" U'e are told that we are rich... Sir,
there are riches and riches. . TANiAi.r< was liini . He
had always before him a table abundantly, sunij)-
tuously spread. JJut the misl'ortune was tliat with
all this ho was eternally dyin^' of bun^'cr'". Well,
this is slill what he has not ceased to repeat in each
of his speeches on tho economic condition of the
country whenever he refers to the (luestion of com-
mercial reciprocity. And it is always as true and as
strikin;^- as it was twenty years ajro.
His work, of which T have collected tojrether
all tiiat I could in this liook, embraces the entire lield
of our political, social and national contentions, and
yet these six hundred ])agos of stcnograi)hy could be
compressed into a handful of formulas,of parent idea",
on which Mr f.aurier has already spoken vohnnee
without wearyin;,' the attention of his admir(!rs, that
is to say, of the entire population.
He is above all Canadian in feelinfr ; above all
Liberal by instinct and conviction; and aliove all
lionest of soul.
He has studied history and knows that the hnniiin
race has been imj)roved by the crossinjj: of tln' race,-,
"without loosing in any case the traces of their origins. H(!
knows that nature.whieh is suporior to all other forces^
effects unaided this transfusion of blood, without jiain
and without accident. Hi.s dream is to hcc tiie dos-
:x.\viii
lNTli""ili IK'N
ceiidiintfl oftlienoltlcst .stocks ot'tlic nM world, Knuli.-h,
French, Scolcli, Irisli, (l\vellin,u; tii;;otlu;r liiiniio-
uiotHly ill tlii' country and luurcliini; tii;,rotlior in
puiv-suit of tiial iiiitiouiil unity, I'Twhicli all the va-
rieties of the human race, iVom the iiurcnt \vhit(^ to tlio
(leepobt Muck. have ho hMppily Inuml an example in the
AiuericiiM Iie|iul)lic;. I !<' hclievcv-' that this prohlox can
only li(! solved here hy union and n )t hy alisorption.
The lines which separate us iViUu eaeli other —
lanjiuiige and reliuion — should not, in his opinion,
divid(Mis. lie considers that lOn^lish is destined to
become the lanjiua^je ol' the nnisses in America and
French to remain, as in the rest of the world, the
lan;,'Uage of the drawin;;-ro()ni and of letters. lie
reeoinuiend.s the .study of the two as a (iomplenient, a
luxury, of education, and he .sets the example hy
Bpeakinjf both with inimitable perfection.
As t'or reli;>ious ilisputes, he banishes them from
})olitics. (Jallion, pro-consul of Achaia, replied to the
Jews of (\)rinth, who wanted to submit tlieir contro-
versies to him •• If some injustic*' or crime were in
question, it would In- reasonable, Jews, that T should
bear you ])aticntly. lUit if the (juestion is one of words,
names, and of your law. it is for you to see to it. I do
iu»t wish to bo a judge of these kinds of things. '" It
is this liberty of the icligious and national groups,
this honierule, this self-government w hich .Mr.LiiUrier
desires. Tn a word, be believes that it is in the equal-
ity of all and not in the subjection of one to anotlier
that the solution of the national problem luust bo
sought.
lie adores liberty, but with reflexion Tt is to
lior that he constantly addresses bis sublimest in-
iNTr.oiiriTioN
X X I X
vociitlcins anil it was nf Inr tlmt Iif ^uvc soclcnrn df-
linition in lii-» hM'tnn; <il' 1 *>7T tli;it it will renmiii iIm'
code III' (':iii:i(liaii i.ilit ralisin
He cIuImis to lic'lonu: ti) the Kn^lisli fiilKTiil
Sflionl. Wo iuimircs tlu! Uritisli constitution hecauso
it (lo<>M not pr 'tend to li.ivo siiid the last word for lih-
city, Ititt Iciivc^ the doi lid pen to rcl'oriufl.l l(> in in I'livor
of fodcration.s.rcLiardiiiu' thcin an the hcst means to i-'ov-
ern men i»f ditlerent oiiirinsand .scattered over a vast
extent of country. 'Plie American system spem.s to him,
in nu're tliaii one aspect, a model to t'ollow, herau?e
thi! line of deniarcation is clearly drawn heiwecn the
])owcrs of the Icfiislatures and of the central }j;ovorn-
ment and constitutional conllicts are left to the- de-
cision of the judicial jtower.
He sees the future from afar. Conl'ederation is
not for him the linality of our (hvstinie.s, but a state
of transition, and, when the change comes it will
be to take a step forward and not backward.
He is a homc-rulcr by conviction ; the autonomy
of the provinces is for bim an iron rule, a funda-
mental i)rinciple, from which it is never allowable to
deviate, whatever may be the consequences. TFe is
opposed to the Federal ''clo, {oheltcr Imns left to tbe
caprice of <;overnments. in a word, to everytbinji
which attacks liberty.
He belitiveg in i)ublic virtue and practises it. Tn
liis honor, lie is not only unassailuible, hut unassailed.
Calumny has never dared to ris(! to his beitrht. The
worst that malice could ever invent ajrainst him was
on one occasion to style him a rhetorician without
conviction and without energy.
Nothin<r could be more unjust or more false. His
XXX
INTUODICTIOX
uprij^litness proves liis conviction; hi.s intcsiity
proves hi.s moral strenfjtli. Tlic mere rhetorician
j)laces his elotjuence at the service of every cuuse ;
Mr. Lauiier's work is on tlie contrary a .sustained
thesis. The man must have an energy of iron to have
remained liimself, to liave jirescrvecl his i)ersonality
intact amidst the contandnations of i)olitic3, to liave
not left a sintjle shred of his reputation on the thorns
|)y the waysitle. His greatest adversaries admire and
respect him andthat^is saying all tliat need he said.
*
He never strives to he witty. ]>ut this does not
prevent his speeches from bristling with ])rilliant say-
ings, repartees and startling apostrophes.
On one occasion, he was handling Mr. IVIcKenzie
Bowell, but he was doing it, so to say. gingerly ; when
the Minister interrupted him with this sardonic re-
mark : " Oh, dt)n't hesitate. I have none of those
scruides! '' Mr Lanrier simply retorted : — " V\'ell, if
you have no scruides, T have ! '' And the House burst
into applause.
I'arliament will never forget the hearty laugh pro-
voked in 1S77 by his repl}' to the late Mr. .Mousseau,
who had charged the .Ministers with fattening on the
sweat of the people. Pointing with his finger to hia
corpulent adversary, Mr.f./aurier exclaimed: " If any
one here is fattening on tlie sweat of the people, which
is it — he or T ? '"
Nor w ill it e\ r forget tlie exclamation : " Too
late! Too late! Too late ! "which he
thrice used, after exposing tiie causes of the rebellion
INTRODUCTION
«XXI
<tt' ISSo, during tli? debate on Louiri Kiel's excciiticin.
Those wore solemn moments. Witnesses of thesceuc
state that, between each of t lie orator's pauses, there
seemed to be an ago. that a silence of death brooded over
the House, broken only by the terrible monosyllables
\vhich summed up the whole drama of the insurrec-
tion and eacli repetition of which went straiglit to the
hearts of the Ministers resi)onsible for those horrors.
There was also a moment of indescribablecmotion
on the same occasion when the orator, pointing with
his linger to the Ministers, exclaimed: " If crin)inaLs
are wanted, do not seek them among the dead on the
battle Held or the scatFold: they arc here, before
us
And that striking saying, which elicited the ap-
plause of an English audience, in the very capital of
Ontario: — '• As long there are French mothers, our
language will not die!
And that brilliant image ol' the waters of thcOtta-
wa and the St Lawrence meeting without mingling at
the Island of ]Montreal and forming two parallel cur-
rents ])erfectly distinct to the eye: fit emblem of the
Canadian nationality.
Such elo(iuence commands admiration, and
princii)les. presented in such guise, lose their austerity,
The more hard truths are told by the orator thus gifted,
the greater is the applause, and the more he castigates,
the more is he admired. He started out in 1871 with
an al'solutoly pessimistic address ; he was raised to
the clouds, and it was said: There is a man ! At one
bound, he mounted to tlie Federal Cabinet and then
to the command in chief of the Liberal forces. H(! hurl-
ed the blood of the victims of 1883 into the faces of
-v.vxrr
■'I
I u
r^'Tl.'Oni-CTIO.V
"" •>« »ost i.ur„,,rxi';''°'"''»"-v.co„j,;;™»
"JiplitiKl liin, „., •, 1"™'i"iis anil tlm P,,,, ,
. 'Vmpathetic rrarJpr t *. •
^^"^gonthu,siast.s. '"' '^'^^'^ ^'^^^"^ tho cha4e "f
^'J^RIC BARTrrK.
^'''""^'''' '-'^ ^- A. JORDAN.)
I
:1
^^^®#^,=^
MR. LAURIER'S FARLIAMEHTARY DEBDT
SPEECH ON THE ADDllESS IN REI'LV TO THE
SPEPXH FROM THE THPiONE
DEI.TVEREI) <1N THE IOtH NOVEMRER, 1871
IN THE LEGlSnATlVK ASSEMBLY OF THE
PROVINCE OF QUEBEC
Mr. Laurier's Parliamentary career began in 1871. At
the general elections ol'that year, which were the second after
Conf'eileiation and wiiicli had resulted in maintaining the
Chauveau Administration in otllco, he had been returned to
lepresent the united counties oi'Drununond and Arthabaska
in the Legislative Assembly ot'Quebec, defeating by a majority
of 11)00 votes the Mini>terial candiilate, J]r. Hemming, who
had held the seat during the lirst Parliament. Entering the
House while such men of note as Carrier, C'auchon, Langevln,
Jlolton, Fournier, Irvine, 'loly, Lyncli, lUancln't, Kortin. Hobi-
tailie, C'assiily and Bachand still lignred on the Provincial
scene, the young meml)er for Drnnuuond and Arthabaska.
moilestly took his seat on the rear ' (pposition benches, but,
his tirst Parliamentary speech, of whieh a translation i^i
appendeil. at once lirought him into full piomlniMice:
Mil Si'eakeu :
The hoiioniblo members, wlio liave proito.-ed tlio
adlre.is, liiiye tlrinvn ;i most attractive pieture of tlio
situatinii of the country. They liave vied witli each
utiier ill efforts to dazzle us witJi \vliat tliey liavehoon
pleased to iiomimusly term our wealth, prosjierity
1
SPEEC[I
If '
and liappinoss. Tf they are ti> I)e lielievcd, Canada
is ii veal land of ('ocayiie. wlicre I'verytliing is lovely
and there is nothing left for uh to do hut to return
thaidss to I'rovidevci" and to the Ministry.
I'ut doi'S this jiieture really ]joitray the trutli ? T,
for one. cannot aeeej)! it in that liiilit.
All, who hiive .studied tlie situation of the coun-
try otherwise tlnin on paper and in the sochision of
their nwn honien, who Imve hail the opportunity of ;.i
nt'arcr view of our hankward system of agriculture,
IV timid and vacillatinu- trade and our hlitrhted
oi
in
dust
rv
;n(iw
full well that the brilliant imago
evoked l>y the hnn. meniher.?, who |)ropo?ed tin;
address, is mit the reality, hut a (h'ceptive mirage.
Tftlio ])urely political and social aspect of tho
situation were the only question. T Wduld accept
wdhout reserve all that has heea said liy the h n.
nu-mliers.
T'lulouhtcflly. our situation, viewed from the
n;ercly ])(.litical anil ,»ocial standpoint, is excellent,
thanks to the fumhuncntal princii)Ic of our consti-
tution — the prinei{)le of free and re])re«entativo
government. It is due to this principle that the
diverse elements, which comi)o-e our population,
have heen enalihMl to unite and form a compact and
homogeneous whole, yet leaving to each its character
and its autonomy. Certainly, the I'act is one of which
we can he justly proud that so many difTcrcnt racfs
and so many opposite creeds should tind themselves
concentrated on this little corner of earth and that
our constitution should [irove hioad cniuigh tu leave
them all plenty of ell)0w ro']:), v.itliout friction or
danger of collision and v.ith tho fullest latitude to
each to Sjieak its ov.n tnuguc, practise its own reli-
gion, retain its own customs and enjoy its ei|Ualsliaro
of lil>erty and of the light of the sun.
r myself have the honor to represent a county
in whicii are gioupcd all shades of race and creed
and am happy to lie aide to hcisr testimony publicly
to this state of things.
O.N THK ADDUKsS IN 1.S71
l)Ut there is another Hide to tire situation ; llier(
is tlie
ECONOMIC f^IDE
ami t do not licsitute to say that it seem- io lue dark,
very «lavU. indeed.
We have hi-en told that we are rich and prosperous.
But is this tlie case? (Question all clas.*es of .«ociety,
the merchant, the hanker, tiie shop-keeper, the mem-
ber of the 1 heral professions, the farmer, the simple
mechanic, and among all. without exception, you
will lind tiie samr >tory of hard limes, of uneasiness,
of sufTering and laii.uuor, denoting that there is some-
thing wrong somewliere.
It ndght lie almost said ihat this country is
placed unchr an immense pneumatic macliine and
that it is writiiing and struggling in vain to get to it.s
lungs a few particles of an air which is hecoming
more a
nd 1
nore r'li
efi
C(l
This is the tiutii I This is the true sitMation !
lie is Miml who does not see it, and he is guilty,
who, in seeing, doos not admit it.
Still, it is being constantly dinned into our cars
that we havi' mines, timber, resources of all kinds —
that we ar(^ rich, in fact. Sir, there are riches and
riches.
TAXT.\I.US WAS MCH.
He had always an abundantly, a sumptuously served
table siiread iicfoie him ; but tiie trouble wm that, in
sight of all this abundance, he v. as eternally starving.
Our position very mncii resembles tliat of Tan-
talus. An i\ifcrnal Iiand seems to be always with
drawing our ricli. s wiienever we strive to grasp,
them.
The man, who found a hag of gold du?t in the
desert, con.-idored liimself rich. IhU .'^hoitly aftci-
wards, when he was dying of hunger over his treasure,
81'EECir
he no doubt uxcliiinied in l)itterness of9i)irit that a
8iiui)le piece of l)re;ul would have l)een pret'eruble, as
it woiUd have saved him.
We alsii are expiring over our treasures and year
after yeav ihe tlood ofthosc who'are h'avinjz' our riches
an;' g'»in,^ tn the United States to seek tlie morcel of
l)read that will save them goes on steadily increasing.
Once luoriN T say, this is the real situatinn. Ood
lorliid ! that T should liold the Miinstry alone res-
ponsible for it I Tts cause* arc inulti[)le and all of them
an; nut under its control. Hut what T Idame the
Ministry I'ni- is iiot seeing tlu' situation or, if they see
it, for not In'.ving the 'ourage to face it.
I was disir)>|)ointed yesterday on hearing the
Spf^c'i from the Thr<<ne. His Excellency had done
us ths hop ir to summoi- us fjr the flesjiatch of busi-
ness; we me, wc Hsien nit li respe(,"tl'ul attention,
and welinailiat tliconly Im-i'.'ss wiiich his Excellency
invites us to des]iatch is. wlu.t ? to congratulate tiic
(Jovernmcnt on the hap])y labors of the List Parlia-
ment; and that's all. I^ot one measure proposed ;
not one reform suggested.
Y«;s, T repeat, T was grievously disappointed: I
had exi)ected that th(> Ministry had studied the situa-
tion and that it would indicate both the source of the
ill and the reaiedv.
TME I'UINCIPAI. SOlRCE OV THE EVH.
from which we suffer is that thus far that the])i'oductioa
of this country is not e;iual to the consumption. Tiie
Ministry miglit all the more easily have admitted this,
seeing that it does not alone bear the lesponsiliility,
"vvhich weighs upon the entire nation.
U is a humiliating confession to make that, after
tliree centuries of existence, tliis country is still
unable to sup])ly its own wants and that it is still
obliged to have recocrse to foreign markets, though
nature has lavished upon it all the gifts necessary to
render it a manufacturing countiy.
ON TlIK AI)DHKS3 IN 1S71
5
It is now. Sir. u good many yciirs sineo the fjreiit
]iiitvi()t. wlioiii we recently lo.st, Honorable \j. J. I'ajii-
neuii, casting ahout for a remedy for the ills of the
time, summed up his policy on the sul)ject in this
fiimple precept : •" We should huy nothing from the
melroi)olis. '" My o))iniiin is that tliis policy is even
more urgent tn-day than it \v;is when lirst f(»rmulated.
It is a duty, especially for us Canadians of French
origin, to create.
A NATIONAI, 1MH>T1{Y
We are surrounded liy a strong and vigorous race,
who are endowed with a devouring activity and have
tal<e«i ])ossess!on of the entire univiTse as their field
of labor.
Asa French Canadian, Sir, T am pained to see
my i)eoi)le eternally excelled by our fellow country-
men of Hritish origin. \\'e must I'rankly acknowledge
that down to the present we have Ixjen Lett behind in
the raci'. We can admit tliis and admit it without
sliame, because the fact is ex))lained by purely poli-
tical reasons which denote no inferiority on our part.
After the con(|uest. the Canadians, desirous of main-
taining their national inlieritance intact, fell back
upon themselves, and kept np no relations with the
outside world. The immediate result of tliis policy
was to keep them strangers to the reforms which were
constantly taking place beyond their lioundaries and
to fata'ly shut them up within the narrow circle of
their own old theories. On the other liand. the new
blood, which w;is poured into the e(jlony. came frtun
tl
i(^ most advanced eountrv under the sun in i)oint
of trade and industry. They lirongbt with them the
civilization of their native land and their strength
was ceaselessly renewed by a constant current of immi-
"lation. which iidded not onlv to theii' num1)ers, but
to their stock of information and their ide
We
need therefore have no sliame in admitting that wo
were beaten l>y such men and under such circuni'
stances.
SPEKCll
;
HI;T TlIK Tl.MKS AHE ('IIAN(iKU
and the hour lias struck to entor tlio lists with them.
Our r«^8i»ective furel'iitliers wore enoniics aiul waged
bh)t)(ly war against each other for centuries. ]>ut we,
tlioir descemhints. united uncU'r the sanic! Hag. tiglit
no other figiits l>ut tliose of a generous emuhition to
excel each other in trade and industry, in the sciences
and the arts of jjcace.
T hav(; already stated that the (iovernnient of tlie
Province of Quc.'Ixh' is not alone resjionsihle fi»r iha
stagnation of our industry. It is sutlicient to sav
that alone it -^iin neither create nor develoj) it, l)ut it
can contribute ])Owerfully thereto.
nv Till-: KIM> u|- IMMI(;UATION
which it introduces into tlie country. Thus far it
seems to nic that the (iovernmeiit has been moving
in the wrong flirection. Tlie (Iovernnient has devoted
itself to recruiting an exclusively agricultural immi-
gration — its efforts will end in nothing. Tlie agricul-
tural poitulation of this country will never he increas-
ed fi'om outside. Our (;limate is too severe anil the
divi'lopment of our hinds too costly and iliilicult.
The ciiildren of the soil will not he deterred by these
obstacles ; but the stranger will simply pass tjirough
our territory and locate on tln^ rich prairies of the
west. Moreover, wherever our 'igents set their foot,
they find themselves forestalled by American agents,
by American books and jiamphlets, and, above all,
by American prestige.
We ciui, however, introduce here with good
results, T think.
AN IN'OrslUlAi. IM.MUJRATION.
1 do not mean simple workmen, but master mechan-
ics and small cajntalists such as are to l)e found in
all the cities of EiU'ope. The induccnuMit. which
ON TIIK ADDRESS IN 1871
Avould lead them to invt^t their lal)or iind their caiiital
in our inidst 1:^ that wn cjiii pmduci! 2') pev vcni
clieaiHT than iiny other part of tlio Anicrican conti-
nent — what we need is the master-miners of Wales
and the nitrth of Kn^land, the meehanles of Alsace,
tlie Fiemls'i weavers and the (Jernian artisans of all
kinds.
Sncli an iminifi'rat'cn. it seems to me, would give
an extraordinary impulse to our industry.
Tn addition to this purely economic (|uestion,
tliere are political rei'orms which we hoped to have
seen announce<l in the Speecli from the Tiivone.
Aiiionj; l!ies(^ ret'orms. there ar(! two. which liaveheen
urgently demanded hy puhlic ojjinion for a longtime
past, in our election law and in education.
oil; Ki.Kc rioN i..\w
is deploraMy heliiiid that of the other pri)vince=! and
even of the l)()minion. I'ulilic opinion has long
dcmand<'(l a law modelled on that of Ontario, where
the elections are all iield on the same day. Onr law
has opened the door to lamentahle ahuses and to tlie
dir(>ct intervention ofthe ( ioverncmeni in tlie exercise
of tlie i)oi)ular riuU'rage. At t he last elections, the ( lov-
ernment was tlius enahletl to lirst issue the writs for
.such of the counties as it con-idered sale, and af.er-
wards. thanks to this tactic, to hiing all its strenglii to
i]]o asistance of its friends whom it deemed in danger.
Huch comluct is an ahnsc. Ifw(> are a iVce peoide,
the jiopnlar suffrage must he I'reely (werc'.sed and tlie
exact ex])re5sion o;'tho ()opular will niu-t liesccnred.
1 shall only refer iiu'identally to ihc (jnestion of
Klin A Tn P.N,
upon w
liich wc have h(>en long an] are still waitinix
for the I'remier's acti
on.
When the lion. I'reiiiiei- assumed the reins of
power in lS(i7, he had hoenfor twelve ye:ir-i Supcrin-
tcnd«'nt of Education and had just returned from a
wmma
8
SPEFCir
trip to l''uro|)0 uiulortakcn lor the ('Xprcss iiurpftHc of
studying on tlio Hput the difrcrcnt ccluciitional sys-
tems of tlie Old World. Ft was our hope that, on his
return, he would hiive cndiodicd in loirishition tiio
results of his oh.servations ami experience. I>ut for
the last four years like twister Aiuie on the tower top,
Ave have hcPii lookinji; I'nr si»inetliinj; to mnie. hut it
Jijis not yet a]»peare(l.
1 have heard it saiJ elsuhero : " IJut wluit is tJie
good of these reforms ? \\'\\[ they increase the puldic;
Avealth ? Will they eiihunee in the slijfhtest dcirree
the prosjierity oi' the country ? "' Hir, in a free state,
every thinjr is connected and linked topetiier
JruMslation. trade, industi'v, arts scii-nces and Icttcr.s,
nil arc memher.s of a same hody, the ixxly social.
A\'hen one of the menihers sufftrs, the entire hody is
utfected ; when there is an abuse any wh(>re, the entire
l.iod}' social is more or less paraly/ed ; when there is
unywhere something left undone which should he
done, the normal order is therehy disturhed.
England has become great hccause nhe has
thoroughly understood this itrineiole. No tiuestiou
there luis ever been allowed to languish. Nit sooner
lias an ahu.se lieen noted and a I'cform demanded,
than the (iovernement ol'the day. whatever it niiirht
be, ^\'hig or Tory, has at once given the subject atten-
tion and taken the initiative, never droj)ping it until
the aliu.se has been destroyed and the reform accom-
plished.
A\'e,on the contiary,only knowjhow to pander to unv
own prejudices and our self-love; we never hav(? the
courage to admit that we are not }ierfect or that there
is anything we should do.
1 grant. Sir, that, underyling this conduct, there
may be a tliought or rather an excess of patriotic
iifTection. but this is I'ar from lieing a proper patrio-
tism and it is certainly not mine. My patriotism
consists r.'ither in telling my country hard truths,
•whic]) will help to arouse it from its lethargy arid to
direct it at last into the path of true progress and t lue
l)rosperity.
i
of
lis
iio
'or
'P,
it
lio
lie
«',
er
••»
li.
is
ro
i»
)e
IS
n
r
ABOLITION OF DUAL REPRESENTATION
Ml!. LAlinKKSSi'J'lKCil ON TIlAi' (iUKSTION
7)KI.IVKKKI> f'.N THK 2ItII NoVKM HKH, lS7l
IN Til/': Li'jGfsLA'nii': assumuly of the
PROVINCE OF (HJIiliFC
111 the oaily (lays ol' llio scs-ioii of 187 I, the evil ol dual
lejire.seiitation. now i'ull>- rfco^jiii/cd and adiiiitti'd i^y hot ii
parties, was a^aiii made tlie siil'jet't of attadi li\ the ( >i)i)Osi-
lion in tlie (iueheo L<\i.'islatiii'e. lion, I', (r. Marchand, then
and still nieiulx r lor St. .lolm's. hroujrht in a hill to aholi>h it,
wliieh the < loviMnmi'iit ol the day onlv .sueeeedod in ,!.'<ttin<i
rejected Itv the narrow maiority o!' 5 votes — the <livi>inn hcin;;
o4 to 2'.l. Mr. ham ier tool; part in this ineiiiorahle d(d)ate,
once more winnin;.' tren'M.d adiuir.ition lor his uiaoeful elo-
quence and conii'ihutiii.i.' in no sli<:ht dejiree liy liis elose and
powerl'ul i<>asoiunv' to hasten the aholition, which took place
not long afterwards, of a system fraught with the greatest
danger to thehest intero.stsi of the Province. Even l.'Erax''-
■nnnl, then a, Con.iervativc organ, was forceil to ailniit iie.xt dav
that Mr. l.anrier's elfort on this occ;isii)n was r
emarKa
>1.
)tU
m
form and sidistanee and superior eviii to !iis ntte
ranee on
the Addi
It b
th!lt
;>eec
h. of w
reproduce a tr.iiislation
iieli we now pro|)o.«e to
Mk
M'k.\m:i
Thf line (ifciiiKhict adnptcd l>y (lie (ioveriuiicut
oil tliis ([Ucstioii fully warnmts the reproadi I
jidilros.s-cd til it imt long; .since, (d' hoing afriiid to ItU'O
the sitttiitioii ol'tlie countr}- squarely
10
SPEEcir
Tfto-diiy I roitiM'iito (liiit ifproiirli, it is not be-
Civuse T 111)1 acluatfd I>y any liostih' Icrling (oward?
tlio (lOVt'nmHMit. nor is it liecaiisc I wIhIi t<> oftt'i' it a
gyatoinatif and unfair opposition ; l)ut liccauso I
cannot \o<o. si<rlit of tin' fact tliiit T lif'r(> form part of
tli(! ]icopI(''s jury iind tiiat, on every (piestion tlmt
comes up. it is my duty to render a consciencious
verdict re:iiirdless of person or party.
If to-day T reitprate that reproach, it is hecausc it
U impossihh' for nie to he satisiicd uitli the (Jovern-
nient's policy on this ociasiini, and I helieve that it
is eijually inipossihle for all, who rise ahove party
considerations, to he satislied witii a
I'OMCV oi- UKTliKNi K AMi IM;ni |! Asl'INArtON
i, I
which evades and does n.)t solve tlu^ questions ol'the
hour.
\\'liat F expected ami iiad a rii;ht to i-xpcct from
the (Jovcrnment, Sir. wa~ not that it .^houhl siiare my
opinion hut that it shouhl hav<> an opinion of its own
on this (pic-ti<iu. I'ufort nnately, it has none. Tlu!
hull. I'remier tohl us that tiiis is the ninth time lie
has discussed this (iuositi(»n hotli here ;nid at Ottawa.
T!iis isfpiitc true and yet thus far we havu not heen
ahle to learn wliat the rrendei' tinnk-^ of the principle
laid down hy the hill of tlic lion, memher from St.
J(dni's. T repeat. Sir. thai we iiad a, rij;-ht to look I'or
somethinif diircrenl i'roui the (lovernment.
Here we hive a question oi' const ilulional law of
tilt' higJM'St importance, a (piestion intimately con-
nected witii the workinii' of our political system,
demandin<i; solution. The (iovernment is asked to
declare whether tln' priuciph' emhodied in the hill is
ri^dit and. if .so, to iulopt it or to declare whctiier it is
false and in that case to reject it, Iml what does the
( oivernment do ? Neither th(^ one ikm' the other. Tt
washes its Ininds of the (juestion and leaves it to the
peo))le.
Tiie only reason given by the hon. Premiei' I'or
ON DIAI, KKI'KKXKNTATIOX
11
not luloptirifr tlio iiM'iisur(! in tliat it uo\ilrl bo an
I'lUTojicliiiient oil tJie fl(.'ct<iral lilicrtics of the people
I am uHtonli'Iird, Sir, iit eo jiiucli coiHlcficonsion
for tlie iiuijeHty ol'tlic people in n Conservative (iovern-
meiit, which has always made sueh a jiarade oflts
{\tMserv!itiv<* principles in the press and on the hus-
tings.
To leave the apjilication of the nio-'t deli(;ate
(luestions of constitutional law ctemally oitcn to the
liuctuntions. uiululatidiis and caprices ol' public opi'
iiion is hardly to my mind a Conservative principle.
Neither is it a Liberal i)rinciple. I am inclined rather
to consider it as a subversive principle Irau-^lit with
(Hpai>pnintnients and daiijicrs, the entire l)tarin}^ of
uhich has not been ealculate(l.
It is undoub'edly commendable to;issert, to pro-
elaim, to defend the rijihts and prero^Mtives ofthe
p(>opl(! ; and, on this ])oint I yidd to no one, as there
IS nobody in this Hous(( u Im has a ileeper rospeet
than 1 have for the ri;.dits and prcro;^atives ol' tlie
people or who reuards it more as a duly to jea]<!i9ly
Wilt h and protect the sacred tru-t.
But. amonix those ri<j;ht>^ and pr(>r<i,natives, I do
not recouni/.e tlic privilege to brinjj, forever into (pies-
tion the principles which are the lo<:icai and natural
('onse(iueiice of our constitution. These i(rincii)le3
111 lie kept safe
are sacred an 1 invi(dal
ind
liouli
from ihe «torms of our daily political lift
■riiK I inKUTv Ol Tin: j'Eoi it:
is not unliounded ; its natural bouiidaiies are the
rights of society.
K man were a ]ierfect beinu'. it' bis notions of
right and wroni;' were always so clear and so luminous
tlnit all aberration on his part was in
Sir, T should say : leave to the |i
: possible, then,
eople absolute
liberty; allow them, without laying down any rule
for them, to choose for tbemselve-. in each isolated
case, the princijjle.? that should ^uide tliei)' conduct :
12
-r£K(i[
■Jl;
ill
in line, umler such <ii'cuiiist;inco-!, leave tliein jior-
J'ectly free til elect tlieir repri'seutatives as they |ilo;:.^o,
Avithout phiciuji any restiictioa on their choice.
r.ut, if such were the case, if sucli weretlie h:i])py
conilitiuu (if liuniauity. we would have no neeil eitiier
of constitution or of laws.
I'\)r. w Iiy iiave we a constitution'.''
WHY u.wl; wi-; i.,vws?
rrecisely. to ileterniine tlie princiiiles wliicli the
people siiould follnw in the exercise of their ri,i;lits —
to lix on the one haml the extent uf the vi^ihts of tiie
peoi'le antl, on the other, tlie extent of the ri.^'hts of
S()ci«. y.
\\'heri a people acce|it a constitution, they niaice
the sacritice of a portion of their lilierty, a generous
sacritiee by which each one gives up something
belonginii; to himself indiviilually for the hcnetit and
security ol' the wlnilc.
When a peojile acce])t a constitution, they trace
out themselves the circle which they assiiiu to their
liberties; they say to themselves in a sense: thi.s
spac(! belongs to me: liei'e I can speak, think, act ;
I <iwe no acctiunt nl' my wor^ls. my thoughts, my acts
to any one exceiit to my own con.-cicnce and to fJod ;
but, as regards society, here begins its domain and
ends mine and I shall not go further.
Still, like all human works, constitutions are not
])erfe(!t. New horizons, which wcic not before per-
ceived, are con-tantly opening up ;ind unsusjiccted
abuses are discovercil. It is then
mt: III TV ov THE i.Eoisi.ATiRi';
to sto)) in and to enlartie or contract. ac'Crding to
needs and cir cuinslances, the circle within which tho
institutiiins oi'tlu- country niove.
To-day. the meinher for St .Tobn's points out one
of these abuser. Tin- menibei i<>i St John's iudicute.-i
(iN DCAT, i!i:riu:si:.\TATio.v
lo
as an abuse the eligiliility to thi^^ House of lueiiihers
of tlie Federal T.egif-lature. He cnnteiuls that tliis
riglit iii eligiliility i-j a ilagrant conlradictioii.
AN ANOMALY,
as regards tin great i)rineiple ol'our conHtitiitinii, the
federative principle ; he contends that from this ano-
maly, thi.s contradictioi), may spring grave eonipli-
catioiis, real danger.s, whicii should lie preveiite'd, if
Ave do not want to liave to suppress thoni later on.
The Ministry, on the other hand, seems to make
it a scru])!" to tiiuch. even hy a hair's hreadth. what
it eom])laisaiitly terms the lilierty (d'tiie people.
Th(! Ministry forgets thct tliere are ])rin-
ciples of eternal and immutahle truth that a people
can never he permitted to violate with impunity ; it
forgets that it appertains to principles less striUing,
less evident, perhaps, l)ut n<<t less certain, which are
the logical consequenee of our adopted form of gov-
ernment aufl which shouhl he ei|Ually satred ; it
forgets, in tine, that the freedom ol' election mu.^t bo
necessarily limited in certain points and that a people
cannot he permitted to choose its representatives from
among all classes of citizens. As it is, there are several
classes of citizens, who are, hy law.
iNKi.n;ini.E;
for one. I need only mention the judges. Will the
Ministry pretend that the people, if they took the
fancy, would l)e free to send a judge to sit in this
House? No; it is a principle admitted hy all civilized
nations that the man chargerl with the administration
of justice, cnlm and dispassionate justice, should not
be mixed up with the storm? o| political lil'e.
The memlier for St John's asserts as an equally
certain piinciple that tht^ entry to thi> House sliould
bo forbidden to memliers ol' the Federal Legislature
I
14
SPEECH
AS IT IS 'I'O TIIK ,III)i;ES.
i 11
11
Tliis, Sir. is tlie (luestinn to lie clccidcd. It will
nut do to ivnswor it liy dilator v t'Xcei)tioiis, as the
(Joveriinient is dointr. Fi, tu-inorrow. a luoiulier were
to rise and propo-c tliat the judges slioiild lie oligihle,
whnt would the (iovornmeiil do? Would it say, as it
is sayinji; to day : Wo do not wish to touch tho liherty
of the peiiplf. I sliall carry the hvi)oth<'si3 further:
There is to day in the Inited Slates a nund)er of
puhlic writers who claitn for the lair sex what tliey
term the privilrnrx uud what T siuillcail the hurthcns
oftiie tlie well the ULcly sex ; who claim lor
the iro))ir:i not oidy the I'i^ht to vote, tho right of
eligihility, the right not only to send ni( mbers to
Parliament. l>ut. to sit in it tiiemsdves. Sir, we are a
colony of England anrl we are also neighliors of the
United States ; it does not need so much to make it
probable that sooner or later these theories of femi-
nine emancii)ation will penetrate into our own nudst.
If then some niemlier, inciteil l)y an excess of radi-
calism or gallantry, (extremes meet), were to rise and
move to throw ojx'n to women the doors of this House,
T (U) not .'jican the doors of tho galleries but the doors
of the (iuehec Letiishiture itself, what would the
(iovernment do if it was still in power? Would it say
as it says to day : we do not wish to touch the liberty
of the jteople? Would it say: if the i)eo[il(.' choose to
send us female colleagues, we accept them?
The chivalrous feelings of the Ministry are well
known to me. Sii-, but 1 also Unow their Conservative
principles. Now. between their feelings and their
principles, which would carry the day ? No answer is
needed. The Ministry would not hesitate to limit on
this point that liberty of the people for which it to-
day professes to have siirh a tremendously hiich
r>^spect. Well, the attitude which the .Ministry would
take on that occasion, let them take it to-day. If the
principle laid down in the bill is right, let them say
So and accept it : if it is wrong, let them say so and
reject it; but let thun not in tlie name of liberty
?l
ON DtAI, llEPKESENTATION
lo
TliY TO KI.IKl': Till-; >-ni ATlnN
I am a friend to lil>t'rt_v. l)Ut wiili me liln-'-tydoes
not mean license. A free people \a not one without
laws or clioeks ; a free people is one anioiii;- whom all
the attributes, ail tlie rijjrlit:^ of the nieniliers of the
State are clearly (le(ine(l and (hterininod and anionjf
)on
. I rii i.»,i. I'll * *
an
ilioni there is no encroachnicnt of one power iij
other. That i.s the Irnr iihcrly.
Once more, f ask. is the principle hiid down in
the hill of the honorable nieinhfr for St John's ri<i;ht
or i8 it not? T. for one. do not hesitate to say that
Avhat we iire jiiireed to term du.nl representation, the
double miin(!'ite. is altojiether inmutpatililc iciih the
priiiciplr of ir roiistitiitioi), with the I'edcn'ative prin-
cijile.
A conO.'deration is a Imndle of st.ites, nhicii have
a comn
ur.iitv of "encral interests, hut widch ha
ve
nerertheless towards e;ich othei' local interests dis-
tinct and separate.
For all tiieir common interests and cotimoii
■wants, these states have a common le,i;islature, the
Federal L«"gislature. hut for all their local interests,
they have each a local and separate leiiislature.
Within the respective domains of their aUriltutes,
the letiislatures. a3 well 1-ocal as FciU'ral, are sove-
reign and independent of each other.
Now, in order that the federative system may not
be an empty term, in order that in may yield the
results it is ex[»ectcd to produce, t!H> le,i;ishiturc3
must be
IXDKPKNOKNT oK EACH oriiKU
not only in l;iw. but in fact: tin: Local Lcuisl.-ituro
especially must be completely prntcctf^il aiiainst all
control by the Federal LcLiislature. If. immediately
or I'emotely, the Federal I/.',!.Mslatu;c exercises the
slightest control over the Local fiCLi'isl.'nuii'. then yiui
liavc no longer a federative u'lioii ; hut a legislative
.4
pii ;
16
.S1'EE*1I
iiniom under ;i fedovfitive lorni. Tl" you throw open
tlio doors of this House, to the inomhors of the
Federal f^c^islature you jidmit hy the very fact
tlie contr(d oftliis House l)y the Federal Legislature
and tlieri, as I have said, you destroy the federative
iiiiicn. of wliich, it is (rue. you may retain the form,
but have no lonirer the suhstance. The tliini,% more-
over, is easily explained.
l)y the very fact that we are an independent
state, forming ])art of another independent state, we
are hound to have business relations with that state.
Such, Sir, is the condition of human things that,
wherever there are business relations, theie are also
conflicts and
t;0.MI'l.|i:ATI0.NS OF I.NTEKKSTS.
We cannot escape the common fate. A day will
come w'hen these conflicts, these complications of in-
terests, will .irisc between the CJovernment of Quebec
and the Federal (lovernment. Naturally, the Federal
Legislature will side with the Federal ( ii)vernment and
the Local r^egislaturo with the Local (lovernment. If,
under these circumstances, you open tiie doors (»f
this House to the mend)er3 of the Federal I>egislature,
will you not. hy this tact alone, introduce into this
Hou-je an element necessarily hostile to the pro-
vince and necessarily l)ound to take sides against it ?
Do you think that, in entering this House, the Fe e-
ral members will cease to be Federal members? Do
you imagine that, on entering here. th(\v will leave
behind them at the thresboUl their interests and
their sentiments? Do you believe that after pleading
Ottawa's case at Ottawa, they will plead Ciuebec's
case at (Quebec? Do you tiiiidc that they will
burn here what they adored at Ottawa and that
they will adore here what they burned at Ottawa ?
Mistake! mistake! the Federal members will remain
Federal memlicrs, if it be true that no man cau
serve two masters ; they will plead Ottawa's cause
ox DVAI, REPRESENTATION
17
at Queltec iigainst Quebec .and tliey will support
their iirguments with nil the weight of their intluence.
Arxl then wluit will be Quebec's fate ? Quebec's late
will be
THE KATE OF THE EARTHEN I'OT
which, one day, took it into its head to travel in (com-
pany with the iron pot : (iuehec will be cru.«hed.
What I have just stated, Sir, is not mere hyjjo-
thesis. I support iny argument with the authority
of the honorable member for Montmorency, member
for I^fontmorency at Quebec and President of the
Senate at Ottawa.
No later than in the debate on the arl)itration,
the honorable meml)er for Montmorency (Mr Cau-
chon) — if I rememl)er his words rightly — said, in
defending the conduct of the honorable Premier,
that the same member may have certain duties at
Quebec and others at Ottawa on the same question.
These words, Sir, are striclj- true and, from this very
moment, is not the question decided? What? Are
we going to expose the same man to the necessity of
speaking and acting in self-contradiction according
as he sits
AT QUEBEC OR AT OTTAWA?
I will go further and, by this same question of
the arbitration, show the disastrous results which the
double mandate might produce.
The debate on the arbitration has brought out
this fact -that both sides of the Tfouse are agreed in
looking upon the decision of the Provincial arbi-
trators as a glaring iniquity and that we must at all
costs extricate ourselves from the position in whidi
tliat decisi(m involves us. Whore we differ is only
upon the means to be taken to get out of that }>csition.
Fortunately for us, the Federal (Jovornmont has sus-
pended the execution of the sentence. T fancy. Sir,
that it was not without diilicultv and without hesi-
2 , ' -
I ♦',
f
Mi p
4 !
.11 !
11 ;■
18
SPEECH
tatii'u lluit the Fedovjil (iovernment came to the cim-
clu.siou ti) sidopt this line of conduct. I will .sui)i)i).se
(which hy the way is alto^iiether iiiipossilile) that the
Federal (loverniiient, either I'roiii I'efir ot" ])ntiing the
('onledevation in dan<fci' hy acting otlierwise or fur
luiy other reason, had eh^eted to enforce tiie sentence,
there would have; heeii an iinnieiise cry of indignation
iVoni the entire province of (iueliec. t have no douht
that the (iovernment of Quehec would have not
<lelayed an instant in casting ahout for noean.s to
deliver us fri>m the iniquitous sentence. T am satis-
lied that it would have immediately called the Legis-
lature together to suhniit some pro])osal on the
suhject. Sir, I see in the House two members of the
Federal (iovernment. What would they have done
then? Would they have repudiated Avhat they ha:l
approved at Ottawa? Would they have said at
Quehec : do not execute the sentence, after having
Paid at Ottawa: execute it? Alas! it is certain that
they could not have acted (itherwise than consis-
tently with themselves; they could not have helped
using the hame language here as at Ottawa and ^vhat
they would have said to us here would have heen in
.«uhstance and without amhiguity : Suhmit !
SrmilT TO THE l.Nlgl ITV !
and do you think that these words would have been
empty. 6ir, each one can think oi'them as he pleases,
but my firm conviction ic^ that their influence would
have been all powerful and that Quebec's interests
would have been sacrificed without pity to save the
intevests of the Federal Ministers.
I)Ut this is not all. The honorable inend>er for
TiOtbinicre, (Mr. Joly) stated only a short time since,
in the course of the deliate on the address, that if the
legislative form was not adopted at the time of the
\inion of the Th'itish colonies, it was on account of the
particular situatinn and
ON niAI. ni:i'IlK.--K\TATI()X
19
THE EXCEI'TluNAl, INTEUEST.S OK QIEI'.EC.
Tlu'se vords wore not contradicted and they could
not, ii8 it is .1 luHtorical I'act tliat the iVderativu form
was only achipted to prchcrvc ibr (iuohee tlic cxceit-
tional and iinitfuc ])osition which it occupied on tho
Anu'vican continent. That position, Bir. T am anxious
to maintain intact anil J say with tlie poet
;Mciti vriii' n'c'-it |>:is trr.iiul. mi.is jc Imis dims innii vrrre.
(My tflas.> i> not Ijjl', Imt 1 drink lidiii my uhiss)
Witli tlie siujile mandate, I have the guarantee
that Quehec"s riglits and privileges will be preserved
and resjiected and that its j)osition will l>e maintained ;
■while, with the double mandate, those rights and
privileges seem to me to be in perpetual danger.
]>astly, ;■ ir, I shall speak my whole nund : with
the single mandate, (Quebec is Quebec; with the
double mandate, it only becomes an appendix to
Ottawa.
j,;i .'!
:i III
LOUIS BIEL IN THE COMMONS
I'LKA AdAINST II IS KXITLSION FllOMTIIE
llOl'SK
( ffOfJSE OF COMJIOXS)
siTTLMi UK Till-: 15tii apuii,, 1 ^74
Rctiirnod for riovencher :n Oetoljer, IS73, Lnuis Riol had
been re-elected for the siuue county at the .i;eiieral chH'tions
1)T whioli tlie Macken/ic A<hniiii.stratii)n wti'o niaintained in
ollicti after Sir.Iohn A Macilouald's re.sij;nation O'X tlie I'acifie
S(;anilah 'I'lie presence of tlie Metis leader in the Federal
capital, the audaeity ^v■hich he had displayed in presenting
hiniseir before the Clerk of the House to bo sworn in as a
iueniber and the uncertainty as to whether he would take liis
.-fat 01' be arrested, all combined to create and extraordinary
<legree of excitement. Nevertlieless the entire point at-
issue summed itself uj) in the ipK'stion : had !i9 been amnes
tied? On tlie '.Ith .March, bSTH, .Mgr Taclie. on the part of lioth
the Feileral anil Imperial lioverninents, promised pardon to
Kiel in partvuUar and had given him the assurance of a com-
])lete amnesty, cov<'ring the murder of I'liomas .'^cott, and, on
the 17th .June of the same year, father liitchot. .Fudge ^ihick
and ^[r Seott assured Mgr Taclie that a full and entire amiies-
ty had l>een promise I by the (ioveriior (ieiieral and by Sir
Clinton Miu'doch in Her MasjestyV nami' ; whih^ on the iL'th
.lulv Sir (ieoi'ge Htieniie ('artier wri,iti' to Mgr'l'aehe tocontirm
the promise of an amnesty. In ls7(, ih,. jlou^e of Commons
found Itself cniifionted with tliiec motions: one iiy Mr
McKen/ie Bowell, demanding the inunediate expulsion of the
uiemlier lor I'rovencher; tiie second, by tii<' late Mr Ifolton,
proposing to defer any decision until the Conunittee hail
ie]>orted on the existence of a promise of aiuiiesty, and the
thiid by tlie late Mr ^Monsseau. giaiitiiiL' tle^ amnesty then
and there. Mr Laurier declaved in favoi i>l the Iloltou
amendment :
22
srF:K«ii
l»i(
' (
i
i i
^' i
Mli SrKAKEtt
Altlioujrli this debate lias l)oen )ir(il«infred beyond
tbc limits of liuinan patienoo, I sbiill noveitbele.sw
take tbe liberty ol"i)uttin<;tlM! indulgenfODrtlie IFouae
to the test. At first, it was not n»y intention to take
]iart in tlii«» discussion, but it has taken such an
unexjiec^ted turn that it seems to me tbat I would not
properly do my duty towards myself and towards
my eonstituents if T contented myself with givinji- a
silent vote.
1 have listened, Sir, with the greatest attention
to all the arguments which have lieen a<lvanced in
support of the main motion, and. although some of
these arguments have been urged by men whoso
opinion T gieatly respect, T must frankly admit that
T have found it impossible to be convinced by them :
I have not been convinced that, at the )K)int readieil
by the proccetlings taken against the mcnii)((r for I'rov-
cneher (Mr Hiel) and witli all that has been jiroved
thus far against liim. we would be justified or have
tlie right to expel him.
Tlieconclusion to whicli.in my opinion, the House
should come is that, tliere have been too many facts
raked out of oldivion and laid to the charge of the
member for I'ruvencher to permit of bis being al)-
solved: it is not the less true tli;il too niany other
i'acts havclieen overlooked to warrant his expul-^ion.
Which means to say tbi.t 1 shall vote I'or the aiiKMid-
in<'nt uf the iionoraide nicmlicr for (hateauguay .(.Mr
llolton) the wise ;iinenilnicnt which has been su))-
portetl with so much skill. elo(|Uenee and gallantry by
the honoral.de nicmiicr fur South < hitario ( Mr. Came-
ron).
!)Ut. before going futber. T must apoloui/c to tho
TTouse for using a language witli which lam o)dy
imperfectly ac(piainled ; really. T should claim a com-
])lete amnesty, because \ know only tixi suri'ly th.at,
in the course of the few remarks I wish to make, I
shall frcipiently murdci' the (iueeifs Knglisli.
I am perfectly conscious of ihe disngroalde task
ON LOiiiH Kiel's emtlsion
O't
\\lii(h I linpuse on the House nlion f force it to li.-toi»
ton man ao unl'iiniiliur with the hm^^Uiigehc uses, hut
T can assure you thtit it" it i.s a task for the lluuso, it
is nnu'Ii more (liHajrrePultlo lor niysell'. I um so con-
vim-ed. so thoroughly convinccMl, that tiin adoption
of the honorable nieniher for ('hatoau;,'uay'.s aniend-
nient is tlie only course that the I louse should pursue
that T consider tiiat T would Ite j^'uilty of jin act of
cowardice if, for any motive whatever, I allowed
myself to be turned away from the defence of the
ojlinions which T regard as the soundest and safest
on this subject.
As T have already stated, T would not liave had
the presumption to take i)art in this deljate. hut I
think that I am warranted in iritcrvoninj;. because it
seems that the true (juestion before the House has
n
ot been treated. Many secondary consideratioi
13
hnvt." lieen raised. Itut the real ijuestion has not been
touched.
The <iuesti(in has been treated as if the facts on
nliich the main motion is based had been proven and
])roven Ix^ynng all donlit. Now, T maintain that the
facts alh\L;(^d in the tnotion iiave not liron established
in a way to warrant tliis Ifousc in voting the expul-
sion.
1 (h
iri' t(i state at uncc that I have no side taken
on the (juestion now licfore us against the meml)er
for I'rovi'ncher, I have not the slightest prevention
am
1, on the other hand, 1 liav(> no preilis])o::;iti
(HI
ihatevcr in his favor,
Thavenevir spoken to him; I have never seen
hini ; T have never had any relations with him either
diri'ctly or imiirectly. He belongs to no puHtieal
party and between him and me there is lio bond of
sympathy : T am as impartial as if T was in the jury
box.
And we should all art as if
we weri'jurors. iiecauso
the functions we exercise at this moment are judicial
fun<'tions. Tt is (juite true; that the object in view is
to protect the lionor anil puiity of this House: l)ut
it is cfjually true that the etVect might be to deprive
24
.si'EEcir
li i
«>iu> of our fellow citi/cns oi" wliat rijihtfuUy liolonps
to liini, to .strip tlio niciiilier for I'rovondier of liis
title aiul privileges us ii inemlier of tliis House, iuul
to rob the county of I'roveiiclier of tlie services of the
nmn whom it has ehoson aa its reprepeiitative. [
Jiiaintain that wc! are excereisinij; judicial funetions
and, witliout goinu; forther, f base this opinion on the
•words uttered l)y Fiord (irauville in tiie iCnglish House
of I'onunonH in 1807. A aiinilar case to tliis one was
in ([ueation. find tlie opinion referred to was later on
quoted approvinj^ly by the Attorney (Jeneral for
Ireland in tlie celebrated Saddlier affair alreaily ?o
many times cited in the course of this debute.
ilere is what lie said :
AVe are now acting' in our judicial cupacity ami wo are
consequently ol)ligo(l to base the Judjinicnt wn me uliout to
render not on our desires or preposso^sionw, luit on spccilic
laots allcfit'd and proved according to tiie ordinary rules f)f
our pioecduie.
This Opinion of Lord (Iranville's, ci>rroborated
and a])proved as it was by the Attorney (ieneral for
Ireland, in the Saddlier affair, gives us the true basis
on which we should regulate our decisions and con-
firms in a conclusive manner my contention that we
are exercising judicial functions and that we should
I'd low
THE RULES OK .IfDICIAL I'KOOK.
This point being established beyond all doubt,
let us (examine the facta that have been alleged antl
those that have been proven :
The honorable member for North Hastings (Mr
]'>owell) has liased his motion on three facts. He as-
serts : 1° That Louis Riel, member for Provcncber,
Avas indicted before the Court of (Queen's Lench for
^Manitoba, in the month of November last, for the
murder of Thomas Scott and that a //(^f b>lt was re-
turned against him ; 2 ^ That thercuiion a warrant
: i
OS I.Ol'l.S KII'.I,
KXl'n.MiiN
25
wan iPMued for liism-rest. Imt Hint, since tluit time, lio
lina HysteMiifttic'iilly eluded justice iiinl lluit he is con-
sequently contunnicious ; .'1 - Tliiit lie disolicyeil the
order oi' this llnusc. ctMiiniiindiiig him to njiiiciir in
his seat on the day lixed
I ciintei^t the hoiiorahle nicnihijr for North llast-
iuft's first assertion and I ;i:aintain that there is not a
siiadow of piool' that an indictment was laid a;:r.inst
the inendier for I'rovenelier and that a Iriir h'.il wiia
returned a;4ainst him ; I mean to say that there does
not exist tlie slightest judicial proof which would jus-
tify tills House in taking action. There was only one
way to |ifove this precise fact — it was hy producing
the iiiilictinriit, hut nothing of the sort has been done.
Singular to say, too — in the evidence given l)y
the Attorney (ieneral of Manitoha, — there is not «ne
word to prove that an iiidiclinnit was returned against
the mcnd)cr for I'rovenelier. T will take the lil)erty
of referring the liouseto the eviden((! of the Attorney
(ieneral, at ])age 1(1 of the Votes and I'roceedings :
(iiKsrni.N : — Did an indictment of l.ouis Kiel take
place hefore the Court of Queen's iiench, in Mani-
toba ?
Answku: — At the cvlra teini of the Court of
(iucf'n'fl J5eneh for Manitoha, in Novendjer last, Louis
Kiel was indicted.
And that's all. There is not a word to indicate
that a 'rii/' bill was returned. If I make this remark,
it is not because T attach any great iuj])ortance to tliis
omission, for. from my point of view, the indictment
could not lie proven except by the judduction of the
document itself or of a certilicd copy of it.
T have made this remark for the sole purpose of
sbowiug how weak is tlie jiroof, even from the most
ralde point ol view
3 regards the nioti
on.
];ut
ill be said, i»erha])s, tbat we have ample proof
; a /r?/r />/// Avas returned, in the warrant which
- issucil against Mr. lliel and wliicli has been pro-
uiiced. This argument cannot, he accciited.
1 will remind the House once more that we are
exercising judicial functions and that we should bo
fl
26
SPEECH
'1 ' i
J-
,1
guided entirely by the lules of judicial prouf. Is
the rule admitted by Lord (iranville when the ques-
tion was to deprive m. man of liis property not just
enough that we should obscure it in the present
case ?
Wherefore I again insist on the necessity, tlie
absolute necessity, of deciding this (luestion accor
ding to the rules of judicial proof and not other-
wise.
The first of these rules is that, when the best
proof can be furnished, secondary evidence
19 NEVEK AltMITTEf).
Now, T note that this princii)le, which T luave just
laid <lown lias been admitted and recognized by the
honorable member for North-Hastings liimself.
In fact why did ])e bring the Attorney (ieiioral of
JJanit()i>a 1o the bar of the House?
f^imply, to get ollicial judicial proof regarding
the ciiarges whicli he has laade against the member
for r
rove
ncl
WW
It was noi t" liriiig any new facts to the know-
ledge of the members of this House. We are acquain-
ted with all the unfortunate event? that have occurred
ill Manitoba before and since the entry of tluit prov-
ince inti' tlie Cnnfederatii
>n.
i'A'
erv one ot u.
:ii(nv:
tliose facts
IS Wt!
th
as me
Attonu'v (Icncral of Maiiitolwi himself and when he
ap[i(',ire(l
It tl'
lar. uot a simcle ni(Mnl)er learned a
Jiict thai \\(' liad nm [ircviotisly known.
Why then did the lionorable menilier i'or North
Hastings bring h(M'e tlie Attorney (ieneral of .Manito-
ba and get liim to rei)e;).t what we already knew aa
well as the witness ?
It was because he admitted and rei'oguized the
])rii
!!■
II
e winch I am (lef(Mulni<i- a
t this
moment.
was because he recogni/.ed the fact that the com-
plete khii\vledge \vbif:li e:icb of us ])Osses.scd was not
sujlivMcnt to jiermit tlie IlnuM'of
("oiiiiimns to act
hecause li
e recogni/.ed that we arc exercising judicial
ON I.OKIS RTEl's EXPl'I.ylON
27
functions and that it was essential for liim to estab-
lish ju'licially and by the best evidr !ice the charges
he hr.d made against tlie meni])cr for I'rovencher.
Since he admits this principle, he should be con-
sistent and furnish literal i)roof of bis charges ; but
in this he has completely failed.
Ho Avas bound to produce an iit'lictmrnt, but he
lias failed in this duty and T can safely conclude that
there is
NO I'HOOK
that the member for rrovonclicr Avas indiclcd and
that iilruc bill was found against him.
It will be argued, pcrha])s, that the reasons which
I advance are pure legal subtleties. Name them as
you please, teclinical expressions, legal subtleties, it
matters little; tor my part, I say that tliesc techni-
cal reasons, tbe-^e legal sul)lletio.s, are the guarantees
of J'>ritis]i liberty.
Thanks to these technical exin-es^iions, these le-
gal snlitloties. no ])erson on l>riti>h soil can be arbi-
trarily deprived ol what belongs to him. There was
a time who the procedurr was niueli simpler than it
is to-day, when the will alone of one man was sulli-
cient to deprive anothiM' ni;in of liis liberty, bis j)ro-
perty, his honor and all tliat makes life dear.
J!ut. since tiie days of tiie (ireat Cliarter. never
has it been '.-.ossible on lU'itish " soil " to rob a man of
his liliertv. his ])roi)erty or his 1
lOUoi'
except under
the safeguard of what lias been termed in this de])ate
technical exi>ressions and 1( gal subtleties.
It will lie further ohjeeted. i>e"ha])s, tiiat the
admission ')f tills jiriiiciph' will have the cfTivt of
preventing this House from reaeliiiiga man ac; used
of an abomiuiible crime.
Tl
lis ol)joetion simply > vailes t
uestiim. for
the point whicli remains to be deci(h'd is wliether it is
true that sucli a cliarge exists against tlie memher
for Proveneher. T maintain that, as long as we have
not before us tiie literal proof, wo iiave no proof'.
28
spEFini
Tt i8 i^erfectly true that in matters of this kind,
■\ve exercise
A SOVKIUCffiX Al'TIIdlMTY.
!!
N
o power can alter wliat we siiall (1»j, no matter
ne
])0W unjust or .'irbitrnry it may be. We can. if
like, take no account of the precedents (.'itcd for our
guidance, pay no attention to the sacred laws estab-
lished for tlie protection of the citizen, act upon in-
complete cvideuce or upon none at all, but will wo
do so ?
We undoubledly have the power, l)ut have we
the right to arbitrarily set aside tlie rules which con-
stituts the security of society and of tlu^ citizen ? Tf
the House forgets this f,o day, it may i)erhap3, obtain
a temiiDniry satisfaction, but it will create a prece-
dent which will l)e a perpetual danger for our con-
stitution and which in the future will herve as a jirc-
text for more crying acts of injustii <;.
1 sul)nut to the consideration ot the House that
he who has to ajjply the law should not try to show
himself wiser than the law. T submit that there is
no practice more dangerous than to try to violate the
law to ol)tain any result, no matter iiow desirable it
nuvy be.
I will be further told, perhaps, that these are
lawyer's objection. This remark may have some force,
Init what is still lu^rc forcible is tliat tlicse objeetiDUS
command the respect of every man who respects the
laws of his country.
[ repeat that these objections are
NOT MKIiK srr.TLICTIKS.
While we have not the indictment here before as,
we havti only an incomplete jiroof, a part of the
proof.
Tt we had had the indictment, we niiiiht havo
cross([Ucsti()ned the Attorney General and then we
would have succeeded in bringing out an important
ox I.oris EIEI. 3 EXn I>]ON
29
fact, namely, that that indiclmen' was obtained by a
conspiracy between the Attorney (ieneral and a
packed jury
In any case, wo coiihl have crossquestioned the
Attorney CJeneral in regard to
II IH STKANCiK CONDUCT.
We would haue learned how it was that he, witii
zeal enough to turn simple constal)le with a bench
warrant in his ])ocket, did not seek bel'ore today to
capture the man whom he calls a murderer ; how it
was that to tliat man, whom he now calls a murderer,
he for years applied the title of friend.
Now, we cannot cross<iuestion tlie witness on
these important points, while wo haA'e not before us
the proof of the i)rincipal fact, which -vould have
opened the door to im})ortant deve opments.
Mr Speaker, nobody has forgotten tliat the liono-
rable member for North Hastings, in making liis mo-
tion, laid stress chielly on ihe jjrecedent furnished by
the English House of Commons in the Saddlier case.
That precedent, T accept not only on this, l)ut on
all the otheir points, and I will call the attention of
the honorable member to one thing, whicli was that the
first step taken against Saddlier was to j)rove the //t-
rfic^mp??/ found against him, by laying on the cable
an authentic copy of the same.
T now pass to the second allegation of the motion
of the honorable member for North Hastings, which
states that the member for Provencher has systemat-
ically eluded the pursuit of juktice and that he is .at
present guilty of (•ontenn)t.
If there is no proof liefore the House of an indict-
ment against the member for Provendier, it is impos-
sible, legally speaking, to protend that lie is a fugi-
tive from justice and this, of itself, is enough lo de-
stroy the assertion of the meml»er for North Hastings.
Without, however, adopting tlii.a, pcrliaps. ex-
treme way of looking at it, lot us face and examine
the question squarely : is the memlier for Provercher
30
-PEECir
a fugitive from jjstico or is he not ? Ts lie or is he
not contunuicious?
I liiive already rei>e:ited that we have no legal
proof of an indictineiit ; it is true that we have before
us that a bench warrant was issued by the Court of
Queen's Hench in Manit()l)a against tiie member for
Provencher and that so far that warrant has not bceft
executed. This is all the proof befjre this House ia
support ofthcmi)tion df the honorable memlter for
North Hastings. V.'ell. T do not hesitate to say that,
in law as \> ell as in justice and equity, it cannot l)e
concluded from this simple fact that tlie member for
Provencher can at this present hour be
I I
CONSIDEKKl) AS CONTrMACIolS.
In point of fact, that warrant was issued at the
term of November last. Now there is nothing very
extraordinary in the fact that it could not be executed
in time to bring the accused belbre the court before
the close of the term ; the meml)er for Provencher
might have been al)sent from Manitoba at that period.
It '3 notorious that, since the unfortunate events of
1869-70, he has almost constantly resided abroad. Ft
is very possible that the news of his indictment may
not liave reached him until after the close of tiio
term. But, it may b(! said, why did he not give him-
self up tlien ? Simply because it was better tor him
to remain iu lil»erty until the next term. Tfhehad
given himself uji at once, he would have been oldiged
to remain a prisoner for six or seven months, perhaps,
awaiting his trial.
Who can say, however, that he will not appear
even to-morrow before the court, if it required his
presence to-morrow? Who can say that he will not
eagerly seize the occasion to stand his trial if that
occasion lie given him ?
But T hear it said : there as quite recently a
term of the court and he did not give himself uj) to
answer to the charge standing against him.
Sir, this object is worthless, because if you pretend
ON LOfIS lUKL S KXIMI.SION
31
tljiit tlie court lias sat. tlien where are the proceedings
Avhich have l)een taken to e3tal)lish tliat he is a fugi-
tive I'roiu justice? Where li' tlie report ol' tiie sheriff
of tlie province attesting tliat lie tried to execute the
warrant issued against the nieinher for Provenclier,
hut tliat he could not succeed in doing so ?
In the face of this proof or ratlier of this al)3ence
of proof, where is the English suhject. with resi)ect
for English law, who will dare to rise in this House
and maintain that the meniher for I'rovenclicr is con-
tumacious ?
JJut there is more than all this. The niemher for
Provenclier has always asserted that the old Adminia-
tration had
PKOMISKI) II I M AN AMNKSTY
for all the acts in which lie had taken part in .Manitoba
prior to the admission of that province into the Con-
federation. Jle liaij reiterated this assertion twenty
times, })erhaps. ITis friends have made tlie same
assertion and the old Administration has never been
■willing to speak out on the subject. Called upon over
and over again to declare what there was in this
alleged promise of amnesty, to state simply yes or no,
it has never been willing to say yes or no.
I regard this obstinate silence of the old Adminis-
tration as an absolute confirmation of the pretension
of Mr Riel and his friends — it is a case of " silence
giving consent."
Well, if this be the case, if the member for i*ro-
v(niclier was promised an amnesty for all the acts
■which he may have committed in Manitoba while at
the head tif the provisional government, is it surpris-
ing that he should not want to suluuit to those wlio
now wish to drag him before the courts for those same
acts? Is he not warranted in so acting? Is he not
right in so (hnng in order that the promise of amnesty
made to him, in the Queen's name, mav be carried
out ?
Who can say that, under the circumstances, he is
a fugitive from justice, that he is contumacious ?
32
SPEECH
No, Sir, as long as this question of tlie amnesty
lias not been cleared up T, for one, shall never declare
that this man is a fugitive from his country's justice.
Moreover, this question will be soon elucidated, as
no later than last week we named a committee to
en(juire into it. This committee is sitting at this
moment and the Ht)use, in my opinion, would do
not only a culpable, 1)Ut an illogical and inconsistent
act, if it came to any decision affecting this question
from near or far, until it has received
THE IlEPORT OK THE COMMITTEE.
In addition, Sir, from the legal point of view
alone, at the stage reached by the proceedings takea
against tlie member for Provencher before the Court
of Queen's Bench, in ^lanitolja, it is impossible to say
that he is contumacious.
T have already stated that I was ready, in all
respects, to follow the rules laid down by the House
of Commons in the Saddlier affair; now, the principal
rule adopted in that affair is that a man cannot be
declared guilty of contempt unless all the opportu-
nities of standing his trial have been exhausted and
that he has not sought to take advantage of them.
Wlien the Saddlier affair came up for the first
time before the House of Commons the motion for
expulsion was rejected, because Saddlier could still
come before the court to stand his trial and liecause
it would have been premature to declare him contu-
macious.
The Att(n'ney CJeneral for Ireland said on tlie
subject " <bat, if he had an advice to give to the
House, he would recommend it To let the motion stand
over until the next session ; in the interval, the pro-
ceedings begun Avould be continued and Mr Saddlier
would be brought before the court and stand his trial
or he would bo outlawed."
The House of Commons adopted this wise sugges-
tion and, as I have already had the honor to state,
the motion of expulsion avjis rejected on that occa-
sion.
ON LOUIS RIEI. S EXrVLSION
33
There. Sir. is un example iilready traced out for
U8 : t"i)r luy part, a3 I have already reniaiked, T am
ready to Inllow it in all rc?pcct.s, I do not know
■whether the honorable nicnibcr for North Hastings is
prepared 1o sny as much.
I roiiie now to llio third point oltho n:otion ; that
tlie lujnorable niendjer for Provendier has disobeyed
the order of this House commanding liim to ap])oar
in his seat on a lixcd day.
I maintain that this fact does not exist. The
mendier for Provendier could not disolioy, for the
simi)]e reason that he could not liave re<iularly had
knowledjie of this order, i-ince it was
M:\KR sKiMlIKl) TO HIM.
Mr. Powell. — Ilcir, hear
Mr. Laurier. — I hear the honorable mend.ier for
Ismth Ila.'^tini.'s cry: " liear hear ! "We!!, T again
refer the honorable meniber to tbcf^addlicr precedent
upon which he claims to re-ft his case and which
nevertheless he is always forgetting. ITo will see
there tiiat the House of Commons had caused to be
served on f^addli'^r llio order comninnding bini to
apijoar in his t-( at and that it had sent one of its mes-
sengers exi)ressly to Ireland for the purpose. T again
(juote the words of the Attorney (leneral :
Ho could infoi 111 the iroiis^*' thtit on Mondny last one of
its niossougcrs liml none to Iiclaiid and, on tln' next day. had
served npon Mr Saildlior. at his doniirile in tlie connty 'i'ippe-
lary, the order coiiunanding liiiii to lie in his s(-at : tliat, on
the same day. Ik' had Id't a cniiy of the order at a house in
Dublin, in wliicii Mr .'^addlier had Inimi rly resided, and that
lie had lett anotlu'r coiiy \vith ^Ir ::^addlier's lawyers.
T now expect to hear tlu; honoi'able mendjer for
North Hastings tell us that it was useless to try o
serve the order of the ITouae on the member t'or Pro-
vendier, since nobody knows where he is at this
moment. Put, if it was impossible to serve the order
fi
'\
'I!
34
srioKiit
persnnnlly on tho member iVtr Proven cher, it was easy
to liavc served it iit liis doniicilo, as in the Saddlicr
iiirair. Is there not an absolute finiilarity between
tlie two cases ? And look at tjie minute inecautions
taken l)y the Knglisli House of ("oninions to notify
??addlier and to call upon him to defend himself
again- 1 the motion of ex [tuition
J Ten
no
thine; of the f-ame kind has Iicon down.
al)Solutely nothing. T therefore contend — and T defy
contradiction on this jjoint — that tiie House cannot
take into consideration llie motion of the honorable
member for North Hastings as long as it has not
served on the meinl)er for I'rovencher tlie order com-
manding him toapi)ear in his seal, as long as it haa
not
eilAr.I.ENCKl) IIIM
to d(
efend himse
If.
For it is the privilege, the right, in fact, of every
British subject that he shall be stripped of nothing
whieli belongs to him, without first being called upon
to defend himself .
l)Ut it will lie said. iierhn])s. on the other side of
the House: Wliat is the good of all these purely ab-
stract objections? AVhat ]iurpose would it serve to
notify the tlie mcmlicr for Pruvencher of the motion
to be made against him ? Are not all the facts charged
against him true? Ts he not guilty?
Even though he were tlie greatest cul])rit in the
Avorld. the law should be followed and resjjccted.
Even though he might not have a word to say in his
own defence, he should not the less be notified. The
fundanu'iital jirinciple of all justice is that nobody
shall ever be condemned, williout having been heard
in his own defence or without having licen called upon
to defend h
ust
(lelend himscll. in numerous cases, accisions, j
in themselves and perfectly equitable, have lieen re-
versed l)y the higlier court: in England, solely because
the party condemned had not been notified to defend
himself.
ii;
ON I, oris RiKi.'s Exrn.sioN
35
'1
I may hepennotted to liore cite tlio lan<iU!i!TO of
Judge liailey ill II caso reported ill volume 12 of the
Law cmd E'fiilii lirpnrls, p. 242:
1 know ol' iin ciise, ho Haiil, in ^\•llil'll ii poiver <xPioising
jiulicial t'liiic'tions i-iin tU'inive a man of aii\ fraction whutovcr
of his pioperly, uitliout Iiis liavhii: Wow previously lullod
upon to iiivsent iiis dcienco. Ilo wlio ilecide.s u oasr witiiout
havin;^ ln^aivl till' otiifr side. Ills not done what isj'.Ht, even
thougii Ills decision slionld be'jnst
As for me. Sir, T am of French origin and my
ctlucatiun lias heen French, hut T have tliis of the
liriton in me : an ardent h>ve of fair pUiy and of
justice.
Now, T aspert — and nohody can contradict me —
that the mernher for Provencher has not on this occa-
sion had either justice or fair play. The Mouse ii
asked to come to an unjust and illegal decision ; hut,
for my part. I shall never consent, in this instance or
any other, to deprive a man of the smallest jiarticle
of Iiis rights or jiroperty without firs-t having given
him the henefit of all tlio legal I'onns to defend him-
self.
T therefore helicvc tliat, on this point as on the
preceding ones, 1 can conclude in all safety that the
allegations on whicli rests the motion of the honor-
able memher for North Hastings are not supporte<l l»y
euflicient proof.
These reasons are certainly conclusive in favor of
the amendment of the memher i'or Chateauguay.
To th.at amendment, my honoralile i'riend, tlie
member for IJagot (Mr. Mousseau) has jfroposcd a
sub-amendmeat, demanding purely and simply an
amnesty on the S[iot, without waiting for the report
of the committee of encpiiiy.
It is ditlicult to conceive area.son to warrant this
demand of the honorable meml)er.
A member on tho Ministerial side toldtlie lionor-
able member for North-Hasting- yesleiday lliat iiia
T
3G
si'Krj'ir
H
nliject in making liis iiidtinn wiiri nnicli loss tn cxjiel
]\Ir. llit'l thill) t(i try to tMiil)airas.s tlio (iovi'iTiDciit. I
puspect that tlio object of the lionoral>]c incinlicr lor
]>agtjt. in projiosing his nniendinrnt. is aleolutr ly tlie
earno.
Tliere socms to he
.\.N INTIMATK AI.I.A.NCK
l/('l\vt'cn tiic honovahlc nionil.or I'nr North Ilastinjrs
and tlio homrahlf nicnilcr for l>a;f(il.( I'-xtrcnifH meet :)
botli are on the war j.alh ar.d holh arc assailing n
common enemy ; one directs liisi altncl; against the?,
rigl^t Ihink and tlie otlier agiiinht tl>e lel't. and liolh
hojx- tliat. it' Hie enemy ePctijKS licm the blows of llio
one, he will fall under tliose of tlie other and that
tliey will .Hiececd in eacli planting his Hag on the fur-
trens to]>.
Sir. r have not the honor to know (h(> lior.ora])]fl
jnendier for North Jlastings. and 1 would not wish to
susjjeet his motive;-; ; T do not
Mr I'owell : — Oh! don't liesitate; T Lave no
8<ru])les.
Mr Laurier : — lUit T have. Once inore. F f ay. [
have not the advantage; <>f knowing the honorable
member for North Hastings. T do not want to sus-
pect his motives : 1 would rather lielicvc in their .sin-
cerity. ])Ut. as lor my honorable Iriend, the meiiiber
ior I'agot. T kimw him too long and too well tt) not
read his game clearly and 1 do not hesitate to s-ay
thatlie isfar le.'s anxious lor the amnestying ofMr IJiel
than Ik; is lor eoniprc misirg the Administration,
if possible.
1 think that wlien the lionorable member for Pro-
vencher learns what is b.appening here to-day he will
txclaim :
LolJli. SAAE MK KKOM MY I KIK.NOS !
As a matter of iV.ct, could tlie honorable mem-
ON LOUIS UIKI.S EXIM'I.SION'
.■^7
licr for I'iMuut soriiiusly li())w thut tlio IInuso uduld
ivilopt his aiiiciKliiiiMii ? Wliv tlicu did lie itropo.'ae
it?
Tt WilS only l;|:^t \V('(>k fllMt tiu' I I nU-iC UHlini UK lUS-
]y iiiimed :i ('oimuitti'o to eii(|uii'o into the wIidIo
(juo^tiou of the aiinio.sty. iind. at tins very liour, this
coininitti'c i«< silting !iu(l M;^r 'Pacht' is giving his cvi-
dcuci' Ucl'orL' it.
Now, Sir, this {M)ninuttoc U useful <n- it is not.
Tfit
lias n(i utililv whatever, wiiv did nnt tiio
honorahk' meuiher nppM.-c it when it was a.sketl for?
A\'hy did lie not pruiio.^e a suhanioudnient, roconi
mending tlic iimuediate Lrrantiiis
the jitnnoHtv?
Why did he nut save tn tiie country the enorninug
expense tliat tiie empiiry will entail ?
If, on the iither hand, the emiuiry made hy the
committee may he useful for the amnestv,
WHY NOT WAIT
until Mgr Taelu' and Father llitehot have given their
evidence? Does the hoiioralile menher for Uagot ima-
gin
e that he is doing a service to Mr Kiel in striving
to deprive him of the hent^it of the evidence tif Mgl"
Tache and Father Ilitchot? Does tiie mend)er for
liagot think that tlio evid(,'nce of Mgr Tache and Fa-
ther Ilitchot will have less etTect towards ohtaining
the amnesty than his suh- amendment ?
Well. if all that has heen said ahoul the promises
niaile hy the ex-(iovernment to Mr Kiel he true.T am
in t'avor of the amnesty, and for this reason T shall
not hesitate for an instant ahout voting against this
suit-amendment.
.\nd. if my honorahle friend will permit me. I
will tell him that his suh-amendment will not have in
the province of (iu(;l»ec the etlect he anticipates fri>m
it. liecause. Sir. I tell tlie honorahle niemlter that
from this day forward the province of (^uehec will
know who are the pretended friends of Mr Iliel and
what thev are aiming at in shouting so loudlv in his
88
SPKECII
heliiilf. T iilso trust that Mr lliol will iiiuU-rstiUKl tluit
lit* linw licc'ii iiiftdc till' tiMij til' !i low iiitrijiucrs. wlm. in
the njiiiie <il" iViiiiids, have ondciivnurcil tu iiiiiUc him
tliciiistruinent nC their iiinchinatiniM ; in tiiio, I trust
that he will luidcrsliuid that id.s Itost tViciulg are not
tliii.sc who most pretend tn liesutdi.
Yes, I am
IN lAVOU OK TUK AMMI.^rV
and when thc! time CMms, thai is to say. wl)en tlu;
c«»mmittee has made its report, when the [trool' which
has heen hofiun has liecn elo.qcd. I will nnl he llio
last to demand it.
T am in lavor ol'tho amne.-ty I'm' twu reasons; the
(ir.'^t is that liiveii. last nijilit, l>y the hull, menilier I'or
i^iiutii Ontario (Mr, Cameron), thai the Canadian
Gtjvermment roreived the dele;j,'ate9 ol' Mr Kiel's gov-
ernment and trcateii with liim as one power treat.s
with another jiower.
ir this reason exists in tact, the conclusion isinev-
italde : the aimiesty must he.nranted. ^'csterday, the
lion, mem Iter for .'^onth llfuce, (.Mr. Blake). re[)lying
to the nuMnher i'or Sontli Ontario, seems to have
admitted the lejiality ol'the proposition emitted by
the latter, liecause he .u;ave lor stde answer that the
proposition did not e.xist as a i|ue«tion ofract.that Mr
Riel's/lelei^'atcs had ever lieen received hy tlieCanadi,"n
(i'lvernment as dele;.iates ol .Mr. Jliel, hut asdelefxate.g
of the jieople oi' Ue<l Kiver.
Certainly. Twould (hink it an honor under almost
all circumstances to adopt the lion, mendier tor South
iJrucc's way of thinkiiifr. I'ut T cannot do so in this
in.stance— the jjrooi' he ofTerrd us in sujiport of Ids
tipiniim heiuL' any thin;^,' hut conclusive to my mind.
Tn fact, what proof did he give us? Only an
extract frtmi a ."speech delivered in some pari of
Ontario hv the honorable member i'or Kingston, in
which the latter appears to have .stated what T hare
ju.st repeated, namely : that the delegates sent by Mr.
ON I.OII- HIKI/S KXITI.SION
80
Rid luul not l)een rcccivod ih iIh.' dc'loj^iiti-s of Mr.
Uit'l, hut 113 till) (Uilc^alcH (il'tlio pcoplo ot' U»m1 kivor.
Once ni()i'«'. T Hiiy, thi-< proof (ninndt conviiKc mo.
VoY I liiivi' yet III Iciirn tliut, llic (lolc^^utt^s woro
inl'oi niL'.l of this (li^iiiu'tion at tlic time ot'thcir recep-
tion ; irsueiiii distinction was tnude. it inu-t have
consisted •)!' a mental re.-tiietion hy wliieh the honor-
able niemlk'r I'or Kin<,Mton said to him-elt", while
ostensihly recciivin^' tho doieyates ot' Mr. Iliel. that,
in reality, he only wished lo deal with tlu! ilele-
(.jates of the Ued Iliver people.
Whatever may lie tl,(!ease, if the honor;ilile mem-
ber for Kin,if-ton rtseeiveil the ileletiatos of the pe,)[)lo
of Uod Uiver, his ooUeajrup. Sir (ieor)^o Cariicr,
received the di'le^ates of Mr. Iliel and they presented
to him, as the reiirosentativo of the Can ad;an ( iovern-
meut, their letters of creilit sij^ned with Mr. Iviel'a
own hand.
If this lj(s the cjise, and it will jirohably he eslali-
lished hy tho ovidon'-e before the comndtte ', then
the loM;ical eonsei(uenc(^ of this act must f.illow and
the iunnc-ty lie granted.
T am in I'avor of the amnesty for still another
reason — because all the acts with whiidi Mr. I!iel is
ehar^'ed are
riiiKi.v I'ni.rricAi. .\cts.
It was said here yesterday that the e.xei ution of
Scott was a crime; granteil, hut it was a iiolitical act.
The I'eason ofthi^ eeenis evident ; Mr. Iliel, in signing
the warrant for ,>cott's e.xe<'Ution, did nothing but
give eifect to tho sentence of a court.
However illegal may have been that court, how-
ever iniipiitous nuiy have been the sentence rendered
by that court, the; lact alonijthat it was rendered by
a court and that that court existed </'■ fidio was sutli-
cient to impart an exclusively political chara^'ter
to the execution.
It has also been said that Mr. Kiel was onlv a
40
'I'KE( II OX 1.01'IS IlIKl. S KXia'lTIiiX
■■'hel, IFow was it jiossihlc to xi^o such liiiicruaiic ?
What iict of ri'lKrliioii dul he ciiiuniit '.-' Did ho ever
raise any otliev staiKhird tliaii the naiional Ha-j.- ? Did
]u' <'V(\ ]ir()('I;iiui any other authority than tiu- sove-
reign authority of the (iuecn ? No, never. Hi? whole
crime and tlie •lime of his friends ^va- that tliey
Avanted to he ti( .ited like Hriti'-di sulijects ami not to
ho bartered away like eoniiuiui cattle ? Iftiiat he an
act of rel)ollion, wher,' is the one anionj^st' us, wlio. if
lie had happeneil to liave heen with ttiein, would not
Jiave been rebels as t;i(\v were? Taken all in all, I
Avould re<i;ard the ev(>iits nt H( il River in is<;o.7o ;i3
constituting a glorious page in our iiistory. if unfor-
tunately tiiey liad n .<t been stained with the blood of
Thonia-J Scott. Ikil such is tlu> state of liuaian nature
and of all that is huni.m :
(;oon .\Nn v.vii,
are constantly inlerniingled ; the most glorious cause
is not fr(,'e from inipurit}' and the vilest may lu've its
noble side
Yes, orce uh.re, T say that to ask for the amnesty
now will simply render it more dillicult to obtain it
eventually.
Ik'fori' sitting down. T may be allowed to sum
\ip in a single word : we have no proof of the facts on
■which the motion of expulsion rests and to adopt
thai motion would lie not only to eonimi; an arbitrary
act, but to e.^tablish a precedent which will lie a jterpe-
tvial danger to our free iastitutior.-^.
THE TARIFF QUESTION IN 187?
PROTECTION vs A IIKVKMK TARIFF
{HOUSE OF COMi\I().\^)
SlTTINi. {)]•■ TlIK liL'.M) MAUCll. 1>77
It was iliiriiit: the session of 1^77 that Sir Jolm \. Macilo-
niihl, lor •111- (i!>t tiiiii'. lai-^pil the laimnis ciy of •• a National
Poliry.'' -Mr I.auiior took jiait in tlie debate after thohite hlv
j\roiis>eaii. L'nibrtiuiatply there exists only a very ineomiilcto
and poor version of his speeeli in the OtHcial IIuiis,tnl.
-Mr. I. auric r ^aid lie would not nileiiipl tn i'ollnw
the honoijililc ^oiitleiuan throujiii the whole raii.ue of
his iirjrunuMit. Were it iieet\?f!ary. he could cap the
(luotations cited hy suiievior and counter (luotatious.
Every one must admit that the jiolicy of llie Admin-
istration was at once i-.uiipreh.ensive, delinite and
clearly mapped out. The Firil Minister had declared
over a'ld over a.niiin that, thoujxh he v.as in iivinciple
a iVce-trader. Jiic theory oi" frer-tra<le cmild nnt he
ndo] ted in this cnuniry in it< entirety : ai;d thi't we
could not collect a revenue cxcejit hy means of Ctis-
toms duties. 'J'lic exigencies of the taritf had already
increased duties tu 11 ■■ per cent., and tiii- \va-< as
much protection as wa~ necessary for the manul'ac-
turer. and as much as the co\iiitry couhl hear. What
wa." (he policy of the Oppu.-iiioii as reveal' d in the
motiiins i>l' till' linnorahle Uicmlicrs for ('eiilic W cl-
m
42
tjrEECII
liiijrton and Kingston ? The least that eouUl be said in
this ii'hition was lliat it was loose, vague and very
faintly ihilincateil. The riglit honor. tljle nictnhor lor
Kiu.<f^tnn said tliat the tariff should l>e remodelled so
us tn Ulster tlie aii'rieultural, luinin;^ and ninnut'ai;ti!-
ring interests ot tiie c-ountry. No one wioild say that
these words did -lot sound well. lUit the eountry
r(>i{uir('d soinethini:; more, ft required tt> know whether
tiif means wliereby this ^reat result would be achieved
were natural or nuigical. Tin; ri;^lit honurahle mem-
h(M' cannot expected any of his colleagues to pledge
him-clf against the policy of the (rovcrnnient unles.s
it wa-^ kuowii
WilAT Till-; Pol.li'V TO REI'l. MK IT WAS ro UK.
()i course, the result of the ro.-(.lutioii •■ was a lore-
gone co;u'lu-ion — they would he rejected l>y a large
majority. l'>ut, il'the result was at all douhtlul, or
the Irilanco ol' [);u'ties was not us it was, there would
only he a more I'orcible reason that theeountrj' should
know il once the extent to which the ()pi)osition
conuuitted themselves. lUit the resolution and the
arguiuciit-s ol" houoral^le gentlemen opi).)site had no
|)rinciple. The resolution of the rig'i*^ honorahh^ mem-
lier I'or Kingston eoutained only one assertion, viz :
'■ That the iinancial ])olicy suhinitled by thetiovern-
ment in(M'(\i-a's the burthen of tax;it.ion on the people,
without any compensating advantage to ('.imnlian
industries."' lie (Mr. Laurier) took that asst;rlioii to
he a fallacy and an orror. Ther^^ v.as no increase of
taxation. The tariff uas adjusted, but the taxation
was not increased. Tiiere wa.-^ an increase in .'ome
respects, luit a decrease in other respects, and the
tariff wa- not onerou- upon the people, llonm-ahlc
gentleman opijosiie shv)uld not forget that some of
till! Ciiau^res arost; out o\' their own action. They
•sliould not forget that last year on<! of their own mem-
bers showed there was a grievance is to the existing
tariff on petroleum, that that interest was over-jiro-
tected. ft was in consequence of the representations
ON TIIK TAHIKK C^UESTION IN 1877
43
of the honorable member for Staiisteud (Mr. Colby)
that the (iovorniiient lernoved liie iluty on petroleum.
Some iioii. iiif'inliers. — Hear! hear!
.Mr i-aiirier said Imn. ineinhers might say "hear,
hear, " liut the fact wastntlio er('(lit of the (Invern-
meiit. for it f^hnwed that tliey were ready to remedy
a wrdiiii' wlienever it was poiiite(i out tolhem. i^ut
he was iidt at all surjirised lliat hnii. gentlemen
re^a-etted that justice iiail been done in the matter ;
ffentlemen opposite always reizretted snmethimi-. no
matter what was done or what was not done. Three
years a.ao tliey regretted tiiat tlie tariil" was increased
from lo per cent, to 17j jier cent.. althnUL-di this jrave
some protection to our indui-trie?. Liist year, everv
one expected that the tariff would he increased : Imt
it was not, and tlie Oppof-ition wert! loiid in their
regrets, lie believed that, if the tariff had l)eeu
increased, as was anticipated, tin' < >pposition would
have been ecpiaily hind in their reL;rets. And now,
when the tariff was pnitly increased and partly
decreased, the <)[tposition wtie. as ever, hu;d in their
expressions of refxrel.
TUK CIIIEl' ('Ar<F. OK i'llKIl; CIMEF
w;i- the fact that they had to remain on the ( )pposition
seats, lie was (piite .sure that, if they were on the
other side of the IToust;, everything, even though the
same as now, wouhl be the best in the world. The
resolution of the right bo!i. mendier tor Kingston in
toto was loose and vague, and was prepared wil h a
view to pussibilities of fu(ure contingencies — that w.is
his candid belief. A policy of protection La t never
occurreil to the riaht lion, acntieman durim;- his loiifj
tenure of otlice. The present <Ioveinnient would not
last forever, fiike everything human, it would her ,ta(;
a thing of the past: and, therefm-.'. the ri'j;ht hon.
mend)er had so framed bis resolution^ that his Jiarty
would not be embarrassed when it came into jjowci-.
The rcsolullcn would catch the wind, no matter from
n
I
44
gPEECIf
Avliicli point ot'tlie compass it caiiu!. Tt would not be
iliHii'ull for the ritjlit Lon. ffenlleiii:m iuul his party
to (h'ive a coach aiul six throusih tlicir resolvitioii, and
let the country have, on its l)asis, <(ither free trade,
protoctiiin, incidental |)rot(v:tion or a rcuvMUU- policy.
Tiie country had a ri^rht to demand more tiian this.
It liad a riglit to demand that the ^-entlemen opposite
should state somcthini,' definile a-: to the ]tolicy they
would a(lo[)t when they came into ollice. He \va=!
justified in sayinii' so, not merely on his own opinion,
hut (tn the opinion ol' a li'entleman who was connected
with the party of the honorable genthnnen opposite,
a jxjutlenian whom they always justly held in iii<;h
estimation, lie referred to .Mr NViiite, of the .Montreal
(lazi-l/r. At the nuM^tinii' of the Dominion J'.oard of
Trade, which took jilace in ]S74. a resolution wu3
moved liy .Mr Jas. .M(d'her3on( St John's, Q.)as follows :
I
Th.at a duty of I.") i er ceii^ is fair and roasonable, and
no distmliaiici; of iho tarill'is at present de-iraljlo: l)at,s!iouM
ii revision oitlie present tiintl ta!<e plact', it is resolved that
the interests of our farmers ho thoroii;ililv looked after.
r:
Mr White then said. :-
I rise to a |ioint of oi'lei-: Motions should lie definite in
their character. I sulnnit tliis one i» very imlelinite. No one
will deny that the intei'csts ol the farmer should he loolved
after. But tlie motion should lie made in sueh a way that we
would uiulerstand wiiat the mover meant hy loo'^ing after.
The President of the iioird of Trade, who was a
protectionist, .'^aid : —
I must say I am i)lea^ed that Mr \Vliite has raised tlie
• juestion of order, liecaiise the motion is loo indelinite. It is
neoess.aiy that, in passini; resolutions, we should know what is
me.ant hv them.
He would not 'H) the length of saying that the
ruling of the President of the IJoard of Trade ouglit
ON THE TAKI FK (^IKsTItW IN 1S77
46
to lie tlif' ru inj;' of Mr S)>oal<er in the iu'e^^ent matter;
but lie wnild ^ay that tiie ()[)jii).siti()ii Mutrht to give
A .MOIil-: KNAcr DKl'lM'I'ION
oftli(ii- ]M)licy. I'erliaps.llie I'e^ioliilion \v a." i=o worded
to [jroiliice the Ksult reiVrri'd to liv Ta!!oyiaiid. when
lie .«ai(l to his ])ii])il,s : ■■ ^'oul);^• iiicii. iciiu'nili<'r that
lan^'uayo !i;!-'. Iiccn given to n;en to conceal tht-i,-
Ihnuglit-^."" Th( Opjiosilion said they were not. going
tn announce ihcir i)oliey ; that liny could constitu-
tionally rcl'uHC to do so. !'>ut this was not the lan-
guage \v!)ich the great l/dicral-l'onsei'vative party
should u.-e. The l.ih'aal party ncvei' f-hrank honi
declaring its }i(di', y, denouncing ahuses and sugges-
ting renu'dics ; and it injt only suggested hut h)rced
remedies down the throat of the (iovernment whii-h
then t;xisted. I hit, perhaps, it was not fair to expect
gentlemen opposite to give the House thc-ir p(diey.
He thought they ha.d a very great icason why they
should not. And that reason was that tiiey had no-
thing detiu'te; they had no policy. They had a higli-
sounding nanu'. which they called the " NaticiUal Po-
licy. '" 11' the motion were to carry, and the (iovern-
uient were defeated, ar.d the Opposition formed a new
Administration, the ve y moment they attempted to
cari'yout their National I'olicy. there would he a con-
fusion worse than that at the Tower of lialiel. Kach
intere t would sjicak a (liflVrent language. which wouhl
not he understood l.j- the olliei'. l'>ven now they did
not agr(>e. They had the name oi' a National I'oliey,
hut not the substance. Tin; resolution of the liglit
honorable member for Kingston proposed jirc (ectiou
for three interests — the iruinuriictunng. agricultviral
and nnning. The I'csolution of the honciraijie member
for Hamilton (.Mr Wood) threw overboard theagiieul-
tural and mining interests, and only advocated pro-
tciliou to manulactures. ]!ut. thcmon.ent theamend-
ment to his own motion wa^ made, ihe right honor-
able member for Kingston ;;cjepted the modilication
ii
,
46
fPEECIt
of hi< policy. Tlio lioiioraMc ineniber for Centre Wul-
linjftoii (.Mr Ortoii) then threw ovorliourd tl-e niunu-
facturing and mining- interests, and ni(jved in favor of
ugri(!ullure alone, and tlii.s was at once accepted by
tlie Opposition. He believed that, were a re-^olution
presented in I'avonr of luiiiinii: alone, it would be suj)-
ported by the gentlemen oppo.site. Tlie National Po-
licy bad not yet been batcheil, and. if it bad any basis
at all, it was tluit
li-'.ii
TIIK IIREAI) Ol' TIIK PEOPLK SlIOlLU JiK TAXTI),
and this was tiu; remedy proi)i>sed for the evil.^ of the
present (iovernment by the great Cnnservative party,
■which professed to lie the friend of the people. lie
could not sjieak for any province Imt his own, but in
Quebec the National Policy was held to be a mockery
and a i'arce; it was an inhuman jxilicy, in that it
would make fuel and food dearer. As to the charge
of inconi^istency against the Liberal party of Quebec
in this matter, Mr. Papineau was a prtitectionist not
so much from reasons of political economy as political
reasons. Our country was then struggling to obtain
political lilierty and responsible government, and the
French Liberal party prciposed tliat we should dose
ourselv(;s within our own limits ami buy notiiing
from England. i>ut now we were given most ample
justice and tlie most comi)lete liberty, and the result
■was that, in all tliis vast empire over wliich the sun
never sets. there were 110 peo))'.e more attached to Bri-
tish institutions than French Canadians. He held,
however, that there were some industries which could
not beestal)lisbed without the aid of legislative action.
He said this oinnh' and in the face of his own poli-
tical friends. Thcr. it might lie asked why he favored
the policy of the present (iovernmcnt '.^ His answer
was that it was because there was
ON TFIE TAKll'l' QTESTION IX 1877
47
NO NECESSITY FOlt MOliE I'lidTEi TldN
tlian we had ; tlic party o]iii(t.-ito did r.ot .=0 imicli
Avaiit iiu'voased protoctiim as to arouse tlif iirojudicfs
oi" tlic masses apainsl tlic (lovcrnnieiil . It iviust nut
1)0 I'or.iiottoii tlint tlM'tarilf was adeiiuntc. We had a,
tenipnrary del'u-it. it was tr;U'. hut tliat would he inot
by increased econoiiiy. Tl'tlie uenlh'nicn opiKisite
Avere in earnest they wduld point out the industries
wliicli wanted protection, lint instead of tluit they
did nctthintr hut f;;cnerali/,e. \\'hen they si^ike of pro-
tection they said nothinjr unless they said everythinif
absolutely definite. Free-tra«le was a ]irin(iple, hut
protection was not a principle. When they asserted
the doctrine of free-tratle they were at once understood.
Tliey laid down the i)rinci[i]e that all the relations
of trade must he rejiulatcd hy tlie same conditions.
But protection could not l)e treated as a i)rinci])le, as
it did not carry with it any definite idea. Tt simjily
aflirnied that certain l)ran(Iics of industry nuudit to
lie put beyond the ordinary rules of 1 radc. and that
the enh;',nced price of the article would h(> more than
cumpensated liy the addition to ihe lain ur of the
country. He called upon the yeutlenien oi)i)osite to
sliow that 17j jier cent, was not suflieient ])rotection.
The country was somewhat jirospemus under the re-
.iJliiueof the L'lntlenien i)])})osite.])Ut this fat t wasauainst
the argument tiiey now use(h for the tariff then was
lower than at present. But that was not all. Hi.s
boiKirahle friends fVom Terrebonne and l>a,C!<it.in fact,
all wliii had addnssed the House on the Op'position
side, liaiid insisted upon
A RF.TAI ! A l"KY I'oi.ic
they (!ee1are<1 tliev wanted reciprocal trade with the
Tnited-Stat^-. Intt, if they could not ol.iain it. ihey
wanted reeiprocity of taiifl'-, wlK-rcliy the duties
iinjiosed on American t^oods v. uM be as luLih as th<^se
levied on Canadian goods entering tiic United trtates.
48
• i'Ki;i II
If any iiU'aHuru (ituld Ik; riilculalcd to do iiijuiy tu
this t'ouhtry that wouhl he the very luoasure. Excess
in any thin;;' w a< a liad thini:, and pnitertion \\:\4 not
an exc('iitii)n to the rule. ExeesHiVfi iirotOftinu to an
imlustiy woidd prove the ruin of tliat industry. He
WiOllU l|
iioti; the woidn ot'the lionoralde mendiMr I'nr
Stansteaih a protectionist, win), m referring to tlie
pctrohMiin trach', siio\ve(l tlic result oi' exces.sive pro-
tection. They had it from hi)noral)le gentlemen oppo-
site that unilue protectijn wnuld destroy the petru-
leuni trade, and, further, that a, dutv. which was esti-
Stanstead at 2."
nniteu hy the lionin-aUle member lor Manslead al zo
\)vv cent, had cuiiijjletcdy destroyed the trade, which
hud heen c()ntroIle(l hy an organized "■ King. "' What
was the rem<'ily in'diin.'-ed hy hiuuirahle gentlenirn
opposite? The .\mericans had to pay ii duty on our
relined petroleum of Klc. per gallon : the Canadian
duty wa~ I'le. ; did honorahlf! mendiers ojiposite pro-
pose to retaliate? Did they i>ro[)ose that the Canadian
duty .should he increased from loc. to lOc. ? Instead
of tiuit, they proposed that the loc. duty should he
reduced l)y one half. That was how honorahle gentle-
men opposite i)racti,HHl retaliation, while they de-
clared tliat the (iovernment should ado]it a retalia-
tory policy, yet in iiracticc. instead of asking thai the
tariff on petrohmm should he increased to tliut of the
Uniteil 8tate^, they asked that it should he decreased.
If the prot(>i:tion duly of '_*•") per cent, on ijctroleum has
destroye(l that industry, wliat would l»e the elFect of
imposing a tarifron trade ni'4n, ."() of 1()() pei' cent.?
The effect would lie that our industries would l)e
complct'dy annihilated, lie could not unilerstand
the conduct of h(moral»le gentlemen opposite when
they liclieved the country would not see through
such pler.s. lie supposed these honorahle gentlemen
would some tlay return to power, and how would they
allu'm the policy of retaliation ? lie asked them io
point out how they would retaliate, would they reta-
liate on everything, itetroleum included : would they
exclude that article? It was (iuit(>d evident that the
retaliatory policy was
ON TAniir iin>riiiN i\
'i I
4Q
S\\\l'\.\ A CRY,
poiuctliiii).' to Huit tlifir purpose fur tliu time, Imt
wlifii tlic'v cDiiif li;u'l< to iiower it wmild never he
liftiird of ;iL,Miu. Tiiiit rcliiliiitory jioliry rcniindcil
liiiii ol' lilt; old loiu[)lc of .TiiniH. tlio doors of wliicli
wcrfopcn duriii;:' wiir hut cloiJcd as soon as why was
over. I r :;>ii:. m-ut Icmeu 0|iposilc canic oack to oH'icis
tlio doors "I' tlie nstaliatory policy would lie cioscil.
lii'vcr to t)pi'n laojo. Tlic theory of retaliation, called
a ])olitieal ])oliey. was a theory of the lion, nicmher
lor Terrchoniie (.Mr. Masson). as he .Liave it the other
day in his speech.
.Mr. Ma~son said it was not his policy, he frave it
as the i)olicy of Sir Alexander ( lalt.
.Mr. I.a'/r:er <aid the lion, niemiier \\-dt[, perliaps,
(pioted it as the policy of , Sir .Me.xander (ialt. When
a man threw hiniself into the ahsurd th(M-e was no
limit for it ; hecause, at the .same time, his lion, friend
advocated that the ( lovernment of the day should not
only prote !t the lahour of the country, hur should
also .u'ive lahour to the laliourin.Lr class. The hon.
memher for Tei relionnc.(.Mr. Massonj, had enunciated
what was chai acterized allorwards Ijy the hon. the
^Minister of the Interior as coniniunism, a doctrine,
whieli was lound in the works of l.ouis IManc.Such was
contained in his woik. puhlished in IS-l.S, called " The
llijiht-' of ],ahour." Napideonused to say that if they
scratched a ilussian they were sure to lind a Tartar,
and if tlic\ scratcheil a (.iuehee ( 'on-ervative thev
would lin(
I!
lidical ol tl
!■
I'cnen S(
hool. I'lxtrenies
alwavs met. The hon. niendier tor l>a"iit had used
angua,ii;e winch,
ir suhversive do.'tri
lie
was (luite
equal to that used hy tliehon. nicmher for Terrehonne.
Tile hon. nie.uhcr for Ua^ot (Mr. .Mousseau) had
attacked the I!enc]i of his e()untry and had sjjoken of it
in derisive and ciiluninious terms and aiii)lied to the
Heiu'h a t(>rm not fouml in the i-'rench lanL;ua<re hut
hy the French pre-<s of L)wer Canada and apphed tt)
tiie jiidgcp..\iiy man who did not respci't the llench of
fiO
frKKClI
M
luscountrv, ai;(l wlio iittucUcil it in :-U(li liinpiuijre,
could nut 1)(.' 1 mini of ^ui'li institutinni and would
iiovcf dcscivc tlir nnnir ut' patridl.
Tlic lion, mender lor l>a,i;o( had ^onc .-til! I'aithcr
and in tono^ of virtuous indii^iudion had even act used
Ihf ( lovcrnmcnt and its iVifutlf with I'atlcnin^fun liu'
sweat d'tlic iK'oplc. Fattening on thes-weatol' the jito-
])le IS a very liif^ word in the nioulli of the niend'cr I'oi'
j'a^nt ! The cxiiressien is not a new one. hut it is
soniethinK unexpected from the lii
the
hon
mendier. During- the French llevtdution in the thiy.s
ot" \'endendaire,( ieneriil I'lUonaparte had hecn ehartiCtl
jiythe Directory with the duty of niaintainin;i order
in I'aris. lie was traversinf,^ th(> theatre of the recput
insurrection. wlien, i'roni ii threateninir proui). an enor-
mously !-toul fishwoman stepjied out, and, with raised
arm, siiouted : " I'liere is one of those who are fatten-
injj on the sweat of the people ! '' The ficneral, who,
.it that time was extremely thin, answered her : " Hut,
my <jfood woman, if any one here is ''atteninir on the
sweat of tiie people, which is it — you or I ? '' Tho
contrast was so strd<in,u- that the crtiwd, althou-ih ii
ho.-tile one, liurst out into ))rolonjj;ed hvu.uhter. f see
no other answer to jiive to the hon. mendier, whose
amiilitude and lanj^uape have served to recall this
incident to my mind. T am one of the friends of the
Government ; I am theiefoi'e one of those assailed hy
his virtuous indignjition, hut I take the whole world
to witness, if any one here is fattcninu' on the swetit
of the people, which is it— he or T?
He would not do the Same injustice to the ( 'onser-
vativcs as tiny, llie Liherals. had to sutler every day.
He would not say they wore Communists hut Con-ei-
vativcs ofQuelec would stop short oliiothin^- to nhlain
ixisition. They would tax the people's bread, they
would attack the I'tMieh. and. as was said one day hy
the hon. memler for W'entworth ( Mr. Hynuil), tho
ferocity of a she-hear depiived of her culis was no-
thin>i' compared with that of the Tory jiarty when
deprived of the spoils of oflice.
POLITICAL LIBERALISM
DKllNrTIoX OF TIIK IJIlKUAI. IDKA
Mil. I.AIKlKl; AN AliMIUKl; ANH DISCIIMK oK TIIK
KNt.I.IsII l.IllKUAI. ^fllOOl,
Leviure delivered at flit' Aradtmy of Music. Q/i'/nr,
on file invilatiott of the Cluh ('aiiudien,
en (he 'l^Uli .//o/e, 1877.
[■rr:ii.-iiiiiiiii.]
ilr Presidcn/,
Lailics ami (]inilrii,r]i,
I cannot ronccal the tact that it was with a
certiiin I'ct'ling ul' |>lca.>-ui'(' that T acccptfd the invita-
tion to come hel'oie you tn exjjhiin what are tlie <loe-
trincsol'the l.ihcval party and wlial the word " Lihe-
raliflm"' moans as iciiards the i.il)erals of tlie in'ovinee
of Quebec.
1 Hay that it was not without a certain feelinijj of
pleasure th;it T accepted; but 1 would certainly liave
r(;fused if I had looked onlv to the diiru ulties
the
task. II (
IW c\
vx. if the didiculties of tliat ta>^k are nu-
merous and delicate, oii the other hand Tain ;'0 iuihucd
with the inii)ortan( e for tl e Lilieral party of clearly
deliniufr it? )Hi*ition, before the puiilic opinion of the
])rovince. thtitthis consideration was to my mind I'ar
al)ove all tl;e ('thers.
Ii
iCl.
\il
not oeceive mv.'^cif with re^ald to the
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WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580
(7)6) 873-4503
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62
SPKECir
i
:i(
position oftlio I.ilii r;il p;irty in the i»roviiiie df (Juo-
1»(',: and T iiavt' hd iif~ilalioii in inimcdiately ■^ayin'r
tliat it oc('U|iics a false position \'y<>n tin; -^lanil|Miint of
j»nlilic opinion. I know tliat. in the eyes of a laru<^
nunilMT lit" my tclinu luuntiynicn. the Lilicial party
is apnrty compnsod of men oipowtTsc doctrines and
dan;.MToUr; tcudi'iicic?!, pressing:- K-now ini^lv and clclii)-
eratc'ly towards rcvtdution. 1 l<now thai, in tiio oyes
of a jiortioii o| I'ly Idlow < ouulrynuii. tin' l-iLcral
party is a parly of men witli npritrlit intentions, per-
liap!*, I'Ut victims and dujies "I prlncijiles wldeli an;
leadinL' them uncon?>f ionsly.lait fatally, tow ardsrovo-
Intion. In line. 1 know 1 liat. in the eves o|' another.
and not the lea-t coni-iileraMe ])ortioii.i)erliaps. ofour
people. Liherali.'-ni is a uvw form oi' evil, a lieiepv
earryin'j- with it it~ own eondeiiination.
I know all this and it is liecanse I know it. that
T liave aeeeptod the invitation to come here. I have
iiot the presuniptit)n to lielieve that anything: I nn,Ldit
say lurre to-ni;.dit will have the* tiVet ol'dis.aipatitiLiany
iif tin' prejudii cs existinir at |ir<'sent a.u■ain^^t us: my
only amliition is to lead the way in the liojie that it
wili lie followed liy others and that the work thus
fieiiun will he fully eariiedout; my iireten.«ion,s uo no
tV.rtlier than tid.s.
And let no one say that this manife.statiou isi use-
less or untimely.
It is neither U'^eless n(n- untimely to eomhat t]\<*
prejudices which have Keen liy raised like a l)arrier
everywhere hetwcen us and puldic opinion : it in
neither useless nor untimidy to clearly deline our
jiosition as it really is.
It is (|uite true that we have Iteen already loni^
enouirh hffore public opinion to Liive it full opportu-
nity to know and appreciate us. Ikit it is e(|ually
true that. if we have had our enemies like every other
[•olitieal jiarty. we have lieen more assailed than any-
«)tiier political party. Of our eni^mies. the one liavf»
systematically slandered us: the others iiavein irood
faith calumniated us. jioth have reiiresented us a.s
ON* I .MITIiAI, I.II'.F.IIAI.lSM
»^
|>njtV\a3iiiL; iliii triiicH. \\\v cfrt'i l nl' w hicli. t'oro.ii'on tind
calciihiti'il liy ^f'liic III' us. imt rnic^fccii l)y. liiit futai
lor till' otlior?!. Willi 1(1 lie tin- nvi'i'tlirow ol' iiur sufit'ty,
the ifvoluliiiii witli Jill its Imirors. Ti> ic'|ily to these
( li;ir;^('-i iUlll III (Iclcnd (lUr pnsilinn is (he oliji'Ct nl tiio
di'iii'iiir^tratiou nt'tliis cvciiiiii: (Hgiiiii/cd hy the Chih
Cmi'llir II.
Tit iiiv mind, the iiri-;t flli 'acioiH, thi^ only
way, in uk t. to lU'lcat thi-.-^c ( hai'iio.-i, to dclV-nd our
idea.s and |irini'i|de.«. is to maUe ihcni l<ii()wn. ^'(•s,
I am coiivinifd that tiic cxiiosuif aloiic of our urin-
ciplo? w ill lie thf'ir h(Ht and nio.-it eloquent apology.
.\Md when wc'^hall iia ve maile ourselve-' l<no\vn as
weave, when we shall have made known our prineiides
as they aie. uc shall have grained. I lielieve. a ilouhle
|ioiiit. The first will he to rally to our side all the
irioihls 111' lihiTty. all those, who, before lS;'i7 or after
it. laliored to r-erure for us respon.sihle government,
'-ntvernmi'n of the people hy the people, and who, on
I . • esi.iliji-hment of tliat foiiii of government, sepa-
1. led iri'in usthrouoh fear that we were in reality
what w«' were lepreseated to he. and thai the reali-
xation ol the ideas a'crihed to us would lead ^i the
destrncliiii of the government which they had had so
much trouhli- in estaiili shing. Theseeoud i)oint will
lie to force our real ene;ni<'s. all who at hottom are
enemies nioreor less di-guised ol' liherty,lo no longer
jipjieal against us to prejudices and fear, out to come
forward franlJy as wcdoiiefore the people with their
ideas an<l their acts,
.\nd when the tight tak(>s place on the grountl of
])ur>' (pM'stion-i ol prineiph', when acts are judged
iuii'rding 'o thetlior.Liht s Ly which they are inspired,
when people v.ill h<! im longer afraid to aecepl the
good and reject the had ntidei' the ini])Vcs.''ion thi'.
in accepting the oiic and rejecting the other, strength
will he only given to a party of perverse; doctrine- and
dangerous tendencies, it matters little to moon which
?ide vietmy will then perch. When T state tlia| it
jnatttrs little to nie on which side victory will perch,
54
SPEECH
I (1(» not Tiicjin to say that I am indifferent to the
result of th(j struj^'gle. I mean this: if tlie struj^gle
turns against us, tlie opinion expressed will be tlie
free expression of tlie ])euple; hut I am convincei
that a day will come when our idevs, planted in the
soil, will gerndnate and bear fruit, if the seed is
sound and just.
Yes, I am cooiident. I am certain th;il if our ideas
are just, as 1 I)elieve they are. il'they are an emanation
of tlie eternal and immutal)le truth, as T believe they
are. they will not perish ; they niiiy bo rejected,
reviled. [)cr.secutcd, but a day will come when they
will gornnnate. spring up and gr.iw. as soon as the
6un shall have <l()ne its work and prepared tlw ground.
T have already noted some of the charges made
against us: \ shall return to thesul>ject, lu it is the
most important point. All tlie charges made against, us
all the objections to our doctrines, may lie crystnllized
into the t'ollnwing ]n"op(. itions : I- fiilieralism is .a
new form of error, a heresy jilrendy virtually con-
demned by the head of the Church: 2- A ("atholic
cannot be a Liberal.
This is what our adversaries proclaim.
.Mr. l*i'(!sident, all who honor nu; witli their
att(Mitir)n at this moment wil I do me the justice of
r(!cogui/ing that I put tlic (juestion as it is and that
T exaggerate nothing. All will do me tlie justice of
admitting that 1 reproduce faitlit'uily the re))roa.ciies
wliicli are day after day east up to u=!. .Ml will
acknowledge that it is well and truly tiie language
<»!'the Conservative press.
1 know that ("atholic fiilieralisni has been con-
demned by the bead of the Church. Hut T will bo
i> kcd : what is Catholic Lilieralism? On thethreshold
of this (luestion [ stop. This tpiestion does not come
■within the ))urview of my subject : moreovor, it is not
ol' my competence. Hut T know and T say that Catho-
lic laberaiism is not political Liberalism. If it were
tiiictliat the ecclesiastical censures hurled against
Catholic LilieraJism should also apjtly lO political
ON I'dMTiCAr. mri:::am^>m
••>o
Liliorali-'!!! thi-s t';ir't would constitute for u=i. French
It^v oriLfin iinil Catholics liy relijfion ii state ol'tliinjis.
t]»e f'on-e(in(M!i'0'S ofwiiicli wnuld In- as strange us tlioy
wouM lio painful.
In tact. we. French ("anadians, are a (Mni(|uorod
race. Till-? i^ a nu'lauchuly truth to utter, init it is
the tnUh. I'nt. it" we are a coniiuered rane. we liavri
«l?o made a mniue-t: the c(iii(|ue,st of lilierty. We
an; a tree people ; wo are a nunority. Init we have
retained all our rights ami all our privilege-*. Now.
what is the eause to which we owe this lilierty? It
is the ciin.atitu;ion which was eoiKiuercd hy our tor'>-
i'athers and whi<'h we enjoy to day. W'e have a eon-
Htitution which ha'sos the gov(>rnnient on the .atiffragft
of tlie citi/.ens and which was granted to us tor our
own protection. We have not inon; rights or more
]»rivileges, hut we have as many rights and as many
lirivilege-^ as the other elements, which go to make
up the Cnnailian t'amily. Ihit it nui-^t not he {'(UMzotten
that the other members nf the Canadian faiinly are
divided into two parties, the jdlieral jiaity and the
Conserv.ati vr [uirty .
Xjw, if we. who are Catholics, are not to have
the right to have oui' /'references, if we are not to have
the right to Itelong to the Lilieral party, one of two
things must hapjien. either we would lie ohliged to
ah-tain eompletely t'roai taking auy share in the
managenumt of theairairs of t!ie State and then, th,;
cou-titiilion — that constitution which was granted to
us for our own i>rotection — would he no longer in our
Inmds only a dea<l letter: or we would he ohliged to
take a i>art in the management of tlu^ afTiurs of the
State vnider the direction and to the profit of the
Conservative! party ;iii I then, our action heing no
longer tree, the constitution wouhl again he in our
liands a dead letter and w(> would in a<ldition have
th(^ ignotniny of heing reiiarded l>y the other mem hers
of the Camxdian t'amily composing the. Coiiscrva'iv(>
party a-* too's and slaves.
\h) i.ot these ao;^ur.l consequences, the strict aucu-
56
.si'Ei:( 11
Yiicy 'if wliicli noliody can (iiU'Stinii. cdncln-ivol y
f]u)\\ how fiili^c i.j the ai^KortidU tliat a Catholii cannot
lieloiiji to the liihcial party ?
t^iiuc I'loviilcuce has uiiitfl together on tliis
corner « 'I' (>;irth iiopulalions of dilTcrent oriLiinn aiul
cret^drf, is it not inanile.st tliat tliedc |ioiiuhitioi;.* must
luive tojrether conuiion ami i(U'ntioal inlfrc^t^ and
that, ill all that atTccts tiicsc intcre^ln. each one is
tree to I'ollow either tiie l.iheral party or the CoiiHer-
vutive i)arty, according,' to the dictates of his cnn-
dcienee ?
For niy part, 1 lieloni: to tlie hihcrjl jiarty. Tl' it
l)e \vr<ii p; to he n l.ihcral, T accept the r(>proa<h : il'it
lie a crime to he 1-iheral, tiicn 1 am ;:uilty ol'it. Fur
my jiart, T only ask one thinp — that we he jiid<red
acc<»rdinji to our principles. T would he ashamefl of
our jirineiples, if we were ai'raid to <rivc csprcssion to
them and our cause would not he worth the etforta
for its triumiih. if the iiest way to secure that triumph
was to conceal its nature. The Liheral party lias
lieen for twentyfive years in Oppofition and let it
remain there for twenty -live years more, if the jitoplo
has not yet heen edut'ated up to acce[)ting its ideas,
but let it march ]>roudly with its hanners displayed,
in the lull faceoftlu^ country!
J^'fore all. Imwever, it is imjiortaut to ( ome to an
understanding upon the meaninu'. value and hearing
ot'the word " Fiiicral "' and that uthcr word "■ Coii.-ei-
vative. "
I niaintjiin that there is not one; tliinji' less under-
stood iu thiscountry hy itsa.«sailaiits than 1-iheralisiu
sind there are several reasons for this.
Tt is only yesterday that we w('re iriitialed into
representative institutions. The Kngli^h c^lcuHMit
understand the working of these institution in some
way hy instinct, as well as hy lo i^ I'Xpcrieiice. On
the otiier hand, our jieople hardly understand them
yet. Education is only heiiimiing to sjiread amonji^-t
us and. in the ca«e of the educated, our l-'rench educa-
tion leads us naturally to study the history of modern
t,>N I'OI.M'I- AI. MIlKK \1.IS\I
67
lil)t'rtj', not in tlio <l;is«io laml f)f Hlicrty not in tlio
liistory ofolii l*]r,iil;iii(l. l»ut juimng the |i('()|il(\'i of the
fontnu'ut (it r.ni'ii|ic. of tilt' (•iiiiu! uiijfin an
I taitli iis
<iur?('lv('>-. And ilin«'. unl'ortiiiiiitclv. tin' lii^tniv of
lilicrty lias liccn w littii
most iiaiTou in<,' |iap< - u
I >n
h'ltcri
iIiiimI
on
tl
le
liicli till' annuln of t lie liuniim
race, iiorhaps.
mtain. Tn all I'las-^
of oihicatoil
socioty may 1)( i^ccn loyal .souls, who. iViiriitencd hy
tlicsp mournful ))aj.;o.<. regard with tcrrtir the fpirit of
lil'crty. inia^iiiiiiLf that it mu-l lu'oducc iioro th<'sani(!
difiastcr.s and ihc :-anit' crinu'H as in the countries T
havt'ju?l rcfeiTod !<>. In 1 ho eyes of such well meaning
people, the very word " Lii>eralism " is fiaUL'ht with
national calamity.
Without lilaming altnjrether tho>e tears, liut
without allow iiii: ourselves to hi' fri<ilitened l-y them,
let us go hack to the fountain head it.~elf and calmly
examine wliat i.s at the Itottom of those two words :
Ijluriil. I'niixn-rntirr ! M'jiat idea is hidden under this
word l.ihrnil that it .should hav(> ealled dow n upon
us so nianv anathemas! What idea is hidden under
the wor*
1 I
iilisri
ciiliiv that it ^llou!d he modestly
applied to everythin*: that is good '.^ Ts tlie one. as
is pretended and. in fact, asserted every day. the
exprfssioii of a new form of error ' Is the other, as it
,«eenjs to he constantly insinuated, the delinition of
good under all its aspi'cts? Doe.- the one mean revolt,
aiiarchv. di>oi(h'r. and is the othor the onlv stahle
prnioiiile ot soeiety
Tl
lese are <|Ucstioiis whieh
people are juntiiig to themselv
dailv in our tiouiitrv
Tl
lese
iht:
e distiiutn
which are enii^tantlv
appoariiijj; in our pre-^s. are nevertheless not new.
They are on' V the rejietition of the fuicies of cert, tin
reneli writer-
wiiose hori/.oii b
lioumlcd hv the
narrow limits of (heir sanctums and w ho. only looking
to the ])ast. liilti-rly critiei/e everything existing in
the present foi' the 'iniplp reason that nothing now
existing re-^emhlcs anything that existed formely.
These writers proclaim that the l.iheral idea is a,
new idea, Ijut thev are mistaken. Tiie Llherul idea
68
STEEtH
is IK) nv)vo a now iiloa thiui is the cuntrary iilea. Tt is
as old as tin- world nnd is found writti.Mi on every
[nVft^c III' the world s history. Init it is only in our day-*
that wo have come tn know its force unci its law and
to understand how to utilize it. Steam existed hefore
Fulton. Init it ha-* only been since Fulton that we
Inive !farnt;d all the extent of its power and how to
make it i)rodue(' its marvellous etTi'cts. The coml)i-
nation ol the tul)e and piston is the instrument by
which we utilize steam and the system of represen-
tative tiovernnu'nts is the instrument whii-h has
revealed to the w<irhl tlie two principles, Lilieral and
Conservative, and by which we uet from that form of
government ail its effects.
Upon any .-.ulijccl whatever, within the ranj^e of
luiniun tlnn;i;s. the truth does not manifest itself
eijually to all intellects. There are some whose gaze
Itierce-i further into the unkmtwn. Imt takes in less at
a time; there are others? whose gaze, even if it lie less
])enetrating. perceives more clearly within the s|)h('re
■which it enihraces. This primordial distinction at
once explains to a certain extent the Lil)eral idea and
the Const'rvHtive idea. For this sole reaso i. the same
ol)ject will not be seen under the same asj)ect by diffe-
rent eyes : for this sole reason, the one will take a
route which the others will avoid. althou.Lih both
j>roi)ose to arrive at tin? same end. lUit there is a
conclusive reason which clearly explains the nature
ami the why and the where'ore ot'the two ditrerent
vd(\'H. Macaulay. in his history of Ilngland. sets forth
this reason with admirable (^learne-^s. Speaking of the
meeting ol' the llous(!S I'or the second scs-iion of the
Long Parliament (1), tlie great historian sav^:
Frnm t!i;it day dat'-'s tlio corporate existi-iic.' of tlic two
griMt )i;n ties wliicii !ia\e ever since aiti'niately govonie I tin'
couiitry. hi one scii-ie. indeed, tht* ilistiiiction wliich tln-n
became ol)vioiH liad al\vay-; existt^d n.nd abv.ays inu>t exist ;
for it has its ori^'in in 'hversiti?s ofteineer, ot mi'lerstanding,
(1| If. .^l ■,■,/<'/ I'-n^ldiiil ?.Iar.iii':.iy, Vi'l. I.
tiN roiITlfM I.irERAI.IsM
59
nn«l of intoipst, wliicli nre f'^iiTvl in all socio ios ami wViicIi will
l)H ibmul until tlu^ Ihiuhui ininU'i':i-.<>s lo lit'(lra\\n in opposite
directions l.y tli<^ oliarjii ot'liiiMt aii<l li,\' tin- cli irni ot novi'lty.
Not only in jiolitiLS, lait in liteiiituif. in iirt, m soionct', in
Rurv'Piy ami nn'clianii's. in nuviijalion ami a,;i'ieultuiv, nay,
even in niatlieniatios, we timl tlii>< ilistim-tion. Kvt^rywhoro
tlit're is a c'.afir> ot men xvlio cling 'a itli l<>ii(ln''ss to wliatevor is
nnf'ipnt ani win, evon wiien convince I by ovcrpowofinj;
rea-ons that inm>vation wotiM be hi.'ni'licial, constMit to it with
many misgivings an'! luiclioi lings. NN'i' tin I also every wlier>i
anotliei- class ot inen sangninc in hope. boM in speculation,
alwiys jiiessnig I'nwai'ii, (I'licU to iliscvrn tlie inipcitection of
wli it(?ver exist-. <lispo«ieii to tliink li'_'litl\ of the risk^ an'l
iiieonvcnieuci's wiiieh alt mi 1 iiapri}\eia 'nt^ airl ijispose I to
^Mve every changt* ere. lit for l)eing an iuijiroveiiieiit.
Tlif former arc tiie Consoiviitivo.^ : tiie latter jiro
tlie I.iix'raJH. Ih-rc you have tlio real iiieaninfx. the
true exiihmation. of ilie Mlieral priiiciijle. 'riiey are
twoattriluites of our nature. As .Macaulay ailiiiirably
expresses it. thoy are to lie fouml (;v<>iy whore : in the
ju't.H, ill the seiciicivs and in all tlie hranehe-i niien to
liuiiiau .speeulatiou : hut it is in polities that thay are
most apiiareiit.
C'liii.seijueiitly. those wiio coiuleiun f-iheralisni a.s
a new iilea have not relleeteil ujiou what is transpirin,Lf
every day unihM- their eyes. Tln'se who condeiiin
Liberalisiii as an error liave imt reih-eted that, in ,st)
(loin,<:\ tiiev eondemn an attrihute of human nature.
Now. it .should n.)t he overlooked that our form of
goveniinent is a re[iresent:itive monarchy. This is the
instrument which throws into reliel' and hrin.L'.s int(»
iiniinii the two principles, Liberal and Conservative.
We. Liberals, nre often accused of being Uepublieans.
1 do not note this reproacli for the i>urpose of takin<:;
it up. t'or it is not worth takinj; up. I merely state;
that the form matters little: whether it bo monarchi-
cal or republican, the moment the people exercise
the viji'ht tu vot •, the moment they have a resiionsiblo
governnicnt. they have the full iicasure o| liberty.
{?till, liberty v.'ould Mton he nn nmre than an empty
BO
M'KECII
iiiuiit!. if it Ifl'i without cniitrol tliuso who linvc tho
<lir('(ti<.ii of jxtwcr. A niiiii. wliosc astoiiisliint;s!i]ir.'i-
• ity hiis ronuiil;it('<| the axiiniis nl' ^ovt'i'iiincntiil
science witii uitih'vialiii;^ ticcmiicy. .luiiiii-^. Iiiis said:
"Internal vi;;il.iii(t' !?» the in'ifoof lihort y." \c>. ila
iMMiplc w iiut to remain li cc. thoy must \\Uv Ar;;us liavn
a iiuiuhi'il cyc-^ ;in(l he alwaysoii thi' ah-rl. Il'thcv
sluiiiher. or relax, raih iiionicMt ol' iudohiici- hiscg
tiicni a |iarticit' III' their rights. Eternal vLcihuice is
the |iriee which they have to pny I'ltr the prieelesd
l)oon III' liherfy. Now, the I'orni ol" a reiiresmlative
nionaiehy lends it-elf marvellously — n.uoh nior(>,
jx-rhaps than the iei)ulilican I'ovni — to th(M'xei'cise of
this necessary vi>^ilance. On tlie oniMiand. you hav(!
those who .uovern and, on the oih(>r. those who watch.
On tile o'le hand, you hav(! those who art; in power
ami have an interest in I'eniainin^ th(!r(i. and, on tho
other, those who hav(! an interest in jfcttinfj; tiieie.
What irt the lioiid ol'eohosion to unite each individual
of the diU'erent jjjvoiips 7 Whati^tlie principle, tho
t«entinient.io ran^e thesi! diverse elements of the popu-
lation either anionji tliose who govern or tlune who
watch? It is the Fiiheral principle or tho Conserva-
tive pritici[ile. Vou will see to^'cthcr tho-e who are
attracted liy the charni of novelty and y mi will see
together tho^e who are attracted liy the charm of
hahil. You will see to^etlur those wixiare attadied
to all that is ancient and yon will .see to;;-clher those
who are always disposed to rclnrm.
Now.f ask : hetween these two ideas which consti-
tute the hasis of parties, can llicre he a nioinl diffo-
renee ? Is the one radically uood and the other radi-
«'ally l)ad ? Is it not evident that both are what are
termed in nioral plulosophy iii'lij/rrruls. that is tu say,
that lioth are susecjitilile of heiuji; approciiiied. pon-
dered and chosen ? Would it not it he as untuir as
it would he alisurd to condemn or to approve either
the one or the other a^ ahscdutely l)ad or <j;ood ?
Jjoth are f-usce|)tii>le of nuicii good, us they are
also of much evil. The Conservative, who det'ends his
(IN ■•■■ir.fTICAI, I Il'.nit AI.ISM
61
nniiif rv'^' I'M ii;«titutinn3 tiiiiy do imuli u'immI. w ho
iilsd nijiy (In iiiiicli evil, if lie Ik' i)|p.sliii;itt' in in a in til ill-
ill;,' iiliiiscs. wliiih !i;,vc lif'coiiH' int'ilcriililo. Tlu»
Lil(l:il. W !|ii riMilclKi- !l>filill.*t tlm?(' illlllS(*3 !I1m1 wlin,
nl'tor jon^' ilTnrt?!. i^ncoccdH in cxtirpiitiiifr tliciii, nniy
])<• ;i iHiMic liciii't'intiir. just iiytlir LilK'i'iil wlidliiysa
rnsli Imnd oil liiilinwcd institution-' nuiy lie a S( ourjre
not omIv Inr liis own (nuntry. Iiiit for liniunnily at
( 'citiiinly. 1 am far fiom idiiniiii;^: my jidvcrsaries
for tlicir coiivii'tioiis. liut lor my i)art. a." I liavc al-
ready .-aid. T am a Ij'licral. I am one of tlio>e wim
tliink that rvcrywhcic in human tliin;is. then- are
ahn«oa to ho rofoniM'd. new hori/on.i to l>e opciHMl uj).
and ni'W force- to he dovelopefl.
Morcvcr. Lilicralism seems to me in all ve-^iiect-"
puperior to tlie other prineiiile. Tlio principle of l.i-
heralipni is inherent to the very essence of ournature,
to that (h'sire of happiness with whicli we are all
l»(^rninto the world, which pursues us tlirou}:ln.ut life
and which is never completely frratified on this fide
of the <:rave. Our souls are immortal, hut our niean.s
nre limited. We coui-tantly pravitate towards an ideal
vliich we never attain \\'e dream of ti'ood. Imt we
never realize the hest. V/e only reach the jroal we
have ])rop(iseil to ourselves, to discover new hori/ons
opening' up. which we had not hefore even suspected.
^Ve ru.sh on towards them and those hori/ons. ex-
pIor(>d in their turn, reveal to us others which lead us
on ever further and further.
And thus it will lie as long as man is what he is,
as lon<j; as the immortal soul inhahits a mortal hody;
hisilesirej will he always vaster than his means and
his actions will mn'cr rise to the heiifht of his concep-
tions. He is the real Sysiphus of th(> fahle: his work
always tinislicil has always to licheiiun over auniri.
This condition of our nature is precisely what
make.s tlie f^rcatness of man. for it condemns him
irrevocaMy to movement, to ]iroLrress : our meansare
limited, but our nature is perl'ectihle and we have the
Ml't;i;< II
iiilinite lor uiir arcn.i. Tliu?. tlieie is iilways room Inr
iin|irnvem«-'nt iif nur cnnditinn. fitr tlio [ttTfectiiiK ot'
.)ur naturt'. 1111(1 fur tlic iittiiiniucnt I>y i\ lar;:t'r muu-
Ikt nliiii ca.-ier lilc. Here utrain is what, in my oycn,
cunstitules tlic siipcridrity nt' liilxTaliHiu.
[ii addition, cxpciit'iicc iuvs u-italili.siioil that
insfusiljly. impcicoptihlv, aliUPcs will ficei* into tho
hody social and end hy sciituisly (d>.slru<ting its
upward march, it' not »Midanjr«'rinK itn existence.
Experience has I'luther estaldished tiiat institu-
tion.s wliich, al the outset, were UHet'ul hecanse tiiey
were jidai)teil to the state ol" t-ociety at the time of
their introduction, often end hy hecoming intolcrahlo
ahuses owing to the simple fact that everything
around them has ciianged. Such was the case in our
own midst with the Heigniorial tenure It is untiues-
tionable that.in tlu! inl'ancy olthe colony, that system
greatly facilitated tin; settlement of the soil. iJut. in
lsr)0, everything had ciianged so much amongst us
that the system w(»uld have eventuated in deplorahle
complications, if our liCgislature. ui»on tiie initiative
of the liiherals, had not ha(l the wisfhmi to alxdish it.
Aa a conse(iuence of the law which T have indi-
cated as the determining cause of the liil)eral ami
Conservative ideas, there will he always men found,
wlio will attach themselves with love to the.«e ahuses,
defend tiieiii to the bitter end. and view with dis-
may any attempt to suppress them. Woe to such
men, if tluy do not know how to yield and adopt
proposed relorms I They will draw down upon their
country disturbances all the more terrible that justico
sinili have lieeii long refused, liisloiy, alas I supera-
bundantly show.s that very few of those who govern
liave been altle to understand these asjiiralions of
luimaiiity and satisfy them. Indeed, more revolu-
tions have been caused by Conservative obstinacy tiian
by ]iibi'ral exaggeration.
The supreme art of government consists in guid-
ing, directing and controHinu; tlie-e ;H{>iiations of hu-
man nature. Tiic ICagiish are, in a high dt
legrce,
ON I'oi.iTl. \i, i.iri'.i; AI.I.-M
/•■■»
iiiiiatcis of tlii^ ait. I-ouk at tliowoil; of tin- great
Lilxral i>iirty of l-liiulaiul I How luaiiy rcfoniH iKm
it not lii'i.u^'ht aliout. how many nliu«f^ ( .n rei toil,
witliout fliock. (listurhani'paiid vioh-nct' ! rndrrstaud-
injjr tlic as]iii'atii>ns ot' the oiipii'.sscd and tlic new
wjintf created l>y new sit uation.H. it has eanied o\it.
under the sanction of tiie hiw and witiinut other aid
tlian tlie law a s^erieis of ret'orius whieli lijis made the
Kngiisii jieojde the froest peojije and the most pros-
peror.H an<l lin|)py of Europe.
On tlie other hand. ht(d< at the tontincntal yov-
fmment.sl Tlie most of tiiem have never heen aide
to jfrasp th( se asjjirations of their i»eople.s. No sooner
do the .sutferers raise their liejids to catch a few lireaths
of air and of freedom, than they arc hrutally cruslnd
lia( 1\ ajiain into a circle which is ever f^rowinj: more
and more hermetically restricted.
lint the day comes wlicn the «d)stacles are
pliiveriMl to pieces, when these peoples i)real< forth
from there i)araly/injj; restraints, and. then, in the
holy mime of lilierty, the most fri^ditful crimes are
comnntled. fs there reason to he surpri,sed at this V
Are \\v astonished when the storm clouds, roll-
inir over our heads, hurst I'orth in hail and lightning?
Are we surpi'isecl at thoe\plnsion of the stcam-iioiler,
when the oniriri''er netjlecis to ojten the s;;fety valve
and relieve it of its su| crahundant ja'cssuie? No,
hecause we see in these events tlie woikir.n nt'an ine-
vitahlc luw which is always attended wiih the same
efT(!cts,as well in the moral as in tlio piiysical system.
M'herevci' there? is eomiM'ossion, there will lie explo-
sion, violence and ruin. T do not say this to excuse
revolutions, ms [ hato revolutions and detest all
attempts to win the triumph nf dpinions hy violence,
liut T am less inclined \n .n.-t the rispon.-iliilily on
those who make thorn than on th'Se wiio nvovoko
them hy their hlind ohefinai'y. I s.ay tlii- to illustrate
the supei'iovity i>f riihcrali-^m. which r.nlerstani!* tluv
as))irati(uis ot' human natuic. ;iiid. ii ste i i of doing
violence to tliem, s,ceks to^diiect them.
I
(11
-Ti:!:! II
Wi
It
Ciiii it I'c Iteliovod, lor in:^t!Uu;->. tlmt— if I^iijihuul
had pCTiistt!.! ill /(NiHiiiLT <MHiinc!j»ati(>n to tli«> Catho-
lics ; if it hiul jtorsistcd in rct'iHinjj: the I'lilhieHS ol"
thoir civil and political ri^^hl-s to ttio Catholics, tlu*
Jews and the ollnn' I'ri)tt>-taat (h!no!iiin;i.ti<)iis not
I'onniii;^ pirt ol" the ostaldishcd chunh ; it it had
piTni-ilcd Id ki'cpiiiir the .suilVa^e limiti'd to a t-mall
ri'.Mih'M" : if it liad por-istf-d in rcfiHin;,' iVci* trade in
bread-lull-; il it had persisted in rei'iHinn- the riu;lit
ol'suirraire to tlie working cUiiae.-" — a day wouhl not
have (oiue w hen tin' peoi>le would have risen in arms
to (hi tlieiii-elves thejustit'e that v.ould have heen
ol)stina!el\' (h'liied toiheni? Do you tiiink that riot
would not have raised its hideous hea 1 under tlib
Avindows ol" W'e-tinini^ter and that the hlood ol' civil
war would not have reddened the streets ol' liOiuIou,
as it has so tiffin red<h'ned tlu; ,-t reets of I'ju'is ? Human
nature is the same all oV(>r. and there, as clsiMvnere,
compression would have [iroducivl explosion, vi(dence
and ruin. These terrilde caiainities. however, were
ohviated hy the initiative ol' the Uherals who. uiuler-
Hlandimr the evil, proposed and applied the remedy.
W'litt is grander than the history of the ureiit
English Ijilieral party during the present century ?
On its thrediold. looms up the ligureot" Fox, the wise,
the generous Fox, (h^leiiding tiie cause of th"
t>p))resaed, wherever there were oppressed to l)e
del'endeil. A little later, comes O'Counell, claiming
and ohtaining for his co-religionists the rights and
privileges ol' JMiir'ish sul'jects. lie is hel[)ed iu this
work l)y all the Liberal- ofijie liircc kingdoms, (irey,
lirougham, Russell, .TetVrey and a ho-t of others.
Then come, one after the other, the aliolition of the
ruling oligarchy, the r(>peal of the corn laws, the
extension of the sulfrage to the working (dasses. and,
lastly, to crown the whole, the disestahlishntent ofthe
church of !']ngland a^ the State religion iu Frtdand.
And note widl : the iiiherals, who carried mit these
Huei'essive reforms, were not recruited from th'} middle
chis.-cs onlv, l)ut some of i'.ioir mo't eminent leadcrd
t'
ON POMTUAr. I.ir.EKAI.ISM
65
were vecruit(Ml from tlio ))oer!igo of Enpliind. T know
of no s|M'ct!H'l(^ tliiit rclliH'ts grontcr honor on hiniiMn-
nity tlum tlic spectiirle of tlie.se peer? ol' I'jicland,
tlie.so rich ami ]>o\verful nohles, .stuhh<trnly tiijiilinfx
to eradicate a host ol' venoral>h^ almsesanil .^acrilieinj.j
their priviieuci with cahu enlliiniasin to make life
easier anil h: [ipiei tor a larj^er niinibor of their fellow
hetiijf.s. While (111 this hea<l. permit me to cite a letter of
Macaulay"? written to one of his iVicmls on the next
(lay alter the vote on the famous lioform hill, which
jnU an end to the system of rollrn-boroiiiilisl\'].\\o\o it
is. 1 ask p.irdnii fur making- thi.s (piotation, as it is
somewhat lon^f :
Sucii 11 sc»Mie ;is till' ilivi.-iioii ol' lust 'riU'siiiiy I never .'<a»v,
iiml never ex[M>('r to >ec niiiin. II I >lioiiiiI live lilly yeai-:. the
iiupie.ssioii of it will !)(> as tresli iind sliai'i in my initui as if
it liad Just taken place. It was like seeing ('ies.ir .■.tal>l>ed in
the .'^oiiatelKHise, or M'oiiij.' I Hiver takiiii: the inaci- from tlie
talile , a .sii:lit to \n' >eeii only once, and never la \>c t'oi-^otteii.
The ei-owil oveitlowed tlie House in every jiait. When the
strangers wi-re eleared out. and the doors loelieti. wt; had six
Imniredand eight nienihers prescMit — more liy tilty-tive than
evei' were on a division hetore. Tin' ayes and noes were lik(«
two volleys of eaiuiou from opinwite siili's <il a field of hattle.
AVheii the Ojiiiosition went out into the lohhy. an opeiutiou
which took up twenty minutes or more, we spread ourselves
DVi.'r the benches on liolli sides of the House ; tor thei'e wer«»
many ol' us wiio had not lieeii alile to find a seat during the
evening. When the doors were shut we liegan to speculate
on our nuni'x'rs. Kveiyhody was (h'sponding. •• We have
lost it. We are only two hundred and eighty at most. 1 do
not think we aie two hundreil and til'ty. 'fhey are three
hundieil. Alderman 'fhompsou has counted them. He says
lliey are two hmnlred and ninety-nine. " This was tlie talk on
our lieiu'hes. Tiie House, when only the ;iye> were in it, looked
tome a very fair Ilouse — nnich taller th;ni it generally is even
on dehattis of coiisidi'iahle int<'\est. 1 had no lioiie, iiowever,
of three hundred. .\s the tellers passi'd along our lowest roxv
on the leftdiand side the interest was insnppo: talile — two
hundreil and ninety-one — tv.o hundred and ninety two — wo
were all standing up and stretching forwanl, ttdling with the
tehers. .\t thiee hundred theie was a short cry ot joy at
[IJ The I, iff mill l.ttli ixuf Lmd MnrniiUty , l>v Trcveljaii.
66
.-i ijEt II
tliK'c Imuilic'cl iuiil two anntlii"! — iiiiijif-M',!. Uomivit, in a
iuf)iii<-iit, Inr uc ili.l not yd Iviinw wliat the ho.-tilv l'>ii(' ini^lit
hf. W'f kixw, lirA\('vir. that wf (caiM iiut hi' sexoroly ht-atfii.
Thi' >l()r.is were tliiowii ni'd), iiml in llicy cainc. Ilach of tht. in,
i4s hf i-nli'it*i|. hiniiL'ht -oinc liUlLMent icjioit ol' their iiiiinho! ,-.
It iiiii^t liave h»'<ii in>iio.-sililc. as yoi; may coiiteivi.', in tiiu
lohhy, ci'owdid ii^ tin y •.ivrc, to t'oiin any exact ostimato. Fii.-t
we lieai'l that tlu-y wcya tliicc hinnhi'd ami tliiir: tlicn that
nunil'fr lo-c to tlnci' innichc d aiul ten : tln-n went (h'wn to
thu'f hnn(hi(l and .>^<'\ en. \\ C wiif all hicalhhss with anxiety,
wlien ( harlcs Wood, who i-tood near the door. jiiinj'0(l up oji
a licni'h and ci iid (lilt, ''Tht y aiconly thiic hundied and one. "
We set n|i a -liont that yon niii-'lit lia\-e heard toCliariii!: < 'mss,
wavin;; onr hats, staiiipin;^ a^rainst liie tloor, and eia|i|iin;z one
liaiids. 'i'ho tellers sei.riely ^ot thion^di the eiowd ; for tlio
House was thion<r<<l u\< l<i the tahlc, and all the tlooi- was
tlnctuatiii;.' with heads like the jiit of a theatie. I'.nt >on
nii^'iit have heard a ]iin du)]! as Duneannnn k ad the nuniheis.
Then a^'ain ihe >houts hroke out, and niaii\ ol' us shed teal'-.
I coidd s( areely leliain. And the jaw oll'efl teil : and tiio
face of'l'wi's was !is the laee of adanimd soul: and llriries
looke<l hke .Iuda-< taking' his neck tie olt Tor the la.-t ojieiation.
We shoiik hamls, and chijijied each otliii on the Lack, .uid
went nut lau<.'hiiij.', ciyin.L'. and lui/zain^:r nito the lohhy. And
lio .-ooner weie the outer 'loois ojiened th.in another .-hoiit
answered that within the ilou.-o. Ail the ]ia>-a.L'e>h and the
stairs into the waitiiiu' rnum-^ wei'i- tinoniied hy jjeojile who had
waited till I'lur in tlie nioming to know tiic is^iie. We jiossed
throu;:ii a narrow lane lietween two thick masses ot them ;
and all the w;iy down they weie shoutinj.' aiul waving their
iiats, till we got into ihe ojien ail'. I called a cahriolot. aiiil
tlio (list thing the driver a-ke<l was. " Is the hill carried '.' ''
" Yes. liy one. "' " Thank (iod inr it, sir ! " And Maraulay con-
cludes with a senteiici' r-troiigly indicativt'ol the Lilnral : •• .Xnd
so ended a >cene which will ]irolial.ly in-ver he eiiii«led till
tlie ri foruK <I rarii.'iu.ent wants refrniiiini.'. ''
I
The man. wlm wrote in these (lueiy toini.^,
li:ifl ju.st ecim? fioiv, vntiii,;- the MimlitiiMi (d lhe>;ystem
l:)y virtue of wliieh he lieltl liis own pent. jNIaeaulay
owed his Foat to the jicnerosity of an Kiigli.«h peer,
Lord I.ansdowne. who liad him letiuiied for the rolirn
(loroiii-ih id' Cahie. I know of few jiaues that (h) mote
lionor to humanity thieu thi.s .^^imple h'lter which
o\ Poi.rrrcAi, i.inKRAi.TSM
67
sliows u? tli('=o Knfrlisl) nature?, calm Imt !=toa<lfa;'t
in the light and only kindling into emotion when tho
huttle bus hoen won, hecause an aet of justice has
heen accomiili.'^hed and an ahuMC uprooted from tho
soil o[' old Knghind.
Members ol" tiie '/(//; ('aiintlicii. Liberals of tho
|trovince of Quebec, there are our models ! there are
our princiiilcH I there is our ]iarty !
It is true that there is in Europe, in France, iu
Ttaly and in (iermany. a class of men. who jjivo
themselves tlie title of [liberals. l>ut who have nothing
of the [.iberal aliout them but the name and win) avo
the mo.-t dangerous of men. These are not Liberals ;
they are revolutionaries ; in their ))rineii)les they are
so extravagant that they aim at nothing less than tho
de.-;truetioii of modern society. With these men, we
have nothing in common : but it is the ta'tic of our
adversaries to always ai-similate us to them. Such
accusations are beneath our notice an<l tlie only
ftfiswer we can with dignity give them is to proclaim
our real )irificii)les and to so conduct ourselves that
our acts will conform with our principles.
Now. at this stage of my discourse. T shall review
the history of the Lilieral jiarty of Ibis country. I
nm one of those who do not fear to scrutinize the
history of my party. T am one of those who think
there is more to be gained by frankly stating tho
truth than by trying to deceive ourselves and others.
Let us have the courage to tell the truth I If our paity
lias committed mistakes, our denials will not change
matters ; moreover, if our )iarty has committed faults,
we shall always lind in the other jiarty enough of
faults to balance ours. and. even if the other party
were immaculate, our princi[)ie3 would not. t'or that
reason, lie either better or worse. Let us have the
courage to tell the truth and let it })revent us from
lulling into tlie same faidts in the future I
l)uwn to 18-lS, all the French Canadians were
of but oric party, the fiiberal party, The Conser-
vative or rather the Tory paity, as it was culled, only
't
I
68
sPEEnr
i!!
rojuTs^pntcfl n I'ochle minority. J>ut. IVdiii IS-IS. dato
tlie lir.-;t liact'ri dl' the iwo parties, wliich have since
(li.si)utc(l power. Mr. Fiat'ontaine iiad nct'opled tl>e
readme e.stahli.shod in 1841. Wlien Mr. Papineau
returned from exile, he as.sailed the new order uf
things with liis ;j;reat elo(|Uence and all his elevation
of mind. I shall not here undertake to enter into a
criticism of the respective policies of these two Lireat
men. Jioth loved their country ardently, passiona-
tely; both had devoted to it tlieir lives; hoth. in
dilferent ways, had no other ambition than to serve it ;
and both were pure and disinterested. Let us be
content with these souvenirs, without seeking which
of the two was right and which wrong I
There was at this time a generation of young men
of great talent and still greater imi)etuosity of cha-
racter. Disappointed at having come on the scene
too late to stake their heads during the events of 1S,'57,
they threw themselves with blind alacrity into the
political movement of the day. They were among
the foremost ol' Mr. Lafontaine's partisans in his glo-
rious struggle against Lord Metcalf. They afterwards
abandoned him for the more advan( ed ])olicy of Mr.
Papineau, and, though taking their jdaces among his
following, as was natural, they soon went beyond
iiim.
Emboldened by their suece.?s and carried away
by their enthusiasm, they one day founded l.'Avcniv
in Avhich they jiosed as relbrmers and regenerators of
their country. Not satisfied with attacking the poli-
tical situation, they holdly attacked the social situa-
tion. They issued a i)rogramme containing not less
than twenty-ouj articles commencing with the election
of justices of the i)eace and ending with annexation
to the United-States, and, taken as a whole, ])ractically
amounting to a complete revolution of the province. If,
by +he wave of some magic wand, the twenty one arti-
cles of tins programme bad been realized in a single
night, tlie country in the morning would have been no
longer recognizable, and the per.=on, who should have
I :i
ON PoMTICAl, I.IHKliAI.I.SM
69
IfU it till- i'V(nin<r l»ol'i)re :iik1 voturnctl tlio next day,
would not have Unowu where lie wa;?.
The only excuse lor these Lilieval? was tlieir
youth. The iihh'st ol'lheiii way uot nii)re than twenty-
two years o|' iitre.
(ienthMiK'n, I am stalinir Tact?. T have no hitention
of rci)ro;iehinLi' ;iny one. T. dent and sincei'(> convie-
tiona are entith'(l to respect. .Moreover, who i,^ the
one amongst II??, who. it he had l)een living at that
time, eould thitter himseir that he would have heen
wiser and that he would not have fallen into tln^same
mistake.^ ? ICverything wns t'avoral)le to sucii exagge-
rations : the situation of our own country and the
situation in lMiro[ie.
The wound.s of the country from the insurrection
were not yet healed : we had heen granted, it is true,
a free conatitution. hut the new constitution was not
being aiti>lieil in good I'aith hy tin; Colonial Ollice.
There was at the bottom of every soul a discontented
spirit, which was alone kept down hy the recollection
ot' the vengeance for which the insurrection had
furnished the op{)ortunity. Moreover, from all sides,
the ellluvia ol" democracy ami revolt came pouring
in \ipon u^. Soci<;ty was already shivering in the
iirst bla.-ts ol'that great storm. which was to break i'orth
a few years later over the whole civilized w(U'ld
and which !'or a moment caused society to stagger.
The years preceding ISlSure frightful to contemplate.
One t'eels a thrill of Imu'ir at the contemplation of the
sinister work which was being everywhere <lone and
which atone time drew into revolt upwards of eiglity
millions of men.
This stnte of things naturally made a powerful
iniprei^sion on young, ardent ;ind incxjjcrienced ima-
ginations, and. not satisfied with wanting to revo''i-
tioni/e their own country, our young reformers
greeted with transpiu'ts each fresh revolution in
Europe.
However, hardly had they taken two steps in
life, when they perceived their immense error. Tn
70
srEKcii
18.''2. tlioy brouirlit out iinotlier ncnv^^papcr. Tlicy
ubundoiKMl l.'Ai'cnir to the doiiiiij^oguen .'incl soujrlit
in a new paper. /.'■ Pai/s — witlioiit.liuwovcr. linding it,
it is true — the n<'\v path wliich shouhl lie f(tlh)\veil hy
tiie t'riend.s of liberty under the new eniistitutlon.
C)np cannot help sniilint;; to-day on reading over
iignin LWvriiir's ju-ograninie ; on(^ eaniiol help pniiling
iit linding. mixed up with so much good ;-'en-ie occa-
pionally, so many al)surd or im[)ossihle proposition'^.
It would he tirosomo to review one; liy one all
the ineongrui)U3 pniimsilions which l.'Avrnir\s pro-
gramnie eout;iined. I .shall take one at random :
Annual I'arliament.-^. f am satisfied that each oi'the
young lieformers of that day, who is to-day in Parlia-
ment, is (irmly convinced that an elei-tion ('very live
years is ,.quite sullioient. And morfcov(>r i.s it not
obvious that annual Parliaments would be a con-
stant obstacle to all serious le.t;islation and a perma-
nent source ol' agitation ?
Still, the harm was done. Th(> clergy, alarmed
at these proceedings uhich renunrled them of the
rovolutioiiaries of Euro})e. at once declared merciless
war on the new party. The English population, friend-
ly tr» liberty, but also friendly to the m:nnteiiaiice
of (U'der.also ranged themselves against the new party.
and during twenty-five years that ixirty iia.si'emained
in Opposition, although to it belongs the jionor of
liaving taken the initiative in all the reforms a<'coni-
j)lishe(! tluring that ])eriod. Tt was in vahi that it
demanded and obtained the abolition of the seignio-
rial tenure: it was in vain that it demanded and
olitainod judicial decentralization, and it was in vain
tiiat it was the first to uive an impetus to the work
of <'oloni/ation ; it was not credited with the.se wise
reforms ; it wa.s in vain that those cliildr(>n. now
grown into men, disavowed the rashness of their
youth; it was in vain that the Conservative i>arty
made mistake after mistake: the generation of the
l.i'oerals of 1>^4.S ]iad almost entirefy disappeared from
tlie iiolitical scene ere the dawn of a new dav
ON I'Ol.ITIc AI. i.inEn.M.i-M
71
befran ti> l>!'i\ik fur (iic LilxTnl )):irty. f^inco liiai
time, the jiarty has rocrivel now afcf-i-iifiiis, caliiu.'r
jiml luure tlmuglitriil iiloa-^ have prevaileil in it; and,
a^ for the old pr-Jirraiuine. nothing whatever reMiain3
of its soi'ial part, while, <»ftiie |).i!itieal pnrt. there
only remain the princii)le-i ofUin Eni;]i^|i l,il)(>ral
liiirty.
HurinLT all this time, what wa^ the other party
doinii ? When tlie <\>\h between Mr. l'a[)inean and
!Mr. Lifoiitaine lieeanie complete, the fraet on of ti>e
J^'.hei'al pai'ty, who t'ollowed Mr. l/ifontaine, wound
¥i). at'ter .■some Liropinii', liy nllyin.fr them-elves with
the Tories of Upper Canada, and then, to the title of
Lihertil which they could not or dared not yet avow,
they added that oi' ( 'onservative. The new party took
the name ol' l-ilnu'al-t 'on.-ervative. Some years elapsed
and t'ro«h mndiiicntion.s ensued. 1 know no lonj^er
Viy what name we call this jnirty. Those who to- lay
Feem to occupy leadinfx podtion-; in it will call them-
eelves the ritiamontane [)aity, the Catholi ; party. Its
jjrinciples. like its name, have heen niodilied. If Mr.
Cartier were to come l>aek to the earth to- lay, he
■\vo\ild not reeopnize his jtarty. Mr. ("arLicr wad
devoted to the principles of the Kn<;lish constitution.
Tiiose who to-day take the lead amon<r his old ])arti-
pans openly reject the iirineiples of the ICn^lish con-
ftitntion as a concession to what tiiey term the .sjjirit
of evil. They understand neither their country, nor
their time. Ad their ideas are modelled on tht>se of
the veactioni<ts of France. They l'o into ecstacies
over Don ( 'arlos or tlu; Conite de ("handiord just a.s
the Liherals admired I/)uis Diane and h'nlru- Rollin.
They r;hout: Ion;; live; the KiiiLf ! as the Liberals
plmuted : lont' live the Repuldic I In speakin<r of D(jn
Carlo* ;ind the Comte d(> Chamhord. th(\v affect to
alway.-i :-ay only llisMaje-ty the kini:- Charles VTT,
His .Maje-ty the king Henry V. ju-t as the Liberals,
in speakiii'j: ul' Napoleon III always said only Mr.
Louis J'.uou.'iparte.
I have too rnueh re'-jie^t for the opinion of my
i
SPEECH
III
advcr.ajirie.s to cvit ins\ilt tliciu ; but T rciti-oacli tlicm
witli undorstaiHlinjj; iicitlier tiicir time nor their eoim-
trv. I jKX'Usie tliciii of jiidjxiii^' tlio iinlitiral situation
of the country, nut according,' to wlial is liaii|>ening in
it, l»ut according to what i^l hajnienini); in i'^'ance. t
accMiHe thoni of wanting to introduic iiere ideas, whicli
nre impoHsildc of application in our ^>tate of socicf v.
I accuse them of hit)orion.sly and, l>y mir-fortune, \i*o
eilicaciously working to (U'gradcM-eiigiun to tli(> sim-
ple j)ro{)ortU)ns of a piditical {)arty.
In oiu' adversaries" party, it is tliehal»it tn accuse
us, liberals, of irreligion. lam not here tn paraib;
my religious sentiments, but T declare that T have too
much respect for the laith in which f was liorn to ever
use it as the basis of a political organization.
You wis!) to organize u Catholic party. Hut
have you not considered that, if you have the mis-
fortune to succeed, you will draw down upon your
country calamities of which it is im})ossihle to foresee
the consefjUences?
You wish to organize all the Catholics into one
party, without other bond, without other basis, than
a connnon religion ; but have you not reflected that,
by the very fact, you will organize the Protestant
population as a single jiarty and that then, instead
of the peace and harmony now prevailing between the
ditfereiit elements of the Canadian population, you
throw open the door to war, a icligious war. the mo-t
terrible ol' all wars ?
Once more, Conservatives.! accuse you in the I'ace
of Canada of not untlerstanding either your country
or your tiuje.
Our adversaries also reproach us with loving
liberty and they term the spirit of liberty a dangerous
and subversive principle.
Is there any justification for these attacks ? None
whatever. exce[)t that there exists in France a group
of Catholics wlio i)ursue liberty with iheir in)preca-
tiuns. Assuredly, it is not the enemies of liberty
in France alone who regard it with terror. The
(»N PiiMTicAi. i.iiii:i;a].ism
73
iiiost ardciil fiien<l,s of liliortv oflcii ccinteinplate it
Avitli tlic Hiinic I'c'cling. licrall Nliulamc Ilitllaiid'H last
wiirds. t^lir luid waniily loved lilicrty. she luid ardent-
ly pray(Ml for it, and her hist word was a sorrow I'lil
one: ' OliI jjhortv, how nianv critncH arc coniiuittcd
in thv nam
How ol'ton have tlie same word.s hcni
ns Hinrcri'iy uttered by fullv as siincre iVitMiil? of
lihrrty !
1 I'nn readily conceiv', whliout, however, .-•liarini;
them, the feeling"! of those Frenchmen, who, reuarding
hoAv inucii liherty has cost them in teai's, blood and
ruin, have Ho;ne times favored fur their country a
vigorous des[)otisni ; I can conceive their anatliema",
hut that the^e anathemas sjiouhl he repeated in our
midst is a tiling 1 cannot umh'rstand.
lihert^
^Vllat? Is it a con(iuered rac(>, wiio slmuhl curse
lUit what wouhl W(; lip witlinut iiherlv?
What woultl he to-dav if our fcu'cfatliers had clierished
tl
le same sentiments as the Conservatives <ii the ]»re-
sent tinie"^ Would we he otiier than a race of pariahs ?
T frankly admit that lilierty. as it has been gene-
rally understood and practised in l^ance, has notliing
very attractive about it. Tlie Frendi iiav(! liad the
name of lii)erty. but they have not yet had lilierty
itself. One of their poet.?, Auguste Uarbicr, has given
us a pretty correct idea ol'the kind ofliiierty which
is some times in vogue in I'^rance and which was last
seen at work in l'<71. He re|>resents it as a woman
A la voix r;iii(|U(', aux (hirs iii))i,i.s
Qui, du bnin sur la iiciui, dii tin dans Ics pruiiplles,
Agile et luarchaiit \\ grau'is pas,
Se plait mix eris dii [mmijiIp, aux sanglanti's inrdees,
Aux longs lOulciiuHits des tainlioiirs,
A I'odeui' do la iiuudfe. aux loiiitaiiu-s \o1('h's
l)os oioclie.^i ct tics I aunns so.ird.- :
(iiii ne i>renil .ses amours ijU<- <lan- la [in[)uUioc.
Et ne piete son lai'ge llano
Qu'a dos gens forts en;iinii> elle. et qui veto .jn'on rc'nil)ras.s0
Avoc do-j bras loviges lie.sang.
"PKEt'lI
If lihf'ity \V!\« well iiiul truly this rtiiiister vir.ajr*',
T o.nuld uiHlCrstand tlio iiiiatliciiuus of our adversaries
iuid I would l»e till' first til join in tliciii. I'.ut it is
not liljcity. An Mn^disli pod. Tennyson, Inis sung
iibout liborty, tin; liherty of his country and of ours.
In his i)M('iii //; Mriiiiii-iiiiii, Tennyson nddrcsses liin)sf'lf
to a friend wlnt ciKiuirfs why lir docs nut fec'k a
niildci' cliinato in tlir S'Hith St!;i islands and why,
notwithstandinfj; his impaired health. In* persists in
reniaininii' under the fugLi'y skies of I'liigland ? And
the poet replies :
It is tlio I iii'l tlmt ricfincn till,
TliHt snhi'i ■suited i'"ii'i'i|<hii clio-o,
'I'lie I, 111'! vv'aci'i'. iriit with Iricii 1> <i<: litos,
A iii'in iiiMv sjii'ak tin' tliiii;,' iio will :
A land of settled goveininent.
A iiiiid ol'.JMst and oM reiiowii.
Will"'.' l''f<'cdoin hroa li>n«i slowly down,
l''i'0'ii i)i'i'rt> li'nt to j/rci'i'dr-nt ;
Whero f'iiction scMom ^ratheis Iiea I
Eut liy ileifroe- to I'ldiii'ss wi'oii_!it.
The sti'i'njitli of soin" ditl'iisive thouL'lit
'latli time and space to work an 1 sjirea I.
This is tiie liberty wo enjoy and defend and this
is the liberty, vliich our adversaries, sharinj:- in its
benefits, attack, without understanding; it. Jean l)a|i-
tiste K:)us?e;iu ( 1 ). in one of his ode--, speak ol' barba-
rous peoples, who. line day in a miunent of inconi'ci v-
uble folly, tell to insuUinji; the sun with their cries
ami impreintions. The poet, in a word, characterizes
this stn[)id piece ot' impiety :
f,e Dic'i iionrsuivant sa iMniei'e,
Vei'sait lies torreiit-i dc huniiTe
Suv ses o1)scurs blasphemateurs.
(II Til' or.ilo! lias con!, mini d in. Roi-^s^nu with I.ofrano ilc I'uiniiii;-
nil] : lull t'l'tw) iri-'Mt Ivri'' I'lc'ts ;ir,' so ut'ion cit''d toL't'tli t in collci-
t .<i:is 111 hi Ta. me Ilia; III- 1' diir I", wa i w.is iiU'ituig iVir'u iii^ iiiury, may
I'ilsily ll,' |l IKlDUCll Ihis ijili in-.l III:',;
(IN riiMTKAI. I.ir,i;i;ALI>M
75
In tilt' Bame way liUerty liav its a'»sailitntH ainniif;
us. Kilicrty »i)V»>rrt thcin, llomls tliwm, pntlocns tlioin
and (Ifl't'inls tlinii even in t.lii'ir ini|irec'atii)ii-'.
Lo Dion jioui'<tu\ant !<fi oarri«MO
V( Tsait 'It's tnrrt'iits (lo liiini'-if*
>iir «os olisciiis Ma-jilii.Mii.'itt'ms.
Itiit. w iiilo rt'ininu'liini: u^> witii l>ein^ Iricmh nl'
lilicrly our advcisiirie.i I'urtlier rcprnacli us. with an
inc'iin-^isU'nry wliicli wnuld lif scriiuH. if tlio charge
Avore Well I'i'UnihMl, witli donyini: to thr ( hurcii tlie
iVecdiiiii til which it is entitled. They reproach u? with
seekintf tn silence the adniiaistrative hudy of th(!
('hur(di ami to prevent it t'ri)iu teaching the people
their du'ies as .citizens and electors. Tliey reproach
us with wantin<r to hinder the clerLry iVoiu nieddlinf:;
in ])oliiics and to rple;rate them to tlie sacristy.
In the name of the f.ihera! party and oT l.ilteral
]>rinciples. 1 repel tiiis as?(Mtion.
1 maintain that tliere is not one ( anadian l>il)eral
uho wants to [irevent the c!erp:y froiu lakin;:- part in
political atVairs. if they wish to do so. '■■
Tn the name of what principle, slimild the t'riendf,
(ifliherty seel< to deny to tlie prie-t tlie ri^'ht to laki'
l)art in political aliairs? In the name o|' what i>rin-
cii)!e shouhl tlie friends of liberty seek to deny to the
]n'iest the ritrht to have and express political opinion^,
the I'l^ht to aiiprove or disai>prov<; luiMit- men and
their acts and to instruct the people in what he
believes to he their duty ? In the name of what prin-
ciple, should he not have the rifxht to s;iy that, if I
am elected, religion will he endanjicred. when T have
the right to say that if my advei'sary is elected, the
Htnie will he endangered? Why should the priest
not have the right to say that, ill am elected, reliiiion
■will lie inevitalily destroyed, when 1 have the right
to say that, if my adversary is elected, the St.ate will
go into bankruptcy '! Xo. let tlie ])rie-t speak and
jireacii. as he thinks hprt : su di i^ hi^ right and no
Canadian Liherid will disjuite thai rigiit.
II i
16
MM:i;t II
Our coimtitution invite-! all citi/eiH to tiilco i>art
in tlu! liiicrtidii ot'tlic iiiraiiN nt' tiu- Stato ; it makes no
oxceptidii «>l' any |Krs<in. I^adi one lias liie riLilit imi
only til exinos.s iiis (i|iiniiin, luil to inllueiice, if Jio
can. iiy the expiessinii ni his opinion, the opinion of
liis tVihiw citizens. This ri^'lit exi-ttH for all ami theio
can he no reason why the priest should he ilepriveil
of il. film here to MpeaU my whole mimi and I may
add that I am i'ar I'mm limlinii; opportune tlio inter-
vention of the cler.L'y in the doiiiiiin of politics, as it
has 1
)Ce|i excn
ised lor some vcars. f helieve on tlio
contrary that, from ihe standpoint of the respect duo
to his character, tin' l>rie-!t has every thin;r to lo-;e hy
meddling in the ordinary (|iie-tioii.s of piditic-): still
his riyht to do so is indisputahle ami, if he thinks
]»rop(>r to use it, our duty, as liiln'rals.is to y;iiarantce
it to him :i;j;ain t all <lenial.
This rij^ht, however, is not unlimited. We have
no ahsolule ri^ht-! amon^fst us. The rights of each
man. in our state of society, end precisely at the point
where they encroach :ipon the riirhts of others.
The ri<j;ht of intcrfcrent'c in politics linishes at the
spot where it encroaciio.s on the elector'.s indepen-
dence.
The constitution of the country r<;.--ts on the freely
expr(!ssed w i-h of each (de(;t(»r. It intends thai each
eltH'tor shall ••n-'t his vote freely ami willin^ily as he
deems hest. IT the , greatest numher ol' the electors of a
country are actually of an oj)inion and that, owiuf^
to the mllneniM* exercised upon them hy tuie or more
men or owinu- to words tlicy have heard or writings
tln^y have read, their o|)inion changes. there is nothing
in the circumstance hut what is perl'ectly legitimate.
Although the opinion they exjtress is ditTt-rent from
the one they wmild have expres-ed without such
intervention, still it is the one they desire to express
conseieneiously. and the constitution meets witii its
entire apijlication. [f. however, not wilhstanding all
reasoning. the opinion of the electors remains
the .same, hut that, hy intimidation or I'rand, they are
fiN PnllTIt AI, I.ini:UAI.Ii-M
77
Inrcnl to vote (linVrciilly, tin ii|iiiiiuii whicli tln'V
I'xpre.ss is not their n|iiiii(tii. imd tlio coii-'titiMii'M is
viiilatcd. As 1 Iiavc nlreiuly Miid, the coiistituf inn
intt'iMJs tliat eiicli onc'.s (iiiininn sliall Ik- iVct'ly
t>X|ir(>s.-i'(l Hit h(\ understands it at t!ie inomont of
expre.-siiin. and
■1
tl
le enllcc'tivc reunion ot the indi-
Vldnal opuueiH, Ireely exiive.-.-i d, loiins ii.c govt m-
xnent of thf (-ountry.
Tiif law watelies with f^n jciilous an eye tlio Iree
exj>iession of the elector's o|iinio!i an it really is that,
if in a < onstitiieney the opirion ex|ires<ed l)y a sinirio
one of th(! electors is not his real opinion, lait an
opinion forcetl from him hy fear, fraud or corruption,
th(; election must he annulled.
Tt is therefore perfectly lejiitiniate to alter the
elector's (ipiidoii hy argument and all other means ot
persuasion, hut never l)y intimidation. As a matter
of faet. persuasion chancres the elector's convictiiin ;
intinndation does not. When, liy persuasion, you
linve ehaiiiied the elect(n''.s eonvietion. the ojdnion lie
expresses is his own ojiinion ; hut when, hy terror,
you force him to vote, the opininn he expresses is
your opinion ; remove thy eau-e ofhisfeivr ami he
will then express another ojiinion. which it his own.
Now. it will lie understood, if the opinion
expressed hy the majority of the electors is not their
real opinion, hut an opinion snntehed from then: hy
fraud, hy threats or hy corruption, the constitution is
violated and yt)U have not the government of the
nnijority, but the frovernment of a ininoritv. Well,
if sucdi a state of things continues and i.s repeated, if,
after each election, the will exjiressed is not the real
will of the country, once more you do violence to the
constitution, responsible government is no longer
anything hut an empty name and. fiooner or later,
here! as elsewhere, the i)ressure will culminate in
explosion, violence and ruin.
Hut people are not wanting who say that
the clergy have a right to dictate to the people what
are its duties. T simply answer that we are here under
7S
'KiJ 11
! i!
the goveinmont of till' (i-ueon oi' Kiiglimd. umlcr tlie
jiiilhority t»r ti cunstituliuii wliicli wa.s iri'iiiitcfl to us
jis an act of justice, and that, if the exorcise nf tho
lights \viii(.'h you claim i>; in have for effect the impe-
ding of tlio constitution and our ex]to.suie to all tlic
c.on!-0(iuences of .-such an act. then the ideiiiv them-
selv(.'rt would not want it.
T am not one oi' those who jiarade thom^clve.s
a3 I'riends and chami>ions of the cleruy. llcw-
ever, I say tliis ; like the most of my youni:- fellow
countrymen. 1 liave lieen rtared anioufj,- jirie.-ts and
among young men who liavhecouje priests. T llattor
myself that I have among them .some sineere friends
and to them at lea^t, I can and T do say : set\ if there
is under the .siui a country happier than ours ; sco, if
tlicre is under tlie sun a country where the (.'atholic
chureii is freer or nmre ]nivileged than it is here.
Why. then, should you. I«y claiming rights incompa-
tihle with our state of society, expose this country to
agitations, of which it is impossiMe to foresee the
conse<iuenci'S ?
Jiut T addrc.-s mysell' lo all my fcllov; cuuntry-
nien without (li>linction and \ say to them :
We are a free and happy people ; and w c aie so
owing to the liheral institutions i^y which we are
governed, institutions which we owe to the exertions
of our foret'atiiers ami the wisilmi of the mother
country.
The jiolicy of the hilieral [)arty is {u [irofect tho.«o
institutions, to defend and s{)read them, and, under
the sway of those institutions, to develop the country's
latent resources, i'liat is tiie policy of the Liberal
party and it has no other.
Now. to properly estimate all the value ^f tho
institutions liy which wt. are ruleil to day. let us
com])are the present state of the country with what
it was before ihcy were granted to us.
Forty ye;irs ago the country was in a state of
feverish commotion. a prey to an agitation which. a few
month.-i hUcr.l»roI;e out in le'.iellioit.The i'oitish crowu
was only maintained in the country l)y the force of
N^
(iN rdl.ITIi Af, I.IllKUAl.Ir^M
.9
Ipowilrr ami ball. Auil yet wiiat wcit'ihu- jufde-
ci'.s.-or.H ^cc'kiiiu' ? Thov w ti(> a:^kin^' t'or notiiini: more
than the iii>rituti(>n« wliirli we liavi' at pri'scut ; those
in.stitutii)ii3 were jiiaiitcd to us niul loyally applied ;
and .-tc tlio n-suU ; the I'lritish lia^- lloaia dverihe old
citach'l ot *iuclieo ; il lloats to-ni,iiht ovtr our licads,
witliout a :-injilo ]']n,nli,-h soldiiT in tin' country to
dcTpud it. it- «oU' deiVuce lo.-tintr in tho <2;iatitudu,
w liiili wo owe it tor our I'recdoiu and the security
which we have found undci- it- I'ohis.
Where is the ('aiiadian who. com paring hiscouu-
try with evm tiie iVeot countries, wouhl not frel
prouil ot' t he institutions whicii protect liini?
Wheic is the Canadian who, jiassinu' tlirnu<:li the
fitrt'cts (if tills (dd city and reacliinu' the nidnument
raised a lew ste[)s from here to the memory of tJH!
two hravc men. who died on the same li(dd of battle
wliilc contenilin;; I'or tjuipire in Canada, W(udil not
feel jiroud of his countiy ?
In wiiat other country, under the sun. can you
tin! a similar monument reared to the niemoiy of
the comimTcil as well as <d' t he eon(|Ueror ? In what
other couniiy. under thesun. will you iind the nauies
of the coiHpU'red and the com|Uer(M' e(iually honoi'cd
and occupyini:!; the saim> place in t!u' respect of tlie
population ?
( ientlcmen. when. In that last hattle which is
recalled hythe Wolfe auil Ahuitcalm nninumcnt the
iron hail was siiroidiim death in the ranks of the
French army ; when the old heroes, whom victory
had so often aeconi]-anIed,saw at last. victory snatchetl
from iheni; wiien, sti'etchcd on the ground
with tlu'ir lit'e hlood fast eld. inn" away, they saw. us
the result of their defeat. <iueliec in the hands of
the enemy and the colli, tiy forever ln.-t : uo douht,
tiioir last thought was of their children, whom they
were leavic.u' without prnti'ction and without defen<(';
no doubt. they pictured tlnin as pci-ecuted. enslaved,
and liumiliated, and then, it is reas>i;alde to believe,
they drew tle.'ir hist breath with a cry of despair.
80
SI'KKCII
l>ut, il'. on tlie otiicr IkiikI. Heaven had lifted the
veil of the future from tlieir dying eyes and enalded
thoni lor an instant. Itelorc tliose closed forever, to
pierce wliiit was hidden from tlieir sij^lit: if tln^y
could iiav(! seen their ciiildren I'ree and hai)i)y,
inarciiiij;r proudly in all s|>liere3 of society ; if they
<;(iuld !i;ivc seen, in the old cathedral, the seat of
lienor of the French i^overnors occujiied ]>y ;i French
{Tovernor : if they could have seen tlie cliurcii steeples
risin.' in every valley fnou the shores of (iaspe
to the piiiirics of ihc Ucd lliver ; if they could have
Been this old llag. which recalls the linest of their
victories, carried triumphantly in all our i)uhlic cere-
monies: in line, if they could have seen our free in-
etitutinn^, is it not permissihle to think that their last
breath would Inive l)cen exhaled in a murmur of
gratitude to Heaven and tiiat they would have died
consoled ?
If the shades of these heroes still hover over this
old city, for which they laid down their lives ; if their
shades hover to-night over the hall in which we are
now ass('nd)led. it is tree for us, Lilierals, to think
— at least we cherish the fond illu.sion, — that their
8ym|)atliies are all with us.
I
'iHE QUEBEC MINISTERIAL CRISIS IN 1878
MU, LvUHIKirs RKl'LV TO TIIK DETHAl'TOR^
uF Till': [.lliKltAL PAIITV
( »a til" 1 1 ill April, IS7S, a few wei-k-) after tli<; disiiiissal
ot tlie Do I'oiiclioi'villi> Cabinet l)y LifMitoiiant-fiovornor
Lett'lThM', Sir .lohii A Mai'iloiiajil, tluMi U^'iilerof tli(^< (p^.O-sitinn,
iiiaile th« follow iiii-' motion in the House of <'oinuions:
"Tliat Mr. Spiak- r ill) iHi; iinw Icavi' IhiM'ri lir. lull tliul it h.' rcs.ilvpd
Hint tin recent (iKinissal l)\ tin' I,ii'uIi'h;uiI-( Jdvctihii- ol i^iu'l)i<- of his
Mi iii>-I<T.s was, nihil r llir i-iriiiiiisticiii-r>, iinu isr aii'l ^iilpvi'i'>iv>' ol'tlii'
pD^itioM ai'curil'il lo tin- ailvls('i'.> ot the < 'i nun siiicr t h" en ic'ssion of
till' pri in-i|i!i- i>!' I5r.«pi)iisiljl(' ( iovi'iiiliii'Ml Id III'' I!r'ili--li .NoiMIl
AllHl'l''all ( oiollii'S. "
'i'his motion was rojoctdd l»y a vote oi 112 against 7<(. after
a long ileliate, in the coiu'so of which iloiioi'able Mr. Lauiier
took occasion to ddiiie the, true principles profivsse'l hy tlie
Liberal party, as he liirl done in his lecture of the previous
year at (iiii-hec. Tliere exists unfortunately only a feeble
analysis of his speech, which we taive from th' llnusni'l :
Mr. I.aurior snid the Imii. ffentlt'iiian, who luid
just adilrcssed tlie House, had endeavored to inllu-
eiK'O the qucslion liy casting upon the l-iheral paitv
of the province of Quebec wliat vould be termed liy
no other name than I'oul slander. lie commenced his
reintiikH by (quilling ^fr. Thiers in favour of constitu-
tional monarchy, in order to sliow that in the ranks
of the Liberal party in Quebecthere were men opposed
to constitutional g'overnment. Sucii an accusation
eominfj; from the member for Terrebonne surprised
him very much. Tt surprised him tiiat a man. whom
lie believed to be the fairest Conservative in Queiiec,
6
82
srEEcH
eliould liave niiulr use of such Unitrunjro. Vet it wns
not sur])ri.sin<:-. fur it was only a oonTinuation of the
tactics which had hfcii used, again and ajxain, in the
])rovince of Quelioc for the last twenty-five years,
and the day had not yet dawned in that province
wlien it had been their gojd fortune to discuss
any i)ul)lic question ujion its merits. A\'hen tliey
Avere discussing any question, his party were always
met with the taunt
THAT TIIKV WKHE COMMI .\;
1 ^'
i 5i
r ''
again and again, and would he all through the elec-
tions. I'poii this (|Uestion. lie would not charge tlie
hon. menilicr I'or Terrelionne (.Mr. Masson). with a
deliberate falsehood, hut he would make a cuuiitcr-
charge. W'liilo the hon. gentleman iharg(-d them
with heing Communists, he f .Mr. liauriev) charged
the jiartx' which the hon. gentleman led witii I'Oing
HOSTILE TO THE ri;i.N<'rri.Ks
of respDUsiVile government ; and he made this charge
advi.scdly. Its doctrines could he jud.'-ied hy the tone
of its jire.-s. He couM cite from articles oftheir most
authorized orgaiis in which the i)rincipl(:- of respon-
8il)le govenmumt v*erc condemned. Tt v,as well known
that the French charter of l>^on was a close copy of <ho
Knglish constilutioii. And yet. what wjis t!ie opinion
which a Conservative iiajier put upon that coi,,.rtiiu-
t"on in I'rance','
Under i\n' cliaitorof 1 ^oO^ the C;owu w.ia in a u.r.st liuiui-
ON TiiK rirF.r.i;( MiNisTKurAi, cursi* in 1S78 S3'
liating i>ositiiMi, ami I.ouis Pliilippe wus roilucoil to extract
from I'ae innioiit\. I>y means of cnrruption. the iniiuniik' of
authoiity wliicli luul l^een taken from the Crown.
This was the estimation in wiiicli honoralile gen-
tlemen opposite held the Uritiiih ennstitution. of
Avhieh the French constiuition d l^od wa.'^ u c<:py.
Jiut it might he said that this wa.-- simi)ly an opinion
as to it8 applieal)ility to the French people. He
knew this ilelence was made. Tt' that were the argu-
ment, he would simply answer that in tlu^e (ptotations
the lionorahh; gentlemen i)i)posite showed what were
their ideas of reS[>onsiMe government. Ihit he could,
give them, also, what were tiie opinions at this very
moment ol' those who stood here as the ehampions of
responsihle government, iie would cite from an
artielr^ puldished in one of their leading organs. //'
i'vurrin' dit CiuaU'd, cm the l-'ith March last :
Tlie clr'Ctoral oontfst i.s now eiiiragod ir. everywhere, and
w (• know that, ui'iler the eir<iiiu>taiK'e?, it may he I'xtri -
inely vioh>nt. 'fhe^'e (ilections will In- follow ed hy the I'ederul
eiei;lU)n.<, th.'se will \>v followed liy hehool eh'etioii.s. and those
hy luimieiiia! elertions : in hict, w(> have elections everywhere.
We n)ay, tliereiore, consiiler thai tor a long time elcctoi'al
agitation will lie jiernianent. The IViends of tranfjuillity are,
lor good rea^^ons, Irighteiieil at the .system of the aue. We
nuist diink the cuii to the <liegs. I'lverylhing indu ates that
elections will coiitinue to bfeome more and more fi'cjuent ;
Ijil)eridi.--m is iond of elections. These elections will increase
aszitation. When we ftpe:ik of l.ilicralism. ue sjK-ak ol Lihe-
ralism in Canada, for her" a~ well as el>c\vhere it lias recorde(l
on its progi'amme nniversal snU'raui'. This i> what the Lih-cral.s
call the vindication of the ritihtsol the people. For this luero-
native, the )ioor working man is hound to give away many
hoiir.s fr(.im iiis lal o'.'.
Here \vas an organ of Conserviitive opiiiiou
in Lower Canada statiiig that this .system id' re^poti-
sihle government Wit.; an invtntion ofthedevii. On
the lloov <d' Parliament the L'onsei vative i)arty stood
as the rlianipi-rni! of iVee res] nnsihlc governnient : in
the ]n'e.s3
84
M'EKCII
TIIF.V (irKX!.-)- DKNiil Nr];i>
this same .sy8toiu. IInw wan it that sucli a contni-
(lictiitii exist"tl ? There wns in tiiat uilicle one par-
agrnjih wiiioli j^ave the key to the whole Viiystevy. It
uas a part ol" the system whidi liad heen always
carrieil out against the r/iheral paity in liOwer Canada.
On the lloor of this House, they jialmcd themselves
ofT as chami)ions of Iree rcsjxmsihle govcriiment,
iind, in the prc-^.s, Ihcy denounced the .same sy.stem
witli the ohjeet of nunely Jiinking political cai)ital
iigain.st the Ijiheral party. lie was right in charging
the party with heiiiu- decidedly hostile to tln^ form of
ro.^piuisilde government under which they lived. Of
course, tliey would not say so openly on the lloor of
tliis House; he did not exi>pct any of those gentlemen
to repmliate the language made use of in their jtress;
hut. if they were as devoted ;is they pretemled to he
to the prinoii)les of responsilde government,
WAS IT Not TIIKin nolNMiKN IHTV
to repudiate siioli language ? They had never rejju-
di'ited it.
Mr. Jiahy :-l)iil you reijudiate Dessaulles" doctrine
al)out annexation ?
Mr. Laurier said, if he were to name all the gen-
tlemen who, at (Uie time, ludd annc^xationist views,
lie would tind many among the honoi'iiljh^ gentlemen
opposite.
Several honoralde menjheis : — No : name them I
^Ir. haurier said iie could cite many, hut
tliis was an old and dead issue. There was another
organ ot' i)uhlic o]union, \]\c .lnvrnal 'Im Truls Itiriirrs,
xapon which he could luit. unfortunately, lay his hands
just then, as it was not receive [ in the I.ihrary, in
which lionorahle gentlemen would rememher, a series
of articles a])))eared. Some tour or live years ago. in
supjiort of the doctrin(> that the minority was not
hound hy the decree of the nnijority. Under the
ON
THE <jrKlU:( MrMsTKUIAI. (Kl.-ls I\ I'iTS 85
constitutitm iiiuliT wliicli we live, the decrees of the
niiijority, when exiiressed in tlie pntper channel'; and
in the proper I'lirin, must l)e respected i>y the minority.
Ife did not mean to say the majority would not tall
into error, hut the remedies tor error.s were provided
hy the constitulion. Then it l)ecame the duty of the
nunority to asritate and have this error corrected, and
he helieved they could do it and that justice would
always in the end prevail. He held tliat this was
TKIK AM) sol'M) noci'iaxE ;
hut, in one of the papers of the honorahle gentlemen
oppcsite, a .series of articles was publishetl to estahlisii
the'' proi)o3ition that if a hydaw was jiassed hy tlio
majority it would not l)e hindinjf on the minority,
The circumstance which jrave rise to the artieles was
this : a liy-law luul heen parsed hy a (tounty. according
to the terms of the law, granting a honus to the North
Shore Railway, upon a vote of the majority. Tiiese
articles claimed that the bydaw wa.s not binding upon
the minority who voted against it. hut only on the
majority wlio voted for it. Such language as that
was used under a free res])onsibL' government l)y
those who now taunterl tiie Liheral party with lieing
l.'ommunists. Strange to say, the late (Juebec (iovern-
ment passed a law which had not l)een sanctioned,
in wliich, on frivolous pretexts, they compelled every
one to i»ay the bonuses, whether tlie conditions were
eonii)lied with or not. These gentlenuMi were hcrt* as
the ohaniiiions of responsible government ujion th.e
floor of Parliament ;ind at the same time, in the coun-
try, they were attacking it with their own press and
with all the other weapons at their hamls. In the
country, they deni)unced the iiresent system of v^^s-
ponsihle gi)vernment; on the floor of Parliament they
defended it. Just hearken to their language to-d;iy.
They the champions of civil rights; they tin, apo-*-
tles of the doctrine that all roynl [lOwer is superior to
the people : they this time reduced the representative
86
srEEcii
oi'tlio Crown in the ppovince of QiU'hcc to a mere
autoniutun, who had notliin^' to do but what he
was ti)hl by his Ministers. His (.Mr. Lauricr's) party
were liiberal ; tlu-y contended that the majority must
govern, tiiat tlie will ot'tlie peopk^ mint pre Viiil. and
that tlie Crown had its riylits iis well as the p^uple
theirs. Tlie best regulated State was the State in
Avhicii tlie rights cl' the Crown and the rights of the
jieople were clearly defined and greatly re.-<ijeeted.
This was not the doctrine of honorable gentlemen
opposite. Tn connection with this he claimed that
it was neither their duty nor their province to criticize
the coi;duct <if Mr Letellier.
Ills I'Kol'KH .iriKiES
Avere the people of the ))rovinee of Quebec. He would
not follow the honorable gentleman in the controversy
respecting the action of .Mr. Fietellier; liut would
leave it to the juagiiieiit ot'the i)eople. J>ut he would
say this : that it would be the most dangerous prin-
ci))le and the most serious blow tlisit could be effected
against our institutions if the proposed motion were
carrieih The carrying out of this prnpoiition would
be a direct invasion of the Federal system under
which we lived. It was a well kntjwn tact tliat had
the jirovince of f^uebec not represented a minority of
n ditferent creed, race and language, the union would
not have been a Federal one. It was the federative sys-
tem that gave to the ])rovinco of* Juobcc its autonomy.
lie was especially jealous to keep up the p.rinciples of
theFi'deral system umler which we lived. He submit-
ted that the Dominion Covernmcnt had no power to
iiitciicre with a matter which affect(Ml the provincial
constitution of Quebec alone. It would be a most
diuigerons principle t'or this Parliament to interfere.
He agreed with the honorable leader of the Opposition
"VN'hen he said that the provinces were free and res[ton-
sible g<jvernments. If that jiroposition was a correct
one, even though a great wrong had been com-
ON THE QlEl'.Kr MINIsTKI.'IAI, ('rU>:^IS IN 1871 87
niittcd ngiiiiiHt tho people of Quebec, was it not a fact
that tliey liad
THE llEMEDV IN TIIEIl! OWN HANDS,
if they (lid not api>rove of tho conduct of tlic late
(loverninout '.' It wouhl, indoed, l)e l)otter that a
wronp (.'oniinittod in the Truvince of Quebec sliduld
reinaiu than that the system of feileral ixovernnient
should he je()p;irdi/.ed. II<; did not mean to lay down
tlie propositiiin that no matter wliat chanjxes mij:;ht
take ])l;ice in the government or(iueI)ec, I'arliament
shouhl not interfere; he fninkly iulmitted that a
wrong might perehance l)e eoiumitted in the province
of Quehuc which wouhl justify tins Parliament to step
in. It would certainly he the duty of the Dominion
(lovenimcnt to interfere in order to redress a wrong
which tho people could not themselves remedy, iiut
if this power was exercised on slight grounds, what
would become of our l-'odoral machinery which they
had been at such pain to establish ? lie submitted
that the resolution placi^d in tho hands of Mr. ^[>eal<er
would, it'carricd, be an invasion of the right."!! of the
people of Quelicc. J5ut honorable gentlemen opposite
said that the right.s of tlie people of Quebec had been
trifled with and invaded by tl
i(! ac
•tion of tin; Lieute-
mint-(h)vernor. Well, as he had already pointed out,
the people of Quebec could remedy the evil them-
selves l)y overthrowing the present legal advisers of
the Crown. It
war
not for this Parliament to sav
whether the Lieutenant-Ciovernor had acted jmii-
ciously or injudiciously, wisely or imwisely — that
Wiis a question which would be decided afterwards.
Lieiiteniiiit-GoveFuor Lctclliei'S ki
ANOTIIKU MOTION OF (KysUIlK
A I'I.EA nillril slMs II' THE WIKiI.K i^riCSTliiN
In l.ST'.i, tlieC'otistM'vatives, wlioliinl just rccaptun-ii powci'
atfottfiwii, leturnnl to tin' I'liarge a.miinst the lati' L('ti'lli<^r ilo
i^t.lnst. lint, tliis time, it was not Sir .lolin, wlin liml Itecomw
Priiii" Mini.-tcr, who i)if)i)o,so(i tlu'ci'hsnie ; it was Mr. Moii«-
.•^(■au, a juililif man since disnpiioarcd IVoni tlic woild's staj.'!-,
wild took iij) tlii^ MaofloiiaM motion of tlio jncviou.s session.
Ml', laui'icr, on tliis occasion, delivered a s|icecii wliich suniH
up admirably llie whole (jiierttinn.
{HOUSE OF COMMONS)
>ITTIN(i OK TllK TiTIl .MAIK II. 1.S79
Ml!. sI'EAKKi;,
T do DDL risi' witli the vion' ti» answer the speech
of tlie lionoralilc monilier i'or Lincoln, hecau.se 1 do
not see anythin;^- in lii.s japeech to lie answered. Wlien
the lionorahle gentleman lir^t lieuan liis speech. I
took a blank slieet of jiaper and a pen t<> take up any
points made against tJie Oppt)sition in thi.s Ilnuse ;
hut T had not occasion to use my instrument at all.
Tlie lirst part <>{' his speech was onsuhjects which had
90
si'Er.t II
no rcfprpnoo tn the niotinn bnforo tho ITouso, iiiul tlio
hi.'^t |i;ii't 111' it, which hiul rcrcrciic*' to tiic iiiolion
hel'iiit' iho ll<)ii<('. hii9 hciMi iinswcreil time mikI u<riiin.
I iilso w.'iitnd tor some tiino to Hcpifiiny ul'thc honor-
iililc gciith'iiK'n mi the TrciiHury IiciichcH would v\i*e
to tt'U us wiiat wdulil lie th<? policy of th('( iov(!rium'iit
on this (jucstion. Pcrhnps the t'lut that tlic motion
wiiii h is now Ix'fori! tlio IIousowuh hist yoar presented
hy tlie lender ol'the Opposition, the present Premier
of this ( lovernment, and is not reneweil hy him now,
may he. taUen as some evidence hy the Umise that,
Avhiitever m.'iy he the future conduet of the (Jovern-
ment upon this nueslion. if their own feelinj^s had
been followed, this imitter would not luive come a
pecond tiim before this Ilou-Je. F he^ to remind the
Ibiuso of this, that the motion which was made last
session,
rui- IliKXrli Al. MOTION
which we have ii'Mv hefort^ lis, was neijjatived hy a
larui' niiijoiity of this llou?e. T say, at the outset,
uhen this motion was nejfatived hy a large Uiajority
of lhi3 Houst;. the majority did not then iissert that
the principhunvolvcd in this motion was not true
anymore than they would assert that it was true ;
they did not assert that the condui'l of Mr. Letellier
was wise any more than it was unwise; that it was
constitutional any more than it was unconstitutional.
The Ibnise carefully and distinctly abstained from
pronouncini:' any opinion upon th(> conduct of .Mr.
i.etellier. The I louse held, at the time, that there
was no occasion for it to interfere in this matter, and
that, under the regime under which we now live, the
l)rovinces are free anil independent. not only one of the
other, but of the central power as well. This House
adirmed that, whenever any provincial difTerence^ a-
rise. tliey should be settled by the application of the
])rinciples of responsible government with which
every province is endowed, and det'ided tliat thia
(iN THE i.i:tki,i.iki;V ai r.vu
M
matter, wliioli iifP^ted solely tli(! iiiterosta nl' the
pwjple of Quehec, sliouM l)t' left to tlioir judginont,
lic-t evi-
liet'ii aup-
AM» TO TIIKM MONK
it iip)M'riaint'il to decide uliftlier or not the ii<'t tif Mr
Li'tflliiT Wiis wise imd toii?titutioiiiiI. At hut time,
the pt'ojilc of the in'ovlncf of Qnclx'c luid imt decided
ui»(»n it ; they had just been seized of the (inestion.
The elections hud not yet taUen jdaee. imt wereinjjro-
ftress ; tliey hud sinee taken phice. iiiul. wliatever may
he said hy honoralile yiMitlemen opposite, the result
Jiad lieen to uphold the action ol" Mr F.etelHer.
Several honoralde niemhers : — No, no.
.Mr. haiirier • — W'iiat are you here for, if
you .«ay no? If your (lovernment h;id not
h(>en detV'uted. why should you I'C liel'ore tins
House? ^■our very motion is iho
dence of what T suy. If your conrsf had
l)orted Ity the i)co|)le. you wouhl not seek, at the
hands of tiii.'< House, tlif venueanee whicji you are
now seckinji;. I allirm what I hnvi' already said, that
the people oftiio province of <iueltee. who alone are
interested in this (juestion, have decided that, in their
()j)inion, whether that he ri;j:ht or wron<i. the art of
Mr. Letellier was just and constitutional. Tf sui'h he
the case, if this question has already ))een once hefore
the House, if this House lias aln^ady declined to inter-
fert^ in this matter, and deciih'd to have it entirely in
the hands of the people of (iuehec. and if tin; people
of tlic ])rovince of Quehee havtt decided upon it, is it
not hut proper that this (piestion should he laid at
rest forever hefore this House? 1 do not hesitate to
fiuy that this matter would have forever remained at
rest hefore this House, had it not heen t'or another
fvnt which has since taken place, namely, the Pomi-
nion elections. W'v. have had it iVoni the mouths of
honorahle gentlemen opjtosite. Tin; result of the
gonerul elections has heen to displace the maiority
fi'om the Liheral to the Conservative ranks, and now
that a new element is hrought into tla; House, u new
92
Sl'FKCif
atli^iiipt is mado tn irct tlie new luajority to do wluat
the old inajni'ity would not do.
TO srp.srrn'rK tiik wri.i. ov 'piik dominion-
for the will of the province of (iuelioc, Kven without
the language that i'ell from the li[)^ of ridiaehonorablo
gentlemen opixisito. I would luive taken this motion
as u slur u[)on the majority of tlio lV)rmer House. The
idea convoyed hy it, not. it is true, in language, but
as clearly as if expressed in words, isthatthe Lil)eral
majority, wliich sat on the other side of the Ifouso
last year, deliberately refused to do justice in the
premises; that, since the party ousted from power at
Queliec happened to be the Conservative party, and
the party called to power hai>pened to be the liiberal
l)arty. tin; Lil)eral majority in this House allowed
their better judgment to be biassed l)y their jtolitical
feelings. As one of that majority which ruled hist
pession, I do not object that this accusation should
be thrown at us, provided that that the same standard
of measure should be applied this time again. And,
if this motion is to be alHrmed, if the Conservative
majority in this House is to do what the Lilieral
majority would not do last year, if tliey are going
I
TO KIDK OVEII TIIK IMtoVINiES,
if either the majority whicii insisted last ye;ir upon
respecting the right ol' the provinces to self-govern-
ment, or the majority which this year may infringe
upon those right?^ ; if either majority. T say, are to
be liranded as being actuated by improjicr motives,
r have no ol)jection to that, and we will cheerfully
await the judgment of impartial men and imi)artial
history. iJefore going further, let me make one olser-
vatiun. The elections in the province of Quebec hi'-t
year took i)lace upon the issue raised by the act of
Mr Letellier. and upon no other issue. At the very
outset of the campaign, in a sjipoch delivered in the
ON TIIK I.CTKIJ.IKl!
Al'rAI!:
5>a
town III' I,fvis. l>y Mr Cliiijiloiiu, tliR present lejuler of
tho O|ipo.sition in (iiiobec, lie stated that tliis (juc.-ftion
(if'tlio (lisniisfliil ol' the Ministry liy Mr T.ctcllicr waii
the only (luestion which the jx-opic ^h luld look at.
He used very forcihlc htn<riiaf.^('. T have not the
6i)ei.'{'h hel'orc \uv. hut F Isfpt the »'xact Avord.s in my
memory, which has not I'ailed me. He put it, that
whatever miirht have bcfii their Iniiiufis as Ministers,
evenil'they had hicn defaulters and thieves, they
had hecn <lisniissed improperly and ilU'fxally, and it
Avas the duty of the people of (^uehec to restore them
to the place i'rom which they had lieen dismissed. On
the other hand, .Mr Joly. tho i»resent leader of tiu>
<i(ivernment, accepted the issue upon tiial i^round
alone. He .=?aid to tiie people that he fully endor.sed
A.M) ACCKPTKIi Tin: RKSI'ONSI III 1,1 I Y
upon
overn-
rrini>;e
are to
utives,
u-fuUy
)artiiil
1)1 Per-
ec Ip'-t
act of
e very
in the
of the act of Mr. F^j'tellier — that it was an (extraordi-
nary act. hut that it was justilitMl and called for hy
the circumstance-; ' he case. As T stated, the result
was that the act of .M. . Letellier was upheld. I need
not remind this House that every one of us holds his
Eeat upon an issue in the consideration o|' whicli the
(|Uestion now hcfore the House did not count for any-
thing-. T heard the honorable gentlemen from Card-
Avell say that tins question had been voted upon, at
least in the province of Quebec, on the 17lh September.
T take issue with this. This is theiirst intinnttion I have
ever had of it. Whatever may have taken jdace in
the province of ()uoboc, T am ijuitesure it never was
discussed in the other jtroviiues. T>et me now >;sk it
of lu)norable ucntlenieii from the sister ])rovinces : let
me a[»peal to their faiiaiess and justice, even il' tins
House had the authority to interfere in this matter,
would it be fair and just to the province of (^uelKH; for
this House to interfere in the matter, since the jieople
of the province <if 'iuebee are alone alVecttd by this
act : since they alone are to suffer from it, if it has been
unwise : since thev alone are to suffer from it. if it be
^ I
94
SPEEril
u
I! I
unwise; since they alone are to benefit from it, if it
be wise ; since tbey have lield it, in tlieir estioaation,
to bo \\y.c: would it be just, would it be wise,
won.!' IT V>E CONsTlTCTIoNAr,
for gentlemen of the other provinces to condemn what
those interested in it have ai>i)roved ? I might ask
it also of my mure immediate countrymen, of those
of fellow-origin and fellow language; I jnight ask
them if tlicir conduct, on the occasion, is patriotic?
Ts it patriotic in them to ask the aid of tlie eister pro-
vinces, sinee their views have not ])revailed at the
polls, in order, under their united action, to crush
the exj)ressed will of their own province ? What they
arc driving at is to obtain a mere party triumph, and,
to do that, they are ready to sacrilicc the vested rights
ol' tiieir native province. In oidcr to obtain a mere
party triumi)ii. tbey ask the aid and co-operation of
a foreign ]iower. — liccause 1 hold that the l*'ederal
power, in p\nely provincial matters, is a foreign
])0\vcr— tbey ask liie a'.d of a I'oreign power, forgetting
tiiat. whenever a ])arty in any country, in order to
obtain a triuni])h ovcv a rival party, calls jn the aid
and co-oj)eration of a foreign power, the invariable
consciiufcuce has always been
rilK KNSI.AVKMKNI' oF THi: WlloI.K rOfNTItV,
I do not ainirt'liend that so fatal a result w<iuld follow
iVoui the a<t of honorable gciitlcnx u o]iposite. but the
result would lie that a l^reacb would be openi'tl in the
princi[)le which we have always looked ui>un as the
bulwaik of oiii ]M'ovineial liiierti(;S. And just look at
the justice whieii is meted to Mr. beiellier in this case I
fiast year, when the motion was brought up. anil
when it was asked that it should lie brought in the
shajieofa substantial niotion. so that it might be
open to an amendment, they w culd not do so. but
insisted 'ii 1)rin-imi- on the uiot on for the House to
OS THE l.KTKl.I.IKli S Al'KAIR
05
if it
ation,
II wliat
lit asic
tllOdO
lit ask
I'iotic ?
QY |)V()-
iit the
crush
it tlicy
h. aiul,
I riylit=<
I lucre
;i()U of
I'fderal
I'orcigii
Si' et ting
(U'r to
he aid
arialilo
follow
lUt the
in tlio
bs the
|i)ok at
ca^ie I
|). oinl
in llio
hi he
, liut
li.^e to
go into coiuiuittce of supply, so that the true resolu-
tion at which the House iiiifiht have arrived was pre-
vcntcil from iroing on tlie journals of the House. And
this time, as sottn as the niotinn is made, my honor-
ahlo t'rierid from Laval (Mr. Ouimet ) stands up and
moves tlie previous (luestion. It is true, in moving
tlie previous (|Uestion, he was kind enougli to .siiy
that he did not mean to stilh; this (piestion ; and he
was also so strict as to give a precedent to show that
the moving of tlie jircvious (luestimi would not prevent
free discussion. \\'liat then did he want to jirevent '.'
Tt was that tlieo])inion elicited hy this free discussion
should not go down upon tlic jimrnals of the Hoii~e.
He knew that tlie motion couhi lie met succcs.^fully
with an amendment whicii, jierhajis, might liave i)een
carried hy a majority (^I'the House, and. in oi'dcr to
gel a verdict, cnt'/ir qiir cin'itr^ against Mr. Lctellier, lie
prevented
Till; l■or.<I^,ll,^^^• oi' a.\ AMr.M).\n;.NT
licing made. No doulit, a good many gentlciuen from
our sister t)rovinces have given this (piestion hut little
attention and the })apers l)rought down a very iiidif-
ferent jjerusal. and have di'rive(l tluir knowledge of
tlie case mostly from the indictment of Mr. hetellier
drawn yesterday and to-day. Perhaps ihey think he
has jierpetrated a great crinu'. and proved false to
the cause of liherty. II' they look at those papers,
however. Ihey will tind there is another side to the
])ictuie whi'd) has heen cxhihited to them. They will
iind that the honoralile gentlemen who have dilated
at su(li length on the conduct of Mr. Lctellier. might
have dilated, at some length also, on the conduct of
his advisers ; they will lind that, if the conduct of the
Lieutenant-Cicvernor was extraordinary, the conduct
of his advisers was still more extraordinary ; they
will find that, if the conduct of Mr. Loteilier has Imt
few [trecedent^ in iSiili-l; i)arliam"ntary history, that
of his adviser.- has nom,' at all. Tiiev will lind ihat
06
i?l'KECII
Ilia adviser.^ systemiitically ti'iunpleil dnun tlie VDyal
prerogative, tlu; liberty of the i)ei)()le, and the civil
rifihls of the pi.'ople ; that the },'overmnent of (iuebec
Avas I'ar^t falling
INTO TIIK HANDS (>V AX oLK.AliCMV.
wiiich eoiiiph'tely (liari'jiarded the royal authority,
and remembered the peo[)le only to put new burdens
upon it. They will find that this oli.uarchy was itself
ruled by rinu;:^, the greedy ai)petite of wiiich had to
1)8 fed from the public treasury ; and that the trea-
sury nail lo he rci)icm>iiea by the |KM)iiM'at tl>e price
of th(Mr civil liberty ; that since the days ol kintr John
no such attempt was ever made on the liberty and
civil rij^hts of the peo[)le in any part of the IJritish
em))ire. Mr [.otellier, to the lon<r array of cluir.Lces
a.u;ainst him, mi<j;ht answer in the lanp;uage of the old
Roman, who, beiuir broupht to the forum t(t answer
an accusation, merely said : " T swear I have saved
the country. " Hut the parallel could not go any
farther; the historical chara<^ter to whom I have just
alluded had committed a crime, while >rr Letellierhas
committed no crime.
IIK KXKRCISED A UriillT
!■' )
he had the abstract ]>ower ti> exercise. It is said the
exercise of it was unwise; but, in tlie estimation of the
])eople of Quel)eo. that unwise act has saved the coun-
try. Thi'^ opinion is not held simply by a political
party, but is shared l)y the great majority of the people?
Avhich no one knows !»etter than the Premier himself.
He is aware that thousands who voted for him in
the late elections supported Mr I.etellicr's view and
his present Ministers, and would do so again. Before
I dismiss this branch of the subject. T will call your
attention to the bluc-liook containing the petition of
^Messrs. Chapleau. Angers, and Cburch. asking for his
removal. I call attention to this because it mav serve
ON" THE I.KTKI.I.ir.R AKFAII!
to ali'iw tlio cliMnictcr til' Mr TjOtollifr's adviser?, aiuT
tlio justice lie inu«t have rcceivcfl t'roni tlioin. Tliey
set (<>n\\ thill :
111 his roiauiuniciitioii to liis Exoolli-ncy tlm (lovi-rnor-
(if'ticral, respectin.i; the utoio.said <U*ini'"-iil. ^fr LetcUii-r mailo
stiitPtiK'iits ut)su))|pi>rt(''l liy ami in contiinliiMion with the olli-
cial ilii 'ainiMit^, in '.vliiih they ichU"'. •md tii.it, iii the (ipiiiiun of
till' uu'iei'.-i;^iii- i, vi/.,l>ii' j)i'litiiiii,M-,>ii('ii ei'ion.'ous stiiti'iiieiits
(;oiilcl iint have lioon iiiinle hy iiiistnk<' or laihiri' (iT nifmoiy.
Xii morf uriovotis cliariio coiihl lie inado against
any ;j.ciitleni.in l«'(>ui;ht U|) innh!- P.riti.>-h ich-as of
lionour. accoKliiiij; to which a tientlcniaii's woi'd i.s
sacred. Now, what Avc.'rc tlie I'act-^? Tlu.'fo statenu'iits
Avere snlmiiUed in connection with tlio.se ot'Mr Letel-
lier in lii« nieinorial tu Lord I)utrerin, to the effect
tliat \\\^ anthnrity had ahvavH lucn eoniph.'tely
DIsUKOAHDKIi nv U\< ADNIHKKS,
and. a? an illustration of his char<:'e. he in.atanced two
]iroi'laniations which had heen puiilished without his
i^iguature. The jictitione'rs allege tiiat i-tatiMuent is
xtntrue, as they say Mr. Letellier well knew, and that,
in tact, the jiroclaniat ions, when they were puhlished,
bore his i-iunature. What is Mr. Jietellier".s answer to
this charge of wilfully and designedly alleging an
untruth ? !!(> says his attention was <'alled to the
])Uhlication of those proclamations liy his private
secretary ; that. thereu{)on. he wrote to Mr. De IJou-
(dierville, who came and ackowledged the error, and
that, in his presence, anil in i;rder to set the matter
right, he ajipended his signature m the original pro-
clamations, Here is a I'luuplete defence, wliicdi. T
in.-ist. shows the had faith of the traduceis of Mr.
Letellier. If the charge against him had heen true,
they were hound, in inuiuur. to ciill the attention of
the House and Ilis Kxcellency to the I'act. and to
demand the evidence of Mr. De Itoucherville, since
;Mr. Letellier gave him as having been witness to
7
98
sriECK
l! I
> !■
Ilia {ipi)entling his sij^'niiture to the pvncliunationf . Tf
they couhl not liave lujiintained tlieir thiuge. thc-y
Mere houiul to admit tlieir error. Their rejoiudf r was
unworthy (jI' leaders of a great party; their answer
WiMo a mere (luihbling of lawyers, such as would not
b' xi)eeted from men of honour. They say in their
rei»iy to liis explanations :
Dealing with tliat port of the Lieiiteiiant-Goveiuor'.s
answer wliiiii hears n]ion one of the ehiiiges contiiinecl in the
petition, and in which iio states in cnntnKliction to olhcial
and authentic <loouiiitnts, that lie signed the jitoclamjitions
referred tf; ; iter tiieii' piddieation, thi^ uuilersigned repiest-nt
Hint thirt e.xplanat on is of no value, in ]iicsenee of the iaet.s
estahlis';j'I ' .. thf piociamations hearing his signatuie, and
the dates at Aviiicli tiiey were signed. It is ditlieult to undei-
stand how the Lieutenant-' iovi'iiioi can hear evidenci' against
liis ( .vn signature, aid exjieot that his statement uj^on the
poini n be ciediteii.
Ill their rcjo' dcr, they do not rcall'irm their
accusation, viz., tliat the i)roclaniatioiis: were signed
hefore their public jition. liut they say that Mr. Letel-
lie could not lie admitted to aflirm the fact that ho
had only signed thcni afterwards. Tf they had hecn
in earnest in this, thoy would liave called" for j\Ir. De
llouf hcrvillc's evidence ; and now. when it apjiears
that Mr. Letellier signed the ]»ro(ljiniati(ins t.r jiaf^t
facto, ills enemies attempt to deny him the liorjcfit of
the fact. and charge him with an untruth. Tf the charge
made against Mr. lietellier iiad hcen true, it would
have been of the most damaging character, but. being
not true, the cluirge must redound with e(iual i'orce
against his traducers. liut. wluthei' .Mi-. TAdellier's
action was constitutional or not. a far more imiiortant
(luestion, to m}' mind now arises :
1I.\S THIS llotsE AUTIK.HirV
to en(juiie into that act and condeiiin it ? Tf this
motion was proposed simjily to elicit a purely abstract
ox THK LKTKI.I.IKK AIFAIU
DO
exi)resr-ion of oi)iiiion whicli winiUl remain liarrou of
result, we might have discussed it to our lieart's eon-
tent, just as wo might discuss any other (juestion
wliich any honorahle gentleman might choose to
1)ring ; just as \vr might discuss the recent events in
France and the causes which led to Marshal Mac-
Mahon resigning the ])residency. l>ut, if this motion
is intended tn he. as indeed it is. a picgnant motion, if
it is to he followed up. if passed, hy the censure and
dismissal of .Mr. f.etellier. then T suhmit respecti'ully
and earnestly that this House has no authority to
emiuiri^ into and condemn his conduct. T allirm that
proiiosition and invite its discussion. Of course, F
would not go the length of saying that wcnever could
in any case interfere in jirovincial matters, and no
honorahle gentleman on the other side of tlie ]Iou.=e
will alHrni that we would iiave that right of interfer-
ing in every case. Since then, we will agree that this
House has the power to interfei'c
IN SOME CASES. Not IN AM .;
where is the land-niark to he found, where is the line
to he drawn, uj) to which it must he legitimate for
this House to interfere and heycnd which it woitld
lie crimin.'il for it to do so. T think the answer has
heen given hy the House on several occjisions. The
Constitutional Act gives the Federal Fxecutive the
\:o\vcr ol' tlisallowiiig provincial laws. This power
heing given to the Fxecutive. it foUows that the exer-
cise of it is hrought within tlie jurisdiction of this
House, {(> wiiich the Fxecutive is resjionsihle. The
doctrine is now well settled tliat this [lower of disal-
lowing proviricial laws is to he conlincd to thosecases
only where I'rovincial r.egislatures n)ay have stepped
heyond their jurisdidioo hito pi'iihihited ground;
that this power is to lie exercised only for tlie protec-
tion of Tnijierial or Federal ri,::hts which may have
heen invaded hy I'rovincial Legislatures. 1'Ut nc ver
to alVonl relief to anv section of the coniiuunitv in
100
•I'KKril
tlic p'-ovinrf; wliii'Ii may doi'in ilscly iijTLM'icved liy
tliiU IcKishitiiiii. The ddctrilK' is now well settled tliai,
if V
rovmciiil
,('tiislattir(>
■ci) williiii the lurirtdlc
tioii whitdi U alU)tt('(l to them liv the rdii-tilutiiui.
liDWcvor ddidUri their hiws mav lie. hi
iwevei- (h'S|i()tU!
and tyrannical. howMjver desiruus l)i>th the Kxr'cutivo
and tiietiovcrniricnt might l)e (d'aHnrding roliefagainst
pueli la-\V:S, yet tliis Ifnino will not iiitei'fei-e. hecnuse
iiiterffirencf! in such ca<e,-4 would he
i
f
i;
)'
I
i
+ .1
A VIOLATION Ol' I'llK I'KliKl; A I, IM; I M I TIK,
ami. ill all such ca^os, the a^<!;i'it'ved portion ot' tlie
comm mity mast .seek, and ean I'md its relicl'in the
ai>plicatioM oftho juincipU of resijonsihle Liovern-
mt'nt. The ))('oi)U' ean a,<iitate and lliey ean vote, and
a peo))lo who eai: vote ha.« in its han(hw the instru-
ment wlieroliy to rodross all its grievances, the wea-
])on to avenge all its wrongs ; and those who ])elieve,
as T do. in the odicacity ot' respon.sihh- govoi'nment
know that these weajions are aiii])ly acleqii.ite. and
tliat. with tiicm. truth and justice will prevail in
the end. Tl'sueh he the rule I'or legislative acts, .such
must Ite tlio rule with regard to admiiii.stration,
hecause administrative act.s are. as legislative acts,
suhject to the judgment ofthe ]ie()plc. who may ];rv>-
nounce ujion them in a regular way. Now. as regards
the Lieutenant-! iovernor. under the constitution, the
laws says that he shall he removahle Ibv cause ; hut
what can cause he? T helieve that thes(> causes of
removal can well he offences of a ])crs(inal clnracter.
hut never oirence? connected witli the discharge of
duties of an olhcial character. Tf. foi' instance, the
Lieutenarit-Ciovernor. iiv some grossly dishonourahle
conduct, hrings the diunity ofthe ( row ii into con-
tumely, this and similar otfences might he causes of
removal: hut. if he .sticks within the circde ol' his
functions, however tyranni(>al his acts may he. he is
not removahle. hecause he is
0\ THK T.KTKI.I.IEU AKKATI!
101
(OVKKKD r.Y MINISIKklAI, KK-rnNs| IIII.IT V.
He is nniPiialilc In llic ]um)|i1c. who can not him rijiht,
il'.tiiey lirlit'vo hiiu wtdii^-.aud undo what ho lia.s dune.
Ifit wore otiiorw i.-*o. ii the llou.sf had pnwor to inter-
1'oro liocauso the liioutoiiaut-( iovi rnor hud oircd in
tho di--chari;i' ol' his olli -ial dutv, it wouhl ho an in-
tiinirnnout I'll tiio piinciph'S of iv.^|j(Hi.sihle tiovi-rn-
ment and an alni.se of l-'cdcial ri^lit.s. It has heeii
stated, over since this discus.sinii has hecn coninicncod,
thtvt tlio Liout('nant-( lovornor <»r (iuohcc aetcd arhi-
tmrily, witliont tlie advice ol' his constitutional ad-
visers. If sucli lie the opinion of this House, it was
not tlie opinion ol" the Le>iislatur(> m' Queliec. The
Leo-jshiture of Qiudiec on several occasions expressed
its opinion tlial tlie act of Mr f A-tellier w as witliiu the
exorcise of his functions, and covoretl l)y Ministerial
rosponsihilit V. Tho(iuestion has heen lirouuht several
times liefore the House, and the opinion in eacli case
has lieen precisely tlie same, On the 8th March last,
a motion wa- made for a petition against fvieuti'naut-
(rovernor iiClellier, to he presonteil to I lis l^xcellency
the (Jovernor-( ieueral. the Senate and House of Com-
luons. A point of order w;H raised upon the ;^round
that the ])etition was injurious lo His i'lxcellency the
Lieutenaiit-(iovernoi. Tlie S|)eaker, on that occasion,
irave the following ruling:
It is an essential piiucijilo of inomiri'liical constitutinnal go
vevuiaeiit that tlu' down can (.'omiuil no wionir. The LitnUe-
nant-< iovenior rein'osi'nls tiie Crown in iMir Lt'irislatures. It is
tlierelbro necessary that tliL-re should l>e, near the Sovereign,
near the Lieutenant-Governor, advisers, Ministers, wiio always
bear the responsiliilitv wliirli (^an never he laid on the <'iown,
and to the eontinnaine of liiat respon^ihility there can be no
limit. And although use is male of the ti.-rni " Liiutenant-
Govornor " in tiie .\ilress(^s, us also in the measures suhuiiltcd
to the House, from the very nature of our oon^titution these
words are addressed only to the .Ministers who are re.sponsihlo
to the Assembly. The person i^vcn of the Sovereign, in his
representative, is never brought in (piestion. In the present
case, the conijilaints contained, in the nu'tion. apply
J
102
spEiair
to tlie fvlvisers of His KxcfUency tlio Lioutenaiit-fio-
VPiiior, — aii'l I iiui.st, tlierrl'oro, <locluro it in oi'ilcr.
Ami to his ruling;,
BOTH SIDES OK TIIK IIOl'SK ASSKNTKD.
1
In the month of June hist, the fiOifishitive Council nf
(iuehei — !Uk1 I may say tliat tliore is not a moreCon-
servati^re l)o(ly undov the sun — dechircd the same doc-
trine ; it was moved and a<rreed to •• Tliat His Kxcel-
leney the l>ioutenant-< Jovernor was advisi'd to dismiss
liis Ministers in March hist, at a time when tliey en-
joyed the contidence ol'hoth branches of the Legisla-
ture '". Now, here we liave an opinion ol'hoth branches
ofthe Letiislature of Qut^hec that Mr Letellier was
fully covered by Ministerial responsiljility. T ask.
therefore, if the act of Mr Letellier, au covered bv
Ministerial resjionsibility. is an act suliject to tin;
censure of this House? Can Mr Letellier be respon-
sible at once to liis Ministers, who are responsilde to
the House of Asseinl)ly. and at the same time to tli<;
House of Coiiimons? iUit it will I)e sakltbat thcres-
])on9iliility of Mr Letellier's Ministers isapure lletion.
This fiction, however, is the very life of responsible
jfovernment. If you do not acknowledge it this time,
Avhat will jirevent you from acknowledjj;ing it else-
where? If you acknowled<ie it this time, you are liound
to follow it to its legitimate consequence, which is
TIIK .IfDO.MENT oK TIIK PKoI'l.K
and no other judgment. Now, it lias been said that
Mr Letellier's act has not been approved by tbepeitple.
I desire now to say a few words on this (piestion. Tn
approaching this subject. T feel a good deal like a,
prol'essor of a college, who once sai<l lie wanted to
])rove, by a long disijuisition, the light of tlie snn at
noon. < >ae pui)il .it once said it was suiUcient for him
to look at the sun. Tn a like manner, it will perhaps
ON TME I,ETKI,LIEI{ A I'I'AI 14
]0;5
bo sulii.^ient for honorahh; gentlomon t!) look at what
now t'xist:* ill tlie province of (iaelte<!, in order to be
satisfied tliat Mr iiOtellier's (Jovernnient iiad a majo-
rity. Wlien a vote ot" want of contidonco was l>roui;ht
a<iain.st the Joly « iovcrnment, upon the Address, it i.s
true tiiat the motion was carried by a vote of ■'!-* to ol.
This vote, however, was taken not in a full IFouse,
and at that timt? another motion was immediately
hroiigiit in, atHrminf)f the confidence of the peoi)le in
the new (iovernment, which motion was alUrni'jd in
a full House. But tliat was not yet the best evidence.
Tiie best evidence is thi- : O.i the Sth .March, Mr An-
fj;ers, the ox-Attorney-(leiieral. moved tlu^ following;
amendment to the Sup[)ly Hill : —
That tlio J'liU bo not now roii'l : hut tlmt tin' ii'diliiig
tli'Ti'ot he suspendeil until such tiiiio ii-s justioo .sluiU iiuvo
hc.ni ron lorcd to thn mijoritv of tiiis ilousc, in .'is much as,
\vhcn til" resolutions upon which the saiil Bill is hiiseil were
ailoptf'l, tilt,' ( 'ahini't cliar,i.'eil with the iiuhlic liiisiucss enjoyed
the c intidenci' of this IIou>e and of the country, whilst th<'
|ireseut A hnini'^tratiijn does not jiossess tlrit cc)n(idoni'e.
Now, Mr speaker, th'.it was
TlIK TltiE CONSTITI'TION.M. KEMKDV.
at
i n
Ito
iit
im
Tf an injustice had l»een done, there was a true le^^il
remedy in the liauds of the province. Tf the supplies
had been refused, Mr. fiCtellier would have been com-
pelled to take back his old (Iovernment or re.~i,u'n his
]jositioti. lUit. Sir, when the new House, t'resii from
the people, elected upon this very issue, met aj^ain,
tlie supi)Iic3 were! voted. Ts there a man in this House
who will say tliat justice has not been done to th.e
late (iovernment of (Quebec, since they themselves have
been condemneil by the tribunal to which they
appealed? I hold, Sir, that this motion, now in your
hands, cannot lie carried if there is any flense of justice
in the House. The prenuses of the motion do not
warrant the conclusion. In the laniiua^e of the mover
101
.-"I'KIIC'II
unci Hoctiiulor. il is oxpectcil tlii« iiintinu into l.c'ii voti'
of cciiHurc on Licutciiiiiit-I iuvcDior Lctcllicr. to Ik'
jiiiMii|>lly l'nlU)\vc(l liy (li^^iuissiil. fl'Mr. Lctcllicr lind
(Mtiniiiitl(.'<l II criiue, what more ((luld vuu ilo
IF
f 1.-
ii'd fliiir;j;('(l wUli li!ivin<jt uutcd iirliitriirily. Init (nily
witli liiiviiiLi ciiiuiiiiltcil an uiiwiso act. W'lio wniild
liolicvd tliiit ;mi uuwiHc act dencrvt'S 8iud> puiiif^liiiiciit
as (U.siiiiH.sal ,' 1 1' tlio motiou in carried, it will lie the
lirst time a uroat deliherativt; l/ndy shall have
atleiupted In puuish a man lor an act wliich i'- lejue-
g«'ntcil as nothln;^- hut all error,
.\M> SOT A Wll.ni, cIMMK.
f
i i
■ I
•I )
! f
The matter ill dispute lit the present time is .-imply
relatiiiL;' tn the ( xercise nf the prei'niiuti ve. i,ast year,
(li(i hoUDrahle the Premier (Jiil not tli.simle the [irero-
gative, hut he merely ar<riU'd that tlu5 exe rcif-e nf it
was, in all cases, uiiconstitutioiml. The doctrinn o 1'
liuuoralile j;entlemoii oi)pnsite ha? never yet heen
rornially recorded in the Ilritish rarlianient. and all
the authorities liave heen, so far, coutrary tf il. There
are nunu'rous authorities to .«how that the Sovereign,
whatever his name lie, can dismiss his Ministers for
cause, and T would hejj; upon this suliject lo cite the
opinion of Lord Urouulnun. He said this :
ir they ucrc tDi'ii iiinoiiLr tliciu-clvc.-^ by cnillcss di.-.^en-
jsioiis, it' tlicy (lilt'ored In mi the Soveri'i.^ii, il' tln-ir measuics
wen^ evidiMitly niinnii^. if (li,«!ioni)in' abiDiiil ;iiid disiister at
home marked the will lie tcnour of tiioir .iioveniiiuMit, any of
tlicsi.' miu'lit lie cmi^titiitioiial !.'rounds for tlieir ili-;iuissal : ruid,
iiliovc all, il' tiiiMc liHp|ieiU'd tn 1)0 a ;^innT;il feeling' of ili>tni>t,
and disjii|ini'i,itiiin tliroic'liout tin' comiiry, tlmt would lie a
eiullli'ient irriiuuil loi- -iioh a pi()e(jdure.
Now, .Mr. Sp(>al<er. I sujipose Mr. L(!tellier had
this authority in view when hedismisscd his Minir-try.
T. suppose he had in view this, that he could dismiss
Ids .Ministry it' there h!ii)])ened to he a general feeling
of distrust and disai)probaiion in the euuutry, and
I ■
nN IIIK I K'Ii:i I.IKII Al-I'AIU
K*')
tliiit tlicri' wiis :i gt'iiovMl fcflinix '''" distrust hihI tliMi]!-
\tr(ii'iitiiin, till) res 111 t of tlic !i|i|ie!il to the cnuiitiv lia.s
hliDwn; till' I'lut tliMt till- il ismis.-cd ^rt'iitleiaci) caiuc
liiii'lx iViiiu tiic t'lffliiins ill iiii iiotu;il iniinirity was
sullicieut cviiloiK'f III' it. ir.Mr Lcli'lliiT acti.'il iiiinn
thirf iiiitln'i lly til Justily liiin in wiial in- iliil. wlin will
dare to (•(■iisuic liiin? lUit il in iii>i<trd tlwil lie \\ as
not ju-ti lied in tin' exercise nl'tlu! iiieiH;;-;itive. Tiiirf
doctrine. Imuever. Iia- nut yet been Iniind k rurded
in the jnurnals III' tli<; I Imise ut' ('oniiiinns nl' Knulaiid
Tlieri'l'oio, I say, Mr. l.etellier has acted
l.N (,ii(U> I'AITll,
and he has ffood autlmrity to do what ho did. ft' he
ueled in ifood laith, thoiin-ji lie may have acted uiiw ise-
ly and uneon.stitutionally. will Iherc; he riiiind a
iiiaJHrily in this House to say this man is to lie een-
suied and dismissed lieeause he may liavo Mited
unwi.sely. Again, I apiieal to the .sen.sc of justice and
of rairness of Imiiorahle neiitleineii ' iin the si-liT
proviiiee.s. Tt may In,' that upon i 'I'casi ii. I
would not lie just i tied in makinjj,' lids aii|n il, hul lliey
have lieen apiiealed to in the name of lihtTty, and il
is also in the name oflilirrty that 1 Jiiipeal to them,
n would he a very serious tliitej, for tins liou-c to
.step lieyond its jurisdiition. I have lited from Lord
r>rou,i:liaiii to show that the action of .Mr. lictellier
•was justified. You may say that, though he has fol-
loweil the ojiinion of fiord i'.rougham, he has acted
unwisely. 80 he it. lie h:is aiii>eale(l to the people
und you may say the peo[jle iiave acted uiiwi-ily. I
sav. so he it again. I'ut what righ.t have vou
TO <ri!sriTri-K miIi; wishom
ir the wisdom of the [leople of Queliee ? It icay 1
•e
that our notions uf right and wronji: mav not
le C"<iua
il
to the standar;! of other provinces, though J am imt
prepared to admit that. Uut, whatever may he our
106
Hi'EECH
m>
U 'I
,1- '4^
Si I i
ptandarcl in tliis respect, wLiethor low or hif^li, what T
a.ok in tlio name oftlie province to which T hehjnjj.' is
tliat we sliould ho governed according to our own
standard — that we shouhl he allowed tiie ])rivilege ot"
heing ])adly governed, if l)eing governed hy our-
selve.'^ meant l)ad government, Imt, at all events, to
be governed 'y ourselvef-:. This T ask in the name
of iiherty an(l self-government. There can Vie no
<h)ulit. Sir, of one tiling, and tliat is that, if tliis mo-
tion is carried, it will Ije an invasion ol'tlie ])riiiriple3
• f federal
ederal government. It is a matter ot regret, ^n•.
that this first attack upon federal government sliouhl
have come from the province of Qucl)ec. We were
reminded, yesterihiy. hy the honnrahle memher for
ITalton, that, if we have to day a federal form of
government, it was owing in a grent measure ti> the
peculiar position of the province of <iuehec, wliich is
so diff(!rent to the other i)rovin(;es on account of its
origin. T rcmemher, at the time this system was
l)Ut in o])eration. it was extnlled to the sky for this
very reason, that it gave to the people of Quehec a
free, independent an(l untrammelled government. T
have in my hands now a pamphlet whicli was
issued in 1S()7, as the campaign sheet of the Con-
servative party of the province, for the first general
election which took ])lace ofter Confederation. The
very first ])age of the ])am])hlet contains this e.\plosi<ni
of (Mithusiasm :
Sinc<Mlif> lirst (>f .Fiily. l^ilT, Lo\\(>r < "aim lu is now iiilt'd
uiii|<»r ,1 nmv iiinli' ol^;i)vciMim('iit : it i< ii(iinari> Lower' '.lUiu lit,
it i-i till' pi<i\ iiici'i)r(.iiifln'C : with thi-ol<l l'"i'eii«h niiiiu', \v!ii<'h
has heen n'storcil to us, \vj ii;ivy Imn'Ii ^'iVi'ii a Freiidi liov-
vtM'tior, uu'l all truly patriotic souls li.ivc thrillod with Joy,
and witii a noble pride, wlien the iiewspiqiers iiave told us
that the cannon in the old intaiel ot't^uelieL' had roan -il its
great Voice to salute tlie lir>t l'"rencli (inveruor siucc^ lii'io. Wo
li.ive been i^evered fpini Hpiier ("anada : our name is tlu' Pro-
vince of t^iiel>»c : we iiave a freuch Canadian < iovtu'iior, t!i(>
second since t Ijc i^st.nbli-^lnnent ol' tin' coiuitry : wesh;i!! luv(?
oiu' own • ioverinnent and our own Parliament, whei<' ivery-
tliin;' shall bo done hv ami tor tin- French Canadians, and in
ON THE I.ETEI.I.IEK AFFAIR
107
llie French langua;;i'. LMk; must 1)6 a renrga'li', or, wliut i.s the
(•iviiie tliiii;:, an anin-xationidt, not to lie nioveil to tears, not to
feel the heart licatini,' with an indescribable joy and witli a
very legitimate jHifle, at the thoiife'lit of those gioiiou.s results
ot the jjatriotism and the indomitable energy ot'oiu' statesmen t
ofoiu' j)olitical leaders, who, one hundred years alter tiie eon-
• jue.'* of tiie country by England, have decideil the lattei',
already impressed by our heroism and our loyalty, to restore
us toourselvo-;. to restore to us our complete autonomy, and to
confide the saered trust otour natir>nal traditions to a (iov-
•M-nment (siiosen amongst us and composed of our own people.
Wlio do 3'ou tliink \v:is the iiuthor of these lyrical
strains ? Why it was no less than my honorable friend,
the menilior for liati^ot (.Mr. Mousseau) 7H"»^"// muia-
lits ah >lln. Why the very man who tlius rejoiced in
l.SC.T tJKit we had Ijeen restored to ourselves, that the
.sacred trust of our natif)na]ity had heen confided to a
(Jovernmf;nt <d'our own, that we had heen separated
from I'pper Canada. — that very same man is now
nskini;- not only rp]»er Canada, ))Ut Nova Scotia,
New-J>rnn3wick. and thi; islands of the Atlantic and
the islands of the I'acitic, to vouiv to our iud and pro-
tect the sacred trust with which we liad heen entrusted.
I remember, Mr. Speaker, tlio time when our alliance
with Upper Canada was looked ujjou
AS TIIK I!I'i:|;1-:AR of IoWKK CANADA
it was looked ujtonas a demoniacal alliance, the source
of all our evils. Now, Mr. Speaker, if the honorable
member for Ba^-ot was in eni'ucst nt the time wIkmi
he HO ri'joiced at bein^' r(>lievcd i>f an alliance witli
Upper Canada, and if he is in earnest now when Im?
is askin<( tlie people of Ontario, Nova Scotia, New-
Hrunswick, Manitoba, and the other provinces, to
take a part in our provincial affairs, ho mu-l Icel
somewhat like the man in the Scripture, wiio, haviiifj
had a devil expelled from his body, had Ids liody re-
entered liy that same (h'vil, and seven move. Now,
Sir, if we, tlie people of (iuel'cc, in whose favor this
I*
> %
W i!
KiS
SPEECH
fniilV-dfi-iition litis l)ccn es^tnlili.^lu'd. arc to Ijo tliolirst
to attiick it ; if we are to lx> the lir-^t to lay ji sacri-
le;fciius liaiiil U|)(m t!H^sacr(nl ark ol'our liberties, how
loii.L' can we expect that the system will be niaiii-
tuiiicd? If we are to be the first to attack the federal
systciK. tiie Lfun of the citadel at (iucbec will have
again to roar its great voice, to ring the death-knell
"four provincial liberty. Sir, T need not repeat here
that the federative \niion of these jn'ovinces was
cfTccted nn that {)riiiciple, im account of our ix'culiar
l)ositioii ill the [irovince of Quebec ; for this we are
indebted to our fellow citizens and to the mother
country. I have ol'ten asserted, and T do so now,
that we in fiuebec will give way to none in our
devotion to the mother country. There is not. on the
face of th(; iJrilish empire, any class of Her .Majesty's
subjects
.Mo|;K DKVorKI) To TIIK P.UiriSII (KOWN
than Tfer .Majesty's siiltjects of French origin. The
attachment we have for the British flag springs
from a ditTerent cause from that of other ih'itish sul)-
jects. lint, if the cause Ix; ditTerent it is ccpially
powerful. The attachment of our fellow-sul)ject3
of l']iigli.-h origin sinings irom nature, while our
attachment springs from the heart, fmui gratitude.
We love the I'.ritish ling, because under it we havt!
found liberty and happiness. At the same time, we
arc the desceiKhints of I'ranee, of that great natiori
which has placed itselt', with l-'nglaiid. at t he head of
modern civilization; we have derived from our origin
peeuliaritifs, characteristics, institutions, which we
look upon as a national inheritance, and to which we
t'ondly cling. \ am bound to say, Sir. that our na-
tion.'il institutions liave ever been resjiccted by our
lellow-subjects of llritish origin, and T have no
dfuiitt that il'thesafeguards which we have in the fede-
ral system were removed, we would not exjicrience
tVoiii our fellow-eiti/.ens iinv other than the uniform
ON THE I.ETKLI.IKK AFKAIK
l()i>
ur
('.
)ii
of
rin
ir
kind and Licufrous treatnuMit that wo have always re-
ceived. Vet. .Mr. Speaker, the circumstances which
existed in 1S67
ST 1 I.I. KXIST
in isyS ; those circumstances wliicli induced our
statesmen in lSr.7 tn give us a federal Inrm of gov-
ernment and imt a legislative I'orm still exist. Our
legislators at that time iliDUght it hest to give us a
I'edera! Inrm ol" government, more cumhersume and
more expensive though it he. on account of the sujje-
rior liherty which it gives to the people ; and so long
us the sy-lem shall lie in ojieration. it will 1k^ the duty
dl' every patriot to see that its principles are main-
tain(>(i in letter and spirit. Looking upon this mo-
tion 9 T do, and as, indeed, it must he looked U]ion.
as an invasion of the fundamental ])rinciiile of Con-
i'ederation. 1 deem it to he the duty, uiion this occa-
sion, of every patriot to vote down this motion,
widcli. if carried, would sti'ik<' a most severe hlow at
the {)rinci]d" which liimls these province.'- together.
!e
m
--t
AN AFFECTING SCENE IN THE HOUSE
1 INKRAL PANECVRIC OF Mu. llOJ/rON
• 111 tlio l.'itli ^raich, ISSd, till' (-'iiiiiiiliaii Parliament was in
niouiniiiLi-.Hoiioiahlc Mr.lioltoii.oncot till' vcteianr- and iim^t
(li.stiiiL'uishpd liL'Uics of (,'iviiailian politics. liailjti.-t (lii-<i, and the
iioiKiiabk- Ml-. Mackenzu', leader of the ()ii[)Osition. attempted
to paiiegyi'i/.o the niemoiy of his old friend, hut the task was
too iiuiidi lor his sti'<Mij.'th, and. overcome with emotion, he re-
((iie^tt 'I Mr. haulier to eontiniie in his stead. It is this toueli-
iuji sfi'iR'. wliii'h is depieteil in the tollowing extiaet from
the l>iliiil(s :
Mr .Mackcn/.ie ; — T nuiy say, Sir. tliat every one
will jiiin liearlily in the very just remarks nuule hy
the Inmoralile .lienllenieii ojipn.'^itc. and e:J)iecially
those who have long t'elt Mr. llolton'.s inllncnce and
known liis excellent personal i|Ualities. It is iinpos-
siMe I'nr those w ho have I(in<;- been his assoeiates in
ptiblic life. ti> estimate tiie f^reat loss that has hecii
sustained hy his own party, hy the whole IIiiui;eaud
by tlie country. 1 look ii|)on his death at thi< mo-
ment, as it Wdukl be at any time, as ii national cala-
mity, and 1 leel that anylhiiiL'' we can do. as his old
cidlca-ucs in this ilmise, to convey a sense o|" tln^
impression we entertain of his gicat worth to the coun-
try. esi»ecially towards ins bereaved I'ainily, shoubl
be done. T feel mvsell' utter! v unable to .-jav
(Til ■ honoralile ^ciitle.nen \\.i> here sn M\crciiini' a;- to 1,.-
unaMe to piri'eed,;
Mr F.aurier : — If in view of this .L'reat calamity,
thi.- great national cttlamity, I were peruntti'd to
I ;
s : I
ill
I »
Si i
I
112
SPEECH
speak witli iicr^oiial l't'('!iii,i:s. T would j^ny lliat tlR-re
is no OIK' ill 1 lii'j ilou-it' wiia iia-* more that tuy.'^i'ir
reason in lani'sif the doatliot'Mr Ilollon. Tt was my
))ri\'ili'Lii' wlicii r \va,s a very youujx man to lieconic a
i'ricnd of Mr. Ifolton; and, from tliat mmiKMit up to
tlio moiiicnt o| ids untimely doatli. many have iioen
the ocea-inns 1 Inive heeii aide to ap|ivociat(' the many
nolde (|Ualilies \vhi(di endeared him to all (Im-e who
came in (ontact with him. Memhers ofihis House
wild knew him oiilv
as
a })uLilU' man, wlio cou
Id
juili:e of him only from wh.^t took plaee on the tloor
of the House, eiuid apjireeiato his nohle pul)]i<- oua-
lities — they could a])preciate the loftiness of miml that
prom]ited him in everything he did — they <M)uld ap-
l)reeiate his entire sense ol' and devotion to duly, aud
the n<)l>le way in which he carried out his conviclions
of duty. Tlioy ciuild appreciate also the viiinur,
exempt from hiUerness. the moderation, exempt finm
weakness, with which he always del'endc-il his convic-
tions. ]!ut they did not know the whole man. Those,
on the other hand, who had the ailvaiitaire oi' his ]ter-
Hoiial friendship, knew that his private virtues were
on a par with his ])ul)lic virtues. They could appre-
ciate his unflinchin^i- attaohnieid to his friends, his
stronu' domestic atreelion. his larji'e and tender heart,
which revealed itsell'in everythin.ti' whether great or
small, lie is now no more, and the best tribute that
could be paid to his meniory are the words which
have fallen from the hoiKU'ablc First Minister's \\\)S,
'" that his loss wmild be almost as much felt bv those
Avliose views be cmiii)ate(l as liv
.-e wliose I'pmions
be upheld.'' Thmmh en<raged all his life in active
political stru.LTule.s. thmigli all his life a strouL;' jiarty
man, yet there is satisfaction in thethought that in this
country, where political strife entail-) nunh bitteincss,
lie has not left one single enemy bebiiu] him. liis
loss will he mourned alike by his friends and politi-
cal fo(\s, and all fc(.'l to-day that there is a ghiom in
this hall which darkens it and which must tlarkeii it
nut onlv lor this session but lor iiianv sessions to
I y
ON MK. IIi>I.T(»X3 PEATir
113
a
'1
fil
;
1
'1
;
1
■1
1
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:
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'
A Toiist to tlie Fi'ciidi Aeaikiiiy
KKI'LV IIV Mil. LArillKR
TllK l-l;KN( II ( ANADIANS AXU TIIK.Il; A.NcIKNT MoTlIKU
lor.NTRV.
Mr. Loui- I'rcc'liPtto, tin- n\n<t floijiU'iit oT the I'lciicli
jjoft;- ot AiiKMic.i, luul liecii lioiKnt'il with the ciowiiiiiL' ul one
ot liis works Viy tilt' I'l't'iicli .\(:iilciiiy. < Mi this occasion, lii.s
Ijiiohcc aihiiiroi.s I'liti-rtaiiifd him at a ^raiul haii(|iU't on tlie
17th XovtMnltiM', l.SM). All the intelli.^encu ami the elite ol the
society ol' the ancient caj'ital, without distinction of nationality
weie jiic^ent. Called nj)on to rfply to the toast ot th" I'lench
Academy. Mr. haniier spoke as loUows ;
(TntiisliUloii)
Mk. ClIAIUMAN
AM> (ilCNTI.K.MtN,
Ah the ('hainiiiin li;is aiuiiiunced. T have liow tlie
lioiKir to jiropiisc the lieallli of tlic Krciicli Academy.
In iiivitiiiL;- yiiu to drink tlii.s toast. T do iiot think I
am called uiion to f-jieak (d' the learned j.ody, the
focu.s of all the p;iorits, the lawmaker of liie
language, and the isuprenM^ aildter in litei;,-
ry matters. I mean the Fren( h Aeadeniy. as we
know il. The Aeadenjy exists and that is snilieient ;
it is nei'dless to say anytldng more; its history is
enough lor its. I!ut T wouM like to remind you of
iin
Si'KKi II
tlifi t-MniPVOHity witli whicli the I^roiu h Aciiilciiiy.
sctliiijr nsidc u< dwh |i():-itiv(' lulc- and li<'Mrk('iiiii|^
only til the claiins (if Idmlrcil, Iimi^ rec>\;;ui/eil tl.<- fitic
1)1' iiur jioct, .^f^. I' roc'lu'ttc, to lie ro/ardcd im u
Krt'nclmiaii and admitted liim, tlnuiuli an KiiL'''i-.li
rtiiliject.to pai'ticipatinii in tliecoin|)elition open, aeeoi'-
dinz to tlie Academy'-* I'ule:^, to I'reiuii citizens alone.
Wiio liar^ read without emotion the aeeounl ol'
the memoraldc mretim^ at wliicli .Mr. !'"re(diette wa.s
crowned ?
W
lo iia.-i. unniovei
liieliiri
Ol
1 to h
ini-'elt tl
that \< eminent
j^^atiierinu' ol'tlie re[)re.sentalive-
in eontcMnporary Fi'aiUK!. eagerly .Meaiining tiie I'eatureH
of the iirother iVom heyoiid tlio .-^eus, wiioui the
Aeudemy was ]ire~cntinu- to tlifir ^jy inpaliiies .and
ailmirntioii .'
W'lio lia-, without I'ei'linu- tiic tears ri.-e unhiihleu
to hiH eyes, read the speech ot.Mr. Camille Doueet,
tli(! per])etual secretary of tlio Academy, slatinj.; the
ohjcetious that iiad presented th^m-^olves a;j;ainst Mr.
Frecliette's admis.sion to tlie competition and tlie
nninner in wliich they iiad ijeen passed over. Mr. Fre-
chette wii3 Ji liritish suhject and Ity the rule.s of tlie
Academy no one was jiermitted to coniiiete unles.s he
■wa.s ;i Freiudi citizen ; l)Ut the.«e [lusitive laws were
set aside l)y the Academy and the I'oreijrn poet was
admitted io tlu; conipelition. the <j;round on wide h
this was done heing that, it Mr. Fri'(di(;tte was not a
French citizen, 1
ot' F'rencli oriu'in and who, notwitlistandinir event^
iiad remained I-'rench in heart and ,*entiinent. Mr.
Caniille l)oucet"s sui)reme ar;,aiment to Justify liie
Academy in havinii- admitted .Mr. Frechette, in
violation of its rules, to all the jn'iviletres reserved
excdusively for Frenclimen, revived cruel memories,
but showed that the Academy had well jud.ued us.
^Ir. Doucet recalled ;i meeting held at .Montreal in
1>>70. at the n o-^t disastrous stn.ii'e of the war. to come
to the relief of the i'^rench wounded and at which all
present jrave enthusiastic proof of their French origin
lelonged nevertheless to a people
it,;,."
AT TIIK I'UIICIIKTTK llAXUl'l'^T
117
and their invioliiMc attMclmicnt tn the t'Drtuncs of
I'aiico
Alas I ^•(■utlciiMiK the iwaiiiiik' was only too well
clio-cn. Adversity is the cnu'ildu which tests all
.sentiments, and it was in tin; evil days ol oui' <dd
umthor enuntry that we I'elt how deeply w-- were
nttaehod to her and how warmly we loved her. (ien-
tlomen, [ take you to witne.s.s, ifthe wound left hy
that eruel war ill the hearts of the ••liildi-en of Old
France is in any respect mm-e painl'ul than the wound
lei't hy it in the ln-arts of the clnldren oiXow France?
It was when the lirst news of the disasters of tho
Fren<'h army icaehed us that we iVslt how French we
were. Who does not remomix'r the apectacle, in tho.-e
niourid'ul day.s. of ti>e whole French population of
Quelx'c masscil around the news|iaper ollices and
waiting with painful anxiety for the telciiraph to
j^ive tliem the result of the hattles of the previous day
on the soil of their ancient mother country ? Who
(h)Os not rememhei't he enormou-' crowds ijuivering with
anguish and yet ready to thrill with emotion at the
plighto.st ruy of hope and only dispersing when ihe
fatal truth was no longer in douht ? And when the
linal catustroiihe occurre<l, when we had to yield to
the inevitahle. and when we had to resign ourselve.s
to the conviction that Alsai e anil i.onaine were to he
torn from I-'rance. T appeal to your recoljct'tion.s, gen-
tlemen, if we were to \w deprived of one of our own
memhers. was it not llie truth that we could not have
suffered more cruelly ? Since that time, we have
waited with as deep a conviction and as lirni a, lioi)e
as those whom we [jcrsist in calling our Ijrethren over
the sea fi^' the dav of revenge. The age is no lontrer
on
e in which populations may he violently torn fro
ni
their native country and annexed again.st their will
to a government which is not a government of their
choice. Tlu; time has passed when might can ]ier-
manently overhear right. Pcseeudants of the Frencli
race as we are and long accustomed as we liave l.ieeu
to the amplest lilierty as English subjects, though
lis
Bl'EKCir
V i
i ^
lovidly 1111(1 [iriiiidly iiiulcr tlio sIukIkw (if the Mritish
\\:\^^ procliiimiii;^' our Kroncli (irif^iii, w(mi1so liave t'uitii
in this in('vitiil)le juHtic(( ot' liuiiuui tliinirs, to wliicli
iin illustrioiiH stiitf.'mnan r(!r('rr('(l not lonjr siiict'. .More
tlijiii one of iH, ill tli(! sin'lit of Krunct! so calm iind so
l)alient, lias Itecii lod to liop(>, nay, to helit^ve that tin-
day will (iiine when that old dovic*; of our country,
wliich ijo(.'M back t(t the ».'arly da}'^ of the colony and
is still to 1)0 seen inscrilxid on one of our i)ul)lic l)uil-
dinus, will be reali/f>d in Kuropc :
•Ii> suis im cliii'ii ((iii runi^n l"<)s
Hii Ir r()ii;^t'iiiit, jii piiMids inoii rcpos ;
rn,i')(U' viondra i|ui n'cst pas vntiu
(iiiiiiml Jti uiiii'driu (jiii iii'aui'ii mordii.
As for us, <fentlciii('n, we Iiavo our rcn'cnfito already.
After tlu! linal cession of this country to the
Crown of I'higland, our forofathors loyally accepted
the new order of things and made a vow to them-
selves that, il' the occasion ever arose, they would
spill their blood as freely for their new sov(M'(Mgn as
they bad done for their old ; but they promise(l thciii-
pelves also that never sliould the French lanjjua^e,
to the accents of which they bad been rocked on their
niotbors' knees, (ligjij)pear from the continent of Ame-
rica.
\{ present, after the lajise ot' n century, the
Frencii Academy honors us with the freedom of the
city in the republi(! of French letters and pioclainis in
th(> I'ace of the world that not only doen the French
lan!j;ua<,'e still live amongst us, imt that it is worthy
of the .-\cad* my.
There, gentlemen, is our reveiii^e ; we ask nootlier.
It is complete and we owe it to the French Academy.
Tf it wore ])ossil)le for our voices to traverse space
and cro«-i tlie ocean. W(! would send from tliisv'*'
ball to the French Academy the tribute of our trr
tude. The tbin<r is impossible, but whatiswili i
our power is to acknowledue on the si»ot our indeliteo -
AT TMK I'RKt'llKTTE RANQUKT
110
Ui'An to the viiHiint poet, who knockoil at the doors of
th« Aciuh'niy, Wiis iidiiiitttHhiind ciiiuc forth crowneJ ;
I'or, yeiitk'iiK'ti, Mr Frcchfttc'H rtUi're.H.s is not only u
pijrsonal, but ii niitioiml success.
And !i reiMiirl<iil)l(' t idn;,MiH Htatcil hy our Cliiiirniiin,
which jtrovoH tho high o-tiniiitc in w hicli we hold
lilicrty, in thin country, it is not oidy tiiose who
f>\}i'i\k Mr. Frcciiettc's ton^nu! who rejoicH! in hi4
triumph; our i'cllow countrymen of P.ritish ori^dn
rejoice uh wo do in his glory and (daim tlidr sliaro
ofit.
On;j;hl 1 toroi;all, liowcvcr. that <rncor(hint voices
were tn hcfounij am )iiur oiir own French fellow eoun-
trynu'n ? I only intuition the l'ai;t to remind onr ;^U'!.^t
tliat in, ancient trium|)lH, any one who Mt inclined t)
<lo so wa-^ jillowelio act a-< the tra luci^r ttf tin' reci-
|tiiiit of the trium|)li, hut that it doiM not apjXMr that
tiie iattor'.s laurels were ever.sidlic'd tlun-ehy. Hiptory
has preserved the nanu!3 of th(> latter, hut it h;is dis-
dained to speak III' the traducer.
T mention this fa(!t .is areminder to all that iidmi-
ration oi' tidcnt has never been jiud can never h(!
incompntihle with diverjjjencitjs of opinion. This state-
ment miiy not. periiaps, carry much wci<_dit, coming
as it does from one who has fouj,dit under th(! same ban-
ner and bolonjrs to the same school of political tlion<;lit
as ho docs; liut. I'or tho benelil of those self-styled
Catliolics, who, in th(,' nann? of reli'j;ion. when reliij;ioii
is in no sense in <iuestion, insult Mr Freciiette's lame,
T shall cite one example :
I'nder the R."s(oratioii, there wa-< o:ie (lay, in the
))rison of I'aris. a. prisoner confined for a political
otTcnce. \\i) hail i)ci'n condemned tor an ofTcnce cha-
raciori/.ed by tiio prosecution as an outraj^n' at^ainst
morals. His real otfenee was riddling with epigrams
somewhat too keen the reigidng dynasty, of which he
was a declared enemy. One da\ a visitor, already
.vdvaneed in years, but an ar<lent I'riend of tlie
reigning dynasty, called to visit the prisoner, (lentle-
nien, the prisoner was Dcran
ger
tl
10 visiior waa
I'!
120
?rEKCII
1' J
H
f.! 'l
'^ i i
5. I
diiitc>;iul)riiui(l. Some yeav-5 lator. a new revolution
liail ulaccil tlie younger l)ran( h of tJu- JJourbmis on
till! llii'one ol' France, and there \va3 also a prisoner
detained lor a i>olilical ofl'e
nee
Jle liad been eon-
dejaned lor ])ubli9hing a, newspaper article on the
occasion ol'a press law. His real oirence was having
inanil'ested too openly his attaciiment to the fallen
<lyna..sly, the elder i)ranch of the same house.
One day. a visitor ealkid to visit the jjrisoner.
This time, the prisoner was Chateaubriand ; the visit-
or was JJeranger. (ientlcmen. as you know, between
Chateaubriand and lieranger, tliei'e was luttliing in
common but labjnl. ISoth had in common wliat Najio-
leoii. in speaking of Chateaubriand, had ternuMi tlie
sacred tii'c. Tn every other res})ect, they wer(> dissi-
milar. ])i'ranger wa< not a Chi'istian. Chateaubriand
was profoundly Christian. Ciiateauli riand had pub-
lished a book, whieii. without contradiction, was one
i)
ftl
le luo
st eloiiuent and certainlv the most cour
1-
geous defences of Christianity since Tertullian. Mr.
Freciictfe's adversaries will admit, perhaps, tliat it
reijuired more courage and more I'onviction to write
the Ciriili i/ti ('hi-lsliiiiils)ni\ the day after the French
llevolutiini. than it does to make on every occasion a
parade of orthodoxy in our good province of (Juebec,
in the year of grace, ISSK.
Vet. when Chateaubriand went to visit iJeranger,
lie did not to preter.il to lherel)y alxlicate any of liis
religious convictions or to liecome resi)onsil»le for
lieranger's o|)inions. lie was sim])ly the man of ge-
nius paying homage to genius. It is a consolation for
humanity to know that there are higher spheres in
which lofty minds can mt^et on common ground,
without being ex])osed to the lamcntaldc bickerings
and divisions of daily life.
Ileic. genth'men, is the idea which ins))ireil this
meeting. Those, who are gathered to nigiit around
this festive board are here to i>ay homage to .Mr. Fre-
chette's talents as a jioet ami to pri>ve thai they es-
teem above all that incomparalde Frencli language,
^>
I i i-'i
ill
(1——
AT THE I'RECHETTK RANQL'ET
121
tiou
s on
oner
Cllll-
Ihc
Hon
nor.
isit-
i in
t])0-
the
is.si-
and '
)Uli-
n-;i-
Mr.
t it
|vitc
u '
n
(•(■
^V
in tlio use of wliich. according to tlio evidence of the
Aciidemy. Mr Frecliette is the equiil of tli e lic^t in
France.
(ientlemen, I liave again the honor to |)1(iii()ro
tlie health "f the Freneli Acadcinv.
r-r,
or
or
ill
i
i
1
t
1 '
1
i ;
■»
1
If;
i
(•' '*
I f
Tk Construction of tlie Pacific.
CRTTTCTSM OF THE CONTRACT ENTKUKD INTO
WITJI THE SYNDICATE.
(SjH>f>oh inacle in Eii^'lisli by Hon W. l^iiuiior, in tlu' House oC
('oiainoiis, iit its sitting of tiio 21st DccenihiM', ISS(i;.
Ml;. Spkakkk,
TluM'ontract now before U3. and wliicli tlio House
is iiskod to -siinction, is the last and crownini:- conse-
(juence til' tho principle laid down ten years a^n l)y
the (iiivernnient then in ixnver. when th(\v introduced
the Canadian I'aeilic Railway sehenie. and which wa^ :
that tills railway should he built hniiK'diately and
without interruption until its eom]detion. Tt must i)e
clear. tVoni the remarks of the member for Richmond
and Wolfe (Mr. Tves). with repanl to the position oj'
the two areat parties, ihat, at the outset, the ij;round
taken by the Conservative i)arty was this : the rail-
road should be built inimediately. and without inter-
ruption till finally completed : whereas the ])olicy of
the Liberals was that it should be built jj.-ru(lually as
the wants of the country should recpiire and its re-
sources permit. The reason uri:cd by th(> leader of the
CoiT^crvativc party Jor the immediate completion of
the rt>ad was. that it was a necessity of ('onfed(>ration
which would otherwise remain incomplete. Tt"it was.
it was not a necessity of Confeib-ration as ]irimarilv
estaldished : nor was it !i necessity that sjiranfr from
anv natural cause. Tl" it was, however, svich a n<>''e-j-
Ill
ei ii
M
12-1
Si-EKCir
sity, it is pcrluips tlio si-verpst connr.entniy upnn tlio
]>olicy fulldwiMl p.umo. years ii.uo <>|' croatinii' wlinle
}tr(iviiicps oul (if the wilderness, and of cnddwinii llieni
with all tlie institutions and hixiiries with wliieh ])i'o-
vin('o> with hirge popuhitions must he su])]ilioil.wliile
in these eases there was
MAU(i:i.V ANY
•(ilTI.ATid.N.
Honorable gentlemen opiiosite will rciueniher that
tliey receive! aniiile warning not to create that stiiti;
ol' things which would l)iQd this country to the iniiue-
iliate coniiiletion of the road. They were reminded
that if they did so they woidd lie putting a hurilen on
this country too heavy for its strengtii to hear ; init
they did not heed these warnings, they forced their
followers to vote tor this i)olic,y, ami now, as a crown-
ing eonseijuence of that ])oiicy, their t'ollowers are
asked to conseit to the enormous sai'ritices involved
in this contract. If \ recall these facts, it is without
any inteution to recrinnnate. Tliis is not th(! time of
recrimination, it is tiietime of all others when every
man should apply himself to dis(diarging his duties
to the hcst of ins liglits and coii«cience.
Sir .Tolm \. Macdonald :- Tlear. hear '■
Mr. Laurier: — If I recall these t'act-' it is simply
to say once more, if such evi(lence is necessary, that
thf? gre.Tt principles of a country are never to l.ie tri-
fled with : tinittho true i)rinci pies whi(di should guide
the ]iolicy of a nation should mn'er he deviated from,
be:ause.
IK ON( E DKVIATKI) Fi;o.M,
the country will l»e led from conseriuence to conse-
((uence ending in a most fatal conclusion. In my
hunihle judgment, it was in ISTt ii fault — I will not
say it was a crime.thc . rh I might say without sever-
ity it wa^J a pfditical cime — at all events it was a
fault to Idindthis country tiUhe iinmejiate construc-
tion of the road. It was a fault, last session, after the
\l
ON THE I'ACIl'IC CONTRACT
112:
('X]i(}rieii((' ol'tlie i)reviinis ten yoars in porsi^'t in tliat
policy. It was u fault not then to have adoptctl th((
jinlicy snjr.txe-ted hy the honnralile nionilicr for \V('?<t
Duiliani (Mr. I'lakc) of coininencin<,Mn the (>ast, and
building'- thi-i road .Liradually as the icsources of the
cooiitry would permit. That the undertakintf to build
this railway until final coiu[)l('tioii within a short
term wa.s a vicious policy, to say the least, is fully
proved by tlif- ci.iiiliu 1 of the Uovcinnici;t since they
have iMit'red oiTu'c. It is ]ii'ovcd by theii' hesitation
and vacillation iu carryiiiii' out their scheme when
till.' necessity of carrying it out was forced on them,
and it is further shown hy the jiresent contract, ^^'hat
bas heen the jKdicy of the jiresent Uovernmerit ? [n
less tiiaii thriM' years tluy have
(•|I.\.\(iEl) TPIKII! I'ol.irv TiniKE TIMES.
The first year aft(.'r they had resumed ])o\ver, they
came before Parliament with a threat scheme — a new
idea — and the idea was that I his road should l>e hence-
forth ion-i(bTed as an Imperial work that the Fnipe-
lial authorities should lie asked to contribute to it,
liecause the surplus iiojiulation of the Emi»irc would
Jind homesin the North-West. This idea wasaceei'ted
by the followers of the honorable .u'cntlenian as a
niaster]iiece of policy. Tt waH rejiresented as such by
the party orators and the i)resH : yet. good as the idea
was. it did not last. Tt withered as the llowers of
.summer, but was immediately replaced by another
scheme which was submitted last session. The jirin-
ciple of this scheme was that the lands should )>ay
for the liuildinif ol'the road. This scheme was acce]ited
by the followers of the honorable i^entleman with
the same enthusiasm as was the lirst. yet it also met
an early fate. It did not last, and no woiuler. When
the (ioverninent broujiht down this plan, a feelin<i;
found vent in the resolution moved hy the i>vesent
header of the Opposition. The resolution, it is trtie,
was voted down, hut I think we can survive it. .Manv
i
f ;?
iP M !Pl
1:
ji -
I :
i' I
12G
SPEECH
lionoriilile gentlemen opposite, when votint,' down
tliat resolution, strove luird to conceul under u smiling
I'iice a heavy heart. I think we can survive that,
Ijeeause the (lovernnient, immediately alter the ses-
sion was over, aliandoned the very policy which liiey
had called on their followers to support, 'i'et some-
thing had to he done. Tlie (lovernnient were
JX A DIJ.KM.MA,
for it'tiiey went on to carry out tlu; work, they might
cripi)le tiie iinances of the country to a degree almost
lieyiind remedy. If tliey did not go on with the
work, they would he going hack on tl)eir old policy.
What was to l)e done? liike the wizard in the tale
who found his own life in constant tlanger from the
fangs and chiws of the str;uige progeny wliich he h;id
reared, tliey, too. had created a mon.vtcr that threa-
tened their own destruclion. Wluit was to he done?
They went to Europe. They oilered their wliite ele-
phant lor sah' in the niark(^ts of Paris and London,
hut no one would accept it even as a gift, i'lnally,
they had to take the hcast liome, where they gaveit
a vast territory to roam ov(!r, made it impossihle for
any other hoing to go into the pasture, and tlien they
found somehody who was willing to relieve them of
this ever recurring cause of anxiety. That this pro-
posed arrangement is a vicituis policy is well proved
l)y till' hmguage which the dovernment used to
indii((( tlieir supporters into voting in favor of this
contract. What was the answer they gave to the
numerous olijections raised against it ? It was sim-
ply this ; do lujt critici/.e hut accei)t tiie contract ; it
is the hest we cotild get. In order to show this
clearly I cannot do lietter than (juote mi this ^uiiject
the very words which were used tiu- other day hv
the iionoral)le Minister of I'ulilic Works:
W'i'U, Mr. Cliiirman. in tliis case ue liivi; imt to ik-al with
only one J'Jiriy, wo ha\t' to deal with tli ■ syndicate. Tlio.so
ON TIIK PACIKU lONTRA( T
127
gentU'iiicii arc tlic diH' jiuity und wc aro tlie dtlicr. We have
to luaki' ai'ontnict witli tliriu ioi ihc luiildin^' (iriliisioail.slmll
we -ay I" tlieiii, you luu^t taUe tliat or nothing ? That is not
till' way coiitiiicts are inadn. Vou have to iiivt? ami take. You
have to take into consideration the cxi.ueneies oi' the eaise.
You have to .sec whether your teiins are acccjitalile to the
other pirty, and alter reasoning the matter witii the other
{larty you will lind that he is light, and your pinim.sal is not
sutlioient, and ilvdu have to giv(! more lands or muncy. other
conditions, the .I'esult is that you havi' to agree to givc^ aud
take on hotli sides to jirojiare the contract ami sign it. 'I'iiat
iri what wo liave done. Here is a contrai't, ami we say it is the
best we v:\n do.
Ts tlii.s the liiii.muijr;' (d'a Tree ( Invei'imient, nf tlio
executive power ol' u tree nation ? W'liat lias .^eized tiie
(jovernnient of thi.s country that they have heen
(Oinpollcd to accept this contract from the Syndicate ?
W'Jio in the worl<l conipcHcd the (iovcrnnient to nego-
tiate with tlie Syndicate? Wiiat g;reat calamity lias
herallcn this country that the (iovcrnnient shouhl
he coini)elled
TO sriiKKNDKli INco.NDIIIdNAI.I.V
to tlie Syndicide? It' there liad hcen a war aiidweluid
heeu del'eated, and the ( iovernment forced to acce[)t
from tlie victor such terms as suited 1dm to eid'orce,
and if the (iovernment came here to have the tieaty
ratified, would their hinguatj,'e have hcen diHerenl to
that u.sed in order to induce their supporters to acce}»t
the contract ? \\'hen. in the year 1.S71. at the termi-
nation of the disastrous war with I'riissia, the Provi-
sional ( Iovcrnnient of France met the newly elected Xti-
tiiuial Assemhly and presented to it the tretdy con-
cluded with (lermany, l>y which France ceiled to tliat
country two of its hest [)rovinoes. some of the mem-
hers protected auainst the clauses oi'that treaty. And
what was the language td' lite French (iovernment in
reply? Tt was exactly the same as used to-(hiy liy
our Administration ; accept the terms, they are t!ie
!
f !
1
<
- %m
128
Si'EKl'II
ll"?'
5>
9 J
!!
r
Ix'.il \vu could ;^et. Franco luid boon ilfifiitcd in wai
and lay cruHlicd under tin; iron liccl of tin; victor;
our ( iovcriiiiK'iit Iiad not Ix'on dciloated, i)Ut ucro
IiouikI in lli(( sli!icklo3 of tlieir own vicioU3 policy.
After liaviiiijj spokon the lanjjjuatfi! wliicli ] have jti-it
(pi )l('d tlic hnnoralile .Mini^trr of Puljli'; \^'o^ks went
on to .say : " \ Ixdicve it i-i to the advaiita^e of the
country that wo should save the nioufv of the cnuu-
try hy adopting tiie^o resolutionHi. and F lioix* the an-
swer will he '■ Yes "from all our frienils''. This is the
(U'owninu; conseiiuence, and the followers nf the (lov-
ernnienl arc; this tune asked to give tlic iinal "• Yes ''
which will plunge this country
INTO A.N INKNoWN KX I'K.N DJ'IT KIC.
Yet I am free to eoni'ess. since the (hi\ I'liuuent are
determined to go on with the construction of this
railway at oiu'e until completion, the id(>a that it
shouhi 1)0 huilt by a company is one whicii has a
great deal in it to commend itself to tin; people ol'
this country. lUit for the very reason given by tho
honorable .Minister in the early part of his speech,
there wore dillicultios in the way. i!e said :
I'.ut aitlioii,;.:!! tliecountiy .■^tiwil by us, and .i largi- inajo-
vity oftlR^ luemlxM's of thi- rtmise .saiiotionuil tlio action of tlie
(iovt'iiuiiciit, iii'\'<'rtliol('.'<>, it woulil in! cliiflisli tfi conceal
tliat tli(M(; was a imssiliiUty of appi'dn'iisiDU loi' tho lutme.
Thi^ i'celini: was this, that tiio uncertainty about tii.^ anioinit
of nionpy that woiiM lio ri'(|uircMl to luiild tiic railway was dis-
tui'liinj^ th<^ public niimt. Soho ly coaM say positively what
woulil l)c the liabilities of tlie country, or liow many millions
wouM bo rcquircl, not ima'plv to builil tli" road lait to work
it, ami to work it for all time to conic.
The honorable .Minister ndgbt have added that
tlie public mind was iilso disturl)ed hy the necessity
of the (lovernment having still to go on letting out
..,.„*,.„„♦.-. „.-v,i o. .„;,>,, ^1,.,^ contracts already made
contracts, and seeing uiai conuacis aireaay mam
"were carried out. Sueh were, Mr. Chairman, the rea
iiN 'I'lIK l'\( II IC ((iN'riJAi T
12!>
pons why the ouuntry l'!iviiur(;il tlio policy nf haiidiiip;
thi-i work ovt'v t(» !i coiii|i;iny. I>ut Iimvc tlio.^c oxpcc-
tiition* Ik'cii t'liUinod liy this contr.'ict ? Thi'? contrMi't
U a policy which docs imt lueel ;inv of tho roasouB
iidviiiK'pd in its favor liy the hoiiorulde MinintcM'. Thf
country expected that i'V this C'onti'iict the (lovern-
niMit wouhl he relieved nf ihc iicces'^ity oflel tin<j; out
))ew contract J ;ind -ei'in ^ i Imt ohl hiu's ai'c carried (uit.
Fnr \i-u vcar.r to come ihev have
■I'd rri;.-ri-; ■iiii-: samk >v-ii;\i
which they pursuc(l in tlie past, and whii h caused
iinxiety in tlie puldit! mind. Tho pei> pic .il' t hi- coun-
try expected that tlnnr liahilities I'or constructing
this road would 1)0 settled. Unt this. [ helieve. ai-<()
i-j denied. They cannot he settled for this very rea-
son that the (iovernmcnl must pursue the same
course which it pursued hcl'.ire. I'or ten year* tocome
it must [s.n on letting:; out contracts, ami the liahility
will he settled onlv when ten v(>ars hence the wdik
has lieen coinplete(l. So that tl
lis i~ a
!i vlij'id eni.:aL;i
ment wjiicli luliils none ol the en,i:ajiements it was
ex[iecled to t'ullil. It would in fact so ajipear. as it
were, a sort of partnership het ween the (idvernmeiii
and the com])any. Tiiere :ire four sections ofthc load
t" iiuild. the company huilds two section>. and the
(iovi'rninent twosections, and those the mo-t iliflicult.
The company completes iii tii, years, and the ( invern-
mi'iit completes in ten years, and at tlic i'wA nt' thc
tcii yciirs the w hole i~ tu he handed (i\'''r to the cnm-
].iany. Not unly that, hu; while the ( .uvcrnment is
cun: |iaii\' is to
le cnni-
le
doin,if the work td' 1 he ciitiipany, the
have all the privileges of the < iovi'rninent . T
]iany can imixiit as free as the (lovernment can. T
company is exem|ilcd fi'mn taxation as th< (ioverii
mentis. The comjiany has Ine further privilcLi'e o
fixing its own t<d!- almost withuut th<^ pnssihiljt
lindrance or interf<
ment. T -av alnm.^t t
\' n
overn-
M'cnce iin the part o| the ( ,
Hsihilitv of intert'erence.
le no
II
1
n
k '■
r ■■
•
I' 1
i:',()
f-i KT-:( If
Jor T cnntV'Sfl tli.it iiiidcr tlit- letter nf the coiitrnf t
there is u posyihilit y nl' inteirereiice. Hut when la tlie
( iciveniiueiit to iuteirere? Only when the ctHMpiiny
liiis realizeil ten per cent on the coj-t df ( imstnutini;
the road, which eest it- estimated on the otjiei' side at
S7s.(i(i(i.(i(in. As to the privilege j^iven to the eoni)iariy
of importin^j,' their materials free, that has perhaps
more the nature ol a family quarrel among honorahle
gentlemen on the other side of the House, and. there-
lore. I shall have nothing to say upon it. A3 to ilu^
exemiition iVoni taxation, that is
A lAU \ioi;k >i;i;iur.~ matik
and one which .-hould eiiLiaii(> tlu- atti idion of thir
loi
ise.
It 1
KiH lieen eoiitended on tins sni
the
lIou.se that this ex( mptioi
I Irmii taxation. {•oUjuei
ith ihi' other advantai^cs and privihui's iiiven 10 tl
company, will iiive almost a monopoly di tln' N'ortl
"' Csl Tri I'itorlc^ into the hand
ii this <'tim]'any.
has i.ecn renlic d to liv >;entlenien on
Thi- a.-sci tinii
*he other ^ide. liul till del' this contract t he road- lied.
loe .-l.'ilion !i'r<nnids. rollini; stock, ca
etunpany. arc
to he I'ur all time, for all
pital ol' the
nerations to
come. e.\emptc(l Irom ;i
fed
M >
oris o
axalion
irom
li
eral la-xalion. il ever siicli a contin.uciicv slioiud
iilinen. from lo
cal taxation when local li'overnmriits
are or,L;ani/ei|. from municipal laxalion when muni-
f we ((in>ider that thi-
er
eijialilies are estaldislied
(ompany is theiehy uiven an unl'air advantatic ov
eve) V other com paiiy uiio t ry to compete with them.
it will he seen lliat it w ill he dillicult to secure com-
])etition with them. Thu^ the company have.l hercl'ore,
the privilege to hold these lands and. like the dog in
the manger to prevent any one using them except
themselves ; and they have also the privilege ofiixing
their own tolls sous to ohtain extortionate profits
out of the ,-ettler.^ of the North-West. It niu-t to
c vi<lent.Mr. Chairman. to every disp.'is-ionate oh-ervc r,
that this is a monstrous monopoly, and om- Ihut will
ox Tin; I'At IIK ((.NTliAtT
i;;i
iiiiiki' llic <(iiii]i:iny liiiHlldrds oi'tlie Noi'tli-NN'f'.-t. I
Uh'i; tlijit term iulviHcdly. I) i- tiuf tluit it is net in
tliu |»()\\>'r i>\ tiiis (iiiiiiiiiny In f.-tiililii-h such iiiPtitu-
tidiis in wuiiM jiiiKHint til r<'U<liilisiii. ill ilic .-ciisc in
wliicli it i'xi-!ts ill i'iuinic. 1111(1 wliicli it needs iiluHist
convulsion to yet n(
lull leudnlHni is not tl
only mode liy wliicli iio|iulnlions ciin ln' enslaved liy
a {'niiil>iniition : it is not the only mode hy which the
nmnv ciin he mad(^
riiK '|•o^■ o|. 'iiiK iKw
Nor call it lie coiitc-nded that, on this conlineiit wlieic
we claim to he free, where we chiitn to have got
lid of !'eudali>m. no lai'jic comliinatioiis can he
atttmi'tcd wherehy men can ^et dishone>t terms out
of tlu! toil (if ()th(-r». We have 1 he fact alreadv hcl'oie
US ; we were told the nlher da v
hv the 1
loiKiiaii.y
leader ot the < )[»|iusil imi, that, at thi- very day. the
riiiluay majruates of the Niiith-\\'e~t cxioit .-:uch
enormous judtits from the .-eltlers of ihe country t''''r
carryin<:' their n'oodn id markel that it practically
amounts to their haviiiLi proiirietaiy inlcri'sts in their
liirms, and the settlers ale therehy deprixcd oi' the
Itest jiail ot their iimriis. TliiH may riot he reudalisni
in name, nut is it not leudahrm in suh.-tanei'
d in
f.' Tlien. Sir. here is another leaturo of the vicious
s I'ccn rnllnwed hitherto. Without
ia(
nollcv winch
venturiii,u' any exllre^slon of (lositivf opinion, it may
je a (|aestioii. whether, if the road, instead of heinii;
huilt.
1 8 It IS now col it end (
(i It
mu>t lie huilt
lieeii gradually and step hv «tcp coii-itrueted. .as the
necessities of the ('ountry niiiiht reo,uire. it mijrht not
have heeii a consideration uhelhei' il shiiuld he huilt
liy a siihsidy of lands and money, uy whether the
( ioveinmeiit nf (';i naila should proclaim to the world
that the needy and poor nftlie whole world eonld
tind free laiiils and free soil 1 In ouuhout the w hide of
the Noi (h-W'est. and that lliev slcnild he ciiahled to
ohtiiin ilu- he-t market prii e.s I'or their priiducls.
If
132
«i'v:i;( It
l'i|li;i|n, ir tli.'it -y<)i'iii Ii;hI ln'fii t'ollowcil, tlicl'd
■l,t.
Ill
;V\v vcars. have licfii
\ ii;\v i,K
Mil I In.NAIIlK
I t
Bi J
1 <
in tlii- I'Miiiit I y. Iiiit till re wmild have liccn a mmli
f£i'i;iitf'r iiiiiiilMr III' li;i jipy ami conti'nl "il Iihhm's. |!ut
niitiilicr system liiis liccn fnllnwcii. 'rwcnly-livc mil-
lion aci'cH (if lam! arc t<i lie Li'ivin tn 1 lii- ((iiiiiiaiiy.ainl
ai •' til I'l' Il 'il.i'il II j» ;it till' dpi inn (if t lie cnm |i:iiy.Tli('
r<>ult iiltliat, policy must lie the ssimc in the N'mtli-
W('»t an it lia.-J liccn in every plaei' wliire we have had
hind cnniiiiinies. The immigrants will lii-t Mttlf iipnii
tliR lands ni the ( inveriimcnt, upnn the huincstead
ml the preemption lands ; lint, ailei- a lerlain while,
a
win'n liiev riimmeme lo lie crnwileii
iilii li oiii mit-
side and within, they will si|U;it ujion the laml.- ot'
tluM'iinipany. and then one ultwo residt-i nin-t lo]-
]iiw -eiilii'V ! hey will 1>(- ejri-U'd iiythe a}.M'nts of the
I'ompany. oi- tliey will he compelicd \o suhinit to the
extortionnte tei nis that will bo I'oreed upon them hv
the eoinpiiny. We kiinw well that the majority of
the M'ttlers will he poor, that the majority of them
will have no nth or means, no other ea pita L l ha n their
ahlo hiidios. and we know witll.liy expeiieiiee in the
last, what exertioUH it rei|nires lor .^neh M'ttler.s to
lav Uji the instaliiKMits on their lam
w hen lliev
th
nive to sup]ily the I'ecpiirenients oj tlieii' lamilit's and
to turiiish tln'ir farm.''. Moreover, liy-anddiye. iniuii-
('i])f)l <rovcrnniiiit.- w ill have to he nriiani/ed in that
territory, roads will have to he laid out and opened,
find yet this eonijiany eannot he li xed Tor these loadfi,
■whiili will h(> a constant souri'e of litigation and
liitterne-s in the ciiuntrv. Auainst all tlii-=, what have
we
What i-
al'efruar 1. what i~ tln' iruarnntee,
that w i; have au'ain.st the po-isihle. I should rather
say. the ((Mtaiii evils ol' tlic |iroposed sy-tem '/ We
have, as a .L,'uarantee. only the irood will nltiie cnm-
pany it-elf. Tt has heen asserted, nn the other side,
that the pre.stnt niemliers ol' the cMiiiiany are nien of
(IN TIIK r.\( II' It
iNTi;.'.i r
];;;5
tho lii'/ln'-»t f'li:ir;i('t('r. iinil cfitiiiiily every oiie luay
ii-'.'Jeiu til this ; hut ii'tlie iiieii ulio imw coiHtitute
the ciiiiipiiliy :iie men III' t III' hiL'.he«t eh:i nicter. \\\\n
kiiiiWS who will 1k' the lueiilher.S nl' the e(ilii|i;iliy ti U
yt lU'H Iieiiic. live ye;u'.-' lu'liee. m evnisix UiiMiIIh
Ikmkm) '.' Who can lay tliiit, six iiinuihi iVuin tn-ilay,
this eiiiiiiiaiiy will nut have iinl u'liie tn 'Nrw- V"rk,
aieh I'lii'ii iiinney {•iiiisiileratinn, hartereil \\.i interest?!
■I'll I'dUKK.N I Al'l lALI-T.
Lnvenlhein (he |irivileue nf JiicatinL' the line theiu-
selves, ami iifstill I'm'thei' ()|)iires.-!inii the settler-' mi
th(M'c)ni|iaiiy"s lauils. in uriler to rei'mip themselves
fur the C'liisideratiiin thev have ''iven tn the
iiiv ? l!ut. Mr. ( 'hairman.
wlmever mav
ei>m-
le
lie tl
inemhers of this company, we know that they ai'e of
tho Immaii race, ami it Is a well knuwii I'aet. and (Uu-
illusti'ateil hy the whole history ul' maiikinil. that
men in every station of life. wh(!re they are notehoek-
I'll hy positive hiw.s ami re<.fulalioiis. will almse theii'
[lo.^itiou to the iletrimeiit of others, if they can •.'■aiu
any advantaLie hy it. .\ml we have an example of (Ik-
way in which this eoiupany will treat tho setth'i's iiy
tho manner ill which tliev have treated the ( invoi'U-
ment. They have driven a hard iiaiuain wiih tho
< ioveriimciit. They have ohtaiued the must ontn'ous
terms from the ( ioveriimeiit : and if they have extort-
ed these onerous terms from the (iovernmeiit. what is
it for/ Is it for the pleasure of ^ainini;- a moral vic-
tory over the (foverniuont, and niakin;j,' no use of it. or
is it not to mak(> tho host use they can out of these
onerous terms, to make' tho land they ohtainod worth
to them all th(\v can make out of it? On tho whoh?
theroforo, tho position of tho settlor in the .Vorth We.-.t,
will ho, under this contract, tho position of a Tanta-
lus, lioforo a well dressed tahle. at widch he cannot
.satist'y his appetite. Tho settlers cannot .settle on tho
lands whicli are ch)se to them, without 3uhniittiii.i t)
tho terms of tho company
n
;i
\i
134
SPEECH
w
ill
(: I '
' !
3-
Mr. riuiiili — Tliey will settle on tlie (iovernirieut
liiiiils a]()n^'.*i(lc.
Mr. [.auricr. — J!ut I prosume the liononihle
gt'iit eniiiu doi^H not su|ipii--e the iii)j)uhiti()n of this
coiuury should ho cnnlineil only to the (ioveninient
lands. Loi)l< at this mattt'i- in any way, and it is this :
that ', iiu e.-cate
A MOS" MoNs'lKor
MoNoI'dLY
AVe,tV(iin the province of (iuehoc knnw what a mono-
poly is,. 'Hid I call the attention of my (•olleaj:;ue-! I'roni
that province to our ex])eriene(Min(hM' that monopoly.
T know in I hat proviiurwe had a hitter I'xp'rience of
the seiuniorial rights, and we had to try iiard ijefore
Ave could get them al)oliHhe(l. There was a monopoly
of tin; Y\ix\n loe-taltlisli mills held hy tlie sei-iiieurs,
ixrul we -wanted tlie riirht extended to th(^ peoph- at
larifp. I am free to Siiy thatif tliat privih'ire liad heen
refused us l)y the lefrishtture. it mi^rht have caused :i
relteiiion. 1 think every ])ro\inc(; of tlie Dominion
lias had its land comiiany. There has lieeu one ia On-
tario, one in .New IJrunswick. one in Quehec. and one
in Ti-ince Kdward ishmd : and T am (juite certain T
can apiieai to the experience of every honorahle hcmu-
ber ol' »his House from this province to «a\ ihat the
results of thes(> monopolies liave heiMi every wlierea:;cl
at all time.-; the same, namely, to retard settlement
arid ]))'es3 lieavily upon •In^ energies of the settlers ;
that thi'y have everywhei'e heen a curse and a Itane.
Thi* has been the case with re!.;ard to land c<mp):inies
A\inch have not one-tenth of the powers which have
heen u'ranied to the Syndicate hy the ])resent con-
tract. It issaid : and 1 have heen reminded liy the
lionorulde memher for Nia,!Mra(Mr. l'luml)),<h;it there
are Mocks of land res(;rvo<i ii.tween those which have
heen j.rranted to the comDany W^e have reports to
the etleot that we have '2.')i 1.0(10.011(1 acres more land in
tiiat coui\try, thou'jh we nave not -ui h aeeurate in-
formation as yet as will enahle us to he alisoluteh''
F I
UN TlIK rAi'IFIC <'0.\Ti;.\cT
certain uixiu tliat nuitter. However, T am ([uite ready
to l)elie\'L' that wo liave'Jt)0,()f)O,iiiiil acre^ space in that
country : but wlicii we deduct from that the hind cov-
ered witli laUe.'^, --trciinH and niarshi;--. tlic mountain^
un<) liill.-, the barren hiuds, and those which are un-
tit lor setth.'ment on acc<junt of climatic conditions,
hinds which are only til far ii;ra/.iii;r purposes, and we
furtlicr deduct the portion wliich lielon.tj.-s to the Hud-
son's l!ay company and those reserved for school pur-
po-e-.
WHAT WII.I. KKMAIN FoR Oil; -KTri.Kl!
OV
com
er and ahovu the 2").o:i i.ODO ai'res allotted {<> t!
[lany '.' I/ioked at froni whatever point
liS
view
ynu chodse. tliere i"* not a sinfj;le redeeming feature in
tlie gigantic moiiopoly whicdi !nis been given to this
company. There is anotii(>r objejtionalile feature in
''/■ X''. but
md oontlition of the
this contract — iKiL pei-haps ubjectionable /)
rendere
»v tlie nature
country at the present time. This contract forces us
to 2'i on immcdiate'.v with 1h(^ construction of the
r.)ad .ilong the norti; shi>rc
ake Superior. We are
11 ai^reed tliat a Canadian I'acilic Uailway mu-t lie
liuiit on Canadiiin soil, W'e all agree <in this point.
Mr. LaiiLievin :-- Hear, hear
.Ml
aurier
-T d.
) not thuik then
.ire twi
liniiins in i('<;aril to that matter
Ml
au'revm
ilT
lur leader tlitler.s Irom vnu.
.^lr. Laurier : — No : 1
ic sa
vs that we should uo on
with the building of the road as tlie recjuirements of
the country may demand. T have never beard
e.\|ii'es?eil liere the opinion that the Canadian Pacitic
Kailwav should not be built
Tl
le only point upi
m
which there is any disagrcMueat is as to the expe-
diency of buildim'; tlie whole road at once, or only as
rapidly as the wants of the country may require. T
think it mu-t lie perfectly manifest that this section
on the noitli shore of Lake Superior is not reipiired at
the jire-ent time, that its coii.struction might be
.
II
,t- ft
i;jG
&rEi-:cii
A UNA NTAC; i;i a',- 1. v in >- r i ■< ln ed
until
■iiiii
e I'lituie \)erio(l, iuul that it w
.11 Id
lUite
illicitnl. ;it jji-c.-cnt. to huild tlif enrttern sectinii us
"^-.{v/.- .-tf Marie. T!ic fertile jtlaiiis d tlie \ve>t
Isir
Jire .«('i)ai'atMl from tlie ea~t liv an extent
territnrv m tl
n,'<i-i(in nfivtii
tlK'
•avren
ake. Willie it
liapiit-nH tliat the innte ah'ng the Hfiuthein shore
wuiiiil pas.' throujiii .some of tlie hest lands on the
contineni — tliroiiirii several of the most imiioit;u,t
i^tate.^ of the I'nion. Would it not he hetter. und( r
llio.se eireumstanees. to hrinu' the road imini
diat
ely
to Saull Ste .Marie, taj) the Aniei'iean svsteni of rail-
^vav
and set'nie not merelv the tiade of
.\oi-th-\\'e>t. Inn a laiv
'tall
This is so evident
(jur owii
hare of thetraiHe friini tiiose
;Voin a geof^niph ieal I'oiut
ai('
of view, that T will mil stay to discuss it. There
1\V" ijolicios liofore the Ilou.-c at the [iresent nionjent.
The pcdiey of the (lovernmcml is : tiiat the road sl;all
he coii^truet^d ut once on the north
>re (jf Lake
niperior. Wdiat would he the conseiiuenei' of carrying
out tliat jioiu-y
Th
ere wo
uld
he no eommuniealioii
hy that road with the F^astern railways for ten ^^ears
to come : and though we may securo thr incipierd
trade of our own territories we would
11
trail!
from the ^'ortll■^\'estel•n Stales ofthe T'liion. The other
jiolicy would he to Ijriug the line at oni'e to Sault Ste
Marii'. thus securing us immediate connection, not
<nily with thr- North-West, hut with the American
railways. Can any one hesitate for a moment in the
jiresence of (hat iioi'cy ? What reason can lie iirg( d
tor the adojition ofthe rout(> along the north shore o(
r.ake Superior '.' Though the (jueslion has thus far
heeu discussed entirely in an unseelional sjiiril. I
think T might well emiuire which of lluse two polieies
will 1
e ol
lost hcueiit to mv
ow
n province
Th
iminediate connection ofthe mad to Sault Ste Marie
would at once carry over therailway system of Quehec
the trade of our own North-West and oftheAmerii ;in
North- Western States as well — a state of things which
0\ TllK rAtllU CO.NTKACT
w mild pi'iivc of iiiiiiii'n?!' ;iii(l nlivinus
cilic- 111' MontiM'jiI jiii'i (luclicc
lirlirlil li> t!ie
Uit this i-; iii>t tli(i
liriiuaiy rojison lor the iido-itidii dl'th;' line hy \v:iy
.^auli SU' Mario. This road
wori.ii irKi.r on; phovinck
to get mit iif thc-i liiiaii'i.-il diHii'uitic- Ky whirh it is
at prpst'ut lie.-cl. That province has imwa dolit whicii
cxretd.-^ 8 1">.0( )!!,(•' '•; this year it luiH hcou coiuiicllcil
to hMii'dw 8 I.II(I(),(1U(< iiioro, and this with tlie pressure
orcoii-taat ainl annually incicasing di'licitri. It is a
iiiatti.T iil'iinxiot V to every inliaidtant ot' (^uehee h>'\v
met. hni so I'ar it has Im-i-u
ev
t hcsi' deiicits are to
i'ound iinpo--il)le to devi.~e a means hy which th
can 111- \vi[icd niu. ( if.r rcTourcts have heen iiledgecl,
to the i'ullest extent, andthev have not that ela~ti-
I aval! ourselves dl tiiem
city which will enahle u.s t^
in the neaf I'litnre. Ouroidy ii'Sdurce will he the
direct taxatidn dl'our people uidess we are so hapi'V
as td tnul a means
nu'reasinu; thi' tralhe o| oiu' tail
wiiv.-.l'nl ess that roll el' com cs withii
I a r-iio
rt period.! he
linancia! prospects of (^uehec must lie held to he
critical, indeed. Fl'tlHM-dad to Sault St-' .Marie was
(■dii-tructed. instead dj' ha vinii io wait for ten year,-,
we shduld have, within a pcriotl of two (ir thiee years,
at the utmost, the henefit of the trade < if North- \Ve>terii
till I'nited States: audit must he evident
iia am
('ana
to every houdinhle gentleman iVdin (^ueljet! that that
tratlic wduld he df material a.ssistanee to our i)roviru;e
in it~ present financial conditinn. 1 (hi not say that
that assistance wtuiid hesutlicient to lead u< fuU of i)re-
-ent dilliculties. hul it woul
leave
the present ami
future of our i'lovince not so dark as it i- at the pre-
i^entmument. [would ajipeal U|i"n this (|Ue.-:tion
1<» my fellow-country men I'mtn Quehec who are sup-
porting the (uivernment. \\'e have nften heen told,
liy the supjiorters of the (ioveriiuient in Lower ( 'aiiada,
especially hy tln^ pres.^. of the immense influence
which these lionorahle mendier.s have with the Admin •
II
I f
ins
SPEECH
HI
istration, tliat tliey have only to coine and ask what
tliov want and they will recoive it at onco. They
would almost have us holicve that the ( iovernniont
occupy the position ot'tho servant nuMitioned in Scrip-
ture, who came when he was told to come and went
Avhere h.? was told to ixo. Tf these uontlcnien have
so much influence with the ( Jovcrnni(»nt, now or never
is their <ipportunity of ((xerci9in<i- it to the .irreat
benelit of their provintte. and for the purpose of avert-
ing injury to the hominion, for t hold that the
adoiition of this contract would he a great calaniily
to the Dominion at large.
l!'«l
I''
h I
Ml
7, 'V
lil
IT IS A m-:i ;sio.\,
hecause it would not remove my of those incmive-
menoes expected to 1)0 (lisp(n'S(- ' ; hrcause it leaves
the (iovernment with tin* sauit- inconvi-nicnccs that
were experienced in the past with tli(> former system.
and a<lds to them other and greater. Tt is a daugcr.
because it threatens to create, upon the fr(>e soil of
this country, a monopoly which may at some time or
another he a cause of trouble to the peace and haiino-
ny of this country. 'I'his is the cmitract i>f which
>Iinisters are so ]>roud. that the mere remembran( c of
connection with its ineepti(ni and executiuu tliey led
proud to leave as a legacy to their children. .My wish
;ind hope is that the legacy may he as ])leasant to
their oifspring as to thi> parents. T am ipiite suie it
will, because we Unow it is a, law of human nature
that where the afrections are strong and love prevails
even faults are accounted merits. T think it was the
Minister ol' Public Works who .stated that this con-
tract was calculated to enrich our country, increase
our poi»ulatioii, and secure our fiee institutions. How
it is to acldeve all these results is not to my humble
perception iiuite visible. A* to its securing Uritish
institutions in this country, f would be sorry indeed
ibr my country if they wer(^ dept'inlont upon the con-
O.N I'ACTl'lC (•(iNTIJACT
];5i>
Blructinn (if a railway, wliotlior of i,M,i:aiitii' ordiiuiuu-
tive ]ir()p«>rti()n.s. lirilish in.stitutiiuiH rerfi in tlii^
country upwii a surer Inuiidatidn ulicy are impressed
up<»n the minds and liearts of our jicople. Iieoause this
land, inhahited as it is hymen dill'eiing in ereed
iind origin, and whose fathers were once separated l)y
dire nati(mal feuds, have secured under those insti-
tutions freedom, ('([uality, amity and i^ood will. l>ut
Ministers should i'ememl)er the fact, which they seem
to forget, that those institutions that have -secured us
our present lilessiniis.
ARK TiiosK III- riiK I'.'rii 1 i:.N ri i;v.
and not tho.-e of an earlier time, the relics of harliari-
iUi (hiys. Tf honorahle gentlemen opiiosite are de-
.cirous of securing I'.ritish institutions, they must in-
troduce into the IcLMslation of t his country the broad
spirit ol' modern I'^ngland, an(hu)t seek to estaiilish
those in(mo]iolies which at this day prove so many
thorns in the side of luigiaml. gi'eat a- shei<. r>et them
look at the country they pretend toadnnre. and they
will see what d"ep and linn roots ahuses will strike
into th(^ soil, ainl what toils, h'.hors. miseries and
sufTerings. such ahuses can produce to the pi'ople of
that coi \try. They have examples ol' this kind lu'-
fore their eyes at this very day f I' this contract is to
he judged in the light oi' modern Hritish ideas and
))rinciples. it carries with it its death-warrant. and the
only iluty that remains t'or thi-< ilou-^e to ]>erl'orm is
simiily to reject it on the tir~t opiiortunily.
'■T
Mi
Tk Roll. Eihviird [jiati' ,it iloiilreal
Till': .MKM(>i;.\!;[.K I'.ANQT'KT of ISS]
MK. lAllM! I; I'AVS IImMACI'; In III- I.KA I iKK
(Ml thr L",iih Mitreli. 1SS|, I loiini;iMc l'M\v:ir-l lUake reci'iv-
'"1 ii Lrn'at ovutioii at J\I<intii',iI. 'I'lif V<<iiiiii M,ii.i h'l Inmi
(hill, all till' l''.n,i.'li~li ami l''i'oiich youth r>r tin- ( 'aiiailiaii iinMin
polls, jniniMl ill ,!.'ivinir a triaii<l liaiic|Uft in his lioimr at tlit-
Witi.Uor Hotel. Thi' Icstivity was alt.'inltHl with cxtniorilinary
"clat. the miml)er oi'irupstsi |ires(^nt holii:.' laiiri'i' at least liv a
hiiiKli'Pil than at any olthe timv-t imMic liaiijiKUs previously
>,'lvt>ii In Monti'i'iil. Mr. JUako. rscorifd i.y Mi. M lolan'n. juc-
sMcnt of the )■..!/.//. ' /////. took hLs .scatat tln> table irhonneui-.
liaviiiLT aloni:si(l(> of him ilonoralili' .\resKrs. I.niiiei-. Merciev.
niiiitin.L'ilon, Lan.u'i'lioi' l.ailamiiie, 'I hiliainleaii, -Inly, .Afarchaiiil
aiiil a ci'ii'A.I oriueiiiliers, jiuMu! men ainl h-ailini: citizens :
Mi'ssi'.s. lioltoii. ,1. .^criver, \[. I'r.'roiitaliie. .1 McSli.im . F. (i.
Itoiithilliei', II. A. Xe!-oii. \V.Pi'evost,.!aci|iie< fironler. I'loctoi-,
llaL'ar. i'.ro\Mi. II. I.vinan, .1 J lodirson. I'. 11. h'oy ..lames Stewart,
F. X. Arcliamlianli, A. E. I'oirlei'. A. I'avreau, .Tos. Diihamel.
tVi;. The master!,\ s))('(>eli (!ell\ei'"l liy ^\v. F-!l;iko on the
occa-ioii was reproihieeii by the whole I.ibet.il pregs of the
time: we now reoonstnict t'lom notes taken , at the baii'iuet
Ml' Lauiier's repl\ to the toast ol' •■ tllO House or Commons,"
Mi;. Ci!
i;m \\.
Tli'To luivo lippu iVw iiecasioii^ in my life mi wliieli
I h.-ivc 'Hit =?') nimii i;eiiuino .s.itiisAietiou a^ in iaittinp;
down at tlii-j tal'">* lo-niuht.
112
-I'KtC 11
tt
^'ml liavc called tijinu me tn reply to tlic tiuist of
the Houscot'Cuiiiiuoiis and F rdiii ply with the ,»ri"eate?t
[tlcu'-urc. lor it i'iiiil)lr'.-j me to ^ivf fxiirt'-irjiiiii to the
.seutiiKcnls witii which lay heart is nvci'llow ini;-.
The imiiicn-;e riatij-laction I fed doen not coiue
I'roin the \m\ that the city of .Moiitreal.thc city wiiicli
oiir atlver.-arit'.- have heen jilea.-ed to ever regard an
tlieir stronghold, has 1 en the lir-t to hail tlienew lea-
der of the Lilieral party ; nor doe.s it arise even from the
very legitimate eniotidu ol'lhe per.-onal and political
friend at the spectacle <>( this enthusiastic pnldie ex-
pression of symjiathy for the great ahility and thc^
not less eminent characier of .Mi'. lUake.
No. tiiis intense satisfaction ralher sjirings tVom
tiie fact that this demonstrat imi is the in-Jpiralion and
wiuk o| (lur voung men. thai t he voiuii o
f this cm
m-
trv are the lirst to
he new
leader of the Li-
l)enil party, and that that youth, tiMie to the generous
instincts of their year<. thus proi-laiiu their adiiesion
to the idea- oft ho i.iheral party nu the very morrow of
a sti.-sioii during which, in i'arliament, those iileas
were eru-d.ed oy the weiglil of a ciiiuparl majorily.
^'ou have pi'opdHed the heallii <<\' tlie llouse of
( ominous.
W
I'e the party h| rejoin
I ani
(I rink
lions.
to the refnrmatiuii of the pre -en t I !ou-e uf Cumi
in the Impt- that, when il iia--es tlenigli the ei'Ucihle
of another electiiin, the .-iu'iial note sounded heie tip-
lliliiit iiv the vonUL;' men
\h
iiil rea 1 will lind an echo
and that, in tiie new IIou-c nf ('ommiui-. Mi\ iUake's
policy will he triumphant .
Tho-e [)resent
Thi-.
'wever. IS oiilv a lioii'
here this evening dn nut hesitate to lieliev(> that t hat
policy is the policy lit tho I'uture. Hut should it lie
victorious at the next elei'tions or should it even nut ho
victiifious in our day is another (juestion — a (lUe.-iion
which is nnly oi'<econdary imp^itaiice for us. W'e do
111 )t concern mirselve- 1 n know w h el her we shall gather
the fruits (if the : eed we are new sowing i)r whciher
thev shall he gathered
iV mir SUec-eS-iil
( li-
the niiiUMiil, \\Q onlv set- one thim:'. that tin
in
lit
;it
U'
It.'
11
(I
!■!■
•I'
»r
10
caii-c
AT rill-: r.i.AKi-: hani^ckt
liicti is dear to
wiiicli wf i"'li
eve just ami tnu;. i^. ilt'-;|)ili' tl
1 j;
the caUHO
10
tiiiiisc'('ii(k'nt al)ility and cliainctcr ><{' mir cliicl', in a.
ilisii-'trous niiimrit y anionti- tin- iciirc-culntivcs of tin*
IK'diilc. Oiii'c iimrc. liiis is nm wlml cnncorns U.S. l>e
tiuit cause strnnir or weak nuincrically. it is tin- <ause
nrrigiit ami justirc. 'I'lic youiiL'' men wlin liail Mr.
I'lake i>n tin' imMrnw of tlic scssimi. do not lnok tn
what was tlio success of his efrmls. .Mnicnv, r. it i^ tlie
the nature of jj,'enei'(Urf siuils. of youth c,-.|i((i;illy. to
jKjt pri/.e siiccc-is, hut rather tlie cau-e and we (an
pl'i'udlv c.\<'l:nin wdl, the aiieieiit )inel :
\ ii:li'i,r ciinsd iliis jihicml, ^rd ctr/n t'lihmi,
^'oun;J,■ men nf the .Mmitrtal l.iliefal eluii.-, ymu u'
Kn^li.-li ('aiiadians. ynunu Fieml! t ';iiia<iiaii.-. ymi
all. the orLianizers nf this deimin.-l ralinn. it wnnhl he,
pei'haiis. misiijaeed "ii my part to nfler ynu thanks.
.->tiil T cannot t■e-i^t the ph asuic nf ihiiim .-o. In tliis
aiic nf univi'i-al euiitism. when even Ihi' youiifr do
nut ;ilwa vs escape the ei'iitaji'ion. it is emi-nlin;^' tn see
that vou at lea-t liave remained t'aithful tn the enlhii-
-ia-ni and the di>intere^lednoss which f'-nm limeim-
nieiiini'ial have heen th..' .ulnrimis appana.^e i'\' yniith.
f am happy to nnl e this fact. I'nr. tn my miml.t he
lir~l duty oi'thc Liheial party i- tn n-'jcnerate tlie
pui'Iic MMltinielil nf the cnMitry .
Nnthin.u: cnuld he iimi I' ( I eplnra hje ni' iiHMfc dis>--
trnu~ than the state nf deiivadatinii iutn which pnlities
iiave I'allon.
.\~ 1 speak, there is in this pmvince i^reat party
in which each act done or wnrd s[inkt-ii i- nuly done
or spoken in view nf thi; persniial lieueli'. nf the dncr
or speak(-r. if they an iieynnd the-e waih. \\,i- \icw-
which 1 am imw expre-sini;' wil h perhap-. he fiuinu-;-
Iv a-?sailed an 1 their truth an.:rily di-pated ; and
mv statements. perha]i.s. will he treated as a blander.
I nevcrtheh'ss reileiate w hat 1 have a--crt(d ;iiid Inr
their truth. T ;i[i[ieal imt tn ynu. ;jentlemcii. hut to
I
It '
Hi
m
in
M
SI'EEt II
i I!
Dili' iiilvi'i'-iii'ifj t liciii-t'lvr.^ ; I make this ii|i|ical. ii'it
to wlisit is uttiTcd pulilicly, lint til what is inintcil lur
the i^alli'i'ic-;, hut what i- lrarh'<sly and iVaiil^ly ad-
iiiitti'd ill the -cciTcy nf I'liciidsln |i. and 1 hcii, Lfi-n-
ticiiir'n. ydii knnw, fur \vr have all In^ai'd it rij.cated
It'll, twrnty. a hiiiidi'ed liincs. (h<i>c who.^till icuard
p'dilii'al hiiiinr ;i- sniiiclhiiii:', t hi i.-c \\hi» still liciicvo
tha' iiauinl i-ii; i- imt a Wdi'd with'iut iiicaniii.Li'. llntso
\v!nis(Ui<'arts ale ti.Ui hi d and ^t roiiiic-t tiiii/lii'iis a-
iiin-i'i| liy thf w >ird ciiinit ry. ar
tun-, t he I nil' |p
I- I iraliMi a- -iiii iilc
1 1 1 i I ■ v . n
I 1 In- ii|iiiinin n
the -11 1 111 LI.
pii-Itivc iiiinds. will! lonk dnwn u|hiii them i'<v ihi'ir
;:uil(d('ssu('ss. hcin;;- tn always s|ical< and art in view
of the in'olit dcrivalih' iVnni each wiird of art.
( icnt ham
have 1 n llrcil (.i tc;l \- ( 1 11 thai !l in
pMlitics we Midy kcf|i in view our individual intcri-.-t.s,
ir i'a(di acl . caidi w ord. ha- to he nica-urt'd ai'cordino-
totli"' hi'iidit-i dcrivahU' t hciclroni. tiicn \\i' arc not
wo
rthv to he a
K (■ liCOp
\r. Al
a- : 1
r ti
lOSf Wlio
aid
down 1 heir liv(< on Mic hatl Ic-licld or tliis scatfold liad
-havcd tilt' views of thf t'onteiii]iovarv stdiool. hatl
ralculatfd tlifir acts and their words acconlinj;' to tin:'
lu.'W rule, instfad oi'dyinn- ;,< (||,,y dicil. thi'y would
luivc lived on ihi' favors and lai'i.''i'SSO.s w liieli ihe lui-
veaiu'vaey of their day would have hoen tmly too ulad
to shower upon tlioni. and (Uir iieiiple would
^ti!l 1
a
(! ol slaves.
Alas I t he times are
m'ct'ssarv to rineat l!
ii'i'ativ eliaiiii'eil
iill 1- it
lat 1 iiere H no salvation
'1' a
couiitiy unless its eiti/ens remain faithful io ii and
place the puhlie over private inicie-i .'
Tht^ party, which has ^icvci iied usalino-t without
interruption lor twenty live years, has foientton these
^reat truths. It has ruled \ y pandei'iiiu' to eiipiditv
and hy piittini;' pergonal over litaieial inter(\<t>. Its
appeals unhuppily have found only too w iile an echti.
The policy of this province has lieen .-hapt>d not in
view of the jiuiiiic intta-est. which should alone he the
pole star of the true patriot, luit in view of imlivi lual
interc.-:ts. And
now. look at
the resu
I ? Wc ar
e I )a
AT Tlir: lil.AKE liAMjl ET
14."
llic iii'ink III' ;iii iiliyss. tlic (lp|)tli of wliicli is unl'ntli-
iiiiialile. mill it i;< cviilciit tii;it. in ii tVw ycMr.-. tlni
coiuitrv will liml it«i'ir i'licc tn I'ai'O with a iVi^htl'iil
liiiiiiH'ia! sitii!itii>ii.
Wliat will Kr the up-litit lit" tlii.-i fatal statr >n
tliilii^'.-i V We sec till' evil urll ('liiHii,'li.
Wi' to
for the rniicdv ? With a ih'l
hut wliiTc aro
il III iiiniiv
iiiilliiiii-. a liiu,iti'i| as.-ct, an cxhaustril nrilit ami not
evi'ii till' honor, which i-- tin' last I't'.^oui'ci.' of tlioso
who have none, what icmain.-' tons with whirli tn
lonlront (he situation ? 1 tni.-t I may iir ini-taki'ii in
pinlirtin;: that tlir [iroviiirc will inoliiilily have to
pay with the loss of soiiicof its constitutional lihcitic.s
foi thr crinic. w
of not haviui; L^ovcrncil for tlir coiintiv. oi not haviiiL;
itli w liirli T chai.^i' tin' party in |iowt'i'.
alone coiisultt'il the i>ul)li(! intcrc-^t. ami of havintj,-
sarriliccil thr puhlic rauso to pevsonal cuiiiility.
Kor our pail, we. who claim to contiiiui' the w ork
of till' men who (;oiii|U(:red the constitutional lihertics
which we to-day enjoy, we, who claim to \>('. follow-
iiiix the path traced out liv those ^frand (Imirfs who
still shine out in oui' history, hy tho-e w ho loved
their country ti» the extent of dyinu for it ; we onjv
seek, like them, in the share we take in jiuMic affair-i,
the greatest possihle sum of liooiI for the count iv.
What we have to contend a.uainst at present is
this di-isolvinti' tendency tn only consider personal
interest, which leads to vcuality. to the dehasenient
of consciences, to all those infamies of the recent past
and to all the danirers which are loomiiiL; up in the
near future,
(Mice more. I say that, if the |iulilic caii-c is not
Worth the jxreatest elTorts of w hiih we are capaMe. we
are not worthy oflieinL''a free i cople.
The hilieral party has imthiiii: to hold nut to
those who march m Us ranks.
W
e ate in tlie mino-
rity, and we have no favors, hniinr-;, lucrative places
or hiii-h-soundiiiL;- titles to distrihutc We cherish a
h'lritiniale amhition to triumph ami to see Mr. I'.hiko
at the head of
10
this country, hut. if we Impe fm- its
IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)
1.0
I.I
^ m iiiM
ii2 lllll 2.0
1.8
1.25
1.4
1.6
<« 6" -
►
%.
V]
o
ew
■el
,-,%
^5> c^l
%
#3
^;.
A
Photographic
Sciences
Corporation
23 WfST MAIN STREET
WEBSTER, NY. 14580
(716) 872-4503
.<?
C/a
^
"^
I .
Il''
Nh
14B
SPEECH AT THE BLAKE BANQUET
gtatification, it is not for the individual profit which
eiich of us may derive from the circumstance, but for
the good of the country at large.
'.I'llTiI do not pretend to be indifferent to the posses-
sion of power. Under our system of government, tlie
w^e believe to be just and true, whatever may be the
upshot of our efforts.
The heroism of those who died on the battlefield
siiuply for the honor of their country is remembered
with emotion. The last charge made at Reischoffen
by_ McMahon's cuirassiers, riding to their certain and,
s\>'to say, useless death, is recalled with emotion, be-
rniise it was a last sacrifice to the fortunes of France.
AVell, if the soldier gives up his life for his country,
i^ it too much to expect the citizen to sacrifice a few
material advantages for the sake of fidelity to what
lie.believes to be his country's cause ?
'.' ' As for us. once more I repeat that our leaders
1^'nVe nothing to offer individually and we look foi
n'othing from them. Our adversaries may not know
ii, but we know what the no])le pride of being h(>nor-
able in our own eyes is worth, and we also know the
W'orth of the proud pleasure of owing nothing except
to ourselves, of exitecting nothing except from our-
selves, and of being patriots in deed as well as in
name.
•f,ii':
"90 1,'
/; rl-
The Ontario BoiiodaiT (luestioa
THE DECISION OF THE ARBITRATORS
IN 1882
FAVORABLE TO ONTARIO, HIT REJECTED BY
THE FEDERAL (iOVERNMENT
MR. LAUKI'^'H
■ti.i:'H IN KAVOR (»K THE AWARD
Till AUBITKATORS
The following speoch ilcaU with ;i .siil»joct of intoiost not
only to the iicoj)le ot'Ontaiio, but also to tliose of the juovinco
f)l'<iiu'bcc, wliose northern boundary i* not yet deterniinetl.
ilefore the annexation of tlie Noitli-W'est, it was perfoctly
iniderstoo*! tiiat tiie teriitory of untario extended to beyoml
Port Arthiu' ami the Lakeof tiie Woods. But since the annexa-
tion, the Federal (iovernment di.s|H'te<l tlie legality of this
boundary, wiiieh would iiave taken away Algonia an<l a vast
region fioni < Mitario ami very nearly provokeil troubles and
.acts ol violence in the disputed territoiv. 'Die Mackenzie
Cabinet pi'oposed an arbitration, which was accepted ; Ijut,
when the arbitrators iinnle their awaid, Sir .Inhn .\ >raci|onald,
who liad in tiie nieantime returned to power, refused to submit
to it. l{ecour^e liad to be had to the coui ts : and Honorable
Mr.Mowatt, I'reniicM" of < >ntario, carried the alfaii' to f]ngland,
where he iiained iiis ciuse. All these diflieulties and judicial
expenses would have bc-tai avoided, if in l^^^^ tlie advice given
n
148
SF'F.KCH
by ^^'•■ I.riMvicr in tlusp terms, iit tin' sittitij: <'|' tlie House
oi'C'diiimou^ on tlic Itli A|i'il, l^^^'J, Inul been followed :
M 1(. .^ TEAK Kit,
The resolution i.'' now in your hands!, and all the
hoiioralilc "fcntlcnien who have atldrei=.=ed you iVoni
the o])|it)>it(' .«ide of tiic House, stron<_dy in«;i*t u|inu
the ))roiiri('ty of treating tliis <|U<'stinn iVoni a jiurely
legal jiiiint of view. Acting thenii=elves upon this
]irinci|ilc. they have attacked, at great length, the
award lendered hy the arhitratorp to whom the deci-
sion ol'thi-'<|Uestion waseonlided Ity the (iovcrnnients
of Ontario and of the Dominion. They have disfeett.'d
this award minutely and have come to the conclusion
that, hail they sat on the commission, they would
have readied a different decision from the one
rendered hy the arI)itrator9. They have i>iled up
arguments, discjuisitions and opinions, to estahllsh
that the arhitrators greatly erred ^\'len they decided
that the word '• northward " in the act reafly means
towards the north, whereas, in their ojiinion, it means
simply north and nothing more. AVell, every). ody
knows that in the jtast ihere has heen no more prolilic
cause of discussion than
TIIK SKi.MKlCATION OF WORDS.
In listening to-day to the learned and elaliorate
disfiuisitions of the honorable gentlemen opposite
upon the meaning of the words •• downwards "
" northwards ". and "" due north," T was strongly
reminded of a letter which is to he found in the
a))iifndix of tlie work of the hon. member for Jlotiiwell,
wliicli was addressed by the .Mar(iuis de Torcy to
J.ord liolingbroke, on the 'ioth Oecember, 1712. at
thetime when the negotiations fi>r the treaty of I'trecht
were going on. The letter of the .Alartjuis de Torcy
complained that too much weight was })ut by the
J!ritish plenipotentiary on mere words. He wrote:
"
1 t
1 1
1
' 1
'
1
1
•
1
i4j
ON' THE ONT.VIIIO nolXDAItY iJlKsTI OX
140
'In the name of Clod, Sir, orilor your plcuipotentiaiies
t<i ho \(t^s excellent graniniiiriiins. Our^, who also
un<ler:^t;in(l the force of fiitin exi)re.s.sions. are out of
l»atienco, when they see diHiculties wliicJi have Ijeeu
loPii adjusted started ajiaiu, and the differenee hc-
iweeii '■i.'ssiiiii ;ind i-rsHlnHim, and the nieaiiiiigof timse
tenn3. In truth. Sir. such (juestions ought not to l)e
the ainuseinont of hon(»ral)le men. They are, at l)est.
«!XcU:Jal)le in those to whom we may api)ly the epithet
(iiiinnliKin irnr. Finish tliose disputcM which, if they
continue lonjxer, will only profit our enemies. "
Well, there is nothing new under the sun, and
one would really think that this letter was written
expressly for tiie purpose of the present discussion,
and if we suhstitute the words " north '' and ''due
north " for the words '• cession " and " restitution "
it would exactly apply to the present case. In truth,
such questions ought not to be the amu.--enient of
liouorahle men unless they are excusable as being
(nivnUittin irar. On this side of the House I may say
that we have no patience when we see difhculties
which have been long since adjusted revived again
by the honorable gentlemen op{)osite
ON THE FMilVol.Ol.S TKETEXT
that the meaning of the words " north '' and " due
north " were not properly understood by the arln-
trators. This question has been .sett'ed. Why should
it be opened up again ? I>ut what would be the benefit
of opening the (juestion? If. however, it is to be
opened, we are ju-<t as anxious as are honorable gen-
tlemen opposite that the question should be treated
exclusively as a legal one and should be a[q)roached
in no other spirit ejccept a judicial one. Hut let tne
ask tho^e honorable gentlemen, who have urged ou
the House the propriety of treating it as a purely
legal (me. wlietlier in such an event they have the
right to criticize the award rendered. If they are
sincere in their opinion, and I believe they are, that
u
150
SPEECH
tlie question shall be treated simply as a legal one,
bo approached only in a judicial spirit, can they
ignore th(5 great fundamental principle in matters of
arbitrati(m that an award is binding on both parties
and cannot be questioned, except for cause? And
Avhat is the cause in this case — what causes can be ad-
duced for refusing to submit to the award ? The answer
is, that the arbitrators have erred. The only cause
adequate to contest the award is this : it lies with the
party challenging the award to show tJiere has been
fraud on the part of the arbitrators or that it is grossly
unjust. This is a fundamental principle which no
one will gainsay. Yet no fraud is charged against
the arl»itrators — they are al)<>ve suspicion. No sub-
stantial injustice is charged. What is charged against
them is this: that tliey may possibly have erred and
taken a wrong view of the case before tbeni. This
cannot be brought a? a charge against tlie award and
unless honorable gentlemen opposite are prepared to
say there has l)een iVaud on tlie part of tbo arbitrators,
or that shocking injustice has occurred,
TIIEV H.WE NO HKUIT
to review and crititizc the award as they have done.
Altbougli no charge of injustice is brouglit against
the award, or fraud against the arbitrators, yet some
oltjections are made l)y lionorable gentlemen opposite.
"What are those objections ? The first is that the refer-
ence of the question to arbitrators, wliicli was made
by the late (lovernment, was niiido without the sanc-
tion of Parlian^ent ; and this they hold to be a fatal
objection. Tn law and in fact this contention is un-
founded. The honoral)le member for llotbwell has
shown conclusively tJiat it was within the power of
the Crown to make sucli a reference. It may be said
that such a prerogative of the Crown would hardly
obtain under our constitution ; the most punctilious
Avili reply that tlie reference was made with the au-
thority of Parliament. It was, however, not made
r
ON TUB ONTARIO norXDARY «^t'E8TI0N
ISJ
with the authority of Parliament couched in an AtJt ;
but the authority given by Parliament wai just asit'
it had been given by an Act. It is within the recol-
lection of many honorable members that during the
late Parliament the question was often referred toon
the tloor of Parliament. Not only so, but in the sea*
sion of 187S, Sl.j,()l>!) were voted by Parliament for the
l)uri)ose of defraying the expenses of the commission
which had been charged with the settlement of th«
Ontario boundaries. 1 ask any fair-minded man if
Parlianient could have sanctioned anything on niorc
binding terms than it did when it voted the necessary
money to carry out the expenses of the commission.
Could the authority have been more binding if Parlia--
meiit had passed an Act to refer the case to arbitration ?
If these honorable gentlemen will look upon the ques-
tion as a purely legal one— if they will look upon.-it
in a judicial spirit, such as they invite us to do, they
cannot come to another conclusion than that Parlia-
ment could sanction the action of the (lovornment,
and therefore the argument which we have heard jso
often repeated in this debate falls to the ground. It
remains indisputable that
PARLIAMt:NT (iVVK ITS ArTlIOlilTV
•.'0'{f!
in the most open and binding manner that it wiis
possible for Parliament lo do.
Auuther objection made against tlie award iatliif :
it is said this is a legal question and being a l«gnl
(piestion it ought to have been settled by lawy<'rHaiid
courts. Now, sir, T cannot concede that tlu! autht)rity
of the gentlemen who lemlcred the award is to , b'e
(juostiuned because they ditl not all happen to belujtg
to the legal profession. No one will presume to assett
th;>t justice, fairness and knowledge are the exclu^i%:e
endowments of Ir.wyers. We saw a few diiys ago* in
a committee of this House, doctors of divinity argui/rg
(piestions of law as ably and as skilfully as any laT\'rer
could have doncand I am satisfied that every one must
"■
t i
It!
! tl
if
lo2
SPKECIt
admit thill llic aibitiutnrs wof oiuhiwcd willi all tiie
(jualitics nc'ccs-ary to lender .such an award a^ wtnild
PutistV the iiio^^l I uiictilinus. Fir.^t we have .Mr. Ju.»-
tic'o ilurrisoii. whose lofty charactor and clear and
cool Icifal acumen hIhuic ho consi>i(UoUHly in his
career; then we have Sir Francis llincks. wliosf I'cr-
tile and versatile talents eminently litted him lorsucli
a position : and then we have the llritish Amhiissailor.
whoJ)y his profession, his occupation, hy his know-
ledge and character, was just as well fitted to deal
with such a <iuestion as any professional man couhl
liave heen.For my own part.T protest aj!;ainst the asser-
tion that ([Ueslions of law should always he settled liy
the law courts. I say that the interests ol society do
not rcMpiire that <|uestions of law sliould always he
HO decided. The most trivial disputes that arise he-
tween men invtdve questions of law, but the interests
of society demand that these disputes should he
settled, if i)Ossihle. hy the contending parties, or, fail-
ing in this, hy arbitrators appointed by mutual
agreement, but that
OM.V AS A LAST KKsoUT
phould they have recourse to ctuvts of law.
Another objection ia made against theaward.lt is
said that the arliitrators have not solved the (luestions.
but that they have made a comproiuii-e between the
questions submitted by the re-ipective parties. Mr.
Speaker, it is very strange that such an assertion
ehould be made, and so often inade on the floor of
the House, when every man should now know better
than to make such an assertion. Sir Francis ITincks
declared in his lecture, delivered at Toronto, that no
com])romise was made; that the ari)itrator.s had
aj)plied themselves to the task which devolved ujjon
them ; that after hearing the arguments each sepa-
rately took the case and separately came to the con-
clusion which was come to in the award, and that
award was therefore the unanimous expression of the
ON THE ONTAIMO HofNItA I!V «/rK.STIO.V
l.-).'}
fdiiclupions nrrivod nt fsepnrntcly by r.nrli nrl)if rator.
1 (111 lint cilf tliii) ilcclaratioii o\ ^h I'mnciH ]Iiii(ks
licrauso it cjin have any bearinj; on (he caHc. l>ut
fiini|tly tor the iiur[Mi9e oi" prntcptinu ii<rainst nSFertious
\vhicli arc |icr.«i-itcntly made when tlicy s-hoiilil not he
made. Iiccjiu.to ihoy have no rouuihitinn in I'act. It is
iiHiwissilih' to carry on the public di^cits.siona ul' this
country if lionnrMl)lc L'cnth'iueu persist in basin;^
jirLTUiucnt^ on iH.'-crtion^ wliich aruihinied by the tacts;
liut wliat, after all, is there in the ai^sertion, if true,
that the arbitrat(us iuive made a coinprouiiae ? Sup-
])o?iiiir they made a comiironiise on the coiitentiou.-i
sulimittcd to them, what objection can the honoralde
gentlemen make to tliat fact? Honorable gentlemen
opposite seem very tender-skinned on that (juestion.
Thoy say tliat the boundaries between Ontario and
Canada exist by law. and that llie Parliament of (Jreat
Ibitain alone is the power that can clianj^e the.=e
lioundaries. To tliis ))roposition T am disposed to
assent, but if this boundary exists bylaw,
WIIEKK IS IT ro ME KOIM) ?
It exists by law. but the hiw is nut clear upon that
point ; and. supposing!; the arbitrators ntade a com-
promise. d<ies any f)ne pretend to say that they
thereby sacrificed t!ie rights of Ontario or the riuhts
of Canada? If the ari>itrators had taken the conten-
tions of either party and had said : ''We will not
admit the one proposition or the other ; but will take
a little t'roni one side of the case and a little from the
other. ■" Who can say that they took away any riJJ:llt^
that belonged to either? I>ut whether or not this
view be correct — whether the question was solved as
a compromise or as a question of law -at all events
there is the award, and it is binding unless you can
show a better objection to it than has yet been brought
forward. Of the award itself I will say nothing; it
has been so ably defended by my honoraltle friend
from Bothwell (Mr. Mills) that it would be prepos-
fl
ji' j!
154
HPEECII
terous ill me to add a word to what ho has said. More-
ovor, I do not see tlie necessity of del'endin^f it. It
does not recjuire to he defended, and the olyjections
offered against it are of the most frivolous character ;
and, sujtposing the proposition now before tlic FIouso
should carry and that the ([uestion should he referred
to the Supremo Court or Privy Council, does any one
8upp(tse that the decision of whatever trilmnnl it
miglit he hrouglit hefore would satisfy everyone con-
cerned? No, Mr. Speaker ; there are objection'' to the
award now, and there would be objections brou<iht
aj;alnst the decision of any other tribunal before
which it inifrht be carried. T think it is Jean .Tacciues
Rousseau who said that no two men ever discus-icd a
({uestion without each remaining more convinced of
his own ophiion than before the argument began. So
it is in every law court. Where is the judge that can
satisfy both parties? The loser always thinks that he
has been wrongly treated. So it would beil'this ques-
tion were referred to the Su])reme Court. T shall not
touch ujxtn the merits of the award, but I sity it is
iin award
niNl>IX(i ox ItOTU I'A1^TIES,
and that it is the duty of both parties to receive it
and (;any it out in its entirfty. In speaking tlius, I
itm perl'eclly well aware that T shall be violently
iittacked in my own province by the members of the
Conservative i)iirty.
lionoral)l(! Members: Hear, hear !
Mr. iiaurier. T see that T have not mistaken the
spirit of honorable gentlemen oppf)site. T see that I
have not mist:iken the views of my honorable friends
opposite. T know their prejudices too well, not to
know in advance what their argument will 1)0 ; T
know that it will be an appeal to the baser prejudices
of my fellow-countrymen, liut, Sir, T have too much
respect for the justice of my countrymen to fear the
effect of those appeals. Two years ago, when a motioji
ON THE (JXTAklO noiNDAUY QUESTION
155
W113 miule to appoint ii Cominittoe to investlRiite tho
uwtiril, T, in common with Bome of my friends on this
side of tlio Houso, voted af,'ain3t such a Committee,
heciiUHo we liolieved tlien, as we believe now, that the
(luestion liad been settled, and that it should not l»e
aj^'ain opened. We were attacked then, as we shall
be attacked now ; it was represented that we had
pacridced the interests (»four province for the sake
of Ontario. It would seem to tiiese honorable gentle-
men that to do justice to Ontario means to sacrifice
the interests of Quebe(^ Tt must be remembered that
thi^ award grants nothing to Ontario but what Onta-
rio had before; it does not prct(!nd to give any addi-
tional territory to Ontario; it pretends simply to
award to Ontario the territory to which she is entitled.
lUit we were represented as the enemies of our pro-
vince. fiCt me tell honorable gentlemen opjiosite,
what T have often said elsewhere, that
THK CONSKHVATIVK I'.\RTY oK TO- DAY
are not the party that were led at one time liy Sir
(icorge Ktienne ('artier.
Some honorable members ; — Oh ! oh !
Mr. Lauricr; — Will the honoraltle gentlemen. who
now take so strong objection to my languiiire, i)reten(l
that on this (pujstioii tlicy bold the views that were
held by Sir (ieorge ('artier? Dn they not know that
Sir (ieorge Carticr, in many State jiapcrs signed I ly
himself, granted to the ])rovince of Ontario far more
territory than is granted to her by this award? Fu
order that there juay l)c no doubt on tiiat ])oint, let
me refer them to the desi):it('h signed by Sir (ieorge
('artier and bis then culleaguc the honorable member
for Ifalton (Mr. .McOougall) on this very iiue-tioii.
As honorable gentlemen remember, when the Dawson
route Wiis oi)ened in ISllK, strong olijection was mnde
by the lluflson's Uay ('omj):iny against the ('iiniidijin
(iovernment opening a route through the territory
between the Ijake of the Woods iuid Ued lliver
ti i
ft'
1)6
spKEcir
bftmif^c they f^iiid it was iij\ .'idiii).' their rijilil.^. Tn
llli^ Sir(i('"rj,'o ('nrtifM- niiil .Mr. .McJ)(»u;:iill lu.'ulcii
rcjily. ill wliicli tlicy dci hircti tliiit, w liiittvcr (|i>iilit
iiiifflit cxi.st i\.H t(» tlic limits ul' did or l-'iciu'li ('!iiiiiihi,
no iiii|i;irtiul iiiv('Hti).Mtor could doiilit tliat tlicy
rxlpiidi'd to iind iiiciiKlcd tin; cciuntry luilwfcn tlio
iiiikf of tin' \\'i>o(l.s iiiid Kfd llivfr. r liavc no dduht
lliiit it" Sir ( ifur^'c Ciirlirr \ver<! i^till U'luliii;,' Id;' piiity
he would ludd tlio Hiiiiio opinion, jind I venture to
Hay tli;d this (|Ui-ition wouM iicvci' luive hrcii nii'Cfi.
hut tli«' award would have hecn carried (Uit. Il' there
wii.s a <|uality lor which SirCieor^e I'jirtier deserveil
to he admired, it was his eoura^'c, and, ne.xt to hi.'a
eoura<5c. his fairness to an ailvcrsary ; anil, knowing;
liini as we once knew him, I say he would not have
prone hack on his word, hut would have jfivcn whatever
ju-<lic(.> was due to Ontario; and [ repeat a^'ain. that
those i^entlenicn who are proposiiifi; to erect ii monu-
ment to Sir (Icor^e ('artier arc; slapping that very
monument whenever they raise any ohjet'tion aj^'.-iin.st
the award, f Iind that the honi»rahle mcmher for
llalton, a tew mordhs afterwards, as well as .Mr. Cau-
ehon, in 1SH7, wIhmi he was a memher of tlio ('anadiaii
(iovernnient, also t<»uk the {ground that the territory
« xtended
AS KAU .\S KKIi UIVKU.
If this (juestion is referred to the I'rivy Council, in
what position will the Canadian (Joverniuent stand?
They will stand in this position — that wlien it was to
their iiiter(5st. when they were lightini; the Hudson's
]{ay Company, to claim that territory, they did so,
and that now, when it i.? to their interest, they are
asserting the very reverse, ft may he that the Privy
Cfunicil will hold their jKisition to he legal, but cer-
tainly, if it is legal, it will ho neitlier honorahle nor
dignified. JJut let me refer to the position of my fel-
low-countrymen from the province of Quehec. When
it was asserted we were sacrilicing the riglits of our
,11
ON Tin; oNTAIJM IlirjNDAUV i^l EHTIdN
lu
£
|irovn('o. it was (tlijoptod tlmt tlic tnrritory of Ontario
\va-< alr«'a(ly irn'at aiiil tiiat tliis jiw aitl iiia<lf it >till
j^rfiitcr: ainl it was a<l(ifil tliat it'a lai.;f! in'imlatioii
Bt'ttlcd tiuT(! Ontario would have a larjif ))ri'|ioii(l»'r-
anc*' ot' powi'r in the Domini. >n. Now, let uh hu|i-
]to-f' tliat tliL' ([ucstioii is op.'ncd anew. I'lic award
may Ixt set fisidc. mid it may lie that Ontiirio will ho
in('roa-f«>d to the «>xtoi!t claiMicd as iier rij,lit hy the
I )n I nil! ion (iovcrnnicnt. or it may he ilint tin' tfi ritoiy
of Ontario will he incrcaHcil to the cxlfiii claimed l>y
Ontario, and jiraiitcd hy Sir (Icorjjc! (Miiicf. namely,
to Kt'(l Ilivcr — what then? '^'ou will have the |'ro-
vinco of Ontario madi' ^neater than ii is hytheaward.
As for a larj^'e |)0|)ulation Hcttlinp- in thai territory,
does any one su|>|io!Je that tlii,-) will he nali/ed lor a
hundreil years to come '/ Wh »t immi^'ration will l^o
into the roel<y ronntry ho lon^r as the vast prairie* in
the North- West are to l)t; tilled tip? TliR fear is per-
fectly chimerical.
THE whom: nisiaTic
lies in the int(M'pretation (tf the Act of 1771. The
honoralile niemher I'or liothwell argued that the ]>ro-
vince of Qneliec. ns constituted in 177 I. was comprised
within the followinjr limits: To the east hy the ocean,
to the west hy the .Mississippi Uiver. to the north liy
the Hudson jijiy Territories, and to the south hy the
lines which h.ive heen descrihed. On the other hand,
it Is enntcnided hy the honorahle nuMuhers I'or Niajrara,
Ilichmond and Woli'e. and I'rovoncher, and in fact
l)y all honorahle memhers opposite who Inive sjjoken
on this suhject. that the term " northward " applies to
a, line to lie drawn ilue north from the junction of the
Mississippi with the Ohio; and that this astronomical
line was to he the western houndary of the province.
The honorahle niemher for iJolhwcll ar<;ued forcihly
that, if that contention were admitted, the province of
Que!)ec. which ..as then constituted, was let't without
any houndary on the north. If this contention ho
Ji 11 1
158 SPEECH ON THE ONTAKIO BOUNDARY QtTESTION
true, wliere is the northern l»oun(.hi/y of Quehec to be
found ? If none was provided in the Act of 1774, it
must be thsit established by the Royal Proclamation
of 17iv). In tiiat case, it would be a line passing
through the middle of Lake St John. This territory
has always been claimed by the Province of Quebec,
and at this moment the (ioverniuent of that province
are making great efforts to settle a large population
there. I do not say the contention of the honorable
member for iJothwell is right, but I say that, if you
deny Ontario the l)oundary she claims, she may deny
Quebec her northern Iwundary. and those sectional
cries, which at one time were thought to be forever
destroyed, would be renewed. The ciuestion having
been settled ought to remain settled. There is no
occasion to open it anew. I do not fear tiie appeal
that will be made against me in my own province on
the vote I intend giving. I have no hesitation in
saying this award is bintUng on l)oth j)artie3, and
should be carried out in good faith. The consideration
that the great province of Ontario may be made
greater I altogether lay aside as unfair, unfriendly,
and unjust. This is not a questicni of expediency,
it is
A (^rKSTION OF .irsTicE
I. do not gruilgc to Ontario the extent of territory
declared hers under this iiward, and which does not
constitute (>ven the whole of what she is entitled to,
according to the opininn of one of the most learned
and imlustrious of my countrymen. The etei'iial 'prin-
ciples ofjusticeare far more important than thousands
or millions of acres of land, and I say, let us adhere
to those ])rinci[)le9 of justice, and in so doing wo will
have the surest foundation for securing justice on
every occasion.
Pi!
f
I I! I;
A
i^nrpi
N
HTAXT
THK RIGHT OF TIIK PKOVINCK."^ TO LEOIS-
LATE AS IlEOAKDS LTCENSK.s
Is CONFEDEUATION A DISCI ISED I.K(iIM.ATI\E
IN I ON ?
In ISS;;, the I'V'dcral (invoiniiicnt lunl attouiptt'ci to taUo
away liom tlie piovinoes the li;:! it to legislate in the matter of
licenses for the sali^ of spirituous li(iiior,s. This oncroaelnuent
upon the rights ol ihi' I'lovincial Le!.'islatures was so sclt->vi-
(leiit that,at the vi'rv ne.\tsession(lSS4)a suppoi ler ol the<iov-
einnieiit itself, the late Mr. lloude, proposed the repeal, pure
ami simi>leof tiie usuri)ing law. The (-bllowing spceeii liy -Mr.
i.aurier on the occasion )>erfectly sinus up the whole ilehate :
Mr
«rEAKi:i;.
Ill view (if what has Ijeeii statod by luy hoiiorahlc
Irieinl tVoiu Queliec ("ontre (Mr. Uos.se),! luiist refer to
to tJK' hmguagc which was iiindo Uso of ia.-t year liy
the tioveninieiit and contra^5t it with tiieir hm^ruage
oft()-(hiy. Tt is witliin the recolh>"tion of ('veryhody.
and has lieen inentioneil several times to-day, that la^t
year the (iovernnient [jroposed this h'jiislatioii. whicli
it is now sougld to repeal, luidei' the alisoiute plea of
necessitv.The Prime .Minister .staled that there was iio
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HI'EECIt
IGO
law ti> prevent tliesalo ofintoxieatinf!; liijuors ; that all
the law.s which haveheen passed by the [d'ovinecs were
null and void, and that ut any moment any man
oituM open a shop, and there were no [xtwcr on earth
to prevent him tVom sellinjf litiuor. Tn view of the atti-
tude taken hy my honorahle friend, the words of the
First Minister, thouirh they haveheen already (pioted
in thi^ drhate. will liear re[»etition. The I'rinu- Mi-
nistci thcrn said :
I'liiit sii!)ji'ct was iidt williiiL'ly undertakpii liy tlii> ]ii'esoiit.
(ioviMnnii'iit. Tlicy wove i|nite s^atistii^il that tlie law, ns it
olit.'iiii< in till' iliffiTont |,roviiices, slioiikl bo coiitimitvl. Tlioy
\vor(Miuit<» sati-itii'il fliat each (novinrf sliouhl, so i'ai' as tlio
law WDuld allow it t<i enact such statutes, deal with the suh-
jcot of shop, tavern and saloon licence.-.
Then later, the right honorahle gentleman. si)eak-
ing of tli(! decision in Uussell and the Queen, said:
Sir, if there be any value in that decision, and there is
every value in it, because it is tln' law of the land, there is no
check at the present moment, in the province ot ( )ntario, a-
j.'ainst the unlimited, unrestraineil sale of intoxicating li(|Uors.
'fliis is not a matter we can jilay \vitli. It is not a matter of
l)oli(;y ; it is a matter of necessity. If we wish te prevent the
unr(;strained sale of intoxicating liquors we must legislate im-
mediately : for I take it, that any man in this city, or in any
]iiit of Ontario, can open his saloon and sell lii[Uors,and there
is not a court in the world can prevent his (loing so.
Mr. Speaker, tliis was
VERY s'n;o.N(i i.AM.r.M.i:.
and it was owing to this laijguage that that law was
put upon the statute r>ook. It is within the know-
ledge (jf nmny mend;er.- of this House that it was with
the greatest riductance that iuany supporters of the
(iovernnuMit, especially those representing (iueliee
contituenc es, voted !'or that law. They looked U|ion
it as an infrigement u])oa the rights of the ))rovince8.
they looked upon it as an infringement of the power
which rightly lielong to the provinces. J>ut when
III
\ l|i
ON THE LICKNSE ACT OK 1S83
K'.l
tlicy wero told l)y so Iii^'h ii (>on.«titnti(it):il niitlinril y
us tlie I'l'oiiiier ol'tliis I)(Jiiiinion that jill the law.^. which
li.itl hitlierto re<jcuLito(l tho triulc in liquors, were null
ail void, tliat the )>iovin('o^ had alxolutcly no imwrr
to lo^fislate upon thi.s matter, thiit the only ])o\\('r to
legislate upon tliis matter resided with tlii^i Parlia-
ment, that any man could 0))en shop and sell without
restniint, the con-ienueiices were appalling-, and the
])r()S]>ect was such that they yielded to those con.^idera-
!ionf and enaeted that law. T venture to say. .Mr.
Sjjeaker. without fear ofcontridietion, tlnit had it not
heen for the stronu: hintrunj^e used hy the Prime .Mi-
nister, had he not given it
AS HIS DKI.inKIJAI'K olM.Vlo.V
— and his opinion was cnlitle(l to L^reat credit — that
the i)roviiues had no riiiht to le;:;islate upon thi.s mat-
ter, thi.s liill would never have l)eci)ine law. I>ut his
authority was great with his ibllow(>rs. Ft w asset great
that it indueeil a great many of his followers to vote
for that hill. ag;iinst what they helieved to he the hest
interests of the provinces. Tliere can he no donht.in
view of what has since trans])ired, that that ohnox-
ic.ns legislation has heen ohtained, iis it were, undei'
false jtretences. There can he no douht that the opi-
nion then ex]iressed hy tho First Minister was wrong.
It is now judicially estahlislicd that the provinces have
the pow(>r to regulate the sale of intoxicating liipiors.
This caniiot he longer dis])i'ted. No one can say. in
view of the decision rendered in the case of IFodge,
that the provinces have nut tho ])ower to regulate the
Ji4Uf)r tralic. On the contrary, the decision has heen
rendered u])on that very i)oin1 — it was the only (jues-
tion .«ul)mitted to th(> Privy ( ouncil. ;ind upon that
very point the Pavy Council hns rendered a decision
which is cleiir and manifest; ami the decision is to
this etT'ect, that the regulation oi' th<' liipior triillic is
within the powers assigned under th(> eonstitiitiun 1o
the provinces. It seems to me that, under such cir-
11
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SrEEfll
funistances, when the Government declared hnst year
that the only motive which ' ni)elled them to legis-
late, was tiiat the Legislatures had no such power.
tliey should have hcen sat sfied to leave the
matter within their control. They should declare to
the House that they have heen in error and
WII.l, HESTOltK THAT I'OWER
to the provinces. That course would seem to he oh-
viously the cnrrcct one ; yet what do we see ? Do we
seethe (invernment rising in their places and saying :
We thiiught the provinces had no power, hut now we
see thiit tlie provinces have the jxiwcr ? Xn ; they
say : we want to test whether we have not the
same power as is po>sessed hy the provinces. That is
thejiosition taken. I venture to say this : the true in-
wardness of this legislation is not to be found in yU-
nislerial exphinations or in the language of Ministers,
hut it is to he found in the Conservative press of On-
tario. Anyone who has f(»llowed the Conservative press
<if Ontiirio for the last few years is aware that since
liie granting of licenses has liecn phicedin the hands
ofcommissioneria[)pointed hy the I'r'>vincial Govern-
ment, conijtlaints have ])een loud and freijuent a-
gainst that system. Conipltiints have heen loud and
freciuent thnt the commissioners were partisans.
.Some honorable members.
11
ear, near :
1
Mr. Laurier : — I see the comjjlaints are even re-
)eatc(l in this House. T believe that the true inward-
ness is not only to be found in the Conservative press
of Ontario, but also in the following of the First Mi-
ni.'iter from Ontario.
If we have this law placed on the sta-
tute l)Ook, it is sim]>ly because these comjtlainta
liave l)een loud and many. T am sure that every
<lisappointed tavern-keei)er who has been refused a
license has declared that it was because he l)elonged
to the (Vniservat.ve party ; that every low and disso-
lute man, whose application was refused, did not
ON Tin: LICENSE ACT OF 1883
ir,3
]»lace the reason at liis own door, l»ut at tlie door of
the conimissioncrs, and ctjniphiined that the reason
accusati<ins v rre hroijjjht against him was hecause he
was a Tor}'. Tlic reason we ]>ave for tliis measure is
SlMI'l.Y FOR I'AUTY OAIN
and advantage. Tt is to have tlie issue of licences
l)hiced in tlie hands of coinniissioners a|)])ointed hj-
the Conservative (lovernment. I believe if it were
not for that consideration, we would not have had
this law. The jilacing of the ])resent law on the
statute hook is. in my o])inioii. un attack on the
powers of the provinces. What is the amendment
moved l)y the >linister of I'uhlic Works? It reads a.s
follows :
Tlint in ilm oj>inion ol tliis House it is cxju'ilicnt tliat tlip
question of the eoinpoti'Ui'V of I'iuliainent to jmss tlio I.iijuor
l^icensc Actof iss,'; should lie .-.uljuiittod, witli all convi'iiieiit
speed, to tlie^upri'iut'l 'ourt of! 'aniula oi- tiic .Judicial Cnmniil-
te<' ot the I'livy t'oUM'il, or both.
Why is this amendment moved. T ask ? Ts there
any doid>t as to the power of the proviiices to legislate
upon this matter? 1 could conceive the propriety of
the amendment, if it were still an open (piestion as
to whether the power to regulate the liijuor trallic
belongs to the provinces or to the Dominion. That
was the (|uestion last year. IJut this year, iu view of
the decision rendered in the case of llodgre, can it h(i
dor.hted any more, is it not. in fact, deterinined tliat
the provinces at this moment have power to regulate
the trade. Is it not now a certain fact that all the
legislation |)assed by the jirovinces of Oiiiurio and
Quebec is law withim those resi)ectiv'e province.-^ ? lUil
the aim of the (iovernment, which hist ye;ir wouhl
have been satisfied to let the mutter rest with the
]irovinces, now wish it to be tested whether tiiey
tliemselves fhave not also the power which the pro-
vinces possess. What is the (juestiou involved in
II'
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164
Sl>KEi;il
the .'iniendiiMiit ? It is {o (IctcnniiK' wlicllier t!ie Act
ltjisse<l last soKf-idU i.-< luw uv not. T hjiv, imd T submit
it to my ('Dlle.'iiiiic-J, lr<)in (iiiclicc oHpocially. that tho
aiiicnilmful is an iMsaiilt on the ri<rlits of tlii> ]troviii-
ces. We have this tad on tho one hand, whidi
should not he lust siiihl ut". tiiat at this moment mil
according- to the decnnon in the case of lfod,L,'e
■iiii; i.i:(.i-i.ATn)N oi' tiik imna inch
is law. Tf the amendment is carried, wiiat will he
tiie result' We will have the (juestion suhmitted to
the Pri\ y ( 'ouiicil as to whc'her the Aet passed liy
the Doniiniitii is not also law. Tt has heen W(dl arLCUi'il
hy the lionmahle iii"mh(!r I'or l>elleehasse (Mr. Amyi)t )
that the i>ower to h>u;islate upiin tins matter eannot
he eonfirmed. If it rests with the provinces itcanmit
rest witli the Dominion. and I'/'V.' i-rrsd. Tt is now deter-
mined that it rests witii the province.". Supi)<)se the
(|ue-tinn which it is iutendeil to sulmiit to the I'rivy
Cniuicil l>e answered in the allirmative, and iud;j:nn'nt,
he rendereil that tlie law passed hy the i)ominion last
year is valid and within tlie power of the l)iimini'iu
Parliament — what then? Tlie cnnsf(iuence uill ht-
that we shall have a douhle iniwer havin>>; authority
to deal with this matter — the [mwer already admitted
aslieinjr jiossessed hy the provinces, and tiiat which
would e\i.-t in the nnniinion. Then we would have
twti iiowers letiisjatin;!- coiieuricntly in tliis mutter
the Dominion |iii\ver and the Provincial power. \\
the Dominion has powei' to lejiisjate in this luattei'
and the provinces have the jiower also to legislat*
Avhat will he the eonsetiuenee? Tlie conseciuenee will
he that the leo-islation of the Dominion (ioverniiHiU
will override the legislation oftln^ provinces, and the
])owers which the provinces now exercise must dimin-
ish. Tt is (juite manifest that if this law, which it is in-
tended to refer to the Privy Council, is an attrihuti(»n
of the Dominion, we will have two concurrent ])owers to
leiiislate over this matter, and what would the conse-
f)N THK I.ICKNSK ACT (tV ISSIJ
165
(lUfUcc lie? The cons(3(iU(!nce iiuHt nfcessurily ha
that tli(! power nftlifi provinoes would be (!urt:iiloil l)y
Mil iiuu'li, thiit Jill the Icufishition wliicli now exi-it-i in
OiitiU'io, Qiicliec. and the nthiir [troviiices of tlie Do-
minion, wouhl li(! overridden l»y this law, and tlie
laws nhicli arc now administered liv the i)rovince3,
[d the l)enelit of those provinci's, would lie ?ui)erHeded
hy the Act )>as,sed last year, on tlic plea that they
were coiM|)elled to pass that Act. Let us see the road
we have travelled since last year. List year the law
Avas introduced as a matter of necessity ; it was not a
matter o|' policy. It was not the desire that the F)o-
minion should have power to legislate over this
matter; the (iovernment were willing that that power
should he retained hy the provinces. liut we find
that what was last year a matter of necessity is this
vear
A MATTKU (»1- I'OMCV,
and it is sought to have the ijueUion determined whe-
ther this Donnnion cannot also have legislation in
this matter. U\ my hunihle judgment, this i-j an in-
fringement upon the powers of the provinces. It can-
not be otherwise; and I ask the attention of those who
value this Federal system, when T enquire if the ob-
ject of the amendment is not, in the end, to deprive
the jn-ovinees of the right which legitimately per-
tains to them to-day. Now, this is a serious matter,
in my humble opinion. Tt is a step towards legisla-
tive union, as has well been said this afternoon, t say
that every succes.sful attempt made, on the tlo<»r of
this Parliament, to deprive any provinceof any power
now exercised by that province, however insignificant
that power may be, is a successful step in the direc-
tion of legislative union. Now, I am well aware that
legislative union is more in the favour of many mem-
bers of this House than a federative uaion. i knovr
that many honorable members would view the (dian^^e
to a legislative union without any alarai whatever.
f
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SPKECH
For my own part, T l)elievo that the federative gyfltein
is the ho.st of all system!^ which can he devised to gov-
ern this larifc territory. We are all aware that the
tact of our liavinj,' the present system of Confedera-
tion is largely due tothe i)eeuliar position of the pro-
vince of Quehec : it is largely due tothe fact that the
elements to he united were not honiogeneoug. It is
possible that if the elements had heeu homogeneous,
the union would have been a legislative and not a
federal one, but, wluithcr or not, those elements were
all homogeneous, I still submit that the best system,
TIIK ONI.V SV^TKM
a n. •
l)y which tn govern this great territory, is a federa-
tive, and not a legislative union. Upon this fjuestion
let me (juote the opinion of a man whose ideas, I am
sure, will commend themselves to, and whose autho-
rity will l)e respected iiy all the members of this
House, and especially the member.s of FrtMieh nrigin.
I refer to Montesquieu, who, in his ''Sj)irit of the Law "
speaks thus :
If ii repiililin Ijt' t^iiinll, it is ilostroyed Iiy a torciirn Ibrot^ ;
if it be liir.i:'^, it is niiiuMl Iiy uii interiiiil iiupoi lootion. To tiiis
twotold iiicniiv* iiienccMlcinocracies jiii(la"istot'racios)irc(>(|HMlly
liubl(». \viK'tli(M' they be jidod oi had. 'I'lie evil i> in the very
tiiin,-' itscb', and no form can redress it. It i«, therolore, very
prohahlo that niiinl<ind would have lieen. at len^'tli, obh,i.'ed to
Hve oon.'^tantly iin<ler tlie ^irovi'innifnt of a single iiorson, iiid
tliey not ooiilrivfd n kind of eon.-:titution. that has all the in-
tcinal advantages ol a rrpuliliean. tojr'-ther with the I'xternnl
force ol ii laonanliieal govciaiineni. 1 nn>an a <'onfederato
i('linl)lic. This form ol'gov(Minnent is a convention hy which
si-voiiil petty .'^tatfs agree to Ix-coine niemher.s ol a larger one,
which they intend to cstahiish. It is a kind of assenihhige of
societies', that constitnto a new one, capahle of iucroasinL'. hy
means of I'lirtiier associations, till thi\v arrive to such a degree
(if power as to be able to [trovido for the, si-curity of the whole
bodv.
Now. it is to l»e remarked that at the time Mon-
OK TIIK LICENSE LAW OFISSO
l(i7
te.si|uieu wrote these word^, the woill.hatl not hocu
tliL' hirjfo Cont'etlertiiinn wliich has since sprunir U|>
on tliis continent. At the timo lie thus wrote, tlio
only (confederacies wliich he touched upon in lii^
book were tlie Dutch Confederacy, tlio Swiss Confech"-
racy and the (iernian Empire. Now all tliene three
put together would not exceed in size one of our pro-
vinces, and any one of theiu singly would not exceed
the size of one of our counties, and the dangers which
iu; then foresaw, and which were ohvialed by thir*
form of government, are magnified l)y the magni-
tude of our territory. According to tliat authority,
it would lj(> impossibleto govern those large territurie-J
«!xtending from one ocean to the other, by a singlo
government, unless, indeed, that government wore
despotic, in which case
TUKRE won. I) r,K Rri'TiHi:.
lUit our system obviates all these dilUculties ; our
municii)al and provincial divisions, our Federal
system, all these wh(>cls within wheels constitute a
mechanism, which is at once elastic and strung.
Therelorc, f say tliat this system is the Ijest which
can be devised, and it l)ehooves (>very man in this
Parliament, every friend of this country, to sec that
no att-^mpt is made upon this lurm of government. I
can well understand the ctmduct of the present I're-
mier ; but 1 cmifess T tim surprised at the attitude
takf.n by the .Minister of i'ublic Wnrks and by some
of the members from the province of Quebec. I can
understand the attitmle of the Premier, becausi^T do
nut think it is slandering him to say tiiat his prefer-
ences are not in favour of a federative union. I
believe it is a matter of history that at the titne the
provinces were united, if that honoraI)le gentleman
liail it in liis power to stamp the constitution with
his lull mind, the bond of union would not have
been a federati''c but a legislative one. It is a matter
of lii.stiiry that the men whose ascendancy at the time
ll
ir.s
HPEKCH
]»rt'vail('il were Sir (leorpe ("iirtior andtliP IfoiioniMc
(it'()r;ie l»n»\vn. ft in a niatter ol' liistorv lluit it wm;'
llirnuj5li tlioir ((iiultincd ('tTi)iti' tliiit the < niistitutioii
rt'coived the t'('(l<'riitivf cliju'uctt'r wliicli it did reteivc.
Tlicy were Ixitli in I'iivour ol' a Icdciiitiv '■ iiiiidii. and
thoy were lt(jtli at the heud of larj^c niaj<>riti<>H. each
(tno t'loni hi.s own section ot' tin' country, and their
Ktrortrt prevailed in that direction. 1 helieve I can
ahso siiy that it is a mutter ol' history that over since.
and esiiecially since the honorahle ;,''entlenian relnrned
ti) power, he has endeavoured to forward legi.slatioii
\vhicli is
I n n
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(iltADIAI.I.V sri'KllSKliINO
the federative character of this union and niakinj; it
a le^dslative union. The outward forms are niain-
taineil : no letter of the law is attacked, hut jfradually
and surely new principles are introduced, new
feature.-? are added, and, though the superstructure is
untouched, there is underneath it an interpretation
of the inienl of that constitution which makes it just
as much legislative in its character as if it had l>e(>n
so made and decreed. You remember, .Mr. Speaker,
that the Homan legislator never changed one single
syllable of the law of the twelve tables ; but, by means
of edicts succeHsively introduced, the Roman legis-
lator introduced a new code of laws which, however,
left the laws on the tables intact. The honorabh;
gentleman is tollowing a similar course, though with
a less laudable object. The vetoing of numerous laws
admittedly within the i)t)wcr of the provinces to enact,
the present attempt to take from the provinties legis-
lation which belongs to them, and which has judi-
cially been determined to belong to them, the new
Franchise bill, which we see looming up in the future,
are all attempts in the same direction — in the direc-
tion of legislative union — and if all these measures
are carried we will be nearer and nearer to a legis-
lative union. If the same course is persisted in,
t
ox THK I.li KNSK LAW uK l^^.;
109
unions it is c'licckofl l)y the nicmlicrs n|' ilii-j IIdusc.
w<' sliiill have liyiiii(l-l)y ii ('luircdcratioii in iiaine.
liiit 11 legislative union in I'act ; tlic Local Le^'inlat ureH
will !)(• iirc'i^(M'VC(l, liut they will he
SIMI'I.V < n-ri.V (lUNAMKNTS,
ami iiotliiiifj; more. As I have said. \ am not sur-
])ri.>^e<l at th«; conduct ot" the honoralde Premier ; ho
is consistent; he i.^ true to liimself. W'lietlier
acting conHciou.sly from desijrn, or moved hy th."
unconscious hoiit of his mind, [cannot suy ; hut the
fact is there, that he is all tlio time u'radually approach-
iuL' towards a lo-rishitivo union. I am not sur-
jirised at his conduct, hut I must say I would ho sur-
|»rised at the conduct of any nu'mlier from the [irov-
ince of Quelicc who would vote for the amendment
now before the JIouso. I would venture to say that
if the great man who was instrumental in assisting to
franuttiie Confederation, sucli as it exists, were ^till
in his place, his work would not Ix; demolished as it
is now attempted to h;' : and T venture to say that, if
the teaching which ho instilled into the hreasts of his
followers remains with them still, this law will he
repealed even this evening. Tt will, perhaps, he
vain tor nie to invoke the testimony of the press. I
did it once l)efore, liut in vain ; liut honorahle gentle-
mean from the povince of Quehec are aware that the
Avhole of their press, with one exception, are opposed
to this liquor hiw. They all declare that it is an in-
fringement upon Provincial rights. Ln Miiirrrr, which
is edited l>y my honorahle friend from Ottawa, (Mr.
Tassc) on the 18th of February, said :
It is certain tiisit the Lords of the Privy Council have de-
clared in thoir last judgment tliiit a v.'ionji inteipiotation liad
been placod upon the dei-ision wliii'li tlioy iia<l reiiilereil in
tlie case of Russell,, whicli had boon taken as tiie basin ol the
law of 1S8;5. .Sir John A. Mac<lonald iiiiiiscH' derlurcMl at tiie
opening of the jji-esent session, that he liad gone too I'ai last
year, adding, however, that he did not pretend to t)eint'allible in
(t
h
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170
SPEECH ON THE LICENSE T.AW OF ISS?,
tli'^ iintt'T of (;oiistititti()!)iil liiw. Tlio itjtt-rijr.'t.'itinti wliicli WiH
jfivcii Iii<t yi'iir to tin' jiiliriniMit it'tvlnri'il in tin- ciisi' of liU'Soll
wiH nil lli(> iiiiiri' niifortuiiiito in lliiit it iiinlcriiiini'il tlii' very
basis (if our pmviiicinl in-ttitutioiis, !iu.l liiit tli' rii-w lir.v
wmiM li.'ivc, .'imoMj;-it oilit>r results, that of i|t'pri\iii>» the- <iov-
fi'MMUMit of (^ucKcc, iu jiaiticuliir, tliiit < ioviM'tinnMit iilrt'iily so
|ioor, oj'a ri'VtMHK! or i«litii,(iiin, a^ Mr. Kol"'i't-on ilt'cliiie'l iit
Slirii(i'f)oki'. I 'ridiT tlii'sc lurcuiustiuici's, it is loitutiiiti' tli.it lli<i
I'rivy ('(luiicil nou- u'liuits tntluT tint it hitl not <'X|i!'-sHt> I
its('l|C|(>(irly or that its laimuajri- was wroiiu'ly iut"i|iii'ti"l.
This I'uahloi us to truai the liiw of Jss.) in coiisoiiucui:!'.
Then jinotlier rrovincitil paper. Ia^ I'aitnilii ii.
till" 7th of Miircli. rtpciiks tliUH :
ol
When, for t'x.iuiiijf, i'<"ii!friiiiij^ thi> licfin'c lau.ati uii'l'iiiahlo
intriufji'iufnt of our |iinvi'rs, \v(> arc aiipfalfil to on thc^riounil
of o\U' |);irt\, on th(> irrouu'l of ourscutiuients of loyalty t'lwnnl
Sii' .iolm, \vi" liavi- icasoii to aii^wiM that the most sacriNJ ol .ill
til's is tilt' tic wiiich hlu'ls us to our iiroviMi'c, anl thil tho
xvant (if ii>yalty would hi' iu tho'ic who would jicrsist in takiui: oui*
liLrhts fi'.ini us. Tlic Lifrnse I^iw and the Fraui:hi»i* Bill,
which Sir .hihn lias heen «>ndrn\ourin;; to i'.npos.i upoi, us I'm-
the last two se.iHions, show with too much liiihl the end towaril
which heaims, to uiake it possil^le lor ttiosc who an' oii]MPied
to Ic^iislative union to lon;;eikccp >ilent."'
I could iiiuUiitly tlioao citixtions, liut I williiid do
so. Thc.^o iire sulficiciit to (ehow tlic ti'ndt-iu'y <>( the
t'oiijiervativo |);irty. T tnUlrc-^.s iiiy.-ielf to lioiionildo
"iontlcmoii oppiisite. ami I appeal to tliem to inaii\t;iia
tlic ciiuslitution.Tii spciikiiiu; an T now dn.T do imt want
lo he .-X'ctiiuial. I wouUl not make
ANY SKI TIO.NAI, AI'PEAl
oil ijii.s aHonaiiy other occasion. When T tisk my col-
leriuues from the i>rovince oi'Qael)ec to vote in favour
of the motion of my lion, friend from M as ki 110111:1'', I
niuke no sectional appeal. It is aii ii))peiil in favour of
the constitution, such a«> it i.s. All the provinces are
interesiod in the integrity of the constitution, Inn no
province so much as the province from which I come.
PARLlAMENTAIiy LIFE
LKCTIKK DKIJVKIIKI) I'.V
W. l-ArillKK
IIONOIIAIILK
O.N TIIK IOtII \I.\V. 1SS|, | .\ ihk li()()M< UK
l.A I'ATKIK
AT MoNlliKAI,
Mi;. ClIAIIiMAN,
AM) ( iKNTI.FMKN :
One iiiu.-t nct'ds holiovo tlx' cvidciico ol his oycH,
Idit. to Ipclicvc it. he requires the (ividcnccdt'liis eyes.
We Imvo iiiPt tiiis ov(Miin<:. on the invitation ot" ;i
Lilx-rnl journalist, who receives us here, in .Montreiil,
amid the ho-ipitiihle .surroundinj^'s of iiis own niovejiMe
iind iniiiiovealde |»ro|i(>rty. Indeed, nothiuLT h's^ wim
needed tiian the evidence of our own eyes to convinen
U.1 of tlie existence ol'a fact so unusual in tlie history
oftlie iiiheral press ot' our race in thi-i country. ;
Tl
datioi
lose who are aware tliat. previous to tlie hum-
/.'/ I'lilfir l>v .Mr. lleau''rand, the Liheral
I ol
])ress m tins city only nian'i<reil to exist thiouLih dnit
ol' ciinstaiit sacrilices, as well as tho«e who reineiidier
the druins on their purses to whi'-li it was nece.-sary
to rosort in order to kee]) the life in /.'■ Pai/s and A''
Ndiiniinl, will undoulitedly he as 8urpri.s(Ml as they
are rejoic ■(! at Mr. r>ea\ijirand's success. Stiil more
is he deserving of their th;ini<-i for the niarUed service
he has thereWy rendered to the liiheral party. IFo
has jtroved that it is possihle not only to publish, hut
to j)ul)lish prolitahly a Fremdi Lilieral paper.
Until lately, the prevailing- impression was that
^ (
a 'SB
172
i.Kc'rrRK
i'-i
ii
n
lii
J s
I!
'■■
I''
PI
in this country, wlioro educ;ition i^ still so little widc-
sprciid. a Fr(;nch piquu- could not live save with the
liel|i of odirial subHii(lie3 and ^^illistel•ial favor.s, and,
:i,> the r>il)t'i-al party, as well in as out of jxiwer, has
always net its I'ace against such methods, it was the
•reneral heliefthat the party's newspapers could only
exist tiirough the generosity of the friends of the
cause. Once more, therefore, I say that Mr. iJcau-
grand has done the fjiberal party a signal service by
giving th(^ death-blow to a humiliating notion and by
showing that th(> best and surest resources of jour-
nalism are to be found among the people themselves.
Mr. IJeaugrand's success certainly denotes on his
)iart the possession of special aptitudes and (irst class
administrative abilities.
The times, however, have changed, fiiberal
journalism in this province has now greater latitude,
enjoys, so to say, a wider held and more elbow room
than it had at even a com])aratively recent date.
Indeed, I doubt whether Mr. Beaugrand liimsolf, if
he had published /.'' /'"//s or Lr Naiioncil, would have
lieen in a position to receive us as he is receiving us
this evening.
The study of these social changes, which render
jiossible to-day a success which was im])os9ible only
a few years liack, would furnisii an admirable subject
for a lecture, but, as it would lead me on to one of the
most irritating, if not naost delicate, grounds of poli-
tics, T will, with Mr. IJeaugrand's permission, reserve
it for another occasion. For the ])resent, I i)ropose to
go outside of politics, though I may, perhaps, fail to
keej) very far away from them.
I propose to apeak to you of parliamentary life,
not of public life, for the latter is already well enough
known. During the three months of the session, which
is its usual duration, what is said and what is done
are published daily, commented upon, criticized,
ai)priA'ed, blamed, by all the voices of modern publi-
city. T could say nothing on this subject which is
not already well known by everybody. But there is
UN I'AIILIAMKNTAHV I.IFK
ITM
iinother aspect to the sessioa : the inner or donie-iic
inspect, nhicli the press dischiins to noti(;e. whicli can
only lie oljperved on tlic 9i)ot and whioli is ali-'o not
without instruction. It is this aspect to which T
desire to call your attention.
It may, per]ia])S, not he mispLaced, at the start.
to say a word relative to the capital. The suhject is
a. uciicale one
wouhl not wi-^li to
a V
anytlim!.'
sav anv-
dispara^tinj.; of the (!a|(ital, bu! it is hard li
thint;; i^ood of it. Ottawa is not a handsome city and
does not appear destined to Ijcconie one either. There
is, however, in it one point ol' threat beauty — the site
ot'the Parliament lluildinLfs. on a (difl risint; up I'roni
the bed of the river, not I'ar from the falls which have
been rendered famous by the acct)unts oi' every tra-
veller since Ohami)lain.
This is Ottawa's only natural bc-auty. Uehind tin-
(diff, the land sinks into a monotonous i)lain.
with a Hat horizon unlirokon by a sinfile line.
The Piirliament Huildinirs aie in the (Jothic style,
and. ill the opinion of connois-eurs. entitled to rank
w
ith the best ar^-hitect ure of 10iiro[
)('.
Til
ev eertamiv
liave an admirable etfect either when (hey l(r<'ak upon
the siiiiit liathed in the iirilliant liaiit ot' the summer
sun or when seen on a dark winter's niirlit illumi-
nated from within by the Hoods of light, whieh shine
in capricious arabesques throu,i;"h their many oiiiv.-il
windows.
l)Ut. despite their uniiuesi innable beauty. these build-
in<;-s are badly adap(e(t to the purpose for which tbt-y
ere intended. The(i"'hic stvle. al
AV
in ou
wa V
adnnrat)
tward cfFect. remlers the int(M'i(»r dark and en
nd it
mav be saiil tiiat this stvh^ was Itadlv suiteil ti
tin? kind of buildinsxs in whicii air and liubt should
circulate a^' freely as povsilde. As Mr. Mackenzie said
(tne ilay, these buildings were s]»lc'ii(lidly adapted foi' a
monastery, but never for a legislative assembly.
However. therein once a year meet the Senate and
Commons of ("amnio. Tin" opening of Parliament is
always a great event for Ottawa, it invariably excites
w
hH'
I
n
f
If
174
LECTrRE
the whole pojmhition, but they b,y no means inono-
])olize tlie excitement, us tlie city is always crowdeil on
such occasions with strangers from all parts of tiie
country.
The olUcial ceremonies are announced to take
place at three in the afternoon. I Jut, from eleven in
the forenoon, the crowd begins to gather on the
grounds anr^by tliroe o'clock the latter are comple-
tely iilled. In 1S71), as early as ten o'clock in the
morning, the doors of the Senate Chamber were be-
sieged by a crowd anxious to get a goud view of the
Princess Louise.
Moreover, these opening ceremonies are nut lack
ing in grandeur and are certainly curious to Ijehold.
These old customs and antiijue solemnities, trans-
planted from another world to our mndprn anil demo-
cratic midst, and connecting the middle ages with
our contemporary epoch, open up all the pages of his-
tory from tlie day on which William the Conqueror
landed on the shores of Juigland down to the day on
Avhich a royal princess, descended I'rom the blood of
William, comes to take her place in these old cere-
monies, which were carried hy the Conqueror from
Normandy into Kngland and imported from England
to this continent, in the niidst of a population a large
portion of whom have themselves been deta(died from
tlie land which was the cradle of William the Con-
(lueror.
It is to the Senate Chamber goes the (lovernor.
This cliamlx'r is very liiie and of the same size and
architecture as that of the Coniinona.but the draperies
andfurnituie are in excellent taste and give it a.
stamp wliich is altogether missed i'rom the Commons'
chamber. On this occasi(>n. however, the Senate
Chamber is resplendent. I^adies are admitted to the
floor and ai)]iear in full dress; the judges of the Su-
preme Court are present in their scarlet robes bor-
dered with ermine ; and the Cabinet Ministers attend
in their gold-laced uniforms. I do not admit, how-
ever, that all tliis searlet and gold la(;e is to my t aste.
ON PARMAJrENTAUY I.IKE
175
T Wduld prefer to see the judties in the ordinary silk
rohes, which are pl.nn, it is true, but not wanting in
dignity, and, as foi >hegold-hiced uniforms, tliey nuiy
he suited to Westminster, hut, in this (k-mocratic
country, the simple black coiit unquestionably ap-
l)oars l)ettcr. T have already said that the ceremony
is Hxod for three o'clock, and, l)ct\veen the oilicial
liour and the practical hour, the old Senators attemiit
to indulge in innocent flirtations with Ihcir lair
jruests.
At last, the (iovernor has arrived amid the usual
enthusiastic cheering and taken his seat on the
Throne. He desires thepresence of his '• faithful Com-
mons "".
And, during this time, what are the faithful Com-
mons doing? Having nothing to do. they haveendea-
vort-d to be as noisy as possible.
Nothing resend)le3 a sciujoL more than Parliament.
Kothing is more like the reoiicning of the classes than
the 0})cning of Parliament. I)es])ite the ten months
of continement to follow, the day of reopening (jf the
classes is always a gay one. and the same may be
said of the day of the opening of the session. The
]>leasureof meeting eacli other again, the almost
ceaseless handshakmg, the exchaiig(> of niore or less
spicy jokes, all are to In; found in Parliament just
the *iame as in school, on opening day.
P)Ut, hark I to the three kin'cks at the chamber
door. The Sergeant-at-Arms goes to see wliat"s the
trouble, just as if he was not (juite well aware before-
hand, lie returns grave and solemn to announce fo
the Speaker that a messenger from the Senate is wait-
ing at the door, and with no less gravity and sob/m-
nity the S[>eaker answers: " I.ct the iiies.-enger
enter I"'
The messenger enters. It is the UsIkt oI the
JUack Rod, the chief ollicer of the Senate, who coiiics
to announce that the (iovernor (ieneral desires the
jiresence of the Commons in the Senatt; Chamber,
liefore o])ening his mouth, he advances nine steps,
^
TI
I • i
i' H
Mi
• f:!
ITC
LK< TlliK
(i
!■
,
if *
111
luakiiij); tlireo liuws as he proceeds, nnd, liiivino doliv-
t'red lii:^ nicssimc, lie hacka out, ro(»oiitii);i the siuue
nuiiil'*.'!' of sUqis and of hows, wlictds on his hoel.s
and diHappeais, invariMhly accompanied hy a lornii-
(hihle chippinu oi' liands from all parts of the cham-
h.-r.
John Ihill seems to take a jieronnial ])leasur(' in
secinji- these hows made hy a ni;in pnid to niiikc tlicin.
and llio same r<Mnark is r('[)eat(Mi (n'er\' yeai' ; " A\'ell.
it is worth the money I '".
Then, lik(( s<i miiuy unruly hoys, tin; niemhera
ru-h in a troop to the Senate Chamher. Their least
anxiety, howevei', is to listen to His Exeelleney's
speech. They lenve that duty to the S[)eaker, who
discharges it iim-t religiously.
I have use'l the term Speaker in alluding to the
liresident or chairman of the lli>use of ("ommims. I
am not ignorant of the long controversy, which took
place in the press over the renih>ring into Frencii of
the English word " Speaker, "" hut it is not my inten-
tion to mix myself up with it. as I have no desire to
add another to the li<t of siiarling critics to whom the
country has given hirtli. It is sim})Iy woiulerful how
many literary critics we have, wluni W(! have so little
lileraturi'.
hut. in spite of all the snarling critics, I ])ursist
ill translating the word " Speaker " Viy the French
word '■ Orateuv ; '" to translate the word '* Sjieaker
iiy the word ■"president" reminds me of thetime when
I w;is a student here and when it was said that an
ennnent lawyi-r. who e;ime acros.- the word " hy-and-
hy ■■ in a U'tter. vehemently maintained that it meant
" to-morrow.
The reason assigned foi' translating the word
'■ Speakei' ■' liy the word ■' j)resident " is that it would
he a couritei'-.-cnse to call inm the Sjteaker. since lu>
takes no i.iart in the del)ates arid since his functions
consist in jn-esiding over the chamher. lUit tliose who
take this groimd do not reflect that, if it was a coun-
ter-sense in French to sav Uralcur, it would also he a
• i:
ON rARI.IAMKXTARY I.H-K
177
fonntcr-son-ic in Kn;.r]ioli to s.iv '' SpoMkor. '' Tn tlio
Kuglif-.li hiujjiua.iie. tliere is an ubsDlute c(iuivalent for
our word I'lrsidrnl ; it is tlie word '" i)re:^ident '' ;ind.
il'tliey do not u>?e it to de.-^iu-niite tlio jicrsoii jiro-iding
ov('V the House of Coiiiuion.-J, tliore must lie a reason
for it.
T luivc noticed that tlio.-o afToitod puritans wlio
l)ersist in calling tiie S|)t,'aker i)resident usually
belong to the si-hool which nuikcs a groat display
of its principles and systematically curses modern
France.
T naturally conclude that they must at least have
read the good author.s of the age of Ijouis X[V. They
are \^-ell aware that, on every page.thereisan allusion
to the sovereign of what was then the duchy of
]Javaria. and who nevertheless is never stvied the
])
uue.
hut the "■ Elector
)f ]
Javarui.
of
us
Would it n(^t he also a counter-sense, in the eyes
ar critics, to designate the sovcreiun of this duchv
n elector ? I'.ut the reason foi' it is that the
govreign of the duchy of Uavaria was nt the same
time an elector of the Holy Empire and that thi«
quality took ])recedenco over the other. Under the
old organization of the Emi)ire. there was in (iermany
a crowd of small principalities, whose rulers, like the
duke (d' Uavaria. had the title of Elector as their prin-
cipal title.
riiis title of Elector formerly carried great weight
in (M'rniany. ami even yet the word has an imimsing
sound in (ierman ear.s. if we are to credit the capital
joke which Henry Lahouchere lately playe(l on them
and whi(di tho-e worthy (iernians seem to have urdie-
sitalingly swallowed. Arriving in one of the (!(M'man
towns, the name iif which T cannot now I'ccall. the
editor of Truth l»oldly entered himself in the hotel
regi-ter as Jlenry hahouchere. J']lect(U' of .Middlesex.
T cannot say whether it was from force of histo-
rical reminiscence or from extravagant admiration for
the parliamentary system winch l>ismarck never
doles out exce])t with a niggardly hand to tlic suhjecta
17S
I.E( TniE
of King Willifim, ])ut it is certain tliat tlu' title of
Kloctur wiin fur Mr. Lahouchrro n ]\()-'i of littlo atten-
tions, wliich tlie (,'Oi'inan innkeejiers are not in tlio
liabit of wasting: upon travellers.
If the J'higliHJi uive tiie title of 8i)eal<er to the [ire-
sident of their lep■i^Jlative aHseiublies, tlipre is al.'^o a
good reason for it. namely, that the i)re!?id(;nt of the
House is at the same time tiie inleipreter with the
Sovereign of the hody over which he presides. He
speitks for the mendiers. He is their si)eaker.
Thus. sui)pose that general elections have taken
plaee. The House of ( omnions has no Speaker as
yet. The members proceeil to the Senate- ( liamher to
hear the opening Speech from theThi'one; hut Ili.s
hxet
lien
cv ca
uses it to he iiitimate<l to them that he
does not deem it advisable to make known the causes
for which lie has summoned Parliament until the
Coniuions have elected a Sjicaker.
Summoned again on the I'ollowing day to tlie
Senate Chandier. the members troop back to it
]ii'etty mucdi in the same disorderly fashion as on the
jirevious day. The newly elected Speaker alone
wears an air of gravity, because lie has a epcech t(»
make and nothing conduces so much to seriousness
as to make a speech in those vabt halls, who^e severe
architecture chills one to the marrow. Tt is now that
we get the opportunity to understand why the luig-
lisli, wlio are noted for their practical good sense. apply
the name of Sjieaker to the president of the House of
C'ouimons. He is, in fact, the speaker of those wl)o
have elected him. In their name he addresses the
Sovereign and his S})eech is both respectful and dig-
nified. Here it is :
Minj il jihuHC Your KxceUtucij :
■fhe llniisi' oi'('oiiiinnns}Kaveelpcte'' iiieas their Speaker,
thougli 1 run Imt little atjlo to peifona the important ilutiea
thus as.si.i:ned to me.
Jf, m the perfoimance of tliose dutie.«, I should at any
time tall into error, 1 i)ray that the fault may be imputed to me
-J.W-
I IN i'AKI.IAMKNl-AltY i.IKK
179
•iii'l not ti) ill.' ( 'nmm()i)>, wlio^eveiNuiit I miu, ami wlio, tliioiiiili
iiU', tlie liettL-r to t'ii;il.!o lli"m to iliHoliiif;.'i' tlu-ir iliily to tlieir
(iueeii ami couiilry, huiiiLly cLujii all tlii'ii- umlnuljtrd ri^'hts
imd i»rivil«'j;<'s ; fsjiccially tliat tlicy riiny iiavt* rrte<liiiu of
sfieooli ill tlicir ilehates, acoes-i to your Excellency's ](or,Non at
^11 c<'ii-oii;it)!o tiin'\'<, aiiil that their I'loiieeiliui/s may roceive
hom Your Ivcrellenry th'-ir iiin.-,i favoiMlile iiiterin'ctalion.
At tl>e pror<)<i;;itii>ii ol'tlic House, tlio Spouker a-
gaiu ;i(l(li'o.-.se.-< tiu! reiirc-jputntivo of the Sovoreijfji.in
presenliuf:; llu' Supply llill. ami tlu; t'ollowiug is Uie
l.'iuguage which he usos mi ihat oceii.si <~>u :
Mill/ // ji!u:sc )''iiir l-'.rci l/cifi/:
TIk! Comiiioiis of (JaiiHila liavt^ vote(l the supiilics reiniiiTil
to eniMo tli<j (iovenuueiit to ileliay tiie cxjiense.s of the public
MM'vioe.
In the name of the (Jommoii'', I present to Your Kxcol-
lency a liill intituleii "'An act to grant to llcr Mnje.sty certain
sums of inon(>y to ilofraj' certain expenses ol the public ser-
vice ihu'iii.!: tiie liscal year coinmencinu: on the "
ami to which 1 ask Your Excellency's assent.
Thevoply is in thcso terms :
" In Her Majesty's nitne, iris ExcelleiK'v tlie riovernor
(leneral thanks lier loyal subj.'cts, accepts their benevolence
anil assents to this hill."
All these old ceremonies may seem ahsurd ; liut
in reality thoy are not. The most of them have a deep
meaning and possess histiu'ical value.recallingas they
do a triimqih over ahsolutisnj and the progression to-
wards that com])lete liberty now involved in our i)ar-
lianientary system.
Thus, when the Speid<er of tlie Commons pre-
sents the Sui)p]y lUU tf) the Sovereign, he recalls the
fundamental jirinciple of the jieoiile's right to govern
themselves and to permit none other to tax them
but themselves.
It niav be urged, perhaps, that these old ceremo-
■1-2 •
w
m
If?
^1
V
if. '■>
i I
ISO
l-ECTfRE
I)
ic8 are only tlio expression of ])iin('iplep< which are
not (]UCaliuijf(.l liy unyojicat jireHcntancl tliat the time
lias arrived to achijtt .sirni)lfr niethixlR of jiarlianion-
tary i)ro('0(lui(' and more in keeping witli the modern
sjiirit. I am not too sure of tliis.
I am Lil)cral in i)rinciple. but Conpervative in
Rentiment. T confess to tliis Avealsness. I dierii-li a
respect I'or these old solemnities, wliich are not liarm-
■J'ul in themselves and which haveonly the demerit of
having outlived their time.
>«evertheles9. my words only apply to the Fede-
ral rarliament. I have already said that, at Ottawa,
these ceremonies are not without a certain grandeur.
The liegislature there is numerous enough and the
])omp rich enough to impart to them a certain sjtlen-
dor. r.ut, at (iu(>hec. the same ceremonies have al-
Avays seemed to me very grotesque. Moreover, the leg-
islative hody of twenty-four mendiers, Avhich is sup-
pOi=ed to there rejircsent the House of Lords, the
liou-e at Hpencer Wood, which is supposed to rejire-
senl the royal castle of Windsor. and all those attempts
of our iiOcal (iovernment to ape royalty apjiear to
me very comical, to say the least.
I am certainly far from ■wishing to belittle our
I'lrislatures. Quite the eontrarv. The attributes
oc;
] .
of the h)cal legislatures are of the highest imjior-
tance. liutat the same time their resources are small
and their revenues very limited, and. fronithis stand-
])oiiit, it seems tlud the local legislatures slKUild
glory rather in plebeian simplicity.
To imitate royalty at Ottawa is in keeping with
the litness of things ; to ajx' it at Queliec is absurd.
Setting aside all political preferences and leaving
out .Mr. i-etellier"s grand figure. T hold that, of all
our lieutenant-governors. Sir Nareisse Jielleau was
the one who came nearest to i)erfection. During the
five years in which lie was called to discharge the
functions of chief magistrate of tlie province. Sir Nar-
eisse Jk'lleau never siiught either to pose as a king or
to (biz/.le the ninnie^. lie would never consent to
i
1
IJ
(IN PAKMAMENTAKV I. IKK
181
re.^ido at Speu •or Woml. Ifo saiil, p'Thaps, rightly,
that Siiciiciu' WoDil was too exi)en?<ivi' for the incaiH
of a })i'ivale riti/.en anil lio ili:J<laiiieil to throw the vn^'
of its maiutenaiice on the iState. ilo lived on St L iuif«
street likca worthy hourffcoi.s of thoirood city of (>uo-
hee. In the niornniii he made a tour ol'tln- ni.irhcts;
in tlie evening, ho went to hreathetlic lVt;sli air mi tlie
Terrace. Liko the kiiig of Yvftol, ri-iiii^ hit; .md
lying ilown early, he livtid very well without gl)ry.
Tii('-!e il(.'inorr;iti.; ways remind one of the g"»ver-
nors of tlu! Xcw l-lnghind Sta-.es who spend the fore-
noon nt the (iiivcrnmcnt ho.Ho d(!.Hpatching the puhlio
hn-ino-js and tlic afternoon at their own ollice- attend-
ing to their own afTairs.
Sir Narcissi' romniittc 1 only oii-f mi.shike dni'ing
his adminisir it ve career and that was in going to
o[\en the session in a hat dciMritod wiih co Ic'.^
leathers, and a gold-hiced cout. hi'twiMMi two lih'S of
policemen stationed at least thirty feet from each
otln'r and supposed to ro[)ri'sent a licdgc i'or th'- pro-
tection ol' his person. In my opinion, he would li.ivo
heen [icrfi'i't, if on oiiening days lie had had thecourago
to outton ui) his overcoat, taki' his cane in his Inind,
and walk to the lUiilding^ to read to the two IIoiisos
the lesson which in parliamentary language is styled
the Speeidi from the Throne.
r>ut Tarn .-travliig- pretty far iVom my.suhji'ct.
I return to it.
ine
iMVcrnor has oiicm
d ti
ic sps~ion iiv a -^iH'ccMi
ih'c~-. so
to the two Houses, and they re[)ly hy an ad
that there is an o.Kchange <)[ court(!-ies. 1!
ore tlio
dd!
CSS 1.-
presentc 1 to the SovfM'eign it must he adopt-
ed hy each of the two Houses. Tn the Hou-cot"
Commons tlie task of propn-ing and secon ling tic
address is u-^ually entrusted to the younge-t nn^m
Iters. I have just used the w<u'd •" s(>coiid." IFer
again is a word which
tain class of critics
(su))i)ort.) T call t
e
ate
tl
s on me nerves oi a ''or-
Knglish verl
to
^1?
!. They A
their atti
second "
ant u^ t>
ntion to
' cornea
s
t
fi
\v
le 1
cm
■ ap[)uy-'r " ik
act tha't the
the French
«
!
1S2
I.ECTUHK
9 ">b
■'■'i'l
".■■'(■
i, it'
-«;|i
■lu
■ .h:\
' . jf '
ili^
viM'h '' scfiiii'lfr '' nnd that tlicro assuredly cininot Ik-
a licttcr triiii.-latiuii than tlic (ilyiuolngical iiit aiiiuii' nf
the word tn lie translated. F would a^k tlicui lo al-n
note that all those expressiouH ; addres.-^ seenndcd,
S[)eech I'roiii the Throue, nmtioii, foutid tlicir way
into the ]iarliani(Mi1ai'y lanuuaj^fr of !'j)ulaiid at a
time when the (illicial laiiijuage nl' j'jij:lar,(l wa'^ the
Freneh lauguajie and that later when the Sa.xon v;iee
had ahsorhed the eonquerors aiul that l'lnj;liHh once
nioru iieeame the lan5j;uaLie ol" the nation, all these
cxpi'essions were literally translated from i'"rench
into Kuglish.
J>y a fitran;j;c fortune, whih- these ex|)re-.--ion^
liuve lost in l-'rauec their tcchnicul mcaninji: owin^ lo
to the disuppearaiue of the institutions to which they
^vcre adapted, the descendants of I'rance on lliis con-
tinent are destined to restore them to the lan<2;ua,ue.
In l'a,et. is it not a lahor of love to revive these old
expressions as they were conveyed from Franc e to
l'>n,i:laiul hy the Normans?
The moving and .secoudiu';' of the adilress \b an
honor alike desired and feared. Indeed, there are
few more ungrateful tasks. The speaker has to com-
ment on the Speech from the Thr()ne, wliieh is hi.s
text, so to say, and it would l)e dilhcult to find one
more dry or harren — it heing one of the usages of Par-
liament to place in His Kxcelleirt'v's nnuith a tissue
of commonplaces dressed up in the dullest style
imaginahle. His Excellency is hap[)y to meet again
the memhers of the Senate and tlie Commons ; lu^
thanks Providence for the hountiful harvest with
■which the country has l)een l)le?Red ; the Ministerial
policy is yielding satisfactory results ; hills -will he
suhmitted for this or that purpose ; the ])ul)lic accounts
will he laid l)efore the Comnu)ns. and lastly His Ex-
cellency invokes the blessings of Heaven onthelahors
of his Parliament. The drafting of tliis masterpiece
is always a subject of joking at the founeil board, and
-when the Premier lays before liis colleagues the draft
lie has elaborated, they are always in humorous vein
ON rAKI.IA.MKNTAKV IIIK
183
jiiiil it is ii coiitc«l lictwcpn tlifin to sec wIid will iu:iko
the lUDrft l;iiiji;liiil)!c roiiiarlc .
The uiihicky youiij^ luiiii, to wlioin this lUitliiic ifl
hjinile(h (IncH hul loel <|uitt' 3(t much plciisuvf iiinl fles-
pairiiij^ly asks hiiiHolf what he can (iml tn say i>n
^JU^•h ii t<uhjc(.-t.
lie (Mil. hdWcviT. always (mhuiI U|iiiii an iiulul-
geiit audifiK'i!. Till! 'lid I'arliaiiiciitariaiiH liatiirally
locjk I'l)!' stuui' ranihrmj^ on liin part and somi' soarini;
from tlif caidi into ili(> clouds, and smile a little in
advance at tln-t' aiiiMlious lli^dils; hut. if Iho suh-
stanco of his remarks liesensildo and if he eschew the
|iom[)ous and Iho trivial, he wins a le;^ilimate succes.'^
and i.- sincerely iipphuulod.
[s it now till! turn of tlie Opposition header to
speak — hiH task heinu' to review the (lovernmeiif.s po-
licy as set forth in tlie Speech from the Throne.
lie inviiriahly lic^iins In' complimentinii the
movers of the acUlre.ss. Thi.si.s sometimes ditlicult. a?
the mover.s are not always successful. F have always,
liowever. adndred this (lelicate portion ol' the Oppo-
sition leader's ppeech, whetluu' the speaker wan Sir
John, Mr. .Micken/.ie or .Mr. Uhikc.each m" theni seem-
in^' to know how to award delicate [)raise without
fallin!:i; into improper flattery.
On ordinary (uicasions. tlie 0[)poHition leader's
tone is one ol' lianter. Ife does not ^.^ive iiattle. hut
merely contents himself with harassing the enemy
and atFecting to he a good fellow ; he lays hare the
(iovernment's weak ])oints, hut <loes so without hit-
teniess, seemin.i;- to say to the majority : liook at the
Government you are supporting ; see it as it is and
make t!u! most of it ; there is plenty room ti> do so.
His own HUi)j)orter3 are juhilant; they laugh and
applaud and every fresh shaft tickles and cheers tln-m.
On the other iiand, the Ministerialists hegin hy smil-
ing, hut end l)y thinking that they are getting too
mucdi of that sort of thing.
At last, the Premier's turn comes and he replies
in the same tone. Tho laughter and fun are now on
;
( n
181
I.KCTL'UL
t lie Miiii^tciiiil side. Still, on liolli side-', thf w cii-
jjiius (III tliiit (hiy arc l>luiit,uiil('Sfl, indctMl, ihr njipd-
.sitinii N'adcr dci'iiis the (iccasioii uppnrt uin' in nllc ■ an
aiiiciidiiicnt.
Ill that case, the vnicrs licciinic -liMrp and llic
\\<'ii|-(UiH lire cuttiii,!;'. At (Mtawa, since ( '(iiilcdcratinu,
tliMc |ias liccn nniy ore anicndincnl |ii'ii|Miscd to tlio
address anil lliat washy Mr. Mackenzie in ls7:;i,.hi"
tivc to tile I'aciiic .-•caudal, wlicn tlu' I'all mjiIk. ( .ov-
crnnicnl (Mi.sncd.
1 liavpjnr^t rd'ciTod tn llu' manner in wliicli tiu>
leaders of the two parties arc ;;reetcd. Aiuoiil' tlio
many i(ualilies which render them si; ajit in parlia-
mentary Lnivernment. the hlni^li.^h posse.>^H ont> ot" rare
merit I'or the ni>i>li<'!vtion of that lonii ol' p;ovcrnmi nt.
Tliey know how to li-ten and to lie tolerant. It i- not
in the ardent toin[>(ranient ol'lhe l'"rcnch to re-; eet
tliu convictinn.s of other". What the Krenchnnin < on-
coive.s, he conctnveH with -jo mucii intensity that iio
cannot admit the po.-)'^ihili(y of others thinking differ-
eiitly iVom him.
TluH i:^ not the ease with the Knjxii-jhinan. Ho
has his own convictions, hut ho is neither astoni-hed
nor irritated hccause you dillVr iVom him. (>uthe
contrary, ho is pi'nparctl for this eventuality and
expects that the (liversity oj' opinions will he as ;4iea,t
as the diversity of intoUeiHa and ol" faces, ifo wouhl.
cordially despise yon if In^ tliou'^ht you IkhI no
opinions of your own. Tn fact while the I'^renchman
wants you t'l have his opiiiions. the |-]n!j;li-ih';;au
wants you to have opinions of yovir ov, n.
.'^ee wliat happ.ens in tiie Icuislalive liody in
I'aris ! There is an or.atoi' in the trihuiif I His advor-
■^aries cannot kec[) iiuiet. Kroni all jMiints of tlio
Cliaiidici'.'irise iiilefriiptior..=^ and protests and l're(iUf-nt-
ly the conl'n.-ion hecoines so great that the pi'e-i i-nt
caniinl contnd it.
I.o(d< on the other hand at (Uir irouseof Coni-
nuuis ! It supports the most furious attack.s without
■wincing and no one drcam.s of" interrupting, unless
1
ON P.MII IWIKNTAIIV I.IFK
185
till' iiriitnr |M'niiits iiitcrrtiiiliriii. Nrvfrllu'lcs-". tlui
iithirk is l<<'('ii. \iul(Mit Mini nftcii liitlri'. Tlif niMliir'rt
t'rinnds iippliiuil ; liis ailverH!iri(M <l(i not hiul^ic ; wliini
tlioy Iiclicvc tlijit the attiicU i-i lair wiui'art' and that,
iVoiri liis staiiilpi»iiit. Iif is riL:'lit. tlmv ciulurf without
wiiK'iii;:; hut if lit- <'.\air^'»'ratcH thny oiiiplia'jizc tho
Hxa^'^rtjrati'Mi liy irnnit'iil ajii'lausc. Tf lie lalis into
nii.-!st!it(MUHnt. the t'aciv-t w\i\\ as there is luitiiiu!/ to
tear, and if, ha-itly. he fjrtpw,-* paradnxical. lie receives
every latitu<h' and the; llou-'e iistciH with tiie I'eelin^
wliich th<' Kiijilisli t'iiara,(.'torize as "■ ainu.^fMl unndcr-
ineiil
This is wlial hapiK'n-" at ( »
I law
W here t he 1 i(>U.J(>
is in ^'rent part i'!ii}j;lish. hut jho in part l''ien<li. Still
even in tlif I fnuse ul" ( 'onnnons. we l-'reneh Can^nlians
d'l ni)t know imw to hear enntradiclinn lilsftour rejlnw
citi/ens .pf liritish ori^Mn.
l!ut. alter all. we are in this respect suporinr to
our ('(jusins across tli(! sea. We can listen to an adver-
sary and sit still. hut wccannot li^ten to idni with com-
plete coolness. We can iicc;i-;ionally. hnt rarely,
ac know led 'ie his talents
lull we call never reiulei'
justice to his tliesis. Accordiii;;- as ho sp(>ak-!< in invor
or aL'ainst our opinion. Iiis u1 terances are ahsuril or
.suhiinie.
Tiie I'aiL;lisli arc more solier in oxjires^ion. When
we have heard one of Mr. I'lake's spccciies. we uivo
vent to our cnthusiasin in metaphors ; luit the ^voi\t
orator's warmest ad miicrs am oii;^ his own countrymen
conreut themselvcH with saying : "■ that was a liicat
spcccli of JUa kc's.
On the other hand, if an adversai'y has made ii
.successful hit. instead of sjiyiiiu- that his -^tatemeuts
were ahsurd, they simply say: "• tli;it was well put
tVom his standpoint . "'
Tf the French were filled with this frankness of
expi'-^sion and tolerance of opiiiion, the courte-^y of
their discus-ions would bcmaiked. It i- not so with
tlie Kniili.sh. Their discussions nre never vuh.^ar, hut
on the other haml thev are iH'Ver ;.M'acious and alwavs
^1 fl
1..
J.'
^w*— »■.«— J^
: I
I
a n
?i
III
18G
lkcu're
lack that uri)ainty wliioli respects ydur I'reliug^ as
your life.
The Englishman rcspocts your opinions ; but lie
novt'i' thinks of your i'e('lin<>rt.
The capital point on uiiich wo ditri.'r IVkui our
iolhiw citizens of British origin is our idea ol' politics.
For us. sons ol' Franco, jjolitical ."ontiinont is a.
])<ission : while, I'ur the Knglishmen, ])i)litii;s are a
(]Uestion of liusiness.
The only thought (jf the luiglisii nienihers in
going to Ottawa is that they are calledithcre to discuss
ami deride the aifdrs of the country, just as the share-
h.olders of a hank are called to tliscuss and decide the
affairs of the hank.
[ say the affairs of the (;nuntry, and T purposely
xisc this unusual expression in our language. M'hen I
pay the affairs. I use the word in its restricted sense,
as the ecjuivalent of the word '' husine-;s ".
According to the English notion, the affairs of
the ci>ui:itry. like those of a private individual, com-
prise the revenue, expenditure and all the cognate
([Uestions ; and it is needless to remind my hearers
that these (juestions of revenue and exi)enditure fill
the largest ])lace in our Federal politics.
We, of French origin, understand politics (juite
otherwise. Tariff ancl revenue (luestions are i\ot our
chief preoccupation. Wo rather "ncline towanls the
speculative and have a fondness for theories.
thet
Now look at the different results in the
ca
;e of
wo races
Tal
ke an oi
dinarv man in anv rank
Avhatever of English society ! He knows the figure of
the [luhlic ex[)onditure, and of the receipts; he can
toll you the yield of the customs and excise, and he
is conversant with every item of the tariff.
Now, how many are there among us, even among
those who shout loud< -t at election time, who have
taken the slightest trouble to post themselves on these
heads? We know, however.that they are thoroughly
acijuainted with all the discussions on the school
uestion, on the relative value of the different forms
■ ♦
ON rArtr.IA.MKNTAKY I.TfE
1n7
ol" irovernincnt, nn tlie theories of diviiK; ri^lit. on the
imiuu of Chuicli uiid r tiite, iuul on ;i hoht of other
al)Ptract question?, wliicli liiivc no ai)]»lioation to our
polities and wliicli have never hccn discus.'rcd in any
ol'iinr legislative assemblies.
Tiie lIou^;e of Conunons is, ahove nil. a niectinn-
of luK-iiiess men anii hiisiness (luestiom^ arc thejc
treated. At least, thi'ee fourths of tiie ])roceedinL;s
are carrieil on hy means of eonver.''ations exehauLied
aeross the floor of the IIou.se, without ]irei?aration.
and without effort of elociuence.
'I'lie strangers, who come to the ciipilal to hcur
the (U'hates, are usually di-apiJointed. They (^xinct
to hear great eloiiuence ; thoy simply hear husinos.s
diseu:--iions.
Xevertheless. some of these discussions are really
eloiiucnt. For instance, a Ministerial (|ue«tion of great
importance is to Ijo treated. Sir Charles Tupper i?' to
exjihiin the (.!ov(^rnment's jjoliey. lie will he followed
by 3[r. ]>hike and tlu^ light ' "'l then become general.
Uucon.«ciously,the House take., on a particular physi-
ognomy. Every mend>er is at his post. Tliere is not
a vacant seat. The galleries are full and. on every
fact', -lits a look of exi)ectation.
The debate i.s opened liy two master speeches, as
diametiicall}' different from each other as are the
orators themselves and yet visibly of the same school
and of a unique style of ehujuence.
This style of elo([uence is what we tci'iii Kngli:^h
p)arlianientary elo(iuence.
What we, of French race and (>ducatioi
aiiiirc'
ic
ciate and enjoy the most is that nervous, magnet
elonuence wiiieh stirs the soul and brings a choking
sensation to the throat and water to the eyes. or.
again that acadennc eloijucnce, pure in language and
elegant in diction, which tills the ear with a music that
tends more to charm than to convince.
French eloquence is above all a'sthetic. English
elo'iuence is above all practical.
The great aim of the English orator is to go
w
w
i
IS'ft
LE(.:TURE
f<1rai,::;lit to tlie ))oiiit. He lias a proposition to uplMjld
anil iio piles up arguments, iit;uro«, comparisons,
ipiotations, everything, in tine, that i-< cah'ulated to
l)oh-ter it U]). ile ihxis not nock to jilease. liut it' lie
sueeeeils in da/.xling your reas'oiijn inundating it with
a Hood ol' light, and rendering luminous what was
oliscure, he has won the success he coveted.
This ehxpienct! is not soul-.stirring and posse^-.'^es
none of tho^e oratorical movements which strike the
hearer like an electric shock ; hut wln-n an orator like
Mr IMake carries you on with him into the iniel'er-
tual realm-i, lit'ts you to iuat'cessible heights, and un-
folds to your eyes lu'w horizons, whirh ;ire immediat-
ely replaced hy otlu'r-* still higher, emotiim slowly,
grailually crce|)s u|)on you. take^ pos-fcssioii ol' you
and linally suhj agates you altogether.
My heai-ers may, [K'rhaps, he curious to h.arn
oiiK'linug ol' the lead
mir
orators of the IIousi^
I have just mencioned the name uf Mr Ulake.
The leader of the ()[)position is heyond 4uestion the
foremost orator of the House. His ehxpience horrows
nothing from tlie ordinary means of the oratoi ; it
emanates entirely t'rom a single source: intellectual
force. My. Jdake has without douht one oi' the most
extraordinary mental organizations that are to ho
found a.t present in tlie world. IFis [lowerful int<dli-
n'a~p covers the w
lole
OUlllll-H Ol
gence takes in everything;. Ifi
a,s well as the iletails. .Ml ti
vastest polil ical prohlom aro peri'i\'tly o'ear to him;
not oui'oi'ihii mii'roscoinc points oi" thn mostdillh alt
oro
)le!n escapes inn
W
len he tre.it- aaul'iect
he exhaast- it ; when he leaver it. there is nothing
mu'i
to he said tU' even to re
aau win
u at length
he r-'sumes his seat, his [)arti-ians are jahilant and
even liis adversaries cannot help expr
(js.siUi
leir
dmira'.ion.
Sir .Tolin .Macdonald's style is (luiteditrerent. Singu-
lar til say. in the case of so alert a mind, he lacks hap-
piness and movement of expression. He hesitate.^,
stammers and repeats liimself, he is incorrect, hut.
ox PARLIAMENTAltY LIKE
isr>
in all Ills speeches, there is always a nail that goes
straij^ht home, lie excels in seiziufi ujxtn an advcr-
saryV weak i)i)iiit. Ilis hi<;hest art, however, ciiiisist?
in sayinfj; exactly what shouhl he faiil to produce the
mo'^t eftect on his own su[)porters. He know:- all
their weaknesses and their prejudices iind all he sa.ys
is jicrfectly ada]tted to them.
t^ir Charles Tupper's chierchariicteristicf are force
and. ahove all, audacity, lie is the Danton ot'the
]Iouse. lie speaks with all the almndaiice, veliemence
and rush of the torrent. The more desperate is the
cause he has to del'end. the jrreater is Ids audacity.
lie asserts the most untenable propositions with a
c>)oln(jss and an imperturh.'diility which no question,
no interru)ition. can discounienancc. Far from that.
if an intcrru[»ti()n to the point demolishes on the sjxtt
an over risky assertion, instead of heating a retreat
even to the extent of a hair's-!»readth, he invariably
exclaims : " I am thankful i'or the interruiition, as it
proves exactly wliat T have j'lst sidd.'' And ihon he
goes on to repeat all he has already said, with
redoubled energy, argument and vigor.
.Mr. Macken/,ie''s voice is. un]iap])ily. no longer
lieard. This is an immense loss for tl.'e I'ountry and
an irreparal)le one fur the Libei'al party. Mr. Mac-
kenzie had all the force of Sir Charles Tujtper, with-
out his lire; but. for that reason, his eloquence was.
perhaps, not less efTective. Tn all liis words, there
^\•as a concentrated power whicii went to tlie very mar-
row. iiCt us pray that tlds valiant nnnd. this Idame-
less character, may soon lie restored to jiealth and
resume the leading position whicli he has filled and
whi'li ])elongs to him of right in his country's legis-
lature. There is no man less known than Mr. Mac-
kenzie and there has been n(ni(> more slandered. \\'iiile
in ])o\ver he was systematically represented as a
fanatic and as a man with narrow and intolerant
vieW'!. .N'othing could be falser. .Mr. .Mackenzie is a
Lilieral with the greatest breadth of ideas. T believe
that, while Im was Premier, lie was somewhat em-
li
!■■;
It
h
!'i
n
I; S-)
I !
I !
1!MI
l.Kt TIKK
bittoi'od liy tli(! sy.stoiiuitically unfair '.ittiu/ks of
which iii^ was the victim and hy liis ■:u[im'hu(uaii and
,selt'-inji>()sed hdnn's. hut 1 can state iVoni a ixii'soual
knowledge ('xtt'ndin^• over a niunher of years that
there ai'ti lew men easier and more agreeahU; to (h.'al or
iisHoeiate witli. The sava^ic man. as lie was repre-
sented to the puhlic. is on the contrary lull ot" humor
and always ha-< a, laimhin;;- Wc)rd on his li[)S.
Lik(( Air. .Mackenzie, S^ir Ilichard Cartwi'i<;-;it is a
man whom tlu' tongue of slander has represented un-
der false colors. ln])rivate life, Sir Richard is one
of the most acroniplished ^-entlemen it is [lossi-
hle to meet, atrabk% polite and distinguished l)y a
regular Attic grace. As may be imagined, however,
hi-i adversaries do not like him. His tongue is the
most fornndahlein the whole House. On the other
hand his elocjuence is. perhaps, the most classic, iii.s
language is always correct. precise, clear.and eloquent,
but at the same time biting and cutting. I said a
moment ago that the English know how to listen
without wincing. 1)ut it is nevertheless not rare to .see
tlie i5ritish phlegm unable to resist r^ir Ilichard Cart-
wright's attacks and f have often seen his adversa-
ries writhing with anger under his elegant lash.
Is it not generaly known that Sir ilichard ("art-
wright is a lettered man. Indeed he is not only a lettered
man, but a literary dilettante. During the long sitting.^
(jf the House, when the debate does not interest Sir
Richard, a messenger l>rings him a select volume from
the library, aud then, with his hat down over his eyes,
lie becomes absorbed in its perusal and as indifterent to
what is going on around him as if he was in his own
study.
Mr. Rlake is also a lettered man ; in fact, he may
be said to be even a glutton in the matter of litera-
ture.
Notwithstanding the herculean work he under-
takes during the session, he keeps himself reg-
ularly posted in current literature and reads cAcry-
tliiiig tliat is published. Said one of the ollicials of
tli(,' lilirai'v til nic hist session: — "Mr. I'.lak(' i.-^ an
oiiiiiivdi'ous r(?a'lcr; we f!Oii(l him tn'crything that
comes in. " — '" Tell me " — I said to liini — "■ w hero
does he lind the lime to read?" — '* It is a. mystery,
^ir, hut he read.- I'verythhiji'.
What T have thus hir Rlated has sliown ynu that,
iiltliou.irh tlieie are ahout til'ty French mendiers in tiie
House of Commons, it is exclusively an JMiglisli
assemhly. French is its ollieiai lanjiuajie as well as
iLUglish, l)ut Frencli is hein<i- less and less spoken in
it. The reason tor this is that it is imiiossihle to
take an eiVective part in the dehates unless 3'ou use
the laniiuage ol'tlie majority. This fact was only
hdely thrown u}) to me h}' a man of great talent,
great sense and ardent patriotism, hut I do not admit
the re])roacli. Things must he taken as they are.
Our parliamentary laws, usages, and customs come
to us from P^ngland. Moreover, the JOnglish are hetter
adapted than we are for tliat system of government.
In no matter what deliherative assend)ly tliey may
find themselves, they are more at home than are the
French, and, wluM-e ihey are in the majority, their
language must necessarily prevail.
On the other hand we. of French origin, are ess en-
tially an artistic iieojile. and if I had an advice to give
to my fellow countrymen, it would he to remain true
to their origin and to cultivate that taste for the arts
and letters which we inherit from France and in
which we ought to take on this continent the place
filled hy France in l'"urope.
The h)rce of circumstances is such that in Ame-
rica the Knglish tongue will always he the language
of the million and our andjition should he to make
French, here as elsewhere, the language of predilec-
tion, good company and polite s.ociety.
mi
m
iii
: 1
5' i
i
!■ If
Aiicilisr Question of Provincial Aiitoiioiiiy
UMTY OF THE FRAXCITTSE TIJROUGII-
OlT THE DOM J XI UN
VKiOROrs STIiriidLE OF THE OPPOSITTOX
ACAINST CENTRA LTZATIOX
Mil. lauuier's plea against this encuoachment
f^
Tlie !-essinn of the Federal P.uliainent, in 1SS5 lasted six
months. < )iiened on the L'^tli .lanuary, it was only prorogued
on the liiith -Inly — its unusual i>rolonj;ation being mainly due
to the Franchise P.ill. The Opposition disputed the groimd
inch by inch and only yiejdeil in the en<l to the numerical
strength of their opponents. Theii' ohjections will be found
summed up with exti'aordinary fcrce in the following speech
made by Mr.Laurier at the sitting of the 17th April, 1SS5 :
Mii. Speaker,
During tho tliscus-sion yesterday, the tact was
brou<rht several times to tlie memory of tlie House
that this is not tlio first time the honora])]e irentlemaii
lias endeavored to force this measure upon tlie ))fM)|)le
of this country. In fact, during the nearly eighteen
years that this Confederation has lasted, the lionoraMe
gentleman has nuide seven attempts to establish a
uniform franchise throu^rhout the Dominion, but each
time he has been forced to abandon the attempt.
13
Jt
r.ji
■f.m.
•I'EKCII
IP lnoutrlit in :i l>ill ni tins
luituri', iiiiil has ciilicr witlidiaw u it. nr liccn (ililiu;ed
t<j let it (li'iip a;t('i' carrvin.u; it to ii ((rtain sla^c Now
it iiiuy lie askc^l, wliat is tlic reason that lie has mad*-
these numerous ami persistent iitteTii|its to force this
t hi'J
measure U|i(ui the countrv
I'h
Tl
le reason is piui
itl
tliH — that the rij;ht lionorahle ucntleman lui^ s(
hi'ai't upon this niea-ure which, heing one of centra-
lization, and anlaL-'onistic to the federal iirineiple of
<>nr constitution, is (|uitc congenial to his well known
})rin('i|ile.s. Jiul while he has endeavor(Ml to push his
followers (Uiward. they have each time faileil to lui^s
it fur the reason that their hearts were not in tlie
«au-('. I'uhlic opinion never res[)onded to calls that
Averc made upon this mea.^ure. though he stated that
])uMic opini u is ripe for it. Sir. if puldif opiiuon is
rijic !'or it.
WnKIJK .\I!K IIIK KN'lliK.Nci:.- oF ]T ?
Vuldie opinion ,i;encrally manifests it-elf citht-r hv
petition- at the liar ofthi-ilou>e. or hy rcsojution.-i
of pulilic lui'et ini:.-. or through the press. Now, where
•AYC the petitions that have heen pre-cnted in favor of
it '.' iv.t one ha-i lieen presented thi.s session that T
jini aware ot'. Where Inive puldio meetings hcen held
in favor of ;i h.mnnion Iranchise? T dvl'v the honora-
ble gentlemen to piiint out one instance where any
^luMie nu'etii.g has passed a re.sidution io find etfect.
As to the pres-, while T cannot speaf: as to the other
pro ••■!ii(-,. so lar a-* my own provinci' is concerned,
far Irom o.xpre-'sing it-elf in favor ol' a Dominion
I'ranchisc.such a scheme has licen denounced as ini-
mical to our institutions— not mdy hy the Opposition
pre-s. h
ut hv the -Ministerial in'c-^s its(
The fact is
that, ever .since Confederation, we have had
!i pr
OV'
incial franchi.se upon which the niemhers of this
Ifou.sehave heen elected, and T am, not aware that
any complaint ha.s ever lieen made against that
arrangement. The steady conviction of the ]KM)ple
i'«
A(;A1.\ST 'I'llK l'i;ANriil,-.E AiT
195
■^eeius ti) liiivc lipcii. on tlic cnntriiry. that tlii~ |)i'ii-
viiicial tv!iiic!iis(! was tliflu'it .^uiti-d to mir iii^tilu-
timi-. am! uiidci' all circuiii.-taiuc,-) \va> lif.-t adapted
to the cliaraftcr tit'i'Ur iicdjilc. T liavf .'•aid tliat this
iin-asurc \a now iiiti'ndiucd Inr th(^ seventh tiine into
tlii,> niiu*i', hut it has heen
niscCSSKO I'.MA' UNCI" —
in 1^7(1. At that time it wa.s discussed at some leiititli.
TliP liill was carried to its ^■eeond readin'j-, and talcen
into Committee of the W'iioh'. lUit the discussion
was -omewliat desultory ; most (•I'the memlKTs who
spoke upon it did not seem to see their way very
clearly. They did not seem to have made uji their
minds as to what necessity there was tor it. .\t that
tinu' Coulederation was (luite recent and (he relative
Mil ilU."^ U'^ I" \» ilill HIM. I'.-.- II > 1 1 lui I- \\ iir; I 1 '1 11. ,\ I I Hill
tinu' Coulederation was ijuite recent and the relative
functions o|' the houiinion Tarliami nt and the I'ldv-
incial Le,L'is-l;>tnres wi're not as c!earl\' understood as
they are to-day : and conse.|uently tiie ireneral dis-
cus-ion was somtwhat de-ultory. lUit when the
n!easui(> was in Committee of tin Whole, Mi', horiou
>
! 5 1
!«■
i;k;
SPEECH
Now, Avhut iU'O the reuson-i Inv tliin cliiuige ? We
sliouUl liiivo had some t'Xi)liiiiiitions on these points,
liut tlif (iovorntnoin have IdK-n inM-fcctly dnnili. T'[)to
tlio pi'(;.S(.'nt (lay cadi province liaa liad
ITS OWN KUANCHI.SK.
Quclioc lias had its own tVanchiso, and a vory lihoral
I'rnnthisc it has boon — not nniversal, hnt with very
lar.L'e limits, indeed. Ontario has had her franchise,
still nmre liberal. T think, than that of Qnebec. Prince
Edward Island has had a universal franchise. Kaeli
(if the ineniliers now present in this House has l>een
elected upon the ])articular franchise of the provincf^
from which he comes. And has any complaint ever
been made either in this House, or in any other [lart
of the Dominion, tluit an injustice is bein^- done
ajrainst the provinces, or against the people of any
province; by the present franchise? I am not aware
that any comi)laint has been made ; if this system
has worked well and satisfactorily, I ask why is this
measure introduced? M'e, Sir, on this side of the
House, are reformers. We do not believe in tlie
immutability of human institutions: we believe in
their perfectibility ; but at the same time we would
not alter any existing institutions unless some good
was to be efTected by it, unless some ill was to be
remedied, liut it seems that gentlemen of the Con-
servative persuasion — at least in this House — are of a
different (tiiinion. I gathered yesterday from a remark
nnide by the honorable member for N'orth Perth (Mr,
Hesson) that the Conservative party in this House
■were ready to vote this measure without the slightest
hesitation.! should supi)ose that a good Conservative,
a strong Tory, would not like to alter existing in-
stitutions unless some reasons were given for the
change. P>ut the honorable gentleman said that they
were waiting for the members of the Opposition to
state their objections to the measure. It seems to
me that it would have been more proper, first of all,
■mi
AOAI.NsT TllK 1 1;A.\( lll.-K A< T
r.»T
I'll)' llic ( iov<'i'miicnt III li!>vc uivcn some roasnn why
the exi.stinjj stiito of tliinj^s slmuld l)e cliiui^^cil. llnl
it set'tiis tlijit hiinor.'ililc Lri'iitlciucii opipoyito arc ready
to vntc for tills iiicasnrc witlniut a.-fkint;' any (luc-tutn*,
even lit'l'urc the Lihfial lucmhers liavf raised any
ohjecliou 1(1 it ; imd I really helieve they will he .■^tiil
mme ready tn vote I'or it. even alter unanswerahle
ohjections have heen made aL'ainst it.
•rilK iiM.v i;ka-(i.\
Avhieh has lieen advanced hy the i'ij:ht honorahle
ji'entleman in introdiicinj^ thi» lueasiire in favor of a
Donnnioii iVanehisc — ii' it he a reason at all - was that
our jU'csent franchise was an anomaly, that we ought
to have u uniformity of franchise all over the Dumi-
inon. Well. I d<i not admit that it is an anomaly i'or
each provinee to have its own franchise. Ihit .«u|>i)os-
ing it to he so, I should not suppose that the hon^lr-
uhie gentlemen would have heen so tendt'r-heurte<l
ii])on that score, hecause T ))elieve, and ]>erliap3 he
■will adnnt himself, that in the course of his long ])oli-
ticiil career he has l)een guilty of many sins of anom-
uly. Let me refer him to one glaring instance. I'n(h'r
our constitution we hav(> a separation of powers. The
local legislatures are ])roporly entru^tctl with the
eatablisliment of courts of justice, and they are also
to deternnnethe numhcr of judges of which the courts
are to he c(unposed, and very projierly should, liut
the judges are to he paid hy the Donnnion Parliament,
and this Parliament has no control at all over the
estaldishmcnt of tlie courts which it has to pay for.
or over the number of the judges for whose salaries
it has to provide. Can there he
A WOHSK ANO.MAI.V TITAN THIS?
Can there be a more glaring lack of uniformity ?
The provincial legislatures establish the courts.
It is in their power to appoint one. or two, or three,
I
?a
A
\i\
11)8
sr'KKcil
(ir lour, nr tt'ii jiiiljioa, anil this nuiisc lias n<» coiitiii 1
uviT tlifiii, tlmui^li we lire uMiLifil I" pay lliiMu imnif-
ic |uc;i| lci;-l-|
(liatoly ultor tlioy ai<' aiiiinintn] I.y t
tur<'-'. Can IIhtc Im' a ^.Tcalcr ammialy / ^'(•t the lather
of this aii'Mnaly is tlic riuh; huiniralilo tit-nt h'maii
liinisclf. Whv "did lie dn il ? i do n^-t Maiiir tlie
ri^dit iiiiiimahic ucnl h'nian lnr iiavinn' dmic i
I. I'er
liaps il i-i riyhl tliat he sii<)\iM iiavc done it. ri'ihajis
tlic ri^dil lionitraidf' L:i'nt Iciuan rtnirndMird at tho
tiuM' liic laniinauc <<\' lUirkc. wliich is 1 > thi- ctrcct ;
< Mivi'iiiiiii'iit \t.i-< Ih'cii ilriMiii'il :i jii'Mclical tliiii.L'. iUii'l>' i'ov
till' liu|i|niirss of iiiiinkinil. nij I in'i to tin iii-li a spi'i tiir].' of
uiiirnnuil V ti) jii -li!\' I 111"' scliniu' III' \-i-ii)ii;i!'v politician-.
I'crha ps thi' h'Uiiv|';il.lc Li,"<'nl Icnian well I'lant-Mi-
lii'i'cil liial sentence when lie ei'eated the anomaly
wliicli itands t(i-(hiy ill nnr cniistit ntimi. lint if hn
Veiiieinhered it tiien. w hy due-* he nut I'l'meMdiia' it
niiw 7 ir the i)i'aitical n('ce-i<ities in' the '.iiivernni'^nt
demand such an anomalv a-' tliat to whicli \ liavo
)n = t relerrei
1. is it
incoiisi-teiil lliat th
e annmalv
coniphinied nj should still e\i-t m the workinu' nl tiic
('(in-iitutiiiii
That is tlie
iinlv reason wiiicli has heen
^iven I'oi' instituting tlie cliaiiL'e wliich it is no\
"•iiU'iJit to introduce
Tl
le coii-titniii'ii i- not unilii) i,
and we caiiii it liave unil'oiinity. rmliMilitedly ir
would lie far prel'eralile if we coll Id have a unilorm
iVaiKdiise. 1
I'on-ititulion.
)Ut unilormiU- is not m the suirit
lUV
W
p have divei'.-il V o| lranelii<e a-* we
have diversity ol'^overiiment. There can henodnuht,
I sujipose. and every one will aii'ice to thi-^ view, tin't
tlie lii'st Iraiichise that couhl he adopted, the mo-t
rational and the most lou'ical. would lie one oased upon
taxation, would lie one to make evcrv ta.Knave;- a
Voter
hit such ;i iVanchisc lia> lU'Ver heen adopte
and will never he adopted, it would lead to coi;<e-
(juences whicli would defeat the ohjei't of the iVau-
clii-e. If we were to follow it to its lejj;itiniate consi-
<iuences we would have to give thV' riirht of votim.:- to
women, married and unmarried, to niinor.s and all
i ui
I
A'.AIN.'K TIIK lit ANi ;il>i: A( r
:»!►
iillifi |mt-iuii-; w ho uoul'l otlicrwHc li" dpprivcil of
llicii' civil riulit"!. 1 II flirt.
Nil I'I;aN( iii>K w \^ K\i;i; Aii>i'ri;i>
nil ;i ini'i'c ;ili-(r;ii't liriiwiplc. Tin> iV.i iidii-i' li;i-i liceii
iMln[iteil fver V wlicrt' !i''i'iir(liiiif in tlir (•ircuiiHlMiices
111' ilic (Mimiiiuuity ivIkm'i' it w.i-' ii ji|ili''i|, nci'nr.iiiri to
the U(';iltli. Ill' iiiti'liii'i'iico. Of ;'iH.-! niH, ir |iri'iuiii('('i»
ttl' the (•(MiiiiiMiiity. Tlii.-< l)i!l is ;iii in-tniiec of it. \'i>u
t;iki' til'' l)i!l hcfiiri' the llmHr nud it !-• imiid-i.viililc tt»
liiiil ;iny principle upnn wliicli tljc iViini'liisi' Ims 1'P(!n
ilirUril'Utc.l : llicre is iioiir. I <|.) unt IpImiim' tin' Mil
In)' it ; [ Ix'lirvo it 'aouM iidI Ik- piw.-ili|i' !n lie ntlicr-
\vi>ir Till' rijlil liiiiinralili' iieiitl(Mii;iii in lV;iMiiiiu t lie
i)ill li:is jiivcn tin' iVancliise tn unnnirricd women. .iiul
imt Id iniirrieil women. He 1i;h ^'iven the lV;inelii,flc
<< Kirnii'i'
t
ti-'an-
<i)\\'
<'inil not
|o till.' -dlH II
ar-
IKH
riven the iVaneliise t
wild are owners o
f re;il
^tato i
d ;iiei»
IVt'
n nival iiivts
Id the valu" of one hiimlreil ami li 'y ilnliar!?,
iiiul lefii-eil it td ili()ve who lire owner.-i > real e-'atf>
to tiie value ofonlv ><l(l!l.()(). Ill eitiea, ||0 j/ives it to
iWlU.'l'ri onlv to the extent
<il s ;ii
i.nn. \Vli;it i^ th
rea-^o\i III all th
I'Se illlI'M
Wlllril
nnilerlie.-i this liill '.' Tlid'e i-
enei'- ; wlnit is the priieiplf
Odiie
T
le hi'uor-
alilc n'ontleman has iVav.n'd a iVaneiii-e which ho
tlionL;ht lie-t aihi]»t"d to tin' eireumstam'e-i of the
eomnuniity. This would hi' well and riu'hl. and thpre
would he U) lault Id liiid wil h the hill, if tlii< w;- a
sini.de eiiiniiiunily Ihr tliis is the ])dint. ■iml it is
liie oltie.'tion Id Ihi-i hill : we Ji;i\-e out a -iii'i'e cdiu-
munitv in tois eount rv
W
e liave -I'Vcn il
flrrent
CdOl
inuniiie-:. and wdiat tin' lidiioi';i 'ih' meiiiher inr
North- Norfolk ( .Mr. Charlton) said, ve-ti
rdav. that
we hav(> seven independent eommonwealtlM in thi'*
country i-^ a nnlli winch canudt he deinel. T!ii- is
th(- mistake in thi-^ hill; it treat- tin- cdunti'v a- a
single cdmuiunity. ami in the plan we lind the well
known predilection of the right honoralde li'ont lemati
2U0
.-PEIXII
P
: *■
Il-
ia I'aviiv of ;i lc<;;islalive union. He ddoa not lubnit
that it is right to have seven .sei)aiate connnunitit'S.
ilis opinion is th;it it would he risrlit to have hut one
foiuinunity. and aclinji oil tliat view lie lias devised
the I'ranehi.se whieli is lii'st iidajited to suit the con-
veniences of a sinjile coniniunity. Well. T start on
this prineijile. and it is oin; which I coninu'iid espe-
cially to my colleiigues from the province ot' (iuehec,
which is supposed to he more in I'avor oC the federa-
tive principle than the other pruvince.-? ; that we have
in this countrv
SKVKN nii-Fi;i!ic.N r ( ommim TIKs.
This is a et which exists in the I'aee of the law.
It nia_\ he wise or unwise, aceordinji- to the ))refer-
oneos and predilections of evi'ry one. l)ut this is the
1)asis of our constitution. Our constitution is hascd
upon diversity— diversity is the hasis of (Uir constitu-
tion. Tf we had uniformity of territoiy. of population,
of institutions, perhaps we would have had a uniform
franchise. lUit our constitution reeo.gni/es the ditfer-
ences of ])opulalion and ot' territory, and. as a eonse-
«[Uence. [ claim, we should also recogni/e those ditrer-
ences when we prepare a franchise for the whole Do-
minion. Tfit he true that this Dominion is composed
of seven different eonnnunities, it must I'ollow as a
logical conse(iuence that the right to deternnne the
franchise is to he left to each separate community.
That seems to follow as a logical consequiMice. What
Avill suit one community will not suit another com-
munity. What will suit Prince Edward Island. Un'
instance, will not suit Quehec. In Prince Edward
Island tliey have had universal suffrage for a long
time, and, as was gracefully rennirked hy thememher
i\ir Ottawa county (.Mr Wright), this franchise has
worked well. I helieve the memhers from the prov-
ince of Quehec will adnut that universal suffrage
would not he suitahle to the majority of the jieople of
our province. Then why not leave the regulation of the
%v
■1 fii
_ !■■
A(..\L\<T TllK 11{AX(I1ISK Ai T
2(.. 1
I'raricliiso to tlic iiroviiHc of (iiu-licr. if they iiiclc'ia
i'l'iuicliiso ol' their own ; iiiul wliy not leave it tu tho
]iroviiic(' of I'l'incp Kdward Tslaiul. if tlicy incfer a
iVancliise i>\' tlicir <i\\ ii ? 'J'ln' pcoiilc of (iuclicc woulil
deem it tyranny if tliis lldUM- were to atlcmiit tu ini-
]io?(' on ilieni univcrs^al !^nli'ia_('. and tlie |icn|ilc i>l'
Princr I'jlward Island would deeni it tyranny also
if you attempt, as is goin;j; to he atteninted. to restriet
tlu'ir francliise. This is llie reason why this matter
had i letter he left
I.N THE HANDS nV THE I.OCAI. LK(. isl.ATIUl-..-.
The memher I'or 6\ John ( Mr.W'eldon ) s.iid yestenlay
that the regulation of the franchise was a mutter whicli
propeidy cani(> witliin the attriliutes of civil ri.fihis.
and therefore had hetter lie left in the hands ;»f the
l)rovinces.
T <lo not contend that wt' have not the liuht,
constitutionally, to estahlish a franchise of our own
to apfdy tti the whole I'ominion; hut T say that.
accordinji to the. spirit of our constitution, the rei;ula-
tion of the franchise is a matter of civil rifrhts whicli
conies })roi)er!y within the attrihutes of the local leg-
islatures. What T say now is supporteil hy a very
hifih atithority, indeed. Story, in speaking- of tiic icfru-
lation oftlie franchise^, uses this signiticant language:
Till.' tnitli scM'in.s to lie tliiit thi^ ri^lit ol' voting, like in;iti\-
other rights, is one wliicli, wlietlior it iiiisu (i.xod fouiidittion in
natuiMl law oi' not, has ahvays hcen tr(\'it('il hi the pructici' o!
iiatidiis, as a stricly civil rii.'lit,(l<Miv('(l tVoin and ici:iil;it('l In-
each -ociety, acoonliiig to it own circinnstanccs ami inti'ic-t-.
Now. Mr. Speaker, that is a high authority — that
])erhap3 is th» hest comnuMitator W(.> have upon fede-
rative institutions; iind can it he ])rop(;rly said that
on the contrary the regulation (d'the fraiu'iiise is to he
in the Federal (iovernment. that it is to lie given to
the whole Dominion and not to the jirovinces, or lo(,i|
power ? I claim under tliis authority that the regula-
202
•j;k( II
tiou iil'tlio fVancliise properly coiu'^'- within t lie limits
iiiul functions of the local ])o\v('r.s. Now what i'^ the
reason 'jiven in favor of a i).)ininion iVanchiso ? Tt i^
that
ol'll
U)VI\<IAr, FRANCHISE LACKS INII' )!; M FT V
Well r aijinirc lln^sciuarcsyniiuctry of tic rcctanuular
lines, hut it in not an ar^iunicnt unlcs it i-t supiiortcd
hy other reasons. The honoruhlc gentleman uttoinpl-
eil to supiioi't it — not hy reasoninLT. hut hy precept, hy
example, and preoodent. lie; says our cou.-titution was
■rive<l from the IJrit
isji constitution, and he appi-al-
a-' a re;i-on tor our havintvii
c(l to liritish iuf'titulion-
uinfin'in franchise. Well, the cNaniple is ccrtriinly
])oi)rly adapted to that [)urpose, for C'Vcn in (ireat
Ih'itaiu, whore they have legislative union, unifor-
mity of franchise is not known — in fact, the l"ranchi«e
is much more diversilied than our own. Let me quoie
on this point, from a, well known hook — one wliieh is
in the hand-i of cvei'vh i Iv. the Statosiu'in's Year l>oik.
Speaking- ol the ii;ii
thor spcnks thus
lehisoand its mo lili.Mtions.tl
ic au-
-iM
1 ■ ll'Wt u'l'.'H
t <'!i c.iir<' ill t
I • Cil'lStlt
in I
o\ ( 'jimiums. nl'iiT thf act ol' I s:
r.iU'n!' I'oiir-liS. lly ihis .\<'t Eiiglan 1 I'll Wa
VX) inemliors ■e.iil .^cotliui'! iJn, w!
nuiiiiiiiiMl unalti'r.'il. In a Iiiimu'
'W -v ol til ■ Mm
i.' I.,- til' l; ■!■)
!■•; wore ••III"
111
ted
T of h'--i:ind.
,111 w IS ciuitlcd to Vote
nil' tliv' niuiii
\vh') w.is of I'ull au'i', Iciiallv c > iir
> 't^'iit, iia I ii 'I'll an viiiioai'i-
LMtl
a lio'Hi'as owiitM' or tiMi nit lor 1 li miiith-^ jii'i'vin w lo .1'!
Iv
I ol .'niv yea)', .an I hi I pi: i h
I
a lo l_'i'! wa-; I'li;
tl.id
to voti' \vli') hi i ■i'.'!i|iii' 1 til
anie I'l l_'iii'_'- loi' a ve <r, ilt'ie-^o
w.'I'i' lit th" WliU" nt' .it l.'a-t sJ in I
lo f;rini<. iiiitn!'iii-l
pai'l liy li 111, lively \v>
Valil'' of ID shilillL'-, i'V('l\' I'opvliotdi'l' an I ii-a-^i^h older
I'll iHhT an
I 1.
a-i-'lioMi'i- Ol til' an
aiiiin.il \alue of C
ima I
th-
I, t'V.TV
lioiisi'lioldor wli )^.' riMii wt^ not less
tlian C I L', , and every t<'naiU wliosi' rout \v,i< UaO a year, v.is
entitli' 1 to vote I'll' a county reiirescntaiive. in .'^cotfui 1 tii"
o'.\ ncr-liiji fi'.-mcli
ir tlie I'ountv was C"> : li m-i'lio! |i
li.i I ]iMi(l tlii'lr i-atcs an<l loilu'Ts wiio pai<l CM).
le;Hi'lioMcr-; having' a I'lH years" loasi '.tip' \-aliie ol' \vlio~'
ciiivlioMei < or
co!)\ n'"il
A(iAIN>T Till: KRANCIIISE A( T
2(«
or leasi'lioM t'\c!t'i'ile;I liy at leust C!" tii« rent or clmrirf uuon
it, liinl a vote lor tlio iioiiiity. LcasflioMei'^ li.ivini: a I'H year-'
li'axf of a nlrar vu'IK^ nt C-0 liail al-o a I'oimty vot.'. I'ln'
lionmL'li iraiicliisc in liclaml was conliiicil to lioiist'lioMer- rated
at not less than C4 a vi'ar.
So you ^ce, .Mr. S[)c;iki'r. lluil (iieiit lirilaiii
not only lia.s ostalilislioil a separate tVancIiise for each
of tlio tlirer Kiiiiriloiii-. liut ill oacji
TIIKIIK AUK -KX-KIIAI, i LAS>l->
or -tainlai'il-J of rraiiclii-^c lUit our ooustit utinii i-
not only derivoil from r.riti-:li institution- : it is mainly
(lirivrd t'lom the Amciican con.-titutinn. ami the
.Vmcrican coiistitutinn has a jirinciide e.xartly similar
to thai, which I mov advocal"'. They liave icit a
unit'oi'1,1 iVanohise : they have a State Iranchi-Je. ami
the conslitution enacts that the elertoi-s t^ the Ilou-^e
ol' Uepresentatives sliall have the (|ualiliiations ri'ijui-
irite for elections to tin' most nunua-ous hraneh of the
State leu-i-lature-'. Now tlu' .American eon-ititutiou
is oui' model in that rcsiici t. That constitution has
stiiod the test of a iireat civil w;ir. Tt has liciin
amended from lime tn lime hut very .s[iarin--!v. mid
there has not hcen. to my knowh'dii'e. ;ii)y c(e Mlidiit
maile airain~t this provision of the constitntio. , Yes-
terday thehonorahle memher for !\in;2;\- (.Mr. Ko-ter).
speaking' on this ([U'v-tion. said it was the duty "t'this
House to reuiihitc its nwn fi'anchi^c, and not to leave
it to the whim or fancy of tiii.s one or that one. out
that we-hould enact who slnUlhl he the elector- t'l
thi- llous(?. Well, for my part, 1 leive no ohjer'tiMU
th;!t this sliould he done : perhaps it i- wel 1 after all
that the (pic^tion .■dmuhl he settle. I "uce and f'lr all.
andth;it to-day this House -dinuld deNiaidiu; wh.i
slmnhl he electors to this I hm-e, liut if that i< tn lie
ihiiic. let it he (hiiie
i i. . .„
II
'71
2{)i
.'•PEECH
AS IT IIA~ IlKKN DUNK IN ■, H K IMTKD
ATKs.
as it lias liccu in the noininion since tlie Cmifodora-
ti'in. and lei us detcrnnne tlnit the electors to the
House o|' ('(iiiiinons shall he the electors to the seve-
ral Loeal lieirislatures. Xi>\v, n^nin. the honorahle
gontlenian. uihlressing himself to this (iiieslion. said
wc should he independent oftheliOcal I<(^gislature9.
AVell. weare independent ol'tiie fiocnl LcLdslatures
in our own sphere, just as much as the Local Tjeuds-
latures are independent of us in their sphere. ]>ut. at
the same time, this IFouse has no riuhts at all ofits
nwn; the only ri^dits which it enjoy.s are those which
are delejLMted to it Ky the people of the provinces and
it is not for this House to determine what people of
the priiviuces shall deh-^fate these powers to the House
or in what manner they shall he constituted for that
Hurpiise; it is the jieople themselves who should
determine wiio .-diall hi' the constituents of the mem-
liersofthis House, accordinir to the mode reji'ulated
l>y the constitution, speaking- throutjh the Local Le<iis-
lattir(-3. AL'ain. the honorahU' .Minister of I'uhlic
Works (Sir Hector Laniicvin) si)eakin,u' to this ([ues-
tion. said we should have a letrislative franchise of
our own. independent nfthe tVanchise of our Local
Legislatures. He saiil in so many words : Let the
Jiocal Lei;islatur(!S have their "o^vn franchise if they
choose, hut let us go on and estahlisli our franchise.
This would he well enouii'h if we had two classes of
(dectors. one class for the Ooiuinion HOuse and one
class for the Local Le^dslatures. But the honorahle
jj:entlenKiu foraets that it is the same ])eople who are
rei)resented in the liocal Leuislatures and the Domi-
nion House. Our system of government is a system
of divided powers. It is the same ])eople who are
represented in either House, whether in the i.ocal
Legislatures or the House of Commons. This House
lias certain powers delegated to it hy the people.
The Local Legislatures have certain powers delegated
to them liy the people,
'Wi4
ACAIN^T THE rUANCllIsK Ai,T
20.-)
HIT IT IS TIIK SAMK l'K<iPI.K
wlio clulegiito those iiowers in oncli iiistaiici;. Il in to
my miiKl a fact wliich cannot lie dcnuMl tliat this hill
isan attempt at the I'ederal i)rinci|)lo. It is :'u
attpnn)t at centralization. No one ever dvcameil that
the ri.iiht iionoralile gentleman who proixised the hill
on this occasion and on t'onner occasions would show
his hand and declare in so manywords that his ohject
in proijosing this measure was centralization. rnlsTc.
when the measure was discussed for the first time, the
Iionoralile gentleman's most trusted lieutenant, Sir
t'luirles Tupper, used this significant language:
lie entiiely agreed witli thoct'iitnilizing luiiiciplooitiie bill,
Mii'l lie also tlibiiL'ht that tin- fraiicliise sliould bo as near as
possible uiiif'onu.
I
I commend this language, Sir, to those who
value the federative principle. They will find it to
lie the true keynote of this measure ; in fact, as the
first lieutenant of the First ^Minister said, this was no
less than a measure of centralization and that was
the reason he suppt)rted it. Now, in order to show
that the franchise is specially a local matter and not a
matter of Dominion concern, let us look at the hill
itself. The hill, it is said, aims at uniformity, hut it
does not provide for uniformity. There are two dif-
terent standards of francliise in this hill, one for cities
and towns, and one for rural constituencies. A man,
if he has property or real estate to the extent of SloO,
if that property is situated in a rural constituency, is
a voter, hut if tlie same real estate forms part<d'a
city he is not a voter. Now, why is this ? I am not
going to en(iuire as to the reason I'or it ; Itut this shows
that if there can he in the same province two difTerent
standards for the franchise, still more there ought
to he
1^ I
n. 1
III
20()
STKEtll
IilKFKUKNT .-lAMiAKKS IN HI 1- 1 i;i{K.\T I'ltdVIXCK.-
As to the iiuc-tidii of wniiiMii iVanchisc there ^eeius t<t
l)e ;i iire:'t divfvsity of opinion in tliis llonfe. For my
part, 1 -iiy if Ontiirio wiints to imve !i woman t'raii-
cliisc let tlieni have it. f,tt tiie h'LMHJatui'e ofOntarin
give it io women it the jmople or()ntario s-ay tliat it
IH h<'»t liir tiici
nH'.'lve:
1 1 N
(iva >co
tir. X
e\V l)riU)rf-
\\a
ick. i'rince I'ldward I.-hmd o
r any other provune
iits to uivc the riulit nf -^utFra^e to women, h-t it ih
go; tiieir h,msiaturert ]iav<' llie pc
)W
er to do it : hut in
tlie
]proviiiee (
i| (Jnelice, .so I'ar a?" \ l<now. tiiere is not
one sinjiie < la.*;' in (he eo)nmunity that would extend
tlie right oi'thc I'ranchiso to women, not even to that
fair ])(n'tion of them to whom it is intended to give it
hy this hill. 1 must say this further: T am reallv
rnu'iirised tn see the .^^ini^tel• of I'uhlie Work:-,
who lias always heen repic-'ented among us ;is ihe
uneiMn|ironiising ehampion of that old, jiure. r.niioj-
luteil ( 'oii.servati-)u which would not yield to the ahom-
iufitions of mi'dcMii (hiclrine.^, ]iromoting in this
House a l)ill whieh i.s not only a conre-'sion to i\\r
wiciNi'dness of modern doctrine.-. I'Ut whieli is far in
advance of all aecepied modern doeii'ines, even in the
most advanci d countries. Ifihishill heeomes law,
it will gn Inrlh to the world that we in Canada are
more advanced than lijnst oflheStat(s nf the Ameri-
can uniun ; niore advanced than itcpuhlican France:
more advamed than flaly ; and all this will lie due
1i) a Conservative ( ioNCi'mnent of winch the .Miinster
of I'uhlic W'oiks is a memher. Now. T commend the
M
ini-i( r oi' i'uhlic \\'oi'ks tci the tender mercies oft
!(•
rood, iiiiius. ( 'nii-ei
vative l-'rei
ii-h ot I he province nl
Quehec. l am sure of one thing ; if such a measure
ad come I'rom this side of the House, there
would
liave Iteen thous.'inds of appeals agaiiist it. ;is to the
■wiekediiess of the ilouces ; hut
IT IS A t(i.\si:i;\A'n\K Mi:A.-ri;K
and. heing a Cunservative measure, I suppcse it mu,-t
L;!l
AGAIN.-T TilE 1-KAXC11I>E A» T
207
lic ;ii rciilod l>y the Cdiiscrviitive party. 'I'lic ri.ulit
liuiidialile IciKler of the ( iovciiuiient said that he wan
ill tavur of tlie I'lnaiicipalion of wonifii. \ am of
French ori.fin, and T am a Lihcral : and hohlim' thi-
dunhlo litlf. I claim that f am in I'avnr nfthc cman-
ciliation dl'thc women as niiicli as lie can he; Iml T
(Ui liot lichevt' that t he emancipatinn dl' women can lie
■[ircmoti-d so much hy jiolitical as hy social reform.
T liclieve that tlie action of women must lie most in-
llucntial in [lolitics as in t'vei'ytliinij,' else hut 1 helievc
that action is more elective if oxcrci-ed in the circle
of home, hy persuasion and advice, than if woman is
lirouuhi to tlic poll to vote. If the I'iu'ht honorahle
gentlenian is really anxious to do somethniii; for tlie
emancipe.tinii of woman, let him ,L;"ive her the o])|)rir-
tunily for more exten-sive ediiciition. let him open for
lier more lields of employment, and he will do more
for her emancipation than hy u'lviiiLi' her the ri^iht to
vote. I)Ut there is a ;j;reater (dijection to the pro-
posal (jf the riu'ht honorahle u-entlemcn in this reizard,
an lihject'on wlii(di wa- jiointeil out yester(lay hy the
lioiiornhh- meiuoer I'or Ottawa county (.Mr. \\'i'iL;ht).
Tlii- measure proposes to irive the ri^dit of sutTVape
to unnianied ladies only, and it is a premium on ce-
lilcny. The riL'ht honoi-ahle fient leuian said it was a
lue;. sure of emancipation. If it he a hoou, therefore.
he places unmarried ladies in this <lile)nma : th.ey have
eitlior to choose to remain siiiule and ha\'e the ri.i:ht
to vote or to marry and lose the riiiht to vote. It is
not lair that it should he so. The writers ol'the past
liave spoken of the perplexities <ifa youiiu woman
phb ed hetweeii two suitors: hut tlx' writeis of the fu-
ture will have to show the perplexity of the younii;
Avoman who has to choose Ijetween a husliandand the
ri^i'lit to vote. Tt is not fair tliat it should he so. ;iiid
if this nicasure is pressed it will he a no\el HKthoilcd."
promotim;- the emancipation of women. Hut the mea-
sure is liahle to <.'raver and greater idijectious. i sul>-
niit to the sense of the Ilmise that this measure is
^ J
if ''
1 '
20S
SI'KKiIl'
'I'
AN INVASION iiK I'OIM l.AI! UIlillT'
'I
i litlicrtn ilu.' vutcr.-i' li.-itrt have been i)ropai'eil by the
|i('n|)lo tlioiu.selve.s. The iissessnieiit rolls have been
pi'i'lKircd by the penile tlu'iu^olvcs tliri)u;i;h valuators
a|)|)()iiili(l by the imini('i|)al councils. The lists liave
been iifcpai'od by the people tbeiuselvos through
Hf^crctai'y trcasurcM's appointed by the muuicipal
councils; the liists have been revised by the j)eo|)lo
themselves through the municipal <'ouneils. This
system, so far as I know, has worked satisfactorily
and well. Now it is proposed that there shall be a
(.•han;-fe. What reason is given for that change ? Why
should this right be taken from the people? II" T hail
to make a report upon my countiymen T would say
this, that they are too apathetic in the discharge of
their public duties — that they do not give to public
business all the attention they ought to give. The
])resent system forces them to give their attention to
])ublic business. Now, that system is to be changed.
The voters' lists are henceforth to lie ])repared, not
Ijy the p('oi)le. l)Ut by lawyers appointed l)y the ( iov-
ernment. assisted by clerks and constables. What can
be the reason of that change? Can it be for the sake
of uniformity? Uniformity is not alleged in this
instance. Ts it because of the adoption of a Dominion
franchise, and because eince we have a Dominion
franchise we cannot allow the lists to be prepared by
the municipal councils, but must have them prepared
by oilicials of our own ? But. as long as we give the
execution of our laws to the courts of justice. I do
not see why we should not give the the administra-
tion of that part of the law to the municipal councils.
If the change is made as a consetjuence of the intro-
duction of a Dominion franchise, this must be
A BAD MLASURE, INDEICH,
if to carry it out you are obliged to deprive the ]ieo-
ple of a portion of the rights they now exercise. The
AliAINsT TIIK l'i!A.N(in>l': AlT
2(19
prf'.^ont s_\>t('iu liii.s <o far worked .•satisfactorily : I am
ni»t aware lliat tlie vntcirs' list? have not lifoii |ii'o|ici'ly
}»rei)arfMl ami revised \>y tlio.so wlio liavo hitlioito had
tlic duty orprcpaiimr and rovisinL'- tli(>m.T'mler the law,
— in the innvinee of (inehec, at all (n'cnts, — Iheic is aii
api»eal iVom the decision ol the municiital coinicils to
the courts ; T have been curious to know if this riulit
of appeal has hcoa exercised to any de<rree. Jiecause
if it had ht-en exorcised to a ^'reat def^ree. that wnuld
be an evidence that th' law was not prop(,'rly admin-
istered liy the i)r(.vince ; hut if T tind that the
a]ipeal5.' na
ve h(>en verv few indeed, the only comd
u-
sion I can arrive at is that it Avorks well. A friend of mine
has taken the trouble to enquire how many appeals
have been taken in the .=evcral districts in. the four
years, 1 SSI, 1SS2. iss;', and ISSl : and as a result of
tliat enijuiry I lind tl at in the district ot' Montreal
there have been K). in Quebec none, in Three Rivers
1(», in l^t Francis none, in Arthabaska '2. in Mont-
nia^my -I, in Terrebonne none, in Kimouski none, in
Richelieu none, in ]>eauce none, in Ottawa none, in
(iaspe none, in Joliotte 1, and Jiedford 1 ; in all only
4(1 appeals in the four years, or ten per year. Well, iii
tlie province of Quebec there a'^e PoniethinL,^ like SoQ
municipalities, so thai the number is just a little
more than one per cent, and less tlian two per cent,
of the total number of lists pre))ared each year in all
the municii)alities. It is therefore evident that
THIS SYSTEM HAS WOKKED SATIS EACTORII.V
and you must remember this, that the ap])eal iriven
under the present law is not an ai)peal of grace such
as ])rovided for in this bill, but an a])peal which is
in the ri,Ldit of every one. and yet there has lieen,
under this system, only an average of a little more
than one j)(>r cent, of complaints made to the PU]ierior
tribunals of the regulation of the franchise as estab-
lished by the municipal councils. The bill is still liable
to a Lnaver objection : it is a direct invasion of the
U
'i
Ji i
ii
aiij
210
f-I'KKCII ACiAINST TIIL FUANCIIISK MT
l)0\vf'i's ItitliPi'tii fnjnyod l)y t\\(' piMjplc, So l';ir tlio
lieoph; tliomsclves luivo liiul the prepniiition ol" tlitvo
lists, hut honcel'orwnrd tluit powor i.s to he tiikeii mit
of tlieir liaiuls; mikI whut is tlic rcusou tiivoii lnr
taking- away iVoin tlic iioojile lliat duty <it" wliidi they
liavc liad the cnjoynient ovtr hIucc CoutV'deration ? I
u.so the word onjoyineut advisodly, Ijecause tho exer-
cise nf ii duty HO |)reciiiU9 a.s this inust ho an ( iiJDyiucut
ratlior than an oldi^fation. V(;t tins precious riiilit is
jtroposed to h(.' taken away iVoni the people ; and I
do nnl imagine tliat tlio sturdy yeomen oftiiis eounti'y
Avill subnnt to tliis i'or any length of time; T (h) not
ima;.dne tliat tliey will yield without a pi'otest this
riLdit
TO ni:N(iiMi:N ov tiiic (;«(Vi;i:n.mi:xt,
I
ii
to the innumeraMe army of parasites wliieh feed on
the ( iovernment and whose sole ohject will he to do
the hidding of the (iovernment. In every euneeiv-
altle point this measure is in my opinion a had
lueasure. one that will ho denounced hy all those who
In'lieve in |)opular rights, who believe in the sacred-
iiess of our constitution, as an invasion of popular
righi.'. and as a step towards centralization; and in
this view I I.)cgtomove the following resolution : —
'riiiit ill! till' words aitei' '•' til it " lio .'<tnick out and the
fctllowini: iiisiTtLMl : in the opinion of tiiis IIoii>^c it is prctor-
sitilo to (continue tilt' n'an wliicli lias I)oon aiioptPil ever sinca
Conri'ilt'iation ol' iitiiiziuL' lor the t^loctioii ol tliis House tlio
proviui'iai traiu'hisL' and voters' lists.
Tlie Second lusiirf^ctioii in ttie Nortli-West
TIIK FKDKIIAL (iOVKltNMKNT CHARCKD
WITH IIAVTNC DKI.IP.KIIATKI.V
I'KUVOKKI) IT
Ml!.
AriMKl;
IM'It IMIINT
I'lic l(illov\ ill.!.' sini'cli liy Ml. I.auiit'i' cix'atcd an iumu'ii*)'
Hoiisatidii ill ParliaMicnt.iIt'livPi'cd as ii was iiiiiler \t'iy scilcinn
cui'iimstanot's at llic tiiuf wln'ii tin- I'l'iloral voliiiiti'crs uoro
i(!tiiniiiiL' tioiii a cainpaij-'u of several months in tiic Noitii
^Vost, wliicli liail cost tlio country both lilond ami iiiillions oi'
jiioiiey. ( )ii tin' I'vciiiiii: in'fvious ('itii .Inly, I ^s.",^ lli)iioial)le
Edwai'l i'.lals(> JKul. in lour Itrii'f linos, t'onuuiate'l a most
rormiilabltMinlii'tmi'iit a;.'ainst tlu' < io\t'iiimcnt, ojicnly ami
lioldly ai'cnsiii^ tliem ol liiivini: lii'on tln' real piovokcis ami
luitii H's oftlic insnri'ci'tion. In siinii^rt of'liis mntioii. whicli
was in tlii'sc terms .-
'I'll leave Dili all the werils allcr '• t hut " and in^ci'l llic lullowiini
llislc. il IhiTcol : ll 'le /i'«,V'// (■<'(/.- 1' I la! I ii lln' adiiilnl^l IMI l(iii (it Noil li-
W'l'sl altaii's li\ 111.' |iir>-eiit t i()\ ciuniciil . prior to the rn-ini (iull'i-eal<.
I licre have orcuicil uravi' ni-liuici> iiT iirL'licl , iirla\ iiml iiiNinanaLir-
II will 111 ma! U rs alli<'tinL' tin' IKMee, \\ cllaic ami L'imi.I i;ii\ iTiHliein nl tli.-
l'Dluilry.
Mr. ISlake JKul made a 1(1111.' ami eloi|iirnt siieecii. wliicli
Avas answered liy Sir -loiiii A ^lacdonald. wlm in iuinwa>
replied to Iiy Mr. Lanrier :
— ;Takin Imai the I Ian -an I (illss'i. p. ill'.i, sltiiinr ol" Tth .lui.v)
?3
!;
i *''
.i
:i"
212
s|'KE» H
Mi:. Si'Kakkk.
Tlicic! is all 1)1(1 r-ayin;j; wrll knuuii to all o|' us
that ii ^'"1(1(1 Inwvur can iiiaUc "if a iuul cause a jrooil
tiiic. The sipcccli (if the rii!lil IntiKiralilc ^^ciitlciuaii
ycrJtcnlay iiiUHt have coiiviiuMMl cvcryoiic dt' ih that
then; are ciisoH so (lospcrately had that all the inijcii-
uity of the ahh^st ('(Min^t'l caniKit make ihciu
appear jj;()()(l. The cumo must he desperalc iiHlce(|,
when a <ienthnian of the lii;;h position which th(!ri<j;ht
hoiiorahle Lieiitleman occupies in this House, does mt*;
scruphi to torture the words ol' his opponent, in order
to make out a case for himself. Tnthe very heLrinnini?
of his s])ee(di. the honorahle ji'entlenian adopte(l thnt
.system, and he kept it U|t to the end. In alnio't his
opeiunu' senteiH ethc ri<rht honorahle jrentleman statc(l
(hat my honorahle friend, the leader of the ( )pposition
— in the loufr. as lie characterized it. and as he iniL'ht
have sai<l. the most ahle speech ever deliv(.'re(l hy my
honorahhi friend — while ))resentinjr the (daims of the
half-lireeds in the Nortli->\' est Territories to a s|)eeial
l^rant of land, had not in a sinj.de instance stat(;d that
the chiini was a just one. The honorahle <i;entlemau
forj-^ot. and he siioiild not have forjxotten, that my
honorahle friend at the very outset of his speech
atlirmed the justice of the case of the half-l)reeds in
the most characteristic manner, in the followinj;
lan^auige:
• lustice is the same i>voi'y\vhere. .Tiistico is the same,
\vhetii<^r it he on tlie banks oftlie Saskatcliewnn or on lie?
liiiiiks of tiie Uei\ Hiver: justice demands tliat tlie "^ame treat-
ment wliioli has been extenclod to the halt-breeds on the banks
of tlie b'ed l{iver sliall also be extendfd to the lialf-breeds on
the banks of tlie Saskatcliewan.
The ri<j:ht honorable gentleman, Sir, forgot that
statement, and the case has to be a desperate one,
indeed, when it has to be supported with such a dis-
tortion of facts. Again, the Imnorable gentleman. i)ro-
oeeding in the same line, in order to clear liiniself of
»
UN TIM': X(iiri'ii-\vi:-T ukiiki.lidn
•nn
llu! cliMVL'o tlmt was hmuirlit HL'ninst him (if linvinir
I'iiiU'iI I'lif sfvoii years ti' (lis|i(ci(' nf tlic claims <<{' the
liall'-liri't'd-i. stated that tlio Mjickciizic Adiiiiiii.-itratinii
hud nut mily I'aih- 1 tu di>iitiisc ol' thn-ic claiiu-. hut
Juul iictually (h'lnt'd tlich' jiHticc ; and in cmiIit to
pVdVf ids statcmt'iit in- prncccdcd to (|Uiit(' uitli Lircat
nitparcnt ulci! iVniji a i^tntc impcr nl niv liiiii(iriil)lt'
friend fn.ni l!..tli\vell (Mr. Milis) wliih- in tlie Mao
l<tMi/.i(' (invi'innicnl. 'I'hat paper 'wh udlrc'-ied {n Mr.
.Laird, at lliat time iii(nit>;naiil-( iiivernor nf the Norlli-
West Territories, iu answi'r tnjin appiieatiun made liy
him for seeil urain iin lielrdf of tiie liulf-lireeds. Tlie
lionoralde miMniiei' for llotliwell wrote iia I'olinws : —
Tlic aplilKiiltioil of tlic petitioners to lie iliili'(l l.y t lio
< io\('iiiMiriit witli seed ami ii^'rii'iiltural iiupleiiifiits in their
fai'iiung o)i(Miition-i, I ironfess I am not ili-<|io-;i' 1 to sii'W t'av.)i'-
ul)f\. 1 ilo not see upon what jjioinul- tlie hill'l)i(M"ls cun
elalni to lie tfeatcil in this piiiticiilar ditloronl IVonith'' vvliite
settlers in tlie 'I'enitoiies.
The liall-l)i'eeds,\vlioln,ve, in some r(vs|)e('ts,tlie a lv,inta:.'cs
over new settlers in tlie TeirMiorieH, slionld he iajpies.sed with
the necessity of settling down in tixeil localities iiml diieetinj,'
their energies tow.n'ls pastoriii or agric^nltnra! pur-nits, in
whii'h case lands uonM, no doiiht, lie assigne 1 to them in the
Kaine way as to white set tiers. But heyonil tin-- tiiey must not
look to the tio\('rnment !or any special as^istunce in tlieii
iariiiini: o[ieiiitions.
1
I
So tliat tins paper of my lionurahlo friend from
])oth\vell did not at idl apply to tlie question of the
lands and tlie extinjijuisliment of the Indian title, liut
it ap)>liedt() tlie treatment of the lialf-hreeds and their
claim to he aided ])y heitig furnislied seed and aj^ri-
cultural implement.^. That was iill, and yet, durin*;
the whole ut'tlie sjieech of the ri<];lit honoralde gentle-
man, he insisted that the Mackenzie (lovernment liad
denied tlie claims of the half-iireeds to a special grant
of land in extingui:^hment of the Indian title. Tlien
again, continuing in tlie .same strain, the right honor-
flhle gentleman charged liis predecessors witli derelic-
tion of duty, hecause they had failed, while in power,
f! I
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SPEEtU
to ^fottle the land cliiiiiis of tlio luiU'-hreods. Sir. is it
possible that the rijxht hoiioiablo geiitleninn had the
cijurauoto advanc-e such a plea a.-^ this in justilication
ot" iiiiuselt'? I low longi.s it since the Mackenzie Admin-
istration has fallen from poAver? It is six full years;
nearly seven years have elai^sed since tlien. Well,
Mr. Speaker, if it was a crime in th(> Mackenzie Admin-
istralion to have failed to settle tliuse claims, how
can the honorable iicntlenian def(Mid himself wlien he
has allowed nearly seven years to elapse without
doin^ so either ? The charye against the Mackenzie
Administration is jx-rfectly groundless, as T shall
demonstrate liefore I take my seat, hut il' lliat pre-
temleil excuse he tliii only justilication wiiicli the
right hoiioralile gentleman can urge in ids liciiali', I
leave it to the judgment of th.is country to say
whether it is a sulhcient justilication or not. Now,
the h(jnoral>U- gentleman [iroceeded very exultingly
to declare tliat there hail lieen no casi' of oppression,
that there was not even a pretension tliat the people
liad been oppi'(>sse(l. that not a single hall-breed
had lieen removed iVom his holding. No cause t'or
oppression! Why. Mr, Speaker, was it not oppression
v.hen men had long been settled upon their lands^
even liefore the country was transferred to Canada,
when they had made homes for themselves, when
they liad put buildings upon tlieir lands, and when,
under the policy of the present (iovernmeiit, land
surveyors were sent among them, who ran lines
across their fields, splitting u)! farms and fields, who
ran their lines so as to ])Ut the buihlings on one side
antl the I i elds on the other: and after these people liail
.sent delegation after delegation to this (iovernment
for redress, had been constantly refu-ed ri'ilress. If
this was not a case of oppression. 1 wouhl like to know
what can con-stitute oppiossion in the cye^ of the right
honoraiile gentleman? The homes of these ]ieo]ilo
Avere invaded — not accidentally, but deliberately —
under the policy of the (iovernment tor the survey of
that countrv ; and vet the lumorable gentlcMnan savs
ON THE XOKTII-WEST RICIUCI-MON
•2V
there was no ctise of op[ires3inn. Sir, wluit was it then
iliat Fatlier Andre ])roteste(l aj^ainst when he wrote to
the (iitvernment in the tnllo\vin<^ manner, first settinij;
forth tliat settlers thei'e have settled aee<irdin,Li- to the
old custom, ten chains frontinjx on the river, and
trusting;' the ( iovernment would survey accordinu-ly,
lu; ::<';ds:
Thoii' siii|)iis(! inny bo iinaginoil wlicu tlioy .s;nv tin- 'aiil-^
aloDix thf Sask.itchcvviin iniMsiu'oil ntV into s()IImi'<'s of f.irty
oiiaius, without hci.vl Ihmhi: trivi'ii to thi'ir Ju^t I'iaiiii-i aul {'Vo.
What is tiiat Father Vi^'reville protested aiiainst
Avhen he wrote to Caotain Deville, chief of the sur-
\'eys ?
I, luysclf, oaii:i''l Mi'.Diu'l^.tlie Dominion ian'l ^ui'Vfyir.to
V rite sov(jral times to ' 'ttawa an I ahvays witiioui >n-;o.i's-;, until
linally I lieoanii> iliseouva.ireil jnyscli', an'l .several i)eo|ilc ^^•^_v(^
oliliiieil to leave the settii'ini'nt, some sellinix their laiul fora
nominal iiriee and otliiTs ahanilonin:,' it witiiDut any eoni|ieu
nation.
in i'l.'hiiiai \\ l^s.j^tlie Kev. l'"ath>'r Leduc ainl Mr. Maioiiey
were (jeputeil li>- the sit tlement to :-it lorth our comi)laints
ainl lU'esent our ilcniand to tin' < ioseiiiment. 'I'liey wck^ u:iveu
i: writtfu i>iomiM tliat the lamN we oeeupieil should he sur-
Vf\ed in nv(M' lots of 10 chains the autumn t'ollowiii!.' M >>'.'?;.
I understand you to tell me to ha\e [larirnoi'; tli.it, <'\-.m \ • hin^
wilK-omc out riuht in the I'M 1. Tle'~'' are words whii-ii, Jut-
luit I'.ie to say, I eannot aeceiit ; the time is [>ast.
Tht' hoiiorahle uentleman flien inoeceded tn say
that no liall'-hreed had ever heen niolc-ted. that no
half-hreed Had (^ver lost his lioldin:^. In an orLr^in of
the viovernment. /.'■ }lainh,'.ii n\ lotli May l:i-t. 1 tind
the foUuwinjr letter from h.alfhret^ds. whiih was lirst
puhlished in luii,di.sh in iho JMlnionton llnli'iin. [
have it here in Freneli. ,iuil 1 will re-traaslaie it into
the oriu-inal English. Tiii- is what tho p.ijM'r ^'o(;sou
to s;iy :
Kar trom obtainin.i; liberal term<, \\\: hav<' not ''VU n'l-
. t.
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SPEECH
taiiH'd, justice. Lii-;t siimimn' wo luil Um agent of the Govorn-
ineiit tosetllc! !i!lc|U.^:^tioiis relatiuLT to liiii'ls in this lojiility. li
tlio :iLrent"soiilyi>liirct liu'I Im'cu to |irnvnke tin' liiiH-liieoilri'liel •
lion 111' I'ouM not liave clone lii-ttcr than liy I'ollowiu;.' tii" eoiiise
lie has clone, and ,:iivinL.' tlie cleeisions he iiat* I'ecorded.wliicli <leei-
sion- are always eliaractci'i/.eil hy the most manifest injnstice.
It woulcl he inipossihie to state a case of a seetion of laii<l in
dispute hotween a hali'-hreed and a stranger wliere tlie hall-
l)roed has not been saci'ilicecldn many instance's half-hreeds.who
for a lonL; time have been in possession of these lancls. liave
luicl theii' lands taken away from them and divided amonLr
strangers newly arrivecl ; and these- unfortunate hallbreecU
liavi.' been thereby loroed to leave the place and go aucl sidtle
elsewhere where the same fate i-erhajis awaits tlnin in the
tntnre. Is it believed we liave no grie\ance ? We have griev-
ances and we feel them deeply.
Signed, SA.\iri;b Cl'.WlXiillAM.
OCTAVE liKLbKI.'oSE,
•InllX CUN.MXilIlA.Ar.
I'.Al'flSTE CMU iri'Ki'ATTE,
.lolIN i;(»\VL.'.XD,
v». lioWbAXP,
L. CIIASTKLLAIRE.
L. (iOKlVEAU.
Then the honDrablo g'entloman iiroceeded to say
tlitit the whole hianie for the reliollinn and iln conse-
quenc;e3 must l)e cast ui)un the(irit party. When the
lioniiraltle a-entleiuan lias made sucli a statement as I
have just referred to, tliat tliere are no grievances
amoni: tlie lialf-breeds in tiie Nnrtli-West, lie may as
■well say that thedrit party is responsihle for the" re-
1)elliiin and all its conseepience. Such rant — for such
lang:uage is nothing more than rant — is unworthy of
him. Vet. such language is ([uite in kee})ing with the
language which the honoralde gentlemen has used
ever since the (i[)ening (d' ihese troubles. Ever since
the.'e North- West trouldes arose, the tactics of the
lioniirahle gentlemen have been
TO WASH THEIR HANDS
of all responsiltility and proclaim themselves iiultg
f f ' '
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O.N Tin-: Nuirni-wEST hkiiki.i.ion
217
innofpnt of tlie Itloodshed. nnd lay all tlie bhinif on
tlie iiii^ui'gi'Uts. To every cntiuiry made tis to the
orig'in of the^e troul)le3, the same answer i?! f:iven :
The half-breeds liavc no cause, they have no griev-
aiiees. Such has i;een the languajio of the honorable
"lentleiiien all tiirough. S|ieaki!ii!' on a recent oeeasion
on the same subject, he stated, what he repeated
again yesterday, that the half-breeds hail no cause,
tliat the reliellion was a causeless rebellion ; and he
concluded in the following language ;
AVc Ipclicvc, witii Jill tlie conscioiisiH's?; fil' being right, that
ill • jU'tguH'nt ot the ooiiiUi-v will lie that we liiive itcteil well,
tiiat we liave acted to the best ot our abilities ami tliat, in tlii>
case, our uliilitie> liavi' not been wion:.'!v direetod.
And again, speaking on the same subject on ano-
ther occasion, he made another declaration. At that
time he l)elieved that the rebellion was not due to the
iirit ))arty — that is a new thought, anew grievance —
but was due to L(juis Iviel. lie said ;
i'rom former oecurreuces in tlie Xortli-W'ost, lie fiJiel) is
oonsiilei(>il a sort et' martyr in the eaiise — a «ort of iiaif breed
Malidi — and tiiey look up to huu with a sort <if suiieistitious
regard, and tiom that leeling lie is al)le to act upon these
poor people.
Such was the language of the hon'orable gentle-
man. The only explan.itiuii he could give of the re-
bellion lias been this : That the insurgents had no
grievances, but that they had been the the victims
and dupes of Louis Kiel. Such an explanation is ex-
ceedingly futile. From what we know of r^oui- Riel.
he does not appear to lie one of those extraoi'dinary
men. who can comma,nd general sway over their fel-
low countrymen. And there is no man in the world,
Avhalever his power may In-, who could take men from
a state of peace and bring them iiit'i war.
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SPKECH
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SI.M"I.V IIV Ills INKI.l K.XCK,
If
w.
iinle-is tliei'p \\oyi\ deep-.^eiitod and lonn-.fclt I'eelinijfs of
;^riev[inces. The lionoraMt'gtmtUMiiaiK^oTQpared ri')uig
Kiel to the Mali li. We know little alxmt'tho Maluli.
hut we flo know this: That tlu^ ju'ople oi' the Soudan
who were broutiht into rehellion had been sutrcring
for years and years from most (h'spotic rule. They
had lieen for years ground by excessive taxation, and
the Mahdi brought them into reliellion by pronii-iing
to relieve them from Ihe state of .-utlering in which
they were then placed. T can illustrate what 1 am
now paying, that no man however iiowerl'ul. can exer-
cise such inllueniM' as is attributed to Louis Kiel, by a,
page fiiim our own history. Few men have tluMcbeen
anywher(> wlio have wielded greater sway over their
fellow-cnuiit ryiiicn than did .^!r. l'apin(>au at a certain
time in the history of Lower-Canada, and no man
ever lived who had been more profusely endowed by
nature to be the idol of a nation. A man of command-
ing presence, of majestic countenance, of impassioiu'd
elo(|uence. of umblenn^heil cliaracter, of pure, disin-
t.^rosted patriotism, for years and years he held oyri-
the hearts of bis fellow-countrymen almost mi-
boundcil sway, and. evt;n to this day. tlie mention of
his name will aidU-c throughout the length ; ud
breailtli of bwuer-Canada a tlirill o|' (•ntluisiasm m
the breasts oi'vill. men or women, old or young. What
was the sc V( t of that great power he held at niie
time? Was is ■dimply liis eloiiUenee. his cdnnnanding
intellect, or even his pure jiatriotism? No dnulit. V,hey
all coiitriliutc(l ; but ibe main cause ol' his authority
over his fellow-ccumtrvmen wa-^ this, that, at that
time. Ills tV'llow-countrynieu were an opj)ressed race,
and he was the chanipion of their <"iuse.i!ut when the
day of relief came, the iiiliuence nf Mr. Papineau,
h'ovevcr great it might have lieen and however great
it -till I'emained. ceased to ■> itaranmunt. When
eventually the I'nion Act was i ai'ried. I'apineau viol-
ently assaulted it. showed aU its ilefects. deficiencies
ON TIIK NORTH- WE-T I!Kr,KM.I<1N
•21!)
anil dangers, and yet lie could not raist; his t'oUowers
and the people to agitate for tlu^ repeal of that Act.
WHAT WAS THE REASON";
c>
The conditions were no more the same. Tini)prfect as
was the Tniori Act it still gave a measure ol' tVeeiloiu
an<l justice to tl\e p(M>ple. and men who at tlie mere
Riiund ol' ]\Ii'. I'apincau's voice wonhl liave ghidly
courted ileath on Itattle liehl or scatrold, then stood
silent !ind irresponsive, though he asked them noth-
ing moi'c than a constitutional agitation for a repeal
iiftlif I'nion Act. Condilimis were no more the sain<> ;
tyranny and oppression had made rehels of tin' pen pi (^
of Lower-Canada, while justice and iVeedom mado
them true and loyal subjects, which they have Ixmmi
ever since. And imw to t(>ll us that Louis Riel. sim-
ply hy his iniluence, could bring these men fnim
peace to war; to tell us that they had no grievances ;
to tell us that lliey were brought into a stat(M>f rebel-
lion either tlirougii pure malice or through indiecile
adherence to an adventurer, is an insuH to the intel-
ligence of the people at large and an unju-t aspersion
on th(> i)fople of the Saskat(diewan. T!i(> honorable
gentleman tells us that the i)eoi)le t^t' tiie Saskatche-
wan river have no wrongs ; this is but a continuaMoii
of ih.e system which has been foHnwed all along with
regard to this pei>)]!c. They have been denied their
just rights, and now they are slandered by the same
men whose vmjust course towards them drove them
to the unfortunate ])roceedings they have ailoptiMl
since. This I do charge upon the ( iovernm(>nt : that
they have for years and years ignored the just claims
of the half-bi'ceds of the Saska,tcliewan. th.it I'or y^ars
and years these peojile have been petitioning tin; ( ■ )V-
ernment and always in vain, i say they have bi'cn
treated by this (lovernment with an inditference
amounting to undisguised contempt, that they have
been goaileil into the unl'ortunate course they have
adopted, and if this relieMion be a crime. I say
L'lili
hPKK( ir
: «
TilK l;i;>l'().\>liiIl.ITV K.H; I'lIAT ( uniE
AveiLrlis iis imidi u])i>n tin; men wlui. hy tlioir cnnduct,
liiivc ciiUHed tlio ri'lielliou, as u|>''.ii those wlio onirauinl
in it. Tlio right hDnoraliio frcntleiuan said y('stfi(hiy
that the h-adur of the ()i)iio.'?iti(»ii had prepared -i hriet"
for tlie hnvyers of Louis Jliel.
S(jni(' ImiHiraMe iiieinh(>rs: — Heai', hear: tliat 1?=
true.
.Mr. Laurier: — Tiiey say imw it is true. T say
tliis. that il'th(> conduct of lh(! ( ioverunu'Ut is ])art of
the defence of J^oui.s Uiel. tlien the ( iox ernnient must
take the consequences. Tt will not do f<pr them to
say : 'i'ou must not attack us. because hy attacking
lis you will save Ijouis Uiel. The (iovernmcnt have
put i-ouis Uiel on his trial for life and death, and T
sujipose it is not his Idood they are looking for. I
suiipose, ii' they are hn)king to anything, they are
looking to nothing l)ut su1)stantial IJritish justice,
and il', in the facts Ijrought out yesterday by my
honorable friend, there is something which would go
in favor of tlie defence of Louis Uiel, then Louis Kiel
has the full right to that part of his defence. I say
mure. I rejjcat that I do not lielieve that the men
who to-day have put f.ouis Uiel on his trial for his
life and death do not desire his blood, that they are
only looking for justice; and if justice requires that
in the numerous papers which have been sajipressed,
which have not been brought down to this House,
there i3 an^ything which can gain favor of Louis Uiel's
defence, it is their <luty to liring them down, and if
tliey were concealing anything which could serve for
the defence of Louis Uiel. I would charge them with
helping his murder, il' he were tried in the al)sence
of such portion of his defence. Tt will not do for the
honorable gentleman to attempt to rouse the preju-
dices of the nrasses with res))ect to this matter.
I' ' '.
lit.
TIIEUE AllK PKE.IinUES IN THIS CorXTKV
of many kinds. We are not yet soliuilt up a? a nation
(i.\ TlIK N(iliTll-\VE>T I:1:I!1.I.I.IipN
L'21
as to fdi'gol <iur resi>e(.'tiv(' ()ri<.nn.-i, nnd I .siiy tVaiikly
tliat the i»(Mi|)k' of my own province. wIki linvt a c'lm-
luuiiity ')!' (iriiiin witli the in.^urgcntH. H^'uiiiallii/t*
Avitli liu'in. ju.st as tlic .synniaiiiie.s of tlie peonh- i>t"
Ontariii who are ol a ilifTcrcnt ori<i;in wouhl i^n ulto-
getlier in the ntlier (lirectimi.
Some hiiimralih' iin'inlici's : — No. sir.
Mr. Lauricr: — No? W'iiy is it Ihoii that it was
rejieati'il yesterday, that it is rejieated to-(hiy in tiie
press, tliat it will be asserted and repeated to-inniruw,
and again iliat my honorable friend, the leader i>f
the Opposition, has i)repared a brief for the lawyers
of Louiy Iiiel. Why, Sir, that is appealing to the
worst kind and tlie lowest prejudices of the mhsses.
Tt is said, and truly said, in your hmguage. Sir, that
lilood is tliicker than water. \ am of P'rencli origin,
and T confess that if T were to act only t'rom the Idood
whicli runs in my ve.ns, it would carry me strongly
in favor of tliese peo,'le; but, al)ove all, I chum to lie
in favor of what is just and right and fair, t(j be in
favor of justice to every man, and i sav. let justice
be done, and let tlie consequences tail upon the guilty
ones, whether on the head of Louis Kiel, or on the
slioulders of the (iovernment. Sir, the (iovernment
are all the more unjustirtal)le in their conduct, that
the ex))ericnce of the i)ast ought to have made them
more cautions. It is an ominous I'act that, althougli
this young Confederation has existed only eighteen
years, it has already been assailed twice by armed
reliellion. Of the first rebellion we now know the
causes. Light has been let upon that subject, ^\■hat
was the cause of the first rebellion on the Red River
in ISi;;) and LSTd? The cause, as we now know, is that
the (iovernment — this (iovernment. the men who are
in power now. and who were in power then — attempted
to take possession of the country
WrrilotT ANY l!K<.AR]i
to the rights otthe people as a whole, whilst they
mvaded the rights of the people as individuals. It
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may 1)0 cnnccived that these peopU'. who liad heea
jic.custiiiiicil tn the wihl lil>erty dflhc jtrairii-. wlio
luul licou accuHtomed for jienoratiuii.-j and ^ciu'ratious
to rove all twvv the whole continent, who looUed upon
the country as their own, and rej^arded as their own
every plot of land on which tliey cho.se to pitch their
tents; I say it may he well conceived that these
]ieo|.le. hall" wild as they were, wonld regard witli
Konicthinu' like jealousy the doings ol' a (iovernment
wliich suddenly cunie in upon them and assumed
autliitrity over the territory. Then what took jtlace
at tliat time? One would liave thouj-dit that it windd
have heen at loar^t i)rndeut on the part of the (lovern-
inent to take some conciliatory steps towards these
jieople, liut instead of that thej' went into the country
and treated the })eop!c as people used to lie treated
in feudal times, as if the}' had hten j)art and parcel
of the territory which was purchased from the Hud-
son's i'.ay ('omi)any — treatinu- the jieople, T S:ay. as if
they weri' serfs in I'eudal times — part of tiio ground
which was sold. The people resented such a course.
])Ut that was not all. The (lovernment attemiited a
Bystem of survey which was the most odious that
could he devised I'or the peojde. Home of the p(-ople
had holdin;zs "r proi)ertie3. with lields and huihlings,
and the surveyors sent hy the (iovernnient jiaid no
lieed to their lioldings. hut ran their lines across their
pos.sessions. and. as might he imagined,
A (iUKAT DIsniinANCK
took iilaci'. The facts are well illustrated hy the
liistory of the rohellion. and T cannot do hetter on
this suhject than (juote the hdlnwing from the rejiort
of Mr. Donald A. i^mith. who was at that time
appointed agent to investigate the matter:
A iK)t inconsidoralilf iiuiiil'cr ol' tlicin remained tiiie to
thoir iilk'L'i(inr,(^ (luiiiiL'all the tiouMe tlu'ou.'li wliicli they h i\e
had to pa».s, uii 1 with tliejo will now hofouud ai-sociated many
I'N THE N(iUTIl-\VK,>T l;EI!KI.I.Ii>.\
0>'
otlioi'~ wlios'Miiinils li;iil tor ii timo bfcii (loisniU'il with <.'iiiss
iiii.4ie|ire.>-ent;itiniis iiuidcliy ilcsiiiiiin^ iiu'ii. lor tlioirownsi'ltisli
i-nils. A kno\vlccljr,Mit tlif true stuto nltlip caso anil ol tlic ii'lv
anta,:.'!'-^ tln'v wmild ilerivo fVoni a union witli (.'aiui'la, had liecn
C'iir"t'ully k(')it troin tlu'in.aml tlh'V wore toM tojml^'t' olCaiia-
tliaiis iic'Mcially liv IIm' act> ami lirariiij.' oT -omi' ot tlif k's> re-
iloctiiij.' iiiiiiii;.'raiits wlio had dcnonrtMl thcin as ciinilu'icr- ol
tlie j.'iniui 1. who must spicdily iiiiik" way lor a .su|)erior race
ahoiU to pour in upon tlicni. It is also tru(! that in tlii! unauthoi-
i/.iid iiioffi'din,i.'s of some oit-ln' nu'cnt I'anadiai. arrivals, sonn-
pUuisihlc jrroui'd had hoon >.'ivpn for tiu' Jealousy and alarm with
which tiie conK'miilatcd chatiiic or;rnv('riun(>nt wa< n-irardi'd hy
the nativi- poiiulation. In vai'ious localities thost" adventurers
liad keen indu>lrii)usly mari<in<j: oil' lor th.'m~elvi'- considera-
ble, uul in some cases veiy cxti'Usive and exceiitioiially \aiua-
hle tracts of landj tiierei)y impressuiL' the mimls of tlic iiiftph-
Avitli the belief that the time luul come when, in their own
country, they were to bo entirely supplanted liy stranirers — a
b(!lief. however, 1 liave no doubt, which mi^'ld have been en-
tlrel\- precludo<l by tin- prevention ol all such o[iei'atiou-, until
Canada iiad fully inifolded iier policy and shown the giound
lessiiess of these fears.
rpdii tilt' .siuiie suKjeet. a lioidc writtoii l)y Mr.
Tuttle. ■•The History of Mnnitolia, "' siicaks iis follnw:^
\\\)tn\ till' iitlitudo niul the t'coliiig <d'tlie l-^'cncli liall-
hrecd.s ;
'I'lie feolini: oftlie l'"ren(di hall ln'oeds may be briellv expre>-
sedaithis: 'that they ipu^siioiied tin' ri.L'ht o!' the l)om;nion
<iovcrnment to taki' possession of what they con~ideieii their
country, without their consent. The fe(ding wa^ shown in the
.stoppaire of the surveyors. Sncnv and Wel'b.
Mure cliiiracteristic yet. ;i imniphlol, written l>y
Louis Ricd. in 1S71. and imlilidicd at the oflicc oftlie
Ndiii-i'iiti Mojtdc, retid." thus :
The Xorth-\Vt,>st Territorries were transfored to ( 'aiiada
only on tln' l.')th .ialy, ISTO: but Canada oonnuene.'d in I '-'i>i'i'.i
]iul)lio works in its own name, in i;np>rt's Land .and the North
West, without liaviiiir obtaint>d tin' .authoi'ity oftlie Ihid-on
Bay Company. The arrival of the i Canadian agents in thr coun-
try was sii-'nalized by tiic contempt which they allected ioi
ill
224
^I'KKCH
till' iiutlinfity '>! till! Umlson I^iy < 'niiiiianv 'iml lor tlic old
sctlli'i'-. 'I'lii'y attt'iiiptt'il to tiiku |ic>.>sc'ssi()ii of tlir licsl liiiids
(it til" liiiiriiici'ij-. cspi'ci illy at l'oitit<> (It's ('liriics, ii jmrisli
aliont ■in luillcs cast ol' l'"iirt Hanv. 'riii'\ iiri'tcinli'il tliat tiicy
Iri'l liiiiiu'lit tliosi! lamls Iruin tlir Imliaiis. AI'Iit .Mr. Snow
lia I coiiiiiiTici' 1 till! woi'U ot'tlm l)a\vsi)ii rotiti' h'twccii tliD
l.aki- <>r till' Wools aii'l I'liiiiti ili's ( 'iii'in-s, in |S()>, in tlio
naini' of < 'unuila, aiiolliiM' intnulcr, innjcr tlic saniG aiitiiority,
coniMUMircNl 11 survey, in tlie.-ninnuT ol l^i'i'.l ai'oiiml j-'m't < iarry,
ol' tin- ]iiiMi(! ami priviitc lan'ls as wi-ll, unilcr a new -ystem of
siii'vi'y wjiich (Icran^-'c^il, witiiont explanation at all, tin- e.\i«tin.!|
orili'i' of tli'DL's, anl ilistui'lieil witiiont scrii|ile the oM settlers
in the peacetiil anil leiial iiossc-sion of ilieii' lanil.s.
'1
14!.'
So, Sir. you see tliiit tlic ericvjiiiceH of tlic luilt-
Ijvceds iit that time were two-l'old. They ('oiiiiiiiiiiicd
fii'ril thiit Caiiaihi had taken pussessiim of their couii-
try without rc8|ieet t'or their rijihtn as a iteojile ; and
tliey cnniphiined, in tlie second place, that theliov-
enniient, liy tlioir system ol' survey, hiid invtided
iheir actual possessions and properties. Well, they
rehelled ; they could not stand this ; and the coiiso-
i|uence of this rehellion, whiitever it may have heen
otherwise, was that the (iovernnient were I'oreed to
grtint tothe halt-hreeds what they had denied hitherto,
that is, the (iovernnient aidcnowledged their riifht of
sovereignty in the land hy the distrilmtion of 1.4(1(1.000
acres among them, in extinguishment of the Indian
title, and al)iindoncd the old system of survey juid
iidopted anew systeai by which the holdings nf the
half-lireeds were respected. Now, it might htive heeu
hoped thiit the experience of the past would have
made the (tovernment more cautious, and would have
taught them to treat a highly sensitive ])eoi)le like
the hali'-l)reeds with something like ' fairness and
consideration. Indeed, tlie (lovernment seem to he
just like the Uourhons, who, according to Napoleon,
neither learned nor forgot anything ; in this mtitterthe
(iovernnient &eem not to have learned anything
or forgotten anything. I say the ]ir(!sent (iovcrnment
are far more open to cen.surc for tlie uprising on the
«
•
1
t
1
>*
,
I
!■
I: ■
I
(i.\ Ti!K N(»i;Tii-\\ K.-T i; i;i;Ki.i h 'N
•>-i"
Sa-katclicwati Uivor llmii llioy were t'of tin; uin'i-injj;
(111 tlic l{f(l iJiviT. tlililty ;m tlicy were in I^<;'.»t'ur
tlieir trealiiKMit ulllif liall'-lircods mi the Ilcil llivcr,
tliin. at least, niiulit Im" saiil in attcnnation. tliat \\\vy
liail ui> time tn (jiarjic llicir policy — that tiic rt'lirllion
r^liraiifx ui> im tliciii lid'urc llioy had time to irtracc
thcif ^[(■\>:- Mild coiTi'c t ihc ctroi'-s whiidi more ( auiioii
at tlic i'Ut:-i'1 ini'^^ht have averted. I'.ut i>n this pro-
>i>tit I ii'cMsii III i r mi I lions of i li il hi i m h.'i vc I iccii i\ in'inli'il
at
-cut o(
witiiiii a lew
p
i;
2-jr.
SrEKCIl
the siiiiic iinxit'ty iind iii.'mIc tlic miiuc cluiiiia a*' the
Imlt'-lirocilH on the Uccl Uivcr had ddiii'. I luivc shown
you tluit tin; <hiinM ol' the hall'-hrt'cds on thi' Ili-d
Ilivcr were two-f ihl— they chiiniod that tlicir rii^htn
to llie rioil .-ihouhl he r('coy;ni/.('d in some niauncr and
they wt'i'o roco^rnized ; iind they iiskod tlmt they
nhouhl not he troiildcd in tlioir holding;.-", and 11im-c
chums wore conciMh'd to tlicni. As soon a.n tlic Cana-
dian (iovcrnnient attoniptcd to assert their nutliority
on tlie Saskateliewan River, the liall-hiccds there made
I'xactly tliu.-ame ehiims. At t hi- outset tiiey demanded
Noi'iiiNi; Moi;i; oi; i.i:s.-
tlia)i tliat their rijilits to tlie soil ami tlieir ri;rld.s in
tlie extin},aiisiiment ot' till' Indian title sliould he rt-
(■o<fni/.e(l and that the lands they held they pIiouUI
lio allowed to continue to hold without disturhance.
Willi re<;aiil to the first ([Uestion. >rr. Speaker,
T am not aware. tliou;jli the honoialile ,^cntle-
iiian .-aiil to the contraiy yesterday, that the liall-
hrecds ol' Saskatchewan IJiver ever loi'iiiulated any
demand as to lands heioro the year ls7>^.or the last days
of ] ^"7. The honorahlo uontleman said that demaiul.s
iiad oceii made to the ( iovernnieiit of my lioiioraMe
friend I'liim JCa.st York (Mr. Mackenzie). I helieve
that some deniiinds from the (iirAppelle district
■wore made hel'oro ISTS. hut no (lciii;;nd. po I'ar as T
am aware from the hank.-i of the Saskatchewan, came
to the (loveriinient hefoi'c 1S7>i; and the reason is
ohvious. The countiy had just only heen ojiened
for .oettlement: the ( iovernmont had Mot attemiited
to e.xercise authority over tlu' territory for more than
".years; Mr. l.aird. who was the lirst Lieutenant-f iov-
eriior. was a|iiioinled in 1<S7(>, and he only readied
I'.attlel'ord in 1877 ; in fact.it took him several months
f)f travel to get to the seat of .c:overn]nent at Mattle-
ford. Tn 1.S77, a jietition was formulated liy the half-
hreeds, and it ran as follows :
Your iietitiouors would liuiaMy ronic-ciit that tlicir ii,i.'lit.s
II; ■;
fiN TIIK N(iI;TII-\\ K.ST liKllKI.I.H 'V
•227
ton )iaitici]intinii in tlio i^-^iic nf liivlf'-hrcoils' or old «ottloi'<'
hiMii' iin- iiH \Mli'l Mii'l liiti'lin;.' us tlmso of the liftH-liict'ils iiinl
olil -fttld's ol Miiiiitiiliii, ami iiio <'.\|i(H'tiMl liy tliciii to he
icj;.'iidi'il 111 scni|>uli)ii-ly a- in tliat I'luvinco ; ainl witli a
vit'W to till' ailjiistiiiriit ol'llic Hamc yniir pclitiuncr- wniiM
hiuiil'ly n'i|iit'st that a ccii.sus ol saiil liaH'-ltrt't'iis ami old M-t
tiers he lak(!n at us oarly a dato as may l)i> conveniently deti-r-
juined upon, with ii view to appoi'tionin;: to those of them,
Avho have not ali'eiely heen ineluded in tin" eonsiis ol' M.niitol'a,
llieir jil-t allcitiiieiil- of liiiul and -eri)).
Tlicn. 8(11110 liiiu; ill tlie niontli uf F(diru;iry. ii dc-
]iutatiii!i ciiiiK' rruiii Si. l-aiirent In iiittTvii'W Mr.
Liiinl iilnuit the sjiiuo matter, iijid they iircsciitedhiin
ii pctilidii. iiiakin^j; in suli^^lancc the ."aiiic (IciumihI.
Tills |ietiti(ni \V!H luldn^rfscd, not [n llio ( iovcrnnient
of Oltiiwii. liut to tlu' Liciitoniint-dovoriior liiiii«c'll';
lie referred it to IiIh I'oiuicil ; the council did not ,>^it
until tiie rollowiii;,' luontli ol" Auji;ii.«t ; iind in that
uioiilli tlic council adoidi'd tiuM't'solution wlijcji hns
lioeii M'veral tinH'.-! nuotcd vcsterday, wlieieliy the
claiiiir! of the iiall'-lireeds for an a|i|iorliii|iiiieiit of
land were i>!'esenliMl favoraldy to the (iovernnieiit at
(Mtawa. The !'e.-oluLi<iii ran as follows ; —
Th.'it in view ol the laet tiiat .L'laiits of bind and i-.sues ot
scrip were made to the hallhreeds of Maiiitoha towards the
extin,:;iiislinient nl the Indian title to the lands of that piov
inee, there will nndoiihiedl.\' he L'eneial dissati.-faction amonv'
the hall'hreeds of the.said Territorios unless they receive .-oni"
lik.
"iisideratif
When Mr. r>aird vi.sited iHick Lake settlcniont in
tlie l'ollowiii;j; month id" Seiitemlmr. he was aL^•lin
interviewed hy a deputation of the St. Laurent setile-
iiient,.'ind they asked him particnlar.s as to what had
liocome of their petition, and what treatment it had
received at the liands of the ( lovernmont. Mr. Laird
explained that, the eouiull haviii,t;- sat only in .\u;jtist,
the ( iovernment had not vet had time to consider
their
application.
t;
lev were
228
rPEECH
r^lPI
SATI>I-IK!i WITH THE EXri.ANATKi.V,
uril tli(.Mrsii(ikt'siiKin covli'illy tliiiiikfd tlic f.icuUiiaul,-
(ioveriKir fur tliukiiid iii;i:inc'i- in wiiicli lie had rei)lied
to tliC'ir en luirics. Tlie luiU'-lireedf*. il uiu^-t lie said,
disitlaycd >n that mcasinii a innst genlh; spirit ; tht-y
t'oiUd iKit liavc a'tcd witli greater j)r(i))i'iety. Then
eanie the fall of the Miiel<( n/.i(! (iuveriiiiieiit and a,
new (ioveviiiueii'i came into power, the (iovi inhieiit
of the lioiioral)le f ('iilh'ni;:n dpposile. Tu \>~\>. the
(loveriiineiit tool, power to deal with tiie half-lireeds
in the same nianiir)' as the former (iovernment took
power lo (hal with the half-hreed-^ of the lied IJiver,
and alter the maniKr suggested hy the Noith-W'est
Council ; that is to say. the (iovernment took lK>\^•l'r
lV>v ti'c e.xtingtiishment of the Indian title, in so far
as it was vested in the hali-hrcids. I'el'ore going fiir-
th"r. it is approjiriate lliat Me should at onf e. iniuder
to lix the resi)onsihilit_\ of the (iovernment in tliLs
matter, refer to the \vhol(! legislation on tins jioint ;
the Act of JS7(». which was the first Act. die Act of
1^74. which van the second Act. and then the Act of
iSTli, to see exactly what was the piu'port and theoh-
ject and the cause of til" lerislation then ]iut uiion
the statute Ixudc. The Act of 1>>7<' ran as follows : —
m
And wlicieas it is oxpodieiit, towards the extiiiuui.-ljnii'iit
oltlii* India'.) title to die lauds in the J^ioviiuH'. loaiipi(ij)i iate
a ]i'ii tioii ot fucli implant. mI laixls, to tl (^ extent ot 1 ,-Joo.nni)
acn s tliereol. fni- the licnetit ol tlr' lainilies ol tlie Jiair-liret'il
ie.-.iileiits. it is iiei'ebj- enacted, tliat, niider ii'.L'ulatioi>s !■ lie
from time to time nuuh' by tlie (iovtinor Ceneral in t'onncil,
tile Licntenant-tievenior sliall selivt siu ii lots cr tracts in
stirli j)art>i<)t' liie Province as lie may deem fxpeilieiit to tins
extent aloresai<l. and diviiie tlic same amoii.;: the cliildreii of
tlHdiaIf-t>reed heads of families lesidiii^i: in llie i'ro\ine(> at
tlie time ditlii' .T.iid Iran.-ter to Canada.
So tl'. ohject of tlie Act is perfectly e^ear ;
it is an alloti.ieiii ^f land to the extent of i. l(i(t,(H)(>
acres for the avowed ])urpose of dividing the same
mm
I
ON THE N(".;TII-\VEsT l;Fi;i;i.l.!nN
1221)
aiuon^' the cliiMfPii nf the liond.s oi ii;ill'-lii'<'('il l';i luilios,
towards liic extiiuruisliiufut ortlit- ru'liaii title. Tiifii.
tlie Ad of 1S7 I lau as lollows ; —
Wlii'iciis, by till- Mist section of tlic Act '-V-'i N'ii'toria.
cli;ii>tfr '■'>, it was eiiiictnl a- cxin' linit tnwar Is tiic I'xtiiiL'iiUii-
iaLait oF tilt- Imliun titlr tu the huils in tin' i'roviui'i' nlMaui-
tn'oa. to aiH'ro|)riate one million ioia- iinmliiMl tlioiis.in'l acr<-'s
I't'stich laii'ls, lor tla- Vicnt'lii of tin- cliihlren of tin.' JuiH-la-i'oil
iii'a'ls (it fasailit's rcsiilini.' in til'! i'rovini'p at the time of the
tran-i't'r lin'i'col lo <_'ana'la, : ani! '.vlii-ii'as no iiri)\i~lon lia-^
t'oen uiailc for exiiairui^hinix the hiijian title to -.lu-li iaa-ls as
lespccts till' hall' iii't'e'l IhmkIs of faaiilios ri'-iilini? in tin- I'ro-
■'.inci' at tli(! )i('rioil nanieij : and wliei'cas it i> oxjiclient to
niiskii sucii [novision. anil it is ilei'iut'il alvisablo to cttVot tlu>
Sana' liy irrant of lanil or liv an i-sm; ot -ci'iii rclci'iaalilt- in
.Uoniiiiion lanils.
Tlerr'. aiiain. tlic same .s|iirit is- a]i|iai'enl. tlu^
same oliject is avoweil. The uTtuit is mailc in extin-
yitisliment itt'tho Iiidiati title,iii .m I'ar as it \va.' vestr-d
ill tlie liall-lireeds : and in 187U the Act pass-^d hy
lionorahU' gentlemen oiiposiie upon this (|ueslion
enmted as toHow.r : —
The ( toveiaunent lau e |io\vei' to -ati-'V any claims exi-tinir
in ooma'ction with till' extiiiiini^hinent of the Inhaa title.
JiretV'lTeil l)y half-hl-eeiis re^iilelll in the N'ortll- \Vi-:,t 'Tc. litorie.,
f)iitsido of the limits of Manitolia, oii llui lifteentli d.ay ol .hily,
oiu! thousand eijxlit haiidreil and seventv. hy L'fantinjr land to
siii'li |iersoiis, to sueli extent and nii such tei ni- and I'ondition-;
as may lie deemed (.'xnei-lieiit.
So there cannot l>e any amhii:'uitv. I'r ivision
was introdnced it: the hist statute iiy hmioralile (fen-
tlemen opposite tliein«elvi- u ith the expicss ohjcet
ol" extinLniishin<r the Indian tith vesteil in the lialt-
hreeds. Tliis .\el
.\EVi:i; WA- I'lT l.\ I-OIME,
ii3 i)rovisions never were (■arri<'d out. What wa- tlie
retistm? We do not Icnow vet. The (ioverninent never
_1
'ir,o
i«PEECII
ti)l(l us; I do nut believe the (iovcrnnient kiiou-
thoiD^elvos the reason. Ihit il wns iiiipDrtaiit that
this iJi'ovision should be nctfMl upon. As early as
IST'K th(; (ioverninent a])])()inte<l .Mr. Davin to luako
a report \\\)nn the matter. It doe.s not ap[iear lie ever
reported, but it appearr^ that several intluential per.'^ons
in the Territorie.'^, among them Archbi.sho]) Tacln',
were consulted on the matter. Upon the imi)Oi'tance
ot" at once dealinji; fairly and jfenerour^ly with the
halt-breeds. Ili3(;ra(f' .\rehbishop Tacln' wmte as
follows : —
It ]aust lio tri'oly .■chnutcil tliai tlio liull'-hrooiU ol tlio
Xortli- West liavc a, claim t'l rav<irahlo oonsidoratioii. (iieat
uneasiness i< I'dt l>y tlioiii in <'ou<oi|uenc,e ol no sti'|is havini^
y<'t bdt'ii tal<i'n in tiioir l)ehait'. A liheral policy on tin- )paiL
of the I iciverniiuMit wotiKl attract to it< side a luoral aiiil I'liy-
.sical power \vhii'li in the present critiial ^elation^ ol tln^
various trilies oi' Indians towards eacli other and towards the
(tovernnionl. wouM i)rove ol the ,i.'i'eatest value to tiio Jioini-
nion. < hi the otiiei' hand tiio lialtl)reed element, il dis-;atis-
lied, would form a standniix menace to the peace and prosper-
ity of the Territories. There is no doubt that the stateolulfairs
in the Territories in Kdation to the hidians and half-hieeds is
eallini.' lor the serious consideration ol' the < iowrnnu'iit. and
measures should lie adopted Id cidtivate ami maintain rel:'-
tioiis with the liairiiieed population calculated to attract them
to u>
'\'hv liall'-lirccMls ar(> a hi,i;hl>' sensitive race; they k< t'uly
(•-•sent injiuy or insult, and daily comi>Iaiii on that point. In
lact they are daily iuimiliated with re;_'ard to tin ir oiijiin Ii\
the wa.y they ire spoken el, not oiiiy in new-pajii.'rs, but al.'^o
in otlicial and scmi-olliiial dncuinents.
.Mr. (iirouard:— What is tlie date of Ihaf.'
.Mr. Laurier: — .fanuary, 1^7'd. Then at ihc same
time.
TIIK .\l;elll',lsilii|' s|-,,,,i.:,,'i-KI> .\ I'I..\.\"
to the (hivernmeiit. Ho .suggested that a certain tract
of land be apportioned to them. lie goes on to .say :
Ml the halldjreeds, men. women and children. re>idins in
li
ON THE NuIiTII-WKsT ItKr.El.I.ION
23J
til" .\ortli-\V(\--t on thi^ 1st •Jami.ii'y, 1 ^7',), 0!i:.'lit to i'0;;eive tw.")
nnn-iietrotiiilile stirips lor SO niu'cs ol' hiuil c u^li. to ho io'^uteil
IpV them in oni- ol' tiie twelve uhovi'-meniiotu'il reserves, saiil
lands to be neitluT sojil, niortg;i:.'ivl. nor taxoil niitil tlu-y
sliMiiM iiave jfiisscd tlnou;.di tlie 'ianils of ai Icii-t tlie tliiivl
generation ol' those who receive thoni or of tln'ir rejuesen-
tative-.
Tlii.s w'iiH tho i)liin suggested by ArclibishopTiiclit' to
tlu; Giivi'rniueiit to ailo[)t. The (loveriimeut did not
adopt it : they wouhl not adopt it ; tiie right liuuor-
aljle geiitleiuau said he would not adopt it. What was
the reason? The honorable gentleman stated yester-
day thai he would not adopt the [/Ian of Arehbishop
Taehe, l>eeause, forsooth, tlu; plan of Arcdd)ishop Ta-
elu': would have made the hali-ljreeds wards of the
(iovfrnment ; he would rather trust to them ; he had
a [dan of his own for their settlement, for their estab-
lisiiment. What was that |)lan of his own '.' Where
was it? When was it exeeuted ? When was it -howii
to the eountry ? Where was it oublishiMl? Whe" was
it eominunieated to the hall-breeds themselves? Sir,
1 believe the right hunoralth' gent leman, wImmi iie says
he had a [)lan for the settlement of the half-l;reed
elaim.i, is boasting — it is a vain and idle boast. The
hoiuji'able gentleman never had any ]>la;i at all for
the settlement of tin; half breeds, or if he had any. it
was ju-^t like the |)lan i'\' (oMU^-al Troi-hu to oom|)ei
th(M iermans to ra'se the siege of Paris ; il was a tin(;
plan, aceordingto him, Imt no one one evr saw. it.
he never atteni[)tetl to exeeule it : ami the lionoiabje
ti'eiitleman's [dan is in the same manners. And, mni'e
than that, T say tiint ii'lhe (Jovernment <Iid not carry
out the plan of Ui-hop Taehi-. did not setth' the
claims of the inilf-breeds, it i:^ iieeau-eihe Crime .Min-
ister was 0|iposeil, in i)rin<'i|ile and in [iractiee to the
extinguishment ofthe 1 ndian title, in so far a- ii is
vesteil in the half-lo'eeds. T say that tiie reason wliy
tiie (iovernment have not, from 1S7'..' to ISs."). settled
the elainis of the iialf-lireeds to a grant ot' laml. is
7 "i^
' r
hn
H r,.t
f^ f^*
■r
>
M
232
sTEKt ir
pimply liecavisi.' tlio I'rimo Miui.-U.'r lield ll,at tliclinll'-
))rf'('(lrf
">VKl;l-; NdT K.\TlTl.l':i'
* 1
n
In
to a special Li'i'aiil <<( la.uii. and this I can ]iriivc oiii of
.lii>: I'wii iiKUilli. X'tt later than llic-Ji'ith Marcli, the
.i'rimc .Minister, spcakinu- upnn this vci'y nur-tinn.
exjiressi-Ml liiiiisell'as I'mUows ; —
A- a wliolc. tlic> liuirKr.'O'ls iuivc l."cii tn!<l tliat il' tln-v
'Icsii'' to Kr coilslih'Tcil :i> hi liiili.-, tllfi'i' ;irc nio>t !il)!T;il ic-
sci-\i'- ilial tlu'V coiiidiTf) til witli the ntlnTs; liut tliat il tlioy
• Ic^iii"! to !>(> roM>i(k>n'il \vhuc iinai, tlu-y oouM ;.'ct h'lH ;i;mi-»
of l;ni 1-; us lioiiu'st(\'iils. lint tln'\ arc not satisllcil witli f hat :
tlicy wiuit to :,'<'t Inn i s.M'iji ()rei|U,il (|ii;uitiry — I tliiiik llll^\■a^ll -
oi' :2i II I acres — ■v.)'\ tlnai L"'t, us a matti-:' "' fmivsc. ilieii- lioim'-
stea'ls a< well.
Sir. tliis was tlic policy to which the li.uinrahlo
ii'eutlenian ohjecjcil. that the hall'-hrei-,l,s sIcniM <^o\
their uTant ut' lands in extin^iiisiiineiit ol" the Indian
title, and then he ;it liherty to .settle on the lands in
tlu> North- W'c-Jt. That principle, tn which the honor-
aldo naaitlenian ohjoct(!d. is the very prineiph- whicli
luif* heou admitted in our statute Ijooks ever since
1570. Acc'ordin'j; to the Act of IST'J. and the Act of
1571. whic.i completed it. an allotnu'iit of land was
made U> the halt' hrcedrt fdmplv in c>\lin;iiii-jhment o|'
the fndiau title, and the hail'-iireel. al'lcrhehad re-
ceivt'd the scrip I'm- hi.s laiul in exting'uishmeut ol'the
Indian title, was ;!t liherty. as evei'y nther suhjeot.and
even ;h evei'V iMrei^'iHT. to i^o to the North-West ami
lionn'-tead upon uny land, and claim it as his own.
JJut the h'liiorahle u-euth>mau would not ,uive that ti>
th(> h dfd>reed. Ta taet, he .said, as liite as the 2hth
of March last, that the half-hreed.s were askini;' tu
liave li'i'l acres o[ 1 and. the suine as t'verv liomesteadet
and liesides th'it '2i)f) acres for the extinu-ui«hment of
their Inilian title, and to this he ohjected : and this
then. Sir, is the reason why, iVnm 1S/>1 to ISS."), the
i>.\ THE N''>i;tii\vi:st ikhkijiox
.-)'>o
lialt'-lirecil (lur'stidii lui-! nnt liccn dralt with li\- the
liouoralilc ;^'rnliciiian. I
.sav
■nil-; I'oi.K Y (i|- TiiK i.i)vr:i;NMi;NT.
as imlicatcil in tiic stal n!i' 1i(>m1<. lias I'ccii that ihc
liall-hrced.^ wt-ic ciitillcd. just a* iniicli a~ the rndiaiis,
tit the (■xtiii.tiuishiirciil ni' tlic iiidian tith'. hut 'AH
M liitf iiicii. iii,-ti>ad nf takin!.M-i)i,i]i('n-nti<)ii I'^y thi'ir
Indian titli^ cnllociivriy. llioy wc'c aUowcd to take it
individually, and tiial is the only difrcrcncc lictwecn
tlK'ii! and the lndian<. sii far as ilw cxt ini^'uisliniciit
"I'thf Indian title was concetMKMl. Ami. i- land .--uch
a scarce arti(de in the Xnrth-W'c-t '.' Have uc \ii<\ an
altundaiicc of lf!;:d in t he NiMth-Vi'esi :' And will we
f-'erinu-ily i'c told that it was not jr.st ny I'air that the
lialt'-lircedp should he allotted a lot oi'the wiile land?
of the .North-West while the sani(> privileLics had heen
•rranted to the hall'-hreeds in Manitoha? What iv^ason
could there he i'or not jidvinL' to the hall'-hreed-^ on the
Sa-'I<at(die\v;vn the very same ju'In ile;;'es and I'i'.dit-
uhich had oeen liiven to the hall'-hreeds on the Ited
Ivivci''.' ,\-) my hoixM'al.le friend said yesterday, is not
justice the same everywlien — u|ion the Saskatchewan
as upon the iLed Ulver? If the hall'-hreeds on the Ued
J liver wei-e u'i ven a s[iecial Li' rant of land in extin'j-ui-h-
menl i the Indian title, did not jusliee dennind
that the same [irivileires and riu'hts sliouhl he ^iven
t" the halt'-iD'eed-' \ij»or, th.e Saskatchewan Uiver? The
<dlieers oi'the (iovernment in tlie .\'orth-^\'e't Terri-
tories, the NtM'tli-W'er-t Council, the settlers them-
selves, were more jxeuerous to the hall'-hreeds than the
ritiht honorahle <i-entleman. .Vuaiu and aiiain the
]ieo|ile of the Xorth-Wesi called the attention of the
( lovernnient to this. I have alreadv quoted the reso-
lution of the eouuidl [)assed in 1>^7*.> upon that (|ue--
tion. .\e-ain. in ISSI, Mr. Clai'ke. a memher of the
councii. presented a resolution : —
Tliat the hall'-lirceds liavi^ ah\;iy.< Ih^'Ii reeou'ni/.''d u- pe--
ses>ini.' rigiit- ni tiie -uaie.-oil. buliject to wiiidh th.' i)ipaiiii!''ti
n
''fi
2?A
•PEECH
1^
i;
r
aco.'pti'il tli<' traiistor of tin* tc'iM'itnrics, !iti'l wliii.' ami>li' jiio-
vi.^ion has hi'<n iikhU' lor those r.vsidciit in Manitoba, on the
]")tli ■July, i^T", notliin:,' has hi'cn ilono towai'ils (^xtiniruisliin^
that poition o!' tlic hnlian tith' to lamls and tfiritorics out-
siil<! tho i)roviiiC(^ olManitolia, as oriirinaily fornn'il l'\ the
Act of ISTO.
TIh'U he goer! on to say tlitvt
THE SA\!K TIlINO Slloll.li III: 1 m i.NK
\'>>y llic liiiir-hrcpils ill tlio North-W'e.st TiTfitory. I
lielifvc the cmncil passed a r(;.solution upon tliis. and
iransiiiittcil il to the (iov<M'ninent, hut tlio (iovcru-
nn'iil paid no h.ecil to it. iiator on the j)eiipU' ol'tiic
North-West Territory hehi inoetin;.:;^ antl i)assed reso-
lutions iidvocatiiif;- tlie very same course in favor of
the hall'-lireeds. A meeting took phice at St. .Mhert,
ill Oi'toher ol'lliat year, whei'e it was resolved ; —
Whereas the Indian title in this distriel or tei'ritorv lias
not lieen'f'xtiiiL't, and t lie old settlers and h ilf l>ri>e(l iiojiiilation
in .Manitoba have been trrantod scrip in enneiiutatioii of sneh
title, and sneh allowance has not been niadt? to the fi'-idents
in this teri'itoiv. resolved that the h'lLrlit Honorable the .Mini-ter
of ttif! Interior be ie(|uested to irrant such scrip ti) sneh set-
tk'rs, thns placing' them on ;in equal footing with their eon-
fi-ere< in .^^anitoiJa.
This resolution was transmitted to the (inveiai-
loent hy Mr. Charles Nolin. There was an answer
from the (iovernment which was (luite in keeping
with the principle enunciated yesterday hy the right
leinorahh' geiitliMuan. The answer was as lollows ; —
it, sill lit i, It .Vm :; — .\s liy treaty \'>itli the Indians, their
title 10 any portion of the Ten ilory inclnded witliin th(> I'i--
triet of i.orne iia^ been extinguished, this iH'solution wonhl
neecj explanation.
Well. Sir. tlnit was transinitti.'d to the people of
the .\oi'th-W"St. .Mr. Clarke, who had lonked into
ox TIIK NDirni-WEST Ki;i!EI.Mi>N
235
the '.natter, sent a couiilusivo answer, settini; I'ortli ;ill
the Icgiflliition from 1S7 J to 1S7'.>. ami .sliowins con-
clusively that the policy tjt'this (iovernment luul heeii
the extin;j;uisliment of the Indian titles in favor of
the half-l-d'ecil-^. Then re,solutii»ns were also pasHeil
l)y the jieojile in favor of the .same policy, hut all
withotit avail. At last Riel wa^? sent for iiml lirought
into the connti'v. ;inil it wonld Hcem that then at lea.^t
the ( iovernment would have yielded what they had
so I'iir refused,
r.lT STII.I. TllKV .\!oVi:l> NoT.
• -ni
x\nd when did they move? At the time, as was shown
hy my honorahle friend ye.stenhiy. when the r('I)elliou
was ripe in the Xorth-We.'-t Territories on the -li'Ah
January, they did something ; and what was it ? They
.sim[ily asked for a censu??. At that time they h;id
no policy upon the matter. When they issueii the
Order in Council on tiie i-'fUh .Tanmiry. 1 ss."), to take a
census of the half-hreeds in the North-West, at that
time tin y Iiad no pidicy. hecause. as I have shown l»y
tlie lan<i-uaii-e
the nyht hono
ral )
L'-enth'imui. on
the 'JCith -March following-, he wonld not acknowledge
that tlie half-hreeds W('re entitled to a S[)ecial urant
in extinuuis'iment ot'the Indian title. Fie 8imi)ly
pretended, that they had no more rights than the
ordinary settlers ; that all they could do wa- simply
to go on to the lands unsettled and lake up a home-
stead or preemption, and nothing more: so that at
that ver}' lime, on the "Jtith March, the ( iovi'mment
liad no policy whatever. j!ut. Sir. -onicthin::- took
place then which gave the (iovernment a [lolicy. and
what was it? Sir. "ii the very day the honorahlc -en-
tleman wa~ -M.,king here in this llous<\ when he
stat«-iJ th.'.t tiie half-l>reeds of the North-West h;id no
morf risilits than the ordimii-y -settler, that all they
could a-k t'or \\a- a humeslcnd or iireemptinn. (in
tli:'t very day the hudr at I>uck Lake was going on;
iiu-ii the l.iuilets of the l>uck Luke light did laoi'e to
;i
''■'':^
2;;(;
>-ri:K( If
111
settle llii- (j\ie-tii>n tli;in six Inn;;- yeiir.J oi' |)r;iyei'S and
petitidU.- Iiail ilmie. Six lou:^ yeai'i of (.•niHlaut peti-
tioiiiiio; hail I'aileil to secure justiee Inr these people,
had I'aih'il t'l procure a remeily ol'the .u'l i'-vaie-e- of
wliieh they (•<iiiiplaiiieih hul
I'lIK lUl.l.KT.- i)|.- I.li K l.AKl':
iiiiiiieiliate'.y -^et the ( iovefniiie)it iu niotiu;; ainl
iiuiiieiliiitoly hroui,flit them to term-. On the ',VH\\
Mat'eli, I'our (hiys al'teruard-i. thi' ( iovei'iuiieut came
down with an < )rder in (,"ounfil in which, for tlie lii'-^t
tine', the ri.irhlS nf l he half-hreed-^ were tn -inm" extent
aekuowledu'ed. Ni>t eiMuph'tely ai'knowledu'e.h li"W-
cver ; iiy tliis ( )i'di!r in Council the half-hreed- were
allowi'il a certain :;■ rant of hind. not. howevei'. in extin-
.tiuishmenl ol'tlo' liidian title. \>\\\ with cnndition-
of sett h'ment. Tiien commi^-imnM'- were appointed
and pi'oct'eded tn the di-^turhed districts. ()ne uf the
eomniissioiH'rs. Mr. Street, heinii; on the spnt. InnkinL;'
at the matter, advised the ( lovei'iimeiit that it was
ueci'-.-ai'y in (O'der to satisfy these peojile to ^'ive
them a s[iecial ;:rant ol' laud, tlio same as had heeu
,!i'iv<Mi til tin' h.alt'-hreeds iu Matiitolia. irrespective of
cuiii lit ions of seitlenu^ni ; ami since t hat tinu\ forsooth,
the ciunmissiiiners have heen disti'ihutiug scrip
ainnnu'-it the halfiireeds in North-West Territory. .\t
last .Ml'. S|ieaker. these men who iiave ht-eii petition-
inu' for that siiecial Lia'ant over since 1S7S and who up
to .March. InS.'). could mif ohtain it — at last they =ue-
ceede.l in their requosi. Still. Sir, jintici' is (h>uhly
just ;ind douhly pi'cciou^ wiien it is freelv and 'jenily
i:iven. hut jusiice loses most of its value when it is
tardily and ■i'rud'finii-ly conceded as it was on this
occasion. Kven last niii'ht the honovalile ii-entleman
would not say that, in so doinu'.tho (iovernment wi-re
diiimr justice to the halt'-hrei'ds of .Manitoha : he
would imt say that he rei'oiiiii/.ed their rights: he
simply said that he wouhl doit, and diil it I'nr the
sake ol' peace. For the sake of peace, when wi- were
ii.v iiiK N(ii!Tii-\\ i->r i;i:i;ki.i.ihn
III
i1m tiii(l-t ni' war: for tin' <\\kf nl' iica
(•('
w hell
iiir-lli"i<'iits were in tin' lH'
ami will
11 \A
niM I liail lil'Cll
•shed 1 l)(j('H till' liDiii'ialile ;/ciitl('iiiaii sr.i>|in.-c that
tins tardv ('(iiicc
■ imi will cniicilialc tiic
Icoiin
liai
■ hrciM
Is? Ni
t lu' lri''lliL;' that will icinaiii
ill their hcart:^ will he, that they were ilciiieil ihcir
riiihts whih' they ciiiirnu'il thcin.-i'lvc.-- \n pctitiniiiug
hir tht.'Ui. hut as sddn a~ they t(Hi|< u|)
TlIKll! Hi. II l;l>rN Ml-KlOT^
tliev hrmight the < iovcrniiKMit to their kin'c- and
seciircil what ctiustitutiniial luoaiis cduld iiut uhlain.
This is the t'celinii' which will rcinaiii in the luart- of
th(' hall'-hrccils. It is the sain; with rc,i2ai d ti'tln'
tun'iiunu'ralcd claims in Manitnija. There were ii
certain nuniher dI' halt'-hree<ls wlm had imi hecn
eniuncraled in Manitoha. wlm had also u ri;j,ht to a
special grant ol' land. They j)etitioned the ( lovern-
nu'iit : the North-West Council also iiolitinned the
(ioverninent, the iViends ol'the ( ioverninent in the
North-West jtetitioned. and all without avail. Jiut
t)n tiie -Ith April, atter the rehellion liad lieeii raging
for some time, tlie (ioverninent again caine [o their
knees and granted to threats and violence what had
been rel'used to petitions and prayers. In I'act. the
(ioverninent liave not even the courage ot' FalslatF.
for. if T reniemlier rightly. Fal^taf^ .'r^aid that : "• Were
reasons as plentiful as herries, I would not give a
reason upon compulsion. " lUit the ( ioverninent would
not givi' aiivthing except upon compulsion. They
resi.sted the prayers anil petitions of the settler-, hut
when the settlers came with arms in their liaiul.-. the
(ioverninent immediately yieldedand granted their
requests. Sir. there was. as T said hefore, another
claim wliich was made hy the half-hreeds - it was
that tliev should not he disturlietl in their holdiniis.
It was tiiat they were to he alhiwed to occupy their
holdings sucli as they were, and keej) them on without
mokstation. The (i(jvernment had adopldl the Anie*
m
m
■?^AH
i
m
1 <
'K
SPiS
SPEKCII
liciin, tlic> rcct!in<:ul!ir. syht<'iu of sdivcyitiu. mikI ii
very gond syfitciu it is — I liiivc not a word tn siiy
!it;aiii."*t it — liut it sceuis nothing but i'iiir and ri).dd
timt wlicrc tJH'rc Imd liceii scttlfincnt in iidvniicc id"
Burvcy.-;, the ( !i)vcrnineiit should liav(> arkiiow Icd^cd
that riut.iuid tht.' surveys should liavc licfh luiido
acc'M'dini; to the settlements. Ft is characteristic of
all l""i'cn<'li settlements in Anu'rica that they have all
been made' upon the hanks of rivers and all the lands
di\ ided sothat Ww ]ieo]ile ran live close to one a not her.
That i.s a feature of the l-'reiich race. The Fi'^neh
vac<;. it will he adndtteil without dis])ute. is ol a more
soeiahle disposition than tiio Teutonic race. The
characterir-tics ol'the two races aro di.stinctly marked
in Lower Canada. In Lower Canada, il' y(ui no
throuirh an (dd country settlement you will find tlie
farm houses scattered in all directions, wherever is
most convenient for the farmer. Tliey may he one
inilo or more apart ; hut the moment you u'o into the
French s-ettlonients you will (ind all tiie larm houses
on the road side, all within a stone's throw of one
another, so as to afford the people easy and constant
{iommunicalion. In fact, the people ol' Lower Canada.
in all the l'"rench settlements, are in constant and
(hulv coniinunication.
■nils Is A ( llAliACTEIMsTIi'
I'
not oidy (d' French .settleuients in Lower Canada, hut
of all French settlements in America, it is the same
in old France. The rural population in F'rancc chiet'-
]y dwell in handets. and in Lower Canada as close to
one another as tlu^ circumstances of the country will
allow. And 1 found this feature in the old .\cadian
Rettlemeiits in Nova Scotia. Tn Kini^'s ciu^.idry. for
instam e. in the old classic land of Fvanueline. there
Avas a settlement in the old days that was called
Ilieiere aux Canards, there the I'arms have heeu
settled in narrow strip-; all are close to each other.
and the settlement is called to-dav. so far a- I kr.ow,
tiN Tin: N<ii:rii-\\ i;.-r i;i.r,Ki.i.i(>N
liy tlic sii;:u('-^tivo iiainc (';iii;iri| Street. I'liiit, iii the
cvra (tl'tlic |io|)uliiti(iii. I'cpiesiiitH ii street innrt' tliiiu
111) orilinary lann s^ctllcinciit . Tin' advent iiicrs uIimkO)
Idtiiid iKiw runs in the vein- nl the liairdiicfd ikpiiuIii-
tiiin in tlie Ntutli-W'ei-t. eainc iVdiii i'"i'ance and Lnwcr
(.'aiiada. The sanio trait cxi*!-' anKUiL: them. 'I'l
If
ail-lireed |>i>|iiilal mn m tlic
Noith-We.-t t
I •-(lav
whticvcr tlicv liiivc a H I neiiieiil. iiavr tal^cii their
lauds
IN l•:\'.\(.'TI.^■ IIIK s.WII. WAV
as have all the Kreiieh iMi|iulati(in. wliethcr un the
hanks (if the St Lawrence, in Acadia or in Louisiana.
When the < niVei'liiiient took liossessioii (tithe Nortli-
\\'esl they ioiiiid those settleiiHlits on the Sas-
kateiiewan Liver in exactly the same lashioii a- all
other French i-etl leinents. The land.s were divided
into narrow strips, and the rariiis wen; all clo-e
upon one anothei. Was it aiiythiiijj; hut riizlit and
fair that tlie holdin^is of tlm-c peo[de should he
respected ; tiiat the lands which had heeii divided hy
the people ainoiiLi' thein-clves should not lie interrci'ed
with, and that the r('tran,uviiar surveys should uive
uay so soon as they eanie inconlact with sett lenient-.
This wa- the policy follow e(| hy the lionol'aMc iiiem-
her for Uothwell (.Mr. Mills) when he was in charjio
of the Lepartnient of the Interior. 1 noticed yester-
day that the l"'irst .Minister, when headdresse(l liini.self
to this puliject. jiassed rather jicntly, liiihtly and
sweetly over it. ilcMlid not .say much ui)on ii. lie
inere;y said that the honoralde ineiniier for Lolhwcll.
when at the head of the nepartment. had not Leen .so
diliirent as he misht have heen. lUU he extolled hif<
own aetivity. He said that the ( lovernment of w hi( h
lie was a niemher had displayed the iireate-t dili,i:-ence
in the matter. .Not only did the honorahle Lrentlemen
make that douhle assertion, hut he >aid he wnuld
lirove; it. i\nd then, with a somew hat ostentatious
iuanner, he took a map and had laid it on the Talde.
m
• ir. \l
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23 WEST MAIN STREET
WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580
(716) 872-4303
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240
si'EEoir
Lodk ;it the inai). he saiil, and it will show liow much
we have surveyed. And so soon as the House mse I
Raw a" nuinlier otthe honnriihle gentleman's lollowiTs,
will) had d»!e|) laith and reposed confidence in his
word, go to the Ta!»le and look for evidoncos ot" the
energy and activity of tiicir leailer ; and, from the
hlank stare which was seen on their faces, it was
evident that the map did not sliow much, tliat it did
not show anything — for the facts arc these: the sur-
veys have lieen carried on l>y the honorahle memher
I'or ]>othwell when in charge of the I)ei)arttnent.
^Ir. Ifesson: — The honorahle memher for ]ioth-
well surveyed less than 2,(MMI,(»(X) acres. The former
Conservative (iovernment surveyed more than U.(KI(>,
(Mil) acres and the present (iovernment more than oo,
(l()(i,(itMl acres.
Mr. Laurier; — The honorahle gentleman knows
that the world was not created in a day. The first
tiling to he done in order to make surveys wos to draw
the meridian lines, and the reports sliow that my
honoralile friend directed his efforts in 1S77
To 1)1!.\WIN(. Mi:UII)l.\N LINES
in order t(j proceed Avith the survey of townships.
That was the first thing to he done. I hope this e.\-
l)lanation will satisfy the honorahle memher for North
Perth. In fact, as far hack as 1S7('» luy honuralde
friend iiad addressed himself to this sul)ject, and ad-
dressed himself to it in that thorough manner in
which ho aj^proaches any suhject. (iovernor Laird
in 1877 addressed my honorahle friend as follows
uiion the subject of surveys : —
The su])ject is one materially atteoting the jirospprity of
tiiPsfi ami other settlements in the 'iVrritniy. I would liopo,
tiioivlbro, tliat tiie labors of a special survey party will he
contiDUPil iluring the ensuing summer.
That was in February, 1>^77, showing that as far
ON TllK NdKTIi-WK.-T UKIiKI.I.lD.N
•J 11
linck as the Huninier previous, (liat i.s to sny tli«'-uiii-
tner of 1>>7(), the lionornhlo jrentloniiiii IkkI coiiiiiii'iKeil
tlie spfcial .survey. And wliat was tlu- answer of (lie
houoralile freiitleniau ? Jle <;-nve an answer ai>|io.-itt'
to ilio mu.-lion. hot only sayinji- that there wouM he
surveys, hut that the surveys would Ic nia<ie aecord-
inu' to tlie hohlin<!S of the people. This is what the
houoralile j^cnthinaii wrote uj.'on that oeeasion —
iit-
.Kii'OillllKt'
of 111
jirc-iid .-iiivcy j.Mily ]iri)Viili
Mt
111! Wol k ln-illl: I 'X I 'IK led ilurint.' till' cniniiij; >t;i.-(i|l to iliti'l x'ct
d\at(li(',v;m 111 (lie vicinity ol' till' ]ii'iiiii}i;il scttiiuieiits
lit'
tllMt
rivr. It I- iPiiPiio-iil in all c;
uiicre M-tl!''iiicnt
li.ivc liiMii loiiii'd nloiiL' tlic livers in the territniv
:nl;i
tll<> rtllM'V
s to lli<> r.iiui^
!•<
e.Msting. tliHl M to ?jiy, ;.'i\ uig a
iroiitiii'c <(!' lo or L'O riiiiiiis on tin? river, and I'lniiiiiii.' ilii^ lids
I'Hck so us t(
Jf.O;
Til.\T WA-
•|!K I'd.Ii'V
of iiyV honovahle friend (Mr. Mills) in 1>^77. w hieh had
been inauuurated even in tlio i)ievious year. l!ut f
adnii' this : the ]ico])le were iinpatient. The surveys
eouh'i not proceed as lapidly as they desired, ami tiie
reason is uiven in tin- j'apers hiduuht down tn-day.
Tiie surveys eouUl not if proeeeded with hecause the
meridian lines had lirsi to be ef tahli.-lied. They aL'ain
approached the (iovernment upon this nuitter, and as
niy honorable friend slated — I Uf ed not give the au-
thority, as it was quoted yt>sterday — that policy would
liuve licen pur.sued as S|i(>e(lily as conhl he iiciiuitted.
But in 1S78 there was a change of (iovernnient. and
this T (barge upon honoralde gentlemen opposite.
that with the (diaiii:c of ( lovei niiieiit came
a (
iiangi
of policy as well, and that instesid of iieiicetbrth r«
pectingthe holdings of the people and having special
surveys where settlements had jirreeded survey,
they subjctted the peoiiie, whether their hinds weie
settled or not, to the system of the rectangular survey.
Thev .Si'.critictd the petice of their counti v tothe whiiu
^ 1(5
h;
242
SPEECH
of having a uniform rectangular survey. Sir, when
this new system uf survey was first commenced, tliere
were, as may be imagined, comphiints in that terri-
tory. The people who had settled upon narrow front
lots comi)lained of that system, and as far back as
[March, 1SS2. Mr. Duck, the agent at Prince Albert,
addressed this letter to the Department: —
As tlio iiiiijoiity ol the settlors on the south brancli of the
Snskfiti'lii'wan liivor, in the vicinity of the jxirisli of St. Lhu-
ront. liave taktMi ii]i their hinds previous to tiio survey with
liarnnv fiontajies, .siuiiiar to those river claims in other p;irts
of the district, and in view of tlie <litH(nilty likely to be expe-
rienced in this otlice in adjusting the Ijoundurios of these
claims, in accordance with the section surveys, I have, at the
request of the settlers so situated, the honor to re(juest inl'or-
mation as to the possibility of re-surveying these sections into
river lots on a similar plan to that adojited in I'rince Albert
settlement.
That was on the 11th March, 1882, and, on the
4th t^eptember, Mr. Duck had not yet received an
answer fiom the Department ; and not having received
an answer to tho.«i! complaints wliich he had sent to
Ottawa at the request of the settlers, the settlers
THEMSELVES TRIED THEIR LUCK
in the matter,
these words :
They petitioned the Government in
Wedi'sire also tliat you sliould give orders that the lands
siiouM be surveyed along the river in lots 10 chains wide i\nd
two miles long. It is the old usage of the country to divide
tlie lands in this maimer, and it would facilitr.te us in knowing
the boundaries of our respective lands.
Then, on the loth of October, an official answer
came from the Department of the Interior stating as
follows : —
But as regards the surveying of the land in question
ON THE NORTH-WEST UEBEI.I.ION
243
all liin<l-< in tli(> Xorth-We.st Tcriitoiies will Ijo surveyed
according to the sjsteni now in t'oreo.
■ That \vii3 the policy adopted and ])romnlgated
by the Department of the Interior on tlie 13th October,
188'2, that liencoforth all lands should be surveyed in
the North- West Territories on the new system, no
matter whether they were occupied or not. or whether
they were nettled or not. On the 21st ot' Octoltcr. >[r.
Burgess, the Deputy Minister of the Interior, at last
answered the letter of Mr. Duck, which had Ijeen
■written on the 11th ftf March previously, and this is
Avliat he said : ,
It is not tlio intention of the Government to cause
any re-smvey to he niii'k'. nl'course, uny .suh-ilivision, ilitlerin;:
from tlio regular sui'v<'V. they may <l< sire, they can procure
for themselves when the lanils come into their possession.
You will jjlease. thei'efore, communicate this decision to tiie
persons interested.
When the settlers asked to have the surveys
made according to their holdings, the answer was
peremptorily: no, you will tell the jteoplethat if they
want their lands sub-divided afterwards, they van do
so, but henceforth the system of survey will be that
adopted by the (lovernment. I ask any man in this
House, T aik any impartial man, could there be any
more vexatious tyranny than that which was thus
exercised by the (iovernment over the peojile of tiie
Saskatchewan River, who had laid out their land in
narrow lots, who iiad built their fences accordingly,
who had })laced their ilous(;^ accordingly, who had
tilled the soil, and made improvements accordingly —
could there be any more vexatious tyranny than that
exercised by the (.iovernment when they came forward
and ran their lines upon these holdings, irrespective
of the possession of the jieople. or the improvements
they had made? Could there be
HI'EECH
ANY (il.'KATER TVI.'ANNV
tli.'iii vunniiif,' tlu'ir lino-; iicin*- ;i ninii's farm nii'l liis
llnil(lil)^^=. iis it" tlii'sc laiiils woio unnccuiiifd or
unscttU'il uiinii ■' That \v;\^ n |iioco ortyi-aimy witliout
f'xcu.«f'. I .-ay tlierc can lie im PxtMi.^c whatever for
tlio enur.-e (if the ( loverniiieiit in that iiiatlcr. T =ay
it wiuihl liave heeu (heap ju.stite in their liamls if
tiiey lia<l listeiieil ti) the ])rayev^ «if the half-hreeil^
and told llieni ; we will res'iiect yiuir ]iorse*sions sueli
a.'* you have iheni. Not only so. lait the niiHsionarie-i
nl' the land, thr null of jieace, who as a rule; in that
cnuiitry do imi ii.tiTfi'ie with the people's business,
so far as that ^ncs.tlmu.iilit it their duty to renionstiale
time and a;iain. Father I.educ came liere and inlcr-
vi( wed the (Government ; Father Amlrc wrote h'tors,
and Father \'i<rreville wvete letters, which were
(pioted hy my honorahle friend, -as ehi(|Uent letters
as could lie written, letters wliicli were pleaduiu- for
the just liiihts of the people, hut they renjained
unanswereil. Tt is asUed wliat are tlio urievaiices of
tlie ]teo))le of tlie Xort]i-A\'es', Territories ? I ask any
man. could there he a gieater grievance, even in the
(dd jirovinces of Canada, tli'iii that, the (iovernment
should attempt to re-survey the lands accoriiing to a
new, regular and scientific system. T .«ay tluit if fuc]i
a tiling were atteniiited. there w(nild he an outhreak
here as there was there. Nothing is
DEAltEK TO KVHtV lOOR MA.N
•
than Ids ]mnr p;'t(di of land, reclaimed from the
wilderness hy his own toil, and it was an nniustifiahle
and uinvarrantahle jiiece of tyranny on the part ol"
the (iovernment to act as tliey did. T can understand
why these iieople. goaded as they were hy this syste-
nnitic ignoring of their claims, at last re.' oi ted to a
mu?t Miifortunate course. Men have rohelled tiim;
and again for less just causes than these jieojile had.
Look at the conduct of the (Iovernment. For Ci long
().\ TIIK NuRTIl-WK-T i{i:i'.i;i.i.;m.v
'A>
yeiiir'. the ])('(H)ltM>i' till- Nnith-We^t hiivc liccii pcti-
tioninji l'i>r tlicir viglilr^ ; iVir (i Idhli; yi-ai's tlu'v liail
used ovci V icinriiitutioiiiil means wliicli tin- law could
]>lncr- at their (lis|iiiral in order t<> lti'I jvi^tice. Tliey
sent i>etitiiiii^ : they met in asi^eniMie.-- ; lliey |iassed
resiiluiiiii.- : lli"y srnt in delejj;ali(iM*. The petitions
leniained uiiauswcied ; the re-<>lutiuiis ailii|ited in
their niectin.L''-' were i^.^nmed. Tin' <leleiratiiins wen-
receiveil uio>i cnurte'in-iy, witii swei-t siuilr- and
sweetfi' wiirds. whieli wr:i; ]iut down in writinix, 'lUt
were I'livfrnUcn as <oou a • tl.c delegates had turned
their harUs i'i>r linme. F-rtliese Ion j:' years, thi- (iov-
i-rnment never ninved. After tiiesi' inn;.' years of
vij'ele-'s jietitioninu'. the lialf-lirecd- vf-mted !«> a most
•ignitieanl enurse ; they sent fnr l.nuis Kiel, and
oron;_dit inm irito t hi- ettunti'v. This shnuld at ]a>t
liavi 'Micned the evi-s of the (invei niu'^nt. Tii<y knew
new that th"
iav( 'ipcned the eyi-s o| tise (mvemin'^n
lliat iJiel was a darim:' man ; tliev \<
Ve"!-
the Xnrtli-W cU 1
lad then' iica
It-' lilh-d
with ever ai cUiMulalinL;' bitternes>. and tliiv niu-t
liavi- kiinwii that umter th<' cinunrstaiU't'S there \\(i(^
all til'* elenniits t'i>r a sU(hh.Mi eonllaL'ration. the ri'sulls
<if wliieli mi'jht lie. as tliiy have [imvi'd to t>e. di-as-
trons. Yet tin' (icv* riiuicnt never ninved
1
iiUl-
Uiel
• lid not remain n
lie held mnnenUH meetili'js,
whii-li were attended, not nnly hy the half-hreeds. hut
hy the white settlers : tin- .situatinn was di-cn-T-fii ;
the people's Lrrievaiici-s were set lorth ; yil the (inv-
ernment never neiveil. Tlie (ioverninent
(•(Ml |> Mn I i.i;.\h I(;N(ii;.\N( H.
liec"'\'se the ])ress dltlu' enuntry, the paper-i jmlili-hed
on the ^,i-i<at< hewaii am! the papers putili.-heil in
Manitoha. sui>p(irti>iu the liovernment. warned them
time and atiain of what wa- going nn ; yet they never
neivcd. Mcicover. tiic ollicers of the (iovernment
Avarne(| them a'^ain and a^ain. IfvdU lunk at the
Tdrrespondenees you w
(leai au'PUt at liince
ill find tiiat Mr huek. th
Uiert, a^ain ami aiiiiin :\V'j:('i
240
SPEECH
upon the Government the necessity of remedying indi-
vidual grievances, and his letters always remained
unanswered. You will find that Mr. Pearce, a most
indefatigable officer of the Government, time and
again pointed out the dangers ahead, and suggested'-
remedies; but the Government never moved. What
was it the half-breeds were asking for? Anything
unjust or unfair? It was so just that it had been
granted to the half-breeds of Manitoba ; it was so just
that it was granted by the Government themselves at
last, when it was too late ; yet when it was time the
Government never moved. IJut if the Government
remained passive, public opinion l)ecame alarmed.
Distant as that country was, difficult as was the com-
munication with it. sometimes a faint echo reached
here of what was going on in that Territory. As far
back as 1883 my honorable friend the leader of the
Opposition called the attention of the Government to
the complaints which were made by the people of the
Territories. He ivas met on that occasion by the
Prime Minister telling him that all was well. But
the member for Provencher (Mr. Royal) then sounded
a note of ahirm, and pointed out that tliere were pos-
sibilities of danger. Such warnings coming from such
a staunch supporter of the Administration should at
least have excited the attention of the Government;
yet they never moved. Again, in the following ses-
sion, my friend the member for West Huron (Mr.
Cameron) set forth the grievances of the North-West,
and asked for a committee. The Government
answered that
EVEHYTIlINCi WAS SEUEXE
there ; they would not move. This present session
my honoraV)le friend again called the attention of the
Government to the state of the country when he
moved tlie bill for the representation of the North-
West Territories. That bill came on for its second
reading on the 11th of March. At that time the
ON THE NORTH-WEST REBELLION
247
atmosphere was already vibrating with the first waves
of the great storm that was soon to roll over the land.
The Government could not fail to be aware of what
was going on. In fact, we have proof that at that
time their agents were sounding the note of alarm in
their ears ; yet they never moved. The Minister of
Public Works rose up in his place, and very quietly
moved the adjournment of the debate. That was all
the encouragement given to those people. Even at
that time it was perhaps not too late. If the Govern-
ment had shown any good-will at all, it is possible
that the people, hearing of it, would have modified
their attitude, and this outbreak would perhaps have
been spared to us. Later on we had the speech of the
right honorable Prime Minister which I have already
(juoted, telling us that the Government relied on their
friends for support, that their consciences told them
that they had done everything that could be done to
pacify the country. Such boasting; of the Government
on the eve of a rebellion which they had brought on
the land by their own misconduct, is I believe unpar-
allelled in history, unless indeed we recall the lan-
guage of Einile Ollivier in the Corps LcrjisUit If in 1870,
when he said he w.is going to war with a light heart,
when he was pluns^ing hi^ country in the grciite.st
calamities that ever befell a nation. And to crown
the whole we have a letter from the Secretary of State,
saying on the (Hh of June :
If the half-breeds have serious grievances a.i^ainst theCana-
ilian (ioverniuent, the ordinary cliaunel of petition was open
to them as to all tree citizens. They did not avail themselves
of it.
Sir, this is simply adding insult to injury,
half-breeds did not petitiim ?
Tl
le
WHAT MOUE COILD TIIEV DO
than they have done in a constitutional manner ? To
tell the truth, for these long years they have Ijeeu pe-
2- IS
SrEEi II
I •
(iliniiiii'j jiiiil pel ill.Hiiiij. lif^i^iii;: iiimI ln'^j^inn', kn"ck-
iiig jiihI knoi kiii'i ;it the tlimr of Ihc ( Invcriiiiiciit. iind
till' < ".ivcriiiiicnt iicVfT lil'ii il ii liii^jcr tn ciuuc to tlicir
rc-i'Uc' tlllll i-^ llir Initll I'l I he ni.'lltr T. 'rilC ( iciVl'l'U-
iiitiil never <lii| iinylliiiiu: In iiieel the '.vislie-; tlie
|ir;iyers id'tlin-ie people. Yen, I hej piu'doii. tiny iliil
Miiiii'thiiiij: ; tliey sent ;i pulice' furee to Cjirlton. \\'iiiii
llio pL'upli- were petitiniiin.L:- I'm- their riu-ht-* aiid h ihl-
ill;.' nieethiir-i til di-'eiH-' th''ir _M'i<'V;inee-<. tlie i Jiivnii-
uuMit Ipeciiiue ;i\v;ii'e of \vh;it Wiis iriiiii.iT i>n. tinil iiir-teinl
nf r'-nieilyiiij,' their urieviiuee-J, sent ;i [mliee I'ciree to
('arltun in oi'ih'i' tn (ivernwe the peiiple. Thiit i> liie
!?tirt ut' jii>-ti'ethey :::<it Irieii the ( Mivevnnient dl* ';in!iih(
until tiiey I'li-e ill insnri'M-iidn. Sir. it' soniethinii move
ihiiii ev( rythiiiLi' el.-e cduM I'cniienin tlie iietinii dfllii-
(iovi'iiiinen'. it wnahl he thi-; act ol'.-^en.lin'j; the puiiee
t'liree to ('iirlton to mei't tlie petitions ol tlie people liy
an aniie 1 t'oi'ee. This is not Hriiish ju'^tiee; this is
not iliiti-li ailiiiinistration ; this is not tlie manner in
whieh a liriti.-h (oive:nnient usually meets the ch--
inanl- o!' it- snl>jects : hut. Sir. this i-j
TUK urs-IAN WAV or AliMISi-TKUINi. I.WV,
Thi- i^ tlu' way Uussla meets the ileniaiids d' I'olanil.
Whenevei the I'oii-' ri-e and claim their ri^dits. the
lvU-si:ius do exaitly uiial h;i- hicii done hy the Cana-
dian ( lovernnnin — they send armeil t roups to W'ar^^aw .
Now. there is in cMnnection with this mailer another
lioint w hit li I have iiot heard ri'i'erred to. hut whi(di
.xeems to iie in the minds of a liooil many p"ople. It
is not e.\pre-:^ed. hut f ihinkthi' I'eelinu' permeale-
the Very atmo'sphere. not only of this Mouse, hut ot'
till- who'e ol' t his fotiiit I'y. 1 htive not heard it stated,
iuit it i- in the mind> of many that if tliese men have
ri'oelh (I. it is occiiise they are. to a e(!rtMiii extent, of'
I'reneh orij;iu. Tin I'ir-t Mini-ter stated yesterday
that <lahri(d Duniont and his friends are and always
wen- reliels. It is not to my kn()wledij:e that I'uniont
or aii.v one of those, who toid-; up arms on the Saskat-
ii.\ TIIK N(iI;TII-\VKsT l!i:r.Kl,l.lnX
2I".>
«lit'\v;in niiy nmrc timn nn the Hc<l Ilivcv. ovor Ii.mT
tilt' lliuuglit dl' n-iiclliiiL;- ;ig,iiii-t tli<' autlinrity dl llvr
.M;iji'-ty. It wns imt ;l^^■lill>t Her .M;ij<'sty tlic •iuci-ii
tliey rcli(.'Ilc(l. Imt ii^:iiusl tluMyiaiiny nl'tlic ( aiKidian
(iovcriiiiiciit. It in i|Uitc' iin.-Hiiilctliul tlioliaH'-lnccdH,
ju.«t rt'claiiiK'il iKnu a iiniuadic lii'c. iiaviiii; prai tii ally
Ik'cii Minlcr tli«' autliin'ity ni tlic l'«riti-li rule nut lunre
tliaii 7 nr > yi'Mi'H. Iiavt» not yrt h-arncil tn love tlio
lli'iti>!i Hag. licrau-c :^" lai' the llan' in tln'IriiHl- of
iiiinoraliji' jjrcntlt'incii cijipM-iti' Ium not 'ariicl tiiat
Justicf wliii li ha^v-'"*' witiitlic Uritii-li Ihi!/ t-vi-iy-
wlicrt' t'nr the last til'ty yrar.-. lint this I say. and 1
say it nmiirpj.' rr<ini a in'i'viin •> wlicrt;. Ir-s tliaii "il
yeai'^< a.^ic cvt'i'v man I'i' ijie ijK'i' tii wliirii \ lu'lniij";
was a rclici. .and wIhh- ti)-day ivciy man ol'that race
is a true and loyal -ulijcct. as true and as loyal as
any that hrcatlus — T say iiivr thc-c imn in.-ti( i'. yivc;
them iVeedoni . Liivi' them tiicir ri;jlits. treat them as
for the last 1" years yon have Irrati'ii the |i(o[(l(- ot'
Lower Canada. !ind hy-and-hye. tliron-imiit tho-i'
'J't'rritories. you will have contcni upait. jieace and
harm^iny where to-dav di.-covd. hatn'd and war are
ruinini? the land
I
THE EXECUTION OF RIEL
A /RESOUNDING PROTEST
ANOTHEFi INDICTMENT AGAINST
(iOVERXMENT
THE
THE " SILVER- TOXdUEn I.AUBIEU.
(Siicech ilcli'crcd in the Unuse of Commons on the
mil Miirch 18SG)
We particularly recoininon<l tlie cnrof'iil perusal of tliia
speech, ns it is cousidcroil the finest ever delivered in Parlia^
uii'Mtaiid may bo roi^an led, perhaps, as Mr. Laurier's best
«^Hbrt. ( »n the day after its tlelivery, the English press of tho
Dominion applied to Mr. f-am-ier for the first time the ejiitiiet
of •' the silver-tongued Laurier". It is needless to I'elnte the
<'iicuinstances under which it was made, as they are known
to all an<l moreover this volume contains a series of
speeches. wliii;h supply a complete iiistory of tiie North-West
ijuestion. The half-breed leader, Louis Kiel, had been exe-
cuted. Mr. lUake, the then leader of the ( »f)position, and Mr.
Laurier undertook to convince their colleagues that the r(>al
culprit was not Miel, who had been hanged, but the (tovern-
ment, who had knowingly and <leliberately goaded the half-
breeds to desperutic'i an<l revolt. IJcfore an impartial tribunal,
sri;i:iH
I' I
till* uii<liTtakiii,i: woiill lisivo licoii ti-iuiiiiili.'int : but tlie iiovtor-
fill onitois ailili-<T-soil tlifiiixlvi- toa I'ailiaiiU'iitai'y luajuity,
wlin riMiM \]oi a'iniit tli-- fvi li'iicc nl lact^ witlioiit ic)iii(liatin!j;
aU'l -!ullil'\ iiii.' tli"ii- |)!c\ inn* rccoi'. U^n tin- ^nl.jiH-t. > ioi'a--ii)ii.s
MH'li a^ tli''>«' *liu\v Imw (li'|iliiial)ly H'lVciiiini'iit liy |iai't\ .I'avoi'-
al)l»' a- ii in to the ]iiii[»'i- working' oliln- iciiri-sciitaiivc sy-ti-iu,
too<'!t'-ii stilic's in li'jii'ii li-iii'i' ol' cliara 'tc-r. 'I'lii-i is tlii- I'lii.'t'-
iinji!' --ion li-U l.y tlic loilovvin!^ r-'iuaikaliit.' i>irci.- •'! elo-
»|Ui'iicf :
-Ml:
>■ KAKKIt.
I
III
Sinrc iii> r.iic nil 1 he utlici- siilc mT tlic Ilou-c In-i
flu- 1 "iiiaui' ti> col it i 11 m' this del lilt o. f will do so luy -(•'.(".
Till- "diiii-liT 111' I'iililio Work-! statcil tli;it lln- t Jovcrii-
iiieiit wt'i'L- iT;i'|y and aiixiou-; to di-ru-' t lii- ijUc-nion.
;inil i^ this an cyidoiicc of tiic cmiraL;'!' liicy prctf'nl to
lio.*s"-i-i '.' Sir. ill all that has liccii said -u t'ar. and th:'t
lias i'fiiU'ii iVoiii tiio lijis of lionoraolc LicntlciiH'i! cpi'o-
site. there is one tliitiv:' in wiiiidi \vc can all a^ree. and
one tiiiny only — \y<' can all auree in tlio trihute which
Wii* paid to the voUmtiM'rs hy tin- Minister of Puldic
AVork-' when he enter' d into a defence ol' the (iovern-
nient. The vojiuitecr-; had a nio-t painful duty to jiev-
lonn. uUf] they performed it in a mo-t creditahle man-
ner to theni-elvi- am] the eountry. I'mler the mi i form
ot" ti Soldier there i- .'I'lierally to l.c found a warm ami
inereiful heart. M ncover. our sidd^crs arecili/en- who
liiivt! an inter< -t in tliis country ; luil when they are
on duty they know iiothiii;^ l>ut d'aty. At the same
time it can fairly he pro-unied. that wiieii on duty the
heiU't feels and the mind tliinks : and it may he fairly
]iresume(i that tlio-e who were on duty in the North-
M'e-t last spiinu' tlnuiLiht and fe!t as a ureal -iddier,
ii gieat kiiii:-. Kinu' Henry l\' oi' France, thought ami
felt when eiiL'au'ed in hattlet'or many years of hi~ life,
in liuhtiiiLi- hi- ichelliou^ suhje'l-:. W heiiever lug
pword inihcled a wound he u-eil ihe.-c word.s :
" rni-: i;!.\(. -iiiikks THi;t;. i.on iiicai. riii;!-:.'"
It may iu> presumed tlnit [lerhajis oui soldiers,
(i.\ TIIK i;.\r.(ITIiN 111- I.Ml!-- IMKI.
Avhcii liiiiitiliL: l!ii' iclicllinii. \v('i :■ ;\\->> aiii in;i!fi i !.y ;i
siiiiiliir ^|iirit. nnd ])riiyi'il t" (l.-nl ijnii he umuM Jirnl
tlic wuiuhI,-; that it wa.i tht-ii' duty tn intlut. ami that
11(1 niori; Moiid sliould lio siicd thaii tin- Idnod ~hcd \t\
th(Mii*clv( s. Till' ( iiivci'iiiiu lit. Iidwcvcr. tliMii'jlit
othcrwi^o. The ( iovcniiiiciit t hi'Ui^iit lliat th'' Mund
i-licd hy tlic -I'hlicrs \v;i~ iml itiliiciciit. luit ihat aim-
ihcr lilc iiin:-t al.-n he -ai'iiliccd. W't- lie,, id tin- .\|i-
iii.'itcr <i|' Ptililic W'ltiks i.ttcmiitiiiL;' t" di'i'ciid ti.'ccnu-
(liict I't' the ( ■nvciiiiiieiit, aiui .■-tatiii'r that it* ai tiiii in
this matte! w.is a -t( in lu'cosi-ity whiidi dnty ti' mir
Queen ai.'d duty t^i nur country made imvilahle. Mv.
Sneaker. T have y<.'\ In learn — and I havt- nnt ieaiiieil
it iVnin anything that has fallen iVnm tiie lips oriiciitlo-
nieii dpi o.-iti — thai duty ti' Qiucn and ei.untry may
ever iireveiit the exereise (if that ]>ieri>i;Mtive o| meicr
which i.s the nolile-t jirerouative nl' tlr> Crnwii. The
languaLM' 1)1' the hoiinralile geiitlenian was n^t the
first Mccasion when res[Hin.-ilile or irrespniisiMe advi-
sers 111' the ( 'iDwn attem]ited ti) dehnle the puli ic.aiid
jieihaps themselves as well, into the lielief tjiat duty
tn (^ueeii and eountry reiiuiied Idnod. wln-n iiierey
was a jiossihle alternative.
wiii:.\ .\iimii;ai r.VM;
was ?entenceil to lie >hiit I'nr no other crime than that
of lieinp; unlortunate in liattio. there were men at the
time, who said to the Kin<r that tiie interests ot the
cMuiiitry reniiiicd that the sentem e sJKnild lio carrieil
out. though the court, which had convicled Idiii.
.strongly lecoinmendeil him to meicy. Those evil
counsels ])revailcd. and the !-entcnce was carried "Ut ;
hut the verdict of history, the verdict ol' posterity —
posterity to which hoiii'iahlc gentlemen now afijical —
lia.s deciarnl long auo 1 li.at the cairving out of the
sentence against .\dniii.il Ityng was a judicial mur-
der. And f vcntnie to predict. Mr. Speaker, that the
verdict of liii-iory will he the same in thi.s instance.
In every instance in wliich a (o'vernmei t has carrieil
254
SPEECIt
ii
out tlic extreme i)enalty of the law, when luercy was
suggested instead, tlie verdict lias lieen the same.
Sir, in the province tc» which I helong. and especially
amongst the race to which I helong, the execution of
Louis Iliel \\iv:i Ijeen universally coiuleinned as being
the sucrilice of a. life, nut to inexoralile justice, hut to
bitter passion and revenge. And now. Sir, before
going any further, it is lifting that, jierhajis, T should
address niysel f at once to the state of things which
has sprung up in Quebec from the universal
COXDEMXATION OK THE GOVERNMENT
i '
not only by their foes, but by their friends as well.
The movement which has followed the execution of
Kiel has been strangely misconceived, or I should
say, has been wilfully misre])rosented. The Tory
press of Ontario at once turned bitterly and savagely
ui)on their French allies of twenty-live years or more.
They assailed them not only in their action but in
their motives. They charged them with being ani-
nuvted with nothing less than race prejudices : they not
only charged their former friends, but the whole
French race as well, that the onlj' motive which led
them to take the course they did in the matter of
Kiel, was simply because Kiel was of French origin.
They charged against the whole race that they would
step lietween a criminal and justice, the moment the
criminal was one of tlieir own race. They charged
against the wiiole French, race that tliey would' pre-
vent the execution of tiie law the moment the law
threatened one of their own. .Mr. S[)eaUer, in this
matter I am not ilesirous of following the example
which has been set before us by honoraiile gentlemen
opposite of citing copious newspaper extracts, al-
though I could cite extracts of the most bitter nature
that ever was penned, of the Mnil newspaper and other
Tory organs against French Canadians. T will not
import into this debate any more acrimony tiuin can
be avoided, but I simply quote a single paragraph
ON THE EXECUTION OF I.OL'IS KIEL
255
from tlio Mail — and one of tlio most moderate — which
will show the jreneral s\nut of the attacks made ui)on
us. On the 7th of December last, the Mail wrote as
follows, siieaking of the French Canadians: —
'I'lieir 1( adois aro payinj; us back ut tho iPiosont time l»y
assci'tiiig that tlicy .should liavo tlic right of .<usiioi)iliM,i.' tlie
opi'iatiou <il law iijiiiiiist treason wlienever they ohoo-r to de-
luiuid its .su.s))eiisinn in the interests ol'a traitor of French
oriitin, even thouuh he niav have hoen twice "uiUv.
Sir, I denounce this
AS A VII.E CALUMNY.
I denounce this as false. I claim this I'or my fellow-
countrymen of French origin that there is not to he
found anywhere under Heaven a more docile, (juiet
and hiw-ahiiling ])eople. I claim this for my fellow-
countrymen of French origin — and I appeal to the
testimony of any of thos^e who know them and have
liveil amongst them — that whatever their faults may
lie, it is not one of their faults to shield,
conceal and al)et crime. Tt is true that upon
the v^rc'^ent occasion the French Canadians have shown
an uiihounded symjiathj* i'or the unfortunate man
who lost his life ui)on the scafTohl on the Kith No-
vember last. ]?ut if they came to that conclusion, it
■was not because they were influenced by race prefer-
ences or race prejudices, if you choose to call them
such. Tliey were no moreinlluenced in their opinion
by race prejudice, than were the foreign jiapers which
deprecated the execution oflviel. Tt is a fact that the
foreign press, the American press, the Fnglis'li ]iress,
tho Frencli press, almoi^t witlumt any exception, have
taken the grounil tiiat the execution of Kiel was un-
justified, unwarranted and against the spirit ot' tlie
age. Certainly, it cannot be charged against that [)!'ess
tliat tlicy were influiMiced liv race feelings or ]ircjudi-
ces, if you choose to call them such. And in tliesanie
'J.'(i
-!•)•;[■( II
liiaiincr. T .-ny. the French ("iiiiiiiHiiii?. iiitlie HllitUilo
\v!ii(li llicy luok. were Kdt im]H'llc.l liy rnci' luciiidi-
cos. lint I'V iPiisonn I'm illy dcducililc nml dcilurid irom
thefiicts of the ciise, !iut i( it liiid liccii .-tiitccj that
1:1(1' iirc'juilicos. tliiit lildoi] relation- jiail aiMcil kt-cn-
«••.'. and fi'diiiii' to a (.'Diivictinu fnniH'd liv the luuid,
that Wduhl have hocii jx'il'fctly true. 1 will nut ad-
mit that hl'iC'd rclatimi.-; cun .-u far clnud Miy jiida-
niniita-ild make me mistake wmiin; for ri.ulit. hut I
chcirfully admit add f will ph'ad uaulty to that weak-
ness, it' wcakiicHS it l)i'. that il'an injustice he cuni-
iidtti'd against a rcllow-lieinji.the hlow M-ili I'eil (h-cjicr
into my heart il' it should lall uiion one o|' ],\y kitii
and kin. 1 will imt admit anything- more than that.
Tli'it rate pit judice!^ <'an so t'ar ehuid my jud.Liinent a.s
to make me niistakr wronu from riijht. I do not bi'-
lieve to he true. lU'fore [ iXi\ further. I desire to say
this : It has been stated, time and a.ii;ain, hy the Mail
newspapei and hy litin/r Tory or,>i'ans. that it was the
present intention of the Freneh Canadian le.iilers
TO ol!<.AM/.K .V ITUKIV IKKMII ( ANAIlI.AN I'AK'TV,
'^: «
■;■ f
?1
-.1 ■
'^ i '
to lay .M-ide all party ti<>s and to have no other hond.s
of party in this House hut that ti(( of race. I protest
a'/ainst any such nssertion. Such an assertion is un-
t'ounded. it is calculated to do harm, it not founded
on truth. It would l)e simply suicidal to French
("iinadians to form a party liy them.=elves. Why, so
soon as Fr<Mich Canadians, who are in tlie minority
in this House and in the country, were ti> or};ani/.c as
il ])olitical jiarty. tlu'y would compel the majority to
(U'l^ani/e as a jtoliticid party, ami the result mu:-t ijo
(lisastro.is to themselves. \\'e ha ve (Uily one way of
oruani/int;- jiartics. This country must Ix; <j;overned
and can he j^dverned simply on i|iiestions ot' policy
and .idminislration. and French Canadians who have
hail any part in this movement have never had any
oliicr intention lint to orti'iinize upon those \iarty dis-
tiiii'i i'lLS and u;)oii no other. In (U'licr to Iny thi.s
O.N THE EXECT-TinX OF l.OVIs BTEI,
257
<iuostion at rest, I cjinnot do liotter than to (juote the
lantiiia^e of the honorahle member I'or Ilochehiga
(.Mr. r)osiav(liii?)at a mcetin;,' that took jihice recently
at Lon<;neuil. That meeting took i)hice in .Tanuary, [
lielieve. Mr Ilenoit, the honoraljle member I'or the
(Miuiity, had l)een invited. Inil had nol ]iiit in an ap-
pearance, and the fact liad l>een commented an by
stime sjicakers wlio liad addres-^ed the meeting. Mr.
Desjardins hfpoko a.s follows :-
iiiiitoil 1i<iiu wlu'ii tlii'ir iiatioiiul interests uiiiy !»' iiii|i<')ill('(l,
I :im nftliiit iifiiiy.hi our movciiu'iits we Iimvc not ilesii'fil thai
a oviniiiKil sliould t'soiipc dcjith bccauso he is a I'reiuli ('nna
<iiaii ; but because as rcirards .lacksoii and Kiel, if the lirst liad
his lilc savcil, the scc'OikI shniihl have liad it also. Wo do nol
want any more pilvilogcs ; we arc strong pnougli, but what W6
want is justice for all.
It lias been .«aid by sober-minded people that the
exeention,
EVEN IK rX.lUr^T,
of the man wlio was executed and who is believed to
have been insane liy those who sympathize with him,
does not make this a case for the outburst of feeling
which has taken ])lace in Quebec on the occasion of
Iviers execution. I differ from that view. In our age,
in our civilization, every singb; human life is valuable,
and is entitled to i)rotection in the councils of the
nation. Not nu\ny ytars ago England sent an expedi-
tion and spent millions of her treasure and some of
her best blood simply to re=cue jirisoners whose lives
were in the hands of the King of .Vbyssinia. In the
same manner I sav that the life of a single .subject of
17
I
' > I
258
f?rEEfii
ller Majesty here is valual)le. and is not to lie treated
Avitli levity. If there are nienihers in the House who
l)olieve that the execution of Kiel \vas not wnrranto'l,
that under the circumstances of the case it was not
judicious, that it was unjust, I say they have a
right to arraign the Government for it before this
country, and, if they arraign the ( iovernmcnt for it
and the (iovernmcnt liave to take their trial upon it,
it must he adndtted as a consequence that certain
])artieH will feel upon the (juestion more warmly than
others. It is not to Ijc supposed that the same causes
which iniluenced public o))inion in Lower Canada
acted in the same manner with all classe.-i of the com-
munity ; that the causes which actuated the com-
munity at large were identical in all classes of tlie
community. Some there were who believed that the
Ciovernn.ient had not meted out the same measure of
juBtice to all those that were accused and who took
])art in the rebellion. Others believed that the state
of mind of Riel was such that it was
A .IIDICIAI, MTRDER
to e^• rente him ; but the great mass of the jieoplc
believed that mercy should have been extended to all
the ])risoners. Riel included, liecause the rebellion was
the result of the policy folhiwed by the (iovernment
against the half-breeds. That was the chief reason
which actuated them, and it seems to me tliat it is too
late in the day to seriously attemjU to deny that the
rebellion was directly the result of the conduct of the
(iovernmcnt towards the half-breeds. It is too late in
the day to dispute that fact. Yet we have heard it
disputed in this House. Jiy whom? \]y the last man
who, I sliould have expected, would have disputed it
— by the Inni. member (Mr. Royal). He gave us the
other day his version of
THE ORIGIN OF THE TROrBI.E.
Everybody is responsible for the rebellion excei)t
ON THE EXECUTION OF LOLIS KIEL
259
one body. The Ulohc is reHponsiltle for it ; the Far-
luers' Union is responsible for it; the white settlors
are re3i)onsible for it. Everybody you can conceive
of is re.'Jpon.siljlc for it, except tl»e (ioveronient. The
Governinont is i)erl"cctly innocent of it, as innocent as
a new-born child ! Sucli was the statement made by
the hon. memljer the other day. lUit if the hon.
member is now in earnest as to that matter, liow is it
that the half-breeds alone have been i)rose(Utcd ? If
the Glolir is the causeof that rebellion, the ^7()6f' should
have been the first to be indicted. If the whitesettlers
wore the inf-tigators of tlie rebellion, the white settlers
should have been indicted al.so. There is more than
that. The counsel for the Crown received autliority
and even in.atructions specially to ]>roceed against the
instigators of the rebellion, the white settlers, who
certainly
Wori.I) Il.WE KEEN MOKE (ail.TY
than the half-breeds whom tlicy had instigated to
rebellion. Here is ])art of the instructions given by
the late Minister of Justice to the counsel for the
Crown:
rt must be, iiiid FiTiin the intbrmation wliich the (iovi-rii-
metit liiivc, it (•ccuis piohuhle —
It seems the(iovernment share the opinion of tlie
hon. member ibr I'rovencher, and they profess to act
accordingly —
It must t)t', iiiid from the information which tlio <iovein-
mont liiivc, it seems inolnibie that tin- reljcllinn has been en-
«'Oura;.'iMl aotivt'ly by wliites, piirtioularly in Prince Ailicrt.
Nothing in tlie wlioh' (hity entrusted to you is, I apinolicnd,
m ore important than that uc should if i)ossible tint out some
of tlie nu'U wlio, with i'ar liottcr knowh^dge than the lialt-
b reoils, stirred thom U]i to roliollioii, and your special atten-
tion is asked to this jioint.
200
SPEECH
Tlie lion, member for Provenchor (Mr. Royal)
does not Fccm to luxvc given any lielp to the counsel
for the Crown, notwithstanding the knowledge whicli
enables him to Fay on the Hoor of Parliament, Avitli
the resiion.-ibilily attaching to his utterances, that the
white settlers aic re3j)onsible for tlu; relie lion If
they are, Imw coujcs it that no wliite settler has yet
liecn indicted — that every white settler is at large?
AVhat are we to infer from this ? Are we to infer that
the (iovcmment has receded from tlie position which
was here taken liy Sir Ale.Nandor Ciimijliell ? Or are
Ave to inter that tlie statement of the hon. member for
Provencher is oidy one of those wild assertions made
as a last ex[)edient in the defence of acts (ttherwi^e
indefensible? Tlic lion, gentlemen went further. Jle
not only charged the white settlers, the I'armers'
Vnion and the (ilol/c newspnper, Init lie also lield res-
linnsible the .Mackeii/ie Administratiou. lie said
that the adniinir-tration of thai ( invernment, from the
time that they took ollice to the time they left, had
been null and that the liistory of their administration
in the North-West had been a perfect blank. Well, .Mr.
Sjjcaker, it is a charge wiiieh cannot be made against
the present Administration. Their administration
was not at all one blank.
BLOOD ! ni.ooi)! ni.oonl
jirisons, scaffolds, witlows, orphans, destitution, ruin
— these are what iill the blanl; in the adnnnistratioa
oftiiis (iovernment of the affairs of the North- West.
Mr. Sjieaker, there might be something to say. as the
hon. gentleman will aptirehend, upon the administra-
tion of the hon. member for Kast York (.Mr. Mac-
kenzie) of the affair.s of the North- West Territories,
but the present would not be a seasonable time, and
the occasion may arise hei'eafter. Let nie, however,
tell this to the hon. gentleman: if the administration
of ;Mr. Mackenzie was blameable for its treatment of
t!ie affairs of the North-West, if they were reniisa in
ox TlfE EXECUTION 01'' I.OIJS ItlEL
2r.i
their dutio.^, liow imicli more blameable must be tlic
prosont AdiiiinihtntlioM, whicli hiiv(> iKjt yet done tiiat
■\vhicli should have liecn ilono l»y tlieir predeces.«ov8 ?
But I tV)rj;;et ; the honorable fjcntlenian has nothing,
or, at lea-:t.very WiUc. to <ay a^ain.st the ])re.sent Gov-
ernment. It m:iy i)e [)o-)sible that they have not been
alltogether diligent in the dutien they had to i)erform.
but htill they have siiown a .great deal oi' good will —
at lea-it, so nay the honorable gentleman. Here is
what he .sayn : —
III 1X^0, sir .Idhn ^r.'iodoniiM took tlifi fiist oiijioi'tuniiv li<^
liii:l, ill oi'ijer to hriii).' in a liill into tiiis Ifoiiso — Iw liiinsfU'.th''
Ifii'lcr oi' till' ( 'oiisi-rviitive inrty, iiitroiliicoil a liill into I'ai-iiii-
iiieiit to cxti'iiil tlie sdiiio ]>rivilof.'(>.-i and ri.i.'lits to tlu' liall-
broeds in tiie territories as those (>iijoy<'il tuiiler tlio Manitoba
Act by tlic liall'-lireiHls in tlio province ol .Maiiitobn.
This statement is eorreot, excejit with regard to
the date which should have been 1S7D instead of ISSO.
Sir .Tohn .Maedonald, as ho says, introduced a bill to
extend to thehalf-breeds ofthe North- West Territories
TiiK sa:me rmviLEGEs
as had been granted to those of Mamitoba. That was
done in 1S71>. and the Act wliich I hold in my hand
reads a:j follows :
'lliat the l'oUow!ng pnwor.s are hereby delegated to tiio
(Jovernor in t'ouncil to sati>f.- any claims existing in connec-
tion with tiie extinguislinn n: of the Indian titles prel'erred by
tiie lialf-breeds resident in tlio N'ortii-VVest Territories, out-
side the limits of Manitolia pr^'vious to the i'lth day of July,
J 870, by firaiiting land to siu-ii pt'rsons to sucli extent and on
such terms and conditions as may from time to time be deemed
expedient.
The provisions of this statute were repeated in the
Act of 1883. But before we proceed further, it may be
important to at once define what were those jn-ivifeges
and riglita whicli were extended to the half-breeds of
'1\B^
I*
' It!
I
I *'' •' '
262
srEECH
Manitoba. I5y the Act ol' 1870 it was dccreetl a3
follows : —
Ami wlioreas it is oxpediont townivls tiio oxtin^tiishiutMit
of tlio inilian titlo to the laiid.s in tiio province to mip'opriato
n portion ot'sncli uiii;iiinti'il linuls to the oxtiwit. of I ,4n!),i)i)it
iKM'i's tiiei'oot'ior the licndit ol'tlio faniilios of tlu> haif-lji'ccd.s
jc.-i'ii III ^ it is iiiMt'by fiiai;tril tliat iho Lioiit('nant-<ic)Vi'rnor,
undor r.'j;ulatiiins to In- finni tiiuo to timoniiKlo liy the (iov-
ei'noi'-(>i'n -ral in Council , siiall sc-lcct sucli lots or tracts in
siu'ii [larts of the province us li'! may <lo(Mn i-xpodiont, to tim
oxtcnt atorosaid. and divi In the sanio a'noni; llio cluldrcn of
ht'dds ol' laniilifs rcsiilinu' in tii,! provin('o at the tinu' of the
said transfer to Canada.
TirE lI.\l.l--r.I!EED>< WEUE ALSO (IK'AXTKI).
for tilt; extingui-<luuent of tin- Indian title. lUO acres
of land ors('rii) for KiO acvos ofland ; and each minor,
210 Mcrcs (U- scM'ii) for tlnit qiiiintity. Tn 1S7'.) the Fir.st
Minister took power to extend the same i)rivilege^ to
the half-hreed.s ul'tlie North-Wi'st. It will l)eseen that
the halt'-hreeds of Miuiitid'a were treated iia a .«iH'cial
class. They were; not trc'ited as Indians ; they were
not tr(>;ite(l as whiles hnl as partieipatini;; in the rights
of l)oth the whites, and tiie Fudians. If they had Ijeen
treated as Indians, tliey would have been sent to their
reserves ; if they h. id l»een treated as whites, they
would have been granted homesteads ; but as T have
said, they were treated as a sjjecial class, participat-
ing in both rights of whites and Indians ; as whites
they were given a homestead of Kid acres on the plot
11!
ON TIIF, K.\E( fTIOX OK I.orrH KIEt.
;2n.'5
of liiiul (>r \vhi(*li they liiippoiied to bo in po-ise^sion ;
iM ImliiiiH. tlii'V were ^'iven scri|) for liindn to tin; ex-
tent of mo iicre.s for each lieiul f>f faiuily.tmd "itn ncrc.ri
for minor?!. In 1><7'.K sh I have Haul, llie (ioverniiiout
paHHeil a .statutt; siinihir to the statnte of .Manilolia.
Hill tliey act upon it ? When did liiey act uptn it ?
When \vn-! tin; lirst tiling' done liy tiie (iovernnient of
C'anathi to ]>ut in force the Act of ISTt)? Tiie lirHt
thinu' ever (h)ne l)y tiie (iovernniont af Canada to put
in fore(> tlie Act tliey tlienHelve-i liail passed. \\:\h on
tlie --Ntli .[anuary. i>*S.').
SIX I.o.Nci VK.McM
ehi))sed ht'fore tliey attempted to i\o tliat justice to
tlie lialf-lireedH. wliicdi they had taken power from
Parliament to do. at the time. During all that time
the (iovernnient wa.s perfectly imniovalile. The honor-
aide iiiemher for I'rovciiclier (Mr. Royal) told us the
Cioverniuent have done ilieir duty liy the half-hreeds.
Sir, if the (.iovernnient had done their duty hy the
half-hreoils, liow is it that the half-l)re(!ds .so olieii
jietitioiu'd the (iovernnient to ;j;rant tliciu their riudit.s?
How irt it that they so often delui^ed the Dijpartiiient
with petitions ami deputations ? How is it that tiiey
.So oft(;n ajipealed to tlie honorable member for l*ro-
vencher himself? I low is it. for instanci', that on the
null of N'oveiiilier, ]ss2, Ma.xime lAi)iiie, now a. [iri.-^-
oiier in the Manitoba jieiiiteiitiary. IJaptiste JJoucher,
wounded in cattle. Charles Lavallee, wounded in but-
tle. Tsiilore Dumas, killed in battle, and. several oiiiers
addressed Mr. Huck. the airent at Prince Albert, ask-
iiiji' him to try and induce the (iovernnient to j;raiit
thetn their rights, reiiresenting at the .same time that
they had petitioned, and that their petitions had
been sui)ported by prominent men. amon^i'st others
the honorable .Mr. 11 lyal. the member for Provencher,
au'l all without avail ? How is it that these men, iii
order to obtain the rights which were denied thein,
have gone through such an ordeal as they have, if the
2C4
bPEECU
(lovcrnnif.'iil (lid jui-lifc l>y tlifiii ? An !>f:itiifinii \v;h
going on nil the ttmo in the North- Went, iind the (lov-
t'rnniont wcr^* iiorl'cctly iinnioviilih', Tiic linnnrjilihi
liioinlitr I'nr iM'llcchii.'^sf (.Mr. Amynt) "itntfMl tlic otiicr
day tiiiit the (iovci nincnl during all those years were
M,r>rnEUiN(; am> snouin<;.
I lieiit've that cxiircH-iidii was none too stidnu'.
hecauso we have evidenci^ of its trutii in the (lnvcrn-
meiU's own hlue hook. Would you lielieve it, Mr.
bpeai^cr. we have evidence tiiat the Hepartnient
had t'urgotten the law whitdi they themselves had
placed on the statute hook, we have eviden.c that
the (iovcrnnient aetu.ally I'orL'ot that tiie hali-lireeils
were entitled to special pri •ilej:es. The tiuni: is a! niont
incredihle ; yet here is the evidence ot' it. There was a
meeting hehl lit I'rin.'e Alhert of the se, tiers ot" the
locality. to take intoconsideration their own grievances
and tlie grievances of the hall'-l>reeds as well ; amongst
the resolutions carried was the i'ollowing, the third
one ; —
,'ii'il Moveil by Mr. Miller, socoiiih'd l)y .^[. S|iciiper, and
carrifil unanimrmsly :-—\Vlioi'i>iis tlm Indian tith^ in this dis-
trict nv tcriilory has not hfcoinc f.\tinot, and tlie oM settler-,
anil li;ill'l)ieeil popiiliitidu ni' .Manitohii were /.'niiiteil siNip in
cniinnutiiliiii ot' siuMi titii' ami such iilldwaiiiMf h:\„ not ln-eii
maile to those i<>siil<'nt in this territory : — /'I'snlriiJ, t!iiU the
right liuiioriil)lo Minister of the Inti-rior be ri'i|iiesteil to irriiiit
Bucli scrip to .such settlors, thus |iliifiiiii; tliem on an ei|iiiil
footing witii their cuiifvircs in Miinitolia.
Thi3 resolution aim{)ly asked that thehalt'djroeds
of the North-West should he treated just as
THK II.VLF-nrtKEDS OF MAMTOIJA
were treated — ^^just as the honorable member for Pro-
vencher said tiiey should have been treated ; and
what was the answer of the Department? The answer
ON TlIK EXiaiTION UK l.OllS Ullil.
205
of tilt-' l>t'l>!irtiiuMit will show prccij^i'ly wliiit I linvt'
Htiitetl, tluit tlio lJi'|)iiitiiiojit lit that time in ISSl had
roilit'ttcii the IciKir nl'thc statiito they liad pliKnl on
ihi'^-tatutc I'ottk lifforo. Iloro is the answer, adilrcssod
lo the hui\oral)lo Luwrenco Chirko, who iiad trans-
mitted the petition :
J)ia'.MtT.Mi;Nr ni' TrO'; Is-natioit, Ottawa
UJud Nc.v., ISSl.
Sir. — lly ilir<H'lion (it tlii' Miiii'^t"!' of tli'' Inli'rini'. I Imvi-
tli(« li'iiuir to ;ii'kiin\vlc'ti.'t' th<' receipl nl' iie'iiiniiil immli-'l in
!)>• Villi, of ci'i tain rcM)liitioiis pnssod nl a iiiii-tini,' ot llic inliitl.
itaiit« of till' ilistiii'l of I.oi'iio ^'ViiH^li yoii rc^inesciit in tlu'
Xoitli-West Couiual;, liol<l at I'i'ince Alln'it ontlic l^tii Oiio.
hvv, I SSI.
hi i'c|il\ to till' i|ii('>tions involved in tlic several re-iohi-
tions coiitaineil iliei'ein, I iiiii to say a-! follows : —
Uesolution No. H. As t)y treaty willi tlie Inilians ilieir
title to any port ion ol tliu territoiw incliiiled wiiliin tlie 'lis-
ti'ict of Loi'Ui' lias been ('.xtiiiguislied, liiis ri'solution wmiM
noeil o.\|.lanation.
IIKIIE WAS A UKSOI.I'TION
calling u[)im tlie (rovernmont to give efTeet to u liiw
passed hy tlioinselves — 1<> givo the lialt-hreeds the
8f oeiiil rights to whieh hy law they were entitle(l.
iind yet the Cioverniiient ilecdaros that this resolution
reipiires ex])lanation. Well, the explanation came,
and it was not long in coining. Mr. Clarke answered
as follows : —
CaUI.TON, N."\\'.T., ii'lth .TAXfARY, ISSl'.
Sir, — I hiive the honor to Hoknowk'il.i.'e tlie roceijit of yoiu'
letter oftlie 21'ii(l Noveiiilier last, einhoijyini: the reply ot' tlie
right lionoriiiile tlai Minister of the Interior to a inoinoiial,
hanileil in hy me, of certain resolutions pjissed at a nit!etin,!: of
tlie inhabitants of the district of Lome, lieldat Prince .\Uiert
on the ISth October, iSSI.
\N'ith re^iard to resolution N'o. 3, it is remarked that :
" As by treaty with the Intlians, their title to any port ion of
^(^^
.!' !
■ ;". It''
I
-0 ' !
rIi
' t ■ « t
2nf.
SI'EECII
t!i'! tf'i'i'itoi'y incliuled within the 'listi'iot of Lji-iio lias hoen
extinfjuislicd, this io-!ohition woiiM iumnI (.'xplatiatioii."
I wouhl respect I'lilly submit that the IiiJian titU'iimlouht
lias been oxtiiigiiislieil, luit eviilontly not tluitof the liall'breod
resi'leiUs oi' the North-West 'IN^rritorioc.
The Govoruiuent of the I'ciininon ol' Canada have repeat-
eilly aoknowieiijioii tue ijjht in tht; soil of the lia H'-bree' I in-
habitants, as is provoi ny th(^ Parliament of Canada in 1^70,
3.1 Vic, oh:i]i. '■'>, section "d, as lollows.
Tlion he rocitos all tlio acts hy which the Parlia-
ment of ('anada had declared, tinu; and again, that
the lialfdireeds were entitled to compensation for their
Indian title; and goes on ;
It will h(i seen, therefore, tluit from the lirst ini'ietni-'nt,
in IS70, to the last, in IST'.t, the ri;:hts in tlui soil of the half-
breeds h.ivo l)eoii reeo^iii/.ed by the < iovei'ninent, and provi-
sion uiide for the extini;iii.shmont of tle>ir title.
This explanation was certainly chiar enough, Imt
the CTOvcrnincnt at once rfdapsed into the state ol"
iinnioval)ility in which they had !)een living, and
the Minister fell again into the state of reijoso which
he had l)een enjoynig. fo- so many years Ix'lbre. The
halt'-brceds petitioned ag lin, they sent their friends
upon delegations to Ottawa ; they sent tlu^ honorable
memb(!r for Provencher; yet the (ioverument never
took any action in the ntatter until th(;2Sih ofJanuary,
ISS."). when (he Minister fell his seat shaken by the
first waves of the tenii)est that was soon toswecjiover
the country.
TOO l.ATE ! TOO I.ATE ! TOO LATE !
When the seeds of discontent have long been germi-
nating, wdien hearts have long been swelling with
long accumulating bitterness, and when humiliations
and disapi)ointnients have made men discontented
and sullen, a small incident will create a conllagra-
tion, just as a spark dropped on the i)rairie, under
ON THE EXKCITinX OK LoUIS KIEL
.1)1
certain circumstances, will kindle a widespread and
unquenchable fire. Then the Government moved,
but it was too lace. Tiie incident occurred — what
was it? The honoraljle meml)er for I'rovencher told
us wdiat it was. After the government had announced
a commission, a man liad the imprudence to say that
commission would not come, but that bullets would
come instead ; and this statement of the honorable
j^'entleinan is corntborated by a statement ofArch-
bishoi) Tachc in a letter published in Decem1)er last,
in which, si)eaking of the <'ommencement of the rebel-
lion, he said :
The assurance tliat n i,oiiiiiiissioii wduKl he soiit ua> not
aecepted. Peoiilc [iret'ci'ii'd to l)rli(n'c a riini'ir whioh uciit to
sliow that, iiisteal ol'i-'rantinir thi'm thoir ri}.')its, the authorities
woi'c to si'iiil irons Ibi' thfir lea h-r an I buHcts for thrsc wlio
would protect him. Tiiat conviction ))rodiic<^d ih^ result vvhicii
was to be e.X|i<'Cted. Tiie liall-hreeds tlloULrht tiiey would
I'Csist and defend thianselves. J')adly armed, willio\it aniniu-
nition,^or provisions, they took iio.ssiv-sioii of the stores in the
vicinity. The unfortunate attack made .c.'ainst them at iJuck
Liikc was a declaration ol'war.
It will strike many minds now that there is a
great anahtoy IioIwcmmi the; urigin of' tiiis rebelliim and
the origin of the rcdicllion in iiuwer ('ann<la in ]s:;7.
An agitation had been going on in Lower Canada for
many years, as it had l)een going on in the North-\\'e-t
for many years, and it was when the (Jovernment
attempted to arrest tiie leaders of the movement tliat
th<! rc!)ellion Ijrokc out : and. without going any
further. I am glad to recall tiio fac< that, deplorable
as was this rebellion in f-ower ("anaila. it secured at
once to the Low(>r ('.inadians the rights wliicli tb.ey
had been vainly seeking for so many years. an<l it
secured this fiu'ther result: That although the ])opu-
lation had been hitherto in favor o|'rel>ellion they at
mice liecame
THE MOST K.\rrin'!i. -rn.iEcTs
England ever had. In the same manner, tiiough the
,W:..
■m ' I
268
SPEECH
last result lisis not yet Iteon obtained, it may be and
Avill he. obtained, T liave no douljt, in tbe Xortli-West,
because tbo immediate result of the rebellion tliore
Ikis i)een to secure to tbe hall'-lH'eeibs tbe riuiits whieb
liad l)eeu denied to tbeui up to tbat time. T bav<i
charged the (roverninent Avith not only bavinj: been
iieglij.^eut in tlie duty tboy owed to IIm; ball'lireeds,
liut with denying to tbe ball'-breeds tbe rights to
•which tliey were entitled. T charge them again with,
not ignoring only, hut a. .'.uilly refusing, of(b\--ign
iiforethought, the rights to wliich the half- hi'eeds were
entitled. Tlie tirst order tbe (Iovernin(>nt pulsed
under tbe .statute was that of tbe 2'^th .T.iivuary, ISS').
What was that oriler? Its [irovisions are
IMPOliTANT TO (•o.\sii>i:ii.
11;
■« f :!f.
in view of the charge which T have preferred against
tbe Government. The order runs as tbllow.s : —
< »n a iiiPinor.iniluin ilat(> I i!iitli .laniiiuy, 1 ^^.■), from tlie
^linister of tlio lutoiior, siiluiiittini,' that it is (lesii'ablc. with ii
view (if.si'tlliii;: cquitiiMy tin' claiiiis (il'tlic li.aif-hrceil.s in Jlani-
tolia aiiij tli(> Noi'tii-\\'i'st 'i'cnitorics. who wouid have liecii cnti-
tlcil In land hiii.l they ic-^iilcil in Matiitolia at the time oltim
tninsl'or ami lilt^l tlioir claims in <liie cour.so under tlic Mani-
toba Act, and also of those who, ilioui.'h resiilint; in Manitolia
and ('(juitably entitled to participate -n the izrant, diil not do
so, to ascertain tlie ninnber olsucli half-hrcoils, and rccom-
laenihng that he ho autliori/od to obtain an onumeration of
tliem, anil to employ three piM'sons to make siicli enumeration.
The provisions of tbe order, you see, were iir.i^t
to cause an enumeration to l)e made of tbe half-breeds
Aviio were entitled to comjjensation, in order to settle
equitably the (daims of those half-breeds. What was
to be tbat equitable settlenuMit? The order is vague,
it is silent. \Vas tbe settlement to be tbat which was
granted to tbe half-breeds of Manitoba, as was insi-
nuated tlie other day by the lionoralde meml>er from
Provencher (Mr. Royal")? I say no; I say tbat tbe
ON THE EyECVTION O]' I.oriS RIEI.
mj
-ettleiuont that tlie Ciovornnient then conteiuphitod,
and ^Yhich is called e(juita))lo, was not the s^ettlcment
Avhich had been made in i'avor of the lialt'-hreeds ot"
Manitohu. I may liere recall what was the latter
settlcnient. The hall'-hrceds of Manitoba were pven,
first, a free grant of the plots of land which they
occupied, to the extent of Hid acres each, as whites ;
they were given, in the second place, in
KXn.M'l'loN OK THE INDIAN TITl.K,
land to the extent of inO acres for each head ol'a family,
aad land oi' scrip to the extent of "JIU acres for every
minor, ^\'as this to be the settlement which was to
be given by the Government under order of the l*Sth
Janiuiry? i say it was not; and Icall to witness upon
this [)oint the language spoken by the First Minister
himself on the 2(itli March last, when this matter
came before this Jlouse. On that occasion he said :
.Vi- ;i whole tlio hnll'-hroeils have Ih'imi toM that if they
(lesiit'ii to 1)0 con-sidcroil as JiKiiiiiis tluTo arc? most lilicral
rescrvfs that tlii'V coiiMgo to with thcotiuT.s; but lliat if they
il^.-iriMl to In' i()ii.>si(k'ieil white men tlicy could fret lOo acres of
hind as iioincstciids. Jint they arc not satisticd wiiji that : tiicy
want to get land scrip of ccju .1 quantity — I tliink u[)wards of
liUO acres — ami then get, as a mutter ol' cour.^o, theii' home-
istead-s as weU.
You see, therefore, that the (iovernnient. on the
2r)th March, ISS."). was not disposed to treat the half-
breeds of the ^;orth-^\'est Territori(>s as they had
treated the half-breeds of Manitoba. If they luid l>een
dip posed to do so, the First .Minister would have said:
We will give them, as we have given the half-breeds
of Manitolia. the plots (jI' land on which they reside,
as free grants of Hid acres each, this to be their rights
as homesteaders ; and as Indians we will give them,
in extinguishment of their rights to the Iiulian title.
Land scrij) to the extent of IfiU acres for each head of a
family and 24(1 acres to each minor, No ; the language
'■i:f>-'
!■ \i.
.J •' ' I'
270
SPEEC'II
of the First Miuistor sliows that he was opposed to their
l)eiiig treuted in this way. He said : " It they wanted
to lio treated as Indians, tliey could go on the reserves ;
but iftliey wanted to be treated as whites, they could
have a iiomestead like other wliites." Tlierel'ore
I ( IIAROE TIIK GOVEUNMENT
with this, that, when they pa'sed the order of 28th
January, LSSo, it was not their intention to afford the
same justice to tlie half-i)recds of the North- West Ter-
ritories that had l)een afforded to those of Manitolm.
The intentions then expressed in the language T have
justijuoted from the First Minister were carried out
four days later, on the oOth March, when another
Order in Council was passed, and how did tliat Order
in Council read? It reail as follows : —
''he MinistiT oi'tlic liUC'iior is nt'tlic opinion tluit it isex-
peilioiit tliut tliose claims should ho satisliod liy ^'ranting:
First, to each liaU'-brceil lieidof a family icvsiilciit in tiio .North
West TciTitoiics, outside ol' the limits of Manitoba iircvious to
the l")th .hily, InTu, the lot or portion of land ot which ho is at
ju't'scnt in /'"/((«,//*/(' and undis|iuti'd octMipiition l)y virtue of
residence upon and cultivation tln'rcof, to the extent of IfiO
acres, and it the lot or portion ol' land for which he is in hmKi
/.'ill occuj'atioii as alore^aid should I'e K ss tlian hiO acres, the
dillerence to he made up to him liy an issue of scriji. roileem-
able in lauil, at the I'ato ot'one dollar ]ier acre, and in case
of each half-lireed head ol a family residing in the North- West
Territories iiri'vious to the j.-jtli day of duly, I S7(l, who is not
,it j)re>fnt in lnii/a Jhlc occuiiation of ans' land, scriii be issued,
ledoemablo in land, to the extent oii^liid.
The same provision is thereafter made for the mi-
nors. Let us examine this Order in Council. Wliat
docs it provide for? It i)rovides sim])ly this, that the
half-lireed shall get a grant of lOO acres as settler or
homesteader, hut that nothing sliall be given him in
extinguishment of his Indian title. If the lialf-breed
is in possession of a plot of KKI acres, he is to receive
a free grant ol' it — notiiing more : if his lot is not IflO
ON TlIK EXECUTION OK LOVIS HIIlI.
jicreH. lie is to receive the difference— nothing more ; so
that it is iniinii'est nt that date, under this Order in
Coiincih it was not tiie intention of the (iovernniont
to ^Ivetotlie lialt'-hreed.soltlie Nortii-West Territories
tlie i=anie rijihts tliat liad been given to theliali'-hreeds
of Manitolia. Tiie commission being issued under this
order, it was not possible for the commissioners to do
otherwise tlian to carry out the provisions contained
in the order. They had no authority to go to any
greater length ihaii they were authorized by that
order.
THE COMMISSION WAS ISSl'EI)
to Mr. Street, Mr. Cioulet and >[r. Forget, and as soon
as they came to the North-West, as soon as they came
to investigate the matter involved, they saw at once
that this jiroposed settlement would be no settlement
at all. that the half-ljreeds would be still dissatisfied ;
and upon tlie -1th April. Mr. Street te]egra])hed to Mr.
Mac])her£on,then Minister of the Interior, as follows :-
ll'ileeiroil by lialflirooils, wrnild it not lie advi.-^altlf to iriaiit
sni]', one sixty or two Ibity ilollfirs, jioiiuiltiii^ tliciu to ao-
i,iiiie title to lands in occupation tliioutrli possession? ( (thcr
wise, (iovernniont really gives nothing tor Indian title. Do you
wish me to give notice that coiiiiijission will take evidence ot
claims other than those ol' half hieeds ? I'eaice coiicuis in liist
sugiTfstion.
Here is the telegram in which the commis.'^ioner
jit once points out that, if he carries out the Order in
Council, the Ciovernment gives nothing to the half-
breeds for the extinguishment of the Indian title.
Then the next day, :i letter followed up the telegram
from Mr. Street, aiul it is still more signilicaiit : —
Mv DiiAi; Sir David,
We arrived here early this iiioniiiig. a'ld I met my lellow-
commissioners at the Dnminion han<ls ( tflice at lo o'clock.
They introduced the suhject as to ivliicli 1 telegraphetl you
I ', !
272
.«PEECn
:' W"
m 1
i!i
yostoi'dfiy, rniil spoko vory stron^jly as to its boiiif; one which
WM3 likely ti) he 11 soriows stiimliiing Idooiv in our ijciliiigs with
tlic lialt'-l)riH!(i^. Lest you sjioulil not lully Iiavc iitidi'i'stooil
my tt'lfgrain I will slinrtly .state tjie jioint. Sii|>iiose wo liiid
tliat a h.ill'-bi'eeil lias [)Qon njmii ami, . since l")th.liily. ISTO, in
(jci;ii[pati()n ni'a iiariM^lol' say UiU acfcs. nmhir ciixaimstaiu'cs
which, if he wci'o a white setllei', would entitle him to a fiiaiit
of the land nndiM' the hoaicstoad clauses uiiilei' the Honiinion
I,and Act, under the .luthoiity we now ijnssesp we could, if ho
were the head of a tauiily, allow liiiii uothini; nioic than the
ICiU a I'e,, ; vve could allow hiiii nothinj; lor his claim as a half-
breed, and, ina-much as the < icverniueut has all alouj,' been
])Ui'iioitiiii.' to deal wit h the half-hl'-eds as il they h;iil some
eeniial ri>:hl- Ijcyond tlio-e ol niiliuaiy incominir settlers, my
fellowcomiuis.-ioner.s >ay that L'real dissatisfactiun and disa|i-
jpointment will lie created il we ••ive to these occu])yini^ half-
breeils < idy that which any ordinary settlor can claim, and
nothiui.' foi' the i'xtin.i:ui.^hmi'nt ol his Indian title. Mv. I'l-arce
<liscussc»il the matter very fully with us auil concurred in the
advisahilily of our ohtaiuin;;, if jio^sible, the power to enable
us to allow the half-lireed to claim the laud ocoujiii'd by huu
under the honu'sti-ad prfivisions, and in addition to irive him
his scrip for the ??Mp() or Jr'L'lii, as the ease may be, for the
Indian title.
Til ERIC WAS TlIK POLICY
which was sufrp;csted by Mr. Street its soon as he liad
c'oniinciiced to investigate the matter, and wl>at was
the answer? The very following day tliere was this
telegram which s-houhl have lietn sent six nr seven
vcars Ijelore at least; —
\V. r. U. STKKirr, il ('.,
Chairman, iralf-broed Commission,
AVinnipej.'.
No objection t"* your sugiiestion to give scrip, and allow
occupants to acijuire title through jjossession, when desired
by them.
At last justice have been given to these jjcople.
For seven lung years they had petitioned, and peti-
^■¥^
(IN TIIK EXECTTION Ol' I.oris RIKI,
tinned in viiin. On the '2'^')th March, tlio Prime Minister,
in Ills i)la(:o in lliis IIoupo, gave it a? liis iiolicy tliat
these men were nut entitled to any Piioeial iirivilcfres.
that they liad ix) sucli riglit.s as were given tu tlieir
ci'iifrercs in Manitolia, tliat tliey were to lie treated not
as half-hrecds, not as a special elans, Init either as In-
dians or whites. At last justiee Avas coming to them.
At last what they had lieen )»etitioning for so n.any
years was coming to them, and what was the cause?
In ten days, from the i'Cith ol' .Miirch to the (Ith ol"
April, the (iovernment had altered their policy and
had given what they had refused for years. What was
the cause? The Imllets of Duck Lal<c; flie rehellion
in the North ^^' est. The (Iovernment had heen refus-
ing for years, and at last these men took their lives
and lihertics in their hands, and at last the (iovern-
ment came down and gave them what they were en-
titled to. T ajipeal now to any i'riend of liherty in this
House; I appeal not only to the Liberals who sit lie-
side nie,but to any man wlio has
A r.iUTisn iiKAiiT IN HIS inacAsT,
and I ask, when subjects of Her ^lajesty have been
])etitioning for years for their rights, an 1 tliose rights
have not oidyljeen ignored, but have been denied. and
when these men take their lives in their hands and
rebel, will anyone in this Hou^e say that these men,
■when they got their rights, should not liave saved
their heads as well, and that the criminals, if crimi-
nals there were, in this rebellion, are not those who
I'ouglit and liled and died, but the men who sit on
those Treasurj" l)enche9 ? Sir, reliellion is always an
evil, it is always an offence against the jiositive law
of a nation, it is not always a moral crime. The .Minis-
ter of Militia, in the week that preceded the execution
of Kiel, stated his sentiments of rebellion in theee
■words: "I hate all rebels ; I have no sympathy, good,
liad or indifTerent, with rebellion." .'^ir. what is hate-
ful — I use the word which the honorable gentleman
s
I'
I-
I;
i;
■hi:.: I'
•■til ■■ ^'
274
SPEECH
made use of— wliat is liateful is not rel.iellion, Imt is
the (lesyotipm wliieli induces rebellion ; wliat is liate-
ful are not rebels, but the men who, having the en-
joyment of \)o\ver, do not discharge the duties of
])o\ver; the men who, having the power to redress
wrongs, refuse to listen to the jietitions that are fent
to them ; the men who, when they are asked for a
loaf, give a stone. The honorable gentleman hates all
rebels, he says. I wonder if he will extend his hatred
to the great rebel whose proud statue stands almost
at my arm's length. I venture to say that if that man
whose statue has been erected here by the Canadian
(iovernment had been living to-day, and had occupied
his place on the Treasury benches, he would have re-
membered that he was once a rebel. I have seen the
day when the Minister of Militia had not for the rebel-
lion the horror he now professes. I have seen the day
when the Minister of Militia had not for rebels the
deej) hatred which he proclaimed to the world alnmst
M'itbin the hearing of a condemned man ; I have seen
the day when the Minister of Militia had great sym-
jiathy in his heart for rel)ellion, when he had deep
sympathy in his heart for the very rebel whom he had
in bio mind, and whose death-knell he was in advance
ringing, when he was proclaiming his hatred ofreliel-
lion at Winni])eg. Riel was once before a rebel ; he
was indicted before, not for rebellion, but for murder
connected with rebellion. The honorable gentleman
who now has such a hatred for rebels spoke on that
occasion. Resolutions were introduced in this House
on a certain occasion to
EXTEND AN AMNESTY
for all offences connected with the rebellion and to
all oifenders, Iliel and a few others excejited. and
granting an amnesty even to them, but with certain
restrictions. The honorable gentleman spoke on that
occasion. Did he then proclaim, as he now does, his
hatred of rebellion? Did he speak the language which
ox THE EXECITION (»K I.OIIS KIEL
275
lie spoke lately in NViiini[)eg ? Did he say he hated
all rel)els ? " I have a hatred of all rehels ; I have no
sympathy, good, bad or indifferent, with rebellion. "
No ; hut this is what he said ;
MPr Mr, Curoii said tliat he will vote against tho resolution
because it does not atlonl a complete solution of tlie North-
West (litliciilty. Ilavini; votfil atiainst the oxiiuNloM of iJiol
from this House, he cminot vote for liis biini^hnu'nt from the
country. A complete amnesty is the only praotioiil solution,
and lai is sure that the same tUlliculties will recur next year.
"T'lTdMr. Speaker, that was the pontinient of the honor-
able gentleman at that time. Well, if on that occasion
Riel was entitled to a full amne.^ty, was he not
entitled, at least, to a commutation of sentence on
this occasion, when this last rebellion had not been
darkened by such an act as darkened the pages of
the first rebellion ? The honoral)le gentleman in those
days stated again and again that the first reljellion
was justified. If the fh'st rebellion was justified, was
not the second re))elliou equally justified? Where
would lie the half-breeds to-day if it had not Ijecn
for this rel)ellion? Would they have olitained the
rights which they now enjoy ? I say, Sir, that the
Canadian (iovernmcnt stands convicted of having
yielded only to rebellion, and not to the just repre-
sentations iif the half-breeds, and of having actually
forced them into infcurrection. .Mr. Speaker, such
were my s(!ntiments, and I spoke them elsewliere. I
appeal, upon this occasion, as I did elsewhere,
TO KVEKV FUIEXI) (i F I.IHEKTV,
to all those who, during these twenty-five years past,
have felt tlieir hearts thrill whenever a struggle for
freedom was going on in any corner of tlie world ;
with the Italians, wlien they delivered theh- coimtry
from the yoke of Austria; with the Americans, in
their stupendous struggle for national unity and for
276
SPEECH
Un/'
the Fupi'vossion of Afrionn sluvcry ; Avitli the ^foxi-
(■iuif, in their successl'ul iitloiupt to rcsi?t the foreign
(loniinntion A\hiih tlic French Kni^eror bought to
inii)()f-e on them ; uith tlie French themselves in tln'ir
fienerou? tlieujili olten mi?p:ui(l(Ml ctToits to estnbliFli
iiniongf^l thenii-elverf tlie hulwiirk i>f freechmi, ]ijirliu-
mentiuy and re=j;onsilile goveinineiit ; with the
Dannliinn populiition?, when they iittemjiled to rid
themselves of tlie de^'riuling (hmiiniition of tiic
Tuiks: iind when !it hist— at hist — a section of our
own eouiilrynien rose in arms to elaiii: rijrhts long
denied ihem, rights which were iicnrdiately acknow-
ledged to lie just, as soon as they were a^ked witli
lullcts. are we to have no sym]iathy with tlu'm?
Though, ]Mr. Sjieaker. these men were in the wrong;
though the reheliion had to he put d<iwn ; though it
Avas ihe duty of tlie Canadian (Jovernment to assert
its authority and vindicate the law ; still. T ask any
friend of lilierty. if there is not n feeling risintf in his
heart, stronger than all reasoning lo the eontrarv,
tlij'.t these men vv-ere excusable? .Such were, ^fr.
Speaker, my sentiments. I sjioke them ebewhere. I
have had. since that time, occasion to realize that I
have greatlv shocked Tory editors and Torv memhers.
.Sir.
I KNOW WHAT TOUV I.OYAI.TV Is.
»! ■
Tories have alway.s been famous for preaching loyaltj'
to others. Tories have always been famous for beii g
loyal, as long as it was protitable to be so. Under the
reign of James, the Tories were gushing in their
loyalty as long as the tyranny of the king fell iijion
Whigs and l)issenters; Imt when at laet the tyranny
of .Tames fell upon the Tories themselves and the
Church of ilieir heart, their slavish notions received
a most salutary shock. They took side with the
Whigs, and horror of horrors, they shouldered the
nnisket, joined the Prince of Orange and put him on
the thione; and I believe that to this day the Tories
ON Tiiic i';xi:i iTioN {)V i.oris imki.
will H;iy tliiit it was a hajipy tiny lor Kuiflan 1 wlicii
that ri'li(!lli()ii tddk pli'.co. If\vo[)a-!9 from JCnglaiid
to this country, wo liavc the same talti to tell. In ISl'J
the Tories were •ru-'hiiii!: in thi'ir loyalty a? lou}? ii3
they ex|i('ft(Ml the (iovcrnor (icneral U) lie disloyal to
the i)eo[)le, hut when they I'ouml the (lovornor (leneral
was loyal to the iieople, their own loyalty oo/ed out
oftlieir liodiesand vanished into th'-i air. They did
not shouhler the musket— that would have hecn too
nohle a weapon — l)ut with ej>\irs and stones they pelted
the representative of Her Majesty. They did not
shoulder the musket, hut with pen and ink they wrote
and si,ii:ned annexation manit'estoe?. And, .Mr. Speaker,
if \ve eontiuue the stoiy, even down to the daj'S
since this (lovernment has heen in power, we find
that when they introduced the National I'olicy, and
when it was) oD)ecte<l that that policy was unfair ami
un;.'euerous tti Kni,dand. iind that it mi<!;ht possiljly
endantier liritish connection, the cool Tory answer
was; "So much the worse for J5ritish connection. "
Sir. this is Tory loyalty. Ready they are to-day to
sacrifice British connection, if British connection
stands hetween them and their selfishness ; ready
they are to-day to sacrifice liritish connection if it
stands lietween thetn and their enjoyment of power ;
ready they are to sacrifice British I'onnection for mere
sordid <!;reed, hut they atfect. forsooth, to he shocked
when we ])rofess sym))athy for men who, in the West,
have l)een vindiciiting their rights luof^ denied. Sir, I
Avill not I'oceive any lectures on loyalty from men with
such a record. I am a iiritish suhject, and I value
the proud title as much as any one in thi.s House.
But if it be expected of mo that I sliall allow fellow-
countrymen unfriended, undefended, unprotected and
unrepresented in this TFouse, to he trampled under
foot by this (iovernment, I say that is not what I
understand by loyalty, and I would call that slavery.
I am a l>ritish subject, but my loyalty is not of the
lips. If honorable gentlemen opposite will read
history, they will iind that my ancestors, in all their
278
.srEE(;u
M
Btruji^les ngainjit tlie liritish Crown in the \n\st, nover
8()Ut;lit iinylliinji else thun
').!.■
!!i :,>■
Til UK TKFATKH As IlltlTISII SL'IMECT.S,
nnil as aoon us they were treiitod a? IJritisli Hulijcct,'",
thmif^'h tlioy had not lor^^ntUMi tlie huid nl'tlicir aiiccs-
lors. lli'/y liccaiiic anumjist the niost lnyal rtuhjcct.s
that Kii^'hiiid ever had. Sir, .since our loyalty ha.s
liccii iiii))U)i:iu'(I by houorahlc ficntlonicn op])ositf'. T
am inclined (o quote the .s(MUiiiient!J ot' niy race and
of my jiaiiy, a.'* they were e.\|iresse{l by my honor;ilile
i'riond iVuni Mcgantic (Mr. Lan^elier) on an occasion
which was not political. liast summer certain dele-
jrates from lioards of tiade in I'ranco visited Canada.
They were entertaineu by the Cori)oration of QueliCc
which preHcnted them an addre.s,«. and tiio lionoruhlf.
nienilier for Megantic, in his (luality of Mnyor. spoke
as follows :
Till' fate ol aims liiis (IcciccmI tli.'it our ] olitical <lo3(inies
sliouM lie iiiiili'il witli the ilcstinics 1)1' Kiiir!aM'l, and wlion \vc
lon.^'ifler all the ailvaiitagc's whicii we have reaped iVoin tliat
state ol' things, our regret at beiiii.' sepiiiated from France is
not with<iiit ooiniieiisation. When we can estatilisii with
France e.\tendeil eoniniorcial relations, nothini: more sliall w((
want. We preserve a |ioliti<'al rfiiiiiic of which we are proml,
and we (ilitaiii at tiie same time tlie satisfaction of i)roserving
our inteii'sts and .>entimi'nts.
This is the loyalty of the French Canadians to-day.
They are true to their ant'cstors. And who should
oliject? We speak the French languajre, and if you
look at it from a purely utilitarian jioiut of view It ia
a great disadvantage, liecause we have afterwards to
learn a foreign language to take our part in the
national movement of this country. Every one must
learn
TO SPKAK IT TIIK JiEST HE CAN
in his own pooi' wax. It would jierhaps be best, from
ox Till': K.\'E(TTIi>N OF I.DIM.'^ ItlF.r,
270
a utilitiirinn point of view, lohavn only unn laiii^'iiaKO ;
Itut tlio Froncli is the hiiij^uaj^fi ofour niotlnM's, the
liiiimiiif^f which r»Miills to mir inin(l-4 the nio-tt sacroil
iCj-^oiMiition.s whicli first diiwii on tlit; iicjirt ol'iuiin and
wiiicii can novor dio out. and so lon^ as tliere are
I'rcncli mnflu'i's the liinguaiio will imt die. Vet those
sentiments ai'i! i|uite c()nsiHlent with our loyalty to
Knjiliind, and loyal wt; arc to Eniiland ; and iff were
called to illustrate it, [ could not do so hetter than
l>v quotinfi the remark ot' a French Canadian lady to
.\ir. I>e liclveze. who, in ISV), visileil Caiiiida l)yoriler
of Naiiiileon 1 II. : " Our hearts are with France. i)Ut
our arms are to Knpland. " Hut loyalty must Ite roci-
prncjij. Tt is not enou^di I'or the sul)j(!ct to he loyal
to the Crown; the Crown must also l)e loyal to the
suliject. So tar as Kujiland is C(Uicerned sIh? has done
her duty nohly, generously; but this (ioV(,'rnmc::t
has not done its duty towards the halt-hreeils. The
(ii)vernment are .shocked, and their friends profess to
he shncked, liecause those mnn claim their ri.irhts iind
demanded them with l)ullets. Have the ( lovernment
heen loyal to those half-breeds? If thev iiad lieea
loyal to the bill f- breeds, no such trouble would have
occurred. If the (lovernment dn not respect th(! hiw
tbemselve-i. and if afterwards men, to vindicate their
rifjbts. take weapons in their hands and brave the
lawH. T say the Covernment are iiound to searcli tlieir
consciences and see if they have jfiveii occasiim for
rebellion, and if they have to give the benelit to the
guilty one^. This is what we, in Lower Canad.'i. have
been claiming, and this is one of the reasons why wt;
have felt so warndy on this (\uestion. .'^uch is not,
however, the doctrine of the (Jovernment.
THE DDCTIilNK Ol" Till-: (ioVKUNMKNT
is not put in that way in the memorandum which was
issued some time after the execution of Louis Kiel.
Shortly after that execution the (.tovernment thought
it proper, and I do not blame them for it, to put their
280
f-PEECH
[f^
'- V;
defence before the country. Tlioy did it in ;i very
fible paper signed l)y tiie hit*; MiniHter of Juntifc, Sir
Alexander Ciuupljell. In the very fir.st word? lie
speaks as follows :
'rii(> (iiiponi'iits of tlio ( iovcM-nini'iit have assi rtcd tli.it tlir
relx^llini) wa-; prnvnl<0(I, it' not jIl^tilil'll, Ky tli<'ir mal ii Imini^-
tnition n|' tlio atl'air.s of the Xoith-Wcst Toi ritnrii's aiil iiiat-
tentioii to the just cliiiiii'S oi'tlio lialf-l)r(^?ils. With tliis i[\il'^-
tioii. nhit'li has l)0(>ii iiia<l(> one ol party politii's, it. is not
tlimijilit liocoiiiiiij: to di'al hcri'. Upon such a charge when
maih^ in a constitutional manner, the Govoiuinent will he
responsiljle to the I'cpresentatives of the people, and l)efore
them tiii'V vvill l)e [ircpareil to meet and (Usiirove it.
That the (iovcrnnient should l>e compelled to sulmiit
their reasons for having so aeted goes as n matter of
course. Tlu'V were to give 1 heir reasons — they were
res|)()nsi1ile to the people. Tiiis is ;i, nn.Mer of course.
But this is not what is contended here. Tlie conten-
tion laid (U)wn is that when the people of Canada are
tn exanune the action of the (iovernment in executing
Riel, the (jueslion whether or not the rel)ellion was
provoked is not to he taken into consideration. Was
there ever a more unconstitutional, more intolerahle
doctrine propounded? T say it is contrary to the true
(loctrinej'or if there is any occasion when the (!i>vern-
ment is hound to search into the matter to s(!e if i)ro-
Yocation has been given for the committal of an
ofTence, which has involved the death penalty, it is
when the ofTcnce charged is
rCUEI.Y A POLITICAI. OXE.
It is always with regret I am sure, that the Minister
of Justice finds himself unable to report in favor of
the commutation of a death sentence. Whenever in
this country a sentence of death is ])assed upon any
of >ur fellow beings, it is the duty of the .Minister of
Justice to emiuire into the causes of the crime in
order to see if the requirements of the law would not
ON THE EXECCTIdX OF I.nns UIET,
281
be oi|Uiilly met iftlio death sentence were not carried
out. Nothing- is iel't liehiud that can h'ad to ihat
desired end. And yet we are told liere tliat wlien a
man is charged with a jiolitical crime, the (iovern-
ment arc; not to eonsi(U'r whether there was provoca-
tion or not liy the Crown ? With the (iovernment all
rehellions are alike, whether provoked or ni>t. and
they iiave all to he treated in tlie same way. You
are to loi>k at all rclielliuns as utterly had. You have
to jiiok U)i(in the reljeliion of. Junius llnitus and the
attempted rehellion oi'C'atulino aseciuall^' had. F say.
on the contrary, that this is one of the frrnundii on
which I arraign the (iovernment. It was their duty,
when they came to consider wlicther the death sen-
tence should he carried out on lliel. to consider
Avhether he had received jirovocation t'cn- the deed
which hrought him into that situation ; and having
tailed to do so, the (iovernment. on their own con-
fession, stand guilty of having tailed in a duty, which
is one of the most sacred that ever c.au fall ui)on man.
Thedocfrir ol'lhe (iovernment is S(> untenaMe that
they could n, adhere to it to the last. Even liefore
i^ir Alexander Camphell had reaidied the end of ids
factum, he abandoned his theory, for in tiie very
bottom lines, he tay.s:
Whethi'i' rohcllion alone slioiiM l)P pnnisliod with death
is a (|iiestion u|ion wliicli opmioiis lu'iy 'litter. 'l'i(\i-on will
j)rol)iil)ly over i-einuiTi wliat it iiiw.iysi has been among civilised
nations, tlie iuLrliest of all crimes ; hut siicli ouiiviction I'or
tliat oilenee must he treated and clis|ios(>d of l)y the Executive
(iovormneiit iijion its own merits, and witli a lull cnnsider:ition
of all the attendaiU cii'cumstancos. In tliis particular instance,
it was a second otl'ence, and, as on tiie first occaaion
The ex-Minister of .Tustice commenced by saying
that we should not look into the causes which had
induced the rebellion ; he luid conveniently left aside
looking into the causes, but he no less conveniently
looked into the fact tiiat this was a second ofTence. 5^o
it was. and for the second time tlie (iovernment
'i '0'' :
,m >
2S2
SPEECH
WAS CUII/rV OK THAT REBELLION ;
for the second time Riel was a rebel, and was a re))el
on account of tlio conduct of the present Government.
Sir, I am not of those who look upon Louis Riel as a
hero. Nature had endowed him with many brilliant
qualities, but nature had denied him that supremo
(|uality without which, all other qualities, however
brilliant, are of no avail. Nature had denied him a
well-balanced mind. At his worst he was a suliject
fit for an asylum, at his Iiest he was a religious and
l)olitical monomaniac. Ikit he was not a Itad man —
I do not Ijelicve at least hat he was the bad man that
he has been rei)resented to be in a certain press. It
is true that at the trial a most <lamaging fact was
brought against him ; it is true that he had ofrere<l to
accojit a bril)e from the (iovernment. IJut justice U>
his memory requires that all the circumstances con-
nected with the fact, should be laid before the House.
If he accepted this money, it is evident that in his
own confused mind it was not with a view of l)etra\'-
ing the caune of his fellow countrymen —
S(Mne honorable members: — Yes, yes.
.Mr. Laurior : — Why, .Mr. Speaker, I do not exi)ect
tliat tlio memliers who now interrupt me. would deal
in llie same manner, but, Sir, I give them the credit
iif having
I
i^' -^
I'.KTTEIl BALAXOEO MINUS
than I^ouis Riel. In his own dazed mind it is evident
that if lie accepted the money, it was not with a view
of betraying liis fiUow countryn'.en — it was with tlie
view of working f )r them in anotlier way, since he
said, lie would start a paper in the United States and
raise u]) the other nationalities.
An honoralile member: — Another rebellion.
Mr. Laurior: — I grant tliat if that reasoning had
been made by a man in his senses, such as an hono-
rable gentleman on the other side, it would be enough
m
■ i, :
}'■>-:
n u
ox THE EXECTTION OF LOUIS UIEI.
283
to stifle any sympathy we could have for him : but
Ave must make due allowances for the fact that it is
proved that if he was not actually insane, no man
can deny that upon this subject "of politics his mind
Avas not right or sound ; and of course in the case of
ii mind unsound or insane we cannot ai)ply the same
tests that we should apply to a reasonable mind — it
would be unfair to do so. That ho was insane, seems
to me, however, beyond the possibility of controversy.
When the reports first came here last spring and in
the early summer, of his doings and sayings in the
North- West, when we heard that he was to establish
monarchies in the N'orth-West, that he was to depose
the Pope and establish an American Poi)e, thopo who
did not know him believed he was an impostor, l)Ut
those who knew him knew at once what was the
matter with him. In the Province of Que1)ec there was
not an instant's hesitation about it. Almo.st every
man in that Province know that he had been several
times confined in asylums, and therefore it was mani-
fest to the people of the Quebec that lie had fallen into
one of those misfortunes with which he was alllicted.
When his counsel were engaged and comiueiK'ed to
l)repare for his trial, they saw at once that if justice
to him and onl\' justice to him was to be done, their
plea should l)o a plea of insanity. It has been said
that the trial was a fair one. I deny it. I will not go
over some of the arguments which have been put
forward on this subject, luit T ask the special atten-
tion of the House to this fact : This nian asked for a
uionth's delay tV)r his trial : h(^ obtained eight days.
Was that justice ?
WAS THAT P.KlTrSil .MsTICE?
Was that giving fair play to the accused ? When he
swore that justice to his case demanded a dehi}' of
one month, could there be any public reason that
militated against that demand? Ciuild there be any
public reason why such a recjuest as that should not
t
il
118
M f
;. I.
28-1
SPEECH
luivo l)een trrantod ? and yot it was roTused. Again,
when ho asked lor \vitnusf«c3, was tlio icquest granted
liini? No, it was again refused. I again recall the
attention of tlie House to the aflidavit which Kiel
gave, that lie wanted several witnesses, amongst
otliei's (ialiriel Dninontand ,A[ichel Dumas and others.
T grant at once that to hring (lahriel Dumont and
Michel Duma? to tiiis country', hoth of whnm were
lugitives t'ri'in justice, was hardly possihic; hut
lemomher that he asked as an alternative a thing
wliich was peri'ectly leasihle. and it was denied him.
lie askod thi.s alternative under oath :
.5.1
I 'I'. ■>"■'■
Tint unless th ' < Jav.M'iiiuf'iit of tliis t;o:inti'v or thU bond-
riilile I'oiii't do iiro\-iil<-' tin' means with which to seeuic tlic
iitfeinliUico o!' tlu' iiliovi'-n'ini'^<l witiu^sses lief'orc this coai't, it is
essi-ntiiil to my ilcf'oui'e that the various i)a[)ors, wi'itiniTs ami
floiunnmts t.iki'ii from meat the time of my siu'ren<KM' to
ilfueial Mici'lletoii, ami taken 1)V him luul liis olHcers from
my house snliseiiiientlv, sh.iuld be ])laceii in the hands of my
t'oimsel for tli>'ir e.xamination and consideration, previous to
lieing put upon my trial.
Sir, you see the treatment oftlie accused on that
occasion; he asked one oi'two things. lie said either
()rocure me the attendance of certain witnesses.
Cialiriel Duntont and Michel Dumas and otliers, or if
you cannot or will not do that, give to my counsel
tlje papers taken from me at iJatoche. Was there
ever a more moderate or reasonahle petition presented
to a court of justice? When this man simply said : I
do not ask those witnesses if you cannot give them to
me, hut tiiere is one thing you can give to me: you
oan give me communication of my papers which were
taken from me at IJatoclie.
WHY WERE THEY XOT GIVEN?
Reasons uf State ! Why, these jiapers have been moved
for in this present session, and the Government
granted the motion without any objection. There
i t .
4 ; '*
I.
Ij
li
ON' THE EXECUTION OF I.oris KIEL
285
(ouldnot, therefore, beany reason of State. Truf.
they have not been brou>|;lit down yet, but the reason
of ^Stato which was invoked at the trial is not bioujrlit
forward in this House, and wliy? IJeoause sucli a
reason -wouhl never liave stood discussion in tins
public Parliament. Yet with tiiis inii)erfect trial tlie
jury reconnnended him to the mercy of tiie court.
The Minister of Public Works said the other day that
it was nuthiiiL!: unusual for juries to brinfr in verdicts
Mith recouiniendation to mercy. No. it is not unusual,
liut what is very unusual is that tli(! tiovernnienl
sliould iiive no heed to this recommendation. That
was the unusual tlung done on this occasion. After
the trial was over, the conviction'was so deeply seated
in the minds of many friends of the CJovernment tlial
ample and full justice had not been done, that lliey
at once petitioned tlie (Jovernnient to issue acomniis-
sion to examine the ]>risoner, to see
WHETHER HE WAS SANE Oli INSANE
in mind. This petition was made, as I am informed,
liy friends of the (iovernment, to the GovernmeiJt,
aii'ain and again. The (iovernment did not refuse,
buttreated it sim[»ly as the petitions of the half-breeds
were treated — put off, put off, until the very week
tliat i)receded the execution. And then the commis-
sion — was it a commission ? I do not know what kin<i
of instructionswere given ; that we do not know. Jhit
we do know that upon the Sth November, iss."), just a
week before the execution, two medical gentlemen
from the east were at Regina and examined the i)ris-
oner. Were those gentlemen sent to Keginii with
tlie (d>ject of advising the (iovernment whether or not
the sentence should l)e con;muted? T say emphati-
cally, no. T charge this against the Ciovernment again,
that when they sent this so-called ccniimision to
Regina to examine the state of mind of Louis Riel, it
was not with a view (tf determining the (juestion
whether the sentence should lie carried out or com-
Urn r
im ■
!)•,.:
'fl^l''
tl
28G
SPEECH
|.'
muted, but it was to tiirow dust in the eves of the
])ul)lic and enaljle the Government to say afterwards,
we luive consulted specialists and they have reported
in favor oi" sanity. ]5ut, Mr. Speaker, we have it on
record that when this commission was sitting in
Rcpina. when on tlie (Hh, the 7th and the 8th of Nov-
emlier, Dr. Lavell and Dr. Valade were examining Riel
to see whetlier ho was insane or not, at that time the
Cinvernment, had determined to hang Kiel; and this
fact stands to the shame of the (iovernment, perhaps
more tlian anything else, because at that time they
■^vere simi)ly playing a comedy. They were not acting
vi'Ji a \'io\v to justice; they were simply attem]>ting
to blin Ifold the people - to deceive the people. Why,
Sir, the Order in council containing the decision of
the < '.over; nient was passed on the 12th of Noveni})er,
bui long before that time the (fovernment had come
to their CLnol..: ion. The honorable Minister of Militia
about tha: time made a trip to the North-West. lie
arrived at \Mnnipeg on the 7th or 8th of November,
so that he must have left Ottawa about the .'Jrd or -Ith
or the 2nd of November ; and before the honoraljle
gentleman had left Ottawa for \\'innipeg, the sentence,
if not recorded, had lieen decided upon by the advi-
sors of His Excellency. We have the
KV D^Xt'E OF THE I'lIEMIEU niMSEI.K
hi' I.
as to that. Here is a letter whicli was sent by the
honorable Prime Minister to the honoralde Minister
of Militia :
Ottawa, liotli November, 1885.
My Deau Cauo.v,
You .siiy you are charL'erl with having left < >tta\v;i before
the decision of the (iovenior in Counoil was arrived at witli
respect to Louis Kiel, and as if for the purpose of avoidin.L'
being jiarty to the decision.
'I'liis is not the case, the Council had come to the conclu-
sion that it was necessary, in tlie interest of justice, that the
ox THE EXECTTION OF LoriS KIEI
i2S7
sentence should be allowed to he oarried into cd'eet, in your
j)i'esence as a Member of the Council, belbre jou lei't lor
Winnipeg.
Sir, we must give the IVIinister of Militin hir- due;
lie has had ii full share in the hanging of Louis Kiel ;
let him have what really appertains to him. liefdre
lie left Ottawa, the .sentence had been decided hotween
him and his colleagues. Let hini have his full .share
of the merit, if merit there he, or the shame ; let him
have also his full share of the comedy which was
afterwards played before the public. For. I ask it of
any man in his senses — I ask it of any man on the
Opposition lienches ; I ask it of any man in the coun-
trv — was there ever a more
SlIAMEFri, THING ENACTED RV A (iOVEUXMEXT,
than after they had decided to execute, for the pur-
pose of blinding the public, to send a commission to
enquire whether the convict was insane or not ? What
was the object of enquiring whether he was insane or
not, if the (iovernment. at that time, had made up
their minds and decided Jhat he should be hanged?
The object was to do what has since lieen done — to
say to the people of Canada : We have consulted me-
dical officers, and they have reported, and upon their
report we have acted. Sir, it was not ujion this report
that they acted ; this rep(^'t was a false note, and they
did not act upon it, because when they got it their
decision had jjeen arrived at; and upon tliis I arraign
the Government of the country, not only as luMng
guilty of a cruel act, Initas being guilty of an att('mj)t
to deceive the peoj)le of this country. Sir. if the (iov-
ernment had been desirous of learning wbether Kiel
was insane or sane, there was no need of sending a
commission to examine him. Tt would have lieen sudi-
cient to look at his histor\' ; it would iiave lieen sulli-
cient even to look at his re<'nrd in the rebellion. We
have it now as a fact of history that wliilo Ricl was
Vi
'IS'
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4 s
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h
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2SS
Sl'KECH
inducinjf tliiit rebellion, lie cliose iis liis cliiet' adviser
and seerotiuy, a inun nutorioUf-ly insane. William
Joseph Jackson, who si<:;ne(l his letters and Orders in
Council. Will it he pretended by any man that it' U'.el
had l)een in his senses, if he hail had a .«ane and dis-
ecrninif mind, he would have aecepted an in.sane man
as his ehiel' adviser? Why did this not strike honor-
able gentlemen oj)p()site ? One ot' the things whieh we
in Tjower Canada liave felt a deejily a.s we have ever
felt anything, is that we have believed tiiat the mea-
sure of justice; which was extended to Louis I'iel
WAS NOT THE SA.MH MEAsrUK oK .irsTUE
whieh was extended 1o William Josejih .Taekson.
Jackson was ])Ut upon his trial, ami I am bound to
say this, in duty to tlic Crown ))resecut()rs. that upon
that occasion they did their dutv- They ucknow-
letlged at once the insanity of the jirisoner and di-
rected an aeipiittal. The trial of Jackson took place
on tlie 'iCith of July last. Mr. Osier, counsel for the
(.'rown, in opening the case, spoke as follows : —
'I'ho prisoner is rliaiired with liiiviiij; participatoil in the
rocent rebellion, with having acteil in the capacity of private
st'crctary to Louis Kiel, the leader of the reliellion, lie is
chargt><l heio now Ibrinally with this crime, bttt it is under-
stoocl that the counsel for the i)iisoner, ^Ir. Mc.\rtiiiu, will be
able to <;ivft you sat i.«factoiy evidence of the insanity of tho
prisoner, and that he is not re.allt responsible, and was not res-,
ponsible lor the acts eonniiitted by him. The Crown do not
propose to contest that contention on ilie [)art of iirisonei^'s
coimsel. The evidmice, in fact, comes iioai the medical men
who have exainine<l the prisoner on the jjart ol' the Crown,
and eviilence that has c(jino to the knowledge of counsel for
the down, during the course of prei)aratiou for other tri.'tls, is
conclusive that, at the time he committed the acts, he was not
responsible for them.
Now. Sir, it is important to look at the evidence
which was adduced on that occasion. Dr. Jukes was
examined : —
I'y Mr. < isler — Q. la he so insane that it would be unfair
to say he was not responsible for his acts ?
fr'^f^M
ON THE EXECUTION OF LOUIS KIEL
289
A. — Thcrpare occasions wlicn I would coiisidor ho would
be quite responsible ; to-day he spoke and reasoned with nie
in a manner that was veiy clear, but only three days n^'o he
was crazed. Ilisuiind seems to be dazod. J do not think that,
to brinf; him at a moment's notice, lie woukl be cajiablo of
conducting his trial, or of doing justice to himself in any
manner.
Q To a considerable extent, your opinion is, that he could
not control his actions ?
A. — I have never seen anything about liitn to give me the
impression that his actions were uncontiollahlo. It is rather
his mental liallucinations, his iileas. He holds jioculiar ideas
on religious matters in connection with this trouble, and in
connection with the new religion of which he thinks that
I/juis Kiel is the founder, and which he thinks it is his duty to
sustain.
Q Would this be consistent with his ronniiitting criinc?
A. — If he spoke rationally 1 would think so, but he does
not.
Q Then you would not hold him responsible for acts
done in connection with these ideas?
A — If he comaiittt'd any acts in the condition he is now,
] would not hold him responsible. The slightest excitement
produces a great eilect ujion him.
Well, Mr. Speaker, I ask
ANY FArn-:.;iNi)Ei) man,
if this apfjlies to William Jose])!! .Tackson. would not
every line of it apply equally to Louis Kiel ? T.< it nut
a fact that these two men wore deluded on tlic same
suhjects? Jackson spoke rationally, but hehad hallu-
cinations, just as Kiel had ; and yet one of these men
is acquitted, is sent to an asylum, and is then allowed
to escape, while Louis Kiel is sent to the ^'allows.
Jackst)n is free to-day, and Kiel is in his ;,n'ave. I
therefore cannot come to any other conclusion than
that upon this occasion the same measure of ju:-tice
which was extended to one man was not extended to
the other. I do not want to raise national prejudices,
hut prejudices are not always the out-growth of
ignoble passion ; sometimes they are simply the out-
11.)
t!
I ,
290
SPEECH
f-
fi'
fi
growtli of a nol)le piission ; national i)rejudices may
be the ou1-{i:ro\vth ()f national ])ride, and when the
l)eople of Lo\vor-(!ana(la tound that the one prisoner
was treated in one way and the other in a ditTerent
way, there was occasion, at least, why they should
feel as they did ujjon this matter. ]iut we never knew,
until the Minister of Tuhlic Works spoke the other
day, what was the true reason ofthe execution of Kiel.
We have it now ; he has spoken and we know what
was the true inwardness of it. The CJovernment had
written a pamphlet in order to justify themselves.
The utility of that pamphlet is gone; it never had
any ; not one ofthe reasons it gave for the execution
of Kiel was the true reason. It never had any useful-
ness at all, except, perhaps as atlording to the CJovern-
ment job printing to
SETTLE THE WAVERING CONSCIEXCES
! 7 '■ ^ l-ii '-■'
of some of their followers. But now we know the true
reason why Kiel was executed, and here it is in the
language ofthe Minii-ter of Public Works:
AVe liiul tliis liefoi'p us, we had the fact thrit Louis IJiel hnd,
fiflttui yenm before this, roiniiiittecl iin act which was coiisitl-
ereil at the time one that should have lieen jiuiiislied in tlie
most severe way. The prisoner, Louis Riel, at tliat time was
not condemned to a seveie punishment ; he wa-. allowed to
remain out of the country i'or five yeai's, and he was not
bi'ouL'ht helbre a ti'ibunal to be tried, and jiunished orabsolved,
ibr the ileath of'Thomas Scott,
II
Here is the reason — the death of Thomas Scott
Since T have named Thomas Scott, let me pause a
moment. The Minister of Public Works said the other
day that those who sympatliised with Riel could not
condemn the Government for his execution, because
they excused him for the execution of Scott, and the
only defence made in his favor was that the act was
done by a 'Ic facto guvernmcnt. This was not the true
raiFon. Whether the government of Riel was a 'Ic facto
ox TIFK EXECt'TION OF LOllS KIEL
291
guvorniueiit or not. is a (luestion u]ion wliich there
may be considerable difference of opinion. The death
of Scott hag not been pi-osccuted for other reasons, to
which T shall come presently, but since I have spoken
of the death of Scott, I must say that I have always
held the view that it was one of the most painful tra-
j^edies that has ever occurred in the life of any country ;
it was one of those acts for which there could be no
possible excuse, unless the excuse we now have, that
the man's mind was unsound. I cannot conceive
THAT ANY ONE OF SOUND MIND
could have committed so crual an act. Wiiether
the death of Scott was the act of a ^/e/'c(c/o government
or not, does not matter. Dc facto governments are
sometimes truilty of judicial murders, as we know to-
day. Whether the act of Iliel was the act of a ile
facto Government or not, if that man had been respon-
sible for his acts, as gentlemen on the Treasury ben-
ches are responsible for theirs, then the execution of
Scott would be a stiiin on the memory of Kiel, just as
the execution of the Duke d'Enghien is a stain on the
memory of Napoleon, as the execution of Louis XVI
is a stain on the records of the French Convention, as
the execution of Admiral J^yng is a stain on the
English (lovernment of that day, as the execution of
Mary Stuart is a stain on the memory of Queen Eliza-
beth, and as the execution of Riel will be a permanent
stain and shame on the i)resent Government. The
death of Scott is the cause of tlic death of Uiel to-day !
Wliy, if the hon. gentleman thinks that the death
of Scott was a crime, did he not punish Uiel at the
time? Scott was executed in tlie early days of ISTO,
the Government reniained in ])ower until the fall of
1S73, yet they never did anything to In-ing that man
to justice, whn had committed such a crime as they
say now he committed. 187(J-71-72-73, almost four
full years, passed away, and yet the (iovernment,
knowing such a crime as it lias l^eeu represented here
u
A
292
SrEKClI
t:; :f ^
had 1»een comniittod. nover took any step to have the
crime i)unishe(l. What was their reason? The reason
was that the (Jovernnicnt had iironiised to condone
the ofTence; tlie reason was that tlio tlovernment were
not willinfj to let that man come to trial, hut on tho
contrary, actually 8U))i)li('d him with money to induce
him to leave the country, and, Sir, T ask any nian on
the other side of the House, if thi.s ofTence wu8
punishable, why was it not jjunished tlien ? And if
it was not punifhahle then, why nhould it be punislied
now? The lanjiuajre nf tliehon. L'cntleman is ohvious,
it is i)lain, it ia transjiareut, it was spoken hy the
Minister of Militia, who showed that this otrence
SHOn.l) HAVE niOKN Kri.l.V I'AUDONEI)
li
at the time. Well, if the oftence was to be fully par-
doned at the time, is it fair to brini/ it as a charge
against the oftcnder now ? Ts it now fair to l)asc a con-
demnation of death against him, upon it? Sir, T say
it is one of the greatest mistakes — not a mistake alone,
l)ut one of the gravest wrongs against tlie rights of
mankind that ever was i)erpetrated by any (ioveru-
ment. Yet I must say I was not altogether surprised
at the language nf the lion. .Minister of Public Works.
"We had heard something of that before. The Secre-
tary of State visited his county in the month uf Jan-
uary, and he al?o s]'oke of this event and the execu-
tinnofLnuis Uiel. The Minister of Public Works
would not meet his accusers except uiion the Hour oi
Parliament. The Secretary of State did not object to
meet the ])eople. but not his accusers. Still, he went
to Terrelminie. and here is the manner in which he
spoke of the death of Scott :
I bavo iiiy symy.atliics for the lialf.broeds, and I liave
proved it ; I liavo )]ioved it bel'oie today. In ]<S74, wlieii
Ambroise Li'])ine w.as accused of murder, 1 travelled over l',0(J()
miles to defcutl liiin. I did not go round passing iny hat for
bubsciiption to pay uic for del'endinj: the accuseil. 1 tlid it
A;^
ON THE KXKCL'TION OF I.OCIS lUEL
203
inant'ully.witliout any liopc of reward. (Choors.) Tlio insunt'o-
tioii nl' jsvil IiikI a coliii' III' all ox(Hist>. Men lii,i;luir tliaii 1 am
in |tolitics liiivi' ^.'(iiicso Coras to Hay that tiicri' wasjustilioatioii
lor till' rchi'llidii 111' that ilay. It was tli" ass(>ition of tlio ri,u'lits
of nationality a;.'ainsl tlw cession of territory \iy Huju'ume
powi'i'. I liffi^mli'il mv iliiMit ami ilurin^ tliai ilofiMicr I lia<l
proof, anil tlio hiwt [iroof, t()o, that tlio killini; of tlin unfortu-
nato Soott was onn of tlin nimt atrocious n\iirili'rs cvor com-
niittoil. That atrocious nmrilcr was without tho connivance
ami without the ajiproval of hcpino, hut it was tho result of
the scllish vengeance of the i!ieu dictator of tho North-West
— Louis Kiel.
sirii was THE language
spoken liy tlie li()iinriilil('<;;ontIoiuan on that uccasion.
lie was spoakiiij;; ,sonH'thiii<^ like ten years alter he
had gone to the Nnrtli-West to <h'fenil Anihroise
Lepinc, tuul alter he liad iicijuired that knowledge
which enal)led him to sny that the murder of Scott
was one <tf the most atrorinus iuurch>rrf ever coni-
mittod. Vet, scarcely a few weeks after his return
from \Vinni[)e<,', where lie had defended Lcpine, the
honorable gentleman movei' u the Legislature of
Quebec, a resolution, in whieli he thus characterises
the act which lie now represents as one of the most
atrocious murders ever committed:
The trouhlos in the settleuiont of the Red Hiver, now the
I'rovmco of Manitoba, in ISfi('i-7(), ui. fortunately produced a
conflict of such a nature as to develop into a risinj; of consi-
deiahle uiaL'nituile. Tlie leaders of that movement then cons-
titiiteil themselves into a government, and one act to ho
deplored, perpi'trated under the assumed authority of that
government, was the execution of one of the subjects of Her
Majesty. • » • » While bowing to tho verdict rendered
against one of the actors in tlio movement above mentioned,
public oi)inion in that remote Province of Manitoba, as well
as in other Provinces ol the Dominion, and even in Piiigland,
luis boon strongly impressed with tho idea that the deplorable
act of violence is so interwoven with the political events of
that unhappy period as to roiuler it impossibh; to assimilate it
to ordinnrv cases of murder. ♦ • • With the view of satis-
^tr--
^ I
I l!
{ 1
294
fiPEECH
M .
fyingsuch sentiment of clemency, and of realizing the ideas of
conciliation, peace and tranquility, which ]iresided over the
establishment ol' the Confederation, and further with the view
of removing all causes of divisions and hostile sentiments from
among the various nationalities of the country, and esjiecially
with the view of giving ett'eci to the recommendation to mercy
uhich thejury coupled with their verdict, your Excellency is
humbly prayed to bo pleased to exercise, in favor of Ambroise
Lepine, now under sentence, the royal prerogative of mercy,
by extending to liim grace and pardon.
Now, if in 1874, the lionor.able gentleman, just
fresh from Winnipeg, wliere lie liacl juf-t doiendcil
Lejuiie, represented this net as one " so interwoven
•witli the political events of that unhappy i)eriod as to
render it impossihle to assimilate it to ordinary cases
of murder, " in order to t)l)tain the life of one man, is
it fair and just now to represent the same act as an
atrocious murder in oidcr to take the life of another
man? Sir, this issue of the death of Hcott
|V;'.;i
HAS LONG I3KEN A BURIEl) ISSUE,
and it shouM not have lieen brought up again for ])0-
litical consideration. There was a. time wlicn it was a
living issue, too living an issue, ))efore the people
of this country. When the administration of my
honorable friend the member for ]']ast-York (Mr.
^facken/io) came into power, that had been for year?
a living, burning issue before the i»uiilic. Scott had
been executed in the early days of ISTt) An amnesty
had been promised Ity tiie men who now sit on the
Treasury benches. l)Ut they never had the courage to
carry it out : they never iiad the courage t<i stand by
their word and ileal to the (drenders in that rebellion,
what they bad promised to them. They allowed
years and years to j^ass, and, in the meantime, pas-
sions were getting more and mor(> bitter. Tiiere are
prejudices in Ontario, and there are iirejudices in
Quebec, and upon such a <|Uestion the people of On-
tario took one view and the people of Quebec took
k-f ^i
ON THE EXECUTION OF LOUIS RIEI.
295
the other view. Tlie people of Ontiirio demiiiideJ
that the law should take its course; the people of
Quehec demanded that the promises uf the Govern-
ment should he carried out ; and between the two
})ruvince3 tlie p:overnment had not the courage to do
anything, and they allow(-d this bitterness of feeling
to grow until it became a ])ublic danger, which they
had not the coirage to face. Ihit when the govern-
ment of my honorable friend the member fur East •
York came into power, they grappled with the diffi-
culty and settled it in a way wliich must ever l)e a
credit to them. They asked their followers from
Ontario and from Quebec each to give up a certain
])urtion of their pretentions for tlie common weal. each
to sacrifice upon the altar of their country something
of their i)reventions and to unite upon a common
course; and upon that they united and the result has
been what was stated l)y the honoralde member for
Rouville (Mr. Gigault)",
THAT AT LAST PEACE PREVAILED
which had l)cen unknown for many long years. This
issue of the death of Thomas Scolt lias l)een long dead
and now it is raised by whom .-' It is raised by mem-
bers opposite — the last men who should ever speak of
it. j^ir. we are a new nation, we are attempting to
unite the different conlUcting'olements which we liave
into a nation. Shall we ever succeed if the Bond of
Union is to Itc revenge, if we are to rake up the old
sores and launcli tb"m at the heads of one another ?
I am sorry that tlie (iovernuient upon this occasion
did not take a leaf from the book of our friends to the
south of us. Alter the civil war was over, there were
men who,w]ion tiicy then fiilly learnt of the outrages at
the Andersonville prison and other places, demanded
that, if an amnesty was given to political otrendcrs,at
least tliose who were guilty r,f those outrages should
be brought to justice ; Init not a dmp of blood was
shed, not a trial was luid, and it i^ manifest to-day
f ■
296
S-PEECH
that the nation is the greater for it. I am sorry also
that the Government did not take another leaf from
the book of the American nation. I believe
TflEUE WAS A REASON
— a reason adequate to my mind, at least — why they
should have granted, if not an anmesty — I do not say
that -at all events a commutation of sentence. On
the 1.3tli May, the day after the battle of Batoche,
General Micldleton, the commander of forces, wrote as
follows to Louis Kiel :
Mii. Uii:r., — I am roady to receive you ami your council,
ami to protecit you until your cause has been tlecidecl upon by
the Canadian fiovernment.
Fi;i:d. Midijletov.
Riel surrendered. Did he or did he not surrender
in virtue of that letter, of that invitation of General
Middleton? On that point tlu>re can lie no better
evidence tlian that of tiencral Middleton himself:
May, l;')ta I sent out parties of mounted men, under
Major ISoultou, to scour tiie woods. In the atteriioon two
scouts — Armstrong and I lourie — who had been sent oat with
Boulton, and liad mnveil away by themselves, came U])Ou
Uiel, who.yave liiniselfui), produc'iug my letter toliim,in wldch
I summoned him to surrender and jjromised to piotect him
until his case was considered by the Canadian Government.
Sir, is there not evidence here that Riel then sur-
rendered i.>y virtue of the invitation given l)y General
Middleton? If such is tlie case, then T submit it to
any man's sense of justice and honor if the Canadian
(tovernmcnt were justified afterwards in executing a
man. tlieir prisoner upon their own invitation? It
may be that legally speaking Kiel could not bring
tiiis as a bar in his trial to any indictment against liitn,
but it seems to me that it is rei)Ugnant to any one's
sense of honor and justice that a man whom ycnihave
\
m ^ii
fi «-.v.
ox THE EXECUTION OF LOUIS RIEL
207
invited to l>econio your prisoner in order to avoid the
death ofti soldier upon the battlefield, should after-
wards be hanged to a gibbet.
THE LETTER OK GeXEUAL ^FiDDLETOX
was un(loul)tedly dictated by tl.'e most humane senti-
ments and not only that, but it is evident also that
the course was politic. We sec l)y the report of the
(ieneral that, afler the cai)ture of i>atoche, one of his
objects was the capture of Riol. As long as Kiel was
in the field the reliellion was not ended, and tliere was
a possibility that he niiglit organise guerilla bands^
an.' more lives and treasure would have to be spent
b(,fore the reijellion was supi)re.=scd. The General
f iates in his report :
May. 14th We marched lor Lc] line's rioisiii!.'. Having
halted for dinner, I received inloimation that Kiel was some-
where in the vicinity, .so determined to make for (iuiudapui,
or Sliort's Crossing, wliich was some miles nearer,and camp foi-
the nijjlit.
You see the General is obliged to alter his course,
because Kiel is in a certain direction which he had
not anticipated. Then when Kiel surrendered, the
least the Government could do. was not to treat him
as they would have done if he had been taUen on tlie
tield of battle. We have in this matter the precedent
of General Lee and Cieneral (irant. On the "ind April,
ISC)."), Richmond, which had so long witlistood the
Union forces, surremlered, and Ciener; '. Lee com-
menced his retreat with the object of joii •, , his forces
with those of General .Tohnston. He was followed
closely liy the victorious army, auil, on the 7th of
April, (ieneral (irant sent him a letter, nut inviting,
but sim))ly suggesting to him to surrender. General
Lee refused, and continued to fight ; but, two days
afterwards, finding that his situation was hopeless,
he souglit a conference with (ieneral Grimt. and ac-
■ n
f
^- ■" M'.
'.I /
298
SPEECH
cepted th'i invitation to gurrender. General Grant
dictated lu3 terms, and here they are :
Appomattox Court IIol'si:, Virginia,
9th April, ISO.",.
Gi;m:ual In accorilance witli tlie substance of my letter
to you of tlio Stli instant, [ jji'oposc to receive tlio surreniler of
tiie army olXorthern Virginia on the following terms, to wit :
Kolls of all the ollicers an<l men to be maile in duplicate, ono
copy to he given liy an orticer designated by me, tlie oth(M' to
be ristained by such ollieer or officers as you may designate.
The otHceis to give their individual i)aroles not to take up
arms against the (iovornment of the United States until [>ro-
peiiy exchanged, and eacli company or regimentid commander
to sign a like pai'ole foi' the men of his command. The arms,
artillery and jaiblic ))rnperty to be packed and stacked, and
turned ovov to the ollii'i'i's a|>pointed Ity me to reci'ive them.
This will net embrace the sid(> arms of the officers, nor tlieir
private horses or baggage. This done, each officer and man will
be allowed to return to his home, not to be disturbed by the
Unite<l States authority so lo)ig as they oijserve tln'ir iiaroles
ami the laws in force where they m.iv reside.
General K. C. Lee.
U. S. Grant.
•v
% .'
There you see thut tlie surrendered army were paroled.
Tliey were not con lined, but allow(3d to go at liberty
.so long a.s as they ilid not take up arms again and
violate thr> law.-ortbo United States: Imt some autho-
rities in the I'liiled States held that tliis did not pre-
vent the (iovernnient iVoni ))rosecuting the leaders
lor treason ; for g'uiUy of treason they certainly were.
The new President of the rnitcd States, Andrew
Jolmson. tool; steps to bring (ieneral Lee. and several
of the most prominent ollicers to trial. Tiiis was stead-
ily opposed by General Grant. The magnanimity of
(ieneral (irant's character then came out. and lie
threatened to resign liis jiosition in the army if Gene-
ral Lee and the other prisoners of war were tried for
treas<in. A few montiis afterwards a committee of
ON THE EXECUTION OF LOUIS RIEL
'299
Congress sat upon the question. General Grant was
brought before the committee and gave this evidence :
I fre(|uently had to intercede for (leneral Leo and otlier
paroled ofKcers, on the groinid that then- parch:', so long as
they observed the laws of the Uniteil States, protect them from
arrest and trial. The President, at that time occujjied exactly
the reverse grounds, viz. : that they should he tried and i)un-
jshed. He wanted to know when the time would come when
they would be punished. 1 told him not so long as they obeyed
the law and complied with tlie stipulation.
Eldritlgo — You looked on that in the nature ol' a parole,
and held that they could only be tried when they violated that
parole.
(rrant Yes, that is the view I took of the question.
Eldridge: — Did you consider that that applied to. J etferson
Davis ?
(irant: — No, Sir, ho did not take any parolo. It applied to
no pei'sou who was captured — only to those who were [)aroled.
Eldrid^ic: — Did the President insist that (jenoral Lee
should bo tried for tieason ?
Grant: — He contondod for it I insisted that (ioneral
Lee would not have surrendered his army, or given up thoi
arms, if he had suppose 1 that after surrender, he was goin
be tried ibr treason and hanged.
Now, is it not manifest, as was stated l)y the
liolioraltle nipin])cr for West IFuron tlie other ni^ht,
that if Riel liad supposed that in surreiidorinu- he
wouhl meet witli tlie same fate as if he was taken pri-
soner, ho wouM never liavo surrendered, but would
havo(U)neas Gabriel Dutuont and several others did?
Kei'urring to the American case, who can dould that
of those two men, Andrew .Tojuison and General Grant,
the true statesman, the true i)atriot. was the one who
iulvocated clemency? You see the result to-day.
Scarcely t\k"enty years liavo passed away since that
reliellion, the most terrible that ever shook a civilised
nation, v.'as ]nit down, and bccan-^e of the mercitul
course adopted by the victors, the two sections of
that ( ountry are now more closely united than ever
before, mcn-e closely even than they were when light-
V r V
3
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300
SPEECH
I ' h ■■.'•: ■
■ ■- ■--' ; I:
I^:;;^J
, : ''iv
tlt^;^ ■■
ing fur their independeuce.
meiit
The Canadian Goveru-
SIIOI'LD HAVE FOI.I.OWED THIS EXAMPLE,
and I repeat again that \vc cannot make a nation of
this new country by sliedding l)lood, Ijut only ))y
extendi nii; mercy and charity for all political offences.
Tlie Ciovernnient say they were desirous of giving a
lesson. In the last paragraph of their written defence,
they say :
hi deciilini.' \'ov the apiilioition tor the cn:n:nutiition of
seiiti-nci^ passed upon tlio prisoiior tlio (rovei'iiiinMit were
olili.L'oil to kee[( in view tlio need of exemplary au'l deterrent
puni-iluniMit comuiitte I in a oouiitry situated in rexird to
settlement and iiopulation as are tlie XorthWest Torritorie.- ;
the isolation and deleueeless position of the settlers already
there: the horrors to which tney have hoen exposed in tlus
event of an Indian outi)reak ; the effect upon intendinu
settlers of any weakness in the aihninistration of law, ami the
cousenuences which nuist follow such a course in a country if
it came to be ludieViMl that such crimes as Kiel's could Ije
eomuiitteii without incurrinj; the extreme penalty of the law,
by any one who was either >uhJeot to delusions, or eouM lead
peo))ie to believe he was so subject.
Indeed the Government have convinced all the
people here mentioned, the half-l)reeds, the Indians,
the white settlers, tiiat their arm is long and strong,
and that they are ))owerful to ])unish. Would to
heas'en that they had taken as much pa'ns to con-
vince them all, the half-ljreeds, Indians and white
settlers, of their desire and their willingness to do
them justice, to treat them fairly. Had they taken as
much pains to do right, as they have taken to punish
wrong, they never Avould have had any occasion to
convince those people, that the law cannot be violated
with impunity, because the law would never have
l)eeii violated at all. But to-day, not to speak of those
who have lost their lives.
r/
m'.
ON THE EXECUTION OF I.OVTS KIEL
301
to
ULR rni.SONS ARE FULL OF MEN
who, desi)airing ever to get justice by i)eace, suught
to obtaiu it liy war, who. despairing of ever being
treated like freemen, took tlieir lives in their hands,
rather than l)e treated as slaves. Tliey have sufTered
a great deal, they are sufTering still ; yet, their sacri-
fices will not be without reward. Their leader is in
the grave ; they are in durance, but from thoir i)ri-
sons they can sec that
THAT JUr^TICE, THAT LinEUTY
whicli they sought in vain, and for which they fought
not in vain, has at last dawned upon their country.
Their fate well illustrates the truth of Ityion's invoca-
tion to liberty, in the introduction to tlie Prisoner of
Chi. Ion :—
Eternal Sj)ii'it of the cluiinloss niiml !
Bi'ighte.st in ilungeons, Liberty tliou art !
Vov thiM'o thy hai)itatioii is the heart —
Tlie lieai't whicli love of thee alone can himl :
And when thy sons to fetters are consigneil —
To fetters ami the damp vault's daylcss gloom,
Their country con(juers with their martyrdom.
Yes, tlieir country has conquered witli their mar-
tyrdom. They are in durance to-day ; but tlio riidits
for wliich they were fighting have bc'cn acknowledged.
We have not the report of the commission yet. but we
know thnt more tlian two tliousand claims so long
denied have been at last granted. And more — still
more. We have it in the Speech from the Throne lliai
at last representation is to be granted to those Terri-
tories. This side of the House long sought, but soiiglit
in vain, to oljtain that measure of justice. It could
not come then. Init it came after tiio w;ir; it came as
tlie last conquest of tliat insurrection. .\nd again I say
that their country has conquered witli their inartti-
(buii. and if wo look at that one fact alone tliere was
cause sulVirient. independent of all others, to extend
mercy to the one who is dead and to those who live.
1 1\.
I .
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I', i ' .
MR. imm AT TORONTO
THE GRIEVANCES OF THE HALF-LllEEDS
AND KIEL'S EX1-:CUTI0N
A COMPLETE STATEMENT OF THE
QUESTION
THE BAMK LANGUAGE AT QVEBEC AND AT TOKONTO
A SPLENDID TUirMI'H OVER PREJUDICE AND SI.ANDKU
Mr. Lanriei's .advci'saiios liaving Ijoastdl that he would not
(laro to repeat helbfe th(> people of <.»iita>io the lanj:ua,i.'e he
hatl held in liis own province relative lo the llalf-lireed I'ebel-
lion, he seized the lir.-t oitportmiity to take up tlu; eliallenge.
Accepting with hcmoralilo Mr. lilake the invitation extended
to hiiu by the Young Men's Lilieral Club ot Toronto, he thi.'re
delivered, on the lOth Iieceniber l^SG. the following ^peci'li. .'ui
excellent rojiort oFvvhieh was jiubli-'hed by the (i/rl c next d ly.
The two Lilteral leaders spoke to a crowded house in the Hor-
ticultural Pavilipn, the gathering lieiiig so large that many
could not obtain admission, ''he chair was taken by Mr. W.
D. <iregory. President ol the ('lub, with .Nfr. Laurii-r on his
right and Mi'.Blake on his left, and among the other gentlemen
on the platform were ifessrs A. A. Marsh, 1!. 1!. Hughes, A. 1".
Chamberland, I'atnck Hughes.W.A.Doughiss.r.B.Casgraiuir.t'.,
i !
f ■ S.
304
SPEECH
i
■1 ;
i
1^
■:| ■ ;||j|
;'■
• 't ','
w
lion. "\V. ^foMiister, .Iosc'|>li Kilf-'our, II. If. Dcwart, first Vico-
rrcsiilont ol'tlio young Lihenil Club; .1 . II. (Jilmorc^, TrciLsurci'
<if the Club ; ('apt Snelgroovc, oditor of tlio Oilmuri/ li'ur/il ;
.lolin Dryiniin, Ailiun H. Grcobiian, .J. F. Edjiur, M. I'., II. B.
Manli'V, .N', C. Love, (Jeorj^o W. Ivoojy, (i. \V. Bailirorow, Alo.x.
Boyd, 1) Carlyk', U. 15. Ilainiltoii, .jolm Loys, liev. .loliii J.
Slioa, irciiiy Swan. 1 1. Laforoe, ami K. A. Dickson. Every
class olToronto's iiojiulatiou was i'(']ii-csi'iit('il in tlio audicMU'e,
whit'li also incluiU'il lar;:(' nuinbi-rs ol Torii's, but, as rcinaiktMl
by the (//(//(c, the oni tors' ai'fZLnnents wi>ro so coiivinfini; ami
tlicir logi(! so iii'Osistil;lt>, that tho only maiks of Wisiipproval
well" a ii'W .si^attciiing lu'otcsts t'loai indivi'luals, which wci'o
iininoiliately silenced by tho cheers ol the crowd. Mr. Laurier
spoke ai I'ollows :
y\\l. ClIAIIiMAN,
LaIiIKS AM) (iENTLEMEN.
It is ever Avith a sense of (lifTidenee that I rise to
address an Englisli-speakint; audience. I ever feel
and realize the j^reat disadvantage of having to nuike
u.s(! of a language which is not my own native language.
This impresses me now — now especially as I am glad
of tlie honor of addressing an audience of the city of
Toronto — of a great city wliicli, Ijy common consent,
is awarded tho i)alm for inlellectual culture in
Canada. Yet these considerations, ladies and gentle-
men. I lay aside, however only for tlie great <iuestion.
tlie momentous issue, on which ])erha])Sthe i'ew words
I have to speak miglit suggest something to you. Tlie
fact that a Canadian now comes hefore you whose
mother tongue Is not tlie iCnglisli tongue, hut one
whose pride springs sharply up in love for our
nation, is an ever important fact especially when there
are in Canada fidly. at tiiis moment, one million and
a half of Her Majesty's subjects who in their language
and other characteristics malerially dilTor from the
rest of the poi)ulation. Up to a recent date this fact
had never Ijeen given with other reference than a
reference of courteous fellowship, and a mutual feel-
ing pervaded in certain (juarters where the language
was of a very dilTerent description. Fur several
AT TORONTO IX 1SS6
306
months past the prc-ss Dftliis province, the Tory jiresa
of tliis province, and especially oftliis city, has lieeii
assiduously sending the impression abroad, and time
and attain niakinj^ the assertion, that tliere is in the
whole French race of Canada an ever fermentin^j ele-
meni of rebellion ; that the whole French race are not
loyal to the constituti(Mi of this country: that they
will not submit to the duties of citizenshij) except in
BO far as they tally with their interests and prejudices;
and if I am allowed, and T think \ will lie on this
occasion. T will refer to my own individual standing
when T am represented day after day
AS A TRAITOR AND A REHKL.
T am here this evening' ; my chief object in com-
ing here to this city of Toronto was to meet those
accusations, and meet them in the face of the jjeoplc to
whom they are daily addressed. And T am thankful to
you, .Mr. Chairman; and T thank also the Young J^ih-
erals of Toronto f(jr giving me tlie opportunity, which
I now shall avail myself of. of meeting these charges
and repelling them, as I hope, and I am sure I will
rci)cl them to your satisfaction.
There are several topics of great interest in which
we are all interested, and on which I would like to
address you. I am a French Canadian but above all,
I am a C'anadian. and there are common interests
upon which we have the same feeling, but T hope
that upon this occasion I shall be))ermitted chietly to
devote myself to the task of repelling these charges.
Tt is alwa^'S easy, gentlemen, to make charges. It
is always an easy thing to raise prejudices, but I
would challenge any man to bring forward anything,
either word or fact, which would tend to show that
since the year 1841 the French Canadians have not
been the most loyal sulgects that Kngland ever liad.
]5ut before T proceed one single step further, let mo
ask who are the traducers? ^^'ho are they who now
])ro''ess to be shocked and alarmed at thisalleuod dis-
•'II
m,
h ' i: 'k ■
nor,
SPEKCII
loviilty nf tlm Fi'oiich Ciiuiwlinns ? Who iirc tlicy?
Why. tlioy iirc the men. the very im'ii.whu.m' j)iirty for
thirty long yeiirs. with sciircoly un oxccption. hiM
hecn Uejit in jjowcr hy tli(f votes ot'thi' very nion w hmn
tliey now hold up to the exeeriition of their I'l'Uow
fluhjects. It is u niJitter of history that Hince the yrnr
iSo', up to a low years a^othe j^-reat innss ol'the French
Canadians have hoon almost unanimous in their sup-
jiort of llie Conservative party. It is a nnitter of in*-
tory that l"or almost the whole of that lony period of
time the Consorviilive [laity
in
m
■r
,1'
HAS I'.KKN KKI'T 1 .\ I'oWKIi
hy the votes ol'the Kreiuh Canadians. It is ii imitter
of hii-tnry that for the greater part of this period, the
Conservative party w;is led in flower Canaihi. without
any ohjoction I'rom Ontario Tories .-d far as I know.
by a man whose meninry I respect. Sir (loorge K.
Cartier, who at one time was ii rehel iu;tu;illy in arms
atxaiiist the ('rown of Kn^dand. ft is a matter of liiR-
tory th;it durini;' thiil time the lloinMn ( 'atholie Church
gave ostensilih; and most ellicient suppoil to the Con-
pervMtive party, iind it is also a mntter of history that
duMni:' idl that time, so loni,' as the French Canadians
continued solid to keep the Tory }iarty in jtower. the
Ontario Tories never found any i'ault with the I'reneh
Canadians; they never saw any danger in the power
of the Church. They enjoyed power and all the henctit
of power. thi'V enjoyed it for all it was worth and
nioie than it was worth, and tlie tcuiler, delicate,
sensitive Toi'y conscience never exposed to the outside
\v(U'l(l any trace of the alarms which, no douht, judg-
ing from the tone of their press, they alway.s felt.
Their press was very different in tone from what it is
to-day. It was then every day redolent witl
mo.st ful.somc i)raise of the Church and of (1*0 F
Canadian people. They wrote column ■ •
to i)rove that the French Canadians wi ei;, '
people. They issued certain circular.- ))e ,sh .i
! '*■: '
AT TiiltOMO IN ISSn
uiily td crrtiiiii elfctnr,.! to pi'DVc tliiit tlieTury |i;iny
\v(!i'<' tilt' true .SDiM (if tlio Cliurcli . Imt an soon a- t he
Frciicli Caiiailiaii;^ uiHlortook to ilividc, luid so |>ut
tin-
T
irv
iivcrmiioiit 111 (Inuuer,
TIIKV I II AM.I'.li rilKIl; TACTICS
and liilttaly attacUcd luitli the race and tlifir Cluu'cli,
liicli licl'oic tlicy had liccii .-^uiiportiii;^ mid llnttcriii^
^\'llat was tlic caiir
W
it was tlie iiiotiV(
It wad
liL'rrf( tty transparent. Tlic niotivo in c!Ver the ^aiue,
(lie niotivo of tiie attack and the motive of tho adula-
tion. Tt is to i<'tain iiowcr, and tlio tactica are tlie
saiiif. The sudden appeal to prcjiulice is of the .same
kind ami the same character.
Vc'teinhiy in orth'r to retain power the.^e men
pandered to tiie prejudices of my fellow-countrymen
in Canada. To-day when tlioy see tliat, notwith-<taiid-
in;j; all that, the votes are now escai>in,uf Ihein. they
turn in another direction and [lan
der t<
dice they suppo.'^e may exist in tlii.s provii
wiiat preju-
icc
Well,
rentleinen, let me u;o a step further and say that if
to-morrow my countrymen were a^rain to unite in
supjiort of the (ioverniiKiit you would liiid them as
active in fawnin<,' upon them as ever. Vou would
llml them as sly as mice, and with teeth as sharp to
pick the eriimlis of ollice, and not a word more would
you hear of the power of the Church, ami the s(
dislovaltv of the French CanatUan.s. (ientlemen, I
••called
III I
fr<;e to admit this, and without anv restriction, that
previous to the year IS]], that is, to the irrantinj: of
resjionsilile udvcrniiKMit to tlie jicoplc ol'this country,
everv man of the race to which I helon^r was a rehel.
either in iiriiH or in heart. Knt <loe
It
.111
litH'ause our fathers wen; rehels. that their sons should
harlior treason in their hi.'arts? I am sure there must
he in this auilieiu^e .an ajipreciation of the sentiments
of I ho.--e gallant lli^dilanders wiio l'ou<ilit hy the side
of Prince Charlit! at (ulloden. apainst thelJritish llaiz'.
which even then floated in almost all the lands of the
fl^
,1 '
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my
IT It ■)
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308
SPEECH
■• ' ■ ,
earth. It is to tlie testimony of that hour that I
apjieal. Their course, after the rebellion was over, is
a living witness of the fact that
THE MOST FERVENT LOYALTY
can take the place of sullenness, and even rohellion.
What was true, gentlemen, oftlio Scotch Iliixhlandors,
is true also of my fellow-countrymen, the FrcMich race
in this country. Tlio difference is that the Scotch
Highlanders fought for a sentiment, and my French
fellow-countrymen fought for a principle. l!ut before
they rebelled against the Crown of England they had
])roved their loyalty to that country in more manners
than one. It is a matter of history that as soon as
the great contest between Montcalm and Wolfe had
Ijeea decided in favor ofWoll'e, the French Canadians
accei)ted unreservedly the state of things and became
loyal liritish subjects and twice in succession during
the course of a few short years their loyalty was put
to the test, and in what were they found wanting?
The country was invaded twice l)y the Americans,
and twice tliey were repelled, the French Canadians
flghlingas noldy to accomplish this as any British
sulijects of the time could have done. They repelled
all the blandishments of the emissaries of the French
Government in order to induce them to cast off Hri-
tisii rule and throw in their lot with the American
l)coplo. Why did they rebel?
History is a witness of all their struggles against
the British Crown. The only things they asked for
were the rights of British subjects; and" as soon as
tho-e rights were granted them — I repeat what I said
before — they became what they are to-day. the most
loyal subjects that England ever had. Sir. tlio attach-
ment to Jbitish institutions is natural to men of your
origin. Ii is
A MATTEK oK TRADITION
you. It must be so, because your very . ature is
AT TORONTO IN ISSO
30»
penuoiitcd witli tiu' assoointions and memories of the
old liiud. Our attiichmenl to the IJritisli Crown Hjtringa
t'roni iinotlicr cause. Vour attacliment to tlie British
Crown flows in your blood. With us our attachme.'it
to tiie Hritisii Crown siiri»iji.g from gratitude, it springs
Iroiu the licai
t. W
e have learned to lovr
JJriti
sh insti-
tuti(.n,s hecauf-e in Jh'iti^h institutions we liave found
more freedom tliat we would ever hud, had we remained
the sulijeit:^ of France, and how many times in that
grand old city whicli I have the honour to represent,
looking at the l)aniier of St. (ieort'e waving over lier
jtroud citiulel, liow many times iiave I said to myself
that that Hag represented the defeat of my cmmtry-
men. my ancestors, hut at th(i same t'lne recalled the
thought that it was the Hag the most precious to the
human race, the Hag of liherty. It may be that the
Tories will not appreciate the sentiments which I
now speak — (several cries of" Hear, hear ") — and I
see that there are T<u'ies in this audience whc may
believe me insincere when I speak thus ; init it is not
to the cool, ( ak'ulating Tory that T a])|)eal. F appeal
to the Liberals. Tlicv will understand that freedom
has nia
de J'higland
(lea
r to our hearts anil has made
us fiucver 1 )yal to her cause. There is one reproach
which is made to us. We are reproached with having
kept our individuality as a race. It is said that we are
wanting in loyalty l)ecau>e we kept our individuality
as a race. I fail to see the justice of the reproach. I
iidmit that we retain our language, our religion, and
our ciiaracteristics, but I cannot see the justice of the
rejiroach, and more, it seems to me that we would
not have been worthy of any esteem or of the name
of French Canadians if we had not kept sacred the
memorie:: of our fore'athers ; so. I rejjeat,
I I.OVK KNGLAND.
I honor and esteem Fnglish institutions ; I do not
regret that we are now subjects of the Queen instead
of France ; Imt mav mv right hand wither bv my
i
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r
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ii
310
SPEECH
fiide.if the memories of my forefatliers ever ceuse to be
dear to juy lieart ! It lias been said also that the En-
glish privileges and liberties have ])een encroached up
on ; that we want to put forward our own insti-
tutions and our language. I do not admit that re-
l)roach. It cannot l)e said of me that I want to do
thip. and I suppose I am one of the greatest sinners.
I am .»aid to Ije so, anyway, by the Tory pai)ers In
answer to this charge I cannot do better than to eefer
to a speocli which I niado in the month of .May 1SS4
at the Club National in Montreal, a society com-
])Osed. as you ])r()baldy know, of students. I spoke of
the House of Commons at Ottawa, and of the proce-
dure there, and T spoke as folhiws : — •" What T have
told you will show tliMt the House of Com-
mons, thougli there are about oO French members, is
exclusively an Englisji assembly. The French lan-
guage is the ofhcial langange as is the English, but it
is impossible to f.>llov.' the s|)eakers in the deliates
unless you speak the language of the miij(U'ity. The
remainder of the extract went to sliow that the French
werean artistic peo])lc. and the force of circumstance?
in America was such that the luiglisb language was
destined to become the most univer.-"nl.
You see. gentlemen, this is the extent of ray im-
])utatinn I l\dly admit that the P^nglisli language i-^
i)ound to lie the huiguage of this country. and no mnii
in his senses will deny it. For I .-imply confine my-
self tosav tint we are the French race and have cer-
tain duties. ;nid liavc to fulfil those duties and nothing
more. Certainly there is nothing in this to which any
Canadian can tal;e exeeptifin. T will Siiy this, that we
are Canadians. lU'low the island of Montreal the watei-
that conies from tiie uortii from Ottawa unites with
the waters that come from the western lakes,
hr>
lUT INni.Mi THKY no NoT MIX.
There they run jiarallel. separate, <listingui?hable. and
yet are one stream, llowinu' within the same iianks.
1
LiS
I i
AT TORONTO IN 18SG
311
the mighty St. Lawrence, unci rollinji; on toward the
sea Iteariiig the commerce of a nation upon it3 bosom
— a perfect image of our nation. We may not assim-
ilate, we may not blend, l)ut for all that we are the
component parts of the same country. We may bo
French in our origin — and I do not deny my origin —
I admit that I i)ride myself on it. We may l)o JOn-
glish, or Scott h or whatever it may l)e, l)ut we are
Canadians; one in aim and purpose; and not only
("anndians, but we are also members of the same Bri-
tish Empire. This fact, that we are all Canadians, one
in our objects, ineiul)crs of the Hritish Empire, proud
of lioinjr Jh'itish subjc^cts and Canadian, is cviilence
that we can keep pride of race without any detriment
1o the nation. As Canadians, we have feelings in com-
mon with each other that iiro not shared by our fellow-
countrymen on the other side of the water. As Cana-
diaivs. we are affected by local and national conside-
rations, which bind us togetlier and so we are led to
look back to the land of our ancestors and feel, with
all that, to be no less good Ciinadians.
• THKSE ARE TUK FKKI.INOS
of the race to which I belong, and on tliis ([uestion
Inui true to my race, I am true to Canaihi. T am true
to England, anil last, and for this, T have often l)een
rei)roached with lieing a traitor. T ;ini above ;ill true
to the cau-e of liberty and jiislice. Sir, T am ofFieiicii
origin and linve the ])ri(le of my race ; in politics T am
an English Liiieral. The })rinciples wliicb T profess.
such as they are, are the outgrowth of study and re-
ll(H'lion, and did not come to me fri'iii the land of my
ancestors. They came to me from Juigland, frointlu!
great mother of nioilern lilierty. 1 liclong to tbe
school oftlio«e men who 1111 the jiagesof Engli^b his-
tory, who always faced the great to get the right. T
belong to the .s'cho(d of ]fami)den, and T'yni, of Rus-
sell and Somers, and of iUirke. And of one who did
not hesitate, we read, on one occasion to say tn the
m
r-?:
m
dm ^ 1
mm i
^■il
312
SPEECH
Ministers of the Crown tliat tliey Imd not behaved us
they shouhl have towards the Culoniea wliich were
then in rebellion and to say that they had ))rovoked
that rebellion, just as the 5linisters at another time
since have jjrovoked a rebellion. I am not a traitor
though Tories may howl, but T say that no Govern-
ment flhall ever trample over my living body. A.s
lung as 1 have the breath of life in me, as long es})e-
cially as 1 have a seat in Parliament, if the rights of
men are trampled upon, lie they French. Celtic. or An-
glo-Saxons, I would defend their cause with all the
strength of my being. F am coi\scious that T could
not (h) this alone ; Init this T could and T would do,
in the face and in detiancoof all op{)osing clamour, I
would call upon the peojile of this country to stand
I-
1'
|)n
t
ku
^..
nV THE (lI'l'ltE.SSEJi AGAINST THE Ol'I'KESSOR.
lis. , ;
I
hi'
M
\i tlii.s juncture someone in thcaudionco
in;i mill souieoue cried — '' I'tiL iiiui out. ''
ln'giui inteii'Upt-
Mr. Laui'ier : — OIi, no no, do not put him out, let
him fctay and hear; I am coming to the part that may
tickle some of the Tories who may be in this audience,
and T must say that as I respect all opinions I cannot
hojte the views I have to express will be those of
every one in this audience, but let us i.y to have a
friendly discussion, if ])ossible; Jh'itish fair play is all
I ask. I come lure to defend inyself against certain
allegations, and in the name of justice let those who
have listened to the attack also listen to the answer.
I rejieat. Sir, T am not a traitor. T am not a preacher
of rebellion. There has been lately, as you are aware,
a rebellion in the North-West, and though the men
who rebelled committed a great error; though, as I
saitl. on many occasions, they had to be shot in battle,
though they had to be concjuered, I repeat before
this great iiudier-e that in my opinion the guilt of
the rebellion (l(n ,ot rest with the miseralile wretches
who took up arms, but rests altogether with the (iov-
AT TORONTO IN 1S8G
513
crnniont wlio provoked it. I cannot liope to ho
appi'ovod by tvcryliody, but I uddios.s luysell'toevory
En^lisliinaii. not only in nanie,1)Ut who luts a I>ritif:!i
licai't in his liosoni, is tlicre a man who is prepare<l to
condemn relxdlion simply because it is rebellion ? Is
it not a fact that the history of Knu'land is full of
rebellions? There is not u race on eartli which has
done as much for the cause of human liberty as the
]'"nglisli race, and this England, wliich is to-day so
,urcat. has her greatness because no son of Knu'land
wori.n KVKii f-ri!MiT th tvkannv,
and the poo[ile of Kniiland have a,i;aiu and again lieen
driven into rebellion, because thcv coubl not other-
wIk' than by rebellion ol)tain tiicir rights. And
if any une of those present wcn'c to stand u[) and dis-
l)Ute this. I could give him tlie names of rebels wliose
names are cherished in his heart as patriots and*
the savinurs of liberty in England, ^'ou may say that
the wretched, half-savage half-breeds are not tit to be
compared to the heroes of iJritish history. Tf you say
sCfeodoF. There is no comparison at all Letween
the two chisses f>f men. lUit, gcntleincn.lhe s|)irit nf
liberty is not the resul s of culture. It may be fiiund
in the lowest man. And let a man beever so biw. he
has the riglit to justice whenever justice is denied tn
him. And remendier this - remember this — these
half-savage people who relicllctl in the ^"orth■^\'c^t
did not reliel against the authority of Her Majesty
tlie Queen. They did nut rebel through any feel-
ing (if disloyalty to the IJritish Crown nr dislike of
Ihitish institutions. They rebelled without any ap-
parent plan or order of proceeding. The reason they
rebelled is simple enough, and the reason is this ;
that the meanest worm that crawls upon the earth,
when trampled upon, will endeavor to recoil and
strike back, and T say that the guilt of the rel^ellion
does not rest with those men so much as with those
who ]irovoked them. T say that the (iovernment is
•;'i-a
1 !^ ;
V '
1 .i ■
■: ), .
314
SPEECH
KESI'ON.SIHI,E FOR IT ;
I clKirgetliis ajj;iuiist the Government, and T will en-
deavor, T think T will not fail, to prove that the half-
brt.'odrs were denied for several lon.:^ years rights and
justice, ri^dits which were admitted as ssoon as t hey
were asked l)y bullets ; I ciiar;i:e aj^'ainst them that
they have treated the halt'-ljreeds witii contempt,
with undi^Liuised disdain ; I charge aji:ain«-t them
that tiiey would not listen to tlujir prayers ; T charge
against them that tiiey drov(! them to despair, that
tlicy drove them to tlie madness, to the rashness, to
tlie crinH' wliich they .il'terwards conimitted. T have
no douht there are parties here wiio l)elieve this lan-
guage is too strong. 1 repeat the cliarge, gentlemen,
and put myself altiigetlior on your judgement, Vou
Avill all admit witii me that one of tiie most j)ri'eious
gifts which we enjoy under tlie constitution is theright
of petition. It has always heen one of the undoubted
privilege" of the realm of iOiiglaml that, whenever one
of ller !\iaj(>sty's subjects deems himself aggrieved in
any particular.lie has th(> riglit to approacli the tlirone
to ))etinon tiie sovereign. and to explain Ids grievances
whatever they may be. The half-breeds availed tiiem-
selves of that right. For seven long years they sent
into Ottawa j>etitions. memorials, repnvsiMitations of
every kind, setting forth tlieir grievances. For seven
long yeais tliev never received anything like an
answf'V. iSut now to-day we are toid by the (rovern-
ment and by the friends oftim CJovernmeiit thid the
half-breeds had really no grievances; that though tiiey
petitioned, they petitioned for frivolous objects. ; The
(lovornn)ent denied everything. They commence I
by denying tliat there were any petitions. Mr. ("haj)-
leau. some time ago, wrote a letter saying tiiat the
halt'-ln'ecfls had never made any represoitations ;
that if tiiere had been any representations they would
have heen lislenel to. At the v(n\v moment when
Mr. ("hapleau v\as writing that letter, there was evi-
dence in the Idue hooks tiiat sm-i-niv different com-
M
1'
I
'^i\ i;
AT TOIidNTO I.N 1SS6
31 o
jiuiniciitions had, during a period of seven yeara,
been sent liy the halt'-breeds to Ottawa. lUit now they
cannot stand upon that ground.
THEY CANNOT NOW DKNY
that petitions were .sent. But now tliey say that repre-
sentations were made. l)Ut tliat they were frivolous. Fri-
volous ! Perhaps, indeed, to the (lovernnient. who
every day were dietributing thousands and thousand,^
of acres of more valuable land to tlieir njinion.« and
friends. The grievance of tin; jioor hidf-breinl who
was asking for his ])etty patch of land was a, frivolous
grievance. lUit to the half-breed that was his all. And,
Sir, lot the grievances of these men have been ever
so frivolous, they had a right to an answer. And the
moment that, petitioning as they did, they received
no ans\\or. that moment, even ii' their grievances had
been frivolous, they became real. And T say now,
what excuse can be given for that conduct ? For seven
long years the half-lireeds i)etitioned and never re-
ceived an answer. At last they received an answer.
At last a promise was made, made to a dcdegation
sent in ISS;]; but as T sliall show you her(!after, (hat
promise was l)roken : the word pledged Ity the (iov-
crmnent was violated. Is it to be wondered .".t that
the hearts of thest; men became embittered ; that they
lost faith in the (idvernnient ; that they came to the
conclusion that for them, at Ottawa, there was no jus-
tice and no hope ; and that at last they resorted tn
tiie last argument which is always resorted to l)y uhmi
wlio have exhausted everv other means of getting jus-
tice? But soil
speak in lie!
ill
le \v
ialf oi'
|ierliai>s say
Oh, b
hose wlio
the half- liri'e(N are carried awnv
y their f(>elings ; tlniy do imt represent facts; t!
exau'irera
H'V
te tl
10 lau
Its (if the (lovernnient. Tsavthitt
in this rather the state of things disclosed by the p
titions IS in-en wor-e
nan
r have vet ni.'ide out. I
•harire this ayainst the ( lovernnient. tliat not onlv did
tl
le
y reluse to answer the ])rayers that w
ere
■;ent to
W :ii
arnr
ij
'■:fi
.,f ■ ^'1
'i '. "f
'■: ' K
'1* :
1^^'
i
|i
316
SPEECH
them by those ijcoplo, hut I clmrge ajxainst tlie (lov-
ornincnt tluit they actually
rii.\(;EAI,i:i) TIIK TKl'E STATE OV KACTS,
the j)etiti()n.s that were made daily to them ; that
they actually ei»r.cealeil them from the puhlic at large,
and iVoiii tlic reiire.^eiitalive.-i nt" tlie ijoojile jit Ottawa.
Tills is a strong charge to make, and I deliherately
charge against the Government that they eoneealed
information upon th;it puhject I'or several" years. And
again, in regard to tliis statement, T iilaco myself
ujion your judgment. Up to tiie time of the lireaking
out of the rehcllion \v(^ knew c<)m])aratively little of the
position of the half-lireeds of the North-West Terri-
\Ve knew that there was discontent among the
W'g were not aware that there was
posi
tory.
white peopk^ We were
more general and marked discontent aniong the half-
hreeds. J5ut now and then fidnt echo of their com-
plaints reached us. On the 7th of March, 18S;!. Mr.
JUakeniadea motion asking for the jjroduction of
certain papers. He made amotion for a return of
co])ies of all corresiiondence and memorials relating
to the claims of the inlial)itiints of I'rince Aliiert and
the neighlioring districts in the North- West, in res-
pect of the land they ocnui)ied, and other matters
atfecting their condition. N>)w, gentlemen, T see that
there ai'e friends of the (lovernnient here. I ani glad
of it. We cannot all hope to be of the same mind,
lint as T have said. I make a charge against the (iov-
ernment. It is on the judgment of its friends, that
T place myself; and I repeat the charge that I made
thnt the (iovernment actually concealed information
from tiio House. This motion was made on the 7th
of .March, 18S;], calling for the production of ce tain
pajiers in connection with the claims of the half-breeds.
WHEN WAS THE OlMiKH CAUKIKn ofT V
! I
i>
The order of the House was made on the 7th March
1883. A few weeks would have been sullicient to
AT TORdNTO IN 1886
317
bring those papers down. When was the; order carried
out? Tnl8S;i? No; not even in ISS;!. Tii 1SS|? Xo ;
not even in 1SS4. Tlie papers were Itrought down on
theoth of May, 1SS5, wlien the rebellion had broken
out; when insurgents were in tlie field; when blood
bad lieen shed; when it was too late for tlie taking ot
those remedial measures, which jiublic opinion would
have conij)elled, if pul)li(! opinion had been in {losses-
sion of the facts. Two long yt.'ars hail ('la])sed. Two
sessi(»ns had elai)sed before the order of the House was
comj)lied with, ixjforc the papers ordered were ])ro-
duced. What had we displayed before us here? I
put it to the intelligenco and fairness of e\ ery man
not Ijiased by party prejudice. Was it apathetic
negligence or wilful concealment of information? Tf
it was not apathetic negligence or wilful concealment
of information, what was it ? And whether it was the
one or the other; whether it Avas neglect or wilful
concealment, T say it was criminal. If my language
is deemed too strong, let Ministers themselves explain.
Let them say what qualiiication is to Ije given to their
conduct. That is not all. Those pa])ers produced on
the oih of May, ISS"), after the rebellion had broken
out, Avere not i)roduced spontaneously liy thc(iovern-
ment. They were
WHENClIEr) I'UOM THE (HJVERN.MEXT
by the persistance of Mr. IJlake. After the rebellion
had broken out there was a general cry for information.
Every m;in wanted to know who were the half-lirceds
and wbat they complained of. Mr. Jilake made him-
self the voice of the public upon this oct'asion. Day
after day, after the news of the Duck Lake fight had
come to us, Mr. JUake stood up asking the iiovern-
ment to bring down tliose papers Ibr which heh;id
asked two years l)etbre, and all other papers tiiat
would tlirow light upon the suliject. Day after day
it was refused. It was only ]>y dint of groat porsi've-
rance that the Government was actually induced to
;is
•I'KKCir
brin^' down .soinc ihhki's. not fill. We know now tliat
Bonio ol' the nio.-^t irn) porta nf pajxTS liavo Ik ■en suihuch-
fctnl and Jiovor l)rouj,dit down to tlic llou.sc. Vouniay
ask me, wliut wevv tlic grievances of tlio halt'-lirccds'
Wliat were they aHksnjf I'or? Siniply tl
lis.
Tl
lev
were; askuii; to he treated in the ^'aini' manner tliat
tlie hiill'-hreeds oi' Manitoba had l>een treated, and
notliinji; more
ami no
Ihii
n<i less.
The half-breeds of
•Manitoba Iia<l iii^en "dveii titles lor th
amis wlueli
The half-lireeds of the North-West
The half-breeds of Mani-
ame tlun";
tiiey oecu|ii(d
demanded t he
tulia had been jiiven a special ^rant of land fur what
we eiill tlie e.xtinfruishment of tiie Tiidian title ; the
hiilf-breods of the North-West (U'lnamkul the same
thing. And not only did they demand those things,
l>nt the white settlers demanded it for them, the olli-
cialsofthe (lovernmeiit demanded it for them, and
it was refused. It was for seven long years refused.
It
was granted, when tlie half-lireeds had maile their
demand with liieir guns in their hands. Then for the
lii'f-t time, the tiovernnient eomplied with their demand.
But with this branch of the subject T leave Mi', bl.ake
to deal. This was certainly a great gri(!vance. ^'et,
lia
t had bi'fn tlie oiilv gri(>vance T wMUild not sv
111-
]iathize witli their cause as deeply as I do. J!ut I say
that the treatment which was meted out to them by
tlie (ioverir,..,'nt with regard ti> their lands was inhu-
man and crual ;
<0 INIil MAN AM) ( lil Al,
that no people in the world would iiavo sulimitted to
it. Vol! have heard the statement made by Ministers
of the Crown. Isy memluns of I'arliaimjnt and by the
jiress that not one single half-breed had ever been
oUS
ted
Irom
his 1;
iml
Ministers liave made the state-
ment ; members of Parliament have rejieated it ; tin
press has repeated it until it has become a stock
phrase in Torv literature. W
T can understand
members of Parliament and the pi'css rejieating the
AK TolM'NTo IN ISSC,
SIO
Htiitoiiicnt. TIm'V iU'ci'iil the iisscrtioiis of the Minis-
tci'H. I>ul !is to ilio Ministers ni.ikini;' (hat assri'tinn.
I !un sure I caniidl understand it. unless that in
tryin;/ to convince otiiers tiiey luive convinced tiiein-
sciivts. ^'on liavo. ixM'liiips. hf)a,rd of tlie story ol' the
l''rcnciinian wiio \vante(l to play a joke on a friend,
ft was in Marst i!l(>s. ami he said — " ft' you fjo to tlie
harlioryou will lind a winde. "' Tlu' I'rienil di.shelieved
iiini at lirst. hut linally went to the harhor tellin.u;
|ieo|iie whom lie mel. until (|uit(! a, lar;.'« crowd was
^atliered to see the wliah- in tlic harhour. The joker
who iiad started the story saw the crowd and said ; —
■■ Well, ]tprhiips, after all, there is something' in it. f
will <j;o and see if there is not'a whale in the hariior."
When I read sjieeehes of .Mi'. Thoina=i White, .Mr.
Thompson, and Mr. Ko.stor, tellin<f tlie ))eople of this
country that not one sin^de half-hreed has heen dis-
])o.s.sessed of his land, I often think of tlnit story. I
think that in tryinii' to convince otluM- ])cople they
""\v\- are vorv cunniiiL;
iiave convinced then:Helv(!S
Tl
They say, we challenge the Oppofiition to show that
half-1
treei
I h
leen (iispo.'^-sefl
se(
I. Ti
lev nave eoni
dence in the fact that it is their iirivih'«r(> to say what
papers shall he hroiiiiht ilown, and what .shall he con-
aled. lint T a('cep( the ch:illen^e to prove that a
half-hreed has neve
M
leen disjjossessed ot li
is land.
e;\ <:•!■{■
a,« thev have made the hlne-hook, there is
nou'jh to show that tin,' assertion is tru(>; that not
on IV was more
thai
1 one
ut-nreed (lis])ossc
li^
that under the policy which was adopted hv the <
iMit
liiV-
ernment.
TIIK W ilolK |olTI,.\TloN
was liable to be evicted one hy one. Thi.s is tin- ehar<re
that I make. Now you have oftt'ii heard the Minis-
tor.^ say that not mic half-hreed was dispossessed. 1,im
me at once call your attention to the AdlowiiiLr extract
from a letter written hv Father Andre to the Xorth-
West ("ouncil. in Juno. Is^l ; —
icj! ol yniir miul.ni
nco to hv nt)liL'eil to nifd
acijuaiiitod whli a grievance of iniiic.
vO you
liowfver, will «ive
l-'W
f"
}■:
■f-
in-
,1'
< ' >
- '■»;
it
f'
320
SPKECII
yoii nil i'liii ol' tlii' state of tliiii;;s eiillini.' lur a [iroMipt it'iiicily.
J li'ilil lit I>H('k l,;iUi' 11 tiiioloCliinil oliiliout li' HI acres, nl' which
I liiivc tiPi'ii in iiriici'liil |io,ssi'.ssioi) for ovi'i' .seven yeivi's. Tlio
laml was t'eiiceil in, nml iiost me a >.'ooil ^l^r,^\ of inuney, luiil
was always resiioetoil a>( tli'> "atfiolic niisnion's )ir(i)>ei'iy at
i)uei< [jiike. 1 WHS ono ol'tlio tli'st settlers lit that plai'e, and
t'iru:ii.'h iiiy exertions the settleiii 'iit im'iea-;e-| laiiiilly, an'l
nol)Mily ever ti'duhleil nie in my lawlul possession of liiat land
until lust Mareh, when a niiin i>y the name of .1. Kelly iuuiiied
my cliiim, and, iiotwithstandin>; niy i)r()te.station-i, claimed the
I'liiil as hi- own, and put the frame oi a lions* upon it, depriv-
ing.; ni" in that manner of half my property. And this is not
the only ocoureiii'e of the Uiiid at I'liek Lake.
Now, ^'eiill(>inon, that iiiny h;ivo boon iin o.'diiiiiry
(•1130 of trt.'spiis!*. Hiudi as luiglit hiiiipen in any country,
iiiid tlicro would liavc licon notiiinjr nmro to aay ; hut
I :<ay tlii.s, and tlii.s is wiuit I can jjtovo, tlial tliis
trespass was made upon a state oftliin^fs
0'
AIUKI) liY A (iOVKRNMKNT,
!ind wiiii'ii (iovernniont never redressed, liavine; often
been api)lie(l to. What was tlio origin ot" thoni? In
1X70 wlien tlie territories were annexed to C'anadii,
there were several liall'-hreed settlements on the
Saskateliewan. There was a l^L'oth halt-breed settle-
ment at Prince Al))ort and a French hall-breed settle-
ment on the south branch at 8t. Tiaurent. These men
had taken their lands, these Scoth and French lialf-
breeds, each between three and four acres. Then as
is shown in evidence, the i)articular manner in which
all these jieople had taken their hinds, not only the
French half-breeds, buttho Scotch half-breeds as well,
all had taken their land frontinjx on the river, about
ten chains and two miles deep. When this (.lovern-
ment came into the country, they commenced to
survey the wild land. They adopted tlie American
system of survey. This was in .sections of a sipiare
block forty chains wide and forty chains deep. I
haven't the slightest olijection to that kind of survey.
It is no doubt a more scientific system to apply,
fe
AT Tnn(i.\Ti> IN ISSn
821
liut you will nfirco witli me it wuuM linvp liccn nn
injustice ti> tlms divide tlicso liiiids w Incli hud lieen
nettled u| oil Iiy (lie-<e IkiH' lirced.-i in this uiiiiiner. iiiid
there W!is ii reliellinii ill l>i<i',» and iSTn, One »{' the
ohiel' cuuHes wiis thiit siirveyoiH ul' the ( idvernnieiit.
who were int^tnicted to survey land- aci ordinj,' to tlio
.'-ectioiial snivcy. (airii'd their (iperation.-i not only on
tii(! prairie, whit li \'.ould have heeii iiiinlijectionaide,
hut they carried tlitir operiitions upon the j-ettied
laiidf* ol' l!rd and Asfiinihoiiie riverf. Tliere was ii
rehellion. and alter tliat rehellion wa>» settled it wan
(h'cided tliat tlie lands occupied hy hall-hiecds «liould
lie survtycd as th.y \»ric pnHsess'ed mid the titles
ispued for them aceordin^ily. Alter .several yearn, art
you are iiware. they had tin^ authority of the ( iovern-
inent in the Ncrth■^\'est and when .Mr. Laird. lh«
Lieuteii!inl-(iove! nor oj' the Territories. aii])ointed hy
Mr. Ma(d<en/.ie, reiiche(l (he Territorifs: in iS77, onV»
(d'the (irst things whicli h<> did was to call upon the
(Joverninent for a survey of (he lands of h.-ill'-hreeds
as they were occupied. l!ut hel'ore 1 lel'er to tiic voic(>
ot Mr. I,!iiril upon the suliject. let me cite to you.;.;eii-
tlomoii,
A I'lTnioN.
■irudi was nddre.s.sed to the (iovenunont at Ottawa i
th
y
Cil
r 1S77 hv (
I CO me
McK
ly aiir
ihout
n
one
Inmdred and lil'ty Scotch hait'-hrceds of I'linci' .\ll)ert
settlement, in that jietition (icorgo .McKay and his
fellow iietitioiiers say this : —
|iclitinii
iltl
ic uii(lrr>if.riieil settlers anil residents of
Tiincc Allicit scttjciiiciit. ill tin- .N(>rtli-\\'c>l Tcriitniie-i ol tiio
lldiiiiiiioii (pj' ('aiiinlii, iiuiiiliiv i(']insonts, etc :
Your ju'titimicrs. in cunclii-iuii, iininlilv icjirociit tliat
considcriiMe jKirtions of the l.iiiils at present occnjiied on the
.'^askati'lu'wan Iviver in this x'ttieineiit won- si'ttlc<l upon
l)eli>re the tiaiist'or oi'the North- ^V est 'reriitories to tlie Domi-
nion ol t'aiiiid.'i, and in the niaimer cnstomnry to that ]]eriod,
21
.SI'EKlU
f>:'
viz., in ii iiiinow fVoiitJi'-fc ami a (U')itli ol twoinilo?, 'I"li;it tlm
hoiiu's am! otlior in.iiiMvciiioiit.s ol' iiianv dT tlu' mHiIcis twc
.-ittiatc upoii Ihcrit'oliihas so tiil^i-n. WIumcIoiv vniir iii'titiniicr.s
liiiiiilil\' ]>v<>\ that Your K.xecili'ucy will, wln'ii i!i~lriu'!ioiis air
isNiii'il til till' I'liruiiiion surveyors, I'l'serv" tin' -aiiio rights atbl
privhciji's to the, al(jresaiil oM settlers, ainl pioiieors of thi'^
fcetilc'iiiciit, as wcro rcrtTveil to tlie old settlers in thi- province
o,' M- iiitoha.
W'liiit. ^ir. wiis tlic ]tttri»in-t oflliis [letition? Thes'c
^'cdtc-li liaH'-iin'ed.s leiiie.-^ciitcd tint they li;ul t.ikou land
ill the iiKiiiiK'r eiistninary tn the hiealily; that is to
.'^ay, ill narrow I'nmlti.ucs iiiiwnthe river, tuo luilo*
deep. They asked that the general system of survey
intrnduced iiy tlu' (lovortinieiit 1)0 not introduced. hut
thai a siieeial surv(-y sliniihl he granif^d. the same a^
had heeii uraiited. in Manittdia. In th;it same year,
Mr. Lair'l, then tlie ( Icveriior nl' the Territory, writing
to the ( iovevnnient upnii the same suhieet. exprc.-..'e.^
the .-aine view. This is iIk- letter ol' ^ir. J.aird. datt'd
rjth Feliruary. i>^77. It i.s adilressed tn the .Minister
of the Iiiteri(>r.
1 have the honour to ti:ii)>mit iierewjili .'xtract ola letter
I'roi:! Mr. .lames Walkir, lnsj;e(tor of tlio North \\>st Mounted
IVillCe at n itthMo.d, lfsi-ertil:,L' di--|'Uti-s .-irisiiig OUt o! land
elaiuis at Prince .Mtjcrt and .'-^t. I.aiiieiii. I'lu' sulijcet i.- one
niatei i;illy altei'iinir tlie ]irns)ioiit \ ol lliese and oilur vettlc-
meiils in till- tei ritories. 1 siiotild hoi>e. tln-refore. th.at tlie
iahfirs of the special s irvey paity wid he contino""! in the
I'nsninii SI nine;-, and that points may l)e li.\i'i| uhitli will
enalije tl;< -invey lo he prosucuti'd al(>nLr tin; .'■^askatthrwaii,
when- setthnienis (^xisi or may .^oon in- finn'.'d. It appears
to mo that, wlic'e theic ate settlements .along ihe rivei', a sys-
tem ol sui\ey simil.'ir to tliiit adojitec] rm the h'ed and .issini-
hoine iiiveis will have to Im coincOi.d. .-^ittlcis >hoiild !■.•
allowed tli(ii' IVontage on the river, tin' lines running haek so
as to give tlicni au averat'e rl li',(i aeres eaeh.
The Ministe'' of the Interior was
UONORMU.K li.W'.li MILLS.
JMr. .Mills complied with the petit'on. witli tho
AT TOltO.NTO IN j'^^*)
very naluviil (leiiiiinds here .sot forth, iind tlie very
r(!iisoniil)lf view?* iirniiounded l>y ^Tr. Laird, and llic
nit'iiioranduni wdiic!: f hold in my hand, ilatetl I Itli
March, JS77, adopted tlie proposal in all cas-o.a.
Tlio prnnranune of tlie special survey party jiro-
vides for the work Iteiiiu- extended durinsj; the coinin<r
reason to intersect the SaHkatchewan in the vicinity
of the principal settlenierds on that river. It is pro-
po.seil in all ('ases where seitlenient has lieen fornjed
idopt thesni'vey.s
ulong the rivers in the tenitoriea to
(if the farms accordinffly. that is to say, jiivinu' an
iverage ( where practicahlc) of ten or twenty chains
li-ontajre on the iiver,
an(
1 letlini:- the hus run liacd;
fur enough to make ICiO acres each, (he lines lietwcen
lots, as a rule, to he mad(^ to conform to the sectioii
line? in '.lie I'cu'ular survey adjoininu.'.
Such, vou see, was
lie
lie
111,
SO
I he
TIIK I'ol.IcV OF lltl-: MACKEN/U-: OOVKIiXM KNT,
In tlie ojieu i)rairi(> where the land was unoccupied
they a])plii'd tiie system of sectional survey tnhuy out
the land in hits of -in cjiains hui^; and In wide, hut
wherever they found the
Scotch or French, (iccu|
settlements el hall-lirccd
ivim
iheii lands in
narrow
frontaces, to diviile their land.s exact Iv as thev were
oecupieil, and 1 ;
more just? Hut
was a change '•
could anything lie fairer o'
s vou are aware there
(iovernment in 1S7S. Ami with
lie
change of (iovernment. I am sorry to say. came also
a change of ]>olicy. Tlic p(dicv, which wa- ;i l-ipted
it the time, is a jiolicy wiiich every iicni whi> recog-
nizes justice must call tvranuical
[< tl
■w
ho can pretend that whee these people had take
lere a man
u
uj) their iati
d.i in
d
narrow t'roiitages ol ten chains wide
ind two miles d(e)). taking their land.s iielm'e there
as (Jovi'rnmcMt in the Xorih-W'cst. taking those
iinds according to the cu-^tom of the country : is
there
a man who can picten
to ilnide the land into sipune
that til si'Ud surveyor-
icks was not an ai t
ot tvraimv
I ask you. is ihi-s Jh'ilish fair play .' I.
is
, , ■ •« it
'■-■mmt--iki
ff'iil
Pi.' .• ■'
;!2i
SPEECH
rot'or you to tlie petition wliicli T lutve just read, ol"
(ieorjie Miickiiy andloO liall'-l)ictMl«. T am proud to
6ay.
AS A KKFoli.MEU, A.< A I.IIIKKAI,.
t;
and a jiartisau of Mr. Mackenzie's (Jovernment tliat
the )iray(!r of tliese Scotcli lialt' iM'tcd.s wa.s carried
out. Their lands were surveyed a'-cordinjjly in tlie
f^unMller of l.ST.s. the la.st year ofllie .Mackenzie (lo,-
ernincnt. Mr. Mills caused the hinds of the Scotch
half-l)ree(ls of I'lince Aihert and tlie l-'rench ludf-
lireeds of St. I, anient to he divided as they were
occupied, and il they liad followed any other eours<i,
every man not biased liy ]iarty spirit wnuhl say they
hail committed nn act of injustice and tyranny. Ikit,
with thechanjie of ( iovernment, tliere was a ( han^eoj"
policy also, and under tiie chaufied policy tlie .-(iinire
systeu! of surv(>y was ajjplied everywhere in the terri-
tory, -whether the lands were vacant or wiuither tiiey
were occu}iieil. Aj^ain I do say. gentlemen, that this
was one of the most annoyinu' acts of tyranny that
ever c^)uld h>' devised against a free and p(K>r peoiije.
It w'oidd have heen cheai) justice, you will admit to
me, when these |)eople reiire-ciited to the (iovern-
ment: " We took uur lands hefore there wag a (iov-
ernment here at at all. our lands have heen improved
greatly, grant us the favor not to divide these lands.
J kit e\en
Till,- (111: AT .irS'lICK WAS KKI-rslili.
Let me refer you tn rmotlier letter of i'"atlier .\ndrc.
Tt was aiidresseti toSir.lohn Macdonald himself, and
was dated Idth .lime, is^:'. : —
.'^ik: — I vM'ite you tor ilii' ji'.ii )i()>e of I'allim: xoui' uttcn
tion to tlie paiiit'iil, ('mbiiii'as>i!)f: positinnin wliicli tlie l-'rcncli
liali'-liiei'il.^ .settled on tile .-outlui'ii li.'iiiks ol' the SasUat-
ehew'iiii are jilaced. .Vcroriiing to an oM custom m Mantoha,
llie\ took lip tli(>irlots ten rliain.s wide in Iront liy two miles
ill ile]ptii. tin^tiiiL' that the ' ioM'innieiit. aitie ' on tli>- lule
already e>tiiMi.-hed, would suivev these l;oid^ iii i lol.s ten
chains in width by two uiile.-i in ilejitli. Tlitu .-ur .^c mav Lie
AT TdUdNTO IN ISSf)
•;■■)"
iinairiiicil when they >:uv the liiiuls iilon;^ tlie Siiskatclicwiiu
imusuiiil oil' into s(iii,iies .il' forty cliaiiis without any lii'eil
liiiing ;rivfii to tliL'H' just ilaiuis and prot('.-.t>.\\'liat istlu' result
dl' this ahuDini.ii division ? < » ir hall'-bi't'cds were ovi-rwhehucd
with difiicnitit's on aciniiiit ol their land, and this prncecdinL;
nil! now sow divisioTi and di-oord anioiii; onr |icO|ile aiid will
MMidcr tile < i.i\ rrnuient odious in tii'^ir i-yes, ronsidering it as
j; .iitv ol' a i;ro .s ini'.isti( 1' ! Mvards thiMn. I'iiis sinvi'V lain
i-ntal>l\ mixes tiling's. Some losi" their land, whieh is hcin^
irralil 'd Uy theii iiei,i,'iihor» : others see the Iriiit.s of their in-
dustry au(| tlic-.r Iruits div-iio.led. This unhappy -t.ite oltiiings
coiimI 1m- easily made to<'easi'liy giving ear t) their just claims.
And Ikhv can this he rel'Msed tiiem wlien yon have granted a
.-imilar lavor ti> Tiince Alheri / All the lands idong the hranch
ol till' >a-kati-heuMn have hi'en surveyecl in this maimer,
I'Veryho ly wa- siitislied, and not the iea.-t eumidailil was
111', iril about the survi'y. 1 eaiinoi understand, sir, why your
>ui\eyoi.-, should liave«i\vo .iill'i-reiit metho(|s ot'i>ai<-ell ng the
Iriihlic doiiiain, oiii' lor i'riiiee
two miles in dcjith. whieh we
iiL'hl, . cc-ing you have Lfrantnl it to I'riiiee Alliert. the other
oT hloekiiig out the land III si|Uare.s 4(1 chains wituont taking
the ri\ er or, loeatioii of th' settlers into coiisiderat'on. Tho
latter method wi^ [notes: Milc'uinly against, aii<l huinhly luay,
sir, that yiu ordd a n^w sur\i'y, all' I thus validati-oiir request ;
ahead}' the [icojile oi this colony have addressedyoiia |ietitioii
on this sniij-et. Init the answer given under your din'utions is
not one oa!<'u!itei| to inspire them with the hope that you
would right the wrong ol' whiii.i they complain ; kiiowiii;.' the
Aihei't. ten eliaiiis in width hy
appiove and which we claim as a
hi!
icult situation in which our peop
are
-ol\'(>cl to make another etlorl, w
lien
1 ti
ph,
d, I I
I
rust will hrmg happy
lave re
h
results, and I dare to hope tlitt; you will aectide to their just
lest, and no later than
ummer order a new survev of
the lands on the south liralieh of the Sa^^katchewan. I'v vour
cindly
coiiourreiice III this matter vou will do an act of iiistii
to our people ;iiid rcnlv'i' tlicin a service for which ti
(.'Ver he thankful.
lev wil
I havi' till' honor to 1)
r. \our huniMe servant.
l-ArilKi; ANDK'K,
.■superior ol'.'^t. Lawrence
\.-\V.
Iiight lioiioral
<;r,'nidin 1'. ( >.
"ii; .h
A. yivu
Minister o! the I iiteiior
< Htawa.
m
('1 -1'^
32G
SPEECH
Tills is one of the petitions wliich woro sont in hy
tilt' iiall' lireeds. Again, you will udiiiit in the iiiojt
foui'tetiu.s lanii'Uiige, in the most reasonalilc language,
setting forth facts, tlio po4tiveness of wiiieli overy-
liody must admit. Yet
THAT PKAVEl; WAS OENIED.
Jt;i
■-! v
Mi
5
>; . In:''
Let me read you here the ])etition, whieh was sent
ahout the same time by Ciahriel Duniont, whose name
has sinee lieeoiiie famous, who has \}0.on a rehel. as we
all kiinw ; and ])crha|)s this will show how he liecame
a I'ehel. This is the petition addressed to fcjir John
Macdonahl on the 4th Sen'emher, ISSJ, Ijy (iahriel
Puniont and forty-two nth r hall'-lireeds :
\Vi! also i»ray that jnu \v."ilil (iiror-t that the lots bo
siii-v,\vo(l along tliu river teii <^ha'iu-i wiiltli by two milos in
ileptU, this mode or<livi-:i.)n lioiiig tiic long established usage
of tiio country. This wiiulil rcnler it nioro easy I'or us to
know the limits oi'our .several lots. We trust, .Sir, that you
will grant ;i 1'avorablo hearing to this our iietition, anil that
you will make known your decision as soon as possilile. "\Vo
await it with great anxiety, and pray (iod to prijtect you
and keep you I'oi' the direction ot this great country, which
you so wisely govern.
^ir, this was not the language of a traitor, this
was
NOT THE I.ANi.lAOE Ol' A ItEUKI,,
tiaViriel Dumont prayed 'iod that Sir .Tnhn Maedonald
might he si)ared lo th(> eouatry. ilad his just ])eti-
tioii lieeii coin|»!ied with, the man who at that time
was a loyal siihjeet and prayed (iod the First .Minister
might he sjiareil to the country would not have btv
eonic a ;'el)el. Sir. the thing is so indefensihk' that
the Mini-ters have not attemittel to defend their acts
upon their merits. I never yet heard a minister or
aiiv frie.i'l of the (lovernmenl ,sav that it was iusl and
AT TKlMXTi) IN' I'^Si;
327
reasonalile anil fair tliat these people, wlieii they
occiipifd their hiinl.-i in tlieir manner. 3ht)ul(l li.ivo
them ilivi(h'il iitherwi.se tlian as they were ()eeui)ie(l.
J>nt there is anollier an3\ver f^iven. The answer given
is tliat the halt'-lireeds, who thus petitioned i'or new
surveys, liad settUjd upon their lands after survey.
They say " We <hi not o;rant a new survey liecauso
they settled u]> >n thi' hinds after they had Ixmmi sur-
veyed ; they knew what they werc^ and they slmuld
have taken their lands aecnrdiuLd v. " That wnuld i)e
lerl'ectlv just il the statement was
CO
iri'Ct. hut 1 tak'
issue u|ion that statement, and I have the pronf that
the statement is not correct. Wiiat witnes.s shall I
call to y)rove the assertion T nuw make ? The witness,
Sir. wh.icii T pro)»ose to hrinu; forward to prov(> tlie
assertion wliu:li
T
lave m
iide is Mr. (
leoru^e
I)
uck.
the land a,ij;ent of the (Jovernnient at Prince Alhert. T
mii,dit hav(> taken advantage, also, of the testimony
of Father Andre whose letter T have just read to you
and whii'li ]>osilively shows that the half-lireeds who
were [letitioning the (lovernment had taken the land
before the survey according to tln^ manner followed
in the country, hut liere is the letter of .Mr. Duck.
Mr. Duck was the agent of the (Jovernment in the
localitv. He kuf-w. lie was
amiliar wi
th the ficts
and all the circumstances. His testimony is of the
greater imi><u'tance. What does he say? Does Mr.
Duck sav that the land had been taken after the sur-
vev ? Mr. Drnk savs that
land was
taki-:n r.Ki'oKK tiik -i'iivkv :
that the land was surveyed in sijuare l)locks while
thev were occupied by tlie-e ha!f-br<'eds. And he
aovises what? \ new survey. He adviscil a new
survcv to be satislact'iry to the-e men. Let ii;i' read
his letter ;
DnMlvlDN I. \Ml t ll'I'ICi;,
Pi-inre .\il.,..rt, X. W. L, 11 Mar.'h. is^'J.
■Sii; A- till' niijority of tli" seUliTs .-m the smith ia'anch
of llie liiver Saskatchewan, hi tii' xioinity ol' the parish ot SU
m'
1-
m
i' r|'
328
SPEECH
LdlJlcnt, li!i\ (■ t;ik.'ii uji tlnir luii'ls [H'l'vioiis tn tlic siil'vcy,
with nuri'ii'.v ridiit.ij.'i^'i, similar to tliosc river (^liiinis in oIIht
)):irts ol' this di.-tiict ,111(1 in view iif the (litlleiilty iii^oly to ho
<'X|)(!iieiiC()il ill this olHee in a(ljiistin,ir the houndaries of those
claims in aiu^irihiiu'o witii tln^ section survey, I have, at tiie
rcijuest of several of the settlers so situated, tli(^ honor to
iei|iipst iiifoi'inatifin us to the iio^siliility ol' re snrvryin.ii tliesc?
seetions mto livei' loi - 111! .1 si.iiilar plan to that ai|o|>te(l in
ri'iiu;e-Alhert set tl''Uie!it, none of these claims liaviii;: as yet
lioeii entoipil ill this olli^'c.
(Si:.'iie.|) (il'.dlJCI': \)[H;K,
A>;i'nt, liomiiiion laiuls.
To tie' Smvixor i leneiiil.
iHlawa,
B]
This is tlie tc-tinuu.y of Mr. Duck. Tliere i.s a
pii'teiiic «(!t t'nrtli liy the (lovi'rniiieiit tiiat the hjiH-
lirccds had .sottli'il tijmii the hitids al'tiT lln! .survtty-
Tliis is nut crt.'ditcd in thi.s luair.s stiitiMiieiit ; lio nay.-*
that llie Lrrcat majority li;id taken thiuf I.hkIh |)r(;vii)Urt
to tills siiivey ; that tlie siirvcy.s iiad hceii inadt;
IN si'iTi': III' ■riif.ii; .ir.-T imgiit.s.
lie advised that a now survey should have la.keii
])hM'(! tli(^ i^iiinc as liad hecn [granted tix^ hall'-liveeds
nf I'riiHC'Allifi t under Mr. Mackeii/io's ri'uiuie. Tlial
is not all. Then> is still more very imixirtant
cvidiMU'o to c'iili I'nrth upon this jioint. I now liriiif^
I'ourtli tlie testiniiiiiy ofno les.s :i hody tliaii theNortii-
West ('ou".:il. Hero is a uicmnrial adili essed to the
(iovornm 'Ut at <);ta\va hy tin; NurtliWe.st t'ouiicil in
the nion h of Octoln.T, is's;}:
^'<nll' Memorialist.- fiii'lleT ](iav that tie- huH' hreeds in t\u'.
Tei'iitoiies who have not pai'ticip.ated in the .ili-aliL'emelit to
(!.\ting(iisli the hall-l)reed claim in M.iriitoii.i shonM enjoy tin-
same lights as aeeorded half-hreeds in that [ii'o\ani'e.
Your memorialists also pi'iy for more e.xtendeij sniveys
ill the country of tho North .'Saskatohewfin, that the special
settlement survey of the South .Saskatchewan, in tlip parii-h ol
St .Antoine, made hy Mr. .AMons, Dominion laud surveyci,
he ajiproveil, and tliat thi^ laud agent at I'rince-.VIhert be
AT TO Hon TO IN ISSG
iiisti'iiotcil to ri'Of'ivc entrios fni' siirli lamls ; tliiit tlii' lands nf
till' iiMiisli oliiratiilin, St Lmiri'iit, ami St Lnui.-, ami I'p.Miiiii^
on till! Siiiitli Saskatdicvvan, lie sui\i:vi'l into ten cliain lots,
lii'V licing occnji
I,
V scttl(Ms ill tliis iinniii'i'.
Now, ill the liicc of tliat tc-ti'iioiiv. is tlicn-u imm
tliiit ciiii now iiliiilr li\- tiie pi'tli'ii
now set tortli liv
till' (
iDVcriiiiiciit. tliiit tiiev rclu-^
till' ri'siirvt'V
l.c-
(■inino tlif liiill'-liiv cds iinil scttlcij on tlie liiml iifli-r
tli(i survey, the whole id" the t'viilciicc not milv of
h;iir-hr(u'il3, not oiilv oflhi' iiiissiiniarics. out of their
own otlicefH iUiil ihr N'oithWest Couiieil .sh.iws that
tiie lands wei'e taken liV the halt'-hreeds hel'ore they
\ve>'e sni'veyed and t!iat ihemily pioiiei- justiee wuiihl
have heen to icHiirvey the lands, as was deniandcd hy
.Mr. I>ii<k and demanded hy tie North-west ronmi,.
What was the answer to all th'-<' jp(>lili"is of
these ie|ii'esentatives and settlers? The answer eanie
once in the month oj' Oitoher. ISS.;. ;tnil it was that
no lands would he surv(>yed exrciit upon theordinary
sysleni ol'survey. Now. L^entleinen. is it any wonder
that these mens heaits were enihittered wln'ii they
saw the North-West Coimeil demanded the same jus-
tice they demanded, and the otlieors of the tiovern-
nient demamled tlie.=ame justice that they demandi'd,
that when they found tlnir missionaries, all men of
uraee. deniamiinu' fm' them the same justice which
tl'py were demanding ami all these pravcrs were re-
fused,
IS ir ANY Wo.NDKU
that the^e men's hearts irrew hitter and rehcUic
in lo.iiv
idaee in iss.")? It
was
nearly takinti; \
lace in 1>>S-
llere are the circumstancos. In Iss-J, some surveyors
were '•■p^r.itiiiir in the vicinity of a settlement called
n. Alheit, near Kdmonton. Thev
were operating am
dividing the lands as usual intus(|Uare hjocks o) torty
Tl
eiKuns. lliey were ai»proaclie
W 1 1 0;
se ohject it m as to prevent them fr
a ii w s(
olii c;i
ttlen
their oiieriiU'Uis. Tliese surveyors went to themis.-ic
rrvm^out
in-
^^•'f
i'l I'
SPEECH
iirv of tlio iiliHT. Fiitlier Loduc, anil told thai t';itlu'r
to advise tin' pt'oiijc to allow tln'iii to }^o on with their
operations, stMtinif that they woiihl coiiio hack at a
later day and divide the hiiuls so that t]iei)eoj»leeonhl
get their narrow long Idoeks. Fnther i.edite advised
tlieni to let the surveyors go on with tlutir operations,
af"ter the i)roinis(s just made to tln^u that one of thi-ni
would come hack in a short time and divide th'ir
lands as they occupied them. Then 1ht> surveyors
were not moh'stod. They carried on their opcr' lioi\s.
and, after survcyiuL;- out this land in s(juarc lilo(d<s,
a surveyor canu' hack and commenced In divide the
land into narrow stri]H
Hut an order came iVnm Ottawa to have that sur-
veyiu' stop his operations and let the system of pur-
veying land as it had lieen started go on. This pro-
mise made to the settlers was therefore violated. Well
you may imagine the anger and indignation of these
jieojde when they found
THAT rUEV HAH IJKK.N dl EATKl',
if I may use that word, at all events, deceived. Still
they did not rehel, and they took no violent meas-
ures. They just assenddcd togeth(>r as you are
assemhicd to-night, and discussed their po='ition and
de<'ided to scud a, delegation to Ottawa. They chose
delcgale-i consisting of Father Led inland a genllenum
named Malonoy. They were ret'cived it Ottawa in
Marcii. 1 ^n:1. aI'Iim- cousideraldc dillicnlty they had
interviews with the .Mini-^ters. They had st^-era! inter-
views and at last they were promised in so many
words that their prayer wouhl lie grardeil, and that
their la)ids would he sui'veyed a- occ'ijiied. Hut Fa-
ther l.educ wanted tn ha V(! the prinnise in writing and
net in words. To do this he had to pci'sevc re and 1o
fdlhiw and shadow the Ministers, and at la.-t he "h-
tained from the .^linister ol the Interior of that day.
Sir David Macphorsnn. a written paper t>n which all
the pravcr3ofthe half-hrceds. a- -ct t'orth in their
AT T<UlONTii IN 1880
]»Ptition, were accfdrd tn. In tliiit writing: it \v;h stilted
tliiit ii special fiurvcy would lie ^I'iintcil, and "that
laiid-^. occu|)i('il or ipoarfc.s.'iid l)ot'or(' the annexation ol'
the Nortli-Wft^t Territorio.s to the Dominion, will ho
reoit^znized liy the (lovorninont." I will not give you
any more oi' the doeunient. riiis i«i enough. Tlieie
ij the promi.se given hy the .Minister of the Interior.
With this nrunii.'^o
Fall
ler
Led
Ue Wi'n
t l)a(l< to the
iteliewan.
He went haek to llie Forks, whereiJK!
two l)raneh(,H uniti
vi.-itne.
settlement alter ."etth;
nient, and inforndng them of the good news thai at
ast
a .survev wouM
■e hiaiie
A'\ me
av
)roi'oeil any further that we did not funl 1
amongst the papers that were l)rouglit dow
he fore I
his jiaper
1 hV
the
(iovernment.
Thi
s paper lias been Icept m a ])igeoii-
hole. The ( iovernment has .suppress(^d the informa-
tion it eontaiiied from the people. I'.ut we luund it.
and Mr, IMake read it in the Tfouse of Commons and
(diart^ed thai a memlx'r of the ( Iovernment hail siuned
tlie iiaper.
am
iiiB eharii'e \va
s never contrailiet
oil
never even ohallenged. .\iid now, sir. as I said, Fatluu'
Leduc went up and gave the good news to thesettlers
an
d said to them
W
e wi
W U
ive lustife at last.
told them tliat a re-survev would lie made. And what
was the consequenee
\\'liat followed ? The solemn
]iromiso made over the signatiire ol
the Interior
.Minister of
Tl
le w
WAS I'.linKK.N A.\!> \' li )I.ATK1 ).
ord of Her .Maiestv, as represented hv
lier
^linisters. washroken. Is it anv -voui
ler. r
that these men's hearts were geli ng hitter
Hk agam.
vni
n
want any ])r<)of of w
it [
now tell vou. let me reai
yoii a petition sent on t
le
(It
hv
^\•
illiam liremner anil some ::.> n
Niivi>iiilier.
r -J I other
!■
lireeds to Mr. 1 Ui
111' mi'ieiviirii,
Li
■ I li
<t. L
.l.> L:
i'.ltli No
inii'T^, ii'-l'l''a
do 1
paiL'v'vai. ou the s'jiit.i iji'aii^'li
t olrl
I' jiiifi
v., I^Vi
-h (if St. I.iuiis
;i<Kat«.'liow;ni, 1)1
I
vmy
'Vv.K.'
SPKKCH
^'
t'l sv\ lortli, :i^ follows, tlit'ir ;.'i'ii'\';iii<!('H in r''liiti()n tn tlii> liiii'1-t
oil wliiiili tlii'V iii'i! Inciitc'l; Miiiiy ofiis lire liiTf since tin' vc.ii-i
IS7.;'7I, iiiiil '7'i : (illii'is, 111 still ^.Ti'iiti'i' iHiiiiln'i's, siiinc l^><il.
I'lai'li ;iiiil 111! Ill' ii.s tivik ii|i luir laiids in lu'i-oriiniKic with tin-
llll'tlKUl lolhi.TJV |PlfVMilillg on tll<' l.lll'lt nf lIlB ill- I IJiVl'I'.i'l I
llic As'^Miilioiiii' . .til It is to -lav, in river lots, in tnr iiiitmini
ut I s«(l, We |ii'iiticiMi'i| till' .\[ini't(M' oT flic Iiiti'iior at ittt.i'AM
lor a S|.i'iial sinvcy iiit.i liver lots, as was ;;iante(| t'l tiie I'rince
All' 1 1 -ettleiiu'iil ali'l toa iioi'ti'iii of the St. Liwri-ii''" settle-
ment, .Mi'l \ve all siv'necl that petition, not e\er|ptini.' Mieliad
I ainiv. wiiii h.as siiu iitercl hi* lot at y.Jiir olli.ie as ii see
tional lot, anil aLTiin-^t wliose aetioii \\r lierehy stron;.'ly protest.
Siih'i' that il.'ite We have xnt more |ietitions, at vaiion* times,
lor the sa;ne ohjeei. siippi rtin:; the same with the inlhienei' oj'
all persons in a'Uhoritv 'vho look an inter>'st in ns, such i-;
Messrs. .1. h'nva'. .M. I''. D. II. .Mac loii.thl, inemher .North W'e.-t
' oinieil, I,. ( 'larUe. II;-. l.onUhip I'.isliop ( irairlm, ami IwUlier
Li'iliK!. I''iiii!lv l''.iliier 1, -'liii'. \vho ha I heen -.ni :vs a ih-h'^rate
to < tttiiwa li\ the people o( Ivlmontoii an<l I'lince Alherl,
showeil ii.s the an^wi r of the i loveininent jnumisini; .a sjiecial
survey U'r all localeil laiiils on the .'Saskatchewan, .'^iiiee tlii-n
we have waiteil m vain lor the new siiiAcy. ,\s we staleil at
the heirimi'iij.', many ol'iis have occiipieil onr lots Iomlt enoiii:h
to entitli' lis to I la tents, all' 1 yet tln-re has I" 'en ii'i w.iy.as yet,
of L'''ttin!.' them entered at your olli •'■. \Vi' ln'i; ol'yon to repri'-
si'iit t'l ihi' iloveriimeiit tlio j^rievanccs heiiMii in part sol
toiah, .iii'l niiie tlii'in to put an eii'l thereto as ipiii^klv as pos-
sible lor the wellare aii'l pi'ace of lo\al siihj.'cts 'il ll"r .Nlaje-ty
till' ti>i|eell of I'Jijilall I.
Tliiil w.i.s (luo !ihn 111' tlie luMitiniis whicli. aloni;
witli the others, nevei \v;i-» hceilcil. aiid. e-eiillciiu'ii,
what wiTc the coiiseinieiictM ol' that sltitf of tliiiie;s?
The coiLSciiiicnta; ul' thai stiitc of tliiiie-.s wa^' that llie
liair-l)i'(H'(l.i wiM'e, oiu'al'tor iUiotluM'.
E\l( I'KI) I'RiiM TIIt-;ill l..\Mis.
Here is the inamier, sir. Wv liavc a, hnv, tmd a vorv
e-oo'l law. It i-i that any suhject of Her .Majesty, IS
yi'iir.^ til'airc can have a hDiiieslcatl of HI) acres in the
Nortli-West Territory. As .soon tis tiie title h;is lieeii
iiuiile out iintl the plans have been liiid with the agent,
AT 'lulio.NTf) IN 1SS()
iini
V sulijt'ct 111' Hit Miijc^ty can ji'ito tlicMtlicco
..^rt'iit iiiul luiikt) nil I'litiy fnr any (luarUir .-('(11011
which 1h; clioo.-ci* tn tiikc'iip, ;iii(l hy taUiii;: il. In-
hccniiiL'.i vested witli the li^rlit tuit. I>'>es the h.ill-
hri'Cil jKi.-scss t
1
CHS tlic ri}
ttlHS
xisness 1
ic sniiic lijiht ? Nil. They iId not
ht (if eiitrv. Aim! wliy do they imt
t ? Tl
11 is dliviou.-'. The hiiid atreiit
lelf
!)OSSeSS 11 .' IMC reason l.« hhn kmi.-'. ill' i.iiiii .It:
ms phuis of a lowiisldii. one ol'those to\vnshi|is w 1
tlif vetiellion occiiired. In this idaii. llie hmd- are
laid down in s(|Uare lihMdsS Id cliains huiir am! hi
cliains wi(h'. If a half-hreed comes to tiie a.L'eiit the
alter wouU
I tell iiim, ■■ 1 will ^ive ymi an enliy for a
liomestead. on any pari oi the iiliin ymi clioo.-e.
The half-lireed fioints ton piece ol' jjind ten cliains
two miles long, and says. '• 1 want to inak(
wiile am
an enlrv l<
ir that \<H'i
)f land. '■ The aL'eiit savs. no.
I eanno'l do tluil : hut I will \:\\i- you an entry lor
this |iiece. folly chains hy forty chains, " •• lint,
savs the half-lir("'e(l. " if you ^dve me a piece of land
foity cliains wide it will cover part of the land already
(leeiipied ; and if you ^rive me Id chains in len<:tli it
will cover land oecuiiied hy some one elpe ; therefore
1 cannol make th(! entry
This is ohvious. If there
IS anv nec{
to you here
ssity of Jirovinfr it hy evidence, let me lead
letter sent to .Mr. lUick hy J.ou
Schmidt
dnuHlii). Sii.-k.'itchi'WMii, \. \V. 1',
L't'ith ainil, I^Sl.
.■<ii:.- Mil ^' to lay licrorc von till' rnllouiii).' Iiicls :— I iim
niii- ol llii' >enliM> on tlic .'^oiith S,i>.|sat()iiwHii, wlio, (liiiini;
the last inur yeiiis Iimvc (s.-iit j,ftitiniis upnn petit ions to vinir
Depaitini'iii to li.ivi' tlie liiml siirvcyiil in ten or twentv cliains
iVontiiL'c liy iiiM- or two miles Imij.', the snnie as lias liccii done
lor the I'liiiee-Allieit settlement "e. liiitli tlie noitli anil -ontli
lii-.ii.eli. s ol till' .^Mskiiti'liev^.in. 1 TeLMet lo s!iy that so llll eiir
IM-.iyi'i liiis not yet l.eeii tiiiniled. iioi even an iinswer nl anv
kind l)cen uiveii, .'up! 1 leel liouiel til say that sncli a sl.ite ..I
thint-'s is nlmnst intoleiiilile. 'I'lie most part oltliese settlei-,
anil 1 am aiimn^: the immlier, liave held on and cnltivateil
their laii<ls lor over three years, ami oueht to hf> entitleil to a
patent lioiii the Ci iwu. Vet, as they have taken np their
m
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IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)
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Photographic
Sciences
Corporation
23 WEST MAIN STREET
WEBSTER, NY. 14580
(716) 872-4503
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Sin
■ ■ i
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834
^"PliKCII
liiiids clo.H* to f!>cli dlliiT, imd ill tlic lioiio oi'liiiviiiir tliciii
siil"li\i<lc'il ill liver lots, they h.ive not Ijoi-ii iilili' to outer
tlifin in ilie fifinds ( illicc Youspe, sir, in ii glaiieo tlie ival
state ol' tilings, aiul I nuod not occ'iipy your valualiU' timo any
longer in enterin.ii into more details. I jnay yon, tlierelore,
most earnestly, to have tlio matter leinedieij, for the satisfac-
tion of so many loyal snlijects of Her Ma.jesty ami ol' your
humhh.' servant.
L(»UIS SCHMIDT.
Honoialjie the Minister of the Interior.
Ottawa.
Tlii^ letter, ftir. iirovos tluit the liall'-lireeds could
not make entries iVir tlieso luml.s. l>ut if a wmild-lie
settler cumos I'roiii tlie out.side, froiu tlie i>r()vince.s of
Quelicc or Ontario or from Kuropo with no .such .-cru-
})les as entertain the liall'-ltreeils, lie will go to the
agent and make an entry for one of tho^e lands know-
ing it was oceupifHl. and with the title to the (juarter
section in hi.s pocket, he will gi) and say to the half-
breed :
Here is the evidence that .such a state of things not
only existed, hut that fact.s of that nature took place.
The petition which T have just read to you was
I'orwnrded >) Ottawa on the Uth of Decendier. IS.S.'J,
together with the jiiayers of Louis f^clnniilt and John
Jlaptiste T)Oucher. Then you have the evidence — the
iinswer to the challenge thrown to us by tlu; (iovern-
iiiert that no half-hreed has ever been dispossessed.
You have in their <.)wn blue book proof that half-
breeds have been actually dispossessed.
Mr. I.aiirier thi'ii read an extract from a speech delivered
by the ilonorahle I'homas Whit? in aiiower to the precetling
chai'L'es made hy thf inesent speaker on a previous occasion,
^Ir. White accused ^^r. hauiier of- talking nonsense." '• Talk-
ing noiisi>nse I ■■ said r*Ir. Lanrier. This is a very summary
way of disposiiiLf of the accusations. But everyone mu>t liiiht
witli their weapons, and it seems to me that weai)ons of tin;
AT TORONTO IX ISSO
33o
Miiiistt'T of the Intnioi' are not wt'll riirl)i>lieil. 'I lu-y want
j)oli>li, an<l may iIk-ii .i:<'t a littlo inoic victoiy. In tlic cxtiaot
rou'l l)y Mr. I.aurifi-, Mr. AVIiitc was n-jiortcil also as »ayin;i
tliat ^Iit l.ainic r hail stati-il in ii di^jnili! ovit lan^ls in tlic
Noitli ^Vo .t tilt' indiviilu.'il wlio olitaiiicil iinssi'-sion liy c^ust-
intj a lialt'-Vii'Ci'il was iiami'il Salter, .'sallci'. Mr. W'liite said, was
an Kn,;.'lisii iiainc and thus Mr. i aiiriiM'. lie cniitended. liad
;.'ivfn tli(> iiii)iri'ssion tiiat a li.Ut'-breed lia,il liwn deiirived nf
Ids hnul by an I'^niiiisli settler.
.^^l•. Laurier, coiitinuinu', i^iiid : — Sir. T ]ii'ot('-:t
against .«iu'li un insinuation. Mr. ^\'llito s^niitrlit to
convey the iniprepsion that I had heon appoalinp to
race iirejudiccf. T liavc never hcen ^aiilty of anythiri!'
.so low an that. I have again and attain in tlie |novin( e
ol (iuehec, a.s I do now, attacked the ixilicy ol'tlie ( iov-
ernuient rcfrarding tins (inestion, lait Heaven i.s niy
\vitnes.«i that never did i call upon any race feeling in
the province of <^uel»oc. The language which I have
ur-etl in tlie provinces of Queiiec is the langmige which
T use here to-night. I Inive n-i two languages, nne
t'or the French Canadian.'^ and the other lor tlw English
Canadian.^. We >tand liere upon the hroad ground i>f
i'riti>'h liherty and Ihiti^h justice. lUit .Mi'. Salter
WIS one of the origiiuil settler-^ in the ]Ktrish (d'St
Louis de Langevin. and fo was his neighhor. the gen-
tleman v\ith whom he was ilisputing. The gi.-t ot' my
defence is^ this : — That the dispute was httween two
iialf-hreeds over a piece of land, and these cases are
not uncommon in the XorthW'est Territory. I will
go further, and T will .«ay that disputes ahout the
possession of land are not otdy not uncommon in the
North-West Territories, liut are conimon where there
are men and neighhors. There v.ill he disimtes
AS I,oM; as TIIKliK AKK MEN.
It is not uncommon to have these dis))Utes ahout
land in the ]irovinee of (juelicc. and the province of
Ontario, hut here is the ditFerenee - .^I^. Whitf' would
argue tliat tins was a case of trespass, simple tres[ias.s,
..'.'
fPEECH
a violation of the law. a half-breed encroaching upon
another half-breed. The difference was this : — Thomas
Salter did not commit any tre-pass, did not commit
any violation of the law; hut when Thoma.-j Salter
came to dispossess his noighljor, he had in his hand
the authority of the (Jovernment. He had in his hand
an entry which Ik; had made ; he was not breaking
the law ; he was acting according to the law made by
the (iovcrnment of Canada. This is the ditference,
and this is what the ])eoplc of Ontario will understand
that this is the difTorence in the case to which I have
referred. Tliat could not have been remedied in rourt
of justice. If it had been an ordinary trcsjia.ss such
as we see everywhere in human society, he could
have settled it in a court of justice, l)ut the man says :
— " Here is my title, I have it from the Government
of Canada. " This is why these men were so embit-
tered. They were so liable to be evicted not illegally,
but legally with the sanction of the (Jovernment. [s
it to l>e Wvindered at. again I say, that the hearts of
these men grew embittered when again aur again they
api)eale(l to the (Jovernment and got noanswtr? Here
thev found themselves evicted one bv one. Is it anv
wonder tiuit these men at last
LOST AI.I. PATIENCE
rwM
and faith in the (Jovernment? You are told by the
(Jovernment and by their friends that the rebellion
was due simj)lj' to the agitation of Kiel. In the sum-
mer of lss|, when they had been petitioning for three
long years with no avail, they sent for Kiel, the only
educated man of the race — they sent for him. He com-
menced ti-e agitation. l»ut what did the (iovernment
do? Did they do a single act to renn^dy the state u\'
things which then prevailed in these territories, when
they knew, as they must hav(! known, that Riel was
a dangerous character? — T never said thecontrary. The
(iovernnifiit knew it. Did they act upon their know-
ledge? When tliisman was l)rought into thetcrritory.
• r
AT TORONTO IN 188G
337
when he commenced the agitation, a peaceable con-
stitutional agitation for six long months, what did the
Government do to remedy that state of things, to
prevent the continuance of that agitation wliich might
end, as it did end, in rebellion ? They sent a police
to overawe the peoj)le and to
their claims. Are we in British
Russia ? That is the way that
poor Poland. Whenever that
unfortunate nation asked for liberty, the Russian (iov-
ernment aid as the Canadian (Jovernment in ISS-J ;
instead of meeting the just demands of the people, it
sent military forces to Warsaw to overawe the people,
to put down those who had the tenjerity to rai.«e their
voices in favor of their own friends. We are told
now that the rebellion was cause<l liy the malice of
Riel. Ltt me bring forward
force to Fort Carlton
prevent them making
territory, or ar<i we in
Russia ever treated
THE TESTIMONY OF THE POLICE FORCE
sent to Fort Carlton, Superintendent (lagnon, who
wrote on 23rd December, 1S84, to Major Crozicr : —
Sir: — I have to lionor to rei)Ort that <hiring the
last month the half-hreeils of St Laurent and Bfitoche settle
meiits held a public meeting to adopt a petition drawn up by
a committee, and that this petition, signed by the settlers of
both settlements, has been I'orwanled to Ottawa. This meeting,
from all reports, seems to have been very orderly. Several
other smaller reunions have taken {lace dui'ing tlie same period,
but all had reference to school matters. The hall-breeds are
pressing Kiel to settle among them, and have given him, as a
token of their gratitude for services rendered, a house well
furnishetl, and will further, on 2nd .January next, present him
with a purse. These testimonials are for the good-will of the
m.ajority, and would go towards denying certain rumors which
say that several are lacking confidence in their leader, tliathis
way of acting and speaking denotes a very hot head, and that
he does not agree with their priests.
As far as I can see, the chief grievance of the half-breeds
is that they are afraid the Govinnment will not sanction
the way they amongst themselves haye agreed to take their
homesteads — ton chains Irontage on the river by two miles
back.
22
fi
'%
= r.
11
338
SPEECH
\l
Here was tlio last wtiniing given to the (joveni-
nicnt by one ol'tlieir own oflifoi'H at so lute a chiy as
2.'ji'd ])ecenibor. The lohelliini lnoke out I'our nMjitlis
nl'terwardp. lUit tliey took no nteps in the meantime
to give i^atii-l'action to tlie^^e peojile, not a ^itej). warned
tliougli tliey were, tliongh they .-^aw tlie (hiiiger. and
thougli tlie ;igilntion wa-s ever increasing, growing
more and more hitter, yet in tlie lace ()rall tliat they
never took a step, they never did an act to remove
this state of things whieh must liave ended as it did
end in reliellitm. N(»w, gentlemen ol' Toronto, men
of English l)lood and descent, let me ask tliis of every
oiieol'you ; Il'you had hcen yourselves fated to lie horn
on the hanks of the ."Saskatchewan before tiier(> ever
was a government in the territory, and you had taken
youi land according to the manner oi' the country,
and if. when the government was founded, they had
■sent surveyors intt)the c(tuntry cutting ytutr land into
liiccis; if after you had made remonstrances after
remonstrances you iiad been given a })romise that,
j ustice would be doncand that ])ron)ipe was l)roken ;
if afti'r every other means had been tried and found
ol no avail,
WUAT Woll.i) \0\- llAVK hoNE?
Before T ])roceed any further, let me ([Uote the lan-
guage which was ^^[K)ken upon one occasion by the
great Karl of Chalhani. the greatest man of his day,
the man who first started Knglaml in the ISth century
on that career of victory and glory which she has been
following ever since. Let me tell you what he once
said. The American colonies to the south of us were
then in t)pen rel)eliion, lighting tiie Biitish (iovern-
nicnt. J.ord Chathani, old and feeble, came to the
House of Lord.s < ue day. ujibraided the Ministers for
being the cause of that rebt^llion, telling them that
they had no right to tax i)eople that were not repre-
t^ented in the Ihitish Parliament; that it was an act
ul' tyrannv on th^ir part. He said '' H' I were an
Uf:ii
AT Tdltd.NTn IX 18SG
American, iis I am an En;^lishman. wliik' lorcipn
troops rrmaiiied in llu' country I never would lay
down my amis! Never I Nevei I Never! " If tlie
editors oltlie good loyal Tory ucwftjiapers ol" Ontario
had l)een liviufj; in that day, what would they liavo
said oftliat remark i»t' f^ord ("liatliam's ? For my part,
^fentlemen, I am a loyal ?-ultject, liut I have the ( our-
aj.ce ol' my convictions, whether they are right or
wrong. T helieve tho-c men were
OOADKO lo UKVol.lTION,
liut wlien they rebelled tliey committed a crime
agairist the peace. I was not horn on the hanks ol'
the Saskatchewan, hut on those of the St Lawrence,
and when the rebellion to(dc place I had u seat in
rarliament, [ owed alleirianee to my soveieijcn. and
I knew my rights as a cili/en and my duties as a sub-
ject of Tier Majesty. When the volun^^eers were called
out. tlie (iovernmenl. tor the first tiiiif in tliis whole
matter, did its duly. Th<' reliellion had broken out
and had to lie suppresst d. The Government had to
be sustained; T sustained it. The Libci'al paityasa
party otrered no opposition to the (lovenmient in this
nuUter until the back of tlierebellion had been brok-
en and all danger was jiassed. Then when the law
had been vimiicated. tame the time to arraign the
(iovernment and I took an>Mlier ^tep also. I say it
was my view and no< that of the wh(de Liberal party.
It wa.s a matter upon which everyone took his own
side, and my view was that since the rebellion had
been provoked clemency should have followed in the
steps ot victory
This is the course which I took
It is not the unanimous course of the Liberal party
on this (luestion. Kvery man aets according to his own
conscience. Sir, convinced as 1 am that these men
werein the right, that they were defending tluMr just
rights, that they had been (Iriven to crime by the (iov-
ernment, I again expressed my convictions upon that
suliject in as strong language as was at my command.
1
■r
I
n
340
PPEECII AT TORONTO IN 188G
I knew that I had l)een the cause of scandal to the
nuineroug tribe of Tory editors who have hvshed their
brains most unmercifully in order to bring against me
some grand sentence of scorn and indignation. My
native land is not only the province of Quebec, wliere
I was born, but it extends all over portions of this con-
tinent covered by the British flag. My kindred are not
only those in whose veins How the blood that flows in
my veins. My kindred are all those of whatever race
or creed who on this continent live
INDKIi THE PROTECTION OK THE BRITISH FLAG,
and you will certainlv all agree with me that the pur-
poHo of (iod is that all races who are covered l)y the
iiritish flag shall be equal before the law, and when
we find a Government ill-treating a poor ])eo]de, sim-
ply because they are poor :ind ignorant, we resent it.
When we find them violating that purpose of CJod, I
say that it behooves us to freely fight for it with all
the means that the constitution ])]aces in our hands.
" eoi mi " FOR
VIGOROUS PLEA LY FAVOR OF THE IRISH
DIOFKCTIVICNI'^S OF LKCISLATIVE UNION IN
KN(iLANI) AM) IN CANADA
PROTEST AGArxST COERCION
'fwic^i-' itrovioiisly in 1 >S2 mid Issi;, ln'l tlii> Kousi' nf ( 'oin-
mous votc'il iiiilrcssi's t(i Ihc < jucfn in r.ivnr nl' ipflauil In its
struggl'' lor .-iclf-i^ovi'i'iiuu'iit. In ISST, tlicsiliintiDii lia 1 1iim'0iu(»
still inoi<< painl'iil, tlit'iiirht ol' fVeo iiitietitig iin'l ilisciissioii
having n-ceivt'il a tcrriMo blow (Voia the scvcrt^ luousurcs
instituteil by Mr. Balt'uiii", tho now Secretary of Statt? tor
Irt'laml. (~)n tli" iM.-t Apr.!, 1 -iST, Mr. (Jurraii hkivoI resolu-
tions |)i'otestiiiu'!ij;aiii-t t!i<! *• oocroioii liill."' Tlic (lebat<> la^teil
several (lays ami emleil in the a'loption of the resolutions by !V
vote of I')") against 47, iii spite of tlio Ojiiiosition of the I'reniiei-
anil of several of hi> colli'agues and principal supporters, Miissrs
Bowell, Caning, While, Tupper, Ilaggart, Foster, and Mc-
Carthy. Hut this opposition was powerless against the coali-
tion of all the Irish menibeis in both jtarties with the French
('anailians and th" entire Liberal i)arty. Mr. i^aurier supplies
the <'xplanation of this patriotic alliance between the Irish,
French Canadians ami Liberals, in the following speech wliii'h
we tnki'. from the Hansard :
Mr. Liuii'ier ; — .\s this IIou.se has already twice
expressed its sympathy witli Ireland in the cause of
1
i
\i.
M j.)
Kl'EECfl
m
'i*!<
Home Rule, their? would not ho, under ordinnry
circuuiHtiiiK'os, any occuHioii lor un iiddili<tn;il expres-
sion of view.s Mild wislie.s ulreiidy well known. But
the cireunistiUUMis to-dny iire not ordinary ; they are
even more painful and deploralilo than the ordinary
cireunirttanees ol'tliat uidiappy hind. A ninv cahiniity
meiuice.s it, a cahunity ot' mo ^reat :i, chiirii(;ter that it
call?" for an additional expression of th<' sympathy,
not oidy of thcj.se who love Ireland, but of tiio.'Bo as
well who love Knfi;land and fair phiy and are proud
of her name. It mu.-t he atlniitted tiiat it is a most
evil day, indeed, not only for Ireland, hut for Knjrland
as well, when in thi,-? Jui>il(>e year, in any part of the
J{ritish Kmi)ire, a civilized i)eople is to he
srn.IKCTKI) TO !,.\ws ,So ClirKI,
as those contemplated to he imposed ui)on the people
of Ireland. The honoral)le memher for North Hruce
(Mr. .McNeil), who addressed thf! House yesterday,
coiu'luded an able and moderate .speech which was
directed mostly to ostahiish the proposition that
co(!rcion in Ireland was necessary, hy proposinp a re-
solution to the <;fre(t tliat the Parliament of Canada
should not exi)ress any opinion as to ihe course of
Imperial leiiislation. l^ecause our I*arliaim>nt had not
the requisite information upon which to otfer an opi-
nion ; hut the honorable gentlennin himself must
have thou^jht we had suilicient information, since he
came to the conclu.=?ion, in his speech, if not in his mo-
tion, that coercion was necessary for Ireland. On tlie
other hand, the friends of Ireland, with the same in-
formation at their command :is the honorable gentle-
man has, may come to a different conclusion, and
believ(> that the true cour.-e to be followed is not the
course of coercion, but that of freedom. lUit. more-
ever. Mr. (iladston^. li<:litinp; on behalf of the Irish
])eople. invites all tho--e who sympathize with
Ireland to record their sympatliy with the .stru,L;-gle
■ **'
IN FAVOn OF Ili>MK niM.E
now liciiiy ivmdc Tii a late letter lie h[>oi1v'» as
follow.s: —
I attacli very lii,s:li value aw\ iiiiiM)it:iiicit> t(t tli" iiriiiil'i-itii-
(ion, WW incessant, ()rAiui.M'ii'an a-- wv'll an <V)'i)iiial >ymiiiitliy
witli tli>» Iri-ili i)i'')pln in ill ' misis ci-i'iiti' I l)y llio cansaless,
insulting' anl ni->iiii)u.s hill at pri's-nt hufori' I'ai'li'uncnt.
\V(>ll. if the ailviee of the iVieiiils of Ir«;hiirl may
l»e of value to tlv 'o wlio are now (jiijfaLred in liglitiujf
her hattle. it j^eeniH to :i;e that the ailvieo of all tho.^e
suhjeet:^ of Her Maje.sty, who have ciijoyeil
TIIK llKNKKirs o|- IIOMK lUI.I-:
lor fifty yearn, may be of still f^rejiter value from their
experieuee of the lih^ssiiiL^'-^ of Home Rule; ami in
that vit!W T say eniphatieally that tlie .sa;,fge-ition:) of
tio class of Her Majesty's colonial suhjocts, as to tin;
blo-isinifs of Home Rule, may he more jirolitahh' tiian
the suiige^t ions of Her Majesty's suhjecls of Kroneh
oriffin. And, s|ieakin<j asa French ("anailian, I cannot
help compnrini; the history of my own country with
tht> history of Trelaiul to-day. T see much similitude
between tiie situation of Ireland to-day and the ditua-
tion of Canada, and esiiecially Lower ('anaila, lifty
years ago. It seems to me that the public nuMi who
to-day have to deal witii tin' cause of Ireland are
hampered by a <Ustru.?t of the Irish people in the
same way as the pul)lie men who had to d(!al with the
cau-ie (»f Canada (ifty years a;j;o wiiie hampered by a
distrust of the people ol" Canada. There are only twn
ways of governini!; men — by despotism or coercion, if
you choose hi call it liy that mimo. or by iVerdotn.
You can coerce an inferior ,ind an uncivilizi-d ra<'e,
but never a i)roud and sclf-respei-tin^ people. Coer-
cion has been tried, not once or twiec, but times almost
without number in Ireland, and it has failed every
time; anil, if tried aj^ain. it mu^t fail as it did l)efore.
The Irish people would not be the proud people tlnit
they are, if they were to be cowed by coercion into
! . .
344
SPKE(;H
,m
nban(l(tnin<i one Hin<rle iotii of whnt tlioy (Irrni to lio
tlieir iu.st ri^ilits. TIk? liunoriiMi^ incnilirr lor J5iuct'
(Mr. lilcNuilj 3iii(l ycHtcM'duy timt Cdorcitiu had lieen
HUcct'Hsful. At l('a«t T uiiderHtodd him to Hay ho in
ri'j^ard to the last coorcioii l»ill, that it HUiipif.wHod
criine. How can siuh hm^'uage he hold ?
IK (OKKCIoN lIAIi IIEF.N srccKHSI'l I,
in Irehind. Imw is it that the state ol' Trchind is what
it is t()-(hiy ? The honorahle },'eiith'niiin liiin^^elf
(U'Vuted the j.fre!iter part of his speech to deniouslriito
that crime to-(hiy is rampant in Irehmd. Coercion
can punisli crime, it can cnisli out ail expressions of
puhlic opinion, it can choke in tii(^ thioat eve:) hci'oro
tliey are uttered ;ill \vor<ls of conip'aint or remon-
•trance,l)nt it cannot hreed contentment and affection
in tlie hearts oi'the people I'or the ( Iovernment.it can ufit
induce that cheerfulness and allefriance whicli should
lie the aim towards which every (iovernment should
tend. AVhat is wanted to-d.nv in Ireland is not a law
to punish crime, hut a state of thin<is which will
suppress crime hy suppres9in<r the motive for crime,
the motive for a.LM'arian ci'ime, which is the only ciime
existing in Ireland. What is wanted is a state ol"
things which will hring contentment to the hearts ot"
the jxjople. a state ol' things which will make the ]■('(»-
]>le happy and proud of their allegiance. This is what
is wanted to-day in Ireland, and, since it is proved,
and ]»rovetl, it seems to me, heyf)nd dis])ute, tluit
coercion has failed as often as it has heen tried. T ask
of (hoi-e who to-day support coercion, not only in thi.s
Parliament hut out of this rarliament. if it would
not he well to try the other method of governing men,
the nielhod of freedom ? Strange to say, all tiioso
who to-day oppose Home Rule, whether on this con-
tinent or on the other continent, all those who today
advocate coercion, must admit, and they do admit,
with more or less reluctance, that
IN KAVnU or IloMK lU IE
^45
sn.MK KIND OK I.uCAt. OoVEUNMENT
should 1)0 «.'riinto(l to Ireland . Even the Ii'inoiablo
gentleman wlm placed in ytnir hands the aiiiendiueiil
you now have, th(»u^di his Hjieeih wan ihvotcil tu tiie
|)i'o|)03ition that coertion was neceasary. still in this
amcndtncnt adhered to the rescdutions in I'avof of
llonu! Ilule whiih wer<' jtassed hy this House. This
is not unusual. All tlmst! Htatt-sinen, as far as my
knowh'd;:*! f;;(M'S, in En,<j;lanil or out of Knj:l:ind, who
hav<! treated thai sulijeet and have come t" the eon-
elusion that coercion was necessary, at the same
lime have said that, after all, the pre-eiit atiite ofthin<,'S
was inloleralde, and that some kind of local irnvern-
\iH)\\{ should he devised for Ireland. At the same
time they are misty in their views. While statin;;
that ii\ one hreath." they stille it in the ne.xt ; w hilst
admitting' that Ireland should have sume kind of
local ailministratioii, still tlu'y all comdude their
utterances hy stating that, alter all. the Imperial
Parliament sliould have ahsolutc enutrol nverlucal
matters. And what is tlu; secret of it all ? The secret
i.sthat the men wluxhuil with that qut'stinu and oii|»ope
Mr. (ilad.stonc! at this monn'ut. distrust th<' peniile
of Ireland, and one and all believe that, ifanytliin;;
like leifislative iudependenoe were given to the peupje
of Ireland, the people of Ireland would sim|)ly make
it a stepping stone towards effecting «'oiuplete separa-
tion from the Empire. As far as that goes, I am
reminded of the history of my own country, of the
history of Canada, and especially of Lower Canada.
The honoralilo gentleman who seconded tlu' addrcj-.s
the other day, the honorable member for Albert ( Mr,
Weldon), in an able and well-temp(Me(l speecli. reh>r-
red to the fact, that in the fir.-t ye;ir of Her .Majc-tys
reign there was rebellion in these i)rovince.s. He t'lok
some pride in saying that there had been n<i reli''!lion
in the Maritime i)rovinces. That is .so. There was no
rebellion in the Maritime provinces, but there was
discontent in the Maritime provinces, there was agita-
3'
♦
I »
340
SPEECH
tinn ill the Maiitinic proviace^j, and wliat was the
caiHO of it ? Till' discontent and the airitation aro.sc
I'roiii the fact that the ])eoi)le of the Maritime provin-
ce.?, in connnon with the people of all the Uritii^h pro-
■.'ince^. (h^nianded at that time more; extemled loesil
liberty. There was tlie same discontent throughout
the lenuth and I)readth of Upper Canidn. There was
even
V'^l ■in;.'
UKI'.KI.t.IoN r.\ UI'I'K!{ CANADA,
thiiuirh it was restricted within narrow limits. I>at
th(n'(! was rebellion throuj;hout [iOwer-Canada. rebel-
lion, which wa,s ])rofound. bitter and dee[)-rooted. We
have heard of late that rciellion may exist without
(!au>e. that it may exist out of sheer malice, and mere
wantonness; but the (iovernminit of JMigland did not
iielieve so. Tlie (iovernmcnt of ]On'j;land thought that,
since the people of the British colonies liad risen in
arms against lii(! (iovernmcnt, there must be some
cause i'or that uprising, and they sent out one of the
most eminent men of his day, Lord Durham, to inves-
tigate the cause of that rel)ellion. iiOrd Durham
came here, he did his work, and he did it well ; he
investigateil the causes wb.ich had led to the rebellion
in i,n\vcr-(".anada. and ti> the rebellion in Upper-
("anad;i. and whii-h had sjji'ead discont(;nt all over
lU'itish tei'ritnry in America, and he re[)orted to his
(loveinment. Tt is not my iluty to-<lay to review the
r(>poit of L!)rd Diiriiam at baigth. Tf that were my
duty, 1 should have to lake most serious cxcei»tion to
some ol' tlio conclusions at which iie arrived, esjic-
cially as they alTectetl my own countrymen, of French
oriLnn : but 1 am speaking to-day only of the general
cau-es. which, in the opinion of fiOrd Durham, led to
rcl)oilii>n in two of the provinces, and general discon-
tent all over the 'iirovinces, an<l the remedy which he
then sugue-^ted. F^ord Durham laid down as the cause
of that rebellion and discontent the fact that the
aspirations of the peoi)le for freedom of local govern-
'■■!: -'
am.
IN FAVOR OK IIOMK Iin.K
317
ment were continuiilly chockod 1)y the condact of tin.'
Colonial Oflicc, and he suj?<i;p.-«te<l !is a remedy that
the provinces should l)e iiUowod the most
(;OMri.KTK I.KiilSI.ATIVK INOKPK.N'DKNCK.
lie said that legislative independence slmnld he even
given to those colonies wiiich, at that time, v;ere in
tlie throes of civil war. His iilea was that, if the aspira-
tions of the peojile for ahsolute uiitranunclled freedom
of local government continued to Ik; t'hccked hy the
Colonial Ollice, the irritation |)rodiu;ed hy that course
would lead the people to ask not only for local free-
dom, hut for altsolute severance from the Kmi)ir(!.
Whereas if the wiches of the people for local ij;overn-
nient were i:franted, if they had ahsolute indepeiideni'c
in their local ntfairs. their local interests and their
Imperial ])ride would he nt once irratified and the ll;i^
Avhich protcct('<l their local liherties and recalled to
them so n\any glorious association^, would ix^ miide
all the dearer to their hearts. It was a hold conclu-
sion, so hold, indeed, that the most 1 iheral-mindcd
statesmen <tf the (lay iri England shrank from it. in
the same immner that to da\' the ino«t lilieral-minded
men in Kn^ihiud shrink from applyinu the sann; doc-
trine to the gdvernment of Ireland.
liOrd John Russeli. who was at the time Colonial
Secretary. ;ind ime uf the most Hherid-mindcd men nf
his day. had to review the report mndehy Lnrd I)ur
ham. He a<j;reed in almost everythinij; that Liud
Durham had said, except in the particular of ;_nvini;
free and independent legislatures to the colonics.
I'pim that suhjeel he spoke as follows ; —
It does not aii|ii'.U' to me tli.'it yi)U eiiii .- iitii''i''t tlic ivNccii-
live (Jillllicil of ( "ail;i 1,1 1(1 till- re>|ionsili|lit\- iviiieli ;-; fiiiliv
(It'iimnlt d I'l tliv^ Miiii-;ter.- <ii' tlic Kxeoutive ,1'''^^'^'' ''i thi-'
count ly.
And after having dilaied at lemrtli ui>tnthis idea,
he concluiled as follows: —
[ know no reason why tlie I.eiiislat ivi' A-seuiMy. \vli''tli>'i
ol'eac!i. separately, oi' ot botii proNimifs unile<l. -Iioul I noi l).-
w
h t ■•
}4S
!^^EECH
> ;
listtineil to witli (loleiiMice ; hut 1 am not prepared to lay
ilown a principle, ami a new princijile, for tiio future govern-
un'iit of tli(! colonies, tiiat we oujilit to suliject tiic Executive
tlnri- to the same restriction-^ wliich [)revail in this lountry.
Speakiiii: nf the impos.filiility whifh exislod in
hi.s lumd of j^riintinji; the Siiuu- aiuount of Icgi^jlalive
indeponduiice to the colonies that existed in tlie ino-
ther-co\irilrv. lie made those other remarks : —
').:i-vA
I'.ut ilic " loveirior olf.'anaila is actitig not in tliat hij:h and
niKi--ail.il>ic position in wliich the Sovereign of tiiis ■ ountry is
)il;i*eil. lie is a irovei'iior receiving.' instructions from the
( 'rown on tiie responsihility of a Si;cretai'y of State. Here,
1li( II, at once, is an olivioiis and cDniplete ilill'erence hetween
llie Mvt'cutive nf this country and the Hxeculive of ii colony.
I'lie < iovernor nii.iriit a>k tli.' Ivxi'cutivi' < 'o\nicil to propose a
certain uiiMsuri'. They might say they could not propose it
unless the memhers of the House, of Assemhly would adofjt it.
li'.;t tliii <iovernor miiiht re[dy that he had received iustruc-
tif)iis from home comiuan ling him to propose that measure.
How, in that ca^e, i- he to [iroceed? Either one power or the
other mii^t lie put aside. Either the ( iovermnent must con-
trol tile Hoiisi' of .\-;seinl'ly, or else the • tovernor must liecomo
a meii! ci)iliei in the hands of the .Vs^embly, and not alt<'mpt
to <'arry into eH'ect ihe m^^asures <'ommaiided by the Home
< iov<'llimellt.
So. tlicn. such a lilieral-tninded man as FiOrd
.Tolni Ilnssell could not see his way to adopt tlie con-
clusion of Fiord Durham, and to grant ahsolute le.^'is-
lative indiipcudonce iiud respousihlc government to a
cohiny. To liiiu the oh-siacles seemed to ho insav-
niountahle. We are aware that those views of Lard
Tohu Russell prevailed for some years. Tiie govern-
ment of the colonies was attempted to he carried on
the same lines here traced ijy Lord John Russell, that
i.« to .say, upon tiie old line.s, not upon the lines traced
liy Lord Durliam : not upmi the view thtit responsil)le
government sliould lie granted to the colony. It is a
welldvuown fact that (.luring those years this country
had no peace; it is a well-known fact that during all
IN FAVOR OF HOME RULE
349
that time an agitation was constantly kept up. and
the country led a miserable life and made no progress.
But at last a master-mind came to this country
IN THE PKKSON OK I.OIU) KI.(;IN,
and he did not shrink from giving us the al>solute
legislative indeiiendcnce for which the country had
been recommended to the statesmen of (Ireat Jbitain.
but which they deemed to he inconsi-^tent with the
interests of the Kmi)ire to grant. Lord Klgin did not
liesitate to subject the Ministry of the country to the
same responsibilities and the same restrictions that
prevailed in England. We know that he did this in
spite of all the reports of the Tory party in England,
who at that time fought against Canadian freedom
with the same bitternessjand violence with which they
are now lighting against Irish freedom. Jkit notwith-
standing all those efforts Lord Elgin's view prevailed
England granted the most complete legislative inde-
pendence, and resp<uisible government was introduced
into the provinces as aljsolutely and as com])letely as
it is carried out in England. Did any of the dangers
which were expected to follow from this course, arise?
Nor did the Imperial interest suffer and the agitation,
which had been going on for local freedom, immediat-
ely ceased ; immediately contentment prevailed where
there had been discontent. and loyalty followed where
there had been disloyalty before. And to-day. Mr.
Speaker, as you well know, in this the Jubilee year of
Her Majesty's reign, there is not in this broad Empire
an inch of ground where there is more dutiful and
more loving allegiance than in this very country where
fifty years ago rebellion was bitter and deej)-rooted.
That is
'^i
a
THE EI-'FECT OF LIP.ERTV,
that is the effect of local freedom granted to Canada.
What would be the condition of Canada to-day if this
111!!
■ ' i ■■
i-irii'
;}oO
ppi;i:cir
'i:
1 .>
■* ,
1'^
\t
'■■?»■ ■'
i-i
^fi»
It
n
||,
1
Q
course had not beiMi foUowjMl. if the old practict' had
htit'U t'olh)\ved of ke('j)iii;.' tlic )K'o])Ui uiuh.'r.iuhjoction,
of rcfu-infi' ihi'iii tlioi^e lt)cal lihcrticv-^ for which they
w('r(? ch'inioriii^' '.^ ( )ur condition to-(hiy wouhl he tlie
condition of Irohmd tii-(hiy, tiiat of nnllen discontent
and agitation a. constant praying for reforms which
were never )_M-antcd.
Sir. there is no rehollion to-day in Ireland,
it is true, Init is there contentment ? Ts there cheerful-
ne.-s of heart in the allegiance whicii they uwe to the
Crown of JMigland ? Sir. tlie comlition nf the Irish
people to-day is afiout tlie mo.-t niiserahle of any
people in Kurope. Must this last forever? fs there
no remedy to such a state of things? It has lasted
already for seven long years, and shall we i)e told to-
day that there is no remedy for the evil? I say, in
view of our own experience, there is a remedy, and
that remedy is not cncrcion, hut freedom. I^et the
j'lnglish ( iovernment tieat the Irish jieopl(> na they
liave treated the Canadian peoj)le. Let them trust
the Ii'ish people as they liave trusted the Canadian
peoi)le. Let them appeal to their hearts, to their
gratitude, to their nobler sentiments. Let tiiein loosen
the gri}) in whicli they now hold that uid'itrtUha.te
land, k '- them I'ive them soi
ue lueasure
ot
IOC
^il
lil)erty, lot them restore the Parliament to College
(Jieen. an<l I ventuie to say that this lung accuiuu-
lated hitterness caused liy ages of oppression will
melt av.ay in a very I'cw years ; 1 venture to -ay tliat.
after that, the hnnd of uninn between Knghmd ami
Ii'eland will be stronger than it ever was liel'ore. It
will not lie a liond of union liased upon physical
force, but it will be a bond ol' union based U[)on
m
uUial affection and respect. Sir, we will be told
perhaps
t)h. but thert! are demagogues in Ireland
u ho would prevent such a, course."' There may bo
demagogues in Ireland; but demagogues in a free
and happy country are not dangerous, it is
IN KAVfiU OF IIuMK Kll.K
351
TIIK TYUANNY OK A ( ;i iVK l;x:\IKN'r
tliiit iiialsc.5 (lomngofiues clnnperou8 and ijoworlul. We
will lie told again ; " Itut there are men in licland
who would uhi he eoiitcnt with loc:>l lil.erly. who
would aspire to a coiniiletc Hepara(i(Ui nf Trchmd from
the Knipire."" That may he true , I dare say it is true.
Hut T say afxain that if there are sueli men. Iheir
power would not last one nnnute after Ticland had
ohtained that local lilierty which slie now asks ; yes,
their power would not last, hecause either they wi uld
thcm.selves have to he reconciled to the existing slatt?
uf thing.a. or their pnwcr would he gone. Just take;
t he examiile o
f Paj
)niea
u in L>iwer Canada. Tiier<
wafl never a man in any nation who coiiimanded a
greater sway over the hearts and nnnds ol' his fellow-
cuuntrymen than did I'apineau hcrnic (he year of
r(;l)ellion of ]So7. Yet after tlie rebellion, after we
had lieen granted respnnsihle govei'nnienl.l'apineuu at-
tonjited an agitation with the jieojjle of l>ower Canada
to induce them to repeal the A(,'t of I'nion, and that
agitation I'ell pertectly Hat ; the same men who a few
years hefore would have plied their hlo(id at his com-
iiiand were no longer res]ionsive to his voice
\\-
lat
wa^
tl
le reason
Th
('. snn})le reason
that the
people had ohtained local liherlies which secured ;ind
])rotected them, and they were v<((incilcd and satis-
lied with their condition. Su( h wouM he the re-idl,
1 vent'ur(> to siiy. il' the same policy wt re r<illow( <1 in
Ireland that wa.s followed in Lower Canada ; and such
licini;' the casoit hehooves us, not onlv decs it helioove
us, hut it seems to me it is our I'ounden duty, as
niendiers of this great iMiiiiire. to strain every r.erve
in or(h!r to strengthen the hands of those struggling
in the cause o\' Irelarid. and to show hy our living
ex[)erienee that in order to ni!d<e the government of
Ireliunl strong, it is nciessary simply to make the
people free.
I I
m
mil
•"i.,r"
p-'i
^ .'
w^i>
» H
MR. LAURIER,
Leader of tlie CaDadiaii Lilieral Party
(iRAND OVATION TN TITS HONOR
THE TR-MC AT SdMEKSET
It was an occasion of groat rcjoicinu; throughout the jiro-
vince of Quebec wlien tlie Lilioral memltpjs of tlio House of
Commons, against his own wishes, in InST, met and cliose Mr,
Laurier to succeed Honorable Edward ]>lake as tlieir leafier.
A groat picnic, in honor of the event, was organized and took
place on the 2nd August of tlie same year at Somerset
(Megantic) and at this picnic the admirers of tiie '' future
Prime Minister of the Dominion " gathered in thousands. The
leaders and principal members of the party came from all points
of tin' province by the regular trains Irom Montreal, Quebec,
Levis and St Ifyacinthe and by special trains from Coaticook,
Richmond, Three-Rivers and Arthabaska. On the stand, when
tlie meeting opened, there were at least two hundred Senators,
Federal and I'rovincial members, ex-members, journalists itc.
Congratulatory addresses were presented to Mr. Laurier by tlie
inhabitants of the place (Plossisville) ami of Drunimond and
Arthabaska and by the CI nh Xal i'nud oi'^t llyacinthe, the
C'lid) National of Coaticook and the Liberals of Richmond.
The speakers on the occasion wen* : Honorable Mr. L'lurier,
Honorable Mr. Mercier, Premier of the province of Quebec;
Mr. John Whyte, ex M. P. P., Mr. Geo. Turcot, M. P. for
Megantic, Honorable C. A. P. Pelletier, C. M. < K, Mr. ( t. .\myot,
M. P. for P.elh-'chasse, Mr. .J. Lavergne, M. P. for Drummoml
and Arthabaska, Dr. Turcotte and Mr. Ernest Tremblay. The
proL'rainuic speech made by Mr. Laurier aroused extraordinary
23
or J
SPEECH
\ Hr
\h\:':>
nco
all
eld
ontliusiasin, Ijoing paitiouliuly reiniuki'il tor the priTeri-i
wiiiih the orator gave to a British customs union, il' nt
realizable, over the American customs luiion, which then lu...
tiie place of unlimited reciprocity before the public <'ye, an<l,
iit a time when French ('ana<lian loyalty was keenly called
into question by their trailucers, this ileclaration falling from
the h|..» of one of the most authorized reinesentalives of the
French Canadians was a suuunary reply to such insinuations.
(Translation.)
INIh ClIAIKMAX,
Ladies axd Gentlemen,
No cloul)t, I ?lioul(l conmicnce by exl)re?f^ing all
the gratitude T feel for the mure than cordial rccoittion
you have given to me on the present occasion. Still,
I canndt help at the very outset acknowledging the
l)leasure I experience at finding myself once more in
this good parish of Somerset.
Among the addresses presented to me to day, I am
free to hay that there is one ^vhich has particularly
touched me. I refer to that coming from my old
fellow citizens, if I can cull them so, from my old
friends of Somerset. In it, there is one sentence espe-
cially which I can never forget ; it is that stating that
the citizens of Somerset have always regarded me as a
hrother. Indeed,! can say that, during the twenty years
I have known the fine parish of Somerset, I have been
always treated rather as a brother than as a stranger.
It is now twenty years since I put my toot in this
village for the first time, and since then I have very
often been here on professional business, during the
happy period ^vhen my i)rofession alone claimed my
attention ; I have also come here many times since I
have embraced the political career, the fact being that,
in all the elections since ISi'u, there was only one in
which I did not take part, and that was the last, when
my friend. Mr. Turcot, ^von so glorious a victory.
On Hiy arrival at the station some of my old
" '<!
AT i^U.MF.USLT IN 1SS7
355
f^oiuerset friends were good enough to tell me that
tiiey very much regretted my ahsence from the coun-
ty at the last election. This was very kind and
llatterinj: on their |)art. 15ut I am certain that no
matter what T might have doro I could have added
nothing to the trium;)h of my friend. Mr. Turcot, h^till,
1 would have been glad to have heen aide to he pre.-ent,
if only to revive the old associations which have always
boui <1 me to the parish of Somerset.
This i.s my first visit to Somer.-;et since the disas-
trous tire which swept this village two years ago. And
what a transformation has l)een efTected ! Indeed, no
one in the world, unlet-s he was previou.^ly ac-
quainted with the Somerset jteople, coukl understand
liow this tine village, which was only a heap ofashes,
has risen so rai)idly from its ruins.
T am happy to note that, in the reliuilding ofthis
village, party spirit was forgotten. T know that, at
election times, it has its Liberals and Conservatives,
but I also know that, alter the elections, there arc no
more Lilteruls or ('onservatives,
HofOKS OH lil.EfS,
And, in this connection, it occurs to me to ask
myself, gentlemen, if by any chance there remain
any old lUeus in the township of Somerset ? And this
time, if we were speaking at the place we used to
speak formerly, I would ]dace my hands over my eyes
and ask myself if there remained any old Bleus ; I
do not think there is one remaining.
Well, the time has arrived to j)ut our shoulders to
the wheel and to work together to raise the country
us you have raised this village from ruin.
Gentlemen, I owe you thanks for the welcome
you are giving me to-day ; I thank my friends who
have flocked here, so to say, from all parts of the
country. T see among them people from the old coun-
ty of Artliabaska, which T long had the honor to re-
present ; I see friends from my own native place, with
iE
IF'
i !*M1
3o6
SPEECH
v' > I
■vvlinni I went to "Jchdol. and T pee ])ci»|)le from the
division whidi I now have the honor to represent,
friends from (iiu^hec! East.
T tlinnk nil for cominji; here; I sjjecifilly thanl<
my friends of Somerset, for having taken the initiative
in this mnfrnifiront demonstration ; and I also return
my tlianks to my friends of tlie county of Arlliahaska
for the leaulifnl iiddress which (hey presented to me.
Tn fact. 1 think it would lie impossihle for an address
to (xpre«s wiirmcr sentiments.
I do not hlame any one, where every one thoujiht
he did his duty, hut I do not liesitate to say to the
electors of the county of Arthahapka that, when they
rejected me in 1S77 and that the sif^'ual honor was con-
ferred upon mo of l)ein<r called to rei)re?ent what T he-
lieve to l)e the most jiatriotic constituency in the*
country, the division of Quehec East, tliey rendered
me, peril a p?, a great service.
^ly friends, you all congratuhite me upon my
selection to henceforward guide the destinies of
THIO I.rr.ERAI. PAUTY OF CANADA.
You congratulate me, gentlemen, on this circuni-
stance.butTdeidore it and you also, I am sure, deplore
the sad event which has deprived tlie Liberal party of
the leadership of a man like the Honorable Edward
IJlnke.
The lossof ]Mr. IJlake. gentlemen, is an irrepara-
ble loss to the party which he directed with so much
wisdom, grandeur and brilliancy, irreparable to the
party which followed him with so much devotion and
affection, and irreparable to the country to whose in-
terests he gave his intelligence, his health and his
time and which, I must say, repaid the sacrifice so
badly.
You congratulate me, gentlemen, I must, how-
ever, acknowledge that it was with the greatest repug-
nance that I accepted the position which was offered
to me by my friends in the House of Commons. As
AT S(».\lKU.St:T IN 1887
3o7
Hoiivt'U is my witnc-'s. gontleiiK^n. I uevor souu'lit or
covotcil thill i)(i-itinii ; luy triemls, docming me
witrtliy '»t'it. ixiivo it ti> me ; l>ut. Inr my p.'irt. I never
desired it. not t'eeliiig in myrJell' tlie (lUu'.ilirutiiHH {or
it ; I WDiild liuve miieli proierrod to continue in the
rule which 1 liad until tlien lilh'd, that of u Ireo h'liiee
oltJK! Lihcral [larty. tal<infj,- ))art in tlie li<:lit wlien
my teolin;j,s impelk'd ine in that direction, ratlior than
tu aci'cpt the lieavy re^pon^ihility whirli T munt now
hear a.-i leader. Nevei theh'ss. I stilled my olij(!ction*,
lielievinj^ it to he my duty to accept the post .«ince my
iViends insistcjd on it. f con.sidered that the .''ervice.s
whieh we owe tn mie another madi' it a duty I'or me to
take in my party the mo.--t e.Np<i.sed post, since
THE .MOST t;xi'osi':n i'ost
was ai=3i<j:ned tit mo.
You congratulate me, gentlemen, and you con-
gratulate the Frenrh Canadians on tiie election ol' u
French Canadian a-* leader of the great Liheral party
of the l)iiminion of Canada.
r mu-t do thiH justice to my honoralde cidlengues
(tf the I'lnglish toiiiiue in the House oi' Commons, to
Sir Uichard Cartwright, to Mr. Davios, to >[r. Mills
and to a host ot" others, who had more claims than T
hiul to the position of party leaders — T mmt do theui
the ju-tice to say thai they do not seem to rememhcr
that -\ve ar(! not ol' the same origin or, if they do
remendier it. it is only to allirni. hy their acts as hy
their wonls. that, in the ranks of tin; Fiiheral party,
there is no ([uestion of race, hut that all are e-iual.
Undouhtedly. gentlemen, T um a man. and men,
as you know, have their sympathies and their jirefer-
ences. JJut 1 will say with the Fiatin poet ; •• llinnn sion
cl liKiii lui nihil (I III'- alirntnn piilo ''; " T um a man and
T should be a stranger to nothing human " and, as a
friend inthecmwd said a mnmeiit ago. I am a French
Canadian, with all the pride oi my race, l)Ut all the
riuht!i..of the Bi'itish cttnstitution are as dear to me as
3r)8
si'EEcn
lU-i-
tliDse of my race — iind, if tlie ncriision cvrr iirose that
tlio riylitrt of our scpiinitcd hictlirou were (Hsjiihid. I
would (l(!f(Mul tliciM witli lis nnu'li euerj^y anil coKvic-
tion as I would those uf tny own race.
The nianncM- nii<,'ht, perhaps, not ho the same, hut
the iiupul'^e most assuredly would Ix;. Tt may seem
idle to onuneiato truths us eertain as this one. hut
there i^ now more than ever occiision to recall it,
hecause T re^n-et to say that hetween us — and \ do
not eonliue my remarks to the province of (Juehec,
but apply them to the entire Confeileration — the pre-
judices of race and creed Imvi' increased in hitterness
since the tra^dc events which have ensan<,'uini'd the
North West.
With a zeal worthy of a l)etter cause, a certain
portion of the Ontario ])ress has heen doinii its hest
to divide tlui Catholics from the i'rotestants. ami \
refrrel to .say that in our own ]»rovincc these attack.s
are ofton repelled hy means fully as reprehensihle.
Wiiethcr they come froei tlu^ Catholics of Qnehec
or from the I'rcttestants of Ontario, appeal.s to preju-
dice are eijually dei)lorahle. For my part. I have as
much aver-ion for the mim who appeals to Catholic
prejudices in the provinct^ of Quehec. as lor the man
who ajtpeals to Protestant prejudices in the provim'e
of Ontario.
The true ])atriot, gentlemen, is a strani^-er to llat-
tery — h(> only knows justice. The true patriot always
uses the same lan<;uage. whetlufr he addresses himself
to the Protestants of Ontario or to the Catholics ot'
Queh(!>. The true patriot has only one measure,
that of justicc.justice to whom justice is due.
lias not this more than anything!: else character-
ized the political career of llonoral)le Kdward I'lake?
Neither for the [)osses.sion of i)o\ver, nor for any other
motive, did Mr. Hlake ever i-too]) to api)eal to in'eju-
dices ; if he hail a defect, it was the defect of g; rent
pouls and j;rand characters, Init we do not call il a.
delect, but a tovereiirn quality and it (h'tuinated his
nature. •
AT >;t).Mi:U.SET IN 1SS7
.".oO
TIIK t'AlSK OV Till-; \Vi;.\k ANK Til K ol'I'llKSSKK
attnictod liim, so ti) say, ii)stiiictivi'Iy
W
KM'C
irt tlio iiiiiii 1)1" oiir raco ulni lia-i (lol't'iido'l with
more energy and vij^'or than Mr. Ulako the causo of
the lialf-l)r('('(l"t driven to revolt and crime liy t!ie in-
ju3ti('e of ii |)erv«!rse (lovernnient ?
Where \n th(! Hon of Ireland on thi? continent \vh<»
lias defended tiiu cavneof that unhai)i>y country with
more elo(|uen'^o a d lo^nc;?
French Canndinns, Task you one tliiii<.' — lliiil.
"while, rememhering thnt T. a iMench ('iinadian. have
been elected lender of the IJheral party of ("aniida,
you will not lose ni^ht of the fix't that tlie liniit-< of
our common (tountry are not confnied to the province
of (Ju(!hec, liut that they extend to all the territory of
Canada and that our country is wherever the Uritish
ilag wavc^i in Anierica.
T ask you to romemher this in order to remind
you that your duty is simply nnd. ahove !ill. to lie
("anadians. To he Canadians I that Wiis the ohject ol'
Cunfederntion in the intention of its authois; the aim
and end oi' Confederation was to l)ring the ditfeveot
races closer together, to stjfti'U the asperities of their
mutual rehitions, and to connect the scattered groups
of I'ritish suhjeots. This
wa^
th
e programme twentv
years ago. Hut are the divisions en(ied? The trutl
is that after twenty years' trial of the system, the
Maritime i)rovincts suhmit lo Confederation, hul do
not lov(> It.
Til
e provnue
.f M
initoi)a IS m open
revolt against the Dominion (iovcrnment, gentlemen,
not in armed revolt, like the revolt of the half-hrceds.
hut in legal revolt. T1h> province^ of Nova Scotia,
demands its separation iVom tlie Confederation. In
fact, carry your ga/.e iVoiu east to west and tVom north
to south, and everywhere the prevailing feeling will
he found to he one of unrest an(
I un
easme-JS,
Ol' DlSCO.NTK.NT .\Mi I UKITATloN.
i^nch. gentlemen, is the pictu/o wliich unrolls
m
1
J'
M !
1;
. ' ! «■
ill
r
'ii
'i:
»
i(i
7^ ■
3(50
SiPEECH
itself to-(la}' to nur eyo3 after twenty years of tlie
regime of Confederation. Tt will be said, perhaps,
that this pioture is overdrawn. T ai)i)eal to the sound
good sense of my present hearers ; unJnrtunately. the
picture is only too realistic. And yet, it is perVectly
true that, if this Ix- tlie painful state nf tilings whieh
we have to imte. tlie fault does not rest with the insti-
tutions, hut with the men hy wlmni we are governed.
Tln' I'ault does not rest with the institutions
imderwhich we are governed, because they areexcel-
ient. and. for my part, T at once declare, in niy ijuality
as leader of the Liljeral party, that T propioe to do ail
in my power to inculcate love and respect for the in-
stitutions under which we live ; those institutions, gen-
tlemen. are excellent. 1 am a Hi'itish ^Mliject : T aiii of
the French laec ; 1 have jM'oclaiiued the fact in iIk;
province of Ontario and I am ha[i|)y to pi'ochiim it
again to-day before countrymen of my own race and
nu)ther tongue. 1 am jirnud of my allegi.ince.
T shall not sl<>ii to discuss the question so ol'ten
a subject of controversy among ourselves as to the
manner in whieh we lieeame llritish subjects. l)id
we become ISntish sulijeets by 'MMKiuest nr by cession ?
There '^ no dilliculty in the matter for me, and no
more, oil history than on contem])orary events, have
[ any desire to conceal my way of thinking. Tf Mont-
calm had not lost the battle of the Plains of Abraham,
the Clievalier de Levis would not have ca]iitulated
and the treaty of Paris would never have been signed.
That is the position. lUit T state here before my
brethren of the French language and before my hreth-
ren of the ]'"ng!ish tongue that we have made
A (MiEATEli A.NO A MOliE (il.oiilors CONijlKsT
than any territorial eon(iuest; we have eoni|Uei'ed
our lii)erties, and. if the event of to-day has any
meaning, we can allirm without fear of mistake
that we owe it to tlie acquisition of our civil and
])olitieal liberties. We form part of the liritish Empire,
iJi^ 'y
AT HOMEHSET IN ISST
861
\ve are Uritisli subjects ; uiul reiuoinlioi', geiitlciuen,
all the iligiiity and priilo that were involvcHi in the
title of a Roman citizen, at the IteginninLi' of the
Roman era when St. Paul, loaded with ehains iind on
the point of lieing Huhjeeted to unworthy ti'eatnient,
hail only to exelaiiu : " I am a Roman citi/en "" to he
treated with the respect to which he was eniitled. We
are IJritish subjects and shoulil he proud of the fact ;
Ave form jiiirt oi" the greatest euijiiu' cw the {^•lohe and
are governed hy a constitution, which has liec^n the
source of all the liherties i»f the modern world. I even
<i() further and maki* hold to siiy that V ain an
aihnirer of our constitution, rndouhtcdly. it is not
perfect; it has serious defects whicli my friend, llonor-
ahle Mr. M<'rcicr, vill he called upon to soon correct
at the interprovincial conference. .Vml. speaking as
I do, I state my [lersonal ideiis. For my part. I have
no hesitation in sayinji' that the princijile of oui' ("on-
I'ederation, that is to say, the principle of the separa-
tion of the le;,dslalive powers, is a soiirct; of iirivile<re.s
for us if we know how to properly avail our.-clves of
it. Jhit. mifortunalely. freijtlenien. we have not knowri
how to do so thus far. However, as T said a moment
ago. if there is discontent amongst us. if there is
irritatiim fi'om one end of tlie province to the other,
the fault rests with tli(.' men wlio liave governerl us;
the fault I'ests with the men. who, instead of govern-
ing according to the spirit -if our in.stitutions.
n.WK i>i>aKriAi;nKii tiik i'liiNcii'i.K ok i.o( A!. i.ii;Ki;riKs
and local ir*'^'rests, the recognition of which li(;s at
tlie very basis of <uir constitution. The evil dales
from ahir. it is true - I'rom the very origin of Confede-
ration. I referred a slmrt time since to the ea-e of
Nova S(;otia, whirh deniands to go out of the t'oid'e-
deration. into which it wa" dragged by force. Well,
to bring back Nova Scotia iiito Cord'edcration, the
most elementary principles of justice and of all con-
stitutional libertv were violated.
'
r '^,^
It-'.!' i^;i- !
i ':■ !:■,
062
SPEECH
Nova Scotiii (lid not want Confederation and
desired to remain. !is previously, an Englisli colony ;
but her rights were disroifarded and against her will
she was forced into the ('anadian (Confederation. T ani
therefore not astonished that Nova Scotia still feels
just as sore as slie did on the first day, though twenty
years have ehipsed since then, and the reason of this
is tliat all the promises that were made to Nova Scotia
and Xew-]5runswick, that is to say. to the .Maritime
provinces, to indut-e them to enter the CJonl'ederation,
have been odiously l)roken. They were (jromised a
moderate tarilT such as they had until then lived
under. And instead of tlie moderate taritftlicy were
])romised, the tariff, which e.\isled at that time, has?
been since doubled, triple 1 and even in some cases
(juadi'U|)led. And for what jjurpose? For the purpose,
gentlemen, of depriving the Maritime provinces of
their natural trade, of tlie legitimate trade which they
had enjoyed until then, for the ])uri)Ose of destroying
the trade wliicli they had with the United States and
to force them to trade with the west. The Govern-
ment i)oli('y was triumphant on this ])oiiit; it worked
to a charm in destroying tlie trade oftin^ Maritime
])rovinces with the United States, l)Ut it failed to
cre:ite a trade lor the Maritime provinces with the
Avest. because, if you can legislate on tariff (luestions,
YOU cannot
I.K(;isl,.\TK A(..\I.\>T (a':ooU.\I'II V,
The Maritime i)rovinces ;ire very much in the
same po^ijtion as the unliaiqiy Tantalus, who was
seated at a tahU» loadeil down with delicious nii^ats
and yet could not touch tiieni, becau-e every time he
stretched (»ut his hand to do so. the table moved
away from him. So it is witli the .Mai'itiine provini'es.
Tiiey have a market open to them at tlieir Vfuy doors
the market of the New England States — ami they
cannot .avail themselves of it. They have a well
dressed table before them, but they can never touch it.
AT SOMERSET IN ISS?
363
i
But, you will tell me tluit the Maritime provinces
PU|il)ort tlie (ioveriiiueut. T rc^grot to say tliiit it is
true that they support Sir John's (loveniment. JUit
at what |)rice? At the price of millions taken out of
the ])uhlic chest and distriliutcd among them.
In order to carry tlie l^ighy ehjction. l)y a majo-
rity of 28 to;i(» votes. the (iovernment were obliged to
spend not less tlian .S'iS.OUU I hold in my hands the
documents e-tahlishing tlu fact.
Tiio ix'ople of tlie Maritime provinces do not oh-
ject to the HK)ney which the (iovfirniiiiMit di-*triliutes
among them and ready take the pur.'^c which is held
out to them. l)Ut they continue none the less to reject
the hand that is i)rofcrcd to them, saying : Since we
are in the Cont'ederation against our wishe."*, let us make
all we can out of it ; luit Tonfederaf ion will never re-
ceive our love ; it will have our votes,
r.UT on; heart, nkvkr !
The end of tliese prodigalities is now drawing near
and, when it comes, what will happen ? The existing
discontent will continue to e.xist and when the means
Avhicli have heen used to allay it no longer exist, th(>
discontent will then spread nmre widely and when it
lias permeated the whole social hody, it may h(! ask-
ed, to use John Ifowe's ex|)re-!sions : •• What next ?"'
AVhat will hapi)en ? T do not know, hut the (juestion
is one wliich should "laim the thoughts of ])uhlic men
and T canntit help helicHMng that the men who are to-
day at tiie heath Sir John >hic(h'nald and his collea-
gues. sh(udd give it a thought. lUit, if Sir John .\lac-
donald does >■<), it must he alter the fa.-'hion of I.ouis
X\' with regard to the State of I'rance. when his throne
Avas tottering and wIkmi his reply to tlio-e who spoke
to him on the suhject was : •• Oh 1 after all. il will lu-t
long as 1 last."" This appears to he the policy of the
present C>overnm(>nl : it will last as loivj: as Sir John
^lacdonahl and when Sir John Macdonald disappears.
1,';
S
364
SPEECH
IP w
m
ililll
AFTER IIIM THE ]>EI,U(iE !
I sliiill not allude to the causes of the discontent
that jjrevails or rather that prevailed not long since
in the North- We^t, as my oljjeet is not to indulge in
recriniiniitions. I do not allude to the diHcontent
which prevailed in the North- West, because the North-
A\'est has done justice to itseir. It had grievances .md
the Cr(jvernnient was forced t" recognize and n'dress
thcni. And since the ([uestion U ended, gentlemen,
all I will say to-day is that it only remains for me to
hope that the Ciovernment will hereafter give the ful-
lest satisfaction to the jjcople of tlie North-West and
endeavor to repair all the harm it has done them.
lUit, if there is no longer reason to speak of the cause
of discontent in the Xorth-^\'est. there is certainly
reason to sj.'cak of the cau.HCS of the discontent now
prevailing in the province of Manitoba.
<ientlenien, the province of .Manitoba is nnt jieo-
pled by h;ilf-l>reeds alone as is the North-West ; its
popnhition on the contrary is coni])osed of the most
civilized elements furnished by the most civilized
peo])lc3 of the Old WorUI. And' yet, at this present
hour, it is an undenial)le fact that the prDVince of .Ma-
nitoba is in reviilt against us. not against us as a
lieoi)le, but against the ('aiiadian (it)vernnient. Legal
revolt, if you will, but revolt, certiiinly. open revolt
against the authority of the Canadian Uoverniuent.
And if the ])roviiice of Manitoba is in revolt to-day
against the auihority of the Canadian (iovernment, it
is liecause the Canadian (iovernment has not kncnvn
liow or rather has not desired to respect the legisla-
tive independence of the ])rovince of Manitol)a. Leg-
ishitive independence is the liasis of our constiiution
and. to my mind, the principle P'lr rx^'ellityut of gov-
ernment. We are all Federalists. At the tinic of Con-
federation. Sir .Toim .^lacdonald declared that for hi-
part he was theoretically in favor of a legislative
union, tluit is to say. that he wanted, as he said liini-
eelf, onlv one Parliament and one Coverument ; but,
*i Lwiaiwwn
AT SOMERSET IN 1SS7
365
in the face of the state of things wliich existed in the
provinces and their hostility to a legislative union, he
was obliged to accept a federative union. In a coun-
try like ours, with a heterogeneous population, a sepa-
ration of powers is absolutely necessary. I go further
and say that even to govern a homogeneous people,
when that [»eople are scattered over a vast territory,
a separation of powers is also necessary. In that case,
legislative union would necessarily lead to tyranny ;
and
I 1
i
A FEDERATIVE UNION IS THE ONI.V ONE
which can secure civil and political liberty.
Take, for example, gentlemen, our neighbors of
the United States. Suppose that in that country there
was only <me Parliament, can it be believed for a
moment that the neighboring republic would have
attained to the present high degree of prosperity,
which it has known under its system of federative gov-
ernment ? The same argument holds good with respect
to our own country. Even though climatic influence3
were the only motive, it is a recognized fact that the
ethnographic characteristics of a same race vary
according to the climates. The man of the South,
the man of the East and the man of the West in the
United States exhibit traits and manners peculiar to
each, so that it is perfectly obvious that thepe different
classes of men must have different wants, that Texas
and Maine, Louisiana and Massachusetts have differ-
ent local requirements and that California and Rhode
Island have not the same local wants. Could a single
power satisfy all these local interests ? Would one
Parliament be suihcient for the purpose. In fact, is
it not manifest that to meet all these local wants,
local legislatures are an absolute necessity ? Suppose
that there was only the Congress, and it will be found
certain that in some places its legislation would weigh
arliitrarily ; there would be discontent, and instead
of the harmony which we see reigning among our
:i^
i' \.
I
' ni
306
SPEECH
!^ t
neiglibors, tliere would be acrimony and, instead of
the prosperity ])revaiiing all over, tliere would be
only poverty and ruin. Now, what ig true ot' the
United States is equally true of our own country.
Our situation is excelle'it and we have further what
they have not — a less homogeneous people tlian theirs.
It is evident that, in our province, we have not the
same wants as the province of Manitoba. So that it
must be perfectly clear to all that the moment local
vmts arise, the federative principle which makes the
distinction between local interests to and general inte-
rests, is the only system by which men can be gov-
erned in all liberty. If this principle be true, gen-
tlemen, and I think it is so, it necessarily follows that
the federative principle, legislative separation, is
THE MOST roWEUFfl. FACTOIl IN NATIONAL IXITV.
Legislative union does not resi)ond to local wants
and must necessarily press tyrannically somewhere,
thus creating the desire for complete sejjaration, while
the legislative separation of the provinces respects
the rights and conduces to the happiness of all. As
I have iilready told you, gentlemen. Sir John Mac-
donald was theoretically favorable to a legislative
union. The necessities of the hour, however, made
him a supporter of a federative union, but you know
the French jjoet's saying :
C/iasscz le iiti/iircl, il rericnt an ijulop. ( I)
In the case of Sir John Macdonald, the natural
came back at a galop, nay, at a triple galop. Since
1878, Sir John Macdonald's natural has got the upper
hand and not a year has passed since that date
which has nv t witnessed an attack by Sir John on the
autonomy of the i)r()vinces. The license act. the rail-
way act the franchise act, are there to testify to Sir
(1) (Chase tlie natiiiM!, aiul it comes back at a galop.)
AT SOMERSET IX 1887
im
John Macdoiiald's centralizing ideas and to promote
Ills encroachnicnts on tlie rights of the Local Legisla-
tures. But fortunately all these attacks have not
succeeded; if they had, we would have a federative
government in name, lait a legislative union in reality
and t?ir John would be absolute master of all tlie pro-
vinces, of the province of Quebec, of the province of
Ontario, and of all the other i)rovinces from the
Atlantic to the Pacific.
Unfortunately, the constitution by which we are
governed and for which, as already stated, I have the
greatest respect, has placed in the hands of the(lovern-
ment aterrible weapon which it has used, when and how
it ])lea9ed, to assail thehjcal liberties of the provinces.
This weapon is the veto jtower, which is reserved to
the Cioveniment by the constitution. Section .5('> of
the British North America Act provides that the Bri-
tish Parliament shall have the jiower to disallow the
acts passed by the Parliament -if Canada. And section
yo gives the same jiower to the Central Government,
to the Government of Canada, ovtv the act.s paesetl
by the Local Legislatures. Sir Johi' ^L.tuunald has
taken advantage of this i)ower to exercise a system of
tyranny over all tlie provinces. Ihere are two kinds
of disallowance:
THE .ILDJCIAI, DISALl.OWA.NCE AM) THE roi.lTUAI,
DlSAI.I.t)WAN(E.
The judicial disallowance is exercised when a
law is transmitted to the central power and the Min-
ister of Justice is of o])iniou that it is not within the
powers of the Local Parliament; in such case, he
makes a report to the Executive Council that it is
ultra vires and it is disallowed on thai rei)ort, that is
to say, that, from that moment, it becomes null and
void.
Gentlemen, this mode is not satisfactory ; indeed,
it is one of the most arbitrary things under the sun.
When a law has been ]jass<jd by a J.iOcal Legislature.
■ ll
}
-It
■'■(.■ I
i:'\ \
!
1
h ■
3fi8
SriiKCR
there is just as much reason to suppose that it is
within the powers of tliat legislature, as there is
reason to suppose tlint it is not, because it has pleased
the central government to declare it so. This provi-
sion dues not exif-t in the American constitution and
the fact is that it very olten happens, that it has ver}' of-
ten happened, that the central government, on the aim-
pie pretext that a law is not within the powers of a local
legislature, has vetoed that law, although it has since
been e.stal)lished that it was iiitm rircs of the Provin-
cial legislature.
I see by an extract from the (l/firinl Gaziitr that
the (iovernment ofCannthi has just disallowed the
law passed by the Quebec Legislature in ISSO and
entitled '" An Act respecting the executive power ''.
The disallowance of this act is couched in the follow-
ing terms :
GOVERNMENT HOUSE. OTTAWA
':&'•■•
mu
':;■■
TupscJny, iWtlnl.-xy of .Inly, ISST.
///.» ExccUcncij the Govtrnur General in council
Whoroas the Lioutenant-Goveinor oi'tlie province of Que-
bec with the Lcjii.slative Council an<l Assembly of that province
did, on the 2bst day of June, A. D. ISSC), jiass .-in act whicli has
lieen transmitted, intituleil " an act respecting tlie Executive
Power. ■'
And whereas the said act has been laid before the Gov-
ernor (icneial in council, together \vithare|.ort from the Minis-
ter of .Justice, setting forth that he is of oi)inion that it was not
competent for the legislature to j)ass such act, and therefore
recommending that tjie said act be disallowed.
His Excellency the Governor-General has thereupon this
(lay l>eea please 1 by and with tlie advice of his Privy Council
to declare his disallowance of the said act, and the same is
hereby disallo\ve<l accordingly.
Whereof the Lieutenant Governor of the province of Que-
bec and all other persons whom it may concern ai'e to take
notice and govern themselves accordingly.
JOHN J McGEE,
Clerk, Privy Council.
AT SOMERSET IN 1887
869
I. Sir Iloiirv Charlies Iv^'th P.»tty Fitz:iiaurioo, M:irqni» of
Lan^downc. (rovt'i'iinr-'ieinTal ot'Ciinaila, <lo heroin' certify tliat
tlie a!t passoil hy tlic loi/islature of tlio proviiict! of Qucbeo
oil the 21st ihvy .)f June. isSii, ai^l intitulfd "an act n-spccting
tlie excoiitivo power " wa-i rcceivotl by luo on tlio-Oth day of
July. ISSti.
< riven under my hand and seal this KHli dav of .Fnly, lS-17.
LANSDchVNE.
For my part, gentlenion, without knowinif the
facts any more than I do, I am inclined as much to
believe that tlio legislation placed on tlie statute
book by Mr. .Mercier's i)re(leces.sor, Mr. Taillon,
who was then Attorney General, was within the attri-
butes of the Local Legislature, as T am disposed to
believe that it i.s not within those attributes because
it has pleased Mr. Thompson to declare that it is not.
The Minister of Justice may be right or he may
be wnmg. If he is wrong, gentlemen, he deprives
the province of the benefit of a law which its Legisla-
ture! has deemed essential to its administration, and
it is not thus that a Confederation should lie worked.
It would be much better
I
TO ADOPT TUB AMEUICAN SYSTEM,
that is to say, to leave the ])ower of disallowance to
the law courts. But there is more than this, gentlemen.
There is the i)olitical veto which is by far the most
arbitrary weapon with which tyranny has ever armed
a federative government.
According to this system, a law passed by a Pro-
vinciiil Legislature, even when entirely within its
powers, may be disallowed and annulled, whenever it
pleases the Cioveinment of Sir Jtjlin Macdonald. In a
word, it completely destroys the legislative indepen-
dence of the provinces and it is the exercise of such
tyrannical powers which has driven the ])rovince of
Manitoba to revolt. That province is a province
who*e chief product is wheat, and it therefore has need
of railwavs to forward it to the foreign markets. It
24
'HI
Hr
,11
'. m-
W
i
1 ■••' '■ '
.■'If:
.■;\|'* ;,
m
870
81'EECH
lins two rnivfls. hotli uncVir the control of the Ciina-
«liiin Piicillc I'oiupiiny, which charfrcs oxor])it!Uit
riitc.s ot'l'roij^ht. And the niouient thut thcv-^c rates
vri^'hed ho licavily that there was no lonjrer any
jiiiifit left in wheat-f^'i'owing in Manitolia and that the
entire iiopidation rose, an one num, to demand wlint
they liad a riglit to ch'inand, that is to .«ay. additional
rail cuminunication?, the I.oeal Lcfxislature ol'tlie pru-
vince. to meet tlieir urgent n-fnurements, ))assed ii
numl)er of cliarter-" to estahlisli line.-i of railway lie-
Iween the city of Winnipeg and the American houn-
dary line. Thereupon, the Ottawa Government, avail-
ing itself of the arhitrary power I have juht de-
nounced, vetoed these acts as fast us they were jnissed.
This conduct, gentlemen, involved not only an act of
tyrnnn\', hut
A SYSTEMATIC VIOLATION
of it? word hy the Ciovernmcnt. We have a proverh
in French which says : '• Frank as the word of a King."
When it ifc sui(i that : *'The King's word has heeu
given, ■' all lias been said. The King's word Avas given
hy Sir John Mucdonald, hut the King's word was
lirokcn by Sir John Macdonald's Ciovernmcnt. Sir
Jolin had given his worJ in LS.si. At that time, the
monopoly wa^ to apply simply within the territories
controlled hy the (iovernment of Canada and not in
the province of Manitoba. The law itself on this point
is unequivocal, and Sir John Macdonald's own de-
clarations are not equivocal either. On that occasion,
Sir John said :
^'MT In order to give thoin (tlie C. r. J{.) a chance, we have
providod that the Domuiion I'ai'liainout — (mind yon, the Do-
minion Parliament : we cannot cheek any otlwr Parliament ;
we cannot elieck < (ntaiio; we cannot check Manitolia) shall,
for tiie first ten years alter tlie constrnction of tlie road, give
their own roail, nito wliicli thc-y are putting so much money
i.nd so nuicii land, a flur chance of existence.
AT SOMEIfSKT IN 18*^7
;;7i
As you Ciui i)ercoiv('. Sir Julin Miicdoiuild diil not
then pietoiid that lie could control tlio proviinc of
Manltol);i. the proviiict^ of Qiiclit'c, or tlio province of
Ontario. ()n tin; contrary, he di.-4tinctly Htateil that the
Ciovornnient of Oanada had no ritrht to control ihe
Icfjishituro of any province, and a ^cntlcnian. who
Vt'arf then one of the ino.-ft eminent nionihers of the
IIou.'o of (.'onunons and who is now a inenilier of Sir
John .Mac(h)nahrH (iovennnent. Ilonorahle Mr. White,
declared in still more cateuoricid terms that the (iov-
ernment hiul no rif?ht to control the (iovernment of
Manitolia. lie said: —
But we iii'c toM now that bor!iiis<>nrtlie (iftoeii milos" c'.ause
there iifvor can ho any la'ilway in that coantry. Ti> what
(loL'.s that aiPiily? Siiiqily to the t^^nitorioH over whirli tlie
Doiuinion I'ailianient lia>* contiol. There is imtliinp: to pii'Vi'nt
Manitoha now, if It lliinks iiropi-i, mfintiiijj a chartcM' for a rail-
^vay fmm W'iniiipcjr to the lioandaiy hno. At tiiis very mo-
ment then- is a conqiany in course ofoif-'.ini/ation to hiiild a
railway fi'oni Winnipeg to West i-ynn on tlii> honiniai'v nid,
after this agreement is ratilie(l. tlifs jn'ovision does not t;il;e
away from .Stanitol'a a single right it jio-sesses ; in fact, the
Parliainont eouM not take away those rights. It has tln'same
I'iglits as the otiiei' provinces for the ineorpoi'atioii of I'aiiway
c'onipanies witiiin the boundary of the province itself and
there is nothing to ))revent tiu^ jirovinco of ^Manitoha trom
eliartering a railway from Winnijieg to the houndary to
connect with any southern railway. I'lii' only guarantt-e \viiich
this company has under the co-.itraot is that tluMr ii'atlic shall
not l)e tapped iar west in the ])rairie section, thus flivcrting the
tratlic away from tlieir line to a forcMgii line, Ijut there is
nothing to prevent a r.'iilway to he huilt in Manitoba within
tiie province that would carry the tralhc! to any railway that
may tap it from the American side. That is the position with
resi>ect to this matter.
What does this clause ap})ly to ? Simply to the
territory over which the Ciovernment of Csmada had
control. There is no possihle room for doubt on this
head.
In the minds of the authors of the Paciiic contract
themselves, the (.Government of Canada had no power
li
i;
*^i.i-V
V'i..'!''
iff;?''
37£
SI'KECil
to (lii=!illii\v tlie laws of tho ])rovinoo of Maiiitnliii niul
vet. 1)11 tour or liv(! ililVerent occasions. Sir John Mac-
.loiiiild'H ()ov<'rniiient lias di.sallowf^d laws liy which
the .Mnnitol)a (iovcrnnient sovight to estulilish rail-
wny couiniunication.s.
What happened? Tho (luvernnient of the ))ro-
vince of Manitoba, the (lovernnient of Sir John Mac-
donald's friend, Mr. Nonjuay, was itf^elf obliged to
take the initiative in passing a new law to incorpo-
rate a railway Irom the city of Winnijieg to the Ame-
rican boundary line. And, in spite of that law, in
spite of the i)ublic opinion of the province of Mani-
toba. Sir John Macdonald's ( lovernnient again vet<»ed
it. lie vetoed Manitoba's right to ha\e
RAILWAY COMPETITION
and I call the si)ecial attention of all who blame tlie
half-breeds for resorting to arms to the actual situa-
tion in Manitoba.
The people of Manitoba, it is true, have not taken
up arms, but, nt this moment, they are openly break-
ing and setting at defiance the law of the land, since
thai law, as itf-tandsor is detincd by the constitution,
declares that, by the will and authority of the Gov-
ernment of Canada, the people of Manitolia have not
tlie riglit to build railways, and yet for all that, at this
very hour, they are l)uilding one. If this is not revolt,
what is it then? If it is nut a revolt, gentlemen, I
want to be told what it is? And, after all, who will
blame the people of Manitoba ? The very (Government,
which has sought to control them and to impose upon
them its tyrannical yoke, has been obliged to yield
and retreat. Why ? Ikcause it knows that the people
of ^lanitoba are able to take the necetsary measures
to successfully defend themselves.
This right of veto which the (iovernment iiossesses
over the Provincial Legislatures is the same as that
possessed by the British Government over the Cana-
dion Parliament. That is to say, that the British
11'! mf [
AT SOMKU:<ET IN 1SS7
• M 3
(iovernnu-nt has over the (iovprnmciit of ('aniulii the
Panic right.-i iH tho (iovprniuont of (':ina<hi has over
the I'ritviiicial Lc.iiislaturcn. liut, tlioutrh ('()nt'('(h'-
ration has luiw hi'iMi in cxistciic'e for very clo^e U|ion
twenty years, I have no recoUection — and my memory
is a prt'tty >:'oo(l one — of th(( British (iovernniciU ever
ha,vin;j; disuvowed n, sintrle Canadian huv durinjr tlio«e
twenty years. I make a mistake : \ now renienilx-r
tliat the liritish (ioveriinienl disallowed one law
passed hy Cana(hi. hut it was a law which iiad Keen
passed hy the Canadian I'arliament to enalde the
eoinniiltee a|)|)ointei| to emiuire into the I'acilic
8can<lal to examine witnesses under oath. That law
was disallowed hv tin- Ih'iti-ih (lovernment
AT
•111:
lUvMANi) OF sru .lOII.N MACDoN A |,Ii II I M-KIK.
It was only when Sir John Macdonald asked the
liritish (iovernment to annul our le^dshition that that
(.iovernnient intervened, never otherwise. And lor a
good rea.sou, lieeause tlu; British Government would
\\n{ he ^niilty of the tyranny, of which Sir John .Mac-
donald's Covernmcnl i^ j^uilty towards the provinces.
IMore, too, the Government of Canada would never
stand from the British Government the tyra\iny to
which Sir John Macdonald's Government i> suhjeet-
ing the i)eople of the i)rovinces. Sir John vetoes the
acts creating railways in Manitohaon the ground that
those laws are not in harmony witli th.; policy of
Canada. But if the Government ofCireat liritain pro-
posi'd to veto a Canadian law on the pret(>xt, gentle-
men, that it did not S(|uare with the policy of Great
Britain, I have no hesitation in saying thai the Tories
themselves would he constrained to protest against
the liritish Cfovernment's interference.
The Tories are very loyal in this country, at
least, as far a.s liii-!oyalty goes. But, in 1S7'..>. the
Tory Government a(lopted a fiscal ]K)licy, which not
only did not Hijuarc with the general fiscal jtolicy of
Great Britain, but was openly ho.stile to the policy uf
371
SPEECH
(Iroiit Uritain. And when the CrHt.s of Onturio con-
tenchnl tlmt lluit policy would endanger the colo-
nial tie, the Tory answer was: " So much the worsie
for the colonial tie! " From this you can judge what
•woiild hai)pen if the Jh'itisli (lovernment thought
proper to meddle in the affairs of ('anada. We should
not do unto others what we would not like to have
done to ourselves. And just as the Tories would not
he very ])leased to see tlie JJritish Cioverninent ste|)-
ping ill to veto their laws, so we can demand that the
Federal tiovernment shall
Nor INTEUFEUE IN Ol'Il LOCAL AFFAIRS
;Mv friend, Mr. ^Mercier whom I am ulad and wlio
m
»l!
i» »
you ai'e all liappy to see at my side iiere to day
Mr.
Mercier. who comes amongst us with his laurels still
fresh from the T.iaprairie victory, will tell you in a
few moments that he is on the point of calling an
inter provincial conference.
Without knowing exactly what his programme
for that interi)roviiicial conference is, I tru!:t. gen-
tlemen, that this (juestion of disallowance will he
among the sul)ject3 considered and that he and his
colleagues will suggest an amendment to the consti-
tution which will once i'or all put an end to the aluises
of the veto power and clo-c the door fm'cver to the
tyrannical acts whicli sir John Macdonald's (lovern-
ment is so prone to in order to attain its ends.
There is another (inestion on which (he conlerence
Avill have to iironounce— (he (pu'slitm of (he i)rovincial
sul)sidies.
On this ([Uestion. T hclievc. gcndcinen, tha( Tam
in accord, indeed, as T have always heen. with .Mr.
Mercier's views. The prnviiicial suhsidies are a
cause of ever increasing uneasiness in the different
M-oviiices. The roo(oftlie evil lies in the fact that
the mode of distrihuting these suhsidies is altogether
vicii'iH. Kor my part. T may say tluit my personal
opinion i« rather oppoi^cd to the pro\'incial suhsidies.
AT ?;(1MKR3ET TN 1>>'^7
o ( .)
T would like to see tlio province:^ with revenues liir<;o
onougli to reiidei" them huleptMnleiit 'if tiie Ft'Jeral
(lOViTuincnt. The i)riiu'i[)le under whic^h one gov-
erniuent collects tlie revenues and another govern-
ment spend-i them is
AI/rotiETIIEU FALSE,
and mu*! always lead to extravagance. Notwithstand-
ing all the eonli l:Mice T have in him, [ helieve that
my tViend, Mr. Mercier himseli", will have all the
troultle in the world to contend against the erro-
neou^ncs.^ of that system. Ft is now an e.sta!)lislicd fact
that the suiisidies i^ranted to the provinces an; iuade-
fpiate ; conse(iuently they have on several occasions
been augmented and these successive? augmentations,
made without any regard to rule, cou'^titute in rea-
lity a system of corruption in the hands of the Fede-
ral Clovernnient and have been too ot'ten used by it to
reward ]iolitical treachery. I liave confidence that
Mr, .Mercier's Government will suggest a better
method. lUit, as tlie suliject is one wluch will claim
attenti. at the interprovincial conference, I shall
not dwe.l I'nrther on it.
The (iovernment's fiscal ])olicy is another cause
of public uneasiness. You all know the old saying:
" Promise more butter tlum bread!'' This wn-; the
tactic of the [)artisans of Sir -Tohu's (iovernment at
tlu^ elections of 1^7S. They told ynu that they had in
their jxickets an infallil)le [Jana'CM., the a|>plicalion
ol' which would cause the land of Canada,
TO KI.OW WITH MII.K AND IIONKV;
il
something that would mike you sell dearer all you
had to sell and en;ilile you to l)ny ;ill ymi wanted to
buy so chcMiily t hat yioi might lie said to g* t it I'or
nothing at all : something, in line, which would put
liread in every mouth and money in every purse.
Uecall. gentlenn'o, tlie proinises that wi'r(> made
I m
p ' "l . ■
«'^i
f i «
t
37G
SPEECH
to you lit tliat time. You were told that the ills of
the country proceeded from foreign competition. It
was said : Only try our system, our '• National Policy''
and, from that moment, all who are obliiied to seek
work in the United states, will find it in plenty at
home; manufactures will .sjjring from tlie ixround by
enoliantment, they will arise on all the rivers, on all
the water courses and even on all the brook? and the
farmer will liavc a remunerative local market for all
he can sell.
I do not blame the people of this country for
allowing themselves to lie carried away liy tliese falla-
cious itromLjcs, because the_y were alluring. They
took them seriously and in good faith. But wiiat has
been the reality ?
I ask if it is not true that.
THE CANCER OF EMIGUATMN
i.s continuing more than ever its dcsli'uctive
work. T ask if it is not true — at least, it is my con-
viction — that there is not lU per cent oi' Canadian
families, who have not one or more of their members
in the I'nited States ? And if I asked all tho,-o. who
are listening to me at tliis moment and who have re-
lations in the United States, to raise their hands, Imw
m:iny arms, gentlemen, would I'C raised, beginning
witli my own. (Cries of " Every one of us!") Yes,
" every one uf us ." I therelore believe that I can
again assert what [ stated a moment ago — that there
is not 1(1 per cent of tlie French ("aiKidian i)opalation,
who do not count some one of their kindred in the
United States.
As regards agricultiu'al i)roducts, you were also
told that \'()U would lind a market here among your-
eelves and that, if you accepted the national i)olicy,
you w(Uild have markets all around you. Have you
these markets at your doors? And with resjiect to
the prices you receive for agricultural products. I
venture to say - and on this point I do not feat con-
AT SOMER.'iET IN 1SS7
0( i
tradiction — tluit tlmse products never sold at lower
prices than they are selling at to-day. In fact, they
are not sold ; they are given away. Wheat, oat.s,
barley, and other products command no remunerative
price and are now disposed ofTchcaper than ever. The
new order of things was to have produced a reaction.
The reaction has come, gentlemen ; it began in the
province of Ontario; il has not stopped within mode-
rate bounds ; on the contrary, it has gone to extremes,
and, at this very hour, the great mnjorily of the
Ontario farmers are clamoring for commercial union
with the United States, that is to say, the supiiressiou
of all customs duties between the two countrie?.
For my patt, gentlemen, I am not | reparcd to
say that the advocates ;uid adepts of commercial
union have as yet very clearly dclined their vicw.s.
NVhat lies at the bottom of the idea, what we see
clearest in it, is the expression of a feelijig in favor of
recii)rocity. The idea is badly dclined, j)erhai»s tiiere
is the feeling of which it but contains the germ ; there
is the conviction that any kind of recijjrocity with
the ]jeople of the I'lated States would be to the ad-
vantage of the [)eople of Canada. The reciprocity idea
has always been
ONK OK TilK AUTRT.ES OF TlIK l.I liKliAl, I'KooKA M M K.
Ft)rmerly from bS") 1 to ISn.j, we had a reciprocity
treaty with the United States and all are agreed in
saying that that period was the linest and most pros-
]jerious iu our history.
The credit of that treaty ])el<)ngs entirely to tlu'
Liberal party and on thi'i head I think I cannot do
better than cite the evidence of Sir John .Macdonald
himsell". when, three years ago, he said in the Hou<e
of Commons :
hi tlio (list pliico tlioi'i' wns till' oi iuiiiiil I'ocipi'fjfity tscaty
wliii'ii was tiiiiiliy coiisuininatoil in l'>')l ; tln'iii'^ it ot'tliat a- l.ir
as (,'ana<la was concoriied rcstfil altn^'i'tiiei- with tiif alministra-
SPEECH
(I ; • '
Mr' '
■:'''MT^.^
tion of Sir I'lvaiiois llinck-i, tlio Fjiboi'ul (rovernmont of thnt 'lay,
altliou^h tlift < ioveniiuent of wliicli I was a luoiuher in 1S.j4
lia'l aocmlcnUliy, from tiio retirement of Sir {'"ranci? Ifiiicks,
the duty of carrying out till" ti-eaty to its consummation, hy
introilncinu and curi-ying into law tiio act wliicli ratified the
treaty ; .still it was the merit of the Reform party and it was a
great merit, lor it did a >^reat service to Canada.
Tints, even according to Sir John Macdonald's
testinionj'. the merit of the r(M'ii)rocity treaty with the
United f^tutes belongs to the Liberal party. And, as
lie admits, it was no slight merit, because that treaty
Avas of imnionse advantage to Canada. As yon are
aware that treaty came to an end in ISdO. Sir John
Macdonald was in power from lSi,)!i to 1873, to the
close of l-ST-'J; but did Sir Tohn Macdonald
■•W I
■ '•i-'k
EVER HA.ISE A FINGER
to ol)tain its renewal ? Never.
l)Ut, when Mr. Mackenzie came to power, the first
thing, so to say, which he did, was to send an agent
to Washington. Honorable tieorge Brown, to negotiate
Avitli the American (ioverninent for a new reciiirocity
treaty. Mr. ]>rown jiert'ormed the task , he succeeded
in making a treaty to which the ( ioverninentassented,
but imfortnnately it was not ratified by the American
<iovcrnment. Matters remained in this condition,
but reciprocity was so po])ular that Sir John .Mac-
rlonald himself, when he proposed the national policy,
which, as T have already remarked, was to cause the
land of Camnla to How with milk and honey, said that
he was pre^i.tred to abaiKhni it for reciprocity. ITerc
are bis own words :
I'liat tlie Speiiker do not now leave the chair, l)ut tiiat
tins House is of o|iinion that tlie wi^lfare of Canada
vei|uii'es tlie adoption of a National I'oliev wiiieli Iiy a ju lieious
rea IJuslme It of ilie tarilf will iienefit and fostei' the a;j:ricul-
tural, tlie miifmi:. the m uiul'ictucing and other intei-ests of
the poniinion : that such a policy will retain in L'.iiia la tlious-
i<m
AT .SOMERSET IN 1887
amis of our i'oUow counti'vincii now ohlii/cil to expiitiiato
tlicm>elves in seaich of tlio I'miiloyiiuMit deiiiod thciu at liotuo,
will restore prosjioiitj' to our striijigling industry now so
badly depri'.ssed, will prevcMit (.'inada from bi'inir made a
sacr.lioi' market, will t'ncf)urai:i' ami d('volo[i an active inter-
jiroviiicial tiade and, moving (as it ought t<") do) in the <liree-
tion of reoi)irocity of taritl'-, wirli oui' neighbours .^o far as the
varied interests of Canada may demand, will greatly tend to
procure for this country eventually a rociiirocity of trade.
As you will perceive, ^ir John Mactlonald was
ready
TO ABANDON THE NATIONAI, !'()I.I(V
if, on their side, the Anieriran (ioveruiiient woulil
grant us reciprocity. He even went turther and de-
clared to the Jlouse that, if we adopted the national
l)olicy. that is to say. the retiiliation policy, the I'ni-
ted States, whether it liked or not, would he ohliged
to grant us reciprocity.
In 1878, he agiiin made the following slateuient :
There is no wrong in a reci)irooity of tarilfs ifitistoour
interests, hut 1 am eontideiit that one gi'eat ohject in having
someihint; V\ko a retaliatory ])oliey will he iliat it you are to
haverecii>iocitv in tiade you will only get it in that way. They
will not have anytiiinu' lil^:',' reei|i!'oeiiy ot'ti'ade with iis unless
we .-how them that it \vill he to their advantage. — Wliy should
they give us reciprocity when they have our markets open to
them now? It is only by dosing oui-doois and l>y cutting them
out of our markets that they \vill open theii's to us.
There is !^ir John MncdonaM- statement. IJcta-
liation alone c(ntld open the Americnn m;irket to ns
and during the same year. Sir Charleys Tupjier made
a tour of the miiritime province.^, prnchiiniing tlie same
thing — that if we adapted a jioliry of retaliation the
Americans woidd he comiM'lled in less tlnin two or
three years to open their doiirs. That was the policy
of the Federal (iovernment— a ]ioli(y of lotidiation.
The Federal (lovernment told the ])eopl(' of Canadn,
Ill ■
iSO
SPEECH
and tlioy did po without smiling, tliough perhapa they
Huiiled inwardly — that if they the people of Canada,
iiunibcring live millions of souls, closed their iloors
against a population of sixty millions, the hitter
would l»e soon so starved i>at that tliey would cry :
*' mercy 1 mercy I for the love of (jod. open your doors,
or we will die ol' hunger ! '' During the following year,
THEY CARltlEl) OUT THEIR rilUKAT.
rf 1 • : ■
hi 'i':fu
You arc not without knowing, gcuitlcincu, that the
Americans would sooner suffer from hunger than open
<'.eir doors to us under compuK-ion and that they
would rather have no trade wiih u-^ at all thauap[icar
to yield to our bullying ; conseiiuently, they have
not bet n in any great hurr}'. And when the (iov-
^'■•nn.cnl closed oar (h)ors against the American
trinh' t\ioy 'nserted in the act creating their fiscal
policy . clause offering to admit all American
agricultural products the moment that the Anifcricans
were ])repared to admit ours.
Ifere is the clause in question :
\'l — Any or ill! o( the loMnwing iirticlo.s, that is to say ;
AniinaU of all kinds, green IVuits, hay. straw, bran, s».>o Is ofall
kind!!, vegotable.s (iiiclniling ]intatojs, and otiier root-),) |)l.ints,
trees and slirubs, coal ami coke, salt, hops, wlieat, pea- and
beans, barley, ryo, oats, Indian oorn, bncis: wheat, and all oilier
grains, ilonr of wluMt and II )iir nl' rv<',In ban meal, and oatuii'al
and Hour or nn;al ol any otlu-r grain, butter, choese, lish (salte I
Ol' siiioiied) lard, tallow, meats, fr(^s|l salted or sniokeil, and
lumber may be im|)orted into ("ana la tVei' of duty or at a less
late of iliity than is provided by this aot, nj>'>n pi'ocdamation
of the Governor in coimoil which may be issued, whenever it
appears to his satisfaction that similar r-U'ticles from Canada
may be imported into the United States free of duty or at ii
rate of duty not exceeding that payable on the same under such
lU'oelamation when imported into Canada.
For nine years now this bait has lieen dangling
in the water, but the fish has not yet bitten at it; for
nine 3'ears now. the government of Canada has been
AT SOMERSET IN 18S7
381
standine; ready to throw open the Canadian inarketa
to the Americans, if the Americans will only reci{>ro-
cate by tlirowing open tlieir markets to the Canadians,
hut the Americans, tliougli tliey pass for hcing smart
businc?s people with a keen eye to their own interests,
have not thnught pro]ier
TO TAKE ADVAXTACIE OF oril Ol'KEUS.
Gentlemen, having thrown out their hait. the Gov-
ornment have since that time folded their arms and
refused to make any other move. P'urther. they
would not even raise a finger to renew the negotiations
Avith the United States for the jiurpose of securing
reciprocity. More than that, in 188-1 Mr. Davies, of
Prince Edward Island, made a motion, pointing out
to the (iovernment the urgency of reopening negotia-
tions with the United States for a new treaty. It was
as follows:
That, in view of the notion of tho tennination of tho fishe-
ries articles of the Treaty of Wasiiiugton given by tlie I'nite'l
States to tlio liritish Government and the consefjuent expira-
tion on the 1st July, l^'^'). of the recijd'ocal privileges ami
exemptions of tlie Treaty, this House is of opinion that steps
should 1)6 taken at an early day by the < iovernment of Canaiia
with the object of bringinj" al)0ut negotiations for a new Treaty
jiroviding for the citizens of Canada and the United States tho
reciprocal i)rivileges of fisiiing and freedom from duties now
enjoye<l, together with additional reciprocal freedom in the
trade relations of the two countries; and that in any such
negotiations Canada should be directly represented by some
one nominated by its riovornment.
Now, what was Sir John's reply to this proposal ?
They (the United States) know that we are ready at any
time; we have toUl them unmistakeably that we are reaily at any
time to renew the reciprocity treaty of ISVITliey know perfect-
ly well that we are quite ready to go on with the lishery ai'range-
ments made by the Washington Treaty on the same footing us
they were before. They know perfectly well that Canada is
* 'jr.
l! m
H
382
STKECII
always, ojifn to enter into any reasonable anangenicnt witii
them and 1 think we oii^rht to leave it there. I tliink it wonld
do no ;:nnil, I am satisfied it would tViistrato any liojie of enter,
iiij: into an arran^'ement with tln'm if we passed tiii.s ri'-olntion,
J do not now feel it riiiiit to say what the eourse of the( r )vei'n-
nient wonld be. 1 think it would lie preuiatm'ci to say what
lifter due consideration and eonsultation witli Her Majesty. s
(iovei'nnient may b(j done between now and .Inly, js^.'), I am
((uite satisfied the passing of the fosolutiou declaring that we
nnist ei.ter into imiuediate negotiations beijaiise. if that reso-
Intion jiasseswe must do .so, it'wiU be an order of this House to
enter into immediate negotiations for a renewal of thi> reci-
procity tn>aty. would be simply to l>ring upon us the same
rebuir we have got on so many pi'evious occasions.
h:M-
Such was Sir .Ti)lin Maodonald'."? declaration,
it wont i'uvtiier. Not only was
A RETALIATION POLICY
But
f\ f
ik
allirniod by the ppeecli Tliavejust i-ead. hut it was
al.so prai'^cil as an exooUent i)olicy. And tlie (iuvern-
ment repeatedly declared tliat the aim of ttie tariff of
1871), of their fiscal policy, was to lessen and destroy
the trade we were doinji with the United States. Fur-
ther still, the Ministerial ])ress. the salaried press and
conse(i|Uently the press whi(;h reflected the ideas of
the Ministers, declared that the {leople of Canada did
not want any trade with the United States. Now, I
ask you. gentlemen, if, in the face of this liostile atti-
tude, it is astoriishing- that the American (^rovcrnment
has never hecn willing to negotiate with us? Moreover,
had it been otherwise, our Government wou'd liave
done the same thing. lender such circumstances,
I sav that the i)olicy of the Liberal ))arty should l»e
a totally different i)olicy. The policy of the t Conser-
vative party is one of retaliation, but the policy of
the Liberal party should be one of friendship and
good will towards the United States. It is only by
acting in this waj' that we can obtain an exchange of
fair dealing and kindliness.
It is admitted — and the fact cannot be disputed —
-m
AT SOMICnsET IN 1887
on, J
that, ir tlie reciprocity treaty (if IS.'l was udvunta-
geous to the iiitcrcRts of Canada, it was ('(|ualiy of
jidvaiitage to tlic interests of tlio rnitod Slates. Still
the I'nited Stfito.s have delihcrately refused to renew
that treaty. Wliy ? The reason i.s, ^'entlenien, that,
during a period of trial for the American nation, the
Knglii^h people and tlu' Canadian jieople did Udt
•show then
THE LEAST SYMP.VTIIY.
I hold in my hand a, siieech made hy Sir .T(jhn
Macdonald, on the 2ilh .March. ISSl, in which lie
acknowledges the fact. On the same occasion in ISS-l
to which I rel'errcd a moment ago, on Ilonorahle Mr.
Davies' motion. Sir Jolin Macdonald used the fuUow-
iug language :
We rcj.'iottod when tlic Americans, IVoiu I iniist say a
latliiT uiiturai icU'liTii; <>i' irritation a,i.'!iinst En.uland, f^avc noticHi
for the eancell.'itioii ami tin: teiinination of tiio 'i'rt'aty. it
was no I'anlt f)t'Cana<la lliat lliat i'leaty was tfM'niinateil. Canada
(luring tlie tioubcs wliich arose in the oivil war be-
tween the North and the South did every thing that she
could to entertain friendly relations with the Northern States ;
and 1 can ^\■ell lenieniher the repeate(l statement of ^Ir.
.Seward who was the presiding genius of the Northern .States in
thosi! days that he wishe<l the mother countiy. (ir 'at IJritain,
had hecn as friendly in her actions towards the Northe: n States
as the province of Canada had been.
As far as I am concerned, T may say that, if .Mr.
Seward was satisfied with the attitude of the Canadian
Government towards the Northern States, during the
civil war, it look very little to satisfy him. For my
part, I would not have heen satisfied with so little, as
I do not helieve that, un that occasion, the people of
Canada did tiieir duty towards their neighliors. It is
true that we did not do as England did ; that we did
not fit out armed cruisers to [ney upon and destrtiy
American commerce, hut, on the other hand, a hen
!
i^
,-\^
5
y84
SPEECH
the tilil)U«iterer3 organized tliomselvos in our territory
to raid tlio I'rontier tovns of Vermont and New- York,
we alk)we(l tlieni to escape witli singular facility
after Ixjiiig arrested. (Jentlenien, without holding
the (lovernment responsihle for that incident I con-
tt.'nd that they arc guilty of having
FAII.En TN THEIR DUTY
at tliat time, hy not displaying the slightest sympa-
thy with tlie American nation during the terrihlc pe-
riod from ISfil to ISHo, Avhen the Northern States had
on their hands the most fovmidahle civil war the
world has ever seen, for the preservation of their na-
tional unity.
Among the puhlic men of the time there Avas
only one — and this fact should l)e kept well ir' mind
— who openly ])roclaimed his sympathies for the
cau^ic of liherty for which the Northern States were
fighting from l.S()l to 186"). That man Avas Honorahle
tieorge IJrown.
( Jcntlemen, if at that time the Government of
Canada, if the peo})le of Canada — for I think the
])eople of Canada also merit to a certain extent the
reproach — had manifested some sympathy — nothing
more, for the United States were rich enough and had
no need of assistance — if the people and Government
<jf Canada had manifested the slightest sympathy, we
especially who had a, commercial treaty with them, if
we iiad shown that that treaty im))lied also mutual
services. I helieve that in 18()7 the reciprocity treaty
would have heen renewed. It was not, and I have
just given you the reason why from the lips of Sir
John Macdonald himself. It Avas the hostility of the
American people to England, a hostility provoked hy
the attitude of the English people toAvards the
Northern States during the civil Avar. But time moves
on. healing the deepest Avounds. We knoAV that there
is to day in the United States a group of men deter-
mined upon giving us
AT SOMERSET IN 188"
385
COMMEUCIAL UNION
We know that Mr. Butterwortli, a member of tlie
American Congress, has brought in a bill for that
purpose. We know also that Mr. Wimun has lately
visitcil Ontario to induce that ijroviiice to adopt the
idea of commercial union. We know that Detroit
and *)thcr cities, as well as their trade organizations,
liave to a certain extent pronounced in favor of com-
mercial union. If I am asked at present for my own
opinion in the subject, I may say that, for my part,
I am not ready to declare that coinmercial union is
an acceptable idea. I am not ready, for my ])art, to
state that commercial union should be adopted at
the present moment. A great deal of study and
reflexion are needed to solve this (iue.-.tion, for and
against which there is much to be said.
The commercial union idea may be realizable
and it n)ay also be surrounded l)y insurmountable
difliculties. But I may say this — and it is my actual
policy — that the time has come to abandon the policy
of retaliation followed thus far by the Canadian Gov-
ernment, to show tlie American peojile that we are
brothers, and to hold out our hands to them, with a
due regard for the duties we owe to our mother-coun-
try. In certain quarters,
COMMERCIAL UNION WITH GREAT BRITAIN
has been advoca'cd, which obliges uie to refer to that
proposition. Commercial union with Great Britain
has been suggested as an alternative to commercial
union with the United Stiites. As far as I am con-
cerned, T will f=ay of commercial union with Great
Britain what I have said of commercial union with
the United States. I do not believe tliat so far the
question has been practically discussed. Certainly,
if it were realizable and all our interests were pro-
tected, I would accept a commercial treaty of that
nature. It is permissible to suppose that this move-
25
^M
mM
886
t«i'Ei:cii
ilik
mcnt would be takon up hy all the countries which
lit llie picHent day recognize the pupreniacy
(iiciit iiritiiin. S( nie years ago, in ISS.j or 1S,S4,
think. Mr. Uoulicr, oneofthe most eminent puhho
ni( n oi France, said : At jiresent, the world's diuilih-
rinin renlH no longer, as on the nast, on tlie Alps and
the Pyrenees, hut on tlie two lieinispheics. What
wa.^ true at that time in politics, is true to day in
trade. The commerce ol' tlu; world, which was I'or-
nitrly limited to the nations of Europe, now take.'' in
the entire glohe.
There is therefore room to sujijiose that all the
nations recognizing the sovereignty of Great Britain,
would agree to rally together hy mean.'^ of commcicial
treaties. With this ohjet^t in view, delegates are now
heing sent to Australia. What would he easier than
to ojien up a traile with Australif;, than to have a
commercial treaty with the Auf-tr;ili;in continent"'
(ientlemen, 1 consider the idea as gootl and fair, ;'•
such heing the case, I lielieve that it will eventu
triumph.
(ientlemen, there is an inlluity of other questions
to which I would have liked to refer to-day, hut, on
an occasion like tliis, it is impossible to review all the
political points which merit the attention of the
l»le of Canada. I can do no more at present than
peoi
touch lightly ujjon the difllculties, the solution of
which seems to me to bo urgently called for. and
which delay will, perhaps,
NOT lUC.NnKU MOliK UEAI.I/.AUI.K l.ATKK.
Nobody can view without alarm the present state
of things in this country, the sullen discontent, the
growing irritation, at the system under which we have
been ruled for close upon twenty years, and I submit
to my fellow-countrymen of every origin and race
that it is high time to put an end to the policy which
lias i)rovoked this irritation, which has no other aim
than the triumph of a party, and which sacrifices the
country's dearest interests to a parly triumph.
[MM
AT SOMKKSET IN 1SS7
;js7
I 8Ul)init to Jill luv fclhjw-t'itizcuH that it \» tiiiiii
to strive for the ('riliil)li!Jlmu'Mt of a polify wliicli will
imiUe alltlu! inhuhitantrt ot'C'aiiada feel liappy to lio-
loiig to thin country. I flul»init to my Icllow-cointry-
iiieu that it is tiiiui to restore to the Maritime pr.iv-
iiifOrf all their rights, that is t(t say, tlu'ir natural
uiurket. I submit that it is time to fiive t(» the |iruv-
ince of Mimitolia the exercise of all its privile^'es, and
ihal it is time to ^ive to all the jjrovinees their ( om-
l)k'te Icjrislalive autonomy, so that they may e.\i.-t in
fact as they exist in law.
In line, it is time to endeavor tn oljtain. if possible,
tor iill the people of this country the most naturiil and
at \\]v !-ame time; the most prolitable market.
Now, I state in coneludin;,' as I stated in com-
meneinj.; : T have faith in my country's institutions
and 1 believe that, if tluiy were well administi-red,
they would (uijxender a |)ros))erity. the like of which
we have not yet known.
For my jjart, 1 may say that as lonj,f iis I .-hall
occupy a place in the confidence of my party, as loni^
as I shall Iill a .seat in the Lcffislature and as hmfr as,
by word and examp F can [each this doctrine. I
shall devote my political life to spreading amoii^- my
fellow countrymen,
THK I.oVK OK oru NATIONAI. IN.^TlTrTIONS.
I know that the task is a great one. and that I dare
not hope to carry it to a successful issue myself. Tin;
most I can do is to trust that I may advance it a step
— but at least the work is worthy of our eftorts. And
for my part, when the hour for linal rest shall strike,
and when my eyes shall close forever, T shall con.-ider,
gentlemen, that my life has not been altogether
wasted, if I shall have contributed to heal one patrio-
tic wound in the heart even of a singleone of my fellow
countrymen and to have thus promoted, even to the
snuvllest extent, tlie cause of concord and harmony
between the citizen.^ of the Dominion.
;*ii
1
!
: ,;
'J: 1
I ■ I
' 1
■ ; ■ ■ I J • '
•■■).i
I'' ■' ''^
4?
llQliiiiited Coiiifliercial Reciprocity
WITH THE UNITED STATES
IHE TORTURE OF TANTALUS
AN IMMENSE, BUT INACCESSIBLE MARKET
AT OUR DOORS
THE PKOfiUAMMK OF THE CANADIAN LIBERAL PARTY
In ISS>, all tlie qiieitionalile schemos oian Aincrico-
Canailiau zulfercln ami of a coinmeroial or customs union liud
given place to th(i idea ot a renewal of the reciiirocity treaty
on the widest possiijle basis. The Liberal party in the Cana-
dian Couunouf leil lor the lirst time by Mr. Laurier had adopted
this policy as the loreniost i)lank in Us platl'orm. an i one
of the Hnest dei)ates ever heard in the Canadian Parliament
had been provoked by a motion of Sir Jiichard Cartwright,
involving a profession of faith in favor of unlimited reciprocity
and representing the urgent necessity of resuiaing negotiations
with Washington in order to secure a complete I'eciprooity of
customs' tarilfs. After his friends had j)iled up mountains of
statistics, and arguments in su[)port of the party's theory, Mr.
Laurier summed up the debate in the following speech, which
deserves to figure iunong the finest pieces of national
eloquence:
Mr. Speaker,
There is one feature which has univcr.salh' char-
acterized this del)ate, in so far as it has been partici-
i^%f
')?
: ,'-i
390
SPEECH
pated in by our colleagues on the other side of the
House. Again on this occasion, aa on every other
occasion, whether in the time of Reformers who have
passed away or whether in the time of Reformers still
living, the cause of reform has been met with the cry
of disloyalty. It might be tempting to retaliate and
to show what is the true inwardness of that exuberant
loynlty which ever gushes forth from the other side
of the House when facts or arguments are defieient to
meet the case at issue. It might be tempting to
retaliate and to show that
THE I.OVAI.TV OF THOSE MONot'OI.ISTS
who to-day clamor ihe loudest, has no other founda-
tion except the selfish one that the contemiilated
reform would put an end to a state of things, which,
however lamentable it may be to the country, is
eminently i)rofiiiible to some individuals. It miglit
be (em)jting to show that loyalty has always been, is,
and always will be the last refuge, the supreme argu-
ment of those ingrained Tories who imagine them-
selves born to rule, and who, having long been asso-
ciated with government, cannot contemplate the dis-
2)lacement of what government means for them — pat-
roiKige. olllce, subsidies and monopolies — without
thinking such a displacement would be rank treason.
On the other band. T have no reason to doubt the
sincerity of those prophets of evil who, at every step
taken forward by this young country, never fail t^
see an impending rupture of British connection, and
whom a long series of sinister ]>redictions. hitherto not
fuKiiled. has failed to make wiser or braver. Sir, T
consider, it would be perfectly useless to attempt any
argument upon those monojiolists or ingrained Tviries
wboRe supreme end and oltject in politics is to enjoy
the lleshpots of office and whose loyalty springs from
the stomach, but to those well meaning though timid
men who, inclined to a change, still dread change, I
would at once say : You who object to reform because
*::«■ m
fii ■■ '
IN FAVOR OK RECirnOCITY
301
yoii i'eiiv the good remits will be accompanied by
sonic evil re-jult — are you satisfied with the couditiou
of this country, that notliin:^ is to lj'3 risked for its
advancement? It is your opin-on that, if there be to
the south of us accessible fields of wealth, we should
be deterred from the ennoblinj^ 9i)irit of ente^'prise
by the cowardly consideration that possibly increased
prosperit}' would
SEni'CK
KUOM OI'R ALl.KfilANCE?
Is yours the po-ition of the man who would star/e
liimself to death lest ijy eating food he might swallow
poison? Away, away, [say, with ignoble fears and
cowardly considerations. I also api)eal to loyalty ;
T appeal to the loyalty of all we owe to our origin, tn
the blood that Hows in our veins, to the example (jf
our ancestors and the memories they have left behind
them, and he. T say, who will stand truest to those
examples will also stand truest in his allegiance to
Queen and country. Let us remember that the great
nation from which the greater number among us
derive their origin, and frosn which we have the insti-
tutions on which we pride ourselves, is so great to-day
because, at all periods of her history, her jjcople never
shrank from perfornang the duty which the houi'
demanded of them, without fear of the conseijuences
to theniselvi^-! or to the country. Lei us rememl)er
that our country, if it has attained the i)roud position
hich to-dav
AV
lUU'C
we claim it occupies, owes it to the
ising eftorts of reformers of former days, whose
evei'y effort 'vas assailed with the same taunt of dis-
loyalty that meets us to-da.v Let us look at our
position such as it is, let ..i look at our position
scpiarely and manfully, and if the result is that our
position to-day demands reform, let us, T say, strike
for the reform, determined in advance that, if in this
as in eve''y otluM' matter evil is to be mixed with good,
it will l>e time to grapple with the evil when the evil
arise-'. Once more, T say, let us look at our position,
not such as it ought to be.
m
592
SPEECH
mm ■
II:
BL'T SUCH AS IT IS
not such as it is depicted in the s])cechcs of Minis-
terial orators, but such as we liear it every day
depicted in the unvarnished tall< of tlie iieoi)le. With
a varied jind fertile soil, with a healthy northern
climate, with immense agricultural resources, with
abundant mineral weahh, with unsurpassed lumber
facilities, with the most ])roductive fii-heries in the
world— this ought to he aland of universal prosperity
and contentment. What is the position to-day ? £
said a moment ago that we have good reason to bo
proud of our country, proud of her pe(ti)lc, proud of
her history, proud of her institutions, proud of tho
position which e-he has already obtained among the
nations of the world; but blind wfi'ild he l)e who
wtmld fail to see that tliere is in her otlicrwise young
and healthy l)ody a (]oo\> wound tbat is depleting tho
very sources of life. Wlien we contem])late that this
y(niug country with all her capalnlities is losing her
population, that every day hundreds of her sons are
leaving her shores to seek homes in a country not
more favored l)y nature tlian our own. the concdusiou
is inevitable that something is wrong wliich must
engage the attention*of every one for whom patriotism
is not a vain and empty word. Yet with these facts
full in view the Ciovernment. speaking by the nu)utli
of the Minister of Marine and Fisheries, invites Parlia-
ment to declare that there is absolutely nothing to
do but to keep on the i)olicy under which such a siate
of things is possil/le; and we have seen memlier after
member of Parliament rise in his place and declare
indeed that there is notliing to do, that evei'ything is
for the best. I will not lose one single moment in
discu'^sing that point, but I place tlie assertions anide
on tliis side of the House against those nnide by
honorable gentlemen ()])po!-ite. and leave the decision
to the judgment of the people of the country, in the
judgment ol" all the people without exception, and
all, with the exception, perhaps, of the monopolists,
IX FAVOR OF UECIPROCITV
Oi'o
will say that there is something wrong in the condi-
tion of this country,
TIIA.T THERE IS S0>rETIIIX(;
•which demands the attention of R.'-lianient and of
every one wlio claims to he a patriot. We have Ijeeu
told, and it is in^iisted on, tliat we are a prosperous
country, that we are a happy country ; and one honui--
ahle inem))er. my lumoraljlc friend from Montreal
Centre (Mr.Curran), if I rememher aright, in dwelling
on the great j)rosperity of this country, stated we had
no starvation amongst us. Well, Sir, prosperity is a
relative term api)lied to nations as well iis to indivi-
duals. A man in private life may have allluence with
a certain income in a certain condition of life, and yet
he in want with the same income in a certain other
condition of life; and so it is anu)ng nations. If you
judge us, if you gauge the condition of tliis country
l)y the standard of older continents, I would he quite
ready to admit that we nuiy he said to he a jirospcrous
country. T grant this at once — and gentlemen op[io-
site are welcome to the admi.^sion if they can lind any
comfort in it. We luwe no starvation in this coun-
try. We have not any threat of famine, we are not
in the condition of China, in which country i'our prov-
inces, some years ago. were carried away l)y hunger,
and we are not in the condition of Ireland. We lose
ouri)eo])le, l)ut still wc luive not lost one third of our
population, as Ireland did, in the space of two years.
But, Mr. S])eaker, the o1)jection and the answer do
not meet the point, nor do tlicy meet the cluirge. To u
young, healthy, energetic and nctive ])0[)ulation on
this continent, it is not suilicient that they should he
AlioVK STAUVATI )N.
Their aiui is higher. The charge is not. Sir, tluit there
ia a scarcity of natural productions, but the charge is,
on the contrarv. that there is an abundance of natural
l-,v^
it: •
mM'-' :^
Il,::iillii
394
SPEECH
])ro(lnction3, but that there is no isfsue and no outlet
for the surplu.s beyond what the peoide consume. Tlie
charge is that nianufacturinjj; production is limited to
our small and limited requirements, and, tiierefore,
lar below the producing capacity of t)ie people. Sir,
the people of this country have a right to e.Kpect that
every child belonging to this country will, when ho
come-i to manhood, find the sann; labor and returns
for his labor, that he would (ind on the other ?ide of
the line. The people of this country, especially the
tillers of the soil, have a right to expect that their
labor will always command the highest price ohtain-
alile ill the best and most favored markets of the
world. They have a right to exi)ect that the money
which, by the necessities of their vocation, t)»ey are
forced to invest in real estate will always retain Us
value; and when they find that there is no lal)or for
every child born in this country, when they find
that their lat)Or is insulUciently remunerated, when
they find that real estiite does not keep up its value,
but decreases in value, when they find that notwith-
standing idl attempts made we have not yet succeeded
in having a ])opulation of 5.()00.0iX) of people, and
when they find that at least 1,000,000 of Canadian
born children are to-day citizens of the United Slates,
or are working in the United State=!, I say. again, that
they must come to the conclusion that there is some-
thing wrong somewhere wdiich has to be remedied,
I'uder such circumstances there is to-day a sentiment
of irritation and di9con';ent which must he checked, or
IT MAY HECO.MK VKUY SEIUOUS
in a short time to come. We have l)een told l)y
gentlemen on the other s^ide of the House that what
we say to-day is not new. The honorable the .Min-
ister of the Interior, speaking on that subject in
answer t.» my friend from S )utli Oxf )rd (Sir Richard
Cartwright). stated that the ^taiements made '^y my
honoral)le friend were not new, and that they had
IN KAVOR OP RECIPROCITY
395
lieen made in the elections of 1S8'2 and 18S7. Sir. it
is perfectly true that those statiiUients are not new.
They were made in ISS'i. and they were made in the
elections of 1S87, and my honorable friend might fur-
ther have added that they were made in the elections
of 1878. lie might have added that he and his friends
came into power because from 187(5 to 1878 they
blamed the Ciovernmcnt of the day for theeiuigration
which, I admit, v.-as then taidng ])lace. They l)lamed
the Administration of my honoralde friend on my left
and stated that if they came into power they would
put a stoj) to this emigration, and when they came
into power tliey were pledged by their own words
and tluiir own writings to put a stop to that emigra-
tion. Now, Sir, in order to make that point more clear,
let me refresh the memories ol'gentlemen on the other
side about their speeches anterior to 1878, and T cannot
do better than to (juote the sjieech of my honorable
friend, the leader of the (lovernment iind leaderofthe
Opposition of th.at dfiy, delivered at I'arkdale. in the
month of July, 1878. These are his very words : —
Hero wo ;iro not only suHVrinu ^(^prcssioii in ovoi-y tivulf
.and in'histrv, hnt our ijpopic are leaving tln' country to sook
omiiloyinent in the niilfs anil niauulactoiics ol' the I'nited
States.'
An iioiiorable member: — Head that again.
Mr. Laurier : — I will not read it again, but T will
continue : —
AVa.s it not a crying shanio that though this country had
:i fertile soil, a healthy climate, a strong and well t>ducated
]ieo|)le, and good laws, "jOO.ODO ol'our own i)eoi)le .sliould have
cro.'^sed our borders in those yeais and taken up their ahode.
in tiu^ United States because they could not (iu'l eniploynient
liere tor theii' skill and (Muui.'y an<I onterprise, in conseiinence
of the (iilse jiolicy of our rulers.
Sir. if it was a crying shame in 1S78, that oOO.lXH)
of our fellow-men should have crossed our borders to
'■'1
306
SPEECH
. -n
the otlier side of the line, })y what epithet strong
enouy;h can we characterize
THE POMCY OF THESE MES
who, bound to put a stop 1o that sort of thing, and
' l)ound to stop tliat exodus, liavc l)rought it up from
")(»it.lJOt» to l,(i;)0,u:)(). I do not say this, Mr. Speaker,
with any view of recrimination. I speak to say tliat
the evil is one of long standing, wliich mu^t tax our
energy and for which we must furl some remedy. T
have said, .Mr. Speaker, that there is discontent [)re-
vailing in this laad. Thecauie4are at once i))litical
and economical. Tliere can bo no doubt at all that.
in tlu! political aspet-t, a great deal of the di-ic;mteat
whicli prevails is largely due to the manner in which
Confederation was forced on some sections of the
country, and to the manner in which Confe deration
has l)cen made a tool and an instrument in the hands
of gentlemen on the other side to embarrass and to
harass some other sections of the country. There can
be no doubt that in the eist of this Dominion the
fact that one province at least was dragged into Con-
federation iigainst her will, opened in the hearts of
the people of that Province a wound which, after
twenty years, is as galling as it was the (irst day.
There can be no doubt at all that in the west the in-
just, the unfair, and the tyrannical manner in which
the Constitution has been aliused and viidate I by the
Government, in order to force upon the people of that
section of the country an abhorred monoi)oly. has
created a bitterness in the hearts of those people
whicli would have had the most fatal consequences,
perhaps, if, fortunately, the Government, acting as
they (lid yesterday in the matter of the admission of
American importations upon the free list, had not in
that other infctance also
REVERSED THEIR POLICY
and surrendered. There is no doulA at all that in
IS FAVOR OF RECIPROCITY
397
ronj;
the Province from which I come tlie numeroui^ attempts
niiide by the Government upon the political auto-
nomy of tlie jKovince have created distrust and dis-
api)ointment in the minds of the ])eoj)le. And at
the same time there can be no doubt, and we can
readily believe it, that, if the country had been as
])ro'«perous as it is represented to be, a good deal of
the difcontent which now i)revails would have Ix-en
alleviated ; for political causes alone seldom produce
serioub discontent, unless they aflect injuriously the
economic condition of the peoj)le. If our countrv
had bec'i as prosperous as it is represented to be. ff
Nova Scotia had found in Confederation the prosper-
ity which was promised to be her lot iu it, she
Avould !onf; ago have been reconciled to Confedera-
tion. }. Manitoba had continued to enjoy the pros-
perity with which she opened her career, she would
be to-day as cheerful a member of the Confederation
as ."-he was ten years ago. But all our efrorts at
increased prosperity have always been baflled. We
never have had the measure of success which we
expected from our efforts, and what is the reason ?
The reason is that we have not yet found the econo-
mical condition necessary to make the country as
abundantly productive as it should be; that the con-
suming power of the nation is no adetpiate to its pro-
ducing power ; and that we have not yet found chan-
nels' for the increased energy and activity of our jieo-
ple. Under such conditions, when the labor of the
peojde will never yield as much as it Avould yield
under a diflferent economical condition, it is"^ im-
impossible to expect that there will be content-
ment in the land, or pride in the institutions of the
country. The lumbermnn. the farmer and the manu-
facturer toil, but their efforts are comparatively barren ;
and if you ask them what is the economical condition
they want in order to make their efforts as fruitful as
they should be, they will tell you, that it is space, —
898
Hl'EECir
11
i'U
J'. (J
A BllOAUKU KIEI.I),
in which to oi)t'i':ite. Tlio lisherniiin will tell yuu
that il he could send his (ish free to Boston iuul Port-
liunl, he would a^k n(jtliing more: the I'aruier will
tell you that if he could nend his production.s to the
cities and towns on the other side of the line, which
are almost within arm's length, lie would ask nothing
more; the lumlt(!rnian will toll you that if ho had
access to that immense range of territory which needs
the products of our forest, he would ask nothing
more; and tho manufacturer will tell you— ti>e genuine
nuinufacturer,not the monopolist — that all ho asks, is
n fair field and no favor, and that if you remove the
hiuriers which stand in his way, he is ready to com-
))ote with tlie Americans in their own market. During
the last summer Mr. Butterworth, who is well known
in this country, and who has taken the same view
thai wo tiUvC as to the trade relations that should
exist belween Canada and the United States, speak-
ing on this question in Detroit, made a renjark which
seenuid to me at the time to he singularly true histo-
rically. He said this :
Tho li'story of all nations has been a record of their efforts
to broaden the area of their trade and commerce.
The more we think of this remark, the more we
shall be convinced that it is eminently true. Indeed,
the records of mankind show that, as soon as a nation
has obtained its freedom, the energy of the people,
Avhich had hitherto been consumed in political agita-
tion, is at once turned to labor and industry. Very
soon the producing power of the people exceeds their
consuming power,
NEW CHANNELS HAVE TO BE SOfGHT,
and from that time the history of that nation becomes
a record of efforts to broaden the area of trade and
commerce. Such was the history of the Italian
republics in the middle ages, after they obtained their
freedom. They gradually extended their trade beyond
IN lAVdU <il' KKCII'IMM ITY
;ji)9
the walls of their cities until it covered all the hauls
washed liy the Mediterranean and the neighhoriiifj;
heaiJ. Such was the history ol' Holland in the .«eveii-
teenth century, Alter ehe had freed lier neck from
the yoke ()fS[)ain, althouj^h having a iiopulatiim of
only 2.U()(),()U0, .she gradually developed the largest
trade of the age. Such was the case with England.
For many years the English penple were ahsorhcd in
political agitation, and during those yeais their trade
did not increase; hut having at lastcurlicd the power
(if tlie Throne, as.-erted the suprcniacy of Parliament,
and secured her ijolitieal freedom, from that time the
history n|' lOngland lieeame a record of the lir(ailening
activity and energy of the IJritish jjeople. The trade
of England increa^ed its area until it suhdued conti-
nent after continent, and to-day it has no limits I.ul
the limits of the earth. The history of other nations
has been our history. For years and years our people
Avere ahsorhed in a political agitation for freedom,
and during those years the country made Imt little
])rogress; hut when at last we ohtaincd responsiMe
governnient and legislative inde])endence, what took
place el.'-ewhere hapi)ened here. The energy of the
people, which had been previously absorlieil in fruit-
less political agitation, was turned to toil and labor,
and from that moment we had to .seek for channels
and outlets for our surplus energy. The forest, the
mine and the sea are the fields to which the labor of
ou
r peojde has been directed. Ours is
AROVK ALL AN AORH'II.TIHAI. corNTHV;
and, as we have abundance of lands at our disiiosal,
vast tracts have been every year added to the culti-
vated soil; and, as the number of the tillers of the soil
increased and the bulk of their productions became
enlarged, there arose correspondingly a demand for
new channels and outlets, and from that moment the
history cd' this country became a history of efforts to
broaden the area of our trade and commerce. If there
■':''t;;u H
SPEECH
400
is ono fact which moro thun nny uthor has »:liiiriU'ter-
i/ed ('iiniuliun politics since the concession ufrcspon-
sihhi f^overnmetit, it is that it liiis iilwiiys been tlio
ofTorts of the Cuniuliiin people to find ntnv outlets Jind
channels for their incroasinff enerj^y. I do not mean
to sav that those efforts have boon systematic or pre-
meditated. On the contrary, they have been irregular
and spasmodic, now in one direction and then in
another, l)ut they have been a continual and instinc-
tive aspiration t(t pass from an unnatural to a naturnl
economical position, just as a man who (inds hituself
in a vitiated atmosphoro will turn in every direction
to get a breath of the fresh air without which ho
cannot live. As soon as the agitation for responsible
government had abated, as soon as our friends, the
Tories — who, loyal in those days as they are in these
day-*, endeavored by riot, bloodshed and fire to inti-
midate TiOrd Elgin and prevent the establishment of
the regime — had been forced to submit to the inevi-
table, the first act of the Government of the day— and
it was
A T.inEKAI, GOVEKNMENT —
was to seek new channel? for the ])roductive energies
of the people. The (Jovernment found the natural
c'nanncls of trade blocked and closed. There was to
the south of us a great and progressive nation of
kindred birth, from which we were separated by
mountains of prejudice and some artificial barriers;
and the eiTorts of the (iovernment were directed to
removing some of the barriers, and the result was the
reciprocity treaty of ISol, which although limited in
its operatii n and scope, everyone will adm"'
period of its duration marked the golden nr
trade and commerce. That was our ii t
wards broadening the area of our trad e.
It Avas eminently successful. PIowi . ilie ty
was of short duration. As soon as i limit >l its
term was reached, the American Govornnuin gave
IN KAVoH ol UKririiiM ITY
401
notices tliiit they would not coiitiiiiK' it. Why ? W'm
it l)ec;iiH(( tli«' treaty wns not cijuiilly advaiit.i^foiH
to tlic Aiiicrican.s? No; it is adiuiltod tliat tlic treaty
\va.-> just as adviiiitaf^couR to tlif-iu as to us. TIkmid-
ti<;«' was ^ivfu siiuply on ai'count of the irritaliou
caused in tiie Tuiled Stat(H l»y the unl'iit'iidly atti-
tude luaintiiiiied hy Kiij^land and Canada toward.^
tlie Uaited State.s during theii' <;ieat, Htruji^^di; for
national lilc. That tin' repeal ol'the treaty wa.s a Mow
to our commerce, no one has denied, and it has heen
the constant and nnvaryinji efTorl of ( 'anadian sta-
te-!m(!n ever since to ol)l;i,in a renewal of that treaty.
Tnileed, so much is liiat the case that, at a later day,
when protection was adopted as the policy ofthi.s
country, one of the n>asons for its adoption was that
thereliy w(,' nnjj;ht
KOIiCK TUK AMKIUCANS
to ^ive us rt^cij)rocity. The resolution that formu-
lated the i»olicy of the (lovernnient upon thai occa-
sion has often heen quoted, but it will hear hein;^
(juottMl a^ain. because it is pi'CL^nant with meaninu' in
the face of the amendment ol the (lovernment on the
present occasion. The resolution is as foUow.s : —
That this House is of opinion th.it tlie wolfiire of Ciurula
ri'<|uirt's tlio a(l()|iLioii of a niitiotinl |ioiicy, wliicli, l>y ii juilicious
i'i>!iiljiistiuent of the tarilf, will hcntMit, fin 1 lostor the agiioiil-
tural, tlie minMi.L', tli(> iniinufactiuiiig and other interests of
the Doiiiiiiioii ; that such a iioliey will retain in Canaiia tliniis-
Hiids o! i>ur fellow euiaitryiaei) noiv olili^fe 1 to i^xpatiiate
themselves In search of the eiiiidoy nient deniel theiii at
horue.
How far that |)olicy has boon successful we all
know, l)ut no douht honorable gentlemen opposite
will say it has been in that respect eminently suc-
cessful.
Mr. Landerkin ; — It only sent a million away.
26
'■fA -,
402
f-PEECII
■ 1 '\ '
li'.i
is
Mr. Laurier : — The resolution goes on as tbl-
.lows :
Thiit it will restore prosperity to our stru.L'gling industries,
HOW so sadly ilepresscil, will prevent Canada from hei/ig made
a sacritice market, will encoiuage and develop an active inttr-
jirovineial trade, and moving — as it ought to do — in the diree-
tion of a recij)rocity of tariils with our neighbors, so far as the
varied inteiests of Canada may demand, will greatly tend to
piocure lor this country eventually a reciprocity of trade.
Now, if I give an unfair const-uction to the words
of my honorable friend, I will ask him to correct me
in due time, but if word? have any meaning, what
was the meaning of the concluding ])aragraph of tliis
resolution? Did it mean anvthing else but that,
liowever desirable protection might be Ibr Canada
against other countries, reciprocity, so far as the
I'nited States were concerned.
•i'l
WAS THt; THING WHICH was desired
and desirable? Now, Sir, in view of this resolution,
I say that the amendment moved Ijy the Government
is not logical. What is the object of that amendment ?
Its object is to keep the national policy intact in its
entirety. The i'lnal object of the national pidicy, as
declared in tiie resolution I have just read. w;is to
ol)tain reciprocity. It is evident tliat in this object
it has not succeeded, and, therefore, the conclusion is
unavoidable that something else must be tried. So
ended our first ciTort to broaden the area of our trade
and commerce. Jkit that time we had something in
contemplation. When notice was given of the abro-
gation of the treaty, the country was engaged in the
discussion of the great (juestion which ended in the
Confederation of the Provinces, and there is no doubt
whatever that in the minds of those who participated
in the liringing about of that great event, the hope
exi.sted that Confederation would prove, not only a
great political reform. 1>ut a great econoi" 'cal reform
IN I'AVOU OK RF.ClI>UOt'ITY
403
as well. It was urged on the floor of Parliament at
that time that the provinces, by adopting among
themselves free trade, would find an adequate outlet
and channel for their surplus energy. The honorable
Cieorge Brown, who was at that time a member of
the Coalition (Jovernnjent. enlarged upon tliat idea at
great length and with great force. After having .stated
in the debate that
THE FIRST OB.IECT OF CONFEDERATION
Avas to effect a great political reform, he went on to
say :
...But seeoudly, I go lieui'tily for the Union, because it
will tiirow down the harriers oi trade and give us the control
of a market of 1,(H)(),()0I) people. What one thing has eoutri-
huted so much tu the wondrous material progress of tlie
United .States as the tree passage of their products i'rom one
.State to another? What has tended so much to the rapi(i
advance of all hranclies of their industry as the vast extent of
their J>oine niaiket, creating an unlr.iited demand lor all the
commodities of daily use, and stimulating the energy and
ingenuity of producers ? Sir, I confess to you that in my mind
this one view ot the Union — the addition of nearly a midiou
of ])eople to our home e^onsumei's — sw(^eps aside all the petty
olt;ecti<ins that are averred against the scheme. What, in
comparisnn with this grfat gain to our farmers and manufac-
turers, are even the iallaoious money ohjeetions which tlu^
imaginations of honorable gentlemen opposite have summoned
up? All over the w'orld we lind nations eagm'ly longing to
extend their ilomains, spendnig large sums and waging pro-
tracttnl wars to possess tliemselves of more territory, uniilled
and uninhabited. < ither countries olfer large inducements to
I'oreignei's to emigrate to tln'ir shores — free passages, free
hnids, and i'ree food and imiili'inciits to start tiiem in the
world. We, ourselve-, support costly estalilishments t<j attr;ict
immigrants to our country, and are satisHed when our annual
outlay brings us l.'),(li)i) or 120,000 souls. But here. Sir, is a
proposal which is to add in one day nearly a million of souls to
our population — to add valuabl-' territories to our domain,
and secuie to us :dl the ad\' uitiiges of a large and proHtaide
commerce, now existing.
Ml
'J-'-
404
SPEECH
}•»
Now, evoryliody will admit that every word
spoken here was perfectly true, that not one iota can
be taken out of this passage as containing a single
error. Still, the theory here advocated did not suc-
ceed, and it failed not because of any error that could
be pointed at, but because of other circuiuatances
which were overlooked at the time. I have cjuoted
this in order to show that as far back as ISGo, one of
the master-minds, which the country has produced,
was of opinion that it was easynlial to tlie trade of
the country that we should add to the cnnsuniin^
power of our population. The Siune idea was enlar<i,'ed
upon by Mr, tialt in the same debate, and ho stated,
with all the authority which at that time attached to
his liiinie as Minister of F'inance, that in Conl'cderation
be expected to lind
m
m -^1
^;'
A SUB.STITUTK KOli THE AMEIUCAN .\IA1!KET,
which we lost bv the abrogation of tiie Reciprocity
Treaty lie said:
...H We leijiiiro to liml !in e.xiimiile of tlw hnnefits of i'voo
ooiiinieiciul intcn-oursi.', we need pot loi)k lieyoml the ffl'ects
tliiit have IoUowimI tVoiii the woiliiiig o) the i;eoi|iincily 'l"i(>utv
witli the l"ni:c(l .'^tates. hi one short year IVom the time
wiien that treaty came into operation, oio' trade in tlie natural
produetions of the two cDtnitries swelled from le.ss than
^_ViOiV'0(i to upwards or.^lOjUi '0,000 pei nnnnni, and now
when we are thrciitened with an interriii>tion of that tr.'ule —
^\■hell we have reason to fcai' that tln' ,'ietinn of the I'nited
States will pi \-e hostile to the oontiiiuinice offree eommercial
relations with this coinitry, when we know that the oon.^idpi'-
.'itior. of this ipiestion is not grounded on just views of the
matt-rial advantages resulting to each country — hut that the
irritation connected with political events exercises a ]'redo-
minant inl!u(nice over the niind.'r ofAuiorican stalesmen, it is
the duty of the House to pioviile, if possihle, Other outlets foi-
<iur laoiluciions. If wi^iavo reason to fear that onc» dooi' is
about to he closed to our trade, it is the duty of the House to
endeavor to open another to provide against a coming evil of
;.[-,^
IX 1 A Volt OF REC'IPROrlTY
■10.-)
tliu kind f't'iircd. liy timely expansion in .-inotlier ilirection ; to
scH'k ijy i'l'e tr^idi' with our own Icllowcoiopists ii)i' a c.inti-
inieil auil iiniiiti-nii|iti'i| (■oiiim<Tcc. wliicli will not he liiiblo
to be ili>tinl)fil ;it the cMpricioiw will ol' ;iny torcigii (.•ountry.
FFerc, auaiii, thvM'<' i.s nothing to say ag^ainst th(f
tlicory tliiit was tluMi advanced, hut tliKi ^rtvit oxjict -
tations which v.wc tiica enleitainetl did not turn out
to hf tnu^ Althouii'h every (iovernnient since that
time ha.s endeavored to lirin;^- toj^elhcr the ea:»t ann
west of (Confederation, to hriuu' alxiut tin; interchange
of tlie conmoditie-i of tlie cast with tliosc of the wesi,
to-day we iuive not succeeded in (hn'eloping any
ti'iiue except a very insiuniiicant one; hetween tlie
easi and tiie west, and th(! ghiwiug ])ictures whicli
the men o.' ISf") drew as to what was to follow tlio'v
endeavo' •: to hring aljout that intercliange of trade,
liavo remained i>ictures. What was it tluit was left
out, what was it tluit v as (nultted from their ealcn'-i-
tions? The fact whicli was omitted wa3, as has oilen
h( en pointed out since, the geographical i)ositio!i of
the ditfc eiit provinces of the l)oinini<m. The men
<j.' 1S()5 un-got that no legislative act, no executive
decree,
corij) srri'iv'Kss iiik i.o.nc; |)|>ta.\cks
which separate the ea^it from the we-t ; they torgot
that npture had interposed against i)ro(ital)le trad-i
i('lati<nis Ijetwi'cn tiic east and the west ohstacles
which no legislation could ovensome. Sir, expei'ienci'
is the test ulall theiuy, ami, in the view of the expe-
rience wiiich we have acquired during the last twenty
yea; i, let me show how ihiluded the men of 18(1") wer(!
in regard to the hopes which they then entertained.
Mr. .Mc(iee sp )ke in the same dchate, and lie (>mplia-
sized.'ie same 'dea which had heen already expres-
sed hy Mr. Ih'owii and Mr. (iait.and he [)articulaii/.ed
his meaning hy instaueing a particular trach'. the
coal trade of Xova Scotia. After having deiiicted,
m%\
l*i?«:
;i. H
w^;.A
4:1
•■n
W^:'^.
k..
Pi)
40a
SPEECH
in liis glowing language, tlie coal fiekl3 of Nova Scotia,.
lie went on to say :
Tlioso rxliaustlosB co.'il fields will undfr tliii pl;iu — wliloli
is ill tact our reciprocity treaty witli tiie lower provinces —
become, hereafter, the great resonnre of our towns for luel. I
sec tiie cry is I'aised helow liy the anti-Unionists that to pr^j-
cee^t with Ooiil'eilenitiou would be to entail the loss of the
Xcw England market for tln'ir coals. I do not unite sih^ how
they 111 ike that out, hut even an aiitid'nionist might see
that tiie population of (,'ana!a is within a friction of that of
all New England put togetlie!",that we consum * in this country
as much fuel per annum as they do in all New England ; and,
therefore, that we oiler them a market un ItM' the Union eijiial
to that winch these theorizors want to persuade their iollowers
they would lose.
There in not u word to lie taken I'roin tlial pas-
sage. Tl i.s (luite true- tliat the poptihition of Canada
wa.s a? great as the iiopulalion of all Now l-]nghuiii
put together, and that Canada consumed as niu( li
I'uel as tlie wliole of New Knj.rland put together. Iiut
]\Ir. Mciice had overlooked the fact tiiat the market
of New Kngland was at the doors of Nova Hcutia. and
that the market of western Canada was too fur away
to lie of any service to Nova Scotia coal ; and if tiio
valualile life of Mr. McCee had been spared ho would
have lived to see Nova Scotia coal jtrotected hy a
duty of at least oO per cent, on the [iiice of that coal
at the pit's mouth, carried from the east to tlie west,
carried on Government railways, not at trade rates,
hut at favored rates, in fact at a loss, and ho would
lave seen that
NOT ONE I.fMP <)V COAI.
from Nova Scotia over reached TortuUo. "\\'e have
been tohl we havedevolojied an inter-provinoial traile
lietwoen the cast and the west. I deny it. I deny
that we liave s : ceeded in developing trade Iiolwoen
tl
10 cast and tli(
AC
St. W
o (>arrv a small amount of
i:
' _ l * l !* iiy.jji. i ji!=^'^iju» a
IN FAVOR 01' KKCirUOClTV
407
morcimndise l»et\veen the two sections, but is tluu the
result of Coni'oderation, is it the result of the Union?'
It is not. What trade we have l)etweon the east and
the west is not a natural trade, but is due entirely to
the I'act that the country has to pay for the freight
roiiuired to take it lietween the east and the west.
Yt)U cannot legislate against nature, ami nature has
interi)osed obstacles in regard to the interchange of
trade between the east and the west which no legisla-
tion can overconr^ ; an I, as year has followed year,
it became more and more evident that the anticipa-
tions formed l)y the men of ISOo were mere delusions,
thnt there could never beany profitable trade between
Xuva Scotia, New JJrunswick and Prince Edward
Island on the one side, and the i)rovince3 beyond
Quel)ee on the other. Then "it was. seeing that our
etforts bad been l)anied, ."ooing that tlic channels
were not opened for trai.le which we had expected,
that for the first time protection became a i)raotical
issue in this country. The advocates of the new idea,
fondly hoped and, indeed, resolutely asserted that
the i)romulgation of a high tariff would stimulate the
creation of so many manufactories, that it wnuld
bring in a large amount of immigration and would
stop our enngration, tiiat we would (iiid tlie markets
here that we had hojied to obtain elsewhere. And al-
though during the agitation which took pla(!e in b'^77
and 1^78, all classes were {iromised that thov would
profit by the adoption of pri)tection, the farmers were
the class who were promised the greatest benefit. In-
deed, the National Polii'y then w;is made to do duty
all round, like
TiiK <Ei.Enr;ATi:r) aiaiuc noTTi.E
in t!io hau(ls of tli
beer or soirits or i
ju!.''gler. which supplied wine or
iter, just as the man to be served
was a wine oi- l)cer man. a whiskey nian. or a cold
water man. So tlif farmers wore toM that. if we had pro-
iud a market for their product.s
tection. thev
won
1 I
408
f^rKECH
H'.t
1 1; I'ii;,
f'
s
r, :ji'
'»;■'
:, Vii .
■J ■
'«^;l:; •
ft-'Mi'
It? i ■•> ^ {
}it their doors. Tlu! lender of the Opijosilion at that
time-, ill the Hpeech wliich ho made at i'tirivdale in
July, I'STS, i^a,id :— . '
r.v liiivin;: ;i!l l<!iiils (if in'lustrii.-s \ve wduM li;ni> ;i ;^ii'at
cotiiUry : the inilustiMi>:i wouM lie twifc blcssi'd, our son-,
would III- iiiwiiiti' I tVom ;-'oiii,L' t(j ii lbii'ii.'ti cinititiy to add to
it.s wealth and strength and slsill. Tlie IVuits ul their lahm-
woulil lie exchang(Hl for l\n'. traits of the soil, cities wouhl
inultiiily, iind not oi.ly would there he a rleniand lor tlie huircr
j)rodiiits, such ii< wheat, lloui', cattle, and everything >,ve < uuld
laise. hut lor eiicese, hutter. e.'iirs, roots and other kinds of
t^mall ]iroiluce. Why was it thuf land aroinid villa!;<'s was mure
valuable thati land away IVoui the villat;es, land ai'out tnwns
more valuaMe than land in villages, and land ahout t;itl(\s
more valuable than land in towns? band about 'I'oronto was
not .-o good, I'rom an a_!.'riiniltural {)oinl of view, as it was .Jij ny
40 miles away fiom the city, and yet it was i.,)re valuable. Tlie
reason was because the faiiuers living near Toronto eoidd gi>t
a marki t for e\'(!rylliing they eouKl raise. They wer(> not
obliged to send it. iiway to a distance. The nearer the faiiner
was to the niarket t)ii' ••1|..,;jkm' it was for him to send in liis
goods, anil that dngle illustration would siitlice to shou' how
(leiientlent the worksiu-n, uiiinufaciiner and fa.iner weic ujiou
each other.
Til .so far as this lan:rnn^e tench^d to prove (hat
the a(U)[)tiou ot' protection woiihl devehip a hir;.!;e ma-
nufacturing; iiidustrj' it was a fallacy. luU, in so far a.s
the lionoralde g,erflcnien meant to say that a lar<r(!
hihorin<i population is the hest market fur the aj;ri-
culturtil chisse.s, I agree with him. l'-ne;hind to-(ia,y
not only ahsorhs all lier own atiricultural products,
hut drains the agriculture of many other countries
liesides. New Englamt is very niuidi in the sann; po-
sition. Tt not only consumes its own agricultural
]troduotions. hut it alisoihs those ul' many t)tlier
States, and it even
DilAW.S r.AUOKl.V FUOM iA.\Al).\,
although the Canadian farmer has to pay :t toll on
IX lAVOlt (»!■• KKrllUOL'ITV
•Jill)
tlie frontier, liut llic prediction of the iionor;il)lo
gentlemen (lid not come true. Tiie country \v;m not
overrun witli tlie nmnuiacturinii; cImss. Tlieie wnn
no f^reat increnfe in iinnii^ratinn. J']niijj,vati<in waw
not stopped. Many <lreanis were disi»elled, many
ilreanis turned nut to lie mere dece[)tionn, for it is a
juatter of fact that many of the principal advoj'utos
of protection wiio prophecied iliose great renult.s were
the victims of tlieir own pr(>achinu'. In tlieir ^reat
a.ii.\ietv foi' the .■•uc(!0.-*:^ of thi^ new i(hM. tiiev h,id repre-
sented the counlrv a-
heii
\\X overiiiii hv niaiiuiactwrc
with ma^'nilicent huildin^s ami lall ciiimncy,^ tiu'ow-
in^r toward'^ the .sky llie f<m(ikc of modt-n' nidusfy.
They had represented cities and town.s irrmvii 'j- oi;t
of the c'round, ami teeminj' with arti>>an~ who wouhl
consume evervthim: the farmer (•
.uld
I ow. hut th'^'>(;
expfHttations did not come out (rue, and here aL;\nn
tlie.'e was a failure. W'liat was the can
rH\
\y
IV was
it that the great expectations which weve entertained
of the I'uture (.»f the National Policy, were noi real-
ized ? liecau^e the agitators of l'^77-7S comj)hjtely h)St
piu'ht of t lie fact that
MoDKKN l.NDr-l'lilKS (A.NNoT TUIMN'K
in linnted markets. >rodern industrv in cirder to
thriv<! mu-t operate in large markets.
T
lie
il'IlKMDle
of modern industry is this: fo miniiiiize to an iniini-
tesimal ligure tlie ))rofit upon manui'acture 1 articles,
inu then to increase the a
lie iirodu<;tion to
tinlimiteil (juantity : in fact the profit U[)on the single
ir'tiele is always decreased in proportion as rho aggre-
ata ])r(.)(Hu lion is increase
1. Ind
er
;uih circum-
stances no one can manufacture to advantage unless
lie manufactures in large ([Uantities. and he who can
manui'a<'ture in Ihe larucst marki't is alw.ivs the
cheape-t manufacturer , an
rl at tl
le same time t he
man who can reduce the cost of ])rodiu:tion liy ever
so small an amount, will always drive Ids (Mi!upetit(n'3
from the field, and w ill overco.ue all the harriers
m
'
m
I
I
«u
! IS
410
SPKECII
opposed to liiiii. Tliiit is the reason why tlie Xatiomil
policy (lid not Huceeed, ttiiit i^ tho reason why the
niiuuit'juturcrs did not mulliply. Why, Sir, our
manufiicturc.-i, hurchnied as thoy are hy the taritT,
burdened on their coal, l)urdoned on their raw mate-
rial, cannot extend abroad liecause th(\v cannot meet
the products of free trade countrie-". They are limited
to their own market, and within our own market, with
a population of less than r),0(.)0,Oni ), they cannot
expand ami tliercjfore they (umnot thrive. Take tho
siiigli' article of cotton. Tt was expected that under
the favoi' of th(! tariff all th(! great water powers from
Kin^-ston to Montreal wouhl he lined with colion
mills, that we would have Iclmous oI" cotton s[iinners
and cotton weavers. Yet 'o-day. Sir, we have only
twenty-three cotton mills, with an aggregate of '>'A~ ,-
OSS spindles. These figures may seem large at first
blush, but they are in reality insignilicant. In the
year 1S71, Kiiglaml alone had over l.'"2,(XHJ cottt)n mills
and ;') LOiKi.ooi) spindles ; and at this very moment,
in the little town of Carditf. Wales, one single com-
pany is erecting thirteen mills with a capacity of more
than n")t).()(l() spindles. Therefore our figures are per-
fectlv insiu-nificant ; our twentv-tliree cotton mills and
(i(.«t,<'ii;i() spindles are
A MKIU-: DROP IN T[IK (HF.AN.
r>ut, Sir. the manufacturers of cotton started out for
an immense output ; they found t'lemselves very
soon with an immense sur[ilu3 which they could not
dispose o|'. and under such circumstances, what did
they do'! They combined, they agreed to reduce the
production, they reductMl the working hours, they
dismissed their em])loyet\s. and reduced production
simply to the requirements of the country ; and, U[)OU
the capital wliicli had been invested, they agreed to
pocket liie large projits which the tai'itl' gave them
over foi'(>ign conipeiitors. Yet, as T understand, those
profits upon the large capital invested are not large.
mm
IN FAVOU OF KECIPROCITV
411
Altliouji'li wo have only twenty-tliroo mills and (lOO.DOO
HpindlcH, yet tlie.se are too much lor the reiiiurements
of the country. Not one ofthe^e mills is worlnnj,' to
its full capacity to-day ; they are all workinc; on half
time, or at least, not on full time. What is tru(? of
cotton is also true of woollens and other industries of
the country, so the conclusion is inevitahle that the
National Policy has not realized the expectations
wiiich were entertained at the time. The National
Policy has not developed ii fjreat national industry,
and has not created IIk; home umrkcl for our aiiricul-
tural products, as we were promised, itul. Sir. the
necessity of wideninjj; the area of our trade and cdwi-
merce is so grciit that all these many years we have
heen lodkin^^ ju'ound in (his direction and in the other
direction to tind new outlets and new channels for
our trade. Tn the dehate on the Addre-s durini;' the
present SessidU, the mover of tin? Address ti>ld us
M'ith pride that the (iovernment had sent a commis-
sioner to Australia in order to obtain tin; trade of tliat,
country; he told us that thej* had opened communi-
cation witti tlie Arji'cntine Repuldic in order to esta-
blish a trade with that country. Wh.'it will come of
these effi>rts ? What has come ol' all similar efforts?
Whdt has come of our sendinu' commissioners to
l^razil, to the West Indies, and to Spain? Nothing;',
for the very olivious reason that, l)nrdened as we are
by our iirotcctive tariff,
WK CA.XNOT .MKK'I' !'I;I:K
.\I'K. KNOl.ANJJ
in those markets; so tlint the cunclusinii is inevitable
that all the efforts we have made so far to devel
P
our trade and commerce, and to broaden their area,
since 1S(J7, have been a succession of failur(^s. What,
then, is to be done? Ts the pr(d)lem without solu-
tion? Is the situation without hope? Is there nothinLi;
to lie done but to fold our arm^ and to wait, and
t 1 wait, and to wait until sonietliin;j: unforeseen and
unexpected turns ui-. that will, perhaps, do for us
m
"ml
'.in.
%\
m
w
''^ it
■ •■ l,i-.
lil-'
41S
SPEECH
Avliiit we have, fiiiled to do for ourrfolvos? No, thoio is
n. (Mtursc o|)('ii to u^. iiiid it is to revert to tiio only
iik'uh;^ wiiicli. in tiie \kiM, have not fuilcd — it is to
adopt till! rcHtdution of my lioiiovaUlu iViciid to my
1(^11 (Sir llichard C'iirt\vri,u:hl ), it is to o[)('n as uido
us we ciin iUl tlie avenues of trade hetween us and tlio
(;o,( 101 1,01) oi' |M'ii|»k' to the south of u^. Ami liere aii.iin
let us recall the laiiii'uaiic of Mr. Brown. lie ex|>ecte(l
the greatest iiossii)le results iVoni the arcession of
1, 01)11, 0(l!» Houls to our iii'.irket. Here are his words:
Hut lii'r(>, ,'Sir, IS ;i iiropnsal wliicli is to luM not only iiiviriy
ii iiiiliioii ot'smils to oiu' i))|iiiliitioii, l)(it to all v;iliiiil)li' tern-
tni'v to II ir
ind
secure to us all till' a IvitlUa-'i's ol' :l
lai-.
iii'( jii'Dlitaiile ciiiniu'r.
now I'.Kistmir.
"im
m'.
■'»,'*
Sir, these expectations would have lie,:'n reii,!i-:ed
if naairal ohstatdes had not interposed. P>ut what
wo e\peot to-day front thcs ro-;olution of my honora-
ble fri(Mid, is not only the access of 1,000, 000 souls
ti> (Uir market, it is
■nil': .\(>Ks<ro.\ o
K (;o ooo.ooo
of the nn)st wealthy people on the face oftlie^'obc,
with riot even a molehill to separate us. \\'t the <! ov-
erjiment will not accede to our proposition. The
(.iovernment have no objecition to sead conimissit)aers
to theanlipodes, but they will not send conimissioner-s
to Washington. They have no ohjecition to oi)en com-
munication with the Argentine UepubMc and its o.-
01 1,000 of souls. but they will not open cominuni;ation
with the great nation to the south of us wliose trade
is a thousand fold the trmb^of the Argentine republic.
Jbil they have llu-ir reasons I'or it. They ilo not act
on mere caprice. Tliey have thiiir reasons ; they
have a standing offer upon the statutedxmk that
they are ready to ojjcn our market, to a certain exteitt,
to lh(! United. States if that country will open its
market to us to the same extent. Beyond that they
"391
IN I'AVOK OK UKCII'Roi ITY
ii;5
will 111)1 .ii<i, tlioy f-tiind up<iii (Itcir dif^Miity imd tlicv
will not l)U(l{,fo an inch. The (ifTcr which i^ niatlc hy
the Ci(jvernnient to the rnitcfl States is an ofTor (tt a
limited charactor. in natural iiroducts only. It i.s
not what wi' ask I'or. It in not an otrcr of unlimited
trade, such as is asked I'or hy my honorai»le iViend
to my loll. My honorable friend has proved, at least
to th(> satisfaction of everyone who will t;ike a calm
view of the matter, that uidimited reciprocity is pre-
l'eral)le to limited rci'ijirocity. Now, if thetiovern-
ment had pecured the limited reciprocity which they
have nfTcced to the American (Jovernment. wewnuld
have l>(,'en jj;lad to acc(>pt it. anil the Ciovernmenl wniild
have heen entitled to the thanks of the country. Mut
the (iovernment have faileil in their efTorts. That
standin}:^ olfer has Ijeen on the Statute-hook for nine
yenTvS now and the Americans have not yet cho.sen to
bite at the bait ; but it is not a bait, that is an im-
proper expres.sion,
IT WA.- A TMliKAT.
It was intendcMl as a threat to tin; American (iovern-
ment to see what evil consecjuences mijrht fall if they
refused to ojien their doors to us. The bait or throat,
whatever it is. however, has been ineircctual. and we
must try something else. Now. limited reciprocity
may Ije looked U]nm as an impossible thing. I have
not heard one single voice raised on the other side of
tlie line in favor of limited reciprocity, while eminent
statesmen, memberp of Congress. inlluential merchants,
boaids of trade, have again and again pronounced
emphatically in favor of unlimited reciprocity, and
to-day there are before Congress two measures in that
direction. This sentiment, which is evinced by the
])r(ipositions before Congress, is not of ye-iter<lay. It
dates as far back as lS(il. In that year the IJoard of
Trade in the city of New York iJCtitioned Congress in
favor of an enlargement of the Reciprocity Treaty
■which existed at that time. That petition to Congress
•m'^
m
hW.
W<' M
411
SPICKCM
wiiH iu'lcil Upon, fn ISC. I, Coiif^M'o^s <'oii>ji(l(;r<'(l ji
I'osolutioii from th(! (.'ominittet! (mi (Idiuhkiium' in I'iivor
of an (!xt(!iisiini 111" tli(! trcMty iviul ii wideninj^ of its
])roviHionH. That rt'-iolutinii wiis passed in Murcli.
ISC. I ; it was laid over till Di-cemhcr of (lull year, hut
notliiii'4 caiiic of it, I iim sorry to nay. And why?
Ilocausi' of the Invents which took plactMii the year
1SC)1, hccauso ol' the unfriendly attitude maintained
hy lOnj^land and hy Canada towards the United States
in the j^reat .strupfjlo in whieh tliey were en;,'ui;ed at
that tini(!. The Aluliania cruiser, filled out in tlie i)ort
of fiiverpool, the .St. Albans' raid, prepared in Mont-
real, so far
KMIUTTHUEI) AMKUICAX ITr.I.IC oPIXION
tn-^>^
:nt.
that it would not allow that resolution to he carried
any further; l.ut of the sentiments whieh were enter-
tained at that time by the Administration ol' Mr.
Jiincoln we can ol)tain an idea by a letter wliieh wa.s
written by Mr. Adams, wlio was at that time Minister
to the Court of St. -Tames', and which was addressed
to Lord John Russell. It was dated November, KSd I,
and it said this :
Till' wciraro and [.rosperity of the nci^ilihoiiiii,' Biitish
Proviiu'os are a.s sinciTcly tli'siiocl on our part as they can I.e
by Groat Britain. In a practical sense Uicy are sources of
wealth and inlluence for iIk; oik? country only in a less degree
tli.aii I'or tiie otiier. tlioufrii thej'urisdic'tioii ai.i.ertaiii only to
tlie latter. Tiiat this is IIks sinocro conviction of uiy (rovern-
nient has I.een proved by its consent to entd^' into relations
of reciprocal free trade coninun'cc with them almost as inti-
mate as tliose which prevail betweeji the several States of tiic
Union themselves. Tims far the ilis[)Osition has been to remain
content with tliose relations under any and all circumstances,
and that disposition will doubtless continue, j.rovided always
that the amity be recii)roc!i.ted, anil that tlie peace and har-
mony on the border, indispensable to its existence, be lirinly
secureil.
Those were the sentiments of the Admini.-.tratiou
• ''!/
lilt:*:
i.r,!
IN I'AVOll UK KKrII'UdilTV
415
ol' Mr. Liiu'olii ill I'-Cl, iind tlicv aro the Pcnliinciitfl
of the Adiuinistrutidii of I'rt'-idcut Clcvclniitl in ISSS.
Of tlio sentiiiuMits of the Adiuiiiistnitidii of Mr. Cifvo-
laiul upon tills matter \v(( liavf ain|»h' cviiiencr in tlic
ftiiropiintlcnce fxrhanj^i'd Ix'twccii Mr. I>ayard and
Sir Clijirio.-i Tupitt'V. In tlie letter addreHscil Ity Mr.
JJayanl to Sir ("liarle.s (altiioimli tliat letter has often
heen ijuoted. I (|Uotc; it aj^ain heeause it .^Jeeins to nic?
jirej^rant with meaning')* '^'i'- Hayard, after havin;,'
ulluded to the necessity of settling the disputes aris-
in^f out of the li,-heries (iiiestion, proposed u s( ttleinent
in this manner : ,
I am ('(mli'lciit \vv hntli seek to attain a just ainl pei'iiia-
iiciit settlement — and tliere is liiit one wry to pidonie it — and
that is liy a strai^litlonianl treatment, on a lilieialaiid states-
manlike plan, 1)1 the entire luinniieieial relations.
These words are pregnant with nioanine;. I ait
their jireeiso nieaninfr is fully made out hy what
follows. Mr. Jiayard continues : —
'I'lio tri'iivity of the jiresent I'ondition of atliiiis hetwc-en
om' two cnnntrios dfinaiKls entire frankness, i feel wo staml
at " tlie parting: of the ways.'' In one diiectioii ! can soo n well
assnreil, steady, he.alfhfnl relationshi]!. di'void of petty j'ealon-
sies, and tilled with the fruits ol a jirospority arisini.' out oi a
lrienil.-hii» cemfiited tiy mutual interests, and eniluriiii.' hecanse
hased npon Justice : on the otliera cari'cr of emhittereil rival-
ry, staining our long frontier with the hues of hostility.
What is the meiinini,' of this lan<;uaj,'e: stainiiiLr our
long frontier with the hues of ho; tiiity ? \\'hiit was it in
the mind of Mr. J>ayaid? The only Wiiy to settle this
(piestion was to remove those cau.ses which threatened
'' a career of enihittered rivalry, staining our long
frontier with hues of ho.stility.'' I am glad to lind
that the gentleman to whom the letter was addressed,
and who. unfoi tuntitely, is not in his seat to-ilay (Sir
Charles Tupper). fully reciprocated those sentinients,
and he said in his answer to Mr. Hayard : —
I entirely ooneur in ymir statement that we l.otli si;>ek t')
attain ajii^t and [lermanent scttlemi'ut — and that there i> liui
m
m
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m
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■■ *i
di
(1
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, i
11(1
i^PKKCH
oneway ro innnn'o it— ;mil that is hy :i ^tiMi'-'lit t'oi'waiil tii'at-
iiicnt, on a lilici'fil and statcsniaiilil';!' plan, of the fntirc com
iiioicial lolations fif the t\vo connli'ics.
\i ■ ' :.<■'■
, ' )
'i'li().-t" wcit tiie sentiments o!" twD of the ,j;ontle-
nicn who wore aftprwiUMls en<r!i<re(l us plenipotentiaries,
each for lii'J own respective (lovtrnnienf . The Ann-
riciin plenipotentiaries inach^ ])ropositions to tlie Uri-
tish pl<>nipot"iitiaries. Wliat weic tliosi' i)ropo.sitions?
A't'e iiave not yet heen aMc to liiid <.nt. i'or reasons
AvI'ich have not yet hccn explained. th<' jjrojiosals
n aih- hy the American ])lenip!)tentiaries, and those
pviipti^iils nave hcen
i'i?
KKi'T FI.'OM TMK rrill.IC.
V> \\ what I an Ihev have he(,'n ? \>'eca[i ima.u'ine what
th.ey were; and what else conid they iiave heen ex-
cepl a relleclion of the sentiment expressed hy Mi.
]>ayard himself, the Secretary of t5l:',ie. when writing-
to Sir ( "harlcs Tupper ? ^\'hat else couUl they have
heen hut pri>posals to settle tlie question iipon a hasis
which wouhl remove fi(ou our lonu- frontier the dan-
ger of " staining oui' long fritntiei' with the hues ot
hostility?" What could they lie hul jiroposa's for
till alxjlition of etistotus hetweeii the two countries?
1 fail to liiid they could he anything else, and unless
we are siiown at a future day ihat I am in tlu^ wrong,
and that they were iioi such proposals, T thiidv wo
can I'airiy infer that such were ihv nropo'-als emanat-
ing from Mr. iJayard. l>id the iiritish jilenipotentia-
ries ansv;er in t'lat spirit .' Xo. The proposals made
liy the I'ritish plenipotentiaries, ami which we have
iielore us. are not in the same spirit which dictated
t!i<> ;insw(;r of Sir ('harhv-; Tujjper to .Mr. l>ayard. Sir
Charles Tup|)er iri tii.d answer said that he hop(Ml
also that the ipiestion would he settled hy a " stvaiLrhl-
lorward treat inent, on a liheral aiid .'•tatesmanlike
))lan. of the entire commercial relations of the two
countries.'' Wlr.t was the new oropositior, hy the l!ri-
: j|^!t H WJ WiiJ »| 1iroa'I B i <B I »ns w ww * ' W i' i ' ".i»' Wi -»< ""
IN KAVOlt OV lUaiPKUCITY
417
tish j)l('iii|)ot('nti;irit'-> ? \V;i.^ it for an entire sottloinent
of llic 4ue:ition upon that line? So; the iiroposal
was
SlMI'l.V AN AKUANCE.MKNT
(.'oinniercial inl( reonv.-i
^ir
I'or grculer freedom
('liarleM TiH)i)er',s i)rop():^al to settle the i|U('stion was
l)y iui entire discussion ol'the trade relations, Imt the
])roiiosition of the I'.ritish |ileniiiotcntiarie.s wassiniply
for greater freedom of commercial inlereourse than
)io\v exists. I say lh(> hai\(ls ol'the iiritish pleinpo-
tentiaries were hundicaiiped l)y some jiower. eitlier
by tlie JJritisli Ciovernment or the Canadian (iovcrn-
inent ; but it is manliest tliat the intentions of Mr.
liayard were not reeiproeated by the ihitish plenipo-
tentiaries at the discussion of the treaty. So that.
Mr. Speaker, the tinie i-^ eminently we"
to move in the sense indieatid by my'
on my left, and send a commissioner to the (lovern-
nienl at Washiii.£rtoa to eoniirm the jirineijile. if he
sees it is possible to eoniirm it. which would remove
jHistilily from our frontier line, but the (iovernment
will not have that. J"]vcn if it were olfered, an I be-
liev(! it was ottered in the negotiatit)n of tin; treaty,
they will not liave it. Th(>y will not have unrestrict(>d
reciprocity. They maintain their line of restricted
recii)ro(nty ; they maintain the offer tliey have put
upon the statute-]io<ik, of ;j,'ivinji; reciprocity in natu-
ral i)Voducts ordy. What is the reason that they <J,i^•t
cliosen now
lonovalde friend
for tl
lis
Th
le reason they jrive is tliat, at |ires(>ni.
unrestricte<l reciprocity would Ik; fatal to our maau-
fai'tories. Well. Sir, as to the argument, "unrestricted
reciprocitv would be fatal to our manul'actories." it is
admitted that unr( strieted reciprocity would include
reciprocity in natural products, and gentlemtii on
the other side are ready to giv(> reci|irocity in natural
products. They admit thereliy that recijiroeity in
natural products would be favorable a)id would bene-
fit the growers of natural products, ur. in other words,
''^^
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i: ■ ' s
u* ' v'
)
<)l .
,( ■
f'v-
418
SPEECH
that it would 1)enefit the farmers. Thej' say that the
interests ol' farmers in this instance and tlie inte-
rests of manufacturers are
antagonntic.
Thev
admit that unrestricted reciprocity, which includes
reci)>ri>city in natural products, would favor the far-
mers, lait tlicy say at the same time that it would
injme the manufactuiers. I do not admit the argu-
ment whatever, for I think reciprocity would he
USEiri. AM. IMtlNL).
But if it comes to this ; that we are forced to choose
between the growers of natural })roducts and the ma-
nufacturers, for my |)art my choice is made. T stand
by the industry which numl)ers 70 per cent, of our
])0])ulation. I i-tand hy the industry without which
no other industry' can live. But, Mr. Speaker. I do
not aduiit the argument at all. I do not for a mo-
ment admit that reciprocity in manufactured goods
Avould he unfavoraldc to the manut'acturers. What
is the oiijection ? The olijection is that our infant,
industi'ics, as they are termed, are not yet strong
enough to compete witli the industries oftlu* American
pf';]ile. Sir. it is a jjarticularity of these infants, called
industries, tliiit they never grow. They are monsters.
Ihsiis niitunr. their appetite is insatialde, and yet they
never get strong. They have to he ke])t on the feed-
ing t)ottU> all the tim(>. Vou have to carry them in
your arms all the time, and if you put them on their
legs they moan, most piteously and are too weak to
stand. Tiie })oor things are in fact so very weak that
they combine amongst themselves to extort from tlie
country, not only what the country will give them
Avillingly. but even what tlie country will not give
them. I can well understand that the monopolist
will not have unrestricted recijjrocity. He lias the
market to himself; the market is not large, it is true,
but he has it all to himself without competition, and
furthermore if there were com])etition he would have
to exci't his brains and muscles as everybody else is
compelled to do. Jiut
IX FAVOR OF UKClPRudTV
nu
TllK (.EXriNK MAiMlAt TriilCK
not only ia not afraid of iinrcstricted reciprocity, lnu
Avill liuil witli joy the day that the American niariict
is open to liini. What i.s it that modern imhiHtry wants
in order to thrive? It wants space, and nothiiii:' else
but space; and jxive to o\ir manufacturers that broad
market of ()(!.( lUO.dlJU of people and every one with
a heart in his bosom and a liead on his shoulders will
tell \'ou that he is ready and eager to compete with
the American manufaciurcr. My houoraiile friend
the member for Ilouville (.Mr. (liguult) stated tlie
other day that he was opposed to the present move-
ment, liecause he thou,ti;lit unrestricted recipro( ity
would destroy our manufacture,^, and he spoke from
a local ])oint of view. T am sorry that on this occasion
I have to sever from him on this (question. He said
as follows :
Wo know in the cities nf'St. lly.iciiitlic mid .Nioiitrcal tiie
nuiiil)ei' ol' coiisuiui'i's of agricultural proihice is largely in-
crt'iisiiig and our laruicr goes to this market. Every wet-k
doaleiv go through our district huyiiig eggs, |)oultry, animals,
fruits and otlier articles of larm produce, and wliero do those
articles go in much larger nuantilies than in the past ? They
go to the markets ol' St. ll\acuntlie and Montreal, where there
are a hirgeiiuunher of consumers than in the past. Di-stroy
l)y nnrestrictetl reciprocity the maiiula'Uuring industry of
those two citit's, tiirow out of emiiloymcut the thousamU of
worivingmi'M ulio gain tiieirliviug in those :n'uuifacl(irii>s, uii 1
wh.at would lie the result? i l(U' markets for the agriculturists'
produce would lo-e its iuipi)rtanee.
Sir, I will say to my hoiu;rable friend that the
opiruon which he c.xjjresses on the result of imre-
stricted reciprocity, with regard to the manufacturers
of St. Hyacinthe. is not the opinion of tlie manufac-
turers of St.Hyacinthe. .My hi-iiorablc friend thi' mem-
ber for St. Hyacinthe (.Mr. iSeniirr) is a manufacturer
and he is in i'avor of unrc'tricted reciprocity : and I
hold in inv han I here a tclcgrani from Mr. Iloa/.. who
",■"■*».'
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1
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ri
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420
^rEECH
is a large and well-known nianuftioturer of !^t. Ilya-
ointlif, and who says it' you give liim the American
market to-morrow, the day iil'ter to-morrow he will
trehle his OFtahli-hment. This, 8ir, is the opinion of
a genuine mnnufacturer. It stands to common sen^e.
and it ftands to reason, that the larger the field is at
the ])rcscnt day for the manufacturer, the larger will
he his exertions and the larger his proiit and his
tr;ide. I'-ut. Sir. there is another olijection, and a
most serious olijection upon the face of it. A\'e are
told that unrestricted reciprocity
woTLD lai;gi:i.y ai'fei;t oru hkvkme.
T'nder ])resent circumstances the importations from
tiie I'nited States yiehl to our revenue an annual
amount of 87.(lii<i.(i( n. There is n > douht whatevn-
that if unrestricted reciprocity were adopted we would
lose tliLt revenue. Sir, I say at once, and T say em-
phatically, that the prosjiect "has no cause of alarm to
me. The prospect would he a serious cause of alarm,
Sir. if the revenue of the country had Ijeen kept
to the legitimate expenditure of the country, if the
revenue of the c-ountry had heen kejit to the ligure
indi:-pensahle to carry on the legislative husiness of
the country, then. Sir, the necessity of providing the
deliciency "of such a large amount to lie levied every
year upon the peo))le of the country wouhl be a serious
prohlcm. l>nt. Sir under the jiresent high rate of
taxation the revenue has heen swelled far in excess
olthe legitimate reciuiremerits of the country. The
eciuilihrium has l)een re-eslablished l)y the Ciovern-
nient between revenue and exjienditure. But. how?
By decreasing the revenue? No, but by illegitima-
tely increasing the expenditure. Sir, this fact that
Ave are illegitimately inoeasing the exjienditure of
the country l.ieyond the natural requirements of the
people is a serious matter which should grow on the
consideration of the gentlemen of this House. It is
fruitful of evil consequences. The United States to-
il,!;.
.■-■; JJ^li ! ^iagja i # l i ^ ^t^i ^ M^^!BJ'. l W'W"j ^ ^^
T.\ KAVOK CF RKill'Kiii ITY
421
day Hutri.M' iVniu the Hume state <>!
ulsi)
things.
Thov have
AX Ai;.\o;;MAr.i.v T.AnriF-: keventi:,
anil althoviirii tlio exiicndituri' has heon kept duwn lo
a h'a'itiniate cxpeiulitiirc, still all the evils that we
havi' to-day. iVom ;i hiru't! revenuo and a lar!i;e ex])eu-
(liture. h;n'(.' also arisen in tin; United States. In a
recent nuuihin' nl' lfiirii''r\'i Wrrkhj the editor of that
most valuahle.alile and hi^h-toned paper, after havi n<r
reviewed the policy of President Jefferson — who fav-
ored a large expenditure, and in order to have a larj;'e
expenditure would maintain a, tariff i)rovidinjj; for a
suri)lu? — goes on to -peak in this way. and hi-! lan-
guage T eomuicnd tu everyone who tliinks of those
matters in this House :
Experioni'c, IiowoviM', h'ls proved whit Jflfi'i-rsoii could not
foresee tliat tlie. course he favored leu Is to overtaxation, class
leirislatioii, a general derail u'euient of eonitnerce an I in lu-try,
and polkical coiTujition.
All of these evils we have in thi-i country. We
have had class legislation. we have had over-taxation,
and we have jioliiical corruption — political corru])tion
.SI) hold that it does not even seek at this day to hide
its shame. JiOt me in this connection quote the
words spoken only a ((^.w weeks ago hy the Premier
(»1 this country in the city (d' Quehec. At the dinner
given there to the .Minister of Militia, he uttered these
pregnant words:
*^andlield Mai'donald, a Scotchman, and like ail Scoteliuieii
but myself, exceedingly econoiuical, tooic great [lains to save
up a surplus. The < Ipposition abused liim, and said lie iiatl
not tilt! lieart to spend tiie money, l>ut tiiat when tliey got
into power tlic-y would divide it. ."^o tliat lie was literally
bou^'iit out with his own money. No <iiit successor oftlie
present ( tovernineiit will li;M mucli Mnphis left id'ter us to
speiid among his snp[ioiters. uur opponents say that wu
W'-V.:'.
5'!'." '*^i
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422
SI'EKCM
bribo tlio constiliioncios, but we bribe tliein with theii own
money.
Sir, this is tlie level to which tiie pc^litics ol'tliis
country bus been lowered b}' tbe I'alse system whicli
we biive been pur^uint,' tor so may yciirs. Sir, T will
liiiil with joy the (liiy wben it will m> lonj^^cr be in
the power of tliis ( iovei'nment or nny "tber liov('in-
ment
ro nuiTU-: the I'Koit.k (M- this corNTKv
with tbeir own money. T will hail with joy the day
when no more money will be extorted from the peo-
ple of this country tiian is absolutely necessary to
carry on tbe bu-iuess of the country; anrl it' unres-
tricted reciprocity were to do not]iin>i else than to
reduce the expenditure to such a normal lij^ure that
it would l)e im))ossible for any (ioveiiiment to distri-
liute money amonu- the constituencies to bribe them,
with my Ijoth bands I would vote for unrestricted
recijjroeity. The advantages, Mr. Sijeaker. oi' a free,
untrammelled commercial intercourse between tlugi
country and the great countiy to the soutli of us
cannot 1)6 denieil. Indeed, they are not denied. No
assertion lias been made on tbe other side of tbe
House against tbe apsertion made on ibis side that
great benelits would follow" such an inti'rchango. The
ohjectiou^ made are not made to the iilea itself, but
all tbe objections are l>ased simply on tbe supposition
that this e )urse AV(Uild be fatal to some interests in
our own founty. Ibit. Sir. the one great objection
which W(^ have beard iVoni all (|Uarter3 on tbe other
side ol' tbe House lias been the cry of ilisloyalty.
That cry came ax a lugubrious knell in all the
S[)eecbes we have beard on this (pU'Stioi!. The objec-
tion was taken that to admit ;!ie im]>oitations iVoni
the United States free of duty, while we lax the imjK.r-
tatioiis from (ircat I'ritain. would be disloyal. The
objections U'ade on tlic sid'jeet were cry.-'allised in
I
■p«"
one gontenc^c liy tlio honorable Minister of tlio Inte-
rior, in reply to an interruption liy lay honoraijle
iViciid I'roin I'rince Edward Island :
\Vli;it 1 -uiil was that a (Ulforcntial duty a>.'aiiHt En,t;':mil
was (li>lc)yal to tU" laotlKU'-coiiutry and iiicunsistoiU with our
Sir. it' tlii.H oiijec'ti'Mi means anythiii^^ it simply
means that, if we find it U to l)e to our advantaire to
adopt r(M-i|irocal I'ree trmle witli the T'nitcd States, we
should I'ori'uo that advantage, heeause; weare a eohmy
of Knyland. That is the proposition made by gentle-
men OH tla- otlifu- r^idc. T denounce sueh a proposition ;
I repudiate it ; I denounee it as uniuanly, as anti-
Canadia.n,
AXM K\£S ANTI-l!lirriSl|.
To jn'etend. Sir, that our eolouial allegiance dcnnnuds
from us that we should be deterred from tlu^ spirit of
enterijrise, that we should refuse to extend our trade
and to increase our pn>sperity according to the best
methods which commend tbemselves to our jutlg-
meut, to pretend that this is loyalty. I deny; and if I
were to characterize the f'entiment in the only lan-
guage in whieh it ought to be cluiracteri/.ed. I would
hay this is not loyally, but that it i' mere Uunkeyism.
We ate a colony ol' J'higlaud, it is tru(! ; liut we area,
coh)nv not by force, but liy choice; and. if we are a,
colony to-day, it is because we are convinced tliat at
the i)ie-!ent day our ('olonial de[ienden;,'e is(iuitecom-
})atil)le with tlie largest meastu'e of i-.ational advance-
ment and material pro-perity. Tl'yon. on the olhcr
~ide. [o-etend th.it our eolouial relation curt.ails and
iami.is our possibilities, that Knghuid would allow u^
to reach a certain altitu b.' and go no higher. I say you
slander Knglaml ; and if-any man were to rise on tlie
other side and tell us that Kn;;huid would be jealous
at whatev"" we could do to improve our condition, I
wuukl say that nuui tbie-i not know England, he m;3-
.%:\
".• M
m.
42-i
.«rEErir
taken tlie Eny;l;in(l of to-day for the Kni^land oi' 100
years airo. T cduiiupikI tn the couHidei'alicni of tlieso
fervjt'Ht loyalii^tH on the other side, wliose mouths iire
ever full of the word loyalty, the following words
spoken 1)3' Lord Paltuerston, 1*0 years ago, in rel'er-
ence to the Hritisli North Aiueriean provinces: —
If tlii'se provinces felt tliotnsolvos strong enough to stand
niiiiu thfii' o'.vn ground, iiu'l li'thcy dosiro no longer tu nuiintain
their eonneotion witii u-t. we shuujil say : " fiod speeil ynu uu i
give you t!ie means to inaintiiin yourselves us a nation ! "'
lit ■'
There are
TIIK SK.VTIMK.NT.s oK ni!ITI.-II STATKS.ME.V.
They tell us that, whenever wo want our [lolitieal
liherty, we arc free to have it. J»ut what we ask. Sir,
is not [lolitieal indejieodeiK^e — we want to keep the
flag of I'lngland over our heads ; but we adirni that
Ave are eeononiieally independent as wo are legisla-
tively independent. Sir, colonies have interests in
conunon with the mother land, hut colonies have
interests of their own also. To-day we levy a heavy
toll on all imports from (Ireat liritain. We do that
not oidy for the sake ol' collecting revenue, but also
for the purpose of protection, to enable us to manu-
fat'lure ourselves what we had fortof-rly purcdiased
from Kmrland, and to that extent to de-troy British
trade. There was a time when this 'ould not have
lieen tol(M'ate<l ; there was a time when l^ngland would
have <li.-!illo\v(!d such a [lolicy ; but now W(! adopt it
as a mattei' of course; now our policy is never ques-
tioned—why? f)ecau=e England has long ago ad-
mitted the i)rinciple that colonies hav^e interests of
thcii' own, and that it is within their right and power
to develoi) and lo.ster and promote those interests,
even to the vioint of clashing with British interests,
it was not always so, however. Tn the last century
Emrland lost her American colonies
iii:-!-
mpi
IN I'AVOK ov nEcirnociTY
125
nEcvrsK THAT ruiNciri.K was icnoukh.
The Anicricnn rcv'ilution broke out in vimlicnlion nf
the [jrinciple that taxiilion ainl I'oiu'e.seiit.ition .should
go io^elhiT. I'riuciples may li<^ (h>rmant for jj;eneni-
tions until called lovth for the .solution of poiue <;re!it
ig3ue. And what was tlu! issue which called for the
vindiciition of those principles 1)\' the Americnii colo-
me:i ? The ig.suo was this: At that tinu' there was a
traile in the American colonies, and thd'e was al-^o a
J'.i'itish trade; and the I'.ritish Parliament, from which
the colonies were excluded, legislated exclu-^ivcly t'nr
British trade airainst the interests of American trade.
In our own country, in the year ISoT. a reh(.'lliou
broke out in the two largest colonies left to I'lnj^hmd,
and in both the provinces the cause of the rehellion
was the same. Tt was that the ISritish Ciovernment
])ersistently i<,Miored the interest-! of the colonies as
represented hy their r.ejiislatures. The I'ritish (iov-
ernment. at that time, did not liold ui)on those mat-
ters the same opinion that it holds to-dny ; hut when
rehellion liroke out, not only in JiOwer Canada, where
the population was not of IJritish origin, hut even in
IJli|)er Canada, the I'ritish ( lovernment sent a com-
nnssioner to investi;::ate tlu,' cause of the rehellion.
In their selection ol Lord IHirham they were mo-t
lucky, for in him they i'ho?<' a man (d'^'ieat sat::acity
of ndnd. great jx^rsonal couraire, and large and lilieral
views. If it were my duty to review liis report. I
would he h(u;nd to tak'c exception to the conception
which he I'ormed of my own countr 'men ; hut as to
the nuiin conception of the rejiort. as to the main idea
which governed it. it was one of the greatest concep-
tions of an age fertile in great coucej)tions. It was.
INDKKI). A KKVOI.l rioN.
''•■'■I
'.-•■ i'<
:■ <i'-„'.^
ik-i-
\.
Lord Purham found at once that the coltmies had
interests of their own. and that the-e interest- had to
be prosecuted to their logical end ; and he came to
'I 1
i-f ;
^1
I'
I'- 1 '
f i:
426
."I'EECH
the ciiiHjluHion lluit lociil i»:irIiaiuoiit.s wrro the only
piniiiiiiiL'iits (Uteil to (loal willi tluMu. Wo .su;;jx('ste(l
tlicroluro to jfivo tlm colonie.H re.sixtnsiUlc ^fovcriiinont.
That Wiis indccil a ri'volutiiui. ICvery country wliirli,
up ti> that tiino. had coloniiH, always thuuuht it
wais necessary to Ueepit.s c()h)uie8 close in hand; they
all helievod that to ^rant the Hlif^htest euiancipation
would ^^'uerate a desii'(! for complete einancipalion.
F/ird huiliani I'ound that the converse proposition
was true, lie found and maintained that coercion
H'enerateil the desii'e for emancipation, hut that iVee-
doni would he a hond ol' union. Tiiat was a revolu-
ti indeed; it was oi,.) of the greatest conceptions of
tin; aye, and all the .ijrcatnr because of the circuni-
.stances under which it \vas foniied. There was a
reh(dlioi) at the time in which two provinces partici-
pated. There nas a rehellion in I he I'jjper I'rovince
of Canada, where the population was of Uritish origin ;
tliere was a I'ehellion, a far more dangerous one, in
Lower Canada, wher(> the population was oi' alien
origin, and had only recently hoen nnide suhjects of
ICngland. And at that very moment, wiien the coiuitry
was in the throes of civil war. when the soil was reek-
ing with hloodslied. when llritish domination lunl to
h<" maintainei] by force of arms, at that moment Lord
Durham .^aid :
MAKK 'I'M KM VKV.Vl,
ami you will make them loyal. And wi' who live to-
day are tlu^ happy witne-^ses of tlie sagacity of his
mind and the realization of his [irophecy. We who
live to-(hiy have seen how his policy has planted deep-
felt loyally wluM'e iifty year.s ago rehellion existed.
JUit. s^ir, 1 a-^k h )noi'al):e gentlenujn opposite what is
the extent of the freedom whicli was then giantcil to
us'.-' T say it (wtemls as far as Canadian interests
extend, and to that extent we. mi this side, claim it.
At that tim(!. it is true. Lord Durham had not one
disciiilc. Jh'itish statesmen could not conceive that
m.-
mm
IN iA\tii: III' itEciiMtiH rrv
respousililc ^(tvornnit'iit coiilil exist in ii <'(»loiiy u-t it
t'xistt'd ;it luMuo, luitl it \ViH not until iinotlicr luiistcr
mind, Lord Kitriii, canio to tiiis country, tlnit the
policy of Lord Durliiini received its lull measure ol'
adoption, lint Lord Kl^dn \v<'nt I'urtlier. He ne;ro-
ti!itc(l the treaty of roci|)rocity. iind in tli;it treaty
he admitted tlu; i)rin(!i[»le ol' discrimination aj^ainst
ilritisli tiado. Ts there; an himorahle gentleman on
the other side of tlie I louse wlio will |ii'etend that
these j,'reat men. Lord Durham and !,ord J''l;^in, did
not save thi' liritish Crown on this continent? Will
:iny one i»releii(l that tlie colonies wcuilil nave loni;
consented to ho gov<'rne(l hy the Colonial Ollico,
throuLch the instrumentality ol'a petty family com-
pact .' Who is not awaro that the r(»ciprocity trcidy,
ncii-otiatetl hy Lord i']l;iin in IS.")-!, etfectunlly (luelled
the airitation for annexation which jollownl ISIl) I
say to our lionorahle friends o[iposit(' : Y(Hi want to
maintain llritish connection on this contirient. and so
.'^ay r ; Itut T add thi."?. that if you want to maintain
liritish coimection on this continent, j'.ritish connec-
tion must walk ahreast with all the i'ri|uiri'nicnts of
this country. Tn this Cdnnection. T cannot do licitor
than (piote the ndnnte of council of the Coalition ( iov-
ernnieut of ISii."), which is i)regnunt with meaninff, in
vi(nv of the iiresent rircumstancos. The minute is as
I'ollow.s :
ruder tlie IxMii'lifiiMit operation of the system ol'scir^'ov-
.■riijiu'iu. wli'h'li till! liitiT poliiiv of till' inotlnM'.couiitiT lias
.■icconh^il to ( ' iiiailii, in ooinmnii with tin' other colouii's |io>-
M's^iiiLT ri'pre-iontative iusiinitions. comhini-i! witli tlie iidvan-
ta.:.'(!s -ecurod liy tlm I't'ciiiincity Treats' of an nnii--lriit('il
eonnni^vi' \vitli our iH'aiTsl ni'iglihor> in ih' namial )'ro hic-
tion-; of thi' i\vo couutrii's, all a^ifation^ for i)ri.'ani>' i'liau>.'i^
lia- cc'i-ei! — all (|i>.satisractifin with ilii> .■.\:>tlii,i.' liolilirai icla-
lions 111' till' |iiovill('e lia~ wholly iii-a|ij.('al'eil
..^";':
TIero is the admission that reripricity with the
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428
SPEECH
United States eft'ectually ijUiislied the agitation for
annexation wliich followed 18-ll>: —
AUliouirli tlie colonies would grossly misreiiresent their
comiti'yiiioii it' tli>'y were to atliiiu that thoir loyalty to their
Sovei'i'l;.'!! woiilil bt» (liiuiiiisheLl in the sUghtest deirrop l)y the
witlidi'inval, tlii'oiigh the iinrrienlly action ol' iiloreigii (iaverii-
ni ent, oi' mere coiumcrciul privilege-, iiowevi-r valuablo these
uiiglit ho deemed, they think thi\v cann )torr in directing the
attention of the enlightened statesmen who wield the des-
tinies oi' the great l-^aiiire, ol' which it is the pro^ulest boast of
< 'ana Hans that their country forms a j)art, to tlie comieetion
nliich is usuall\' found to exist between tlie matei'ial prosjie-
rity and the political contiMitment of a people, for in doing so
they feel that tliey are appealing to the highest motives thit
can actuate patriotic statesmen, the desire to porpetuati- a
dominion founded on the aU'ectionate allegiance of a pro>-
peroLis an I ciintentea [leople.
Tliere is no tV'arof any desire for organic cltanges as
long as tlie i)eiiple are prosperous. But the nionieiit
the [)eo;)le\vill i)egin to believe that iheir pro3i)erity
would he increased hy an organic change, from that
inonient danger may arise. As to our moral right to
act as we liave acted in this matter. T liave not the
slightest doubt. The objection of honorable gentle-
men opposite wouhl have been a mui'h stronger one,
at least in my eyes, if it had been made from a ditfer-
ent Ptandpoint. If instead of telling us that we have
not tlu! right to propose to d'scriminate against En-
gland, they had said it would not be generous to En-
gland to discriminate against her, the objection. to my
mind, would have been far stronger ; and if I am not
trespassing beyond the limits of good taste in speaking
of my own individual sentiments, I would say that
this is a consideration which gave me much concern.
We have been told in the course of tins del)ate, in
many instances, tliat sentiment should not l)e aHowed
in politics. That view T do not take. My opinion is
that sentiment may, as well in politics as in every-
thing else, well shai)e our actions to the extent of
making us generous if we can be generous without
IN FAVOR OF RECirROCITY
:my sacrifice of duty. Sir, T ain a subject of French
origin, and T liavo often stated — and you, Mr. .Sj)eal\er,
agree
with me — that there is
NO MORE LOYAL RACE OF MEN
under the British Crown on the American continent
than Her Majesty's subjects of French origin. Loy-
iilty is natural to you, men of liritish origin ; it flows
in your bhtod ; you have inhaled it from tlie heart of
your mothers ; but I tell you that gratitude has
worked in the hearts of my countrymen feelings of
the same nature which is implanted in your hearts by
your origin or your birth. With all my soul I say,
let my tongue adhere to the roof of my mouth if it
were ever to speak an unkind word of England ; let
my right hand wither if it participated in any tiling
Avhich would be unfair to England. But this is not a
Mostion of sentiment. This is a question of dut)', and
■■ y «'.< put it in th light, that T have to choose between
thf. '"'\K. Jo^.e to England, and the dut}' I owe to my
native ind, I Ftand by my native land. And there
is not an Englisiiman.with an English heart in his bo-
som, that will not say the same if he is a true born
Briton. Sir. England would treat us with contempt if
we Avere to act otherwise than we are acting. England
expects from us that we shall do the best we can for
ourselves, and she will take care oi herself, without
any assistance from Canadian Tories. I am quite sure
of ( nc thing. It is quite possible that John Bull may
grumble, but in his grumbling there will be as much
l)ride aa anger, and John Bull will feel flattered if
there is an offspring of his so much like the old gent-
leman that he will not lose any occasion to earn an
honest penny. John Bull will feel flattered if he finds
that scion of his a true chip of the old block, liut
there is another kind of loyalty which has not been
alluded to on the other side of the House, and which
should be taken into consideration in this instance. I
have not heard from the other side a word about the
|l
I if
430
SPEECH
loj'alty which we owe to Confederation. Twenty j'ears
ago we united the IJritish provinces on this continent
witli the view of making
A NEW NATIONALITY
and with the hope of making them a nation. It was
then a union on paper. Tt was expected that it would,
be made a real union. The union has lasted twentj'
years, and what is the result to-day ? What have we
achieved during those twenty years ? T say that to-
day, after twenty years, the union which, in 18G7,wa3
a mere union on paper is to-day still a mere union on
paper. Tho hearts of the people by the sea are not in
the union.
Some honorable members; — They are.
Mr. Laurier: — My honorable friend tho senior
member for Halifax (Mr. Jimei') was once rebuked for
saying that he \yas a NovaSootian by birth and a Can-
adian by act of Parliament. I say, and I think I
speak with knowledge, that the ser\timents which were
then uttered by my honorable friend are the senti-
ments entertained by nineteen-twentieths of the peo-
ple of Nova Scotia.
Some honorable members: — No.
Mr. Laurier : Yes. Perhaps it will be said that
I have no cause to speak that way, because Nova
Scotia has returned a majority to support the Govern-
ment. Sir, the reason why Nova Scotia has returned
a majority to support the Government is that the
issue which the Liberal party placed before the people
of Nova Scotia was not repeal. I believe in Confede-
ration; we believe in Confederation, p,nd we want the
people of the Maritime provinces to understand that
it is the policy of the Liberal party not S(j much to
induce them to return to support us, but to win them
over to Confederation, and to make them not only
loyal British subjects, as they are, but loyal Canadians
as well. If you want to'do that, if you want to achieve
that object, you must revise your policy altogether ;
i
IN FAVOn OK RECIPROCITY
431
fy years
ontineiit
if you want to achieve that ohject, you must give to
the people of Nova Scotia and the Maritime proNinces
their natural niarlcet.
It was
t would
twenty
lave we
that to-
8G7,wa3
inion on
e not in
senior
iked for
I a Can-
ihink I
[ch wei-e
3 senti-
ho peo-
id that
! Nova
rovern-
turned
at the
people
nfe de-
nt the
I that
ch to
I them
i only
idians
!hieve
3ther :
LET THEM TRADE
Avliere it is mo?t profitable for them to trade, and
their hearts will be won over to the Canadian ilag,
not only to the IJritish flag. It was ouv hope at one
time to make this country a nation. It is our hojie
yet.
Some honorable members ; — Hear, hear !
^fr. Laurier : — I hail that sentiment with joy,
with unbounded joy, all the more that it is altoge-
ther unforeseen, I had expected, from the talk we
have heard fr(»m these gentlemen on the other side of
the House, that they exi)ected tiiat this country
woulil forever and forever remain a colony, I see now
that tliey have higher a-jpirations, and I give them
credit for that. Colonies are det^tined to become na-
tions, as it is the destiny of a child to Ijecome a man.
No one, even on the other side, will assume that this
country, which will some day number a larger ))opu-
lation than Great J>ritain, is forever tu remain in its
present political relation with Great liritain. The
time is coming when the present relations of Great
Britain and Canada must either become closer or be
severed altogether. For my own part, I do not intend
at present to carry out this line of thought any fur-
ther, but I simply say that, if ever and whenever
Canada chooses, to use the language of Lord
Palraerston, to stand by herself, the separation will
take place not only in peace, but in friendship and in
love, as the son leaves the house of his father to be-
come himself the father of a family. lUit this is not
the question of to-day. To-day weliaveto face a prob-
lem of no email magnitude, which is to provide the
best means of developing and broadening the area of
our trade to such an extent as to afford to our stug-
gling industries the space they retjuire
432
SPEECH
Tu THRIVE AND DEVELOP.
Tliis is the duty of tlio i)resent hour; thi.s is the task
which 1)513 to be faced and met. We, uu this side of
the House, believe that the motion of my honorable
friend from South Oxford (Sir Richard Cartwright)
exactly meets the case , we believe that the solution
of the problem is complete in unrestricted reciprocity
with the great nation to the south of us. I fully
appreciate the objection of our friends on the other
side, who say that our course is not generous towards
England. My answer is simply this: I only wish
that we could offer to Englanil the tame propositions
that we lAXer to-day to the American people. England
has opened to us her doors. Gentlemen on the other
side of the House have closed our doors against Eng-
land. They have done it, I know, not in any spirit of
h(jstility towards England, but because they thought
it was in the interest of tliis country. They have
adoi)ted protection as their deliberate policy. England
has the i)olicy of free trade. England is 3,U0f» miles
away from us. The jjolicy of the United States is a
policy of protection, the same as ours. They are our
nearest neigh))ors. There are our channels of trade.
Therefore, the course we take is not a matter of
choice, it is the dictate of reason. I fully appreciate
as well the objection of those who say this is the first
t)f a series of changes which must end in annexation.
Sir, I grant at once that there is force in the objec-
tion if you look only at the surface; but it is the
greatest posible misconception in politics to believe
that the same mould will reproduce the same casta
of events. It is true that history ever repeats itself,
but
HISTORY NEVER REPE.\TS ITSELF
in identically the same terms. It is true that the
same causes always produce the same effects, but
those effects are always modified by a variety of cou-
IN r.WOK OF IlECIPnoi'ITY
43.",
comitant circum=tanceg. Who, for in«tiinrr, would
have expected, fifty years ago, that the coiu'esnion
of responaihle government would have resulted, as
it has resulted, in a ^clof-er union between Kngland
and Canada? All the wiseaeies of tl)at day i)redi(ted
that the conceHsioii whieh was n)ade at that time
would result in tlie ahsolute severance of Canada
from the Empire, hut all the prophecies have heen
falsified. The result has been to draw the two coun-
tries closer together than ever. "W'e anticipate on this
fiide of the House that the carrying of my honoralde
friend's resolution will have the eflfect of bringing
about such ])ros)i(!rity to this country that trade will
increase, not only between Canada and the T'nited
States, but between Canada and Great Britain herself,
and make the bunds of union still str(»nger than
they are. Nor, Sir, would I treat lightly the misgiv-
ings of those wlio, on the thresliold of a great event,
as this is sure to be, stand irresolute, dreading the
unknown. I can well conceive that sentiment. Even
when the mind is satisfied that a given political -itua-
tion has become intolerable, that a change has to be
made, even then the contemplated reform may, ]ier-
l;xps, be lo(dced upon with misapprehension. For
instance, the most radical reformer amongst us. con-
vinced though he may be that a revision of the T'nion
Act which binds the three kingdoms together has
become necessary, still may not look without anxiety
to the impending change. When the past has been
80 gbrious, when the present condition of things,
though it has wrought intolerable evils, has made
England so great, even he wht) is determined to amend
the present constitution and amend it effectually to
remove existir«g evils — even he. Sir, perhaps would
not touch tlie existing fabric except with a treml)ling
hand. But at the same time the staunchest T'^ry
must admit that the history of England has been
AN UNCEASING TRAN.SFORMATION.
There has not been one century when England did
28
434
f-I'EKCH
Ifi
not change, wlien England has licen the same ns in
the century before. England moved onward and
onward, from progress to progress, until she has
rr-ndu'd her prtgrnt ))osition. Yet every one of those
changes, whicli have made England whatslieis to-day,
has been met by Tories and by Conservatives with
the taunts of disloyally with whicli we are met to-day.
To go no further l»ack than the ])resent century when
Catliolic Emancipation had become unavoidable, all
the Tories of England, from the King downwards,
wept over the fall of England. When the Reform Bill
was carried, all the Tories of England wept over the
downfall of their country; when the Corn Laws were
abolished, still the Tories of England had more tears
to shed. In our own countrj', when retnionsible gov-
ernment was first agitated, all the Tories of Canada
wept over the im))ending rupture of British connec-
tion ; and when, a few years afterwards, responsible
government was carried into effect, the Tories no
longer we))!, but they raved, they burst out into a
torrent of ])assion. Their rage was perfectly genuine,
but the tears they shed were merely crocodile tears.
What the Tories, JJritish or Canadian, wept over upon
those occasions, was nut the downfall of England, was
not the rupture of British connection, but it was the
loss of some privilege or some monopoly which, ui)on
all those occasions, was forcibly removed from their
gras]). Hir, if the views of the Canadian Tories had
prevailed fifty years ago, Canada would still be a
medley of scattered, provinces, each governed or rather
owned
BY A SMALL FAMILY COMPACT.
If the Tories of to-day, if those whose lamentations
we liave heard for the last fifteen days, had lived fifty
years ago, they, like their ancestors, would have
howled with loyal yells against the reforms which
have raised Canada from the position which she tlien
lield to the proud position which she occujnes to-day ;
IN I'AVOU OF RECIPROC'ITV
435
they would Imve opposed tliose reforms with the same
cries of h)yalty witli which they meet us to-djiy ; iind
I venture to say, judging of the future hy the past,
that the Tories fifty years hence will rejoice at the
adoptioij of tlie resolution of my honorable friend, as
it mupc Ije adopted some day, though, true to their
Tory nature, thej will shrink from the reforms which
will theu be neceMsary. Sir, I am not disposed to treat
otherwise than w.th respect those protests which have
be'jn raised against the disturbance of the present
stute of things. lam reminded, in this ctinnection,
of some words written by Armand Carrel, a Frenchman
of great power and greater promise, who, unfortuna-
tely, fell a premature victim of that curse of French
civilization, duelling. Armand Carrel had been an
officer in the French army, and had deserted to join
one of those numerous insurrections which took place
in Spain about the year 1S20, in favor of constitu-
tional government. He was taken prisoner, court-
martialled and sentenced to death ; but after a series
of dramatic incidents he obtained a new trial and
was finally acquitted. Referring, some years later, to
the events which had brought on those insurrections,
the French revolution, the Napoleonic wars, and the
organic disturbances created by tliose events, the new
aspirations developed, in consequence, in some classes
of society, and, in other classes of society, the intense
attachment to the old irtiime and the intense desire
for its restoration, he concluded as follows :
Events ill their continual and fatal transformation do not
carry all minds with tliem, nor curb all clixracitors with an
equal facility, nor tako care of all interests; this must be
understood and soaiothin;; must be fbririven to the protesta-
tions which rise in favor of the [)ast. When a period is ei.ded,
the mould is shattered, and it is enough for Providence that it
cannot be reconstituted.
Those words seem to be full of meaning, and they
seem forcibly to teach the lesson that it is tlie duty of
Reformers ever to btand up ro the duty of the liour.
K
r
^^ |i
.' ill
430
SPEECH
WITIIOIT KKAlt OK TItK. CON.SElA'KN'CES,
i'ltlier to thoiiiaelves or to the country ; over respect-
injr, hut btill never heeding, those? jirote.sts which iire
Hure to he raided in luvur cf the j)!ist— in the wctrda
of President Lincoln " with niulice towurda none,
Avith charily for all, with lirnine&s in the right as Ciocl
gives us to see the right. " Sir, helieving that I aiipeai
to all Reformerrf on the present occasion, T appeal not
only to thoae who belong to the lleforni organization,
hut T apjjeal to all those who believe thai the worhl
c.'innot remain stationary; I appeal to all those who
believe that new exigencies are always arising which
rtHpiire to be dealt with; I ajtpeal to all those who
liclieve that the present economical condition ol'
Canada is false and dangerous ; I ajipeal to the old
men wlio, in ;'i>rnier years, have borne the brunt of
many battles in tavor of reform, and who have lent
a helping slioulder to bring up their country to the
liigh level it occupies to-day ; T apjtcal to the young
men whose aim it is to raise tlieir country still liigher
— of all I ask tlieir supjiort in the task we have under-
taken at this time. Sir, our opjjonents on this occa-
sion again drag up their f)ld-time weapon of abuse.
They tell us that we a;e disloyal, that we are traitors,
THAT WK ARE ANNEXATIONISTS.
With such invectives we are not concerned. Those
invectives are only an anticipation of those with
whicli we will be assailed by our opponents. Again,
tliey will appeal to all the prejudices that may lie in
the*])eople against this policy. They will again tor-
ture noble sentiments in order to arouse suspicion
against tliis policy, they will again j)robe the narrow-
corners of the heart in order to awaken what may be
found there low and vile against this new policy.
But with such tactics we are not concerned. Such
tactics have been faced before and we must face them
again. They gay that Avithout a doubt the people
IX lAVdll i)V IlKrll'Uitf ITY
^37
will rf'pol us, tliat vi -tory will ajrain perch on tho
hanimr.-J of tho CuiHtirvative party. With such cuni^ifl-
eratioiH we are not (vmcorned. Our coasidcM'atioiH
are hif^her, our ainn arn liighor than .such low. vulj;ar,
vile, .sollish coiHidnnition.s, And, Mr. Speaker. I
apiJoal to all those wlio hclievc lliat politics are lunllxu-
u trade, nor a giiin ; 1 appeal to all those who helicve
that politics arc a duty whicli must he discharged,
not witli ii view to tlie <:iiin to lio attaine 1, but dis-
charged simply for duly'.s sake, and to those, in the
language of the poet. I say
Oiiwanl! tliio.v ;ill tiMTors off!
.•^lii'lit llic scorns, si;(jrn tlio sPoiF.
Ill the race, and not the prize,
( dory's ti'iu! distinction lies,
'rriunipli hoi'ils with meanest thing's,
Co^union rol)h.?rs, vilest slinu;^,
"Mid the reckles.s multitude!
lUit the nenerous, hut tho good
Stan<l in moilesty alone,
Still serenely sti'UL'gling on,
I'lantin;: iicacefully the seeds
I It hti,i,'hter hopes and better deeds.
I Ijelieve. Mr. Speaker, that my honorable friend
to my left has planted the seeds of brighter hopes
and better days for this country when he moved this
resolution. We may be defeated ; but as my honor-
able from Prince Edward Island (.Mr. Davies) said a
few days ago, time is with us. Yes,
TIME IS WITH rs,
the cause is true and it will prevail. We are just now
in the last days of a long and severe winter. Nature,
which is now torpid and inert, will awaken in a few
days under the penetrating influences of a warmer
sun, and the great river at the foot of the cliff on
which we stand, now imprisoned in the clo.»e embrace
of frost, will throw off her shacklcsand roll unfettered
438
SPEECH IN FAVOri cil' UECirUOClTY
III
and free toward the sea. So sure an thU will happen. I
say that under the penetrating iidlueneo ol" dirtcussion,
of hettfr feelings on hoth sides of the lino, the hosti-
lity which now stains our long frontier will ilisappear,
the barriers which now oljstruet trade will be burst
open and trade will |)our in along all the avenues
from the north, free, untranunellod and without fear
of embarras.'^nient or i)rovocati()n.
r
)n,
ti-
ar,
rst
103
!iir
Dcatli of Hoii. Tliomas Wliite
{1I0U!<E OF COMMONS)
Sitting of ioBb Acuil, 188S
< )f' nil tlio l)i'i(>f aildi'osst's over ili'liverofl in tlio FIoiiso of
Commciiis on tlio ooousioii of tlio di'atli of w inninljor, tlio
following iff, |(LM'linps, th« ono wliicli pro inccil tli<i greatest
ofP'Ot, iiml it is consetjiu'ntly roganU'il in I'arli.iiutMit as a
niodoi of its kind :
Mil. ypEAKEli,
In aecoudin^ the motion, I can scarcely find
words to give expression to the. very sad eu)oti(»ns
which this occasion arouse^. Engaged as wo are in
daily strite. divided as we are in aims and jturpoges,
strnggling for our own convictions, we are too .-ipt to
forget wliat we readily realize to-day, that after all
there is an universal kin amongst us ; and when a nnui
Mr. White's eminence is removed from amongr?t us
we all individually feel that we have sufTered a loss,
and perhai)S,ror the first tiine,wecan see the lull meas-
ure of the man's worth. It is. however, a misfortune
of our nature that we never appreciate fully what wo
have until we have lost it, and thi-* feeling comes
forcihly to me to-day. Tn Mr. White's ileath the whole
nation has sufTered a grent loss, hut T realize and
understand that to hi^s friends the hlow niU-<t seem
almost unhearahle. ITis untiring energy and indus-
try, his vast and wide knowlclge of all political
questions, his aptitude J'or husiness, his great admin-
if^
l':ai«|
i
1"! '^
' ' *' -p
\
i^li
wM.
)
'
440
srEECJl O.N MU. WHITE .< DEATH
islrfitive ability, his skill in debate, his eloquence, all
weio the hapj)}' coml)ination of varied tjiialities which
made him a tower of strength to those with whom he
was associated, and we on this side of the House can
never forget, as has l)een said by the Minister of Pub-
lic Works, that uj)on all occasions, whether on the
lloor of Parliament or whether in his department as
an executive ullicer of the Crown, he was alwnys civil,
courteous and obliging. But I am sure thai, great
as the blow must be to the country at large, to his
l)arty and to his family, there is no one who feels it
more deeply than the veteran Premier. We all can
sympathize with him, and we do sympathize with
him, and much as we may diifer from him in p(ditic3
on various questions, we all understand that at his
time of life the death of a long trusted friend must
deal a severe blow. Death with us has l)een of late
unusually cruel; Mr. White is the ninth ofourcollca-
gues we have lost since last elections. Death has been
unsparing, striking alike on all ages and stations,
and this last l)low, coming as it does so suddenly and
so unex]iectedly after so many others, recalls very
forcibly the wtjrds of Purke : "What shadows we are
and what shadows we pursue !"
^^^^.v
111'. Lauricr Mure tliepcoiileof Ontario
THE LIBERA L GA'l If/CR 1 XG A T OA K \ IL L E
CJRKAT OVATTOX TX TfOXOR OF THE
LIBERAL LEADER
HISOl'IMO.N OX TIIIC ECONOMIC SITIATI > , >.)V THK col NTliV
Espeeiiilly siiioe liis elovatioii to tlif leti'lershiji of the I.iljoral
party, Mr. Lniirier lias ina'U' it an annual practice to a'i ii'<'ss
the ponple ot't )iitario on tho j;rfat (|tie.stions ol'thcilay. His
tour ol' l>iSS was a series of triumphal roceptions. 'riic ^'oung
Liberals ot Toronto .set the example by inciting him to siioak
on the Kith August at Oikvilie, in the county v)l' 11 ilton, uiiich
was then in tlie throes of an eleotion. The festivity ^^•as splen-
did and the following sjieeeh was reported in full by the whole
Liberal jn'ess of the province :
I would vainly endeavor to find \v(»rds to convey to
you the full measure of the gratitude that I feel I owe
you for the kind recogrition you are pleased to give
me on this occasion. I can assure you from the
bottom of my heart that my \vf)r<ls are not mere
empty words or the mere jierfunctory expressions of
conventional formality. I deejily feel what I now say,
and. if T were allowed without any impropriety to ;idd
one word more in reference to myself. I wouhl say
that nothing whatever in the course >'f my life has
442
.SPEECH
ever cheered me inoro than the reception whicli has
been given me by my fellow-citizens of Ontario, in
tiie position which the too partial regard of my friends
of the House of Conunons has placed upon me. To
you, Sir, I foel especially grateful for the kind words
you have spoken of me. lam a French-C!anadian, as
1 need not repeat to you. You have heard it before,
and I need not tell it you again. But while my heart
ever feels warm towards the land of my ancestors,
w »
MY KIIIST ALLEGIANCE
is to England, nay, to Canada. I need not tell 3'ou
that the Liberal party has suffered greatly from the
loss of Mr. Blake. He w;',5 a personality in himself.
He is oneof those allies wliose lo^s nothing can make
up fur. If the party has not suffered more than it has
since his withdrawal from the leadership, it is due, in
the first place, to the example he has left to us, to the
strength helms given to the party, and due also large-
ly, too, to the able men who surround me in the House
of Commons, and, above all, to my friend. Sir Richard
Cartwright, who during last session ])roduced a ])olicy
which, dashed as it may bo upon the l)illow8 of infu-
riated faction, assailed as it may be by passionate
])ro)udiee, tortured as it may l)e by greed and avarice,
is I'ound to win, and I lioi)o will win in this county
of Halton not later than next week. We have come
liere to-day in reference to an issue which is l)ei\)re
us at this moment, and I have ci)inc here to talk to
you of it. F(»r myself, though I am at this moment
the responsil)le iieail of the Iloform i)arty, I claim for
mysoll'no other merit than that of belonging to the
great body of Canadian I'oformers. And by " Re-
formers "' I do not mean alone those who are to b(;
foiuul in the ranks of the Roforiu party, but all those
who believe that the world cannot forever remain
stationary. That i.« to b(> left behind in the race.
Unless the principles which guide a community in-
clude that of reformation in order to suit the reijuire-
AT OAKVII.I.E IN 1SS8
443
ments of the community, it cannot remain for long
])rogre3Hive. These are the princii)le3 that actuate us.
T see before me a large number of men who evi<lently
have been veterans in former Reform struggles, and
nothing can give me more pleasure than to see near
me on the platform my old friend, Joe Rymal. whose
name is a household word in every house in Ontario,
and who has been one of tho^e veterans of Reform
who havestood the brunt of many cnnlllcts in former
times. Sir,Mr. Rymal and others of his generation can
testif}' that there never was a Canadian generation
Avhich had not to fight that battle in the cause of Re-
form, wliioh had not to Ijattle
AGAINST SOME NATIONAL EVIL.
In their earlier years this country — not only Up-
per Canada, but Lower Canada, my native province —
AVas hebl as a close corporation by a few favored in-
dividuals who toiled not, neither did they sjnn, but
who yet lived upon the fat of the land. They can re-
member that it took Roliert Raldwin almost a whole
lifetime to grnpple with this evil and overcome it, and
at last to obtain a government by the peojjle and
for the people. They can remember that after this
evil disapi)eared another came to the front. The
union between Lower Canada and Ujjper Canada had
been so clumsily drawn that so f;iir and honest a
princii)le as representation by ])o})ulation was system-
atically denied by one province. then by another, lie-
cau.-e it was feared that representi',tion by ])opulation
would [trove an instrument of tyranny in the hand of
the powerful province. They can rfMuembcr that it
took Ceorge Brown also a whole lifetin.e to obtain jus-
tice not only for the province of Ontario. Init for the
whole united provii\ce of Canada, [ttook him a whole
lifetime to obtain the remedy of that evil and to sub-
stitute for the clumsy fA^gislativo union the present
Federal union of the British American (irovinces.
AVell.8ir, T will say to the Reformers of this county of
m
M
Tr|
'«■
^5
'M
444
SPEECH
Ilalton, to the Uet'onners of the province of Ontario,
that we also, wo Keforiners of the year 1888, we Can-
acliaa< of thi.-* ilay, have a ta-<k to perform, a duty to
aciiievo and an evil to grapple with, wliich, if not
grap{)le(l witli,
MUST iiUAO DOWN Tiii.s oru corxpiiv.
Sir. I i)Ut it to any of you. It i.s now twenty-one year.s
since (Confederation was estaljlinhed. We started with
the hi}]n) — is it not true? — we started with the h(i[)e.as
it was said at that time, that we would link togetiier
the iJritish provinces on the continent of America,
that we would hind them togetlier with ties of afTcc-
tion and mutual i»ride and that we would make them
a nation. Such was our dream, such was our hope
often ex])rc3scd, often repeated. Now, I ask every
one in this audience, no matter what may have l)een
in the past his predilections, no matter whocherhehas
heen a Conservative or a Reformer — I ask every one
in this audience, looking hack over the time, how far
have we advanced in the task we set ourselves to
Ijerform twenty-one years ago ? Sir, the painful answer
must be that we have not advanced one iota, one
single jot. And what is the reason ? The reason
cannot he other than this, that Canada has not found
under the new regime the prosi)erity which was the
goal we had set out to obtain. I would not comi)are
our lot with the lot of European populations, hut I
ask you if it is not true that Ave have not reached the
prosperity which was the goal to which we were look-
ing ? It is true, Mr. Chairman, that the Ministerial
press will liOt admit that ; I do not expect from them
any admis.sion, but I would ask the opinion upon
that subject of anj' ('onservative who may do me the
honor of listening to me. The Conservative pr^as
assert that we are a most prosperous people, hut they
reason after the manner of Sir John FalstafT ; they
take sentiments for facts. Sir John FalstaflF had brag-
ged that the Prince owed Iiim a thousand pounds,
A*?
AT OAKVIIJ.E IN 188S
445
and when taken to task by tlie Prince, wlio said,
•■ Sirrali, do I owe you a thousand pounds?" lie
iO[>lied. •• Dost tliou owe nie a thouciand pounds,
IIul ? Thou owest nie thy life and thy love, and thy
life- and thy love are worth a million." That i-> the
way the Conservative press argue. When we say we
are not ))ro3perou3. they say. " We l)elong to the
greatest Empire in the world.'' And so we do. hut,
at the same time, wo have not under the Kniplro
THAT .-HARE OK rUOSPEUITV
that is duo to us, which should he our lot as Cana-
dians, as i)art and jjarcel of this great continent, liut,
sir, there ii a criterion which we can always resort to
in order to ascertain whether the population is as
prosperous as it ought to he. Real estate, in our state
of civilization, is a pretty fair criterion of the pros-
Iterity of the jjeople. If the value of real estate is
going up, that is a fair evidence of prosperity ; if real
estate is going down, it eeenn to nie there must he
Something wrong somewhere. I venture to assert this
much, and I assert it without fear of succes.sful con-
tradiction, that in the Dominion of Canada, apart
from the large railway centres, real estate for the last
(Mght years hss not heen advancing ; in a great niany
])laces it has been retrograding. I do not know Ikjw
it is in the county of Ilalton, hut I say this f(jr the
l)rovince from which I come, that there is not in
Quebec a single farm which would sell for the jirice
it would have sold for eight years ago. I invite rellec-
tion upon this point by whatever Conservatives there
may be in this audience. And the reason is olivious,
the reason is not far to seek. "^Vhat is it that makes
real estate valuable in our railway centres? It is
because i)opulation is bound to resort to those centres
in our state of civilization. What is it that makes real
ef?tate valuable anywhere? Population. Show me
-* .;
-l:
I ill
Hi
n
,* f
L '>
<•*
ll C & « 4.
446
SPKECII
A TIIRKI.V-HETTr.ED COUXTUY
and I will show you !i country where real estate is valu-
ahle Wluit is the tact ahuut our pt)pulation ? Tlie
fact is that there is going on a serious loss of our
population. Hundreds, and we might almost say
tln)usands, of our t'ollow-countrynien are daily leaving
our countrv to give tlieir labor to the other side of
the line, t know tluit is a statement which will be
denied by the Conservative press, but I appeal to the
iutellisience of tiiis audience. If the Conservative
press deny this, why do they not deny that the sun
shines, that lire 1 turns, that water runs down hill, that
night succeeds the day and day the night, that two
and two make four ? Tliey might as well deny any of
tiiese propositions as to deny that we are losing our
own poi)uhition. Sir, what I now say I will not
advance any statistics to prove, but I appeal to the
intelligence of every man in this audience, to the
experience of every man in this audience. And, sir,
I may say this in Ontario, as I have often stated it
in my own province : there is not a man, not one
eingle man of the race to which I belong, in the pro-
vince of Quebec, of forty or forty-five years of age,
who has not on the other side of the line a near rela-
tive — a father, a son, an uncle or a cousin. That is t..
pretty broad statement to make, still I make it aft
regards my own province without fear of successful
contradiction. I reassert that there is not one single
French Canadian in Quebec to-day of the age of forty-
five years who has not in the United States some of
his own relatives. And if I were to ask any one of
this audience— you, sir, or you, or you — to tell me if
you have some relative in the United States, I believe
the answer would be, I have — a son, a cousin, an
uncle, as the case may be. I.s not that state of things
most appalling? Why is it that we should have enii-
gration from our country ? I can understand emigra-
tion from Europe to America, but I cannot under-
Btaiid eniigration from Canada to the United States.
AT OAKVILI.E IX 18SS
44'
I call uiKlorstanU en)igration from Ireland, ill-gov-
erned as it has been for centuries. I can undcrsttind
emigrati<ui from (ireat liritain where the stru<i<j,le for
food is ever recurring -a subject of anxiety with
niilli<ms uf our fellow-men. I can understand emi-
gration from Ciermany crushed as it is under a mili-
tary despotism, liut I ask in Canada
WHAT CAN BE THE CALSE,
what can he the reason for emigration? Can it be
that our institutions are not equal to the American
institutions? There is not a man liere in Canada
who would say that. We say not merely that our
institutions are equal to those of our neighbors, I, ut
that they are better, more elastic and more conducive
to freedom, (^nn it be. Sir, that our soil and climate
are inferior to the soil and climate of the United
States ? Sir, I say this : I am willing to grant, for it is
so, that the Americans have the advantage of a greater
variety of climate, but in everything that makes a
great race, in everything that makes a noble and
7 lanly race, Ave have the advantage of climate and
])roduction over our American neighbors. Well,
then, if the fault is not to be found in the soil or the
climate, or in the institutions of the land, where can
the fault be, for it must be somewhere? I invite
every one in this audience, whatever may have been
his political convictions before, to give me an an&wer
if he can. The answer I give is this, and it seems to
me to be manifest that there can be no ansAver but
this : If the fault is not to be found in the institutions,
or the soil, or the climate, then the evil must be in
the economic policy of the Government.
A Voice — That's the root of the matter.
Honorable Mr. Laurier — That is
n
THE HOOT OF THE EVIL INDEED.
I will not be so dishono?! as to say that the economic
policy of the Government, the national policy, is the
m^i
448
SPEECH
n^^'
solo and whole cause ofthefivil from which wo pufTor.
Hir, T am a Liberal and a iteformer, and I claim to
fipoiik always honestly to my I'el low-countrymen, to
tell the truth, even when it may not be wholly pala-
table. I claim thi« merit — that T speak my own con-
victiniifj. T do not lay the whole blame upon the
national jjolicy, but T t-har^'e this upon the Ciovern-
ment of the land — T arrai}:;n them for this — thiit they
promised, ten years ago. to reniove the evil and they
have not rennu'ed it ; but, on the contrary, their
policy has inlensilied it. Ten years ago, Mr. Chair-
man, you were quite a young man, but, coming from
such a good stock as yiui do, T am sure 3'ou took an
active part in politics even then. You remember
what took i)lace in those days. It was in the last days
of the administration of Mr. .Maeken/ie. You remem-
ber that, everywhere where there was a stump large
enough to hold two feet, there you found a Conserva-
tive orator preaching that Mr. Mackenzie and his
colleagues were l1ies on the wheel and good for no-
thing; that if they had a little of the brains of the
other side they would have devised a plan which
would have cured the country of the evil from which
it was suffering. We were suffering from a severe
de))ression in trade. j\[r. Mackenzie told you. Sir
nichard Cartwright told you, they could not make
Canada right by Act of Parliament, and if ever two
men were vindicated they have l)een vindicated bj'
what has taken ])lace since. But, 8ir, the Conserva-
tive orators who stumped the province of Ontario at
that time told you that Hir John Macdonald had
A MAGIC WAND IX HIS HAND,
and that by simply wa 'ing it there would spring from
ground the manufactories that would cover Ontario
and give work to our sons who were seeking work on
the other side of the line. Allow me to recall on this
occasion the words that were then spoken. Sir Johu
spoke in many places in that year, but the burden of
AT OAKVIILK IN IS,^^
44' >
liig soiij^ waa tlio same cvcrywlicrc, and you may
irnaf^iiH! what it was by shhh' words he i^iiDUt' iiol very
far from here, at Parkdalc lie said ; —
Uri'f \vi' 1110, iiot (inly <untMinL; di-pics.^inn in i-veiy tni.ii'
iiml industry, Imt oui' ik'0]i1c ;iii' Icjiviij^ tli.- i-ouiitiy tn scfk
<Mii]» oyuii'iit ill till' mills aiiil iiiaiiiitru'loi ifs <it' tin- I'liiti'il
Sliti's. Was It not a I'lyin;: slianio that tliiiiij;li tlii' civiiitiy
liiid !i I'lTtilt' soil, iilit'althy ('liiiia("',ii stroiij.' and well .tluKii'-l
jioopic anil ;.'ood laws, .'iiM 1,(1(1(1 of our own people should liave
tii'ossi'il oiu' !ioy(|i>rs in tliDse years anil taken up their almdi?
in the United States heeaiise they could ncitlind (unpln;, uieiit
here lor their sUiU and energy and enterprise in eunserjueiicw
of the lal-^e policy ot our rulers?
Till' rtiiiscrvalivo press t(d! us there is no oxodiis.
]Uit in tlioHe days Sir J'lhii admitted that tiioie wjis
jin exodus, and lie stiid it was ti, crime and a .shame.
Well, Sir, I iisk : Tf it was a crying ehame in tlmse
(hiys that there slumld be live luindred thousand of
our fellow-countrymen on the other side of tju; line
seeking employment, what shiiU we .say of the men
who pretended they could cure that (!vil, and have
brought the nundjer uj), not merely to five hundred
thousand, btit to a round million ? P>ut, Sir. I do not
want to be hard on Sir John or his friends. It is
better to be generous when you have them at your
mercy. We have the advantage over him now. We
can meet him with his own words. And, after all,
perhaps he believed that he could, indeed, with the
National Policy, which he was about to put on the
statute book, provide a remedy for you. For, you
know, there have been such instances in history
— instances of men who, by stating a false proposition
and repeating it,
AT I.AST CONVINCED THEMSELVES
that it was true. You remember the story of old
George the Fourth. He was fond of doiming mili-
tary clothes, though he never smelt the powder of the
29
-^'■-'lii
*i*
4m
srKE(H
field ofliiittU". After the l);ittle of Waterloo, heoum-
iMciiced to fay that he was i)r('SPiit,aiul lif kept rei)eat-
ing it until at last he convineed himself that it was
true. And not only did he convince himself tliat he
was at the hattlc of Waterloo, hut he >i;avo examples
of his dushin;,' conduct while there. On one occasion
lie put the hulsf of Wellinjrion in a very awkward
l)redicament. The King spoke to a person on one
occasion of havinfr heen at the Iwittle, ami the person
to whom he related the story did not seem wholly
convinced of the truth of it. So the King turned for
conlirraation of his statement to the l)uke of Wel-
lington and said : '• Ts it not true, Arthur, that F wan
present at the hattle of Waterloo ? " lUit the great
Duke was eiiual to the occasion. Fie did not cither
admit or deny the King's statement, I>ut answered :
■• F have often heard Y(jur >Faierity .-"ay so, " Or you
do not know, perhaps, the story of the thefdogioal
student who was fond of argument. ()ne day, while
walking with a tellow .-student, he wanted to have an
argum(!nt on Christianity and infidelity. •' What is
the use of attempting that ? " said his iViend, " for wo
are agreed on that point, we are hoth Christians." Hut
he still insisted and told his friend to argue for Christ-
ianitv, while he him.-elf would argue for infidelity.
And so he coinmenced to argue and he argucil fi\ well
that he argued himself into infiilelity. Well, F won't
say that Sir John AFacdonald wanted to humhug any-
body, hut
IF HE nin IIIMIUU ANYBODY
into the belief that he could cure the emigration
evil by the National F'olicy, T believe, in all charity,
he began by humbugging himself. Now ten years
liave i)as8ed since that day, and I ask of all those who
in those days believed indeed that the Fiiberals were
Hies on the wheel, what has been the result of the
National Policy ? INFen believed that Sir John could
indeed create prosperity by act of Parlianjent in the
AT OAKNII.I.K IN ISSS
4:)l
the
form uf a |inH(;y of protection. We had an cxiiniiile
a yoar or go altcrwiirda, in ISSO. One of liis staunrli
followers, Mr. Rvifus StopluniHun, wlm waa int-niiier
for Kent and who in now — well I dturt know what he
i8 now, l)Ut at the last report he was drawing ><'). ()()(» ii
year out of the Canadian e.X('he<iuer for inspecting
eoloni/.ation conipanies in the North-West tliat do
not exist, — .Mr. Itufus Stephenson said in iSSd. speak-
ing somewhere in We.stern Canada ; •• I am going to
vote for the (iovernnient that has raised the i)rice of
Wiieat from 7") et-nts a hu.shel to -SI. Id." Well, as I
paid a moment ago, Mr. Stephenson is n(» longer in
the political arena. If he wa.s we ndght ask liini : —
Are your friends ilies on the wheel ? Tliey raised the
price of wheat at (»ne time, it a|)pear3, from 7") cents
to Sl.-Hi. Why don't they exert their power to-day ?
Why (h>n't they hring up the price of wheat again ?
This is the reduction ail fihsiinluin which shows the
liollownes.? of the pretensions and jiromises which
were made to you ten years ago. I hlame no one, .Mr.
Chairman, for having believed those promises. I?ut,
as I lilanie no one for having y>elieved Uiem, he wouUl
he entitled to blame who, upon lliis occasion, would
not rise superior to party claims, and express the opi-
nion which must Ite in his breast, that their policy has
been a failure and we must have a new departure.
Sir, what must he the new departure? Sir Richard
Cartwright indicated it during last session. We have
tried the policy of restriction and it has failed, let us
try the policy of exj)ansion. The policy propounded
by Sir Richard Castwright is that we should have
unrestricted reciprocity with the sixty .millions
of raen on the other side of the line. That policy is
that we should open as wide as we can open all' the
avenues of trade between the two nations. Sir,
EXPKRIENCE 19 THE liiST OK ALL TIIKOIIY.
When we tried the National Policy ten j'ears ago
Ave had no experience, and some might assume tiiat
m
■■If.; .
.•In.*-.- '
W^^^^M
1
H
1
1
t ■
1 1
M
'I'm'
J.'
4r)'2
SI'KKCIl
thoso ])rnphrcies then iiiiulo would jimvo trno. Tlut
Avc liiivt' tried it lor leii yeurs i'.iid we iiiivo loiiiid it
■\Viiiitiiig. Not HO, howt'vrr, with reciprocity. Wc;
Iviiovv wluit reciprocity <'tiii do, for w<! Uiiow what re-
ciprocity hiif* (h)iie ill the past. We have had reci-
procity hel'ore, not uii reatricte(l l)Ut reMtri<'ted reci-
procity, coiilincd only to natiuul products. And lliero
13 not one man in thin audience who will not admit
that the Iv.rlve ycarH of the Keciprocily Treaty were
the ^'ohh'ii era ol' the Canadian faruicr. Well, what
re.'<tri(;led reciprocity dicl in the past it can do now.
ft is iriie that yon are told that recii)ro(ity. confined
as it was to ,sorn«i natural [irodui'ts.inade Ix'lter tinie.s.
and what it diil hofore it niu-t do to-day. Iveincnilior
whnt you wore told ten ycirn w^n. Ten years a;_fo you
were told that the National I'olicy wouhl ^'iv(; you a
local market ;that there would he in tlie miil.st of you
manufactories with thousands of artisans who would
consume evorythin<r that would liei^rown hy farmers ,
that the farmers would sell dear evcrytliin^ they
had to sell, and huy cheap everylhin;.,' they had to
huy. We had then two cities exce(!ding each
O.NK III'NDRKI) THOrsAM) l"ol'fI..\TIO.\
— Montreal and Toronto — and we have yet only two
cities of over one; hundred thousand i)opulation. On
the other side, you liave, in the Nortliern ritates alone,
twelve cities of i)oi)ulation exceeding one hundred
thousand and comprising in all a populaticm of four
millions. There is your local market. You were t(dd
by the National Policy men that reciprocity would
be of no benefit to tlie farmers, because they would
bave to compete with the American farmers in their
own market, and they produce the same things that
our farmers do. That is true; they do produce the
same things, and the argument can be met in many
Avays. But I have better than argunient to offer you.
I did not come here — it may be presuinj^tious in me
to say it, but I make it a rule to speak my own mind —
li J
IlL
/'f
Al oAKVll.I.K r.N ISSS
•>■>
til jiiMri'H-' my iVllow- fiilnTftls. ft is tlic ('ons*jrvu-
tivc.-J I want tu aildrt's-*. ri'tlifv would talic it witli(tiit
ofTciicf. I W'.ulil ..lay it is tin- Hiniicis [ want to ('(m-
vf'it. As I want lo iul Ircss myself ti) tlif siuiwiH, \
will y:ive tliciii an aiilli'irily that I'ltlicm will he mort*
than till' law ami tin' |»r(i|)h('t-<. I will </\v(' thfm iho
words 1)1' the <,'rcat a|ti).stl«' hinHclf. Sir Julm M.k;-
donald. and they will I)t' olnluratc indccil il'th-'y lind
nlijcctiiui to what licsiiys. In iMin.ni; were i>n tin;
(ivc i>l'an oleotion. Sir .luhn went around Ontario and
spoke in many |i!:n<'s. Horc is somcthin^x that he
saiil at Hiimilton. These arc his very words, and I
{■onimend then to my fellow countrymen of the Con-
servative |ier!»uasioii : —
( Mil' fjiii'at eaiHi' ol the )iii-<|ierity of tlie tUriU'T in ('pp.'r
< 'aiKi'la is tlie !{"('i|iroi'ity Trenty ml tin- conseiiui'iit inter-
eliaiij^e ol'agriciiltiiriil ciMimiolitic^ and raw materials, lie
lia> ru'iti'l a aiarUet where tiiore was iioin- al all Jiel'ore lor
liiiii.
Those are pretty coiiclusive words. We hiar it
said now hy .some (iJHcijilo.s of Sir Joim that rcciitro-
city would \h) a had tiling he<'ausc we ))roduc(' the
famo kind of ^oods that are produi'cd on the otlior
side of the line. T want you to answer them
Wiril TIIKSK WoliD.S o|- sll! .lolix.
i\gnin, speaking at the other end of the province, at
Caledonia, he said the same year: —
If llu'ie is one tneii'-in.' ol'lale d.ito whieli lieiielits tliB
country inoro than atintlier it is the Keciprocity 'I'reaty ne^^ot-
iatcd indued liy the lliiicks (lovernineiit, hut peri'octe.l under
Sir .Mian's. You know that wiioi'eas wheat usi-d to pay 'J'* cents
a hushel to entcM" the IVontiers ol' the I'niti'd St'ites, it now
,'j;oes in free, and ev.'ry tanner here is 20 cents a liu-<he| licher
lor that niea-ure. Instead of heinu icept out of the I'nitod
.■States, anil heiiij^ ohiiired to go to .NFontrcal to sell ins produce,
he has tiow the clioico of two markets — ho li;is t\M> strnigs to
his bow — no Collector of Cusiom.s stands hetwoeii him and tho
.^m.
irrrr
i ■
i
n
45-1
SPEKCII
New En.nliiiiil niaiiufactiuvr or bet\voi'ii liiin uikI tlio Britisli
consuinor.
Who says that ? Not The Cloln'. Sir John himself
PiivH that. TiiMtoad of bf'iiifr kept out of the Uiiiti'd
tState.s and l)Ping ohliffod to <f() to .Montr(>al to sell hi3
{»roduco, as it is now, tlie Canadian farmer lias the
cii'>iee of two markets. He lias t\v(» strings to his how.
No Customs oflicer stiinds hetwecii him and the New
Eiif^laiid manufacturer and the liritish consumer.
That is tlie very policy to which we wish to revert.
Tliat was the jxilicy that twenty years a.iro made the
farmer twenty cents richer ujioii every bushel he h;id
to sell. That laiiiruatre is eloi|U(>nt iMiouuli. hut there
is somclhiiij^ still nmre elo(inent — the li;_Mires of tin;
trade which was done under tlio IvHciprocity Treaty.
In IS');^ a."* vou know, our trade with llm I'liited l^tatcs
—that was before the treaty— was only S'Jl.OOO.dOO.
Tn lS(i(;. the last y(>ai- of tlie treaty, tliat trade had
in(>reased to S.Sl.niHi.dOd. an increase of .Siio.dltii.OUO.
Certainly nothing could be nior(> eloquent than these
iiLUires. They show one thin<:; more. They show
that the treaty was ad vantai^eous not only to the
Canadians, but al-^o to our .\merican nei_L;-!ibi)Ui's. It
was, as every bariraiii should be,
MiriAiiv .\i)\ A.\r \(,Kor>.
Still the treaty was re}»(Mlcd, much to the reirret of
the Canadian peojiI(> It was repealed by our nei;.;li-
bouts to the south, and for what reason? Not becjuise
it was not advantajxeous ; there was not a public man
in the United Slates who ev(M- pretended that tln^
trenty was not a(-lvanta>reous to tlu; .\merican people,
r.ut it was repealed, I am sorry to say, from political
reasons, on account uftiie unfriendly tone of (Jreat
Uritain and Canada too, at tli(> tiirn^ of the trreat
stru<i;ule which the Ajiiericans had to wajze for the
jireservation of their national unity. It was when the
irrcat (.lemocratic iiati(Jii to the south of u.s wtus
AT OAKVH.I.E IN ISSS
450
those (Usluius olliccrs who take so much, as Sir .lohii
iMacdiUKihl says, I'loiu the ( 'aiuidinii f.iniifr.
Why i.-j it that mir ( hivi'i'iiiin'iit -why in it that
lli(> (loviTiiiiii'iit di' Sir Jnhii (hi imt <;iv'' tlu' aiHwcr to
IliOHc (lUcstioiis '.' Why (hi tlicy imt a(h>ltt the imlicy
suggested hy Sir Uicliard < 'ai I w liLdit the pDlicy ot"
unrestricted rccijuocity '.'They have ;iivcn tlie reason
more tiiaii once, and the reason they iiave li'iveii is
this : That nnicstricted reciiuo, ity wouhl not he
'•<>
}
4oG
SrEKCH
FAVOIiAIil.K TO TIIK MANriAiTIKKH.
^1 . .'*r
i^i^
■Si';
Now, as you ;ur no doulit nwnrc, a trcut / of iinro-
strictcd reciprocity would include natunil productf".
and according to the laiiL'ua^e i>\' Sir John, which I
have (|Uoted, tlnit would he to the advantatre of the
larnierp. lUit at the ?aini' linic they say that while
tills ]i(di<y would h(> to the a<lv:n)ta.i;'e ot th(> farnuM'S
it would bo iniurious to the nnnuil'acturcr. '
mji
rv well.
T take i^ifluc upon tliat gr(nind with them. If that
pidicy wliich we propose, it' tlie i>olicy of unrestricted
reciprocity wouhl not he e([nally t'avor'al'le to the
manufacturer and tlu; larmer. it a choice ha-? to he
made hetween the nianul'actur(>r on the one hand and
tlu^ farmer on the other, my choice is made. I ha\'o
stated it elsewhere and T will .■'tateit .'i^'ain. My choice
is made, and T stand with the ujore numerous (lass,
with the farmers, with that class which numl)erH at
least aeventy-ilve ])er cent, of our own peopl(>. Hut, at
the sauH' time. 1 do not admit at all that the policy
Avhich we propost! would he injui'ious to the manu-
facturers. We have some inanui'actui'es to-day. W'hv
uive w
e not more ? The reason is ohvious :
WE 11, wis NOT A MAI;KKT
fitr those which exist tilready. V(Ui are told that it
would he injurious to the uKUUifacturer that the ])olicy
of expau.sion which we rec()mmeu<l should he adopted.
Tarn not a tnauufactun>r ; hut T can see, as any man
of comnH>n sense can see. that the greatest po,-sihle
obstacle to the .success of manufactures is the hick of
ni ark els.
lo-di
IV
^'ou have s(Mne manufactures in C'amida
-how manv of them are working at their (Ca-
pacity ? What
we w
ant, .Mr. Chaiinian, is a nnirket
n)t only for the farmers, but for the manufacturers as
well. There are wealthy manufacturers who under-
Rtaiul this and who will some time or other give
their views to the Canadian public ; therelore I say
when th(^ (iovernment allege that recii)rocity would
rm-
.> i)"-'i
AT OAK VI ME IN 188S
457
inju'-n inannfaotxues. tliey do not know tlio views of
iiiiu .t'actuicrs ; iiioic tlinn that, tlip ( inveniincnt dn
not know their own minds. Thi^i is jn't'tty loud
talkinic, you will nay. \\'t'll. 1 kiiDW wherrdl' 1 sneak
when I say that the (ioveriiiuent upun this ([tiestinn
of unrestricted reciprncit)' do nut know their own
minds. We ha<1 an illustration oT tlii.'^ truth last sos-
si(Ui. We h;ive !i|iiin our statute hnok what is known
as a. statutory' otfer.w herehy we said to the .Viueriean:^
t}iat wlienevei- they would [lUt upon tlie tree list eer-
tain arti(des i^xjiorted by us we would tlo tlie same
v.ith the same artii'li's when eN|)orl('d hy them and im-
ported into (.'ana(hi. Well the Americans ,-ome lime
a^fo ]tut upon tlie free list e«rta.in arti(di;s included in
that statutory offer, namely, fruits and seeds, (^ur
( iovernment last N ear v^crc a-l:ed why they ilid not
respond to this action of the American (lovernment
and ptit tVuits and seed-- njion our free list also. Sir
.lohn's answer to Sir Ilichard Cartwri^ht and to Mr.
Milcliell was that tho'^e ailicles vould not he jmt on
the fret! list hecause smdi a jiolicy would injure the
Canadian seedsmen and fruit-growers. He said :
I rc')iuiliatt' the stateiucDt that it is ,nny <preac)i of I'jiilii ou
the part of Ciiiifiilian (Jdveininent : and furtliei', yiv. Sjie.iivcr,
I :-;iy that tiici'e have heen loiireseiitatinn-i iiiaih' on lieh;ilfof
thf .\iiii'i scan si'cdsiucM <h'sirin,L' tliat this 'should he <• uried
out : hiU we know tlieiv ari' sceilsmcii in Canada also, and we
iia\e to coirsi<lrr their iiit(Me.sts as well as tho>" of American
<iM'(lsnien, and in th<' interest.s of Caiiadi.an .•^vcii-.iaen we
have not put scecls upon th<' free list.
.Mr. Thnmpson, the Minist.'r of .Tustice, went
further and said that in his judLrimMit it w uild he
treason to i)ut those articles on the free list. lUit what
followed ?
.\fter such statem>'nts had been minle on the
Hour o|' the Iluuse.
I'li'TiciiN n.w- ii.\i' .Not i'.\»i:ii
when Sir John [Uit upon the free list I'ruits andseeils,
45S
SPEKCri
I t^
although there wore Canadian seedsmen upon tliis
side of the line. Well, Sir,wlien wefounii such a change
between the words ofthe (roverninent and their ai'tion,
Sir Richard Cartwright and Mr. Mitchell took the
Governuient to ta.sk and asked them what wtM'c the
reasons which induced them to change their policy.
Well, there was a scene in the House. .Sir Hichard
(lartwright tried his host to get an answer from the
(jovernrnent, hut never an answer could be got. Is
it too much t« say, then, that they do not know their
own mind on this (Question? T hope, if we cannot get
recii)ro(;ity in liulk. that we may get it piecemeal
anil in detail. But this agitation which we have (;om-
mcnced. T am glad to say, has ;ilrcady {>roducod very
remaricahle fruits. Il has m ide the National Policy nien
very loyal, very loyal indeed. Well, f never thought
it very loyal to ICnghuid to adopt the National Policy,
which was calculated toe.vcludo British manufactures
from our own territory. lUil I speak my own mind
11)1011 this aho. I (In not Idame the Conservalive.s for
having acted that way. I believe that loyalty, like
eharify, begiiiis at home and if th<>y believed that it
was in till.' interest of ( 'anadians generally that the
National I'olicy should he put u[)onth(i statute book,
they diii right to act as they did. Hut now they need
not he so very sensitive, after having arted towards
I'higland as they did. Ihit I know sonietliingof them.
I rt;ad the pi'ints of Ontario and I know that every
day these people v, ee|) tears hecause they feel that if
uniestricled reci|)roiity is adnpti'd it must hiad us
into anne.\.atii)n. Well, 1 have only this to .say : Jt
i.-! a great argument in favor of unrestricted recipro-
city, because, if il means anything at all, it means
that thr change will Ue so advantageous to the people
that they will want to go into the still idoscr union
with till' United States. Ihit 1 have this to sav to the
Nat
loiial
I
olicv men:
IF TMKV WIIJ, .XNsWKi; Koi; TU KM-Kl.VKS,
. v^
I will answer for the lleformers, and the tirits. If
AT OAKVILI IC IN 1SS8
459
thoy will answer for their allegiance T will aiiswcM- for
it that there is not a Cirit who will he seduced from
his alleiriance to the Queen hy any Yank(!e hlandish-
nients that we can have. Well, as they started upon
the loyalty line, they could not but carry it to extra-
ordinary length. Von know it never rainn, hut it
]it)Urs. The rno!>ient they struck the line of loyalty
they l)eeaine very, very loyal. They want to have
no recij)rocity with the I'nited States, tht; great natiou
to the south of us. for fear we might he seiiuced from
our allegiance to the country. But they are ready,
they say, for reciprocity with Great Britain. I have
only tills to say. 1 say it openly : T say it upon niy
own res])onsil'ility, and T helieve T can speak as well
lor the Liberal party; if rei'iprocity with Great
Britain is i)racticable, T am in favor of it. But Britain
is o,0(H) miles away, and the Americans are just to
the south of us. They are our near neighbors, there
is not a natural hairier belwccii vi-^. If Jjritain were
Avhere the United ^^tate3 is, i would goat once for
reciprocity with (ii(>at Hiitaiii. lUit. Sir. it is very
well to 1)6 sentimental, but. after all, sentiment is not
business. Tt' T go to one of these National Policy
men and want to Imy a dollar's worth of cotton and
tell him 1 am one of Ins fellow-subjects, that T believe
in the National Policy, that T am a loyal subject, that
1 am bursting with loyal sentiment and usk liim it
he will take that for his i>ay.
Mm
''4 'i
IIK WII I, KKirsK MK.
]Uit if T oflV-r him a Yaiikee dolhir. he will take it
just as readily as liritish cash. Tlu'rcfovc it i'^ not
enough to talk sciilinicnt. W'e must talk luHiness.
The I'nited States isju^itat the end ol' my lianfl.
^Moreover. w(> havp the same tiiritT as it were; we have
a protective tariff and f(>r many years to come we
must have a high tariff, (ircid Ihitain 1i:h a I-'ree
Trade tariff. What can we offer (ireat liritain in
exchange if we want to have reciprocitv ? W'e have
4G0
■I'EECII
heard llio statfiiuMit made in tlu? TToupo l^y >[r. Mc-
Cartliy and others that perhaps (Ircat J?rit;iin nii;;Iit
resort to protection, ini^lil lax foroii^n jiroduets and
exempt Ca,na(hi. \Vd\. il' thi'? were otlVred, f sav I
am re;i(|\'
or It.
If we call iier.-'.iado tlie i"]n<i;lish i)eoj»h' tn put
import taxe^? upon th" prodiietions of every otiier
country i)Ut ('aii;uhi, and to admit the producls (tf
Can
matla Iree
[
in I'avor oftliat. lUU I am atVaid
It wil
aoine years het'ore we can persuaile tin.'
Uritish workman to ta\ hi:^ liread. even to ohlitre his
Canadian hrollier. iUil f will not dismiss that idea
aItof!;ether. I will tell you what I helieve. I do nut
helieve it to he impossilih; that tliere should he a
(.■K)3er Dolilieal union lietween (ireat Britain and
that
U
Canada. I do not helieve it dt he imjio^sil
ii((
ther
the
e sno
.Vn'do-
uld
1)0 a. I'ommereial alliance hetweena
ixon nations. We know that the An^lo-
Saxon race is the <M'(Mt commercial race of the world.
It has taken ]
)o^.session of the North American con-
tin(;at ; it has taken posscs.sion of Australia, of larj^e
portions of Africa, of many of the islands of the r'acilic.
I Ijelieve a time will come when those British com-
munities will lind it to their a.dva.ntatie to have
ainotig.st them universal Free Trade. I do not discus.s
that a.s a priictical issuer but it is possihle, and it is
d(;siraiile; it would he hetter not only for tho.se coun-
tries, hut for the whole human race. And I say that
if anythinu; is calculated to hriuij ahout that result, it
is the estahlishnumt of intimate commercial relations
hetweeu the .i;reat Knglish speaking peoples of this
continent.
I HKl.lKVK IX COM-KDKRATIO.N.
[ lielieve it has removed many of the troubles winch
grew up Ixitween Up}ter and Lower Canada. 1 believo
that whatever a man's origin may hejie has the right
to say that ho is a Canadian above all things.
Now, to all those who oppose unrestricted reci-
nmx
AT (lAKVII.I.K IN ISSS
461
jirocity, liecause they ))eli('ve it would lead to annexa-
tion, [ say, liavt; sunio faith in human nature, have
Hdine faitii in the better in.-itincts of tiie humtin iieart,
tiUHt the peoph". don't !)e!ieve that evil will nprin^
from good, that wronj; will sjtrin;^ from right. Hclieve
on the contrary that right will produce right. Tru?t
thcpooploof thif< rountry. Tf you lK>licvo the prin-
cijih- of unrestricted reciprocity is wrong, tight it, it
i.s your duty. l>ui, if you hcjicve it i.s right, do n<it
oppose it for fear it should produce evil. F .say again,
have faith in the people. Ilemeniher the struggle.-^ wo
had for ri'>>ponHiide government tifty years ago. There
were men in thone day.s who helieveil that responsi-
Ide ir')V(>rnnient would mean tlie end of iiritish con-
ncc tion on this continent. Jhit there wa.-; a man who
had no nuch fear, and that man was Lord IClgin. He
cani(>d out his ideas to the end. lie left nothing
undone that could he done. The result has heen,
not wiiut was antif;ipated hy those men, hut the result
his heen to link Canada more closely to Great i'ritain.
In the same manner, I say, let us repeat the same
experience. Lord Elgin did more. There was at
the time a powerful annexation agitation. These
men who afterwards claimed to })e so loyal, the Tories
of the Tories, were signing annexation manifestoes.
What did Lord Elgin d(j ? Did he attempt to prevent
intercourse hetween the United States and Canada ?
On the contrary lie o])ened wide the doors to trade
])etween the two countries, and the result was that
the annexation agitation disappeared like a chmd
before the sun. T anticipate the same result. T anti-
cipate that the movement which we inaugurate to-day
and which will triumph as sure as day succeeds to
night, instead of being a danger to Confederation, will
he the means of bringing us nearer the goal, which we
•Started out twenty-one years ago to reach. Speaking
as I do now, I beg to repeat that I do not address
myself to the Liberals only. I address myself
r
4r,2
SPEECH AT OAKVH.T.E I\ 1888
; ; 1
' i'ji'
■1
J r. . .
TO THE CONSEllVATIVES AS WEF.L.
T want thorn to txiihUt over these facts, and if they
can do ho, to inllucnct' Sir John Mncdonahl and his
Govern luent to tiike up the movement. I phnlj^o my-
self that we will give them all the help we can. T am
very sure it will Ik; hard to ('(mviiKie the Conserva-
tive (.(overnnieut of to-day. Jiut we know. Sir Richard
('artwright, who is the father of the movement, knows
that no great reform has been carried without a fear-
ful struggle.
We know that no great reform ha.s been carried
without .struggles, without defeats. We are prepared
for those struggles. When Sir liichard Cartwright
l)roposed his resolution last session he knew that it
would he defeated. He will renew it next session,
and he knows it will be defeated then ; he will renew
it tin; .session after that, and he knows it will be de-
feat(!d ; he will renew it again and again, but in the
meantime there will be a general election, and we
believe the result of that electi<in will be the return
of a majority, whether Couservative.s or Reformers,
pledged to support a treaty of unrestricted recipro-
city between Canada and the United States. This is
the policy which we have to phice before the people.
There are other issues, there are other questions, but
every other (luesticni must take a back seat and leave
the lirst place to unrestricted reciprocity. This is
the cry. This is the reform which we press not only
upon the peoi)le of Ontario, but especially upon the
people of Halton, with the hope that the people of
Halton will give nn uncertain answer, but such an
answer as will be a victory for the principles of the
Liberal party.
REJECTION OF THE TREATY BY THE
SENATE AT WASHINGTON
PRESIDENT CI.EVEI.ANir.S MKSSACE
WHO WAS HE.«V()NSIBI,E KOH THE TIIKEAT
Ol' RETAMATION ?
Tlie following extract from the s|ieech deliverod at St.
'riiomas (< >nt.) on tin- liTtii August, ISSS, sums up in a few
words the i.iberal leader's opmion on the fisheries' question,
as it presented itself, after the complete check received by
tlie negotiations, which had ilragged their slow ami difheult
length throughout the preceiling winter. Exceptional
importance was given to these declarations by the way in
which the Tory jiress denounced Mr. Laurier as the greatest
traitor in the country, because he had dared to trace up to the
Canadian fiovernment tilt' original responsibility for all the
unfortunate complications :
The American Senate has refused to ratify tlie
treaty ueguciateil between the American and Hriti.sh
plenipotentiaries in Washington in last December fur
the settlement of the disputes between the two coun-
tries arising ont of the treaty of ISIS. By tlie fact
that the treaty is rejected, the whole (juestion is re-
11,,
rr
Ll'
4i;-»;
f\%i> '-■ ■
I
r V? :
464
SPEICCU
opt-ncil anew, tliP whol" di-ipiito is noiiiiii;:; Itaclv to
the rturl'iuic. all the liittcrnc-fs is aj^f.-iin cdiuiiig to tlu^
front, is n;j;uiii revived. I're.sident ('h^vchiDd, ac'tinfjr
upon what he conceived to he the duty ini|io.-Jc(| u|)on
III Ml iiy the American Senate, ankf itower to retaliate
by susixauiiui:' thfi l)ondinj; Hysteni. Thin would he a
very seriou-i event, which, il'it came, would strike the
city of St. Thomas as nnn'h and perhaps more than
iiny other portion of tlic^ l>'uninion, bccau.se it is njade
what it is largely by the lines of riiihvay which conio
here from the T'niled Slates. |-!ut after all we are
men and liritish men. We shall not whine even if
the American ))eo[)le deem it advisable — I do not say
tlH;ir duty — fo take such a course, such an unfriendly
course. No doubt some parties will ^ui^cr in Canada,
but no doubt, like British men. it is our duty to find
elsewhere what we W()uld loae. The president only
auks to retaliate. \\'hy retaliate? Why, sir, because
in his jnd;;oment he would be <N)mpel!ed to do so by
the unl'riendly action of the Canadian tiovernmont.
If we are met with tliis state of things with which we
a;e threatened, it is due to tlie vicious policy of the
Canadian (iovernment in tlie administration of tin?
rights secured to us by the treaty of 1818. If tire
Canadian Ciovernment liad followed a more friendly
course,there would not have been an uniViendly feeling
to-day. The United States would never have con-
tested those rights, if the rights had been asserted in
a friendly manner. It was not so. Those rights ha<l
been asserted in a harsh manner. Time and again in
the year 1885 American, fishermen were arrested for
trivial ofTences.
Nothing, air, could be more offensive to those
people when they came to tlie British port and found
themselves arrested, their vessels detained for the
simple violation of Customs laws, which, in all pro-
bability, they did not know. It is no wonder that
their hearts were bitter and that they made complaint
at Washington. If, on the contrary, the Canadian
Government had administered our laws as they con-
IP
m^-H
mil'-
^M
Wm}
Hft'Ljak'
AT ST. TIIOMAH (oNT.)
4G
)0
reived tlicin under tlio troaty, in a fiiinidly luauncr,
there cnnid not liave taken place what has taken
place. We are threatened witli the i)i)s.sihility that
our carryint; trade may he taken away from uh, jind
Ave hear the Ministerial prefs from one end of the
eountry to the other in a frantic passsion on account
ot" the action taken by the American Government.
They Hay it is a lo«.s. Tt'the earryinj:; trade in such
II loss to the country, if the carrying; trade is such an
advantage to the country, is not tli't a mo.«t potent
arjzument that the most unrestricted reciprocity ot'
trade would bo ot' very <:rcat ailvanta<^e to' the
country? If the c(juntry f,'ained fo mucli
by simply carrying goods from om^ part of the United
States to another or from one jiart of the United States
to C'anada, what would not be the gain to the country
if we could Ix; admitte<l without obstruction to the
American trade? Sir, I say this— and this is a fact to
which I Call the attention of my fellow-countrymen
to-day — it is high time we should reverse the p(dicy
we have been following towards the United States for
the past "2") years. For the past ^2~^ years it has not
beciU altogether hostile to the Unit"'d States, but it has
never been altogether friendly. Tl has not been such
as to bind us to those on the other side of t])e line,
who speak the same language and have the same
ability with us.
Wlien they were in the great struggle which they
*had to undergo some twenty years ago. to pre3(>rve
the unity of the nation, when tlu-y were engaued in
that most expensive war which lasted four years and
wdiich taxed all their energies arid courage and whi(di
cost them millions of lives, what sympathy did they
receive from their brothers in England or in Canada?
Not the slightest. Sir, I am ashamed to say for my
country, for the civilization of the world, wlien the
Americans were engaged in such a struggle this civil-
ized world did not rise to sustain them with the hand
of friendship. Of those who t'avored the cause of the
North and championed that of freedom, in Knglaud
30
ril
'I .-,
400
MKKcn
if-':
mm.
ll 1
ft' '
\\l
tlif nan. 03 of .T(»hn Hriffht nnd Richiird Cobden woio
iiliout tl e I'uly nanu'H ill tliat day, ever iti tlm I'mo-
niost ranks of tivilization and frtodoin, openly to da-
clarn for frocdoni. and in this country ainon^ tlio
pul)lic mm of that day there was one luaii and t»idy
one man who was always foremost in the ranks of
free(h)m, who openly declar<;d his sympathy with tho
North — (ieorfrc! Ihown. Is it any wonder, then, when
this is all the syiepathy they met wilh — that when tho
victories of the South were reported lht'r(! was syiu-
jiathy throu^iiiout the country, iind qvcu us I am told
in the I>e},dslature of ( 'anada is it any wonder that
the^c men's hearts v cro ciuhittereii, and when th"y
came to tins treaty they said: "We will nn lonj^'cr
have those trade relatione''? Did w(! at that time
enter into anything' like Iriendly relations with I hem?
Sir, 1 remt'miier a}i:ain in the days of 1S78 we adopted
another p( licy. the hra|_'paih)eio policy.
Wt! were told hy Sir ("harlcs Tup[ier that tht^
(iovernment would tind the way to compel the
Yankees to j^rant reciprocity. What did Sir Charles
Tupper say in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and
in the House; of Commons? lie sai<l that wi; would
com{)(;l the United States to jiive us recijirocity.
Ctinada is tlie land of my liirth, of my h)ve; Conada
is the land of my heart, and it is enouL!;h for me. lint
it is not ecjual to the United States in extent , it has
not ev(n five million people and the Americans have
a population of sixty millions; and to say, as was
said hy the ('onservative leaders at that time, that we
could conii)el that great nation to come down to their
knees and to force them to give us what they have
not been willing to give us Bo far, was simply the
greatest piece of braggadocdo that has been enacted
within my lifetime. Again what took place? We
had disputes with them on that treaty of 1818 with
regard to the fishericB. Instead of adopting a friendly
attitude, the Government did everything to nnnoy
them. Is it any wonder, then, that they have been
refusing to maintain those friendly relations which
AT >^V. THOMAS (((NT.)
467
would b(3 to their intorostrt iviul our intorcsts? At;iiin,
T Hiiy it is lii^li tiiiu^ wo reversed our policy towartU
the United SliiteH. Alter all, blood is thicker (hiiii
water. Those who live on the other side ol" the lino
(•nine t'roin the i'riti'di Fsles, as most of us do. Those
who live oil the other ^-ide of the line have the saiiio
literature and the same lan><uii<,'e. Tlie tinu! has como
when there should he closer relation-', fict us remain
as we are jiolitically, hut let us a^rec; that it wouhl lio
for their ixinelit and for our henelit that there sliould
h(> no (histonia hnv.s,l)Ut tliat a'o hIiouM i,'.\chanij;e our
l)roduci' from one sid(! of the line to the other. This
is tli(! policy (jftho Lilieral party. For my part, [
helicve that wo look no louf^or on them with jealousy,
that we are j;lud of their success, that we are sinctro
iVicnds and lirothers. and that we wouhl have no
dini'.'ulty in arriving at the ohject we have in view.
f'-i't;
I
(lUld
city,
nada
r.ut
t has
hiive
ls was
at we
their
ii
r -rf,
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i«^ (»
M
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H
ii
Pi
I
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EI
'
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I? Id
CANADA'S COMMERCIAL IXTERCOURSE WITH
THE UNITED STATES
COMIM.ETl-: VIEW OF THE WHOLE QUESTIOX
n\i
{HOUSE OF COMMONS)
SiTTi. ui' 2Gth February, 1SS9
Mu. Speaker,
I now rise for the i)urpose of calling the attention
of the House to the (juestion of the Fisheries, and to
the position in which the relations between Canada
and the United States stand with reference to this
question. I submit at once, and it is a proposition
to which no dissent will, I am sure, be offered, that
there is not at this moment a more important ques-
tion to Canada ; and I submit at once also, that it is
urgent that ujiun this (question the Government and
Parliament should ejjeak i)romptly and with no
uncertain sound. The only reference made to this
subject by the Government at all since the opening
of the session was the paragraph contained in Hia
Excellency's Speech to the effect that since the Wash-
ington Treaty had not been ratified by the Americaa
nw
i"
1''^'
w.
,i ■■.■.;i
w- ■■:: J
T.-r -*;•;.-■-■■ -.,-.„
470
SPEECH
Senate, nothing remained for Canada to do but to
continue to exercise her rights as prescril)ed by
THE CONVENTION OF 1818,
until some satiai'actory adjustment was arrived at by
treaty between the two nations. In the early days of
the Fcssion, the lionorable gentleman who represents
the counties of Richmond and Wolfe (Mr. Ives) gave
notice ol' a motion which was intimately connected
■with that subject. One would have exjiected that the
Government would have availed themselves of the
oi)p()rtunity thus afforded them, to exi)0se fully and
minutely to the ITou.^e the course they intended to
follow and the policy at which they had arrived. Jiut,
Avhen this motion was called, it was jjostponed once,
twice, three times, four times and five times, and
every time at the request of the Government. A few
diiys later, when my lionorable friend from Queen's.
Trince lildward Island, (Mr. Davies). put the question
to the Government whether they intended to con-
tinue or not the vwdus vivrnih\ the answer lie received
was the convenient, ever at hand, always serviceable
answer :'' under consideration ." It must then have
become evident to every man in the House that the
Government, upon this question, had no jjolicy to
offer, that they hold, as they have held of yore upon
that and many other (juestions, an irresolute, vacillat-
ing, halting and hesitating ptdicy, and that they will
continue such jiolicy until the time for deliberation
will be passed, until the time for action will well nigh
liave passed away, until every action, even if taken
in the right direction, will 1)e taken too late and prob-
ably renuiin barren of result, ))owerless, j)erhaps, to
rejiair the ])ossibly irreparable injuries that may have
been done in the meantime. Under such circum-
Btances, when the Government refuse to rise equal to
the duty of the hour, when they refuse to discharge
the duties which are incumbent upon them, it
becomes
•»v
n\ THE Fr-^IIERY QrE-^TION
471
THE nCTV <)!■• TirE oim-ositiox
to come to the front, to clear the way. and to sliow t he
Government wliat is the duty of the hour and wliat
is tlie rourse which phouhl he foHowed in the inter-
est of the country at hirge. Wore this a j)urely do-
mestic question, the temptation would be jireat, per-
hai)3, to fohl our arms and to wait and ])rofit by the
ever-increasing enibarrassement of th(; Crovernment ;
but the issues are *oo preat, the consefiuences are of
too serious a character, and it is hotter, Ity far, to set
aside all party tactics.
Sir . loll n A Macdonnld: — Hear, hear!
Mr. Laurior : — Yes, bettor by far to lose all party
advanta<ie and to jtoint out at onoe where the wrong
is and where possibly may be obtained the remedy.
AVhat is the situation? At this moment there is an
Act. which is the law of the noighborinj;^ republic,
whereliy at any moment the President of the United
State=< is authorized to close to our ships all entry to
American ])orts. nay, more, to prevent importations
into the United States of any goods coming from
Canada; and when we consider the fact that the ex-
ports last year of goods from Canada to tlie Unitc^d
Stiitos ex(:oedo<l the sum of forty million dollars, we
have the evidence at once of tlio mngnitude of the
])ossible evils which may await C'anada, should such
a ])olicy he put in force. This is the situation as it
now exists. Here are the two priufipal ofT-iprings of
that great mother of nations, England, standing side
hy side, with every inducement of blood, of common
origin and of a common history extending back into
ages, to stand together on terms of the most intimate
friendship, yet with their relations having reached
such a degree of bitterno'JS and hostility that at any
moment we may have commercial war. A few days
ago, in another debate, the opinion was (juoted of an
lionorable gentleman who occu])ie3 a very high rank
in the estimation of his party and country. Sir
Charles Tupj)er, to the eftect that the line is very
thin which se])arate3
'*i^;^
i
!:ti
472
frl'KECII
COM.MEUCIAI. \\\n FROM ACTUAI. WAU.
His words may again Le quoted as i)crfectly ai'jili-
cable to our present position. He said : —
We stood I'aco to fiicc witli a bill i»iovi'liii,i: for non-inter-
course between the I'liited States and C'anmla. 1 need not
tell you Uiat that hiil meant connui'i'cial war. 1 need ii(d tell
you that it meant not only th" ordinary suspension ol IViendly
leclin.'.: and intefoour.se li('l\ve<'n the t\vo eonntrjes. hut that it
involveil nnich more. If that bill had been brc'U,'_'ht into ope-
ration by a jirorlamation of the I'residentof the United ."^tate.-,
I have no hesitation in saying that v,'o stootl in relation to
that great country of eo.umorcial war, and the line is veiy
nuiiciw Avhieli !:'(^i>aiiiteft eonmiereial war between the two
countiie.s lioiu actual war.
Htill, even not goinj^ so I'ar as Sir Charles Tujijicr
went on tliat occasion, the fact remains tliat thesitu;i-
tion, even if it means nothing else than commercial
Avar, is a most deplorable one. Well, I'or that situa-
tion I sa}' that the Government of Canada is largely
responsible. I do not say solely, but I say largely
rcsj)onsible. Justice and fairness C()m])elmeto say,
and I say it frankly, that in many things tlie Ciov-
ernment of the United States, in their conduct towards
Canada, Avere as blameable as the Government of
Canada were towards the United States. If I Avere
an American and stood on \he floor of Congress. I
Avould deem it my duty to say to the American peo-
ple how, Avhere, and when their conduct has been
Avanting towards ( :'nada in fairness and generosity.
But I am a Canadian, and I stand here on the floor
of Parliament, and I deem it mA' duty to show to the
Government where they have erred, Avhere they have
committed wrong, and where in my estimation it ig
possible tu undo the Avrong which lias been done. Sir,
on this side of the House Ave are of the opinion that,
from the moment the American colonies severed their
connection with the nntther land, the most satisfactory
relations that ever existed between the mother land
1' . "Jf'f^A I'
rSi
ON THE FISHERY Ql'ESTIOX
473
and the new republic, and between that re]iublic
and Canada, were tlie reh-itions wliich were created
by the Reciprocitj' Treaty of IS.')-!. This is our liolief,
and upon that belief we act. We have made it
AN ARTICLE OF OUR PJ^OGHAMME
to obtain, if possible, not merely a restoration, but
an enlargement of that treaty. We liave madi? it an
article of our ])ro>in-aiume to (jonvincc, if possible, the
two nations that it would lie for their mutual benefit
to restore and to enlar,ti;o the provisions of that treaty.
Tliere was a time not yet far distant, when to a largo
extent the Conservative i)arty lieid tlie same views.
Tlioy made those very views the basis of that system
wliich since, by a strange misnomer, has been called
IIk; National Policy. The resolution introduced by
the right honorable gentlemen, at that time sitting
on this side of the House, which has been the gospel
of the new doctrine, which has been more than the
law and the i)rophet3 to his party, has l»een often
quoted to this House, and I might be dispensed i'roni
quoting it again, but the memory of honoralde gen-
tlemen on that side of the House is S(j short, so defec-
tive, so deceptive, and so treacherous, that it may lie
an act of charitv again to quote that motion, and to
show them the downward career they have followed
ever since. The motion, after reciting all the 'oencfits
Avhich were to follow from the adopticm of the vague,
indistinct policy which was called the National Policy
in those days, went on in the following language: —
-And moving as it f)UL'lil to do in tlie direction of a I'eci-
procity of tiiritts witli our iiei,i:lil)oi>, .so far as the varioil inte-
rests of Canaila may <l<>man(l, will ^Tcatly tend to procure fur
this country eventually rtoiprocity of traile.
That was the aim — a reci})rocity of trade — and
wdiat is the result ? Non intercourse and a commercial
war. Well, we believe that, as far as the honnrable
d'n
■* -I
if
! '^
I: i' .'
i'^'
A "v
474
SPEECH
gentleman meant to liave reciprocity of trarlo. he
could not have adopted a worse policy than the policy
which he adopted to ach'eve the end he had in view.
Be this as it may. we on this side of the Ilcjuse still
believe that
THE GOLDEN EUA
of the commerce of (Canada was the twelve years of
the Reciprocity Treaty. It was not so onlj' on account
of the material prosperity which it assured to the
pt^oplo of Canada, l)Ut the treaty was also connected
with othe) advantages, the importance of which no
one can dany. First of all, it set at rest, for the time
heiii;^;. that ever v(^\ing (luostion of tlie fisheries. Then
it tended to create and cement a growing amity
between Mie r,\ii ])eople.s. It is tlie individual expe-
rience, and it 'v the national experience as well, that
amity will e- er tV.llow in the path of mutually advan-
tageiius trade relations ; ))ut, unfortunately, the grow-
ing amity, consociuent upon that treaty, received a
rude shock at the time of the civil war in the United
States. It is a matter of history that, in that great
struggle, when the existence of the republic was
tremtjling in the scales of destiny, the pympathies of
the Government of Canada, and of a large number of
the i)eui)le of (!anada. were not on the side which
fought for right, and which eventually triumphed.
In this, however, the Government of Canada were not
inore remiss than tlie rest of the civilized world,
beoausc, in that great struggle between freedom and
slaverv, the heart of the civilized world did not beat
in favor of the side which was in favor of freedom.
Even England, which had only a few years before
abolished slavery in her own dominions, abetted the
cause of slavery by covert acts, as far as possible,
though not by overt acts. It was not that England
sym))athized with slavery, or did anything but hold
it in al)horrence, but there was something which Eng-
land, or at least the governing class of P^ngland,
t I
mt> < .1' ."
ON THE FISHERY QTKSTION
475
(Ireaded still more than elav«?ry, and that was the
democratic institutions of which the republic was
the embodiment, and which were then on trial. Times
move ta&t in our day. The England of 18S9 is uo
longer the England of 1801. To-day, Enghuul is
ALMOST A DEMOCRATIC C0UNT1{Y.
AVe have recently seen a scion of the English aristo-
cracy attempting to organize a Tory Democracy.
Who, in 18(!1, would have imagined it possible to see
those two words combined ? In that respect, the En-
gland of 1801 was very much the same as the Phigland
of 1775, and the state of feeling in that country in
1775. which led to the rebellion of the American
colonies, is spoken of by Mr. (ireen as follows, in his
' History of the English people." Speaking of the
tyrannical and despotic measures of the English
Ciovernment, which tinnlly drove the colonies into
rebellion, he says ;
.And hfliiml all thesf grievancos lay an uneasy sense of
dread at llu> douiocratic t'orin wliich the governini'ut and
sicit'ty of tilt! colonics had taken. Tlie (lovernors sent iVoni
England wrote hack wonls of hnnest sui'pi'ise ,ind terror at
the levelling principU^s ol' the men about theiu. To statesmen
at home the temper of the Colonial Legislatures, theii' jirotesls,
their bickerings with the <Tovernor.s and with the I'.oard ni
Trade, their constant refusal of supplies when tlieu' remm-
gtrances weiv set aside, seemed all but I'epubliean.
Those feelings which actuated the English (iitv-
ernment and the English Parliament in 1775 were the
feelings which actuated the governing classics of
England in LSOl. It was the same thing with tin;
rest of the civilized world. A French writer said in
the early })art of this century, referring to tlic Ame-
rican republic :*' just let that child grow out of her
ewaddling clothes. •" He prophccied that, before she
reached maturity, slie would bo rent asunder by fac-
tions, and, when the rebellion broke out, the secret
■ft
li:'
r
(■ 1
( ■
476
SPEECH
of tlu! sympatliy manifestod lliroughout the civilized
•world I'or the (South was that there was a secret hope
that the rei)ublic would Ijc so rent an to yo out of exist-
ence, and that the fraguieuts would 1)C held as a
■warning that purely democratic institutions could
not ho permanently (Mubodied in a government. I can
undc-rstand that being the feeling in luiropean society,
but T am at a loss to understand how it was that
Canada, which in that day, as now, was a purely
democratic country, (lid not throw its whole sympathy
into the cau:?e fur which Ihe North was then lighting.
Kot that we could do anything to In^lii it. Tiie North
tjuld light its own battles. J?ut if we had shown
anything like Hympathy with the su[)porters of the
American Union in their struggles witii reliellion,
they would have ^iven us tluMr friendshii) in return,
as they have always Iteen ready to do to those who
eympathized with them. lUit, linding
>,i ^■
A nosrrr.F. i-Eorr.K ox TiiErit roudeii
<< <
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■ *' ',1
the first thing they did, when they had the opportu-
nity, was to cut U'^ oir from the reciprocal trade rela-
tions which we had with them. This is the first fault
wliich, I think, has been committed by the (iovern-
nient of Canada in our relations with our neighbors.
With the abolition of the treatry all the old quarrels,
all the old difliculties in regard to the fisheries, were
renewed. An occasion, however, soon arose which
put into the hands of the Government of Canada an
opportunity, to some extent, of restoring the facilities
of trade between the twt^ nations, and good fellowship
at the same time. The close of the war had left many
difficulties to be settled between England and the
United States, and at last, as we all know, commission-
ers were appointed to settle those dilliculties, and
amongst the commissioners was one selected fronx
Canada, the right honorable gentleman himself. Well,
the Fishery question was one of the first and most
important that the commission had to deal with. The
ON THE FISHERY Ql'F.STION
477
Britisli plenipotentiary ofTered to settle that question
by a restoration of the reciprocity treaty. Ijut, as \se
con well imagine, tiie I'eolinnf of irrit;ition in the
I'nit(>(i States was still such that that offer was re-
jected. Sluu'tly afterwards, however, the American
]denipotentiaries offered to settle tlie (juestion l)y oh-
tiiininf? access to our fisheries in exchanj^'e of I'ree
trade in conl. snlt. fisli, and from the ist of July, 1871,
ihe articlt^ of luiid)er.
T am sorry to say that this otTer, instead of heing
accepted, was asl<ed by the I'ritish i))cnipotentiiiry
to he sup])lemente(l with a money considerntion, and
that was refused. It is true, however, that the Amer-
ican plenipotentiaries liad before tliat time ofTcred to
settle that (luestioii by a nidiiey piiyment.They seem-
ed to liave l)een willin<rto settle either by money pay-
ment or liy trade facilities ; our plenipotentiary on
the contrary ofTcred to settle Avith them by ti'ade fa-
cilities supplemented l)y a money payment. This was
refused, and finally, as wo know, the (piestion was
settled for a time by granting to tlu; Americans, for
the space of twelve years, access to our fisheries on
the pa>nient of a sum of money to be determined by
arliritators, and free trade in fish. Well, Sir, I do not
hesitate to sny that, in my estimation, of all the ways
in which that (piestion could have been settled
THE MOST UNF0RTl'.\A.TE
was the way which was adopted, the most unfortu-
nate was to settle it by a money consideration. It
must have been evident that wluu took place since
must necessarily take place; that is to say. that as the
terms sti])uhited and jiaid forbad expired, the ques-
tion would be rc-opimed with increased bitterness.
However, thi.s was done, and this was the second fault
committed by our Ciovernment in the settlement of
that question and the history of our relations with
our neighbors. The right honorable gentleman at that
time was in power, and shortly afterwards he lost
pi
'J i!
■478
Sl'EK.CII
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])()VC''". When my Imnorable friend besido mo wjis in
power.tlie right Iionorahle f!;entlemen an<l his friends,
]ifMn</; thou in Oii[)()siti()ii. turned SiiVii<,'oly upon the
Adminisitratiuu ; thoy iitt.'ickisd it with ail tlio! means
which a perverted ingenuity could devise, and tliey
thouglit It lionoral)l(! warfare, in order, if ])o.s9il)le, to
iTiaUe a point agaiuHt the (iovcrnmtMit, to open against
the Unitcid State.-s a ci)mpaigu of hrag and l)lu-it(!r. F
li;vve quoted tlio resolution introdu(;ed at that tiiiit; l)y
the rigiit honorahlf; gentleman. Well, if the inattiT
iiad gone no furlliti' than that, \ would have Udt
mucli to pay ; but tlie resolution winch was tht-n in-
troduced was intended to force the United States to
give us tlie reciprocity which tiicv wouKl not giv(!
othf.rwise, and tlie feeling w.i.s intensili(;d liy tfie mo=t
violent speeches. Sir Charles Tupi)er,for instance, went
to the Maritime prnvinces, and stated there that by
atlopting a i)olicy of retaliation, by Canada building
up a tarifTwall agaiiiHt the Americans, we would in a
few years bring the .\mHricans to their kneiM ;iad
force them to give us reciprocity. In Prince; Eilward
Island, he used the language again and again, and
used it with some effect, iKicause at that time the Is-
landers sent six representatives to this House, to heli)
the (iovernment lo build that tariff wall which it waa
supposed was going to bring the Americans to their
knees. I am glad to say, however, that since that
time the people of Prince Edward Island have come
to take a better view of the situation, and they now
xinderstand that in order to have reciprocity they
must take some other way. Well, Sir, the least that
can be said of our relations with our neighbors is
that such language and such conduct was not calcu-
lated to promote good feeling between the two nations.
If the Americans were disposed at that time to enter
into negotiations with us, with a view to establishing
FREE TRADE BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES,
the very moment that Canada pretended to be a))lo
ON THE FISHERY QUESTION
470
to force them, tliat nioincnt llio Aincricaiifa would
f-tifTt'ii tlioir liiicks, luul rel'use to yive to threats what
they might have lieen disjxiHed to jrivo to uejijotiations.
lUit tliat hin<,'»iage li;ul its efTect in Caiiaihi, The
("aiKulian people, lielieviiij^ the j)romise held out to
them hy the Confiervutive party then in Opposition,
returned tluit party to iiower, and ^aw llieiu an
op[n)rtunity to huild their tarilFwall and to eslaldirli
!i reciprocity of tariffs. They did so. and wiiat was
tlie result? Why. tlie result was that in a few years,
instead of 0])enin^ the Auk rican markets to free trade,
the ti;st thinjf the Americans did was to take v.n o]jp(i.
i-it(! ]X)licy and to ah(dish tlie iishery articles of the
"\Vasliin<fton treaty, to cut ofT from us what litle ad-
vantaire wo had under that treaty, and to bring hack
the state of alTairri which had before exii^ted. This
was a serious matter. Wlien the Americans uavo
notice to the (.lovernment of Canada ih.at they would
not continue tlie fishery stipulations of the WasliiiiLrtou
treaty, the CfOvernment had before them a great <luty
tt) perform. Ami how did ihey perform that duty?
They performed it liy
A rOI.ICY OK MASTERLY INACTIVriY;
they never budged ; they never stirred ; they observed
upon the question a conspiracy of silence, remaining
serenely indifTerent as to what might he the couse-
(piencea of the attitude of tlie United States. When
Ave on this side reminded tliem that they had a duty
to jjerfona, when they were asked from tliis side to
act, to do something, anything, to meet the new situa-
tion that had arisen, what was their invariable
answer? Their answer always was: "' Hush ! hush !
hush ! don't ask for information ; don't ask for
anything whatever ; leave the matter to us ; you do
not know what harm you may do to on international
(luestion of this sort, by asking for infortumation ; do
not force our hands ; leave it to us ; everything will
all come out right in time." They never stirred a
It
r^
n
Ml'?)' • ■' '^'
480
SI-EKCH
fin^^cr in order t(j incut tho imw .liUmtinn whicli \vii8
al)out to I'iico thoiii. Seeing this iiun-tioii on tin' piirt
ol'tln! (iovcniniciit, \v(3 on tliis side <)!' tli(! Ifoiis
iittcniptDd to do, in 18S], wluit \vc uro doin;; jit tli
:iioin(!nt ; in t'tioe of the iniictivity of tho GovornnitMu
we iittenipted to clfiir tlic way, iiml to show them tho
duty whicli lay hcfore thcin. Mv lionorahln Iriciid
behind nic, from (Juet3n's, V. \<]. I. (Nlr. Dtivios), moved
a ro.-Jolutioii, in ISSI, to whitdi F cull tho special atten-
tion of till; IIoiiHc, in-cau.so it shows how the (iovern-
nieiit were j^uilty in that re.siiect. Tho resolution was
coucheil ill the t'ollowin;^ laii;^uaj^c: —
III vii'W of tli<» iiiitii'c nf till' t'-i'iiiiirition of th<' Fishoiiivs
nrticlcs <it the 'I'lt'iity of Wn.'^hington, ^'ivcu hy tho I'nitcil
States to tlio l<ritwli ( iovcriimciit, iiinl the c<)iis(M|iii'iit cxiiirii-
tioii, on lilt? IsL .Inly, IMS,"), ot' tiio ri'ci|)roc,iil jiiMvili'^os ami
e.\('in|>tioiis of lliiit tr(>iity,tlns Iloii.S(Ms of oi)iiiioii tiiat .-ti.'jjs
.siioiiM 1)0 tiiktiii fit iin curly day hy tlu (iovorniuont of Canada
with tho objoct of hrin^'in;; al>)iit nn^Jtiatioiu tor a now
troaty, provMhii,' for til'' I'iti/.oiirt of Canada and tin; Unit'
States th(! roiMprooal i)rivil(';j!os of lishiiii.', ami fretMJom f
(ln:i('s now cnjoyoil, toutotlior witii liio aihhtioii of rocipr
frcriloin in tho trade I'olations of tlu^ two lioiintrios, and tluu
in any sncli noLr.itiations I'anala should ho dirc-ctly repiG-
sentctl hy some one noininatoil hy its (iuverninont.
lyi 'f '".in. ;■ ■ ' ■
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i-*''S'fc', ' !' '
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Here was a ])olicy clearly indicated hy the Oppo-
sition, hy my honorahlo friend from Prince JCdward
Island, that the Government should at once enter in-
to negotiations in order not only to meet the dilliculty,
but to meet it by an extension of trade facilities.
What was the answer ? The answer was just what I
said a moment ago : Keep f-ilent, do nothing, leave
every thing to us, I cannot do better than tjuote tho
language used by the right honorable gentleman on
that occasion, lie summed u\) his argument in the
following wtjrds : —
But tho honorable gentleman says that tho United States
have shown a desire to e.xtcml tlioir trade by having a reci-
ON THi; I'l^'IIEUY taKSTinX
481
jtrocity tri'iit\ wiili .\[i\\i('o aii'l tlu» Siiiiilwicli Inl:iiiil-,\vli() c iin-
jUfiicc'l ni';.'oliiitiuiis ill tlicrtt.' rii.s»'>? W'lis il llic Siiiii|\\ icli
Isliiiuls and Mi'xun? No; it wtis tlm Oovi'i'iiint'iit n\' (Iid
UniltMl Sliiti'> in I'ulli iiiNtancoH, wiio wiis tlo^iroiis of jictliii;;
ronti'di (n tin' Irmn' dI tliosi- two imtioiis, inli'i'inr in |ii)|iuiii-
tioii, iiil'i'iiiir ill wt'.iltli. iiii'l vciy iiuu'li >iilij.'irt t(i AiinTicaii
inlliii'iicc-*. 'I'lii'v i|t'-in'il t<i iiicifasi' tliat iiitiiictKH' ami to oli
tiiiiMvuitrol of till' trail' of tiiix.' tw.) iiifionn, liiit, it \va, not
Kiiii; KalaUaiia, it \vai not tin- i'n"<iiliiil of Mi'xu'o.wlm waiitoil
tlinlrt'aty; it was tin' •iovoi'iiiin'iit of tlm I'liiti- I Stall's tliat
jiru.nsi'il ii|)uii til. ISC almost auxiliary nations iin. I lorc»(l ujion
thom, almost lort-ed upon tliciii, tlioso trouties. Now, Mr.
SpiMilLiT, I lliiiik wi' must to a c'l tain extent |iuisai' tin- ^amu
course.
•' T tliinU \v(> must to a cortiiin cxtotit iiursiic tlu;
Riinio ('(UiiHi* iiii(i in tlie piiiiio iiuiiuier an llio limMTii-
iiiont ol'tho I'liitod States," was tlio rciily. That (luv-
eniiiiont wont to Mexico and tlit' Saiidwicli fsiand^ in
ordtT til obtain treaties ol' cdinmerce witli them ; wc
must I'nljiiw tlie s;iint' conrrJi! and wait until the (inv-
ornnuMit of the VnitiMl .Statof^ a])|irou(di us, or, indeed,
force tlie (Invernnient nf the rnileii States to come t(t
us and tiwk um also to nej^otiati with them new cnm-
inorcial treaties. I cannot nay 1 wan Hurprisod at that
langua}2;o. It was exactly in ■' 'orihinci' with tlm
])(ilu'y always pursued hy tlic ) ■ lahk' tientlcmau
and his (iovernnient ; it was tlie same ])olioy wdnch
liad been inaujxtu-ated in 1877, to foiro the Americans
to come to us and not allow ("aiuula to go to ilie Ame-
rican.s. The (ioveniment had a [lolicy liy which they
were going to I'orce the Americans to come tons; they
have ])Ut it into cfTect piece liy jiiece. J''ir.st, they
erected a. tariff wall around tliis country ;hut that not
being sulHcient they made an addition. And what
was lliat? The unwarrantable manner in whicli they
commenced to execute the convention of ISIS, T take
issue with the right honoralde gentleman upon tliis,
and I say that, in my estimation, no greater fault wa3
ever comndttod liy his (loverninont than in the way
they carried out the c invention of ISIS in ISS.j. They
refused to ship the lish of Americans in bond.
;tf
.
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4 82
Sl'EECII
Thoy sei/o I tlioir schooners for allo^-ofl or trivial
olTences of the customs law, and they phK^ed u|)on the
conventioii '»f ISIS the narrowest construction it was
po.ssihle to ^)at upon it, a construction so narrow, and
in sonic cnses so inhuman, tliat there are instances
where schoTiiers wore forced hack to sea without
heiiig allowed tlu; iirivilege of huying a single article
of food in a (,'anadian i)()rt. They expected to hring
down tiie Americans hy that policy. What was the
result ? The remit was the Retaliation Hill— the ]>ill
Avhich was passed in 1S87, wiien the American Con-
gress authorized tlie President at any moment to sever
commercial intercourse hetwcen the United .States and
Canada. The Government liad not anticipated that
action. Ptill 1h(>y did not move. Ikit it is well for
Ciinada that there is in the United r^tateg a Canadian
with a true Canad'an heart, a man who has the honor
of heing daily ahused hy the Conservative press of
this country, a man whose name, wlien it was men-
tioned tlie other day in conncition with this very
suhjeiit. was received with jeers, to their shame he it
saiii. hy tlic majority of this House. Erastus Wiman
stepped to the front, and he did then what should
have l)cen done long before hy the Covernment ol'
Canada -he constituted hin.self ambassador for
('anada to tlie United States, and had an interview
with ]\lr. Bayard.
Pome lionoraldo members : — Oh! oJi !
Mr. Laurier : — Is there any dissent expressed to
that ? Have honorable gentlemen opposite forgotten
their own history ? Have they forgotten the language
which was used not later than twelve months ago
by Sir Charles Tupper in this ITouso ? Have they
forgotten the praise given on that occasion to Mr.
Wiman by Sir Charles Tupper ? If they have, let
me recall the language used on that occasiou by Sir
Charles. He aaid :
1 know tills, that a mutual friend — I have no objection lO
mentioning that it was Mr. 'Wi-uan — at an early day after
1= ■}
ON THE FISIIEUY QTESTIOX
483
KV
lliis «poor')i u;i-( ilolivcri'il, iiitimatcil to intMli.it lie li:iil had a
long coiiv creation with the Secretary of State ol'tlic Cnitoil
Stales, Mr liayanl, ami tliat tliat gi'iitlonian iiail snil ihat he
woiiM he very f-'lail tn have an npjiortnnity ol'(|iKOus-in;.' the
li.utual relations of fjanaila and the IJnit(»d States with either
uiy rij.'ht honorable friend the Treniier of (Canada or uiyse If.
Somo lu)n()i'!ilile tnenrhers : — riicatituts !
Mr. litiiirier ; — ('he^tiiiits, say.s an honorable i:,en-
tleniiin. iSir, I am really suri):-i.sed that on a subject oi'
sueb vital inipoifaiice as this, .'o imich levity should
be di.^lilayed. JJut this is (juite in keepin.ir with the
policy ot'lhe (lovernment which honorulde f^entlenien
oi)])osite I'ollow. it' Mr. Winum on that occasion had
not ritepjfcd to tlie I'ront. what would lir.ve iieen the
conse()ueiiees ? I do not know, but the (iovernnient.
at idl es'cnt^. tliought it fit and proper at last to move,
and they commenced to iu;t upon tlu; H.u.i;c;eslion and
the action of Mr. Wiman. and ])romplly Sir Charles
Ttipper went to Washington. Jle did what should
luive been done years ago. and ho had an interview-
wit h Secretary of State l>ayard. It is [no per to refer
to the correspondence whi^h was tlie conseijitence of
that interview between Sir Charles Tu])i)er and Mr.
Bayard. It originated in a letter written by Mr. Jiayard
to Sir Charles Tupi)fir, and in winch is to be found a
very sigidficant paragraph :
I am confident we but seek to attain a Ju.st and permanent
settb-ment — and there is hut one way to procure it — and that
is hy a stvaiglitforward treatment on a UbiM'al and states -
manlilcc plan of tlio entire co:nin<>rcial relations of the two
countries. 1 say commercial, hecause 1 do not proi)Ose to
include, however indirectly, or hy any intendment, however
partial or oblique, the political relations of Canada and the
United States, nor to atlect the legislative indi'iiendence of
either country
To this paragraph Sir Charles Tuppor responded
in a similar spirit:
My Dear Mk. Bayahd,
1 had great pleasure in receiving your letter ofilay.'il,
evincing a.s it does the importance which you attach to an
m
'■■.!*■!>
It 'I i
4S4
sriCECii
amicablo a'ljr.stmeiit of the Hshorics emestion aivl tlio mainte-
nance oi'tlic conlial commercial relations between the United
States and f 'anada, imder which such vast and mutually Ijene-
ilcial res-ults have grown up. I entir'^ly comclu' in your state-
ment that wo both seek to attain a just and permam-nt set-
tlement — and tiiat there is but oiK^ way to procure it — antl
that is by a strai.uhforwaivl treatment on a liberal aii'l states-
nianiike plan ot'tlie entire commorcial relations of the two
countiies.
r!^ '
It is a mailer ol' history tliat, iu consequence of
that con'es])on(lencc, conmiissioncrs were appointed
tn meet at Washington to ?ettle that question. And
Avhen tlu'v met, Sir (Miarles Tupper, rememliering tlie
])aragrapli wliich I liave just (luoted, rememliering
the spii'it wliich liad dictated that correspondence
between Inm.self and Mr. IJayard, was ])rompt in ask-
ing from the American plenipotentiaries a settlement
of the (juestion upon tiic very Ijasis which had lieen
laid down hy INIr. J'>ayard— tliat is to say, a commercial
liasis. He niade the following propositions: —
That with the view of removing all causes of difference in
connection with the fisheries, it is ])ro]iosed by iter Majesty's
plenipotentiaries thai llie fishermen of both countries siiall
have all the privileL^es enjoyed dnrin,i,' the existence of the
fisheiy articles of the treaty of "Wa-hinglon, in consideration
of a liiutual arrang'inent jiroviding for greater freedom of
commercial intercourse between the United States and Canada
and Xewfoundlamh ,
Such was tlie jiroposition made by Sir Cliarles
Tui»per. and this prcpnsition was in conformity with
the projjosition contained in the letter of Mr. J'ayard
to him. For what reason and for what cause v\'a3
this i)ro])osition rejected hy ]\Ir. Bayard and the
American ])lenipotentiarie3 ? Simply on account of
the policy which honorable gentlemen opj)osite had
followed in regard to the Fisliery Treaty, simply on
Account of the irritation which liad been caused in
the United States
ON THE FISHERY QL'E^TIOX
4S.>
nv TiriC il.VR.-II AXD INULWLAX MAN'XKH
in wliicli that treaty liail been can-ied out. Perhaps,
Sir, tiiat will l)e disputed aisu, but, il' disputed, I can
bring an important witrifM-f to ^lupport mv Htatoment.
and my witness on thi>< occa-ion willlie Sir ('harles
Tupper liiiasult'. Speakin;/ ui' tlii.s very I'uct and
exi)laining the reason wliy the offer he had made had
not l)cen accepted, Sir Cliarlcs Tapj^er u^-ed tlio f'ol-
h)winu- words : —
Mi: Jjiiyai'd ami tlioii^ ot'.nr ufiiitleaiori said that "tliero is
only ouo way to roaoli t!ii» (for Uougiv.s.s alone can tako tln.<
iki y oil any artiflc), and on acoonnt of the oxaspeiMtion tliat
b.isi boen exi'ited in this country by tliose lisliory dilllulties,
on Iiavc :it?on tho result, you haw an unanunous Bill passed
by tho Ifoiwo oC KoT.re>-cut;rivo=: and [)a«si^(I !iv tic Scn.tto and
assented to l>y tiie President, vou have to rn(Mn what they iiold
was tiie inhosiiitiible eonduor, fth'^y us(>d good deal stronger
terms in some of their .State papers, I am very sorry to say)
of Canada in I'eferenne to tlie treatment of their fishermen,
our rei)resentatives liavc .-iai I that lli.-y woati never purchase
from Canada any immunity for their tishermen by reciprocal
trade arrangtanents," i!iil)ued. as tlieir miivh were, with ihe
idea tliat we had adoi)ted tiiat policy to force reciprocity upon
them.
Now. Sir. you have the opinion of the man best
(lualilicd to give evidence upon tliat subject, that the
reason why the free trade relations which were
touched upon by Mr. Hayard in his correspondence
with Mr. Tupper wore not carried out, was just on
account of the policy which had bef • followed 1)}'
honorable gentlemen o[)posite upon iiat very rpies-
tion. The right honoral)]e gentleman and his (dov-
ernment have always prided themselves upnn their
superior wisdom and statesmanship, but upon this
occasion T ask, where was the wisdom and where was
the statesmanship ? Tt'the motion that my honorable
friend behind me (Mr. Davies) made in bSSd, when he
suggested that the Government should send a com-
missioner to Washington in order to settle this ques-
tel
: i;
486
SPEECH
t> L 1.1 . "^
pi i\ ' ''
tion, liiiil been acloptetl, tlien, Sir, does it not follow
iVom what T liave stated that tliei<:' was a chance to
bfi heard and a chance of obtaining what we had in
view ? At tliat time theCiovernmcnt would not yield
to the pressure ])ut ni)on them. They wi.idd not
send a commissioner to Washington, but tliree years
later they were forced to send one, and upon that
occasion, as on many other occasions when tliey acted,
it was too late. Tf the Ciovernment had then acted in
time they would have o])tained some result ; but
they refused to act in time, and
'i'lIKY LOST tVEUVTIilXO.
To day we see the same })olicy still pursued, the
same policy of ])rocrastinali(in, and we are j'orced
upon this occasion to suggest what, in our judgment,
is the true ])()licy that should be followed in the inte-
rest of Canada. \\'hat followed the result of the last
negotiation at Washington ? Tlie treaty was rejected,
it is true, and rejected by the American Senate. which
had the power to deal with this <iue=ti(m. Then came
the celebrated Message from President C'levehind —
and there is this to be said in favor of the President's
Message, that he simply suggested (since he might
lie called upon at any time by the action of this
(rovernment to i)ut the Retaliation Act in force) that
a milder course should be adopted than the coi:rse
demanded then. President Cleveland simply said to
the American nation : " I may be called upon at any
moment to put that Act into force, but T cannot put
that Act into force without, to a large extent, injuruig
American trade. There is a better way to rcacli
the Canadian people, since they refuse to carry our
fish in bond. Instead of shutting out all their im-
ports it would l)e better for us to prevent them car-
rying their goods in bond •.ii)on our railways." Such,
however, was the ])itter sentiment of the American
people against us at that time.that Congress refused to
act upon the suggestion of President Cleveland. No-
ON TIIK FISriERY i^UESTIOX
487
thing ctune of liis suggestion ; the Act renuiing in force
iindiit Uvi moiucnt we are just in this i)()-!ition : that
to-morrow, ur tlie day after to-morrow, the new ail-
niinistration uiay at any time, if tliey choo.-;e, cut oif
altogether the existing commercial relations hetweeu
Canada and tlie United States. Again I ask : What
is to be dune ? What is the [){)licy that ought to ho
followed V)y Cr'.tada ? I say to the Government,
i: '
IlEVERSK VOCU POLICY,
give up the policy of harshness which you haveheen
following hitherto, anladijptthe policy of concilia-
tion ; admit tliat you have been in the wrong, and
endeavor, not by threats or by acts of violence, to ob-
tain reci[)rocity of trade with that country,but (Mideav-
or to obtain it by negotiation and psaceablc means.
I am aware, from my pa>t experience, that in daring
as I do now, upon an international question, to say
to the (iovernment that they were in the wrong, and
to say that the other nation was in the right, I will
firing once uiort; upon my head all the thundering
indignation of the Conservative press and party. Be
that as it may. I hold that there is all the more rea-
son to speak upon the question, because it is an in-
ternational <iuestion. liecause the consetiuences may
be graver, there is all the more reison to act. and to
act promptly, iind to speak in no uncertain tones. I
know very well from my past experience of the man-
ner in which the Conservative party of this country
have always understood i)arty allegiance, that it is an
act of disloyalty, that it is an act of treason to attack
Ministers who shield themselves behind the sacred
• ut, Sir, I sav witluuit ofTence.that
name of country
I do not care for the Ministers, but li do care for my
country, which may sulfcr from their conduct. Tl;o
tactics of the Conservative party are not new, tiny
have always l)een t he same, and it has always beta
held disloyalty and treason to attack the Conserva-
tive Ministers, even though it be (o save the country.
!llV"
Sf,
fl » r
ft f A '
488
Sl'EECir
There was a lime in the history of Enjrlnnd when the
American people, then colonists of England, were Ibrced
into i'el>elliou Ity the har.-li conduct of the liritish
Government and by the tyrannical measures of the
Imperial Parliament. There wa^, also, at that time
the greatest Englishman of hi.s day — a man who has
done nmre than any man of his time to launch England
on that career of military and commercial agj^randize-
ment which has since signalized her cour.se. Lord
Chatham nisver ceased to call upon the (lovernment,
and on tlie i']iigli.-h Parliament, to retrace tiieir steps,
and to abandon their policy of hart-hnoss "and adopt
THE rOI.ICY OF CONCILIATION.
These gentlemen on the other side of the iluuse have
such slavish o}iinions — and T can use no other woril
but slavish — of loyalty, that it may not be amiss if I
]>ut bel'ore them tl:e hiiiguuge used by Lord Chatham,
the greatest Englishman of his time, ile had to .speak
wpou the policy which had driven the American colo-
ni.«ts into rebellion ; and he was P])eaking at a time
when those colonists were in arms, fighting against
His .Majesty King (ieorge IIL On one occasion he
made use of this language: —
Kvoi'v motive, tlKMvlbro, of justice amldf policy, of dignity
ami oliniiiUnci., iirgf- you to iillay the fenn-'iit in America
— by ii reuiov.il (if your troip.s from Boston — by n repeal of
your Acts ol' P.irlianient — and Ijy the demonstration of aniicablo
disjiositions tow.ards the colonies. On the other hand, every
danger and every )ia:^ard impend to deter you from persever-
ance in your present ruinous measures.
On the same occasion he made use of the follow-
ing language : —
We shall be forced idtimately to retract: let us • ^tracfc
whil<> we can, not wlu-n ^ve must. I .-ray we must necessarily
undo these violent opjiressive acts ; tliej' must be rei;eiilei) ;
you wih rejieai tliom ; 1 pledge myself for it, that jou will in
the end repeal them.
Uli
1 1
ON THE FISHERY QrESTION
4 SO
Tlioy -wpvo vpppiiled two years lator, but tli(\v
were rei>eale(l toi> late. Kei)ealed in time, tiiey would
Lave had some elfect ; repeaU'd too late, they oiily en-
couraged the American colonies to persevere in their
action. On another occasion he made use of this no
less signilicant language: —
11' 1 wiTt' all Anu'i'ipan, as 1 am an Eiii-'li-hman, wliik- a
foifi^n tiooj) was landed in iny countiy, I iiover would lay
(!o\vii iiiv aMii«, never ! never! never!
Sir. tliis language was held to be treason at that
tin!(>; sueh language would he held to be treason to-
day. At tiuit time it was held to be treason by the
whole Cmiscrvative party, and still niiiri- by that well
meaning, short-sighlc(l, thickdnaded Tory, King
Cieorge III. He called Lord Chatham
A 'n;lMI'ET of SEDITION ;
yet, it the voice of that trumpet of sedition had been
heeded at that time, King (ieorgt; [II would have
saved to the Ilritish Crown the loss of those royal
domains which Ihigland has ever since deplored.
W(dl. Sir, the loyalty of that great man which does
not jinnder to prejudices, which does not court the
favor of king or mob, but which speaks the truth
whenever the truth is called for, this is the loyalty of
this side of the House. It is in the name of tliat
loyalty I now speak; and. doul)ly encouraged by the
language of that great man, I say to the Canadian Min-
istry of this day that they are repeating the same
fault which was committed by the Knglish 3Iinistry
of 1775, and in the same terms I appeal to them lo
retrace their steps and take a new course. Ifyou ask
me, Mr. Speakei, to come down to practical measures
and to say wdiat I would recommend, I answer: The
Government themselves admit that a new treaty has
be negotiated. They say so in the Speech from the
Throne, where I find this language: —
It now only remains for Canada to continue to ..laintain
» j
490
frKKCII
1
ln>r riglit.s a"i prcsci'ilio 1 ')y tho f-onvoiitioii of I^IS, mitil s'/.nc^
s;itisl';iot()ry loailjustiat'iit is urruugtvl liy ticaty botweon tlio
two natiniis.
Thut Spt'eeh war' made on tlie ijlst <»r .Taimiiry.
Tlif'v (lien enntoniplated iictiii)^' uiuler tlio I'Dnvention
of ISIS, r iiiu '^\iu\ to nee that, tliou.<i;Ii to some extent
they liave not iieen alile Hince then to come to jiny
(lilTerent (h'cision, yet they have w.u'ereil a litth' in
tlieir opinion. When they wcn'e askeil iiy my honor-
able friend Ijchind me. a little while a<(o. whether
they inlemled to put into force the ;/(o /its virnvli^
they said it wa^^ under consideration. They did nut
know whether they would cr would not. \V(dl, let
n^ lii^lp them along a, little, and let uh .say that, in our
judLiment at least, since they are to neu;otiate a new
treaty, they should not go hack and act upon the
harsh clauses of the convention of ISIS, but rather
upon the more generous claus(!S and dispositions of
the iiwtliif nirrndi. If you are to negotiate anew treaty,
it stands to reason, if you ci)minence to harass Ame-
rican tisliermen by tiie enforcement of the clauses of
tlie convention of ISIS, that that would be
A vKiiV >oi!i;y ruKi.roE
to all our negotiations. Hut if you go to Washington
with the generous treatment provided under the
iiiD'lus oiiwriili., there is some reason to l)elieve that an
agreeable and satisfactory solution of tlie diiliculty
may be arrived at, in the only manner which would
l)e satisfactor\' to both nations, that is to say, upon a
basis of freer commercial relations between the two
countries. Sir, there is (ivery induccnnent for that
policy. I give it as my deliberate oi)iniou that, ever
since the abrogation of the treaty of 18")4, the relations
of the two Countries have never been satisfactory;
tliey have never been openly hostile, but they have
never been avowedly and generously friendly, always
characterized by petty annoyances and vulgar bick-
i
in
\l
ft
mmn
■
M
L.
ON rUK FISHERY QfESTION
■101
erings ; aii'l, unt'ortuniitcly, that stiitc of tilings Iuh
jilsu extended t(j the relations l)et\veen the niotiicr
liind and tiie repul^lic. Nothing, I am sure, could ho
more ])ainl"ul to every I'riend of England than the
hostility displayed during the last jiresideiitial contoi-t
towards England. It is my deliherate opinion that
this hostility, disidayed at this date towards l-'ngland
liy the American people, is a Idot on the f;iir fame ol'
the United States just as much as the hostility dis-
l)layeil during the civil war l.y England towards the
United States was a blot on the fair fameol' J^ngland.
It behooves us, situated as we are in tliis country,
having the relations we liavc to the mother land, and
conneelcd g'?ograi)hical]y as v.e are with the United
States, to help to create
.L UiriTK!; I'll!!. It.' SKNTIMKNT
in tile two countries towards each other; ami this
view is Largely shared, I am glad to say, by the wliole
Anglo-Saxon race in the two hemispheres. Though
there are at this mtuncnt these unpleasant characte-
ristics ii; the relations bttweon England and the
United States, there are no two nations in the world
to-day which are so closely allied. Their trade is daily
increasing, and to-day it already exceeds the trade of
any other two nations. ATore than this, their intel-
lectual life is every day getting more and more inti-
mately interwoven, liooks — all those important books
which the literary world awaits on the tiptoe of expec-
tation — are published simultaneously in London and
New- York. Actors exchange boards ; preachers
exchange iiuli)its ; there is no artistic or literary fame
originated in one country which is safe and secure
until it has been sanctioned in the other. While all
these facts are healthy, I, for my i)art, would want
Canada to stej) into the movement, to turn a new leaf
in her history, to forget the i ast. and to do her share
to reach that which must be. T suppose, and T hope,
the ultimate object, namely, closer and ever (doser
402
SPEECH
111,:.,
utuiiu l)ot\veon ;ill nountries of British orij^in and
British institutions. Witii these views, I beg to niovu :
Tliat nil tho wonls .iI'Um' tliu wonl " Tli:it " be Icl't nut,
aii'l iho rollo'.viiig iiistM'toil insteail tlirrt'ol': — " In vimv of tlio
r'.;j('ct:oii hy tli.^ Scii.Uo ol'lho Uiiitdl States of the Wasli-
in;,'t()ii 'i'l'caty ol JSSS, and tlu iiiiloi'tunatc ami I't-tifottable
• litl'i'i'.'iici's existing betwi.'eii Caiiii la ami the IJaitoil States on
tiie Fisliery ami rivulo ijuestions, this Ffoiise is of opinion that
stojis should bo taken, lit an early day, by the (Joverninent of
Canada, for the satisfae'.o'y adj'ustment of sueh dilliTi-nces,
and the securin;j of unrestricted freedoui in tie; trade relations
ol' the two eoinitrit^s, and tliit, in anv negotiations entei'ed
upon for such |iurpos(>s, Canada should be directly I'epresented
l)y some one noniiuatcid Ijy its < Joverninent.
That, in tiio meantime, and to permit <ifsueh negotiations
being favorably ontereil on, ami to atlbrd evidence of the
anxious desiro of Canada to promote good feeling, and to
remove all possible subjeets of eontrovm'sy, this House is of
opinion that the moilus riri'iidi pro[)Osed on behalf ol' the
British (jo\ernment to the Cio\einment of the United States
with respect to the I'ishei'ies should lie continnod in operation
dufim; tlie ensuing tl^rliing season.
Uw:V 1?011 1 TI?C1
MR. .MERCIEU'S LAW RATIFIKD J;V
PARLIAMENT
Mil. I.AIUIEU.S Sl'EtCH A(i.\]Xs'r TllJC
VKTU
On thoL'dthMiircli, 1S8U, Mr. oT.iicu, nu'inlior lor Mus-
koka, iiiiulo tlu' lijllowiiig motioii in the t'oaiuions :
" Tliiit M al'tor tho word " That '' be left out, ami the
followiiif^ inserted in hcMi tliereof: " Mr. Sjieaker do not now
leave the Cliaiv, l>ut that it be resolveil, th.'it an hunilde
>\ddres.s he pre.-enteil to His KxceHency tiie (iov(>rnor (leneral,
setting I'ortli ; l.Thattliis Hou.se regards tiie ]K)wer of ilisah
lowing the Acts ol' the Legishitive .Vsseuihiies of tlie I'rovinc'es,
vested in His E.xcellency in Conncil, fis a prerogative essential
to the national existence of tin? Dominion ; 1'. That this great
power, while it should nevoi' be wantonly exeicisetl, shouM
he fearlessly n.-ed for the protection of the rights of a minority,
lor the preservation of the I'undfmientaljirnieiples of tlu> con-
stitution, and for sale-guarding tlie general interests of tlio
lieojile ; 'i. That in the opinion of this House, the passage by
the Legislature of the I'l'ovince f)f (Quebec of the .Act entitled
' An Act respecting the settlement of the .Jesuits' Estate.s' is
beyond the power of tliat Legislature. Fir.stly, bete aise it
endows Irom public funds a religious oi'ganization, thereby
violating the uadoubted constitutional principle of the com-
jilete separation of Chuich and State and of the absolute
equality of all denominations btdbre tiie law. Secondly,
because it recognizes the usurpation of a right by a fonigii
authoiity, namely, His Holiness th(^ Pope of Rome, to clainj
that his consent was necessary to empower the Provincial
Leg.slature to disi)Ose of a portion of the public domain, and
M^
401
srKECII
(ilsD lii'Oii'isc till- A't i-i ma Ic (f) il"iii'ii'! tiiion t!i"\\ill, uinl tlic
niiliiDiniatioii ol' tliM gniut tluMvliy iiiii'lo a-^ sulijoct to tlio
• •oiitiol III' tlif s.iiin' fiiitli'irily. Ami, tliinlly, lii-oaiHo the
fiidowaii'iit of 111.' S<icii'ty olMcsus, im iilir-;, sc^-rot iiml jioli-
tit!0-ri'li;.'iouH lio ly, the i'.\|)iilsi(iii ol' wliii'li froiii eveiy Cliris-
tiaii (V)iiiimiiiity wiicri'iti it luis lia^l ii Lxitin.; has hocii roiidci'tMl
necessary liy its iiiioliTaiit and iiiiscliii'vous iiitffiiU'ilillin;,'
with ihn rmn'tioa- 111' i'i\ii f,'i)vi'rtmi<'nt, is fiaii;;iit witli diti^rer
to till' i'i\'il and ii'li;^ir.us lihiTtiiv- of tiic pi'Diili' ol' ('aiiada.
And tills IIdusc. tiiiTi'loic, prays that His Kxri'llciicy will If
graciously please 1 to disallow the said Act. "
This motion was, alter a long debate, rejected on a d;vi-
rtion of ISS to 18.
31 li. LAfrniER'S SPEECII
(SlTTIMi Ol'- THE 'JStU MaKCU)
ii"'"'
i
I ■fUi.
\
m
ft
Tt is not often thai we on tliia side ot'ilio House
<;an liiivo the iii'ivih',ij;e of s<up[)orting tlie policy of
the Ciovernnient. In tills in.stiince, wlicii the lution
of the (iovernnicnt i? ai=Hivile(l hy ii nunilier of their
sujiportei's, whiMi their action hii3 already caused an
agitation Avliieh unfortunately in not unmixed with
religious l)itterne.3S, not one word certainly will fall
from my li]is which would tend to fan those religious
ilames ; and T may say at once, rei)eating what was
Baid this afternoon by my honorable friend from Jiotli-
well(\Ir. Mills), in the admirable speech he delivered,
that the course of the {Joverniuent receives, with a
few exceptions which T respect, the entire support of
the L,beral party. No other courseiMr. S{»eaker, than
the course which wo intend to take on this side of the
House, would be consistent with the policy which we
have been advocating for the last fifteen or twenty ^
— nay, ever since Confederation has been in rxi-:'
And, Sir, I hasten at once to congratu' ' " ''
ernment upon the fact that at last the
to the true policy which they have en foii .ii
(jX .IK.-l rr.-< KHTATKS HII.l,
•li>.1
ajiiiinst. tli;i1 the only 1ri.-ji- uiinn whicli wo can suc-
ces.sl'ully carry on IhiH ('onri'dcration is to rcfoLiui/c
llic i)riiicii>l(' of pi'iiviiu'ial riulits. And I cinnot Iml
Hiiy alno tliat if the (invcrniucut to diiy luivo to t'acc
tliis troulilc in tlicir own tainit. il'tiicy have to meet
this aj^itntion which is now K"i'i}^ on in tiic I'rovince
of Ontario, and of winch the hoiionildc nicmlicr fur
N'nrtli Siiocdc (Mr. Mc( 'artliy ) said yesterday we iiave
not seen the last, it is due ullo>,a'thor
ip
ro TUV. VK'Iors I'OITCY
which lias heen I'ollowcd hy the Adndnistration, and
heloro tlio con«e(incnce3 of which tliey have at last tn
recede; it is duc! alto;i;eilier to tlie manner in wliich
they liave governed tliis country, and to tlie means
they luive used to ol)tain a nuijority to sniiport tliem.
Sir, tlii.s is not a party <iuestion ; it is at nio>t a family
([Uarrel ; it is simply a ilomesti'' dii-turiiance in the
raidvs of the (.'onservative party. A i-cction of the
C^onservative i)arty now reipiire tlie (.iovernment to
stand up or to .stand ditwn. whichever it may he. to
the cxiutmcies ot" the doctrine ol' disallowance, such
as the (iovcrnment has taught it, and such as the (lov-
er nnuMit more than once called upon them to act upon.
Well, there must alway.s he a day of rctrihution, and
that day I think is coming for the Government. The
two chief provinces of which this Cont'ederation is
composed are vastly dissimilar. One is French in
origin ; the other JJritish. One is Catholic in religion ;
the other is Protestant. And in each are to he found
the prejudices peculiar to the creed and race of each.
I say prejudices, and T u-ie the word advisedly, nor
do I use it'in any contem[)tuous sense, for everyhody
must recogni/e tlie fact that, wherever you find strong
convictions, you generally find an exaggeration of
feeling very apt to carry men heyond the legitimate
conseiiuence of their convictioiis. Now, ever since the
year IS.")!, I charge against the Government and
against the Conservative party that they have Ijeen
( I
•iOG
SPEECH
nl)!o to retain power, almost without interruption,
largely by pandering to the prejudices of the one pro-
vince and the prejudices of the other province, In the
good Catholic province of Quebec, to whicli I belong,
the party supporting the Administration liave always
represented themselves tif. the champions of the
Koman Catholic cause. They have always denounced
their opponents, the Liberals of French origin like
myself.as men of dangerous doctrines and tendencies.
They have always represented the Liberals of Ontario
as men actuated in all their actions and inspirations
by a h.atred of everything French and Catholic. At
the same time, in the good Protestant Province of
Ontario, the same party has always been held up to
the frf)nt as the party of unbending and uncompro-
mising Prot»?stantism and the Conservative press to-
day represent honorable gentlemen on this side as
basely pandering to the influence of the French i)eoi>le
and of the Catholic persuasion. Now this game has
been for a long time success 'ul, but,* perhaps, before
going further, I may recall this fact, known by all
tliose who are now listening to me. that
TIIK ATTITrDE OF THE CONSERVATIVE I'AUTV
of Ontiirio lias always been just what T represent it to
be. It may not be so well known tiiat, at the same
time, the Liberals of Ontario are charged by the Con-
servatives of the province of Quebec, not with pan-
dering to the Catholi(nnfluence,bur with Ijeing hostile
to Catholic influence — and so the charges work both
ways.
In one Province the Liberals are charged with
one offence, and in the other with another. I could
(piote columns upon colunnis of the press whicli
supports the right honorable gentleman to prove what
I say, btit I shall limit myself to oneshort paragraph.
The school question iii Ontario is a burning (juestion.
The honorable member for ])ruce (IMr. McNeil) yes-
terday spoke almost of nothing else. A ft- >- days ago
their
Li ben
iias b
ahvavi
ox THE JESUITS' ESTATES BILL
497
there was in the Legishrture of Ontario a debate upon
this very question. The Government of Mr. Mowat
were charged by the Conservative ])!irty witli unduly
favoring the teacliing of the Freneli hmguage in the
schools of Ontario. The debate was commented upon
in the [irovince of Quebec; /.'( Miiwroe, one of the
papers which support the Administration, an orLran
of the Conservative party, rel'errcd as follows to this
very debate : —
The motion of tlu^ liono;;il)lo meiuhiM- for East Diu'liain
(Mr. Cniii;) was fbliowe I by u most brilliant rc^ply .sti'oii'.'ly
coiic'ived, bioa 1 in vi'sv auil conclu.siv(^ .Voni t)ii' Honorable
G. W. Ivoss, iMinisit-r ol Public Instruction. Mr. Jios.s is a (irit
of the cioari^st vvattT, but we are too niueh accustonieil to i'.io
(jiallophobio (lonuniiiations of tliat party and to the intempe-
rance of tiieir lan;:uage, wlieti the Province of Quebec is in
question, not to rejoice at anything whicli rinuotely or appro.K-
imately can loo!< uki> a conversion.
Yoa see the gist of this statement. It was charged
that the langung*; of Mr. Ross was an exce))tion,
whereas the charge made by the Conservative party
in Ontario aj^ainst the Administration for wliich Mr.
Hops spoke was the very thing which is given him
here as an exception. So it has always been. The
party has
ALWAYS HAD TWO KACKS —
Hi
n
th
lid
[ch
])h.
les-
vgo
a rigid Protestant face turning tnvards the west, and
a devout Catholic face turning towards the east. In
the province of Ontario, the rallying cry of the party
has always been : "Protestants, beware! these Grits
are weak Protestants ! ''
Some honorable members :— No, never.
Mr. Laurier : — Among the Protestants of (Quebec,
their cry has always been : " Catholics. l)eware. the
Liberals are weak and bad Catholics ! " This game
lias been successful for a long time, but it cannot
alwavs be successful, and I say the day of retribution
32
498
SPEECH
i
Mr,-»
is now coming. I say that this motion which we now
have is in many senses miicli to bo doprecatecl, and I
endorse every word which fell the other day I'rom the
honorableiiienibcn' for Nortliumberhmd (Mr.Aiitcliell).
It seeias to me that all he said then were words of
wisdom, but at tlie same time I cannot resist the con-
viction that the (.if)vcrnment ofto-chay are only reap-
ing what they have been sowing. Tliey lia/e allowed
a large class of tlie Protestant i)opiilation of Ontario
to look upon them as the chan)])ions of Protestantism.
They have aihrmed the doctrine of disallowance
among that section of the party and now that section
cries out : We have always looked upon you as the
champions of Protestnntisin ; here is legishition which
we deem ofTcnsive to the Protestiint interest and to
the interest of the country at large, and we call upon
you to exercise tiiose ptjwers of disallownnce which
ycu have so oi'ten excrci-ed in the past. Well, as far
as the Liberal party i-* conc^ined, tlieir attitude upon
this ((uestion was known before it was exjilained in
this debate. The liiberal party nlways endejivors to
meet those ijuestioi's, fronj a point of view that
would include all different religious interepts. Among
the many questions winch diviiled the two parties,
there is no one upon which the policy of the two
parties has been so clearly cut as upon this. The
Conservative party, led by tlie right Imnorable gen-
tleman, ha"' e always held the doctrine that they have
the right to review the legislation of any Local Legis-
lature. We, on the other hand, have always pretended
that the only way to carry out this Confederation is
to admit the principle that within its sphere, within
the sphere allotted to it by the constitution.
EACH PROVINCE IS (illTE AS INDEPENDENT
of the control of the Dominion Parliament, as the
Dominion Parliament is indei)endent of the control
of the Local Legislatures.
On the contrary, the honorable gentleman has
ox THE JESriT:? ESTATES BILL
490
ii
ni!iiiitjiin"(l iitroin nnd a^nin upon the floor (if this
House and by administrative acts that lie claimed the
power to review local legislation, to see whether it
was ri[,dit or wrong, and, if he found it clashing with
his ideas of right, to set it a?ide. We all remember
the famous Streams" Bill. What was the language
used on that occasion by the honorable gentleman?
Ke claimed that it was a question of purely prov-
incial rharacter, that it was one which was clearly
within the competence of the Legislature of Ontario,
and yet the honorable gentleman took it upon liim-
self to disallow it, and for what reason ? For no other
reason th;i.u that tlie act claslie(J with his own opinions
of what was right and wlial was wrong? lie spoke as
follows in rfgard to it : —
Rut here, whore we iueoiio country and all togotlier, iiml
we go iVoni one province to another as \v(! do troni one county
to finotli'T anil from one tnvn to :niother, is it to he l)orne
tliat hiws wliu'h hind civilize I society together, whicli distin-
guish civilivatinn from liarliarism, protect life, reputation and
l)ro|)erty, siioiiM he ilissimilai' : that wiiat should he a merit in
one province should ln> a crime in another, and that dillereut
laws shoukl prevail ?
Upon that occasion the honorable gentleman took
upon himself to review the law of the provioiie, and.
finding it wa^ not consistent with what he l)elievedto
be rigid, ho disallowed it. It shocked the tenderness
of the right honorable gentleman's conscience that
the Legislature of Ontario provided that Mr. Cald-
well could not pass his logs througli Mr. McLaren's
improvements without paying toll, though the Privy
Council afterwards decided that, without the law,
Mr. Caldwell could have used those im[)rovement3
without paying any tolls at all. The honorable gentle-
man now comes to the doctrine \vhich has been very
many times advocaticd on this side of the House, that
he hag not to consider whether this provincial legis-
lation is good, bad or indifTerent ; it is altogether
within the competence of the Local Logislature of
500
frI'EECJI
1;
Quebec, unci tlierefore, says he, let it pass. Let us
rf.ad tlie report of tlie Minister nf Justice of the day
0.1 the Streams' \MU and compare it with the report of
tae Minister of Justice upon tlie present occasion.
Tlie Minister of Justice said : —
I think tho power of llie Local Lejiislatuie to take aw.iy tliu
rights ol'o'.io man and vest them in another as is done by tins Act,
is excc'dingly doubtful, hut, assuming tliat such rigiit docs,
in strictness, exist, I think it devolves upon tliis Govermuent
to see tJiat such power is not exercised, in ilai/rant violation
ot'privati' I'lghts and natural justice, especially \vlifn,as in this
(■as(>, ill addition to intei'Cci'ingwith private rights in the way
alliKh'd to, the Act overrides a decision of a coiu't of compe-
tent jiuisdiction, by d<>clariiig retrospectively tliat the law
always was, an 1 is, diflFerent iium that laid down by the court.
Now, lot US look at the report of the Minister of
Justice in the present case. Tt is extremely short and
sweet. The Minister of Justice simply says, referring
to some petitions asking for disallowance : —
Before the iietition in ([uestion came before him for his
consideratinn the undersigned had already recommended to
Your Excellency that the Act in question should be left to
its ojieration. The niemorials rcferretl to have not convinced
the undei'signed that that recommendati'UsliouUl lie changed,
'the subject-matter of the Act is one of jirovincial concern
only, Jiaving relation to a fiscal matter entirely within the
control of the Legislature of 'iuebec.
^Vell, Mr. Speaker, this is
SOUND JJI5ERAL DOCTRINE.
This is the very doctrine which has been always
maintained and supported on tiiis side of the IfouBe,
and once more I beg to tender ni}' thanks and my
congratulatior , to the honorable gentleman on hav-
ing at last con; to the true ancl only basis uptm
which this constitution of ours can be satisfactorily
maintained and supported. It takes a long time,
?.
ON THE .TESriT.-* ESTATES RILL
r,01
lidwovor. tor a true principle to penetrate the per-
vertetl niimls, as I might ^ay, ut'the honorable geutle-
mcn opposite. No. I beg their pardon, it doea not
always take so long a tini;'; sometimes the operation
is as fast as at others it i^ dow, (^nh' threr" weeks agn,
Ave tendered advice to th(^ Administration as to the
manner in v.hieh Ihoy .-..h uld treat our irieiids to the
Houth in reference to tlie iTodits rivcnfU. Our advice
was treated with contcmiit, nnd it was stated by
honorable gentlemen oppositethat the proposal would
be received with scum l)y the people of this country ;
and yet, within tliree wee'rs. they have changed their
minds and accepted the jndicy which we suggested,
r can only say tluit, as long as the Administration
continue to act in tliat way, first to reject the policy
of the Opiiosition and then to steal our clothes and
dress themselves in ihem, the country would not lie
the loser. T had hesitated, before T resolved tosjieak
on his question, whether 1 should conline myself to
this statement and then sit down. bntTcannot ignore,
no one who has ui hcail the interests of ihi.; country,
the peace and harmony of this country, can ignore
the agitation wliicli is now going on in tht! [U'ovince
of Ontario. Comintr as I do fr
om
til
e province of
Quebec, being a member of the Catholic })ersuasion
and a supporter of the Government which passed the
legislation, I cannot but view with deep concern the
attempt which is now being made to arouse our Pro-
testant lVdlow-(;itizcns in the province of Ontario
against that legislation, j^et me say this, which must
be t>l)vious to every honoral)le member, tliat, if we
apjiroach tliis question, or any ([uestion, from the
])oint of view of tlie religious opinions which any of
us prot'ess, we are apt to stand upon very narrow,
verv unsafe, and
VKRV I)AXGKIlor< GliOlXD.
I say dangerov'? ground because it is a matter of his-
tory, that it is always in the sacred name of religion
502
SPEECH
S'» rf.
that tlie most savaso jnission-j of inanldnd have been
excited and some of the most sht)ckiiig crimes liave
been committed. In tliis matter, I cannot forget the
fact, as I liuve stated, that an attempt lias been made
to arouse tiie feelings of the province of Ontario, but
I liope that tliat attemi)t will not cavr}', and tliat a
better sentiment will prevail ; I hope that tlie tem-
perate language which we have heard to-(hiy, will
be understood, and, though this legislation may be
o])jectionable to some jjcoplc. yet that every one v.ill
understand that in these subjects we must make
allowance for the feelings of others. What is the cause
of the agitation which is now going on ? What is the
cause of the legislation which has been the source of
so much turmoil ? Sir, it is simjdy this ; It is a matter
of regret that the Euroi)can nations. France and Eng-
land, when they came to this continent, brought with
them not only their laws and institutions, not only
their civilization, but brought also their hatreds. At
this moment, and for more than seventy years past,
France and England have been at peace, and it is
given to our generation to witness a spectacle which
•would have seemed almost improbable, not tosayim-
])ossible, a few years bel'ore. We have seen France
and England arrayed together against a common foe ;
and to us British subjects of Fr^^nch origin, JJritish
subjects who have learned to love England, who ap-
l)reciate her l^enevolent rule, who would not go back
to the allegiance of France, but who still ever clnrish
in our hearts the love of the land of our ancestors, no
S])ectacle could be more consoling than to see
TllK BANNEUS OF FRAN'CE AND ENGLAND
^i
waving together on the banks of the Alma, on the
heights of Inkerman and amid the ashes of Sebasto-
pol. Such is the case to-day. Such was not the case,
however, at the time of the discovery of America, at
tile time of the establishment of English and French
posts upon this continent. On the contrary, at that
mm'
ox TIIK JESUITh' E8iATi:s lULL
503
time French iind Englisli luid been arrayed for goue-
nitiona and ceuturies in deadly feuds. Thoy brouj;lit
over tlie.se feud.s with them, they brought over with
them the enmity which had divided them in Euro^^o,
and here on thi.M coutiiiont the}' sought each other
acro.-^d lakes and rivers, mountains and forests, and
endeavored to inflict upon each other all the injury
they possiiily iiuld. They had before them the bound-
less space of this virgin continent, but they entered
into a deadly wai' for the possession of the miseralde
huts which constituted their lirst e-tablishnicnts.
Well, the long duel, as we know, was settled on the
. ne war, however, was can
ied
})lains of Abraham,
on for a year longer by the Chevalier do Levis, and
the continuation of the war had no material effect
except to extract from the victoi' most generous terms
jf cai>il .ilation. These terms have been referred to,
The reli'nous co
m-
I need not refer to them again.
munities were granted all their possessions as freely
tl
le
as if they had renuiined under the domain
French King. It was st;ited by the honorable memher
I'or Muskoka (Mr. O'Jhien) when he openeil this
debate. tli;it the Terms of Ca])itulation had l)een mod-
ilied by the Treaty of Paris. For my part I am not
able to see the difference, but if difference there be,
I am ijuite willing to admit the interpretation of it
which was given by the Uriti'^h Government it<elf.
Respecting the treatment by the British Government
of those communities whicli were })romised special
iminunitv, I can see
i ■;
NO DIFFEllENCE HETWEEN TIIEHt rOSITION
under the French regime and their condition under
the English regime. The British Government treated
those communities and the whole population, for that
matter, in religious conceins, with the greatest gene-
rosity. All the religious communities, with the single
exception of the Jesuits, were maintained in posses-
sion of their estates. There was an exception made
mi
BPEECII
J?>?,V
of tlio Jesuits, Wliat wjh the cau?o of if ? Was it liy
the right of com [Uu-il iH asaortod by ilio lionorablo
meinljer for ^^iincoe (Mr. .McCarthy)?
Mr. McCarthy: — Will the honorable gentleman
excuse me ? I did not nial<e that as.sertion. Ft \vas
b}' the introduction of the law at tho Conquest, not
by virtue of the Conquest at all — the introduction
of the Knirlish law whereby t!ie estates became foi-
feitcd to the Crown.
Mr. f-aiirier: — Solicit; T accept the correction.
I do not intend to discus?) the lej^al ai-pects of the
(jue.stion, because, in my judgment, the legal asijcct
does not come here. I'ut even if, as .stated by the
boijorable gentleaum, the British Government took
possession of these estates by virtue of the introduc-
tion of the iMiglish law into ihi.s country, slill that
nnght have applied as well to the other communities
as to the Jesuit estates. Why was fliat excej^tion
inadi'? Why were these other religious eonnnuiulies
maintained in possession of their estates, and the
Jesuits excejited ? I think that the Mini.-?ter of Justice
yesterday gave the real key of tlie dKlieulty wlicn he
fctateJ that it was
TlltC COVKTOrSNESS Ol' I.OIJI) .\MIIKKST.
■who, in 1770. obtained from the King an actual \no-
uiise of the grant of those estates. Had it not been
afterwards for the abolition of the order ))y the Pojie,
T firmly l)e]ieve the Jesuits would have continued in
the enjoyment of their estates in the same nnmner as
the other religious communities. But the order was
abolished, and after the last Jesuit had departed this
life the British CJovernment took possession of tho
estates. Then, as ^ve know, the heirs of Lord Amhest
claimed these estates in virtue (jf the prondse which
had been made in 177U by the King. But the i)ro-
tests were so strong, not only from the old inhabitants,
but from the new inhabitants as well, not only from
the (dd subjects of the King, but Jrom the new sub-
ON THE JESUITS Es^TATEB 151 1. L
605
!l
iii
jects oftlio Kiiig. tli.'vt tlm (lovt^rniiu'iit could not
curry out its intentions of miikinj; a ^wiint ul' tlieso
L'state.s to the lieir.^ of Lord Ainlicrsl. On tlie other
luuid, tliough the (Joverniiient luul taken posse.-jrfi()ii
of these estates, and tliouj^li they were promised to
Ciener;il Amliernt, the (lovernnient coiihl not pnttheni
into thegeneriil t'uad, and tliey erected them into a f-\)(^-
cial fund. But there is this to ho rememhered, whether
the hiws of Kn<j!;hind were introduced into the ct)lony
or not, whether tlie ohl hiws ((tntinued to he in force
or not, tlie old Freneli laws continued to prevail in
the country just an licfore. And there is tins also to
he rcniemliered, that under the laws of Quehec an
they existed under the French ref(iuie. property of
the nature of the Jesuits' estates, when the or(k;r had
heen abolished, would have reverted to the Ordinary
of t!ie diocese, jjroperty of tluit kind would have yone
to the Bishop of Quehec or to the liishop of Montreal.
Such was the contention of the church at that time, and
from that day up to this, the ecclesiastical autiioritios
oftlio Province of (iuel)tc have never ceased to claim
that property as rightly helon^^in,::; to them. There
has been a continuation of the protests from that
moment to the present. Protests were uuide on these
dates :
1. 4tt) I'cbniitry, IT'.i:^. l)y tiio citizens of Quobcc — :'. IStli
Novfiiibcr, IT'.t'.t, l-y iti.sfiiacc .leaii Fi!iii(;<-)i.s Ilulioit, Iji.-hoj)
ol" (^iioIkh" .i. Altoufc tilt? year IS;j."), t)y ilis (ii'aco .'or-cpli
Sii.'i:ay, I'i.sliop of (^iobcc ; His (irjic Pierro Kiavieu 'l'ur;;(>i)ii.
Jjishoji of Sy<limo, ( o.idjutov oi (^iicljec : Ihs ( iraco .le.iii -I a^'-
nut's l.aitignc, Bishop ot IV'hiHKse/Jiiind Vicar of tlie district ol
^Montreal — i. .laiiiuiry, lSt.'),by Hi.s Jracc .fo.si'jih ."sigiuiyj.Aroii-
bisho)) ot (Quebec, auil by the Bishops of .Montrv.'ii, Kiiig.iton
ami Toronto ."). .luno, 1S47, t)y tlie clcriry of the dioceses of
Montreal and (Quebec. — (>. .lannai'v, 1S74, hy the Rev. Father
'I'heopliile Clianaux. Superior (ieneral of the .Jesuits' Mission
in (ana la — 7. 'Jth Octoiier, 1'^7S, by the Archbishop of (Quebec
and Bishops of Three Hivei's, Riniouski. Montreal, .'^lierbrook e,
Ottawa, St. Hyacintho and Cliicoutiuii. — ^. l.'nd .lanuary, !S8.1,
liy the Archbishop of Quebec.
8o you see that from the moment the British
iOG
«rEECII
n
(jovornineut took i;;)S.se.s.sioii of these estates, the
church authorities of the Province of Quebec
MA'tJt rKA:-i:i) TO CLAIM THEM
an tlieir own. Now, eoiihl (liat matter have remained
in that eoiulition ■/ Cuuhl it he said in a Catlidlic
iro-
ns
country like the Province of (iuclir'c. that such ]
tests would r(iniain unheeded? Tini(! and a'^ain,
you are aware, the (iovernment of (iuehci; attempted
to dispose! of tiies<) est;ile.s and to settle tlu; (juestion.
Mr. Mereier is not tiie llr-d man in ollloe who attempted
to deal with this ciuest! <n. Time and a^ain his pre-
decessors attempted in iU) tin; same tliinjf. There
was a reason I'or that. Tliose estates are valued to-
day l>y Mr. llivard. supi'rintendent of the estates, at
the sum of i?l,2i)(l.'Kli). They yield a revenue of only
f?22,(J(tJ). less than li per cent. Smnc! of the prt»perty
is without any annual value. Take for instance the
old colh.'^e of the Jeauits in Quebec, right in the
centre of the city, o])po«ite the ilasilica. That pro-
l)crty today does not f,dve one cent of revenue, on
the contrary it is a burden upon the exche<iuer of
the Province, whereas, were the proiicrty dispo-ed of,it
would sell to advantage. Time and tinn- again, the
Government of Quebec have attcMnptc^l to dispose of
it. Ijut (ivery time the (rovernmeut placed it in the
market, the religious authorities came forward and
claimed the property as their own, and reiulercd the
a.tte!npts at sale abortive. Was that forever to remain
thus? Tlie (juestion was opened more than mice. ^Ir.
Deliouchcrville, in 187^, endeavored to enter into
negotiations to settle the case with tlie religioug
authorities of the Province. lie did not succeed. It
has been asserted many times in the press, though
the fact ha-< never been stated ofhcially, that Mr.
nha])!eau. when in olHoe, entered into negotiations
with the religious authorities, and went so far as to
ofler 8o00,00U for the removal of the claims of the
reli<i-ious autliorities on these estates. Of this I do
ON THE .IK.sriTS KSTATES 1!II,T,
-07
iiot know the exact tnitli. I ciui inily sprak rioiii
the I'umorH ))iihli^'h(Ml in tlio presH. Hut ii is (|uite
certain that Mr. Hohh, wlio succceihMl him ;;^ rrcniier
u lew years afterwards, entered into ni'^'otiatinnp for
tlie settlement of the estatesi. Notliing canieoftiii'
uejiotiatlons, and why? Uccau.-e it reijuired some
coiiraue to deal witii the (iiicstinn and to .settle it,
liecau.-eit was certain that whoever der.lt with it,
would liavc to face nuich prejuulce, aa those events
have proved.
MK. MKliCIKK HAD TUF, CoriJAOK
to grapijlc with this question and to settle it, and, if
nuthinjj; el.se in the career of Mr. Mercier remained to
stamp him as a statesman, there would he this, that
he had the courage to deal with this (iU('-<tion, and
this would give him that title. The (piestion, T think,
had to he settled. In what numner was it settled ?
It was settUul ju.^t in the manner which was most
fair to all : it was settled hv coiupronnso. Mr. Mer-
cier in effect said to the religious authorities: I hold
these estates as the rejjresenlative of the C-'rown ; the
right lielongs to the province of Quehec; ; our title to
them is legal; I do not admit that you have a legal
title to them, while on the (jther hand you ]tretend
you have a legal title. ]'>e tliat as il may, he saiil,
let us make a sacrifice each of our )n'etensiuns : T hold
tlie projjerty and the whole of the estates, and you
claim the wdiole of them ; let us com])romise, and" let
us settle the (luestion forever. Now, T ask every man
in this House, no matter what his iirejudice may he,
I ask the honorahle memher for Muskoka (Mr. (J'Brien)
himself, in whose fairness I have the greatest confi-
dence, was there ever a mf)re fair method ailopted of
disposing of a puhlic question than that which was
adopted in this case? Of cour,-e, it is (luite ea^iy for
the editor in his easy chair, it is (juite easy lor the
piuhlisher in his oilice, it is (juite easy for the clergy-
man in his study, to settle questions according to
I
r.08
Pi'KErn
fixf-d tlicnrif!'^. iiut tlic publif iii.'in \n ofTioo or in Opiio-
sitioti cuuiKit HctlU; a (juestion accorclin^ to lixcil
tlu'oricH, hut lio lijts to consult tli(( wislioH, tint oiily
tlio wialu^;^, aye, hut the passions and tlie prcjuiluicM
ol'tlic iM(0|(h! with uiioni lii- hiH to (U'ul. And in ii
country like tiic iirovincc ot' iiiui'hoo w here Ihorc iire
nior(! tiian 1 ,( )(!().( i(i() of (Jatiioiici inhahitiint.s, witii u
reguhirly confllitutod hirrarchy, witli such ii. tdaini ns
tlie Ciitholic oi'clr>«ia.^ti('al authoritios cnuhl picHont.
WHS it lu be aaid that thi." (lucsliou
SIIOI I.n FOR KVKlf. kKMAIN ol'KN
';af :,
and iiu'5»c lands never ho dispoFied of for tho advan-
tajre of the cx('ho(iiu'r of thf I'rovinco ? It sopuihi to
tn(! that upon that (lU''^tion F can appi^al ai!;iin wit It
conlideiwu) It) tho tcstiinony of all tho'^c wlio will
approach the (piostion with an uuhiass(Ml mind. Alter
a.ll. Mr. Sp< akor, there is hut •)ne way which has been
invented yet to c;'overn men .sa.tisfactorily, and it i.s
to •,ntvern ihom according; to the wishes which are
expresstHl by public opinion. I do not mean to say
that i)ubli'- opiiiion is alwn> rf ri;.dit,that ]uiblic opinion
always comes \\[\ to tlu; standard of eternal justice or
truth ; I do not mean to pay that public opinion
always comes u]) to the standard of wordlv wis(b)m,
but if you govern the peoi)le ace()r(linp; to public
opinion you are sure to have peace and harmony in
the land and when this question was settled it was
settled accordinu to the wishes of the i)ublic opinion
in the province of Quebec, and by so doing you have
peace and harmony in the land. Now, if you are to
attem})t to ovi^rritle the well known wishes of the
population of the province of <iuebec, instead of
harmony and ])eace, you will have probably discord,
the conseiiuences of which I would fear to h)olv at.
Such is the reason why this ([Uestion has been settled
in the manner in which it has l)een settled. IJut it
has been insisted by the honorable mendjer for Siincoe
(Mr. McCarthy) and Ijy some other honorable mem-
ON TIIK 'ESIITS' EmTATKS BIM.
rr,9
liciH iiUo, that this leniflhitioii wuh oircnhivr iVoin u
I'rotestiuit point of view. Well Htran^'oto say, tlio
I'nitcstiUit iiiitioiMty in r('i)r<'S(Mit('(l in the r-c;:ishitur(f
111' the in'iivilirc nl' (^iW'iifC. TlicV hliVc, 11' I ItliicnililT
ri^'htly, Bonin 12 mciiiln-rs ol'tlic i'r()tt'.-<taiil ittTsiiaHinii
ill tho I'rovincial I.cj^'islutMii', A\'h' n thi-i iiu(-<ti(m
canio to he discuHst'd
TWO .\It.Ml!l-;US OM.V I'Uo'l'K.'-rKl),
and tlu'y jirotcstcd vory mildly. And th<y protritcd
againnl what'.'' Only a,nain?-:t one slnj^le icalui'e ol'tlic
act, against the fact tiuit the name oflfis Iloliiu-ss
the I'opc appcjircid in tlio picamld(^ of the act. Mr.
Merc ier j^nvc them at tliat moineut the; very answer
(luoted yesterday hy tlie Minister of Justice, and he
t(dd them : Tf yon do not want the name of the l'o}ie
in this matter, you will sn,i;-;:'e.'-l the name of any one
to put in his i)lace. It was a comprond.=e with tlio
reli;_Mous authorities of the provinc(> of (iuehce, and
I think Mr. .Mercier acted fairly and i)rudenHy in
dealin^' directly with th(^ head of the Roman Catiiolic
church, lli.s arguments wer<.' so convincing that tho.-^e
ohjections were not pressed, the act passed uriani-
nnuisly, and Mr. Mercier was enahled to sp<'ak in tlie
following terms of the attitude of his I'rotestant col-
leagues : —
I tliiiiik tiif i'lotcstiint memhors tor tlio moderation witli
wliicli they liiivr ilisrusscil tills iiucstion. It is ;i Lrood ruaeii.
'I'lic unaiiiinity whioli now jJieviiils is ii jn'Odt'tliat the (liU't'ivnt
rucoa of which our poiniliitioii i.s coniiiosod.liiive livtul in peace
and harmony iiiid appioacli tlie most dclic'ite f|ii('.stions with
tliut spirit of oonciliiition which accoinjilislu's woiiuiM's when
it is piojierly diroctiul.
Well, this legislation is not satist'actory to our
Protestant friends, or to .some of them at least from
Ontario. Still if the J'rotestants of (Quebec are satis-
tied, who can object '.■' I understood that it was said
a moment ago by the honorable memljer fur liunt-
) 1
I il
610
SPEECH
ingdon (Mr. Scrivor"). that tlie Prntostauts of Quebec
are not all Siitisfied. They may not all be satisiied,
indeed. It is very seldom that upon any question
that may come up men of the same creed, of tlie same
race, "will I'c entirely satisfied ; but if anybody has a
ri^dit to s-j/cak for the Protestant minority of the jiro-
vince of Quel)cc, are they not
%■■ ■
. ■ •;
4
-1
■■-I
§>:•.
: ' *■
THOSE Win. ATIE ei.ei;tei.'
})y the [leoplc of that province to represent them in
'the Legislature, antl if tlie.je do not choose to make
any reitresentation. if the^e on the contrary say that
after all this (luestion has been settled and ai)i)roved,
no one else has the right to complain. But the honor-
able juenil)er for Simcoe (.Mr. ,^^cC'arthy), it a|)pears.
has no ointidence in tliose wlio Mpresent his fellow
countrymen in the province of (Quebec. If I am to
belicN e what he said yesterday, lie has Imt a poor
opini')n of those who iiavo lieen entrusted by his
fellow religionists in the province to take charge of
their in^^arcsts in the Legislature. These were his
words yeste'\lay :
Does tliis look as if tlio I'roto.stants oT the proviriiKi of
Quel)ec were <lesiroiis, and willing, an 1 anxiou.s that this legis-
lation sliouM vom liti unchangi^d, or ih.ios it not look as if, wave
tlie Protos:ant ininoiity in that province given rcasoualilc
encouriigi'iui'n*:, th''y woiiM gi't ji'stice — an'l no niori' than
jtistioe aro t'ney entitled to, an 1 no more than jvi.-tiuo 1 hope
thoy will cvtjr ask tor — fVoir. the Pariiauieiit of this country,
'riion they will be up and doing, to get their sh ire of the legis-
lation, but in the lA^gislaturo of that province, cijupose 1 as it
is now, tlii>y caniiot (wpect it. Th'M'e wa-i no Protestant repre-
sentative in tiie Cabinet ol tliat province niuil reeentlv, ai I,
when one was clvosen, lie had to be elected in spite :f the vote
of the Protestaiit iinnority.
Now, Yv'ithout going any farther, I wish to take
issue u"pon this i)oint with the honoralde gentleman
from North Sioicoe (Mr. McCarthy), when he savs
I
: i4 I
I! m «|
ox .lESriTS ESTATE nil.T.
Till
Lorp tliiit Colcinfl Illindpy was imt olcclcd in M(\2anti(^
liy the i'ldtestant minority. Tlio Cnunty ol .\|(';:antio
is a mixed county. Colonel Rhodes, the Minister ot
Afrricultuve, was elected two or three ni(»nths after
this Act has l)een i^assed. and it was an issue u])on
wliich the electors hiul to ])ass. Colonel Uhodes polled
the majority of the Krencli and Catholic votes. Imt T
say that Colonel Rhodes iilso polled the majority ot'
th(> I'rotestant votes. As to this T do not pivo my
own testimony. I have not yet had an occasuai to
look at the (ip-ures. But I give the testimony o(
Colonel Rhodes himself, who. on the day of the elec-
tion, teletrrajihed that he had heen upheld hy the
majority of the I*rotestant electors of the County of
Megantie. Then the honi'rahle mendter for North
8imcoe (Mr. McCarthy) goe.s on to say.
I (\'in unileistanl that, if tliero were ii tii^htiug m;in in
tlifU llduse, like the honorable nieuibcr who leads tlie thinl
party here, theie nii^ht l)e a clianec; of ohtaining sometliui^'
,'il'Ci' justice, Imt men with that .-kill and .alulity, witli parlia-
mental y khnwlcilge to ha-.k it, are not to in- found every day,
and we are not to jml.^e ilie Protestant representatives of tl*e
province ot'(2u(liee lai that hiLili .-tandaid.
And why not. ]Mr. Speaker. " cf that high stand-
ard ? " Can it he that the Protestants of the province
of Quehec, who have placed themselves at the head
of the trade of the country, still are so ]»ackward in
this respect tli;it they canitot send to the [.egislature
a man of stantling to represent them? Can it 1>(^ that
the Protestants of the province of (Quehec liave to he
taken under thi^ fostering care of my honor.dde friend
from Simcoe ? Can it he thai they
'■\
j
II
It
ifi
CANNOT MANAC.E TP.EIIl OWN AFKAIliS?
Can it he they cannot look after their own interests?
I have .iiore eonfidence than my honorahle friend in
the ah'iity (>fthe Protestant rej>resentatives in the
province of Qutl'eo. hecause T happen to know they
f
,^'tiii»^:aiii«fe>»i.-
512
SPEECH
i
[I'i
V!
are men of inerit, men of ability, and somo (jf tlio
greatest abi'ity. lUit, Mr. Speaker, if tliat is ilie
opinion wliitli tlie honorable gentleman entertains of
liis own countrymen and co-re'iginnists in the pro-
vince of Que'.jec ; if he Ijelieves that tliey are n(jt ,ihlo
to take eare of their own intere-^ts. but {hat tlie Pro-
testant? of other provinces must come to their rescue,
perhaps lie would Ite interested to know what is the
opinion which is entertained by :=oine of tiie Protest-
ants of (iuebec of those too zealous Protestants of the
province of Ontario who want to lake up the cudgels
<)u their behalf. I hold in niy hand an. extract from
a pa[ier published in tlie Ka-(ern Townshi|)S. the
Waterloo Ailvcriisrr. edited by a disciple and a life-
long friend of the late Mr. iruntin'j;t!in. as good and
as strcjng a Protestant as ever lived. This is how the
paper S])eaks ;
IS
Evoiy patriotic Ciiiialiaii iiui-t di>iiloi(> h? intemppratp
discussion tiiat Iris heoii provoki-il liy the .Ji-uits' bill, riio
iiu'asm'(^ has htmo.ni^ law, and no amount of coiitrovcr-v can
altor the I'act. It is altogetluM' 11k> do:ui'stin concern oi' the
*l)!'0vini'0 ot Quol)L'(;, .'ind any outside inti'rl'ci'once is si:uply
ineilillesonic ami impertinent. Thu parsons and the (Jran^o-
im-n of ( )ntarlo have joined hands to make war on the Catholics
ot'ti'ueVjoc!. The LoLrisIature has scttleij the old <lisi)utc, nwr
the .Jesuits' estates in a iuann(^r satisfactory to the peoiile. .\
source ol ii-ritalion and iliseontent lias been remove<l once for
ail. The.Jesuits' 'Jill passed the Legislatiu'c, practically, with-
out a dissenting voice. The chosen representatives el the
Protestiuit luinoiity accepted it as a fair settlement of ;i vexed
question. Tin.' basis of settlement called ibr an expenditure
of piiblie fun<ls, and to obviate any possibility of jealousy on the
])art of the Protestant minority proportionate sum was at the
same time voted for the trotestant education. That was fair
amlju.-t and it was so uiiiUM'stooil by the minority. The Protest-
ant minority in tiiis i>rovinoe i< cpiite al)le to take care ol itself.
In the i)Ui'i'ly domestic coneefn< of the |jiovince, it ad\s no
a-sistaiice and exjiects no syiiij athy from outsitlers. Taking
it all in all,the minority has been fairly treated by the majority.
There may have been friction at times, but there has not been
in the history of the province an instance in which the powers
of tlie majority have been used to crush or injure the ininoiity.
ON TIIK JESUITS ESTATES DILL
513
If the {';itlio!k's ami Protestants arc aide to got along togctluu'
peac .'ably, why shouM Ontario interfere? Tlie FrotestanD
minority as a uiiole has not and does not eomplain of the
.I(*suit settlement. Jt is reco^ni/.ed by broad niindt'(l and
]iatrintic men as lioing the Ijest thing that could have been
done inider the eircnm.-tances.
Sucli, ]\Ii'. Spcjikcr, is tho opinion ontortiiined in
the Eastern Townsliips at least liy one section of ilio
people. N()\v,tny honorable friend from llunlhigilon
(Mr Scviver) a moment ago referred to the
TUEATMENT oF THE MINORITY
in tlie province of Quebec. I have the greatest res-
pect, as my friend laiows, for everything which he
utters, an<l T am sure ho will agree witii me in one
thing — if the Protestant minority in the i)rovinceof
Q.uebec have an} thing to complain of — and I listened
to \\\\[\t might be calhid the list of grievances which
we heard read to-day by the honorable member for
NorfolkC.Mr. Charlton) — but if the Protestantnnnority
have anything to complain of, I ask : Are thcv not
themselves rc3[)onsible for it ? In all that list of gri(!v-
ai\ces which were read, is there an act of legislation
against which they have ever protested ? Have they
not always supjiortb 1 Ihs Conservative i)arty which
hag always l)een in [jower, and has not every one of
these items in the list which we have heard recited an
grievances, lioen passeil by the Conservative jiarty
■which the Protestants of Queliec always sup[)ort ? 8ir,
I have si.nply to say this, speaking as a Canadian of
French origin, that if my fellow-countrymen of Ih'itish
origin have any grievances, real or imaginary, let
them come before the Legislature of <iuebec ; and al-
thctugh T have not a seat in that T erislature I can claim
that I have some inlluence there; nay, I do not want
any inlluence, I know that the m.'ijority of the mem-
bers in that House, the < on.scrvative minority as well,
■would be ever ready to give them what remedial le-
gishition tliev may think for tlnir bcuetit. But up to
32
i \
\
'^^l!
514
.SPEECH
a few duys ago, T never beard tliat the Protestant
minority
HAD ANYTHINf; TO CO.MI'I.A IN (iF
in the treatment whicli they have received iVom (lie
majority ot' tlie province of Quebec, and if they bad
any seriou.-^ Lrrievanc(^:;, can it be tiihl upon the llooi
ot thin, Parlianiont that tlie.se grievances would not
have been ventilated before the representatives of the
jicoplo? I re[)eat what I said a moment ago. ft is
quite easy for the editor in bis chair, or the clergy-
man in bis i-tudy, nr for any parly who ha^ no re-
sponsibility to the i)ublic at large — it is quri-e easy for
them tn determine (piestions by fixed theories, but it is
another thing to fix them nci^ording to the will of the
peo])le. and I do i^ot admit that there is any serious
grievance so long as tliose grievances arc not venti-
lated uiion the lloor of the House of the Provincinl
Parliament. The iionorable member for riimeoe (Mr.
McCarlliy) also said something yesterday about ^^r
laimed that Mr. Jolv had
I'cn ousted tVdin
Joly.Hei
pnliiic lil'e. 1 do nut know by whom, but I supjin
he iiK^ant bv the Liberal i)arty.
Mr. McCarthy :— Tfear. hear !
Mr. L.-.nrier : — The homiraide mem^iev says : '" htar.
hear." Mr. Joly had been in power for some eighteen
months and he was ousted from jiower by the must
dishone.-'t warfare which ever public man had to sutfer
in this country. Mr Joly was ousted fmm power largely
by a violation of the constitution, perpetrated Iiythis
Parliament, and in which the honorable member for
Simcoc Avas himself instrumental. Tf Mr. Joly had
had anything like I'air play, I believe that to this day
he wonhl have been in power in the province of
Quebec. Mr. Joly never had anything to suffer at
the hands of the Liberal jiarty ; on the contrary, Mr.
Joly is a man for whom we have the greatest respect.
We have ditTered from him upon one (juestion, and
one question only, the question which arose out of
Wfi
ON THE .IKSriTS ESTATK.S lUr.I,
515
tlie rchcllinii in tlip North- Wc^t. r[>iiii that (jut'-;tiim
Mr.Joly took one course, and wo took a different
course. I am imt to articur this (luestion over afj;aiu,
Init I have simply to -ay thi.s to tlie honoral)le memlier
for Simcoe. that in the hisl election whicli took place
in Megantic. where a I'rote=tant repiosentativo ol'the
CaliiiU'l 111' Mr. Mcicior was hoforc t!u' peojije. and
wlii'U this very question was to he testcil at tiic poll.<,
.Ml'. .lolv came down
AM> srrrouTKP thk i amud.vtk
and the policy of the (iovernuient. It is evident. .M r.
fc^l eaker, I'rom tlie discussion which we have iiad in
this I'arliamcnt since yesterday, that though the Act
if objectionahle to some })eople — and T find no t'ault
^vith the honoralilc nicndier for Muskoka. T find no
fault with my honcrahle friend for i^inieoe, f;ir hold-
ing the views they hold —I would not attrihute to
them iither than ihe motive of conscience, that they
aie doing what they think for the hest. they arerepre-
fienting what they deem to he in the interest of the
l)eoi)le at large — hut it is manifest to me that their
judgm at has been consideral)iy Idassed hy tlie fact
that the name of the Jesuits has been introduced in
that legislation. It seem-i to me manifest that the
apipearance of that name has evoked a fresh outhurst
of hostility wduch that celebrated order has been sub-
jected to in many lands and in many ages. Now, it
is said that they are dangerous men. Sujipose all
that has been said were true, wouldthat lie any reason
to refuse them the justice to which they are entitled?
Suppose they were dangerous men, as it is represented
they are ; that might perhajis be a reason to refuse
them civil rights, to rei'usethem recognition. lUit they
were incorporated by the province of Quebec two
years ago, and the act whicli incorporated them re-
ceived the approval of one of those weak Protestants,
according to the member for Simcoe, who represent
the u.iuority in the Legislature of Quebec. Mr.
ti -V'.W-l-
0:
m>..- i
516
SPEECH
Lynch, a fellow Conservative of the honorable mem-
ber for Simcoe, speaking on that occasion, used this
remarkable language ; —
Mr. Lynch, on the bill to incorjiorate the Jesuits, saiil that,
notwithstaiiding Avliat might be thought in some quartiM's,
tlierc was nothing in the bill alarniin'^ in its chararlci'. We
were living in an age when wisdom i)rovaileil, living in an ago
when li-eeilom was sni>)iose(l to exist the world ovei-. and no-
where in the Dominion of Her ^Majesty did liberty i)revail more
than in the province ol' (Quebec. In committee, with a consi-
deration of fairness which characterized members of the House,
certain portions of the preamide were stiiick out. Now is it
possible that the intelligent public opinion of the province of
Quebec should deny those .Jesuit Fathers the civil I'itihts which
we have gianted to everyone else? If there is any religious
aspect to this i|U(>stion,it should be settled elsewhere than in
this House. If there is anything in this bill against civil rights,
let us sti ike it out. Untd this is shown,! am prepared to
support this bill.
.1
i 1 I
; .1;
And 3Upi)orted the 1)111 was, and it became law.
Under such circumstances, it seems to me tliat the
explosion of bitterness which we have seen to-day and
yesterday
COMES RATHER TARDILY.
But, Sir, any man, be he friend or foe of the Jesuit
Order, must at least give them credit for this, that
they re;)el and deny all the charges which are made
aganiftt them ; they repel and deny the dangerous
doctrines whicli are attributed to them. Now, I would
not enter upon lliat question for one moment were it
not for the remarks which fell to-day from my friend
the honorable member for Nortli Norfolk (Mr. Cliarl-
ton ) ; l)ut I cannot allow sucli views as those which
have been expressed to pass without some comment,
though this iir not the proper sphere or time either to
defend or attack the Jesuits. Kvery one fai\dliar with
French literature knows that Pascal, in his celeijrated
" Lettres Provinciales, "' has (juoted several para-
■ims^HMkOiiS^ilK
ON THE JESUITS' ESTATES HILL
51';
graphs, wiiicli he attributes to the Jesuits, of very oh-
joctioruible ch.iracter. T liavc not been ubh; for my part
to discover those extra(!ts ; I have often sought for
tlie text Ixioks; but could not find them, and I cannot
say whether tliey are ri<;lit or wrong. J>ut I know
this, that writers of as great eminence as Pascal have
asserted over and over again that all the statements
upon which Pascal based his accusations have been
refuted, time and again, ])y members of the Jesuit
Order. Now, the Jesuits, it is admitted, are a body
of able Tiieu. and, it must be admitted also, are a,
l»ody of pure men. and they are characterized by
knowledge ami high attainments ; but they are men.
are la
Uil
lie. and it would be strange indee I if in
order some were not ibund to write
they
sueli a numerou
objectional)le things. lUit suppose one of an order
were found to write objectionable things would it fol-
low that the whole order ought to beheld responsible,
as was said by nua member? So are you to conclude
that, because one of the order happens to write objec-
tionable things, the whole order are to be condemned?
Tt would be just as if you were to condemn all the
Protestant divines of Ontario becau-io the Ilev. Dr.
Wild said, a few days ago, that to kill a Jesuit was
no crime. T will not, ^[r. Speaker, push this contro-
versy any further. This is not the place, I say, to
attack the Jesuits, nor the jdaccto defend them. The
place to attack the Jesuits, in so far as this l.)ill is con-
cerned, was the Legislature of Quebec; but, whether
a man be a friend or a foe of the Jesuits, it seems to
me that their history in Canada, whatever it may
have been in other lands, has been such as to com-
mand not only admiration, but the greatest admira-
tion. They have been
THE PIONEERS OF THIS COUNTRY.
In the language of a great historian, not a cape was
turned, imt a river was entered, but a Jesuit led the
wav. Everv inch of the soil of Ontario was trodden
>s:: !
'■-i^immmi^mst^y
;is
SPEECH
1;l
m
I
Ijli '. .I.,J
■' I.,
4 ■
Ttv tlieir woary foot at least I'O 3'eivr3 boforo tliere Wii«<
iin iMiu'li^ili .settler in that province. Nay. the very
soil of the province has hecii conBecrated by tlieir
Mood, slied ill their attoiimt.-^ to win over .stnilji to the
(iiid (if Prote.-laiit.-; and Cathol
alike. Of the J("-iiit.s
T have nothing- more to say. The (juestion, as T .say
is not one lit foi' this audience ; if it is lo he
di
SCU'SPH
it should he (liscus8(>d el-ewhere than here. lUit the
resolution asserts tiiafthey have heen expelled. The
honorahle nieuiber for Sinicoe staled yesterday that
they have been expelled from several countries ; and
the hunorablo niendier for North Xorf'tlk stated to-
day that ihey have been expelled from twenty dilFe-
rent countries. Sir, this is true ; Imt, what is equally
true, thev have never yet lieen expelled from a free
country. They have been expelled from countrieg
where tru" principles of human freedom, such as' we
understand theni in I'ritish coiudries, were not
nndeistood. The honorahle geidleman told us yes-
terday that they had lieen expelled from German v in
1872.' Why is it. in a British Assembly, that "the
example of Ciermany will be given to us to imitate?
Does the honorable gentleman hold that because the
Jesuits have been exi)elle(l from (.Jermany— (Germany
ruled by a man of genius, but a desi)ot after all —
such an example shouhl be followed here? ^V'' h;!ve
been tcdd tliat the Jesuits were expelled from Fiance
in 1880. Yes, they were; andtoth^. shame of the
French republic be it said. But
THEY AKE -%OT THE ONLY MEN
who were expelled by that (oA'ernmcnt. Tn b^"^" six
or seven different religious connnunitics were exjiel-
led. Sisters of Charity were expelled— angels on
earth, if there are any, women who rcoounce every-
thing that life can give in order to give their life up
to tlie daily maintenance and succor of those who
are poor, helple-s and suffering. Not only those
religious cmtimunities, liut the princis of the House
mH
O.N TIIK .IF.SIITS KSTATICS r.Il.I,
'.I'.t
ofOrleaiH wore also expelled from Franco — nu'ii who
were the t'lila ui' Kr;i.nco. luon ol" whom more tlian
forty years ago, Prince Molternich said, when they
were intluMr boyhood; '' They are younj^ men .such a.s
there arc few and prince.-i such as there are none. '" The
])uc (rAuma'o. one of them, was expelled, one of the
noblest Hohliors of tin; French army, a man whose
goul is so hij^di that the only nuinner in which he
reijuited the cruel treatment meted out tn him wa-; to
make a gift to the ungrateful nation of the Ciiatcau
do Chautilly with all its art Ireasuro-;. T have only
this to say to an honorable gentleman whi» brings
such arguments as these: T feel ton thousand times
})roude)' of my native land, which can deal justly and
generously with the Jesuits, than of the land of my
ancestors, which, though a republic, is to-day so ro-
trogaile in its constitution ^and practice of frocdom.
that it banishes those who ilo not come up to the
standard of its own citizenship. In this matter, I am
reminded tliat tlie honorable gentleman t'rom Simcoe
(.Mr. .McCarthy) yestordaj' stated that wo of French
origin sometimtis forget that this is a JJritish country.
I have his Wi)rds here and T want to ((uote them ;
\Vo must iim'or t'oi<i:pt, saiil ho, I am atVai'l tli:it soiae ol
my fri(>nils IVom tlic I'lOvinciMit' (iuelxic- ilo .snmi^timi's forgot
that tliis is a British oountiy, tliat liy tlio Ihitmn^s of war lliat
event was doeiiled, and the greater half of this continent pas-
sed over to the British (Jrown.
Whatdid the honm-able gentleman mean by that?
I wish he had said ;i little more or a little loss. I
wish he had not contented himself with mtdsing an
insinuation, but that, if he had a cliargo to make, he
should hiive had the pluck ami the courage to make
it. I tell this to tho honorable gentleman. I am of
French origin ;ind T am proud of my origin, and I
know my fellow countrymen of Anglo Saxon race too
well not to be aware that if I h;id not the jtride of my
origin in my heart tliey would never think of me but
with the contempt which I should deserve. I am of
French origin, but
r
If
^m
^^■^m^mmm.i.
^.■♦iUSk»
J!':
i \f
m
4
m
520
fTEECH
■■:;!
I AM A IMUTISII SLT.JDCT.
The liDUoraMo mpiulicr for North Niirr<>lk- (Mr.riiarl-
ton) said, a niomciit aj;(»,lhat there sh()uld be but unc
race here.
Mr. :\rcrarthy :— Tfoar. lioar !
Mr. r.auricr : — The hDiioriiMo ffontlcinnu .say.s
"hear, hear." Well, what would tliat race he ? I^ it
theltritisli lion that is to swallow the French lanili,or
the French lainh that is to f-waUow tlie liritish lion ?
There can he more than one race. l)ut tliere sliall he
hut one nation. Scot hind has not for.ifotten her oi'i^rin.
as far as T know, Imt Scotland is jiritisii. T do not
intend to forjjjct nij' orijrin. Iiut T am a Canadian he-
fore everythiiiff. Let mo state thi.s further to my honor-
able friend, T have the pride of my oiigin ; I feel the
ptreiiji,thnf the blood \\hicli flows in my veins, but. in
the language of tlie Latin poet, I say :
lltuHO .sum ; huinaiii nihil ii ino alionuin puto.
" I am a nian ; nothirip; that relates to man is
foreign to my sym[)athy ;" but, at the same time,
though T would never forget the language of my race,
tbe language which my mother taught me, I say to
Ibe honoral)lo gentleman that if I had my choice to
return to French allegiance, never would I consent to
do so. I do not speak only my own feelings when T
thus speak, but 1 voice tlie feeling.^ of every one of my
countrymen. I do not give utterance merely to the
feelings of tbose who sit Iteside me, but I am sure I
ppeak the feelings of those F^'rench C'anadians who sit
on the other side as well, when I say that if to-day a
poll was taken in tbe province of Quebec, or all
through the Dominion of Canada, giving a choice
between allegiance to F^ngland or allegiance to France,
tbere would not lie one single vote east in favor of a
return to the allegiance to France. We would remain
Britisb subjects ; but because Ave are 13ritish subjects,
is it to be expected tbat we shall turn
ON THE .IKMITS' ESTATES BII.I,
521
TUAirnii< '1(1 ovn ()1!k;in,
tfiiilors to evfrytliing tliat iT.akos life valualilc?
Wlmt would lio life if a man had not in his veins and
in hin heart a feelin^.^ lor the hjood of his own coun-
try? The lionorahle gentleman told us yesterday that
lie was an Irishman. Would he deny the land ol'his
nneestors? Well, T would jiity him from niy lieart if
lie would. J'.ut. after all. il' ever we were to forget
that we are of Freneh origin. I am sure we could not
i'orgf t it in view of the agitation which is now goin<(
on in the provinc(M)f Ontario, hecause from day to
day, from week to week, in a certain press, we have
been a]))iealed to — we of Freneh origin — as Liherals
of French origin — lo vote for disallowance agaii)>t
the .Tcsuitfl" Act. From day to (|;iy in a certain press,
the Fiiberals of th(» {jrovimc of (iuehec have been aji-
]>ealed to vote against the (lovernment on this ques-
tion ; and in my hand I hold one of the last issues,
in wliicli ai'ter having recited all the villanies of
which the Jesuits are aceuseil. the eilitor continues
as follows : —
It is .safe to say, tlii'ielbro, thiit if tlic Litior.'il.s of luiiilaiid
or ol' I'ranr.e were in the position of Mr. I/iiirici' fiuil his tul-
lowois they would not licsitat(! a moment in killing this con-
siiiracy in (^Uudn'c. {'".ven it tliey did not iiol.l the Act to l)i'
al>soiu tciy iiiicotistitntioiiid they would cii'tainiy veto lor its
<lisallo\vunco a.s heing contiary to the puhlic intt-rest.
Well, as far as reference is made to the Liberals
of France, I have no doubt the editor is quite correct,
No doul.it, if the Fiherals of France had the power to
vote on this (juestion, they would certainly disallow
this Act ; but I have this to say, that T am not and
we are not Liberals of the French school. I have not
said it once but ten times and twenty times in my
own province, that I am
A I.ll'.KRAL OF THE ENGLISH SCHOOL,
that I and my friends have nothing in common with
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WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580
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.")22
SPEECH
the Liljeruls of Franco. A short time iigo, I wiis sorry
to liear my honorable I'riond from Norfolk (.Mr.
Charlton) exprcs.s regret that there was no Troteatant
party, as far tm I understood him. Tliere are men
of my own riico, who entertain the same view as the
hoiiorahle gentleman, and would desire to have a
Catholic party. I have alvay.-' raLsed my voiceagaiu:<t
that doctrine, and, as far hack a.s 1877. s[ieaking to a
French audience in the French language in the city
which I have the honor to .(^pre-eiit now, the good
old city of (iuehec, I useil to those who, like my
hono'-ahle friend, would separate men upon the
ground of creed, this language:
^'on wiih to orgiini/.i' idl the Catliolios inoiie party, uitlirxit
any other tie, without any otlier basis than tlie cominunitv ol
relitrioii, liut have you not rcflpcted tl)at, hy that vei'V fact,
yon will oi'^.mi/' tlie Protestant ))0)iulatioii a-) one jiaity. and
that tlien, inste.'id of the peace and haiinony whi^'li e.xist to-
day I'l-twt 'i the diil'erent eh'Micnts of th<3 Canadiaii popuhi-
tion.you woiil! bring on war, religioiis w.ir, the most disastrous
of all wars ?
Those were my sentiments ten years ago ; those
ari' my sentiments to-day. My honoraMc friend from
Norfolk (.Mr. (.Miarlton) stated that we should not allow
this Act because the Jesuits are inimical to liberty.
.Such a statement would not surprise me in the mouth
of a Liberal from France, but it does surprise me to
liear it on the floor of this Parliament. Are we to be
told that, because men are inimical to liberty, they
shall not be given liberty? In our own doctrine and
in our own view, liberty sliines not only for the
friends of lilierty. but also for the enemies of liberty.
We make no diifTerence whatever : and. as far as the
Lilierals of England are concerned, T am sure of one
thing, that, if they were here, they would never vote
as the editor of the .l/('7 supposes they would. The
Liberals of England have been for the last century
and more
SPEECH ON THE JESl'ITS' ESTATES 1511,1,
023
r
THE CHAMPIONS OK I'UEEDOM
fill over the av or Id, and, ifweliave freedom to-day,
as we understand it in tliis country and in this age,
it is largely due to the efforts of the Liberal i)arty in
England. They understood long ago that liherty is
not only for the friends of liberty, but for all. Tlioy
understood long ago that the security of the State
depends entirely upon the utmost freedom being
given to all npinions, that no one is to ])e canvassed
for his opinion, right or wrong, but that the utmost
freedom shall be given to all oi)inion9, and that the
l)opuIar judgment will decide l^etweon the grain and
the chaff, will select llie one and reject the other.
Thf ■. i,-: the princip' which I have, in my humble
way, ''nU*. "voiod to inoulcate for many years amooL'st
my felh- ,> .ourirymen of French origin. That, with
a steadfast adherence to the I'roadest . principles of
constitutional fr>"'edom, is the guiding star which, in
the station I now occupy and in any station T maj'^
have in life, I shall ever endeavor to follow.
I
c
m m\ JUNE, 1889
NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE FRENCH
CANADIANS
MR, LAURIER's reflections ON THE ROLE OF THE
RACE IN- AMERICA
In June, 1889, 25,000 French Canadians, from all parts
of the continent, assembled at Queliec around a monument
raised by their suboriptions to the memory of Jacques Cartier,
the discoverer, and of De Brebmuf, one of the first missionaries,
of Canada. The festivities lasted during three days and were
marked by great splendor. One of the addresses delivered on
the occasion and which produced the most etfect was beyond
ques'tion Mr. Laurier's rejjly to the toast of " Canada " at the
p itfiotic banquet of the 24th June at the Jaccjues Cartier
Hall, in the French quarter of St Koch's, which he represents
in the Commons. It was as I'ellows:
Mr. President,
Ladies and Gentlemen :
I have often thought, and the idea has heen
impressed on me more than ever by the brilliancy
of this day's festivities, that there should be only one
celebration of the St Jean Bai)tiste in this country
and that that celebration should take place in the
good old city of Quebec: I have often thought and
I noAv think more than ever that Quebec should be
foi French Canadians what Mecca is for Arabia, the
city par excellence, the holy city among all.
It may be said, perhaps, that I am partial
52G
ADDRESS
towards Quebec, but to this my simple answer is tbnt
I have many reasons for l)eing so and that, far from
being ashamed of the fact, I glory in it.
For, it must be conceded, there is only one Que-
bec. Our Montreal friends, who are with us toniglit
and who are with good reason i)roud of their own
city will, perhaps, protest ; but t do not allow their
])rote3t9. This continent swarms with cities like
Montreal, and I call to witness our friends here
present from the United ^states. I am far from wishing
to Pay anything disparaging of Montreal, but there is
only one Quebec. Cities like jMontreal, with wide,
straight, regular streets, are, as an Iri.shman would
say. to l)e found at every door. The^e things have
their value, certainly, jjut I repeat that there is only
one Quebec. What constitutes tiie great charm of
Quebec is its variety. the unexpectedness of its aspects ;
at each step you make, the scene changes and a new
panoriima as ravishing as the previous one, 'but of a
different stylo, unrolls itself to your sight. This charm
of Quel)ec every one can enjoy : strangers enjoy it as
well, and, perhaps, more than we do, because men
are so constituted that they do not know liow to
sufliciently appreciate what they have themselves.
i5ut Quebec possesses another charm, wliicli can
be enjoyed in all its plenitude only by us, French
(Canadians; it is the charm of memories. Men of
Quebec, you are privileged beings. Antiiiuity has
preserved for us the memory of a famous ei)itaph,
calling on the ])asser-by to stop, as he was treading on
the ashes of a hero, but you, men of Quebec, you
breathe, live and have your being among the dust of
heroes.
At each step you make in your city, a monument,
a building, a .stone, a glimpse of the sky at the end
of a narrow street calls to mind a whole world of
heroic events. To-day, you have raised another
monument, which will forever perpetuate the memory
of the cross planted by the envoy of the king of France,
TO THE FRENCH CANADIANS
527
Avlien he took possession of this country in tlie name
of his royiil master.
This country, however, has not remained Frencii
soil. Still we have remained true to the memory of
i>ur old mother country.
Although separated from France for over a cen-
tury and dilfe'ing from her at present in several ways,
we have always worshipped her in our hearts, watcli-
ng from aiar, but with ceaseless interest, all the
ivicissitudes of her agitated career and sharing in her
joys and triumpjis, as well as in her disasters and
sorrows, still more, indeed, in her sorrows than in her
joys.
Adversity is the test ot affection and I appeal to
you all if it is not true tliat we never realized how
dear France was to us as we realized it during the;
period of hor reverses, during the fatal years of ls70
and 1S71, when the telograi>]i hrought us the news >>['
defeat instead of the victoiies wliich we Iiad looked
for. And when there was no h)nger roiun for douht.
when, having hojied against hope, we had. in ovdcr
to convince ourselves, to read over and over again
the text
th
harsl
aw impose
])V tl
le coiKp.ier
(>V
and when Alsace and Loraine were violently severetl
from French territory, I ask you, if we had been
deprived of one of our own limbs could wo have
sufrered keener anguish ?
The toast proposed by Mr. Langelier reminds us
that our separation from France has imposed new
duties upon us has created new interests and opened
new affections to us. We are French Canadians, but
our country is m
)rifined to the territorv over-
shadowed by the citadel of Qu'ibec ; our country is
Canada, it is the whole of what is covered bv the
British flag on the American continent, the fertile
lands bordered by tlie l?ay of Fundy, the Valley of
the St. Lawrence, the region of the great bikes, the
prairies of the West, the Rocky Mountains, the lands
washed bv the famous ocean where breezes are said to
528
ADDRESS
be US sweet as the breezes of the Mediterranean. Our
fellow-countrymen are not only those in whose veins
runs the blood of France. They are all those, what-
ever their race or whatever their language, whom the
fortune of war, the chances of fate, or their own
choice have brought among us, and who acknowledge
the sovereignty of the British Crown. As far as I am
concerned, loudly do 1 proclaim it, those are my
foUow-countrymen, I am a Canadian. But I told it
elsewhere, and with greater pleasure, I repeat hero
this evening, anKHig all my fellow-countrymen, the
first place in my heart is for those in whose veins
runs the blood of my own veins. Yet I do not hesi-
tate to say that the right'? of my follow-countryTuen
of difTerent origins are as dear to me, as sacred to me,
as the rights of my own race, and if it unfortunately
happened that they ever were attacked, I would
defend them with just us much energy and vigor as
tlie rights of my own race. I say I : should I not
say you, we all of us? Yes, we are too much the sons
of France, of that generous nation which has so often
shed her blood for the defence of the weak, of the
o;ipr( B3ed, not to be ever ready'to defend the riglits of
our fellow-countrymen of different nationalities to
the same extent as our own. What I claim for us in
an equal share of sun of justice, of liberty ; that share
we have it ; we have it ample, and what we claim
for ourselves we are anxious to grant to others. I do
not want French Canadians to domineer over any
one, nor any one to domineer over them. Equal
justice. Equal rights. It is written that the sands
of seas are numbered. It is written that not an hair
falls from one's head without the permission of an
Eternal Providence, eternally wise. Can we not believe
that in that supreme battle here, on the Plains of
Abraham, when the fate of arms turned against us, can
we not believe that it entered into the decrees of Pro-
vidence that the two races, up to that time enemies,
should henceforth live in peace and harmony, and
henceforth should form one nation ? Such was the
inspiring cause of Confederation.
TO THE I'liENCll (ANADIANS
52»
When the British provinces were united xinder
the same constitution, the hope now acknowledged
was to give to all the .scattered elenientfi therein a
national ideal, to present to the world the npcctacle
of a nation diverse in its origins and retaining in all
its groups the res])ect I'or family and race traditituis.
l)Ut giving thenceforward to all one and the sniue
aspiration. I have not forgotten that, at its incei)tion,
('onfederation was not accepted without fear by num-
ber of Canadians of French origin, but thcrjiis never-
theless one thing for which the French Canadians are
entitled to universal iidniiration. The fault of demo-
cracies is usually to Hatter the mob. I do not know
liow to ilattcr and I shall never st(n)p to play the part
of the flatterer, either to crowds or to individuals ;
but it is an act of simple justice to note the admirable
])liability with which the French Canadians have
adapted tbemselved to the difTcrent regimes through
which they have jiassed, the constitution of 1775, that
of 17tt!, that oi' 18"41 and lastly that ot Confederation.
I am not ignorant of the fact that there can be no
nation without a national ]>ride, nor am I unaware
that in almost all cases national pride is inspired by
those tragic events which bring suffering and tears in
their train, but which at the same time call out all
the forces of a nation or of a race, and on this liead it
lias been correctly said that the happiest people are
those without a history. Our history under '.'onfedt^-
ration presents none of the dramatic facts, which
make us no attached to the past ; it has been calm
and consequently liai)py. Hut peace has also its
glories and its heroes. Canada under Confederation
has produced men of whom any nation might justly
feel proud. I will not speak of the Canadians of
French origin, as jNIr. Langelier referred to them a
moment ago, but I will allude to the Canadians of
liritisli origin and mention two as examples. The lirft
name I shall recall is that of a man from whom I
differ tolo cortu, but I am too much a French Canadian
not to glory at all times in doing justice to an adver-
34
530
ADDUE.SS
aary. T refer to Sir Tolin A. ^raoduriiild. T will not
astonish my friend, Mr. Chapais, whom I see amonjjst
us. if I state that I do not sharo Sir John MacdoniiM's
political oj'inions, I may even add that I condemn
almost all of them, but it must be aeknowlcdjxed that,
in his long career. Sir John Macdonald has di-iplnyeil
such eminent qualitio.'' that ho would have made his
mark on nny of the world's stages and that, with the
single exception, perhai)3, of >Ir. Mercier, nc one on
this continent has excelled as he has in the art of
governing men.
The other name is that of a man who has been to
me not only a friend, but more than a friend. I mean
Honorable HIdward Blake. Some years ago, speak-
ing here of Mr. Blake, T declared tliat, in my opinion,
America, at that moment, did not posaess his equal
and Europe could not show his superior.
That opinion has been confirmed by all that I
have .^iiue 8een of Mr. Blake. I have enjoyed thead-
vantiige of very close relations with him and have
learned that his heart. .«o>il, and character arc in keep-
ing with his splendid intellect. J>esides these, many
other names, the names of men of the highef't emi-
nence, occur to me; but I shall pass over them in si-
lence in order to remind you of an event, which
sums up in itself all that I could say and which will
show you that, while remaining French Canadians,
we are Canadians in the broadest acceptance of the
term. Only a few weeks have elapsed since St. Sau-
veur was destroyed liy fire. On that occasion, a man
came forward to fight the scourge and check the
spread of the conflagration.
With all the smartnesSj zeal and intrepidity of
the true soldier, he rushed into the thick of the dan-
ger and found his death there. On the following day,
the whole French population of Quebec filled the
etreets as they filled them to-day, but, instead of a
feeling of joyfalness, the feeling in their hearts was
one of deepest grief for the gallant Major Short, whose
mutilated remains they had congregated to reverently
salute on their way to the grave.
TO THE FUENCII CANADIANS
531
Major Sliort did not belong to our ruct' ; hut Iio
was our fellow countryman; and I would ank wliicli
one of you, French (Canadians, in the midst of the
still smoking ruins of your city and the i>re3ence of
the dead hero, did not lecl i>roud of being a
Canadian ?
■ t 'fi Gentlemen, let us have the pride of our race! fiot us
be just to all our fellow countrymen, without distinc-
tion of race or creed ! Let us know how to be not
alone just, .but generous, and let all our actions in the
Confederation be characterized by that generosity
which has]marked the career of France in Europe !
A
TIIK UKIJGIOUS. I'oLTTrCAr. AND ECONOMIC
SITUATION
TUACKI* BY A MASTKU FIANP
It miiy not lie amisri tn l)rictly rcfall tlio oirciimstanccs
iiiiil( r wliich till- I'ollowiii;.' s|n>feh w.is fiwlivfired. 'I'lic aiiimn-
sity tiiil tln' lircs ot iKitiniml uinl rclijjious hatroil, iirousi'd an. I
kcp; iilivf hy crtiiin f':iM;itics. liiiil reaclifxl tlioir lioi^lit, iiinl
I III' sli^'litcst iiicidi'iit iiii;;lil Imvtf jin'oiiiiiJittMl ii gi-neial con
(liigratimi. Wlio was l'hii); to try to allay tlh' storm? C or-
tauily, it was not Mr. .Mfi'avtliy, th« loailcr of tin* a;;itatinn,
who would iiavi' di'i'aint ora)«p<\iring in tlii^ |)rovinco ot (.iindx-c.
to advocate hi"! lia'.r-briMtliing views. ( Mi the otlior liand,
Avho w.'is the l'"ri'M('li «'anadian orator, who would havo the
foura;if' to Ix'.ird the iiL'itator on liis own iirouiid ? ^fr. Lan-
rior's name was meiiiiunod, it is true, but it was said : ho will
not go. However, the Liberal leader ilid go and it may bo said
tliat lie eonnuored, for his words hait a notably appe.'using
eil'ect. Not only did they crusli projiidioe on the spot, )iut,
with the rapidity of electricity, they carried thousands of
leagues away a clear perception of a situation, witii regard to
which only a very confused and erroneous idea had until then
prevailed abroad. This speech alone won for Mr. Laurier tin!
honor of being compareil to tlie foremost statesmen of the
niotherconntry by the ('(iiKulian (inzettr, a journal which cer-
tainly had nothing in cointuon with him. A few days after-
wards, on the 17th of October, the cable brought us the
following pa.^sage from the Toiy j)aper'8 article:
"Mr.Laurier's 'I'oroiito speech places him at one bound in
the fiont rank of Uritisli statesmen. To the clocjuenco native
to the French Canadian, Mr. Laurier'sad<ls honesty, directness
of purpose ami pure-minded patriotism, which mark him out
as a leader. Men of such high mental and moral power were
never more needed in the forefront of affairs in Canada
than now."
534
SPEKCir
i<PEECII DELIVERED BY HONORABLE
WILFRID LA URIER, A T TOR ONTO, ON
THE SO Til SEPTEMBER, 1889
AT A MEKTIKG CAI.I.El) ]JY TllK YOl'N(i MEN's
LIBERAL CHI!
jM. ClIAIIfMAX,
liADlKS ANT) (IeNTI.EMEN •.
I would lie onl}' too jilarl to l)e nble to accept
Avilhoiit any restriction llie too kind things wliicli you,
My, Chairman, haA'e been pleased to speak of nie on
tliis occasion ; but U])on tliis occasion — thougli on no
other — I liave to be a re-^trictionist. T cannot accept
tlie too generous compliments whicli your kindness
to me has proni])tod you to speak. You have alluded
to the fact that when T last stood before an audience
in this great citj' of Toronto I did not then occu])y
the i)osition which the too great partiality of my
friends in the House of Commons has imposed ui)uu
me. I can tell you. gentlemen, if there is anybody
■who regrets to-day that I have to appear before you
in that position, no one regrets it more sincerely than
I do. Tt would luivo been my pleasure— indeed, my
too great pleasure — to be able to serve, as I have done
many a day, under tlie leadership
OF MY AnLK AiND PEAK FRIEND, MK. BLAKE.
Fate, however, decreed otherwise. an<l I thought that
duty com])elled me then to accept the jioaition which,
unfortunately, disease forced liim to forego; and. in
the diecharg'e of the great responsilnlities which I
then assumed. T clnim no other credit, l>ut this which
I do claim, that I have endeavored to discharge them
to the l)est of my judgment, to tJie best of ray con-
science, v.'ithout fear, without favor for any man.
AT TORONTO IN 1S89
Ami it is in this same spirit tliat T come before you
tlii'j evening, and I say at once that I would not
resjiond to the task which I have itn[)03('d upon
myself, nor respond to the duty wiiich you, Sir, and
the Young Liberals ol" Ontario liave entrustc^d nic
with, if I di<l not at once make tin; stateuuMit, as tlie
very basis of everytliing that I shall feel ol.)liged to
say this ovonin.;, that the situation of our country at
this moment, I'or causes obvious to all, is such that it
cannot be viewed without some degree of anxiety .md
alarm. In the first jjlace the most sanguine amcnigst
us, viewing the perpetual stream of emigration which
depletes our iiicipicnl and only incipient populati(ni,
must admit, whether tlie admission comes manfully
to his lips, or whether the admission remains within
the dark recesses of conscience, that the economic
position of thO'Country is not satisfactory. Not that
the country is wanting in wealth, in vigor, in energy.
On the contrary,
WlCAl.TII, VKIOU ANI> ENKRt.V
are everywhere exuberant, but in an evil hour the
country allowed its limbs to be sliackled and man-
acled by vicious fiscal lines under which its growth
has been stunted. IJut the situation is not yet hopeless.
Yet there are other considerations, there are other
dangers which must be met, and which if not met
may threaten the very exi.itence of Confederation, and
which can be met only, in my judgment, ])y a finu
and judicious adherence to those princip-les which
you, iMr. Chnirman, acknowledge as fjbernl prin-
ciples. Now, Mr. Chairman, I am not ignorant that
in this province tlie Libera! party is at this moment
subjected to many re[)roiiches and strictures. In fact
the dangers and the obstacles witli wbicli the Liberal
party has to contend at this mon;ent come not from
its avowed opponents, but come from this new school
of Liberals, who would import into the country [.liberal
principles from Germany, from France and Conti
^336
SPEECH
nental Europe, altogether unsuited to the position wo
occupy on this continent. These men tell you that
the Liberal party ofto-thiy is composed o( eftetc
Liberals, weak liiberals, Liberals only in name. They
tell you we have sacrificed the principles of the great
Reform i)arty for the suitjioil of a dominant niiurch.
They tell j'ou that upon a late occasion, upon a most
■important (lue^tion, we went hack upon every tradi-
tion, on every principle, of the great Jiiberal party.
Well, Mr. ('hairman, il' theso reproiiches were to come
from t}ie ranUs <>f the Conservative party, if thi-so
repj'.)aehf'3 were to come (>i)enly froni the friends of
; tie C'onservativ party, as the)' are made in fact and
in reality
().\ IJKlIAI.r OF TilK CONSKIIVATIVE TAliTV,
I would p:iss them by; but, a^ they co'^ae from the
ao-cnlled adv:uiced Liberals and are acblres'^ed to the
Liberal party, they cannot be ignored ; ami I am here
to show, or to attenijit to show, and I am sure 1 can
show you that the men who use this language are not
lovalto the principles they profess, and arc not suj)-
porters of the party they i>retend to serve. I call upon
the Liberals not to" be moved from the paths of duty
by fuch reproaches addressed to them. I tall upon
all Liberals, those who agree with us and those who
disau'ree with us, to be true to themselves and to their
counlrv on this groat (juestion. Let us rem(!nd)er
that there is for every (luestion that comes up a com-
mon ground not always easily discernible, but which
will, when found, " be f()und compatible with
our interest and at the same time affording a sure
solution upon the broadest national lines. Let us re-
member that when this ground is found it must be
adhered to unflinchingly, and that upon every occa-
.sion and for everv question, wliether our course is
approved «)r whether our course is censured, we must
always and ever remain the same— bold without
temerity and prudent without timidity ! Again, Mr.
AT TOnONTO IN 18S1)
r)37
Cluiirnian, T say that tl\e situation of this country at
this uiomt-nt is lull of tliniculLics
AND irr.I. OF I'EUII.S.
I
Wo have now bcon under C'onfYMlcratinn for the spaee
of some twenty-twii 3'<'ar3, and tinr great task we set
ourselves twenty-two years a<i;o of huildin^' Uj) a na-
tion in Canada .seonis to be no more advanced than
it was twenty-two years a<fo. New conijilications arise
constantly, which make the hoi)e indul^'ed in twenty-
two years ago almost as far away as it was at that
time. And now, my fellow-eounlrymen, T ask you
this — What are the causes of these complications;
^vhat are the causes of these diiliculties and jierils?
Look for them, examine them, .-ift thorn well, and
you will agree with me that all these cause-!, what-
<!ver sha[ie they ina\' assume. whatev(-r mischief they
may work, can all t)e summed uj) in this one word
— distrust. Distrust of race against rare, distrust of
creed against creed, distrust of motives, distrust of
intentiiHis which cond)ines a creed or a race within
itself instead of moving them forward together all to
a common end ; distrust which engenders hostility,
the consefjuence.^ of which are almost appalling.
I am now sj)eaking in the province of Ontario.
Is it not a fact that to- day, in tins great i)rovince of
Ontario, there is a latent or expressed
l-'EEMNC OK DISTHIST
of the Catholic province of Quebec ? I come fi om the
province of Quebec, and I know it unfortunately for
a fact that in the Catholic province of (iuebec there
is a feeling of distrust of the Protestant province of
Ontario. Now, for that state of things, for that uni-
versal distrust, that general feeling of diflidcncc which
permeates the whole political body, I lay the charge
and the blame upon the Conservative party. They
have governed this country almost without interrup-
SPEECH
tion since Confederation. And wlien in power tliey
liave <f()vernod, and wlion nut of power they liave
souglit to (Tovern, not by a broad, uniform, general
])olicy wliic'h would have wcl(b'd together all the pro-
vinces of Confcileration, and which would have made
every man proud of his citizership as a Canadian;
their (d)jcct lias been to ol)tain in every province a
majority Ijy appealing to the local prejudices of that
provint'C. Tn the ])rovince of (Quebec Ijy appealing to
t'.ie ])r(judice-5 of my fellow-Cathobc.^, in tlio province
of Ontario l«y ap) ealing to the prejudices of extreme
Protectants. That gairie was for a long time succe.-js-
ful. It was sure to lie -uccessful as long as the con-
flicting passions of Ontario and Quehec could be kept
active. IJut, Sir, no one can deal with impunity with
f>VC\l INFLAMMABLE MATKIILU,
as religious and national passions. And T call you
to witness, everyone of you, that, on the day when
the conflict of ]>assion of Catholic (iuehec and Protes-
tant Ontario came, the whole fabric of Confederation
trend>led mider the shock. And to-day, Mr. Chair-
man, to-day it is no rare occurence to hear repeated
that fatal sentence spoken some years ago by a Con-
servative organ, threatening that if things did not
go as it wished it would smash Confederation into its
original fragments. This is the position, and in the
face of this p<isition -'•bat is tlic duty of the Liberal
jtarty ? The duty of the Liberal party is plain. It h
a duty upon wbicli I ajjpeal with great conlidence to
the young men of the whole Confederation. In the
face of this universal distrust, the duty of the Liberal
party is to promote, or ratlier to continue, the policy
of hope and exertion for mutual respect and confidence.
In the face of disintegration, if disintegration be
simply hinted at, it is the duty of the Liberal party
*o stand firm by the iirinciple of Confederation. I do
jt believe certainly that Confederation is
AT TOPvO^•TO IN 1SS9
530
TIIK I.AsfT WORD OF CANADA'S I)E3TIXV.
u
I
It can bo looked ut simply as a transient state ; but,
whenever tlie i.'luiuge cuines, tbe change must be a
step forward and not a stop liackward. We live under
CoDfoderation, and it is our duty to stand by Confe-
derati()n,to be loyal to Confederation. T am a Lil)eral
and I believe in movement, in progress ; but I do not
T)elieve in inconsiderate changes. T believe in changes
rendered nc:2essar_v )jy the natural evolution of the
])co]ile's life. ^iiW less would I be of those who
clamor for a constituticjnal change, l.)ecau9e the state
of things that now exists comes into conflict with
their personal ])rejudices and opinions. In the j)rov-
ince to which T belong, our leaders ;it the timeof Con-
federatitnj had not absolute conlldenco in the scheme.
Not that they thought it destroyed the federative
l)rinciple ; it strengthened it. I'.ut they thought it was
l)remature. What was said then may be said with
equal force tv)-day. namely, that there was in the idea
of bringing together the various scattered iJritish jirov-
inces and giving them a common national aspiration,
and making of them a common nation, that which
Avould make the lieart of any Canadian tteat with pa-
triotism. Sir, I kiiow one tiling. What T say now.
will be discounted — what I say now, I may say, has
been already discounted in a certain i)re.-s. It will
be said that such language as T utter is meant Ibr
Ontario, and would nt)t be repeated in Quebec. Tt
Avill be said that it is all very well in Ontario to speak
as a Canadian, but that the language I utter to the
people of Quebec is that of the estaldishmcnt
OF A FKENCir INDEPENDENT STATE
on the banks of the St. Lawrence. Sir, in so hir as I
am personally concerne<l.T resent such an imputation.
In so far as T am i)ersonally concerned T resent the im-
putation that I would havo one language for Ontario
and another for Quebec. I call upon my bitterest foe
</
540
SPEECH
ever to qnotft a word of mine t]iat T liave ever uttered
inQueb(M! or wherever T may have spoken that is dif-
ferent. Sir, from wiuit T liave now said. T wouhl de-
spise myself if I had not the courage of my convictions.
And whether I stood upon tlie soil nf Ontario. or whe-
ther I stood upon the soil of my native prt)vince of
(iuehet! iiddressintf my countrymen of kindred Ijlood.
my hinguagehas ever heini what it is here this even-
ing. Tt so happens, Mr. Chairnnm, that the last tinns
T sjiokt; upon the soil of my native province it was
upon this very question. It was upon the 21(huf
June last. The occiision was the celehralion of ""St.
Jean J>ai>li.-ite." wliich. you know, is the national
holiday of the French ('■.madians. T spoke in the very
lieart oftlie city of t7,uel)ec.in tlie division tiiab I have
the honor of rcipre^euting in Parliament. I spoke to
an audiiMice that va^ exdu-jively I'rench and T spi>l<(>
in my native toii;j;iH>. With your permission, 1 will
read to you what I Siiid on that occasion to my fel-
low-coantrymcn of Fren(;h origin, and which can l>o
rea,d in the columns of L' l-yrrinir of the 2")th June.
T had to respond to the toast of '' CanatUi." T. said
this: —
#
(IFtMT" tln> spo.ikoi' cited a p.'issii^o from tlic preceding
spceoli Sei' jicti/'.'s il)21-2^.)
Sir, such was the langu.age v.lnch T lield to my
fellow-countrymen of Frcmch origin, in my own native
provinc(^ of Quebec, and such is the language I hold
this evening. Tf any there are amongst my fellow-
countrymen of French origin who have ever dreamed
of forming themselves into
A SMAT.r, COMMITNITV OF KREX«IIMEN
on the banks of the St. Lawrence, I am not one of
them. I am not one of them, I say — let my words
be lieard by friend or foe. Sir, I will go further. When
the fate of arms and the power of treaty made my
AT TOKONTO IN 18S0
oil
ancestors subjects of En}i;lan(l,it is a mutter of liistory
tluit tliey continued to wage against I^ngland a long
struggle. They complained — and in niy judgment
they comjilained with justice — that they wore not
fairly treated ; but history attests that in that long
struggle the only thing whicli they claimed was the
privileges of British subjects. The concession did not
come at once. The concession was long to lie made;
but it came, and when it came the (oncetsinn was
made without any reservation, in the most ample
manner ; and this I say. that it Avould ho the blackest
ingratitv;de if. after we had sought from Kngland the
privileges and the rights of ]^>riti«h subjects, we were
n(.\v to reject the resjionsibilitieH of Hritish .subjects.
I Hay that it would l>e the blackci-t ingratitude if,
having sought the protection of liritain tu grow
strong, we were, when strong enough, U> ;ittempt to
stal) the I'riendiy hand and to refuse t<i cast in (Hirlot
with tho^'.-^ whn are lellow-coiintrymen nf ouis, whoM»
fellow-countrymen we are in deed, and whoise liirth-
right we claim as our own inheritance since we be-
Ciime subject to P^iigland. 15ut, Mr. f'hainnan, at the
same time let me tell you this : I am not here to
play the jjart of a sycophant , I am uui here lu ihitter
tlie peculiar views of those wliom T am nddrcssiug; T
am iierc as a French Canadian and 1 ;ini firmly
attached to the language of my nncestors. Men there
are amongst you, it is true, to tell you that it is dan-
gerous to Confederation that tlie French language
sliould lie- s))oken in this great country of ours. Well,
i\lr. Chairman. I am a French Canadian ; I was
l)rought up
ON THE KNKES OF A KRKNCII :\IOTIIKU ;
and my first recollections are those iccollections
which no man ever forgets; and shall it be denied ti>
me — the privilege of addressing the same languages
to those that are dear tome? Shall T not continue to
Bpeak Frencli as French was spoken to me in my
d-i-2
srEEcir
younger (lay.-J? T know very woll, tliat it is a groat
disadvantage tor a Freneh Canadian not to speak
Knglisli, 1 understand that n)y friend, ^Ir. Koas, is
to compel all pujiils in this great country to learn
]Migliisli, anil lie will do a great service to all tiie chil-
dren of this country. Hut I believe that Mr. Kns.s will
nut prohihit anybody I'roni speaking the language of
liis luoiher if he chooses to siienk it. I sini[»ly claim
the privilege of si)eaking my own domestic language
as I like to speak it. Jlut men who Sjjcak only French
on tliis continent are in a great inferiority, and if they
are to learn to speak JCnglish the cfinseijuence will he
that they will speak two languages, ancl tiic advan-
tage will he all on their side. When Confederation
was established. Mr. Chairman, it was not intended
that Confederation should be based upon the humilia-
tion of any one race. Tt was not intended tliat any
should give up its characteristic, but it was expected
that though every nationality might retain its indi-
viduality, yet that all would be actuated l)y one as[)i-
ration and woidd endeavor to form one; nation. It is.
in this spirit, it is according to the Liberal party, it
is in accordance with the principle laid down at the
outset of Confedcriilion that there should be several
provinces, that there should be a division, Init a
union of the whtde. That we have acted upon — an
action for which we have been subjected to too many
criticisms. I refer to the act passed by the Legisla-
ture of Quebec with respect to
THE JESUI'r.s' ESTATES.
Now, Mr. Chairman, I am here entering upon a
delicate statement. I have taken one view, and in
stating this I ask one privilege. It is the privilege of
of laying my views as I entertain them. I only ask
one thing of you. It is what is never refused by a
British audience — it is to give me fair play in the
statement I intend to make. I know tliat will be
granted whether you agree with my conclusions or
AT TO HON TO IX 1S80
543
not. This hill, in the firi-t ])l<ioc. i)asao(l ciuiiparii-
tively in silence. It was u long tinioherore tho liCfxis-
lature. Puhlic attention was not directed to it. Not
one word was said ajriiinst it, and it finully passed
and had the unaniniona consent of the r-egislature of
Quehei! ; hut after the act had l)e(?n passed p<-titii)nsi
which had not come to the Legislature were sent to
His Excellency, or ratlier to the Government, and
finally to His Excellency to disallow the act. Tiie
government refused, and the motion of censure
against that course of the Government was introduced
into the Ifouee of Commons hy a well-known sup-
porter of the Government — Colonel O'lh-ien. Well, T
see that the action of Colonel 0']>rien meets with
approval. Gentlemen, thank (iod, this is a free
country and I do not ohject. JUit if it met the aj)proval
of a large portion of the people of Ontario, it did not
meet the ai)proval of the Government. Ni>w, gen-
tlemen, I tell you this: I have no sjjare love for the
Ciovernment, and T am willing enough to admit that
it will always he a lahor of love for me to work and
help Colonel G'JJrien or any other memher when they
go against the Government. Upon that occasion,
however. T could not. The (juestion was not a new
one; it had heen dehatedover and over again hetween
the two parties. The question of Provincial rights.
which was involved in that motion, has been an issue
between the Conservative party and the Liberal party.
The Conservative jiarty, represented at Ottawa by
the Government of Sir John Macdonald, had always
lield the doctrine — and they ai'plied that doctrine
here in the province of Ontario - that they had
THK RIGHT TO REVIEW LOCAL LEGI.-I.ATION,
and to disallow anything they considered in any way
objectionable. On the contrary, the Liberal party
always maintained that the legislation passed by the
Local Legislature was amenable, andamena))le only,
to the people of the province where it had been
514
SPEECH
oniictcd. Upon tluit occasion — wlicthor ri;^'lit or wrong
for good or for ill— we stood liy tnu- ])iincii)lo><, l)ut
the (iovcriniient did not. They turned a sonierejiult ;
they turned ii .'■(HiierPivult noticeahlc even in a (Jov-
ernnient distinguished i)y the audtieity, rapidity and
continuance ol its antics. Now, t?ir. witli regard to tliis
(luestion, T know that our course has not hcen
api)roved hy all Liberals. The great newsjiapcr with
whicli you, l^ir, nre conrected, The Globe, the veteran
ol'Ileforin — (liissrs) — wliy should any man liisshecause
another ha.'i th(^ courage of his convictions? I do
not agree with Tlif lHuhr^ jmd I have no fault to find
with 77/*.' ^V'l/vr because it disagreed with nie. Tlic Ghihc
is i-iberaland I am Liberal, and we Liberals are not of
the men who do not see any good in others. Now.
Sir, Avith regard to this (iue.«tu)n, I do not think it
would l>c fitting in me while before such an audience
to discu.-s that ([ucstiou on its merits, except in so far
as it relate.^ to the (juestion of disallowance, and in
that view I only intend to discuss it. That is the
onlv point from which I intend to discuss this (jues-
tioii. which canic uj) in Quebec and whieh bad to be
fettled in some wny or other. Now Mr. Cbapleau,
the other day, not later than V> days ago, saiil, in a
sjx'ech delivered at St. Hilaire, that, while Ik; was
I'rinie Minister, he had entered into negotiations to
settle the question, and that if lie h:'d gettled it
UK woui.n n.vvK set'ii.ej) it
to the satisi'aetion of everyljody — to the satisfaction
of Catholics, to the satisfaction of Protestants — but
he did not settle it. and it does not lie in the mouth
of him who confessed that he attempted and failed,
to say that what was done Avas not well done.
!>ut this was a question that liad to be settled.
Now, many objections have been taken against
it ; there are many objections which I could
discus.^ which have been raised against it, and in dis-
cussing these you will bear with me. I only a.sk one
AT TOUONTO IN 1SS9
545
thing, fair-plny, while I discuss the question. I ask
of you simply lo be lieard. I do not know that I
shall be able to convince you ; I de not liopo for that.
But at least you will not refuse to a fellow-country-
nuin coming here t») argue an unpoi)ular cause a fair
hearing, I hope. Now I believe one thing, that tho
whole of that act would have passed witliout any
trouble wliatever,it would not have aroused any excite-
ment, but for the iact that the name of the Poj)e was
prominently introduced in it, and that its introduction
was construed in such a manner as to mean a thing
Avliich T shall presently discuss — that it was putting
the supremacy of the i'ope over tlit; sui)remacy of the
Queen, (.lentlemen, I tiiink I put the ijuestion fiiirly ;
I want to put it honestly and to discuss it manfully.
I know one thing — I know enough of my fellow-coun-
trymen of English origin, I know enough of English
history, I know enough of English litonvture, to be
aware that when J^luikcsiicaro ]iut into the mouth of
King John the proud words which he made him address
to the Pope's legate ; —
No Italian priest
Shall tithe or toll in our doniininn.
he touched the IJritish lieart in its most responsive
cliord. I know this, that there is no man of English
blood, let his condition in life be ever so hundjle, let
his range of informotion be ever so limited, but
knows this much of English history — that at no time
would the English peoi)le or English sovereigns allow
the sway ofthePopein thetemi)oral affairs of England.
Now, my fellow-countrymen, allow me to go one frtep
further. The objection which you have to this act
i<< simply this -you say that this act has attempted
to do
W'HAT NEVER WA;> DONE IN K.\(;i,AXD.
Let me tell you, if you allow me to discuss the matter
calmly with you, there never was any such intention
35
64G
SPEECH
on the part of Mr. Morcior I Lot nic go jigain one Hte)»
furtlicr and do not liise too soon, hocauso I will l)e
forced to tell you that in the discuHsion which took
])lace when Mr. Mereier introduced that act he stated
to the Briti.sli minority that if they found any ohjcc-
tion to tlie preaml)lo, that need be no dilliculty, for it
could easily 1)0 arranged to please them. The explan-
ations, however, which he gave were satisfactory to
the Jjritish minority and they voted unanimously in
favor of tho act. Now, my fellow-countryiuon, let
me again go one step further. If you believe that it
was ever the intention of any lioman Catholic in
Lower Canada to put the supremacy of the Tope over
the supremacy of the Queen, I diflolaim in tho most
emphatic manner any such intention. There is no
Christian organization in which Christ's great pre-
cei)t " Render unto Cii.sar the things that are Cicsar's
and unto Ciod the things that are Ciod's," is so rigidly
enforced as in the lioman Catholic ])crsuasion. Now,
ray fellow-countrymen, allow me again to go one step
further. You pay we have carried too far the doctrine
of no disallowance, that we have introduced the pos-
sibility of the supremacy of the Pr)i)o over the supre-
macy of the Queen. What would you do now, you
ask me. if the Legislature of Quebec were to attempt
to substitute the authority of the Pope for the uutluj-
rity of the Queen ? Gentlemen, I ])ut this (luestion
squarely. This is my answer — there never was such
a pretension on the part of the Legislature of Quebec.
But I go further, and will meet the objection as square-
ly as it is i)03sible to meet it. Suppoise that the Leg-
islature of Quebec, or any other Lf^gislature — mind
you, I .s]icak to you now as one of your fellow-coun-
trymen from Qutbec, I speak to you as one of the
majority in Quebec — were ever to attempt to substi-
tute the authority of the Pope over the authority of
the Queen, that Legislature, by that very fact, would
place itself beyond the pale of the Canadian Confede-
ration, would place itself beyond the pale of British
citizenship, and that act would be simply treason and
would have to be
AT TORONTO IN ISSO
.)-».
DEALT WITH AS TUKASON.
Sir, this is 8iiii|)ly the nnswer wliicli I liavc to liivo
ui)on this oociision totlic many strictures wliich liiive
been lioiipod upon tho Ivihcrnl party for tliiit act,
wliic'h liHve hocn liciiped upon tho Lilx'ral party fur
refusing' to disallow that act. IJut, Sir, there is an-
other ol>jeition which is niado to this act. Ft is an
ohjection which I iind expressed in tho press of On-
tario. Tt.is statetl that the men in whose favor that
legislation was made ar<' em;mies of progress, enemies
of t'roedom. that it was a crime on the part "f tlu; \A-
beial party, a crime on tho part of every one who l»o-
lieves in freedom and modern [)rogre33, not to use the
])ower of disallowance in order to remove f?uch a dan-
gerous weapon from such dangeious hands. That is
the view, undoubtedly, wdiich lias been taken by se-
veral of those of our fellow-citizens who lately organ-
ized themselves as the l^iual Rights Association. Now,
iMr. Chairman, I am not of those who i)retend to dis-
miss the movement which was thus organized by a
simple wave of the hiind. A movement in whicli you
find eminent divines, prominent members of I'arlia-
ment, men ranking high in every station of life, all
eminently animatcil by strong conviction, is a move-
ment, which must bo met with respect, which juust
always rouse in every manly heart a recognition
01' THE SPIRIT OF CONVICTION.
I have followed that movement, though I cannot
agree in all its conclusions. I have followed it with
great interest, I have followed all the discussion as
nearly as I could, and I must say that I have been
strongly impressed by the speech delivered recently
. re in Toronto, at the convention which was held in
June last, by a fellow-countryman of yours. Rev.
Principal Caven. Now, I have not the honor to know
Dr. Caven. But I naust say, and I am glad to say,
548
SPEECH
that his speech impressed me as the speech of a man
of elevated mind, of high views, firm in temper, kind
and gentle in disposition. I read his speech, as I
said, with great interest, and I thought I found in
the words which he then uttered the reason for the
attitude which he had taken. Ilis views were express-
ed in the following language: —
The tlieory tliat tlie Church is paramount in the secular
as in tiie religious sphere has come into collision with the
tlieory on which all i'rce public life proceeds, and in acconlanca
with which our modern civilization is beini^ develoi)ed. To
my own mind it is this fact which lends inijiortance to the
situation with which we have to deal, and makes it the imi)e-
rative duty of those who reject the fu'st of tliose theories and
regaril it as dauge"ous to the coinininiity, to resist legislation
such as the Acts of which we complain. 'J'he Ultramontane
theoiT of (iovernment is distinctly avowed and constantly
]iroclaimed by its advocates, so that we are not to l)e charged
with misrepresenting the .lesuits and otluMs who deiend it ; and
we need not be surprised when the champions of this theory
j'roceeil under favorable circunistinces to reduce it to prac-
tice.
Tlicse words seem to me very pregnant, very
expr<!,=pive of the thought in Dr. Caven's mind that
the I'ltramontanes would take advantage of tliis legis-
lation to undermine our free institutions. Well, let
us ;r.cet the case in that way. Suppose that indeed
till! UUramontanes were to use the j)rivilege granted to
tlieni to undorniine our free institutions, how sliould
we treat them? This question lias hcen put again
and again by the Mail. It has been put with great
force, with great talent, but in my judgment in a
(iianner which is itot compatible with
THE ETHICS Ol' ENGLISH LIBERALISM.
The views of the Mail \\\)on that subject have been
thus expressed in a late issue : —
In a rec uiit ai'ticle on the career o
Blend, a Liberal of Liberals, lays it down
career of John Bright, Karl
■'■ ' that true Liberalism
.AT TORONTO IN 1S89
549
doos not consist in furnisiiing tlie (>noiiiy of lium.'in pro;Hfes?!
and enlightenniPMt with wcajjon.s whorouith lie may cut its
throat. Karl Blend is a Oennan Liberal, but repeats the
t'ornuila which the Liberals of all continental countries have
ailopted in their dealing with ritramont.uiisin.
Well, Mr. ClKiirnian, ihis may Ix; iiidoed German'
Liliertilisin. but this is not the true English Ijiberalisni.
What is tlio meaning oftliis rjil)eralism. It means
simply tliat ii' an Uitrainontdue i^ entitled to an act
ol" justice he must lie denied that act of justice because
it may, perhai)S, he u.se(l to the itrejudice of the cum-
munity. This is ii.)t the way I have read English
Liljeralism. I am of French origin, but tliere never
was a time in my life when T did nut proclaim myself
an Englisli Li1)cral. I am a French Canadian Liberal
and T lielong to a party which fur thirty years fought
tlie Ultramontanes in the province of Quebec. But
this I do say, consistently with those principles of
Englisii Liberalism which I profess, that, if an Ultra-
montane or any other man is entitled to justice at my
hands, ample justice he shall receive from me. In
the discussion which has taken i)lace,it has been said
over and over again that the men who are supposed
to benefit most from this legislation have been expelled
from all civilized countries, have been expelled from
France, from Republican France, as late as the year
lS8o. Well, Sir, I never could conceive wdiat was the
object of making reference to that fact. Can it be
possible that those who refer to that fact intend that
we should revert
TO THE POI.ICV OF OSTRACISM
so long indulged in European countries and yet
indulged in the land of my ancestors, France. I do
not believe there is a man in this audience who would
have us return to the old time wdien men were ostra-
cized because their views were not the views of the
majority of those with whom they happened to live.
If not for that purpose, what could the purpose be?
m
I !
mO
Sl'EECH
Perhaps ic was that these men were dangerous
men. Ikit let them l)e ever so dangerous, dangerous
and bad men have rights which good men are bound
to resjiect. Gentlemen of English origin, let me tell
you this, as a man who has nothing but French blood
in his veins, that! am ashamed of the land of my
ancestors when T reflect that at tliis day, at tliis time
of the nineteenth century, still ostracism can be i)ro-
claimed in a country which calls itself Republican.
Let me tell you this, that that action has been reproved
by ail true LiJjcrals in the French Republic. AVhy,
this very question was reviewed only recently in the
monthly number of ITari)er's ^lagazine, in an article
headed " The Religious Alovement in France." It was
written by Mr. Edmond de Pre.ssensr, a member of
the French Senate. What gives, in my judgment,
peculiar force to the opinion of IVfr. de Pressenst' is
the fact that he is a Protestant. This is the Avay in
which he speaks of ihe very fact to which T now refer :
Besiilos tlic seculnr cler_ixy tlie Cliurcli of Fiiince long
)iosses?ed a very imiiioroiis regular olcrf'y, rojucsonting the
various religions onlers of (Jatliolii;i«m. 'riicse I'eligious orders
— Ddiniiiifaiis, fraiKMscaiif, tlosuits and others — were distri-
l)Mt('d in coi'-grogatioiis recognized by the State, and in con-
gregation- not lecognized by the State, ot which latter the
mosit i'lijortant was the Society of'.Ie.sus. A few yeais ago,
it will he reiiienih(»re(l, the Ke|iublican (ioviM'nnient revived
some old laws, which had ihe'iv i-ai-s'ind'ctrc u)h\ov the Tinllican
Monarchy, and issr.ed decrees for the ex|nilsion of all the
non-recognized religions orders. 'J'hiis many religions houses
weie cli)sei|, not without resistance whii'li occasioned tinnul-
tucius scenes and greatly agitated imblio oj/inion. In realit"'
the measure had no gi'eat imiiortance.
There is
THE Ol'lMON OF A PKOTE.STA.NT —
the opinion ofaliiberal. You do not see that he
here ])roposes that the liepublican (Jovernment
should exjjel the Jesuits, liut in another part of liis
AT TORONTO IN 1880
551
article he condemns that action in umjualified terms :
The thinl Uepublic, irritateil, it is true, by tli'^ spirit of
op[)osition which it encountered a'.mngst tiio cior^iy at its
ik'biil, has often ilispliiyed passionuto liostility, accordini^ to
Oanihi'tta's saying. '• he clericaHsme, c'ost I'onhenii. '' Tlie
exagjiei'ated manner in wliich it Iris apjilied the principle of
secularization, both in the educational laws, where it lias not
given a legitiuiati- [)lace to that religions teaclunj which ni: ;ht
have been imparled at special hours without coiistraininj; any
consciences, and also in i)itilessly <li'ivin^; out of the hospitals
the Sisters of (Jharity, has naturiiily excited the liveliest dissa-
tisfaction, not only amongst t\v^ cler;iy, but in a ci')nsidei'al)lo
portion of the nation as well. This dissatisfaction constitutes
at the present moment a real danger for Repul)lican institu-
tions, and everybody knows only too well by whom it is frau-
dulently taken advantage of.
Here, a^ain, you see tlio o])inion of a Liberal
Protestant, and, instead of approving of the act of the
Republic, lie condemns it, tliougli lie acknowledges
that there i)ublican party in Franco, while acting thus,
acted under great provociition. Fur it is a matter of
history that after the elections Avhicli followed the
unfortunate war of 1870, the Catliolic party — I say
Catholic i)arty because I am sorry to say there is a
party of Catholics who have committed
THE (iREAT MISTAKE
(I would say crime) of organizing themselves as a
political ])arty — the Catholic party threw its weiglit
against the repu])lic. " Hence the l)itter resentment of
tha republican?, wlio, when once they came back with
a majority, made the mistake of allowing their policy
to be inspired Ijy their anger. "'
Now, my fellow-countrymen, let me i)aU3e here.
Here is a country wliere some old laws — laws of the
old monarchy — were revived in order toextiel Jesuits.
Let us look to the other side of the channel I Let us
look to England I There also you will find old laws,
still unrepealed — .still upon the statute book — which
552
srEECII
might be revived tu deal out justice in tlie same way
in wliich it was meted out in France. But tliese men,
expelled from France, were allowed to go in peace in
England. Now, my fellow-countrymen of British
origin, I ask you tliia : I am a Frenchman. You are
Englishmen. Which example. of the.^e two countries,
d^o you wish to follow in this country? You are
Englishmen. You can go to France for an example.
I am French descent, hut this time, as always, I go
/i\)v an exam])le to the great country which first in the
• world introduced the great })rinciple that no man
should be per.-ecutcd because of his religion. Sir, if I
were looking for an expression of
THE VIEWS OF THE TIU'E I.HJERAI.S
among my countrymen on thiu occasion, I should
fnul them in the words of one of the irost eminent
Frenchmen of this century. ]\[r. Ciuizot. The occa-
sion was the reception of Fatlier Lacordaire into the
French Academy. Tn France they do these things
with great ceremony. There are oidy forty Acade-
micians ; when one dies an election takes place; the
new member is introduced to the Academy, and he
has to deliver a speech, to which another Academician
must make an answer. On this occasion that duty
fell to Mr. Ciuizot. That occasion was a very impor-
tant one, because Father Lacordaire wra not only one
of the greatest orators of his day, but was also one of
the i>urest men, one of the noblest cliaracters, to be
found in any age and in any land. The man who
was to answer him was Avell known as an orator, an
historian, and a statesman. But what added to the
interest of the occasion was the contrast between the
two men, Mr. Guizot being a Protestant, a Huguenot,
a descendant of a long persecuted minority, whereas
Father Lacordaire was a monk of the Dominican
order instituted in mediaeval times to fight heresy.
The occasion suggested to Mr. Guizot some noble
words which I think should be taucht as a lesson for
AT TORONTO IN 1880
553
all men wlio live in such a country as we live in — a
country of mixed religions :
What would have happened, Sir, if we had met, you ami i,
six liumlre'l years ago, an I il' it liad been tlie lot of i)otli ol' us
to inlluenee our mutual ilestinies ? I have no inclination to
awake reooliections of (lisc.ortl and violence, but 1 would not
responil to the expectation of the j^enerous public who listi-n
to us, and of the larger jiulilic outside who have taken sui-li 't
Ktiong interest in your election, if I were not, as they arc,
moved by and proud of th(> beautiful contrast between what
tak>'s place today iu this iiall and what would have taken
l)laee in former tirn<'s, under similar circumstances. Six
lumdred years ago, if my own people had metyou, full of wrath
they would have assailed you as an odious persecutor, and
your own pt'0|)le, (»ager to inllauie the victoi's against heretic^,
would have slioutfHl. "Strike and ;igaiii strike : (iod will well
know liis own.'' Vou have taken to lu-art, Sir, and far be it
irom me to contest it, you have tak"n to heart to wipe i'roui
.such .atrocities t!ie memory of the illustrious founder of tiie
religious order to which you belong: for surely the I'eproach is
not to be addressed to hun, but to the age, in which he lived,
and to all parties during many centLuii's. It is not my habit,
J dare say so, to s|)eak of my own time and to my coutem[)or-
aries with a coinjilacent admiration. I'he more warmly 1 <le-
sire theii' happiness and their gliu'V, the more 1 feel imdined
to point out to them what they are still w.uiting in, to comply
with their great destinies. Jiut 1 eunn ndeny to mvselt the
joy, ami shall I say it, tlu; pride of the spectacle whichjthe Aca-
demy is now exhibiting to all eyes. We are here, you audi.
Sn',tlie living (evidences .'iml the happy witnesses of the sultlime
progress which has taken place in intelligence of and respect
for justice, conscience, right and those divine laws so long
ignored, which regulate the mutfal <luties of men concerning
(lod and belief in < iod. No one any longer .smites or is smitten
in the name of (lod : no one now lays claim to assume the
rights and to anticipate the decrees of the Sovereign
Judge.
Mr. Chairman, we arc here to-day in this country
as they \vere in Europe — Catholics and Protedtant.s
together. Shall we revive those old laws ?
Shall we strike in the name of God? No; th ose
times are past. But this is not enough. Shall we
:
■
JF'
554
SPEECH
anticipate the decrees of the Supreme Judge? No, as
the motto at least to which the Jiiheral party shall
always adhere, we shall say : let only opinions he free,
and let the hest prevail, as truth and justice must
ever prevail. But, Sir, I shall be asked — wo are
asked every day — what will you do if the Ultramon-
tane.s of the prov' ice of Qaehec make an attempt
against our liberties and free institutions? Why , Sir,
we shall do as in the past.
WE ^;IIALT, FIGHT THKM.
TIlis is nothing now for us to have to do — notliing
new for the party to whicli T belong. We have waged
a long battle against the Ultramontane doctrines. We
have waged a long battle during the time when the UI-
tramontanes in r/)wcr-Canada were doing tlieir very
best for the Tories of Ontario, and when the Tories of
Ontario never objected at all. Tiiere was an occasion
only a few years ago, wlien an election was fought in
tlie county of Charlevoix. Sir Hector Liingevin was
a candidate. He was elected and the Tories welcomed
his election as n great trium}))i. His election was con-
tested tin the ground of undue influence on the part of
the clergy. The Ultramontanes, and, indeed, the whole
Tory party, maintained that the clergy had a right to
use undue influence and were not amenable to civil
tribunals. But we fought the (juestion liefore the
civil Courts, and before also the ecclesiastical autho-
rities, and we Avon before lioth. We fought the
^luostion single-handed. Now we are told by those
who did not oliject formerly '-.o an alliance with Ul-
tramontanes that we Liberals to-day are allied with
the X'ltramontanes. To some extent we are, T am
here to speak openly, and have no reason to feel
ashamed of what we have done. Sir, when Ultramon-
tane doctrines interfered with our civil rights and
liberties, it was our duty to fight the issue like men,
an.A we did it. In those days I never heard a word
against Ultramontanism coming from the Tory press,
AT TORONTO IN 1SS9
OOO
■while at every foot wo fought the Ultramontane
party. This is not the place to attack Ultraiu.jiitanes :
the proper ground of attack and defense, on this sub-
ject, is on the soil of the ]n'ovince of Quebec. I will
only say here that the Ultratnontanes, like all French
Canadian Conservatives, had borrowed their jiolitical
view.s not from the British, but from the French school
of politics.
I may say here, Mr. Chairman, that ever since T
have been in politic?, now more than twenty-two
years, I have always striven in my native province
to inculcate
TRUE LIBERAL ENGLISH PRINCH'LK.S.
I always repudiated French Liberalism, not my origin,
mind vou, not the land of my ancestors, but t always
repudfated those ideas which have brought the
country of my ancestors to its jiresent reduced con-
dition. I wanted to bring in better ideas. The Ultra-
montane party now fought us with somt' reason, now
with no reason. But their dogmatic politics will not
long remain under the cover of ]h-itisli institutions.
For a long time they were tlie mainstay of the party
of Sir John Macdonald. But there came a time when
they could no lunger remain so. The (irst t)ccasion
when they found themselves unable tu follow the
leadership of Sir John Macdonald was in connection
with that License Act which you will all remend)er.
They completely severed themselves also from tlie
party and Government of Sir John Macdonald on the
outrageous Franchise liill. At that time I was not
in the position that I now occupy, but I occupied a
position of some responsibility in the re])rescntation
of my native province. There was a (juestion fronting
u.«. The Ultramontane party had lost confidence in
the Government and in tlie party of Sir John Mac-
donald. and we had never had any confidence in him.
"Were the Opposition to refuse the votes of the
Ultramontanes because they could not accept all the
55G
SPEECH
Ultraiuontiine iflciifl ? Well, Sir, T had several inter-
views ut that time with a man who was one of the
leaders of the party. He was a personal friend of
mine, allhouj^li we differed in politics. I allude to
Senator Trudel, whom I admire for the courage of
his convictions, tliough I do not agree with them all.
T a-iiced him a few days ago if ho would allow me t(>
make public what luul passed between us. He con-
sented in tiie following note, which 1 take the lilierty
of reading ; —
Montmil, I'.tth Sept., IS.S'.I.
MV i)i;.ui i.\ri;ii:i; :
I iK'rlcotly rememlioi' that in all our (^oiivi'i'satinns, as you
imt it very correctly, '' uirrci'liifX iiijoii soiin! ijuostioiis, illll'i-r-
u\it on many otln'i'.s, we were oropinion that it was pret'i^'aMc
tliat tlie Nationil Conservatives ^'llonlll lie organi^ced as u
<Ustine.t party, with an aeknowUnlged leader." You raiulit
havf adiied that, while agreeinu upon the necessity ofopposin.g
the /yfo7/ /(/e», tor their nuuii-roiis misdeeds, we re.s|.'ectively
reservi; I our prrlect IVceiloui to aot uiion political i|Uestions
us we might dciem best lor the good of the eounti'v. You h.ive
perfect lilierty to state the above I'acits when an 1 where you
shall ehojse. 1 even ilesire that you should do so. Because I
urn of the opinion that as a general rule, truth should see the
light of day. 11' there are any excejitions to that rule they
must be very few, and nothing but good must result from the
I'act that upon every q.iestion the public should have the
truth and the whole truth.
Sir, those are the facts, and T see nothing but
Ayhat is perfectly honoral)le for the Liberal party and
for tlie Ultramontane^ of Lower Canada in that respect.
I submit this with all c(mtidence to the approval and
to the judgment of my fellow-countrymen. Now, ."^ir,
I have dilated perhaps too long upon this question;
but when I came to Ontario I thought that I would
iiot discharge my duty fully if I snirked any of the
issues which are now agitating the public opinion of
Ontario. Sir, now I may say this : These recent events
to which I have alluded have created in many minds
the impression that we of the Liberal party have
AT TOKONTO I.N ISSD
Co?
carried tuo far tlie doctrine of provincial rights. I
submit, on the contrary, tluit tlicse recent events to
•\vhicli I have alluded— and the whole history of Con-
federation has ?hown the fact — that the power ot
disallowance is the
GREATKST DANGER TO rOM'EDEKATION
to-di;y. The power of disallowance vested in the
Central Government is not, mind you, the logical con-
sequence of the iederative principle. On the contrary,
it is altogether antagonistic to that jjrinciple.The fede-
rative principle is that every Legi^hiture - whether
it Le the Local Legi.-^latureor whctlier it he the Central
Legislature — should be perfectly independent of each
other; and, to my mind, if you interfere with the
independence of one you comi)letely make away with
its utility. I (piite understand, Sir,that the Tmijerial
Parliament should keep the power of disallowance
over the legislation of the Dominion Parliament. This is
not the conae(iuence of the federative princii)lo. Tliis is
in conse(iuence of our dependency as a colony. Peing
dependent, it is nothing but right that the supreme
i^owcr should retain to itself the i)owcr of disallowance
if it so thinks fit. But, Sir, we are a loyal people ; we
Ixiast of our loyalty every day ; yet Isubniit that the
people of Canada never would tolerate from the Im-
perial Government what the Government of Canada
is trying to impose ui)on the provnces. Two or three
years ago, when the Inter-])rovincial Conference met
ni Quebec, they discusj^ed that subject, and they very
projterh' determined that it wouUl be a proper a-
Tuendment to our constitution that the power of veto, of
disallowance of local legislation as Avell as of the
Dominion legislation. should be vested in the Iinptrial
(Government. The discussion which then took jdace
has shown this, that in our constitution a great mis-
take was made, and that when the i)owor of dii=allow-
ance Avas vested in the Central Governnicnt.])rinciple
was sacrificed to expediency. Tt was tlicn said that
558
srEEcir
the i)()wer of diflunownnco was nrcpspnry for the pro-
tection of minorities. ]3ut what has heen the result ?
The })o\ver of disaUowance has heen shamefully made
use of by the Conservative party for pariv jairposes.
It has heen exercised or it has heen withlield ju.st
AS SUITED PARTY PURPOSES.
Sir, there is to-day a sentiment of difference between
Ontario and Quebec. This is not of to-day only. This
existed in former times. Remember, fientleruen. the
old veterans of former times; rememlier when the
people of Upi)er Canada complained that in local ques-
tion.i their will was superseded by the will of the peo-
ple of Quebec ! Hememher the old struggles that were
waged by Mr. (ieorge Ih'own and by our friend, yiv.
Mowat, upon this question ! In fact Confederation was
hugely the result of the discontent which was aroused
in Ontario, in conseciuence of the fact that the will of
the people oi Ontario was sujierseded by the Quebec
majority which supported the Government of that
time. Do you want, my fellow-countrymen, to see
tliose old days revived ? If you want to see those ohl
days revived, just let this policy prevail of allowing
the supreme power in the Government of Canada, to
set its will against the will of the people of the prov-
inces. Remember the conllict which was created only
a few years ago, when the Government of Sir John
Macdonald, shocked and horrified by the injustice of
jNIr. Mowat passing such a law as tlie streams' bill,
disallowed it. Well, what the people of Ontario com-
jilainedofat that time the })eople of Quebec would
complain of to-day. Sir Isim])ly say this, that in the
sphere which is allotted to every Legislature.
THE ONLY TRIBUNAL
to which this Legislature is amenable is the peoi)le
which elected it. But, Sir, it is said that the Legis-
lature may pass a law which would be prejudicial to
AT TORONTO IN
5o9
the jjeiieriil interests of Canada, and that in sncli a
caae such a law should be disallowed. l{ut are you (luito
sure that the power of disallowance, thus exercised,
will bo more in the interest of Canada than the law
disallowed? Take the case of Manitoba. The people of
Manitoba believed that railway competition was in the
interest of their province. The Covernment of Canada
asserted that monopoly in Manitoba was essential to
the benefit of Canada, and, in eonse(|Uenc'e of that
assertion, the (iovernnient ot Canada disallowed the
will of the people of Manitoba which wanted railway
competition. Will any one tell me here that the
(lovernment of Canada, when it set its will against
thepeoj)leof Manitoba, acted for the best interests
of Canada? Will any one tell me that if you create
discontent in a province you will promote general
welfare in Canada? Will any one tell me, in fact,
when wo have a system which allows local questions
to be determined by local bodies, that it is for the
general good that those local bodies should have their
will set aside by a superior power ? Sir, I am not of
this mind ; you cannot be of this mind ; and the i)eo-
ple of Ontario have not been up to this moment of
this mind ; but you are told every day — and this is
Avhat is at the bottom of this agitation — that the
majority of the people in Quebec are aliuf^ing their
p(nver to jiromote legislation which is ofTensive to the
Protestant minority. Sir, this is the statement which
lias been made, I know. Jkit let me tell you this.
my fellow-countrymen : If my fellow-countrymen.
the Protestants of Quebec, have any legislation of
which they have just right to complain, let me just
tell you thi.s — though that is a thing which I am not
prepared at this moment to admit — every single piece
of that legislation has been passed with their con-
currence. Sir, the Protestant minority of Quol)ec,
for reasons of their own, for reasons which T shall not
at this moment discuss, have invariably since the
year 1854
5C0
SPEECH
SUI'POIITED THE CONSEUVATINE PARTY,
iiml every pieco of legislatitHi which is now sigiiiilized
!i.s being ofr(!n?ive to the Proie-tiint minority hus Iteen
put, ui)on the stiituto ho()|< Ijy the Cons^erviitive party ;
unil fvcry (imo witii the concurrence ofthe I'rotcrftiint
minority. Nnw. Sir, it muy he — I am not iiere to
deny it — it may he that si»mo of tliis Icgialiition to-day
is found to 1)0 offensive to tlie Protestant minority';
but if it is HO, Wduhl it not be fair to ask tlie Protest-
ant minority to come l)efv)re the FiCgisIature of (iuebec,
and tliero to lay their (lomplaint '.'' I ask it of you,
gentlemen, in th(i spirit of fairness wliich has ever
characterized a JJritish audience, is it fair, is it loyal
to charge my fellow-countrymen with tyrannizing the
minority ? N'ever, never, in any onc^ single instance,
was a protest ever made to the Legislature (»f (iuebec.
Sir, I say more. I belong to a race which is not
without faults, but which is, T am sure, as kind-
hearted as any race to l)e found on the face of the
earth. I l)elong to a race which every man ol'liritish
origin who luis known it has always proclaimed as
nin> of the most peaceable and friendly to be found
anywhere; audi make ludd to say, in the name of
my fellow-countrymen of French origin, that when-
ever aju.st complaint is made to them, that ju-t com-
jthiint will be heard. I ask this, those wiio eomphiin,
if they want to go to the Governor- lieneral, let them
go; if they want to goto the Dcnninion Parliament,
let them go ; l)ut I only ask that, before so (h)ing,
they should come to the first Legislature that can
remedy their grievances, that is the Legislature in
which they have the ])0wer to elect some ten or twtdve
members o*" their own persuasion and creed and origin.
Ihni it not been for this unfortunate circumstance,
that they never made any i>rotest to the local
legishature, I am sure that at no time this unfor-
tunate controversy wouhl have taken place. I am
sure that at no time this unfortunate principle of
Dominion interference in local legislation would have
AT TORONTO IN ISSV)
5(11
been luaiiitiiined ; but, Sir, this is ii prim-iple which,
cnnnut bo trilled with. If you once luliiiit that tlHt
Dominion I'urliainent lias tho right to review and t«»
annul, jUHt by the mere motion of ita iiund, the legia-
lation <if any local body,
.ItST AS WKI.I, MAKE AWAY
with the wlioh; itaraphornalia of Confederation and
have legislative union at once — because it will amount
to ligisiulive union. This is an issue upon which tln.-
Liberal party has fought a long, long battle. I know-
very well thi.s; that this prineijile cannot be allirmcd
without giving otl'ei.ce now in one province and now
in another province. Hut Conl'ederatiun, Sir. cannot be-
woikcd unless we adhere to the principle in which it
was conceived, v.hich was u sej)aration of iiower-s
letwcenlccal bodies, .'•upreme in their sphere, and tl.u
general body, aho s-upremein its sphere. Sir, so far we
have been pretty &ucces^ful. T admit we havetlic^eiittlo
diniculties. but I trust in tlie jmlguient and in tin?
sober rellection of my I'ellow-countrymen of all creeds,
of all races, and of all provinces, again to aflirm that
what was done in ISBT was good work and should b«r
maintained. Now, Sir, under that system, since 1807
we have been, I must say, pretty successful. We havr
not been as successful as we might have been, and
there is one thing which, for one, I deeply deprecate.
It is that under that system, though we started with
the intention of creating amongst us a new nation, we.
have not yet succeeded in creating a national senti-
jticnt through the breadth and length of the Dominioi.
of Canada. This is a thing which we must strive after,
and this is a thing for which the Liberal party in
every (b'.y stiiving, but we cannot achieve that object
imless we are able to show our people that it will
bring them the greatest amount possible of prosperity-
I am not of those who would deny — if there beany
-who would, which I do not believe — that we have
made in the way of pri)gres3 gigantic strides, still
ob
J)62
SPEECH
WE HAVE NOT DONE
all we should have done. It was eaid of a king of
antiquity tliat he said " nothing is dune as long as
there i^^ something to do. " It is true that the Conser-
vative partj' tell us every day that we are the most
prosperous people on the face of the earth, that milk
and honey flow in the land — though you do nut
see it much — that everything is for the best in
the best of worlds ; but, though the Conservative
party every day sing prcans in favor of the present
state" of things, their actions, I submit, tell a different
tale. They will not tell you that we should change any-
thing ; they will not tell you that we should reform any
thing. Reform is a hateful word to them, but though
they do not tell you in so many words, you find in
their actions evidences that they are not altogether
satisfied with the present state of things. In the very
ranks uf the Con.aervative party, you have an associa-
tion formed to promote Imperial Federation. What
does this mean? It certainly means that in their esti-
iiiation something should ])e done. Well, I ara not
one of those who believe in
IMPERIAL FEDERATION.
What we need is not a political reform, at this moment,
it is not a change in our political status, What we want
IS a commercial and economic reform. This thought
has been well illustrated in the House of Commons
itself within the ranks of the Conservative party in
theeessionof 1888. Inthesessionof 1888, Mr. Marshall,
a supj)urtfc of the Government, moved a resolution
affirming in substance that it would be to the advan-
tage of Canada to have closer commercial relations
"with the mother country. Such a resolution, couched
in such a few words could not be satisfactory.
Accordingly, Mr. Dalton McCarthy gave notice of
another motion which was more proper, and this is
what he intended to offer to the House:
That it would be in the local interests of tlie Dominion
that such changes should be sought for in the trade relations
AT TORONTO IN 1SS9
563
betwoen tho United Kinjidomand C.aniidaas would jjivo Canada
advantages in the maritets of the mother country not allowed
to foreign States, Canada being willing for such privileges to
discriminate in her markets in favor of Great Britain and
Ireland, due regard being had to the jjolicy adopted in 1879 for
the purpose of fostering the various interests and imlustries
of the Dominion and to the financial necessities of the Domi-
nion.
This resolution, T said, was not moved. The
author had no occasion to move it, or devek){) it, hut
on the motion of Mr. Marshall he indicated that the
policy adopted should be that England should receive
our cereals free of duty, but tax the cereals of every
other country, and if they would do that we would l)e
so magnanimous as to lower the tariff by a few inches
which we have ^ut in the face of British industries.
Well, I may say i is at once, I would be in favor of a
more close commercial alliance of Canada with Great
Britain. T would favor it witli all my soul. Hut, Sir,
if there is any man who believes tliat any such alliance
l)etween Canada and Groat Jiritain can be formed
upon any other liasis than that of free trade wliich
l)revail3 in England, that man is a " Rip van Winkle "
who has been sleeping not only for the last seven years,
but for the last fourty-four years. Why, Mr. Chairman,
the British people will not to-day go back
ON THE POIJCY OK FRICK TllADE
which they have adopted, and C^anada is Tiot in a posi-
tion at this nn)ment, with the large revenue which she
has to collect, to adopt any other tariff than a revenue
tariff at best. So that the conditions are not equal
upon which you can form a closer commercial alliance
between Canada and Great Britain ; but there is
alongside of us a kindred nation economically situ-
ated as we are — the United States — and we claim that
that commercial alliance which at this moment is not
possible with England is possible with the Unite.I
States, and the policy which we have advocated.
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SPEECH
•which we still continue to advocate, is the removal
of all commercial barriers between this country and
the great kindred nation to the south of us. Now, 8ir,
there is not a man in this audience, there is not a man
in Canada, I venture to say, who, if he were to speak
the honest conviction of his heart, would not say that
this would be a most advantageous policy to Canada.
Still that policy is objected to. On what ground?
On the same ground of distrust and diffidence to which
I alluded at a former stage, and which seems to ])er-
meate every feature of our national life. Men there
are who tell you that if wh) had unrestricted recipro-
city we would have annexation. But I ask those men,
if they voted for
UNRESTRICTED UECIPROCITY,
would they be disfranchised? Will they not l)c able
to vote against annexation if that becomes a question ?
It is idle to talk about this. I am sorry to say that
some of those who started to figlit the battle of reci-
'procity have since grown faint-hearted. We are tuld
that (HU' chances of securing reciprocity have !)een
diminished because the Democrats were defeated in the
last Presidential election. During ]\[r. Cleveland's
administration, it is said, it would have been possible
to obtain unrestricted reciprocity ; there would have
been some chance. Now, Sir, my good friend, Sir
Richard Cartwright, moved his first motion in favor
of reciprocity in the year ISSS — in the very year the
Presidential election was held, and if there is any man
who at that time, with a knowledge of historj%expected
that reciprocity would be brought about in the
course of twelve months or twenty months, he has
not read history as I have read it. I have read it in
this way, that every reform has cost to the reformers
years of labor, and those years of labor I for one am
prepared to give, and though the Democrats may be de-
feated in the States and though Canadians may grow
faint-hearted in Canada, the Liberal party, as long as
AT TORONTO IX 1SS9
565
I have anything to do with it, will remain true to the
cause until that cause is successful. T will nut expect
to win in a day. but I am prepared to remain in the
cool shades oi'Opposititju until the causae has triuinph-
f'd, and you never shall hoar a complaint fro.u me.
Rut some think that, thou!j;h uniostricted rpci])rocity
is posriible, it is not probable. We are
ox THH EVE OF TUIUMPII.
The triniupb is iit our band^ if we only know bow to
play our cards. Some men say tboy are discouraged
because the Democrats have been defeated and the
Rejmblicans ai'e in ])ower, and they say we cannot
have from the Reiiuldicau party what the Democraiio,
])arty would have been prepared to give U3. Sir. I am
afraiil with tbo^e people the wish is father to the im-
presffion. If any one will read the evidences which
are now going on the other side of the line, he will
see that there is no cause to be discouraged because
the Ri'p.ublicans are in })ower. Why, in this very
month there is to assemble at Washington a Ccnigress
of American nations, summoned by the Government
of tb.e day. to discuss what ? To discuss closer com-
mercial relations ])etween the United States and those
nations. Well, certaiidy what can be discussed with
the southern republics by the American Government
can be well discussed by the American Government
with the Canadian Government. I can see no reason
why we should nut attempt to do the same. This con-
vention is to meet under a resolution of Congress
which reads as follows : —
'I'lie ailoption of uniform patent and copy-right laws ; the
establislunent of regular and freijuent communication between
the (lilferent countries i)articipating in the conference : the
selection of a jilan of settling international disputes; the
adoption of a uniform silver coinage, and of a uniform standard
of weights and measures ; the adoption of a uniform standard
of customs and taritF'luties.
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SPEECH
5 ■
Is that plain enough ? The adoption of a uniform
standard of Customs and tariff duties. I am not
prepared to say I would be disposed to concur in all
which is here asserted, but I do certainly say that the
Government of the United States is disposed to
di-^cuss Reciprocity with Canada, if Canada wants
Reciprocity. I say more ; the question of Reciprocity
in the United States has not yet become a party ques-
tion, and I do hope, on my part — I would prefer —
that it should not be made
A PARTY QUESTION.
I prefer to see it remain what it is — a geographical
question, interesting the Northern and Central States ;
and if it be kept in those lines I have much hope of
an early success. It is quite evident that the Repub-
lican Government of President Harrison is disposed
to discuss to-day unrestricted reciprocity with the
neighboring States or Republics, and is therefore
disposed to discuss Reciprocity with Canada if Canada
only wants unrestricted reciprocity' with the United
States. We must not lose heart. There is no cause
to lose heart. Tt is most important that we make
proselytes not only amongst ourselves, but amongst
our American neighbors. There is great encourage-
ment to ihe Liberal party, to all who think well of
their country and who are disposed to study her best
interests, in the fact that Massachusetts, ever forward in
the cause of advanced legislation, has almost unani-
mously pronounced l)y the Uiouth of its business
men in favor of unrestricted reciprocity with Canada.
That being the case, all the more reason there is why
we should go on with the agitation we have com-
menced not yet two years ago. And, Sir, there is
more than that. There are at this moment indications
that the Government of Sir John Macdonald are pre-
paring, as the vulgar phrase goes, " to dish the Libe-
rals. " What, you will say, is the meaning of this?
Well, the literal signification of it is that Sir John,
Gtill audacious, intends
AT TORONTO IN 1889
567
TO STEAL THE CLOTHES
of the Liberal party, and is preparing at the next
election to present himself in the habiliments so
boldly stolen. Well, we can stand it. We are not to
be pitied ! Oh, no ! The men to be pitipJ are the poor
Tories who have for so long bawled themselves hoarse
on the theme, to them so congenial, of the danger to
Imperial Confederation which lurks in unrestricted
reciprocity with the great nation to the south of us.
The party to be pitied is not the Liberal party, but
the party which is compelled to swallow the dose
tliey now aver to be so nauseous to the country and
detrimental to Canada. But, nauseous as the dose is,
they will, as in the past, swallow it. If it is necessary
to retain them in power, it is not at all too sickening
for the Tory stomach. But if the Liberals are to be
pitied even a little at this time, it is that after all the
abuse heaped upon them they have to provide clothes
for those who have most reviled them. The Tories
whenever they get a new suit never attempt to put it
off until it is torn and in rags ; and then when the
hour of Tory necessity comes, when their nakedness
is but too apparent, the Liberals arc dislied and their
clothes are stolen. The Liberal party to-day, as in
the past, stands true to its Liberal principles; above
all, it stands true to ihe country and to the interests
that will best inure to its welfare and prosperity. If
Sir John Macdonald will adopt our programme and
give us unrestricted reciprocity, with all my heart,
in the matter, I will pledge him that he will h;ive the
most em])hatic support. I am not sure, however, that
he will g»j as far as that. I am (luite prepared to
believe that he will take
A LITTLE BIT OF RECII'llOCITV,
and then another little bit of recii)r:>city, and then
Bay to the people of Canada : Well, we went on our
knees to the Yankees, and we could not get any more.
t;*i
r.i'iA
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SPEECH
Even if be goes a little in this waj', if he. secures even
-a litt' bit of reciprocity, it will be so much done;
•■we will take fresh courage and look for uiore^ because
I tell you the Liberal party will never cease the agi-
tation until they triumph and obtain Continental
Free Trade. We are asked sometimes, gentlemen,
what is the ))rogramme uf the Liberal party. This is
the programme of the Lil)eral party : — To obtuin con-
tinef.tal freedom of trade. That is our programme at
this moniool Put, gentlemen, others of you will say,
is that the oily qu J.«tion? Are tliere no other qucs-
Vh Inns pressing for .solution? Yes, gentlenjcn, tlicre
are oth ;r (iucstions,ai.'d important (piestions, t:)0, that
Avill sou . ^oMiP int > tlie aroi;a of active })olitici ; l)ut
as I read history, as I i'~:d Canadian history, ono
great reform at a timo .•.•^as much as a party can effect,
and if we fix our eyes steadily on one reform and de-
vote Jill our energies to its accomplishment, success
will certainly crown our efforts at no distant duy ; fix-
ing our eyes steadily upon tlie goal, avc sliall go on
steadily until we reach it — unrestricted continental
reciprocity. Mr. Baldwin devoted his life tooue single
reform, that of responsible government. Mr. Brown
gave his life to one single reform, representation by
population ; and if the Liberals of to-day can achieve
what they now have in view, and i)roclaim the great
principles of continental free trade, they will liave
done a great good to the country, they will have con-
ferred a boon on the British race, they will have be-
mefited nuvnkind ; they will have performed a service
of which they will have every reason to bo proud.
I^Tuw, Sir, I will say here that
THE LIBERAL PAUTY ARE UNITED
in this : What we want is not the cry of Imperial Fe-
deration as it has been set forth lately, but political,
commercial and economic reform, and an alliance not
limited simply to the British Empire, but which will
embrace every nation sprung from the stock of Britain.
AT TORONTO IN 1889
r>{)0
Can there be any good reason Avliy this sliouhl not bn
accoini)lished? Can there be any reason why in sucli
a great reform United Stales sliouhl be left out? I
conteris T can see none. The British ra( e is the great
trading race of the workl, Thoy are scattered all over
the face of this earth, f am a French ('an:ulian,
speaking as a Canadian, and I say to my fellow-Cana-
dians that the course the great Liberal |);irty should
l)ursue U that \vhi(,'h \vill besttend towards the speedy
attainment of this great object, an alliance of the
whole British race ujion the face of the eartli ; and if
we obtain an alliance, a commercial alliance between
Canada and the United Slates, we sliall have fitted
one link of the chain ; but we should not be satisticd
until ring after ring has been added, and until with a
strong chain we have encircled the whole globe.
But I have done. While I have re[)resented that
the condition of our country cannot be viewed excej)t
with some little degree of anxiety and alarm, yet all
of us. whatever our creed, whatever (mr race, what-
ever our i-rovince, if we onl}' bring ourselves up to
the level of trusting each other, of having confidence
in our own better nature and having
I
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A BETTER OPINIOX OF EACH oTIIER,
..■e shall have good cause for hope in the future. T
shall never be disturbed by 'wild talk, whether in
Quebec or Ontario ; it is only wild talk ; it is only the
safety valve by which the surplus steam will
escape and do no harm. When the excitement has
subsided, let us remember that, though divided by
different tenets and of different religious creeds, we
all worship the same God ! Let us remember that,
though divided in religious forms, still we all believe
in Him who came to earth to bring to men peace and
good will, and if we are true to those teachings, if we
are ever ready to give and to take, to make all allow-
ance for the opinions, nay, for the prejudices of my
fellow-countrymen, for my i^art I never shall despair
of the future of our young country.
:V
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THE DOAL LANGOAGE dUESTION
SPEECH DELIVERED BY Mr. LAURIER
IN THE COMMONS ON 11th
FEBRUARY, 1890,
AGAINST MR. IW^CARTHY's BILL TO ABOLISH THE FRENCH
LANGUAGE IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE
NORTH- WEST TERRITORIES.
Mr. Speaker,
If I, for one, could accept the declaration often
made by the mover of this Bill, not only while intro-
ducing it. but on several occasions befure, protesting
that to the course which he had adopted for himself,
and of which this is only the preliminary step, he was
impelled by no other motive than a desire, a lofty
desire, of securing the future of this country from dis-
sension, and of ensuring peace and harmony by re-
moving all causes of contention, I would be sorry
that the honorable gentleman, harboring in his heart
aims so high, should have endeavored to accomplish
them by means so selfish, and so ungenerous, as those
which underlie the measure which he has brought
before the House. When, however, the honorable
gentleman, in order to find a motive for the measure
to which he called the attention of the House, invokes
considerations of such far-reaching prudence, he is
simply deluding himself. The honorable gentleman,
no doubt, may persuade himself, but he will with
difficulty convince those to whom he has been address-
ing himself, that his ultimate object in this matter is
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SPEECH
simply to secure the futnro peace and liarmony of this
country, while hia present action must tend to ondan-
}rer the peace and harmony which happily prevail. I
can find nothin<? in this ))ill, I must say, but the old,
Ol.n .SiniUT OK DOMINATION AND INTOLKKANCE
which, in this land and in other hinds, has always
characterized the course of pure, unadulterated To-
ryism. The measure, taken by itself, disconnected
from the motives which inspired it, would not be of
very great importance -we are all agreed upon that —
])Ut it is of tlie greatest importance for this reason
that it constitutes a declaration of war by the honor-
able gentleman and those with whom he is acting
against the French race. It is a declaration of war,
T say, against the French race of this country, of whicli
the honorable gentleman, iri this House, spoke in nti
disres])ectful terms, but of whi(!h, in other places in
the province of Ontario, he spoke in terms which ho
Avould not dare to repeat on the lloor of this House ; the
hon. gentleman spoke of the French race in terms of oji-
probrium, which, I say again, he would not dare to re-
peat in this House in presence of French Canadians,
who, by law, are on a plane of equality with him in
this House. He would not dare to apply here to my
fellow-countrymen of French origin, the terms and
e])ithets which he applied to them on former occa-
sions in the province of Ontario. He would not dare
to say here what he said elsewhere, he would not dare
to call that race here as he did elsewhere —
A " BASTARD NATIONALITY."
T have here his language, which he used not later than
the 12th July last, at Stayner, Ont., where he said :
In Barrie,last election,! pointed out,in .a few simple wordf,
that the great danger which overshaiiowed Canada was the
Frencli national cry, this bastard nationaUty,not a nationality
which will take us in as we will take them in, but a nationality
ACiAI>'.ST MH.
McCarthy's bill
which begins and ends witli the French raco,— wliich hcf^ins aiul
ends witli those who profess the Honian Catholic faith, and
which now threatens tho<lisniemberment ofCana(hi.
A "bastard nationality, "a "clanger to Canada" ! Why,
Sir, the days are not five years distant when this
" bastard nationality," to use the choice words of the
honorable gentleman, was unanimous in their support
of the Corpervative party to which the honorable
gentleman, then as now, belonged ; the days are not
five years distant when the honorable gentleman
might have counted on his fingers the members of that
race in this House who did not belong to the Conser-
valivo party. And yet in those days, and as long as
that race gave his party nearly the whole weight of
their infiuence, we never heard of any danger to Ca-
nada from this French national cry. In those days
the sensitiveness of the honorable gentleman, now so
easily alarmed, did not seem to be in the least con-
cerned. Nay, more, my fellow-countrymen of French
origin, on the same side of the House to which he
belongs, could appeal, and did appeal, to all prejudi-
ces of my own race ; but that was a legitimate war-
fare, because the national cry was made to do ser-
vice in behalf of the Conservative party, to give them
ofilce, and to procure for them the direct and in-
direct profits of ofiice. The speech delivered the other
night by my honorable friend, the Minister of Public
Works, and to which, I must say, legitimate objec-
tion was taken by my honorable friend from North
Oxford (Mr. Sutlierland), was simply, in condensed
form, the food which, for the last twen ty-five years,
has been served up every day by the Conservative
ministerial press of the jjrovince of Quebec. Yet in
those days not one word was ever heard as to any
danger to Canada from this national cry. But matters
are altered to-day. To-day the French Canadians are
NO LONGER A fNIT
: 3
■■li
, if
in their support of the Conservative party ; and what
571
ei'EECH
W119 {;()iiimc'n(liil)le,or iit least unohjectioiial)le,in those
(lays, has now become a danger to Canada. A dange r
to Canada, Sir ! 1 venture ti) nay, judu'inp of the fu-
ture by the past, that if the Krenoli Canadians were
again to unite and give tlio whole weight of their in-
fluence to the party to which the honorable gentleman
Htill belongs, not one wnvd niori; would we heard
about this danger to Canada from the P^-ench national
cry ; i)ecau3e, though the honorable gentleman afTects
now to be a free lance, still he belongs to the party
commanded by the Prime Minister, lie; may not be
a very dinciplined .«ol(lier, he may he carrying on a
guerilla warfare, according to his methods, but after
all, he is working for the benctit of tin- Conservative
party, lie has told us himself on more than one oc-
casion. Not fifteen days ago, he said so in Colling-
wo(«l,iind be siiid so on the 12th July last, at Stayner.
It i.4 well known that it was on the 12lh July last iit
ytayner, amongst his own constituents, that the hono-
rable gentleman started on the war jiath. fie then
stated that be was furbishing his own weapons, and
that when Parliament again met he was going to give
assault to the FriMich. Ilia ardor was such that he
deprecated the unfortunate condition of things whicli,
under the Constitution, did not permit him to attack
them wherever his ardor would impel him, but under
the Constitution, he said he could attack the French
language in the North-West Territories, and attack
he would as soon as the occasion offered. P)Ut at tiie
same time the honorable gentleman, addressing bis
constituents — all ofthern, probably, good Tories was
careful to tell them that he was still a Conservative,
that he would remain a Conservative, and that
A OO.NSKEtVATIVE HE HOPED TO DIE ;
and T have no doubt that that is true, because I do
not think the honorable gentleman has the slightest
particle of Liberalism in his composition. After thi«,
some candid souls have asked if tlic honorable gent-
AGAINST MB. M CARTHY's DIM.
575
Inman was in sympatliy with the Prime Ministor, or
if he WHS starting a new movement of his own. A most
useless (luostion, for wlmtever may he the aim of (lie
honoralile f,'entleinan,it ia (juite certain tiiat he means
no harm to the Conservative party, still less to the
leader of the party. Upon that occasion, he spoUc of
his attachment to the paity, and to the leader of the
party, in terms of j^ushinj^ efTusiveness which, I must
say, tlie honorahle gentleman is not accustdiued to
use. I might (luote several expressions of hi.'*, hut
here is one which is characteristic of the wIidIc
tenor of his sjieech :
"ir' I will treat my old cliieftiiin with nil tomlorness, lor I iiiii
■till a meniljer of tlie party. I cannot be read out, iiltliou;:li I
do not know wliat i.s in .store for me.
The hon. memhcr (Mr. McCarth . \^ not li r(',l)ut,
if lie were here [ would tell him that he can keej) his
soul in peace.' He need not fret nor worry over what is
in store for him. for T know tlu; right honorable <:ei)t-
Usman's astuteness too well — not to mention his iiohler
(jualities — not to be aware that. if the honorahle gent-
leman brings recruits to th<' party, he will be forgiven,
and,' it is for recruits to the i>arty that he is looking
now. I regret that the honorable gentleman is not
heie as I would rather sjjsak in his presence than in
his absence, but, in all sincerity, I say that T believe
1 e is looking for recruits t'or the Conservative part}',
wtiile, of course, not forgetting himself. The t'onser-
vutive i)arty have been in power for a long time ; thev
have been in power nearly continuously for thirty
years and it is a matter of history that, during that
time, they have been kept in power almost entirely
I5V THE FKKNCH CATHOI.KJ SUPPOKT
of the province of Quebec. That is a support upon
which they can no longer rely, because the people of
Quebec are now divided in their p(jlitical allegiance ;
but it must be manifest to everybody that an English
576
SPEECH
;
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Protestant united Ontario would be just as effective
for party purposes, and this seems to be the task
which the honorable gentleman has set before him to
accomplish. It is always an easy and a cheap task
to arouse and inflame prejudices. Give me a meeting
or assembly of men, v.-hether it be small or large, and
in that meeting I will find passions and prejudices,
noble in themselves, but which can be easily excited
into dangerous passions and prejudices. The honor-
able gentleman is nuw endeavoring to arouse preju-
dices which old quarrels, religious fervor, and pride
of rac'', may have left in the breasts of his felUnv-
count. /men of PZngli^h origin. lie tells them th;it if
the country is to be kept British all Canadians of Bri-
tish origin must unite ; at the same time he states
that he is a Conservative, that he will remain a Con-
servative, that he will not be separated from his
leader. Tf the appeals which he has been making
were to be successful, to whom wouldthey profit and
whom would they affect? Tliey certainly wouUl not
affect the Conservatives, because tlie lionorable gen-
tleman states that he is still in allegiance with them,
.aid that they belong to the same party. If they would
iiffect anybody, they would atTect the Liberals of On-
tario, who, fearing perhaps for British connectiun,
might 1)0 induced to follow the honorable gentleman
'nto the Conservative party, for which he could frame
a policy and of whi'- h then he would be dictator.
Well, if this moveujcnt of the honorable gentle-
man .vere to be terminated here, if it were attempted
merely to do service as a party device and to end
there, it might not be viewed with much alarm. If
this measure of the honorable gentleman were not to
be followed by any other, if it were to remain as it
appears here,'a measure for the
PROSCRIPTION OF THE FRENCH LANGUAGE
confined to the North-West Territories alone, where
the French population is small, I say at once that I
AGAINST MR. MCCARTHY'S BILL
677
would be inclined to say : Let the measure pass and
let us return to those measures of practical uriefulnesa
which demand our attention. But this is not the last
movement of the honorable gentleman. This is only
a preliminary skirmish, soon to be followed by a ge-
neral onslaught upon the whole Freich race in Cana-
da. I have before me the words of the honorable
gentleman, and he has more tlian once told us that
his object is a hand-to-hand conllict with the French
race of Canada. If he did not say so in so many
words, there is no mistaking his meaning that his ul-
timate object is the annihilation of the French race as
an individual people in this Dominion. In his speech
at Btayner, he unfolded his whole mind, and, address-
ing himself to the English section of the people of the
Dominion, he said :
Tlicre is a great work cut out for us to do. Lot us begin
with tluit wiiich si'tms most poi^sibie oC accoraplishiiH'iit. Let
us (leal with the dual languages in the North- West. In the
Local House let us tleal with the teaching of French in tlie
schools. When these two matters are settled, we will have
acconiplisheil somettiing, and wo may be able to do something
better in future.
These words are (juite significant. This Bill, the
introduction of this measure, is simply a preliminary
step, and when that is accomplished it is lo be fol-
lowed by something better. And what is that some-
thing better which is to follow? The honorable gen-
tleman has not left us in doubt as to that. Here are
his words :
We must buckle on our armor This is a liritish
country, and the sooner we take np our l-'reneh Canadians
and make them British, the less tioulile will we leave lor pos-
terity, f'c" sooner or latei' nmst this mattei- be settled.
Nothing can lie plainer than this language. The
French Canadians are to be deprived of their lan-
guage, not only in the North-West Territories, but
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578
SPEECH
WHEREVEU THEIR LANGUAGE EXISTS.
•'I
They must be deprived of everything which consti-
tutf 8 their distinct individuality in this Dominion. and
this must be done by legislation now ; but, if not done
now by legislation, in future it will be done by force
and violence — by bullets and bayonets. The expres-
sion is not mine, but that uf the honorable gentleman
himself. It has been repeated, not once or twice,
but several times in different parts of the Dominion.
So this is the policy upon which the honorable gen-
tleman is endeavoring to form a new party, or to re-
organise an old party. This is the policy the hono-
rable gentleman offers to his fellow-countrymen of
English origin. I denounce this policy as anti-Cana-
dian ; I denounce it as anti-British ; I denounce it as
being at variance with all the traditions ofDritish
Oovernnient in this country ; I denounce it aa fatal
to the hope we at one time entertained, and which I,
for one.am not d'spoped to give up, of forming a nation
* n tliis Continent. I denounce it as a crime, the con-
sequences of which aie simply shocking to contem-
plate. The honorable gentleman may mean nothing
more than a mere party device, but he is opening the
flood-gates to passions which, once aroused, perhaps
no human power may be able to restrain. He is
api)ealing to national and religious passions, the most
inflexible of all passions, and — whatever may be his
motive, whatever his end, whatever his purjiose — his
movement cannot be characterised by any other lan-
guage ihan that of a national crime. I do not know
• what are the motives which are actuating the hono-
• rable gentleman ; I do not know them fully. I look
• only at the consequences. But, whatever may be
' the honorable gentleman's motives, he has more than
• once felt impelled to repudiate the statement that he
'■ is actuated by hatred of the French race. If he were
here, I would tell him that I accept his statement
absolutely and entirely. Hatred is so base a senti-
ment that I would not impute it to him, but, if he is
not actuated by hatred, it is evident that he has
AGAINST MR. MCCARTHY'S BILL
,579
A VERY STRANGE MISCONCEPTION
of the character of French Canadians, and niu3t have
a very low estimate of their moral standard. In the
speech to which I have already alluded, the honora-
ble gentleman did not hesitate to go considerably
out of his way, in order to refer to the agitation which,
a few years ago, passed over the province of Quebec,
consequent upon the rebellion in the North-West and
the execution of the chief participant in the same.
He did not hesitate then to attribute the storm of
indignation which, at that time, convulsed a highly
emotional race, to the lowest sentiments which can
actuate +hc human heart, and those expressions were,
to a ce: cain extent, reproduced in the House, the
other 'iay, by the honorable member for North Bruce
(Mr. NcNeill), in the attempt he made to attack my
hono/'able friend ])eside me (Mr. Blake) for tlie cour-
ageous stand which he took upon that question. The
honorable member for North Simcoe (Mr. McCarthy)
did not hesitate to say that, if the people of Quebec
took the stand they did at that time, it was from a
most dishonest motive ; that it was simply an attempt
to stand between a criminal and justice, l)ecau3e
the so-cilled criminal happened to be one of their
own race.
U9
lis
IS
'I'liose wlio have done mo tlie honor to pay close attention
to my political career, will remember that in the County of
Ilalitimand two or three years ago I raised the warning note.
1 pointed out that the province of (Quebec ha 1 beei worked
up to madness against the Dominion authorities f j daring to
execute justice upon a Frenchman.
•' For daring to execute justice upon a French-
man. ■' I repeat this sentiment in his own words.
Well, I have simply this to sjiy, that whoever declares
that the position taken by the i)eople of Quebec upon
this (luestion was not an honest one is
n
:>
''if
s..;:
3 :':
580
SPEECH
GUILTY OF SLANDER
and make? a statement the truth of which he cannot
prove. The honorable gentleman has not, however,
the odium of having invented that charge. It has
been a stuck phrase of the conservative ministerial
press of Ontario for the last three or four years. So
long as it was simply confined to some obscure scrib-
blers, it might be passed in silence, but when th»
honorable gentleman did not hesitate to give it the
cmmtenance of his name and rej)utation, and when,
moreover, such sentiments are re-echoed in this
House, I cannot allow the charge to pass unrebuked.
I will meet the honorable gentleman on his own
grounds. T will not dispute his expression that the
people of Quebec were driven to madness on this
question, but as to the motives attributed by him I
Avill state that the people of Quebec believe in their
conscience, whether right or wrong, thnt the execution
" of that Frenchman " (to use the words of the honor-
able gentleman) was an unjustifiable homicide. The
honorable gentleman will not forget tliat twenty-three
uf his colleagues, twenty-three of those who sui)))orted
that administration like himself — most of them who,
like himself will not be read out of the party, but
wlio will remain conservatives — telegraphed to the
Prime Minister that the execution would be a crime.
This is not all ; there is more than that. The honor-
able gentlemnn will not forget that the press of the
civilised world decided upon that occasion that
" mercy should rule and not severity. " Tlie opinion
of the press of the whole world, the London Lanrct,
the Christian World, the London Dititi/ Nncs, the
London Echo, the Pall- Mall Gazette in England, fj'
National, Lc Journal dcs Drbats and Lc Tcli'i/raplic in
France, Harper's Wrcldy, the 77?ncs, the Woild. the
Cnnuncrcial Advertiser of New-York, and scores of
other journals in the United States, gave it as their
opinion that
1-
V .
AGAINST MR. MCCARTHY S BILL
5S1
MERCY SHOILO HAVE BEEN THE RfLE
upon that occasion. I will tell the honorahle geiitleuuiu
who has interrupted me that it' those jj;reat organs of
public opinion came to tlie cunclu.sion that mercy
should have been the rule U[>on that oc( asion. how-
dare he now contest the honesty of tlie peo[)le of
Quebec who came to the same conclusion? U those
who were without the conflict, if those who luoked
from a calmer si)here came to this conclusion, i.s it to
be wondered at that the piiople of Quebec came to
the.^ame conclusion. thouLrii it may be regretted that
they expressed their opinion in sucli violent language ?
I say more. There is no one man of English origin,
if he be true to the standar I of that proud race which
never tolerated injustice, and never submitted to
tyranny, who, looking at the long tale of woe and
misery which resulted in the rebellion in the North-
West, but must feel his heart indignant — not against
the poor wretches who, goii led to madness and driven
to desi)air by years of careless indilTereuce, at last
risked life and limb and fii>edom, risked the loss of
everything dear to nnm, to get justice, and then alone
obtained it — but against those wdio by their own
su])ineness had brought about such a crime on the fair
name of the country. There is more than that. If
the history of that rebellion were told, it would
unfold to the world
A TRAGKDY DARKER THAN HAMLET.
There was a race of men on the border between savage
and civilised life ; advanced enough to understand
the value of property, but not advanced enough to
defend their property against those unfeeling specu-
lators who everywhere precede civilisation. Among
the wdiole race tlien in Canada there was not one who
had received the smallest rudiment of education; but
they had heard there w-as one of their number who
had been more favored than they in this respect, and
m
m
I'. ■ -
^U
I
i
582
SPDECIl
he Wfis then an exile. If he were brought back to the
Territorie:?, might lie not procure for theiu the act of
simple justice which they themselves could not
obtain? To him they appealed; but, misfortune
greater than all their misfortune! the man to whooa
they thus appealed to be the eye to aee for them, the
mind to guide them, the arm to protect them, had
been touched by the hand of (lod, and was the most
helpless of them all. In the face of such facts, the
judgment of my fellow-countrymen can be impugned,
but their honesty cannot bo assailed. It is a vile
imputation to attack their honesty of ))urpose ; and
if I have thus alluded to these facts, it is not with a
view of recrimination, it is not with a view of perpe-
tuating tbe bitterness of these sad days. But since
we are threatened with a war of races, since my honor-
able friend (Mr. McCarthy) is going to api)eal to the
l)eople of Ontario to unite together, I want at least
fair play in tbe conte.'^t. I cannot allow that such a
statement as this made at Stayner should go unre-
buked, and I must do my share in the aitempt to
re-establish jierverted truth. I cannot allow the fair
name of my countrymen to be a.'^sailed by false f'tate-
ments, and that the expression should go abroad
uncontradicted that the people of Quebec will follow
no law but the law of their own selfishness. Since
the honorable gentleman (Mr. McCarthy) has taken
this attitude, since he has tried to introduce this new
policy, which outlines the course he has taken
recently, we might have hoped that he were im-
l)elled by
MOTIVES OF A HIGHER
and nobler consideration. lam not ignorant of the
fact that, among the men who have adopted the same
views as the honorable gentleman, there are many
who have come to the conclusion Avhich the honorable
gentleman has given expression to, from the convic-
tion that the existence of two separate nationi.lities
AGAINST MR. MCCARTHY S BILL
585
i
in Canada is not compatible with the existence of
the Dominion. This objection thus presented is one
which I will not reject. On the contrary, I say this
is a (juestion which must engross the serious attention,
of all those who have at heart the future of the coun-
try, for no one can close his eyes to the fact ihat the
existence of two distinct nationalities must produce-
sometimes, as if. has produced already, causes of ani^ry
friction and, therefore, of danger. Jkit, Sir, we must
deal with facts as ihey are, and deal with them as we
iind them. Here are two different races geographi-
cally ui'ited under the same ])oIitical allegiance, but
8ci)arated by numerous ethnical features. With those
conflicting elements, it is the object of the honoral)le
gentleman apjiarently — it is my own object certainly,
and it is the object of us all, 1 believe — to try to form
a nation. This is the problem we have to solve ; how
shall we i)roceed to solve it? The honorable gentle-
man has given as his method, the Tory method, and
he has once more demonstrated that Tory methods
never proceed from the nobler, higher instincts of
the human heart and the human intellect, but always
from the dread, the diflidence, and the distrust which
everywhere has made the Tory i)arty. wherever it has
had sway, suspicious and cruel. The honorable gen-
tleman, looking around this broad Dominion, sees a
])opulation of one and a-half million inhabitants,
nearly one third of our whole population, who are of
French origin, attached to their language, their laws,
their institutions, and their religion — attached to
everything which oharacterises their separate indivi-
duality. If the honorable gentleman hail stated that
this was a cause of possible friction, and that we
should endeavor to find Home means of alleviating
that friction, I would agree with him ; but the hono-
rable gentleman did not take that view. On tho
contrary, he coldly asserts that
if I
I
il[
' i' 'i "
'; I*
Hi
m
'4
THE EXISTENCE OF TWO SEPARATE RACES
here is not compatible with the existence of the Do.ni-
! ' ;i
>.]
il !
i J
:-'%*,:
584
SPEECir
nion, and, therefore, one must (li3api)ear ; and T have
quoted hig words in which lie appeals to his friends
of Enjjjlish- origin to hucklo on their armor, and see
to it that we have only one nationality on this conti-
nent. Sir, if this ]>olic'y were to prevail, what would
be the result? What is it the honoralde gentleman
has in view ? It is sim])ly this : that the French Cana-
dians should feel tJie yoke on tlieir shouhlers, that
they should l)e deprived by legislation, or hy force if
necessary, of everything which hsis been granted to
them hitherto. If this doctrine were to iircvail. on
what foundation would this Confederation rest? The
honoraVile gentleman, T am sure, would himself admit
that i)ride ol' race, attachment to the memory uf one's
nation and ancestors, are noble sentiments ; and yet
the honorabU' gentleman coldly proi)OHes that one
vand a-balf million of Canadians — in order, ashesays,
tiiat they should become good Canadians — should
renounce their origin and the tradition of their race.
He proposes that the humiliation of one whole race
in this country f-hould be the foundation of thin Domi-
nican. Woe to the party which can adopt such degrad-
ing doctrines as this! Who does not see that the
humiliation ol'one race would lie a far greater danger
to Confederation tlian any we have over yet known?
I endorse the words spoken a short time ago by the
honorable member for North Bruce (Mr. XcNeill),
that we want to build up a nation on this continent ;
and we Avant to establish such a state ot things that
every citizen of tl.is country, whatever his origin may
be, wliether he is English or French, shall (eel in his
heart a supreme pride to call himself a Canadian.
But I would a'«k the honorable gentleman — I could
not appeal perhaps to his heart, though I might to
his logical mind — does he believe that to subject one
whole section of our population to the humiliation uf
REKOUNCIXG ITS OUIGIK,
of turning its back upon its history, would make
them proud of the country ? Who does not perceive
AGAINST MR. JFCARTIIY S BILL
0S5
1;,'
m
m
that if you sliouUl force one section to hate the insti-
tutions under wliich they live, those institutions can-
not live? Sir, the humiliation of one race, one class.
one creed, or one rnan is not the foundiition on which
this f 'on federation can rest. There is but one foun-
(hition for it, that i", to give the fullest scope and the
fullest sway to all those sentiments which could nut
l)e torn fnun the heart without causing a hiss of pride.
The honorable gentleman seems to think that all
Canadians should be cast in tlie san;e mould. He is
proud of his race, and ho has every reason in be proud
of it; but. !Sir, it d''.>s not follow that we shoubl all
be Knglish-sj)eakii ^i; Canadians, that wc should all
be merged in the Anglo-Saxon element. Cevtainly
no one can respect or admire more thiin I do the An-
jjrlo-Saxon race ; I liave never disguised ii
ly sentiment.-
on that point ; birt we ol' French origin are satisfied
to be what we are, and we claim no more. I claim
this for the race in which T was born, tliat though it
is not jjevhaps endowed with the same (plasties as the
Anglo-Saxon race, it is endowed with (pinlities as
great ; I claim for it tliat it is endowed with (pialitie-i
unsurpassed in some respect; I claim I'm- it that there
is not to-day under the sun a more moral, mf)re
honest or more intellectual race ; and if the honorable
gentleman came to Lower-Canada, it would lie my
pride to take him to one of those ancient i)arishcs on
the St. Lawrence or one of its tributaries, and show
liini a people to whom', prejudiced as he is, he could
not but apply the words whirh the j)oet applied to
those who at one time inhabited the r>asin of Minas
and tlie meadows of Grandprc: —
Men wliose lives glided on like livers tliat wtiter the wood'
[innd
Darkened by shadow.s of eaitli, but reflecting an ininge of
[Ifeavon.
Sir, I claim no more than what is fairly
countrymen, and I say, let
due to my
58(5
SPEECH
im 'n
THE TWO RACES STAND TOGETHER,
each witli its own characteristics ;thcy will he all the
more speedily united in the same aspirations towards
a common object — British in allegiance and Canadian
in sentiment. Hut, Sir, if you attemi)t to rend I'rum
one whatever is dear and sacred to it, instead ot"
having peace and harmony, you will have ever in-
creasing discord. My honorable friend from North
Norfolk (Mr. Charlton) the other day told u.s that it
was in the interest of the French Canadians to Ijcciome
a i)art of the Anglo-Saxon race; and iirocecding to relate
the achicvenicnts of that great race, both in war and
peace, he almost asked permission from and apolo-
gised to the French Canadians for feeling ])roud of the
JJritish feats of arms on the Plains of Abraham, in the
Hay ol' Trafalgar, on the field uf Waterloo. Sir, my
honorable friend needed not to ajiologise; his senti-
ments are tjuite natural to those who liave the same
blood as he has in liis veins, and they cannot lie offen-
sive to anyone ; but I, who belong to the race which
was defeated in those battles, claim no ])ermission to
say that I lay no claim to that stoical heroism, if he-
loism it be, whicli can contemjdate without a pang,
even retrospectively, the defeat of one's own race,
though my judgment is clear that in two, at least, of
those battles — that on the Plains of Abraham and that
on the field of Waterloo — the victory of England was
a victory of liberty. I have, more than once in this
House, told my fellow-countrymen of the province
of Quebec, that the day which had severed Canada
from France had not been an evil day for the descen-
dants of Franco, because they had lound under the
Hritish Crown
GREATER I.IRERTY
than they could have hoped for under the French
regime, and after all liberty is the greatest boon of
life. But, Sir, while I eay that, I do not disguise to
'i':.
AGAINST MR. M'l'ARTIIY .S HILL
587
my fellow-countrymen of English origin, who will, T
hopo. undorBtiind me, thnt even at tliis day, holding
the opinions which I hold, whenever I ta':j up our
liistory, as I follow the huig, the persistent, tiie im-
placable duel between England and Franco for the
po.^session of this continent ; as T trace, page by page,
the fatal climax, dim at first, but grailually taking
shape and becoming inovitalde; as i follow the brave
army of Montcahu retreating before superi<u' force'',
retreating, even afier victory, retreating into a circle
made every day narrower and narrower; as T come
to the hift page and the last struggle where that trul}'
great man, (he gallant Montcalm. found death with bis
first rlefnat. 1 do not disguise from my fellow-country-
men of English origin tliat my heart is clenched and
that my French libiod runsccdderin my veins. Talk to
me not of your imrely utilitarian theories ! Men are
not mere automatons ! It is not by tram])ling on the
tenderest sentiment-; of the soul that you will ever
accomplish your end if such an end you have in view.
And yet it is in the name of British allegiance, it is
with the apparent object of securing the future of this
eountry, that this new policy is introduced —
THIS so CALLED liUITlSH POLICY
Avhich is at total variance with the policy ever
followed by the Jiritish authorities on this continent.
This countiy had but a few years before passed under
the regime of the English Crown, when the great
conflict arose lietween England and her colonies to
the south, which ended in the scfiaration of those
eolonies from the mother land. England at »)nce
realised that, if she was to retain a footiiold upon this
continent, it was necessary for her to win the afTec-
tions other new subjects, since she hail lost the jille-
giance of those of her own kith and kin; and that
unless she made just concessions she could not hope
to do so. In a just and generous spirit she made the
concessions necessary to gain this object. To her
r
i
id
688
fiPEEcn
IH'W HiibjcctH hIio <,'!ivo tliciv IdWP, tlioir lanj^'Uii^io, luid
their roligioii, ultliDUgh iit the tinu: that vol y it'li«ritJii
Avas HuhjcftfMl ill iiiaiiy (liHahilitios in Knjj;laii<l. Does
not the lioiidiahlc };eiitl(Miian \vhi> moved this Jiill
know, as everyliody niiist Uiiow, that then- timely
conoo3Hi()iis sav<!(l tliis e()h)ny to Eni^land ? i^oes lio
not know tiiat if tlie new Huhjccts of l-'n^dand had
joined tiie armies wiiicli Conj^reHS sent over to t'orco
Canadians into tlie movement ol" inHnrrection. tlie
result would have heen for Canada what it has been
ior the reliellious colonies — total separation ? And the
lionoralile jienlUnnan nu^dit have known thai, thouj^h
tli(! Martinis de Lafayette and tlie Count d'Kstaing
nent their emissaries to wave tlie old colors of Franeo
before" the eyes of tlie old fluhjeits of France, the
latter still remained true and foui^ht under the 15riti.-h
llair around the walls of Quebec
WITH rUK SAMK COL'IIACIO
V-ii.
whiih they had disphiyed against that na<2;l)Ut sixteen
years before. Supixising the honorable j^entleman liad
been living then and had had a voice in the council
of the King, what advice would he have given?
Would he have said ; Do not allow these men to talk
their own language; do not give them any privileges?
If he had, and if his advice had been taken, this
country would not be Ikitish as it is to-day. I have
tjtated, and 1 re[,":'at the statement, that the French
Canadians having claimed and received from England
the privileges of ]>ritish subjects, it would be the
blackest ingratitude on their ])art if, to-day, they
"vvere to reject the obligations wliich British citizenshii)
entails; but T also say to the honorable gentlemao
that it would be ungrateful, unmardy, and ungeneroii
to repeal at this moment, or to attempt to take fron,
the French Canadians the concessions made to them
to win their affections and to secure their support in
the day of England's danger. The honorable mem-
ber for North Norfolk (Mr. Charlton) stated, a few
AGAIKST Mn. M^CAUTHY's BILL
r.so
eveninfra ago, that he Imd his duuhts us to whether
tlie U)yulty of French Canadians upim that occiision
had hcen altoj:etlier unmixed ; he Imd Ids douhts as
to whether, in.strad of Ijeing loyal, tliey did nnt <iMly
look to their language, their lawn, their institutions
and their ehureh. 1 do not understand the douliti of
the honorahlo gentleman. I do not doulit at all. T
am (|uite sure thej^o were the motives whieh imiielled
my countrymen to he loyal. They liatl to ehooso
hetween the action of tlie Ih-itiph Crown and that of
the Philadelphia Congress. The J?ritish Crown had
just granted them the Act of 1774, which secured to
them everytlung they lield dear — their language,
their laws and their religion — and they had to choose
hetween that and the Act of the I'Liladolphia Congress,
which will
ALWAYS IlEMAIN A DI.OT
on a nohle page of American history. The honor-
able gentleman shows that in the proclamation whicii
the Congress of Philadel])hia issued to the Knglish
people that very concession was declared to he one of
the grievances of winch the colonies had to com})lain.
These were the motives that induced my countrynjen
to take the stand they did. Docs the honora))lc gen-
tleman find fault with them for being guided by mo-
tives ? Do not men generally acton motives? As
^Ir. Lincoln said, in 1802, in the darkest jjcriod of the
war : Negrots themselves will act upon motives. I
would like to know what objection my honorable
friend has to that. What are his views of loyalty ?
i)oes loyalty consist only in kissing the snntii.g hand?
Is it meritorious when submissive nnd slavish ? No;
loyalty is meritorious when it i)roceeds from favors
granted and from justice done. And this has been
tlie invariable tradition of the race to which my hon-
orable friend has the honor to belong, and of which
he is justly proud. But there were before to-day men
.use memory was short and whose sense of gratitude
•1
■•■{
i
l\]
t i
590
SPEECH
was limited. Tn the first Parliament, which sat in 1791
under the Cunstitution then granted, there were men
like the honorahle member for Simcoei^Mr. McCarthy)
and the honorable member for North Norfolk (^ir.
Charlton), who wished to have the use of the French
language abolished in the legislative hall. Their at-
tempts w&rc frustrated, chiefly by the efforts of one
man, who upon that subject could speak with author-
ity. That man was
JOSEPH PAPINEAr,
the illustrious father of a still more illustrious son ;
and his whole life was the repudiation of the theory
advanced here in the last four days. Pie was an ex-
ample of the fact that a man can speak in the lan-
guage of his ancestors, and still remain a true subject
of tlie Crown of England. At the time when Arnold
and Montgomery were invading Canada, despatches
had l)een brouglit from Lord [Towe, who commanded
tl>e British forces in the insurgent colonies, to Hir Guy
f'arlcton. who commanded the lilnglish forces in v'a-
nada. Tiie desjjatches reached ^Montreal. 8irC!uy
Carleton had been forced to retreat to Quebec before
Montgomery's army, and was busily preparing that
city against the invaders. The despatches could not
be carried further than Montreal, except at the cost
of great perils and hardships ; but two young men
undertook to cnrry them througli. Joseph Papineau,
then a young man, twenty-iivc years of age, was one
of the two who volunteered for this service. The
country was in the hands of the enemy ; it was unset-
tled, and there were great rivers to be crossed, with-
out bridges. and it was in the fall of the year. Mr. Papi-
neau and his friend tramped the whole distance. Thev
reached Quebec and delivered their despatches. Then,
what did they do ? They enlisted as volunteers and
served in the defence of Quebec, until the enemy was
repulsed from Canadian soil. Some few years after-
wards, in 1791, Mr. Papineau had been elected mem-
^; i ♦ ;!
&* ■ !
,1
fml
'i-f
1
1
AGAINST Mn.
m'^cakthy's bill
591
ber for Montrenl, and when the attempt was made to
banisli the French language from the walls of the
legislature of Quebec, Mr. Papineau could speak with
some authority, and he asked :
Is it simply because Canada forms part of theBritisli Em-
pire that Canadians, who speak not the language in use on
the banks of the Thames, are to be deprivetl of their natural
rights ?
Mr. Papineau'g recent serviccc, his fidelity to the
cau.se in danger, were such as to convince the En-
glish members of the Legislature that Ms
arguments
were reasonable and generous ; and I submit that
HIS WORDS SHOULD FIND AN ECHO
fven at this distant day, within the walls of ibis
chamber. The honorable gentleman told us that, at
a later date, Lord Durham, in his famous report, ad-
vised the su]ipros?i()n of the French language in the
legislative halls of Canada. Tt is perfectly true, and
his views were incorporated to the Imperial Act of
1840, but five years had not elapsed before the Cana-
dian Legislature unanimously decided, all shades of
opinion united, to i)etition the Imperial Parliament
to remove the obnoxious clause, and it was so remov-
ed. The union of Upper and Lower Canada had just
been consummated, and it was soon perceived, under
the guidance of that master mind, Mr. Baldwin, that
if the union was to be for the good of the whole iieo-
ple, every section of tlie people bad to be ])rotected in
what was held dear l>y every one of them. This Act
of the Legislature has, however, been critici^^ed by
my honorable fr^'end from Simcoe (Mr. McCarthy).
He found nothing in it great, generoiis or statesman-
like. On the contrary, he characterised it as a Aveak
concession from ])olitician3 in order to capture French
Votes. I would not do justice to the honorable gen-
i:
]r
I (
i 4
592
SPEECH
tleman if I did
■what he said :
not here quote his words. This is
■"■ «: .■
Tlle Parliament of 1840 did all it could to repair the in-
jury of 1774 ; Init, gentlemen, it was not very long before our
politicians undid it all.
]\rark the supreme contempt in those words, "our
politicians!" The honorable gentleman was on ten-
der ground when he spoke of '• politicians", he was
at one time a politician, though he informed his au-
dience that he was no longer of that class.
y\v. Mills (Bothwell) : — A statesman.
Mr. Laurier: — The honorable gentleman was too
modest to say that, but he left it to be inferred, that
THE GREAT STAT£:sMEN
of the present day should endeavor to undo the great
wrong inllicted on this country, from such base mo-
tives, by such puny politicians as Mr. Baldwin, Mr.
Lafontaine, Sir Allan MacNal) and ^Fr. Morin. The
h(jnorable gentleman was proud, he said, to fortify
hiw views with the views of Lord Durham and he was
proud to refer to Lord Durham as a Liberal of the
Liberals. It is true thatLord Durham was a Liberal,
but I will show that, whil ) he was a friend of liberty,
and was one of the most advanced statesmen of his
day, he did not know the force of free institutions, and
that, however large the range of his mind, he was not
sucli a keen-sighted statesman, nor even true Liberal,
as was our own Robert Baldwin. My honorable friend
the other day recalled the famous word of Lord Dur-
ham, wherein, in graphic language, he dejucted the
stale of Lower Canada in the summer of 1838. He
bad expected, he said, to find here a conflict between
the Government and a people, but he had found two
peoples warring in the bosom ofthe same state ; he has
fouml a struggle, not of julnciples, but of races. This
language is perfectly true. It cannot be doubted at
:V-f
'i;
AGAINST MR. M CARTHy'cJ EILL
593
this dny, thnt tlie movement which culminated in the
rebellion of 1837-38 in Lower-Canada, when it assum-
ed that acute form, had degenerated into a war of
races. My honorable Iriend did not tell us the cause
which had brouglit about that war of races, but Lord
Durham told us, and my honorable friend might have
quoted his language. The cause was the contest bet-
ween the Legif-lative Assembly and an irresponsible
Government. For almost fifty years the Legislative
Assembly passed laws which were deemed essential,
absolutely essential, for the welfare of the country,
and c^en for the very existence of the Legislative As-
sembly itself, as a body ; and as often as those laws
were ])assed, so often were they trampled upon
BY AN IRRESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT.
The Assembly was altogether French ; the Executive
was almost entirely English, and its members were
recruited by the Colonial Oilice among its creatures.
As may be exjjected in any such case, the whole
French pupulation took part with the Assembly, and
nearly the whole of the English populdtion took part
with the Executive. Very lew, probably, thought
much as to who was in the right or as to who was in
the wrong : but if you desire to know who was in the
main right in that dispute, I cannot do better than
to call in the testimony of Lord Durham himself, as
it is couched in his report. And this is what he
said :
From the commencement, therefore, to the end of the
disputes wliicli marked tlie whole ptirhjunentary history of
Lower Canada, I look on the conduct of the Assembly as a
constant warfare with the Executive, for the purpose of ob-
taining the powers inherent in a representative body by tlie
very nature of representative government.
Thus you have the admission that, if there was a
rebellion, it was forced ui)on the French Canadians of
that day by the action of the Executive government,
.t ' !
51)4
SrEECH
i
ii
mi
H
4^1 ;-■•
which had refused to gi%'e the Legislative Assembly
the j)ower9 inherent tu a legislative body. Yet, in
lace of that opinion. Lord Durham said that the loy-
alty of the French Canadians could not be trusted,
and that henceforth Jjower Canada would have to be
governed 1)y an English population, and the method
he suggested was the union of the two Canadas, with
a provision that the English population should have
in the House a large majority in memt)ers. The rea-
son he gives for coming to that conclusion is given in
very pithy terms. Here it is :
Never again will tlie present generation of French Cana-
dians yield a loyal submission to a British government.
[ have already stated that Lord Durham did not
knuwthe full force of free rcpresent;;tive institutions,
and that our own IJaldwin was a greater statesman in
I'.vdt res]icct than Lord Durham. Lord Durham had
not imngined, he had not thought, that, if the French
Canadians were given all their privileges, they would
at once become loj'al subjects, that tliey would r.ot
have to be governed by the strong hand of an P^nglish
majority that division would not take place on the
line of races, but on the broader lines which impel
men to move onward or to cling to the past. Mr.
Baldwin understood that, and he was the first to sug-
gest that the French ('anadians should have their
language restored, and should be treated as the equals
of their fellow-citizens of English origin. That was
true statesmanship and that view was unanimously
adopted by the Legislature ; and I ask, in face of
subsequent facts,
WHO IS THE (IREATER ST.\TESMAN,
Lord Durham or ]\tr.Baldwin?Lord Durham stated that
the then living generation of French Canadians would
never yield submission to an English CJovernment.
At that very time, there was a young man who was
AGAINST MU. MCCARTHY'S BILL
595
an exile from his native country, because he had been
a few months before a rebel in arms, and the British
government had set a price upon his head. There is
no doubt that, if he had been captured, he would have
met the fate of those who, on the scaffold, paid the
penalty of having loved their country not wisely, but
tot» well. Under the policy introduced in 1815, this
young man became a member. of Parliament and
leader of the Conservative party, and he died a baro-
net of the realui. Sir, this took place in face of the
words Jjord Durham wrote in ].S;>8, when he said that
never again would that generation of French Cana-
dians yield a loyal submission to the British govern-
ment. Now, my honorable friend for Simcoo asks us
to go back upon this policy. Are we to be told at this
day, or is it to bel)clieved by any one at tliis day, that
the policy introduced by Mr. Baldwin has not made
Canada what it is? Is their a man living in this land,
especially if he is of the Ijiberal party, who would at
this day
GO BACK ri'OX THE POLICV
inaugurated by their leader forty years ago ? Sir,
there is not a man in this country to-day who must
not feel proud of the wise and statesmanlike policy
which was introduced upon that occasion. I am not
ignorant of, nor will I minimize, the danger which
arises to Canada from the fact tbat we have here a
duality of language and a duality of race. Bat the
fact exists, and ostracism of any kind, instead of
removing the danger, would sim[)ly intensify it, by
forcing a section of our population to hate the institu-
tions under which they live— intensify it, because it
would bring a section of our population into conilict
with the majority, winch would thus abuse the brute
l)ower 'if number. It seems to me that the honora-
ble gciutleman must feel that the policy he is now
cliampioning is weak and inferior. Any policy which
ap])eals to a class, to a creed, to a race, or which does
I
* 1
ii j
f'
596
SPEECH
not apppjil to the better instincta to be found in all
classes, in all creeds, and in all races, is stamped with
the stamp of inferiority. The French Canadian who
appeals to his fellow-countrymen to stand by them-
selves, aloof from the rest of this continent; the
English Canadian who, like my honorable friend,
appeals to his fellow-countrymen on grounds affecting
them alone, may, perhaps, win the applause of those
whom they may be addressing, but impartial history
will ])ronounce their work as vicious in conception as
it is mischievous and wicked in its tendency. We are
here a nation, or
WE WANT TO BE A NATION,
n
i: n
Ji.il
Mi
S.'-i
n-
composed of the most heterogeneous elements — Pro-
testants and Catholics, English. French, German, Irish,
Scotch, every one, let it be remembered, Avith his tra-
ditions, with his prejudices. In each of these conflicting
antagonistic elements, however.thereisacommon spot
of patriotism, and the only true policy is that which
reaches that common patriotism and makes it vibrate
in all, towards a common end and common aspira-
tions. I may be asked : "What, then, is to be the
future of Canada? The future of Canada is this : that
it must be liritish. I do not share the dreams or the
delusions of those few of my fellow-countrymen of
Frtnch origin, who talk to us of forming a French
nation on the banks of the St. Lawrence; and I would
say to my honorable friend from Simcoe, if he were
here, than these dreams ought not to disturb his sleep.
Those who share these delusions are very few; they
Ti^icrht be counted upon the fingers of one hand, and
I never knew but one newspaper which ever gave
them uHf ranee. Yet, while I say that this country
is bound to be British, it does not follow at all that
there must be but one language — the English lan-
guage — to be spoken in this country. I claim that I
am as loyal as the honorable gentleman to the insti-
tutions of this country, and I am the son of a French
u
AGAINST MU. M^CAUTJIY's HILL
597
mother, and I declare that I cling to the language
which T learned at her knee a3 I cling to the life which
she gave nie. And upon tliis ground L a[)[jual to
every man of British origin, to every man of that race
in which the domestic atrections are so t^trong ; and I
know that in the lieart of every one the aiHwer will
be that, situated as we are,
THEY WOIL;) Do AS WK Do.
But the hon(u*able gentle.iian will revert to the cold,
dry argument, that after ill. adualty of race will pro-
duce friction and that friction will i^roduce dangor.'Hut
wdiere is the remedy ? T tell the honoral)l(! gontleiuau
that the remedy is not in ostracism, not in hiirsh
methods nor in cruel methods. My hoiioral)le friend
from North Bruce (Mr. X ;Neill)-who, like many other
good men,preachp- licttc;- than he ])ractice«-gave U3 the
other day the true reuicdy. The true remedy, ho
said, is mutual forbearance and respect. T altogether
agree with my honorable friend from North J5ruce.
But he complained in his speech that the forbearance
should not be all on one side. Sir, is it all on one f^ide?
Wliat he complains of is a few expressions, I admit
very imprudent, that have fallen from the lip^ of
some men in the heat of the dehate. Well, lam
pretty sure that when those expressions are sifted
and explained, they readily fall away. The newspajtcrs
of Ontario, during the past year, have been full of
citations of the words of my honorable friend from
Bellechasse (Mr. Amyot), pronounced at the St. Jean
Bapliste celebration la-t year ; and when he took
occasion, a few days ago, to explain those words, lie
explained them so Uioroughly that my honorable
friend from North Bruce immediately wanted to make
him a member of tlie Imperial Federation League.
If all the other ex[)ressions were so sifted, I do not
despair that my honorable friend from North Bruce
would try to make Mr. Mercier himself a member of
the Imperial Federation League. This is what he
598
SPEECH
claims liis fellnw-cuuntiymen and my fellow-coun-
trymen of English origin have to bear. Well, I tell
him that the French Canadians have also something
to bear. What we object to is the meddlesome inter-
ference of certain men in Ontario in our domestic
politics ; what I object to is the whining pity bestowed
by some over-zealous and over-good men in Ontario
upon the poor, down-trodden, prostrate French Cana-
dians. Only the other day my honorable friend from
North Norfolk (Mr. Charlton) complained that the
Province of Quebec was making no progress, and
he instanced the fact that in that Province we still
have
THE TITHING SYSTEM,
a,
n
and he said if there was in Quebec a true Liberal
party, they would grapple with such an evil as that.
There is in Quebec a Liberal party, not without fault,
I admit, but a party which has fought as nol)le a
battle as wn^ ever fought by any party in any land.
But before I tell him why the Liberal party in Que-
bec do not grapple witli the tithing system, let me
remind him that there is in England a Liberal party
of whicii any man ought to be proud, a party led to-
day by one of the greatest men that England has ever
l)ruduced, or that any land has ever produced — ^h\
(jladstone. Does my honorable friend also know that
there is a tithing system in England just as there is a
tithing system in Lower Canada — no, nt>t just the
same, because the tithing system in England is far
more oppressive and unjust than the system in Lower
Cnnada. The tithing system in Lower Canada only
affects Roman Catholics and no one else, Init in Eng-
land the tithing system affects every man, whether
he is a member of the Church of England or of another.
xViul yet never to this day did the Liberal party
grapple with that system or attempt to bring the
P'nglish people to abolish that system. Why? Jjee:ni?e
the grrat majority of the English people would not
R'""'-
^h''\
\'
AGAINST MR. MCCARTHY'S BILL
599
part with it. And for the very same reason the Liberal
party has never grappled with that system here,
because the people of Quebec are satisfied with it. My
honorable friend has read somewhere that the people
are opjjressed under the tithing system, that they are
compelled to abandon their lands because the oppres-
sion is such that they cannot pay the tithes. The truth
is the pe<jple of Quebec to-day
GIV:: DOUULE TIIK AMOI'NT
to the Church voluntarily than they give by law. I
declare, in the name of the Liberal party of Quel)ec,
of which T am an humble member, that so longastlie
conscience of Quebec is satisfied with the system
never will the Liberal party attack that system. I
will say this to the honorable member for North
Simcoe (Mr. McCarthy), that if we could make a com-
])act between the English and the French, each to
mind his own business and not meddle with the
business of the other, we would get along tolerably
well, not only tolerably well, but perfectly well. Yet
the honorable member for North Simcoe (Mr. Mc-
Carth)') perha]is may say : If you are to bring the
two races together, simply by relying upon moral
iniluence and persuasion, the union may he far away.
There is force in the objection, because there are in
Quebec, as there are in Ontario, extreme men who
will not be amenable either to reason or generous con-
siderations. The extreme men of Quebec talk to-day
of forming a French nation on the lianks of the St,
Lawrence, and the extremists of Ontario talk of driv-
ing away the French with bayonets. When the very
large body of the nation. comi)osed of the two races,
come closer together and know each other better. I
have no doubt that friction of races here will be as
rare as it is in Switzerland after hundreds of years of
political union. The hoiiora1)!e member for North
Simcoe (Mr. McCarthy) if he were here, would say,
perhaps : Is this system ever to remain ? Is there
600
srfctcii
never to ])e ii diiy when we sliall have here iiotliing
but the Enjjjlish huiguage? I wouhl tell my honora-
ble friend that 1 (h) not troulih,' myself with sncli con-
Biclerations aa to a dim and distant futnie. The only
thing which troul)le3 me at this moment is, to keep
peaee and harmony in liiin land, and not have peace
and harmony endangered under the vain pretence of
securing the future against feuds and contentions.
I would have great pleasure in telling the h"n. gcnt!c-
nuvn — and I am sorry he is not present— that, in my
judgment, the English language is to-day and must
be for several generations, [)erhap3 for i-evcral cen-
turies,
TUK COMMANMNG I..\N(aA(.iK
w] t.]
hi
o( the world. 8o long as the centre of civilization was
on the btisin of the .Mediterranean, three languages
in sncce.iHion held sway: the Greek, the Latin and
the French. At tho end of the seventeenth century
the French language was undoubtedly tiie dominating
language of civilization. It is still the language of
di[»loniacy, the vehicle of communication lor inter-
national excliange in the higher productions of the
human mind, but it is no longer the language of tho
many. That ])osition now belongs to the luiglish
langu'ige. That revolution has been ac(;omplirt!;ed
by the wonderful development of the Angh)-Saxon
race during the eighteenth and in the nineteentli cen-
turies. That race have carried their language with
them in their emigration around the world, and now
it is the language of more than 100,000,000 of people
scattered over Europe, Africa, America, Asia, and
the islands and continents of the Pacific Ocean. Sir,
the very fact th.'it the English language is to-day the
dominating language of this continent of America,
makes it imperative on French Canadians, although
they will retain their language, to learn and si)eak
English. Nothing was more appropriate, more wise
than the words that fell a few days ago from the
junior member for Ottawa (Mr. Robillard). The
I
AGAINST MH. srCAIlTHY's HILL
GOl
French Caiuulinn father who to-cla,y does not give nu
English education to his son does nt)t du justice to
Ids child, because he coiui)el.s him to stand hack in
the hard struggle for life. I would say more!. It is
ini])erative for us French Canadians to learn Fnglish,
hut — I have no right to give advice to any othci' man
— if I were to give any advice to my Angl.--(!anadian
friends, it would bo that they would do well
TO I.KAUN I'UENCH TOO,
The English are a ])roud race ; but the Romans wi-rc
a proud race also; iind after they had con<iuerod the
world, a liouian acknowledged that the education of
his son was not complete unless he was as familiar
with Circnk letters as he was witli Latin letters.
Perhaps, however, my lu)norahle friend for North
Simcoo (Mr. McCarthy) would not admit such an
example for himself or the people of this country,
because the oliject of my honorable friend is not
sim|)l)' to r(!move the urie of the French language in
the Xorth-West Territories and from every legishitive
hall in Canada, hut his object is to prevent the teach-
ing of French in the schools of Ontario. There are
to-day, in the back townships and new concessions
in Ontario, schools where a few French settlers are
attempting to impart some knowledge to their chil-
dren in the language of their ancestors. The eagle
eye of my honorable friend has caught sight of that
fact. The eye of tlie eagle can withstand the sun.
hut the eye of my honoral)lc friend cannot withstand
that little light. lie spoke a few days ago in this
city, the Capital of Canada, at a meeting which
adopted the following resolution : —
.\nd this mocting avails itsolt of this opportunity of ex-
pressing thoojiinion tliat in our own province tho uso ol' tho
Frencli laniiunge as tlio languii'jrn of instruction in tho jjuMic
schools sliouM be abolished and for ever |)rohil)iteil, au'l that
no undecided measure ibr obtaining this end will be satisfac-
toi'y to the people of Ontario.
602
SPEECH
The liouorablo jfontlomaii spi)ko to tliat resolu-
tion iiiul eiulorsod every word ot' it. This i^ what
le Haul ; —
l:.i
h ■■
At tho s!uu<> lime, as (I oiti/.oii ol' Ontaiio — of tlni Domi-
nion, I heartily (•Milors(! the soiitiiuent wliicli tlid luoftiiii.' lias
^.'ivi'ii iittfriuicc to — tliat wo oiiijlit, ainl oiinlit utoiiiujiuul for
all tiiii'', to |mt an cml to tlio toarli'm^ of oiir uliiMifii, citln'r
Ki'dicii ('ana iiaii or HiiLrliHli, in any otlmr laiiLjua;,'!) than tlio
liin;,'iia;^t; of tin- country in whioli wo livo.
T=? tliis really the nioa'^urc of my honorahlo
fricMid? Wo nlway.-) Iciiow him to Ijo a re.^trictiouist.
but not to tliat extent, I am sure; we alw;iy,i l<new
liim to 1)6 a restrictionist in trade, Init he is
A HESTUICTIONIST EVKN TN KNOWr.EDCE.
Tf tlio honoraljle {gentleman, on tliat occasion, liad
said that tlie i)eopl(' of Ontarii) would insi^t that Ka-
glisli should he taui^lit in ail their sclio )l.s, I would
raise hoth my hands in favor of it. But tliat is not
enou;j,'h ; not only must iMiglish be tau.i2;ht, hut lie ol»-
jects to any other language Ixiing taught '"n Oatario
schools. Can it be that an honorahlo gentleman pos-
sessing the attainment, power and ahility of my ho-
norable friend should stoop to things so low? It is a
thing low, and vile, and contemptible, to say that the
poop e of Ontario, wh:itever be their creed or their
origin, sha 1 not have the right to teach a second lan-
guage to their children if they choose, Men are not
usuall}' wantonly cruel ; men do not, as a rule, pur-
po-iely degrade their lives, and what is the reason, [
want to know, which impels my honorable friend to
use such language as that? Sir. the reason is, that
Tories of the stami) ot my honorable friend never can
bring themselves up to the i)oint of trusting the better
instincts of the human heart ; they never can divest
themselves of the base notion that, if they treat their
op'punents with generosity or with justice, their op-
ponents will abuse the privilege. They can never ilivest
AflAINST MU. MfCAIlTIlY's HI LI,
603
themselves oftlio base notion tliut, iftlio French Ciiim-
dump are to he uUoweil their huiguago an<l their cha-
radtorintios as a race, they will turn traitors us a race.
They want to make this country llritifh in tlio .-ianie
manner they have tried
TO MAKi: lUKI.ANO imiTISII.
For the I;iHt seven hundred year.s. JJij^dish atatesinea
have atteiiiptiMl to make Irelaiid Uritish, not by jus-
tico. not 1)\' ti;eiierosity. not by a|i|)ealin;j; to the better
instincts of the <i;enerous hearts ol'tluit people, ))Ut by
every form of violen(!e and cruelty. Tliey have pros-
cribed iier religion, they have killed her agriculture,
they have diistroyed her comnierco, they hav(! done
everytlnng to (h^grade the land and the poo])le. And
witb what result? With ti»o result of making Ireland
a thorn in the .side of Fnghmd, with the result of lill-
ing the heart of the peo])le of Ireland with bitterness
against England. Sir, S\r. (Iladsione has done tnore
in fivr years to make Ireland Uritish than English
stntesmen have done for seven hundred years before.
Will I show you the different results winch can he
wrought upon the feelings of a sensitive i»eople by
generous treatnimit? Ijet me <|Uote a si)eech (hilivered
by .Mr. John Dillon, M. 1'. for Tipperary, last year.
The occasion was a doraitustration in favor of Mr.
Dillon on his being released froni jail, where lui had
served a term under the odious Coercion law. Now, I
cite the speech because it may be a lesson to the ho-
norable mend)er for North Simcoc (.Mr. Mc^Carthy)
and those who agree with him in this House. >lr.
Dillon said : —
But it is iiniiossibln for luo to he hlitiil to tlic Hut-' tli;it
!ii(^ t'oreoil iiiioii my notice ns roL'iird t}i(> iniglit,\' cliani.'!- whicli
liave cf)iii(> over the minds ot tlio masses of the people ol'
Kn^'linid, tint] romemI)erinjL» tiiis, I tliink it is not wise to be
imi'aticnt, because the liberty oi' Ireland is not to be accom-
l-ili lied in h day. 1 can see no cause for impatience, but causa
ru'li'M' for liope and even e.xultation. Coming now, as I "do,
I
mi
SPEECII
■-*
1
j''.
f
Wi
ill
Iroin wliat was moaiit U; he a degra'latioH and an insult to nio,
antl as 1 liopo an lionorahle man, I can unil in my heart not
tho slii. htest trace of hittei'iioss against tiie peoi>le ot'Knu'lanch
I r(^cnli !ct tho day wIkmi tho power and when the name of
EiiL'Iishinen were Jiatei'iil to my licart. It may he tiiat L have
hecn demoralized hy the countless acts of kinihu;ss I have
recciv'Ml at the hands of Hnglisilinuui ; hut tlie Iceliiighas now
changed, and 1 cannot tiiul ii in my heart to regret that it is
ia.it passing a\' Ay.
Tlioso hist wordiS, I am sure, will fill with
tuiiiourided joy tlie iViend.s of Ifchind and the friends
of Enjiland ns wol
lUit
wrni WHAT TlCUIUnLE MKANI.N'G
arc not these words i-iefaced I It is known tii'L .Mr.
Dillon is a man of noble and unstained elmracter.
No harsh words would he expected to cross the lips
(d'suoh i rnan, yet he tells us there was a time wlien
the very name of Eughand was liateful to him. IIow
terrible tlieso words are! They tire tlie ex[)ression of
the bitterness accumulated throu;j;h centuries and
centuries of jjcrsecutions in succeeding generation-^ of
Irish men iiut, Sir, nniric the change. Less than
live year:- of a generous attempt hy a great party to
do justice to Irehuid. to give lier tlie liberty and
justice to which she is entitled, has worlcod wonders
and champed the disposition of the Irish people. These
five years cf goaerous attem[)ts to do justice lo Ireland
have eraseil the sentiment of bitterness and replaced
it by sentiments of affection to tho land whose very
name was liateful to Ireland only a few years ago.
What a Iriumph this is for the cause of Ireland !
What a triumph this is for those who, in this TLiuse,
told tlie English people that if tuey were to treat the
Irish people generously, ti.ey would have the same
lesultin Ireland as in this country ! What an evidence
r-dso tl)is is that tlie ordy manner, alter all, in which
you can attach a people to their allegiance is to treat
them with fairness and generosity ; and what arehui^e
AGAINST MR. M*^CARTHy's BILL
605
it is to all those (my honorable iViond from Xortli
Simcoe included) who believe that the only manner
in which to make a people loyal i.'^ to trample under
foot everything which tliey hold dear and sacred.
Sir, I have just pronounced
THE NAME OF HOME RULE.
Home Rule with us is local autonomy, and T hope
that this principle of local autonomy will some day
afford us some solutiou of the dilUculty we have now
to deal with. What is ul^jectionable in this JMIl is not,
as has been often stated, the object of the Bill itself,
(which is. after all, with some exceptions, a local
(lueslion), but tlie tendency of tlie Bill and the prin-
cij'les which underlie it, for we know that this is only
a preliminary step that is to be followed by many
others. We are, to-day, in the fourth day of tliis
debate, and I have to make the reproach that the
Government have not yet told us what their })olicy
is on the question. The Government, of late, do not
discharge the duty they owe to this House. They
can advise us on matters of details and matters uf
procedure, but when it comes to a question of prin-
ciple they refuse to discharge the duties for wl)ich
they are responsible to the House. We had a speech
the other day from the honorable the Minister of
Public Works. He simply told us he was a^fainst the
Bill, but he affirmed no princii)le which we might
apply to the situation. We have three propositions
before us : the Bill itself, the amcndint nt of my
honorable friend from Assiniboia (Mr. Davin) and
the amendment of my honorable friend from Bertbier
l^Mr. Beausoleil). I am free to speak of them, but in
\vhut I say I declare that I express my own personal
opinion. T do not speak iiere as the leader of a ()arty
— I express my own opinior., and nothing more. As
to the amendment of tae hoiioralilf member for Assi-
niboia (.Mr. Davin), I nave to say that, in my o[)inion,
it^ is premature. It is endeavoring to give to the
— ^.
GOG
SPEECH
people of the Territories upon one question, plenary
power, while they iire btill
IN A KOUM OF Tl'TELAGE.
We are not ])repared to give to the {)eople of the
North-West full local autonomy. We cannot expect
that a population which in I.S80 nuniljcred only some-
thing like oU,OUU souls — the population ot a small
town, scattered over immense territories, out of which
several empires can he carved — can he entrusted with
the full power of responsildogoveniment. Tlieamend-
inent of my honorahle friend from I'erthier (.\Ir.
Beausoleil) is, perha))S, more consistent with our true
|)osition. The amendment aflirms liie i>roposition
that the present state of'things ought tu l)e permanent.
A\'ith this, however, I cannot agree, and altliougli I
atu prepared to vote for the amendment of my honor-
able I'riend from nerthier. I cannot do so without tak-
ing exception to his statements. It is imiiossiljle to
admit, for instance, that the institutions of the Xorth-
West are permanent. On the contrary, tliey are ex-
ceptionally te.uporary: they deal with a stale of
things which is exceptional in itself : they were de-
vised at a time wiien there was no population, and
they must be modified from time to time as the lu-cct-
sities of the case re(iuire. lUit at this momeni to -;iy
they are i)ermanent, is a thing in which L cannot
agree, except so far as they must be permnnent in
every particular, sn long as we are not ready to give
these peo[)le a more extended form of local authority.
My honorabie friend also says in this amendment,
that since we passed this law and gave this incipient
constitution to the North-West territories, nothing
has occured to change our views, I cannot agree with
that. Everything has occured since that time, not to
change our views, but to set us thinking about wliat
we should do at a future time, not very far off, in re-
gard to those Territories. What has occured is this:
a population has gone into those Territories; th^y
AGAINST UU. MCCARTHY S BII.I.
607
have been given a Legislature, and that Legishiture
has demanded certain measures -not only on the
(|ue3tion of language, but on that of the schools, and
on the system of Cioverument. Bearing these facta
in mind, it seems to me that the proper time to deal
with this question will be when we are prepared to
give the Territories, perhaps not absolute, but a more
extended form of
LOCAT, SELF-GOVERNMEN ;■ .
and when that time comes, we must be prepared tt)
deal with this (piestion upt)U the broad principle of
this constitution, which has been devised for tlie
safety of the majority and the jirotection oftheniino-
rity, "and in the light of the condition of things which
may exist at that time in the Territories. J>ut till
tlien I believe it is better to deter the consideration of
tills question. Ther'? is this lemarkablo feature in the
iiill we h.ave before a?< : it is not founded on an ex-
pression (.
the will of the i)ei)])le of the Territories; it
is founded simply on alleged j)rinciplos ii])plicable to
the whole l)ominion. This is what I obiect to in this
liill. and — tliough it is my own individual opini
ion
on
ly — I sulimit to ail 'parties in this House, French
or Eiigli'^h, Jjiberals or (Conservatives, that the best
thing for us to do is to defer the consideration of this
(luestion to a future time when we shall lie prepsired
to deal with all the ([uestions now affeeting tlie Nortii-
^\'est Territories. Tn the menntitue. liowev
er,
we
(Uight to vemember this — French. l-]nglisli. Lil)erals,
Conservatives — that no race in this country has ul.iso-
tute rights, only the rights which do not invade the
rights of any otlier race. We ought to remember tliat
tlie expression (.>f race feelings and rac(> sentiments
should be well restrained to a point, beyond which, if
l)ressed. though still kept within legitMuate limits,
they might hurt the fe(;lings anri sentiments of nlher
races. Ihit when the time comes for dealing '.vith this
(question, T hope we shall all be 'prepared, without
party difTcreuccs, to deal with it
I
■'?),'" ''>lp™»^'
008
SPEECH AGAINST MR. MCCARTHY'S BILL
\
ON THE nnOAD PRINCIPLES
that apply to this Constitution ; that we shall not,
French or English, hesitate to apply true principles
under the fear that evil consequences may flow from
tliera, because we must remember that true i)rinci-
plos are only an emanation of Divine truth, and that
there is above us an eternal Providence whose infi-
nite wisdom knows better than man what is best for
man. and who, even Avhen all seems lost, still guides
everything for the greatest good.
I^ii
s
V-
if' • ■
TRIOMPH OF PROVINCIAL RIGHTS
CEL/:BIiATJON OF THE PROVINCIAL
VICTORIES OF 1890
SPEECH AT THE CI.UB NATIONAL HANi^'ET, MONTUKAL.
ON THE 2nd JULY, 1890
Tlie vindication of Piovinciul liiihts, oniphasizr-d by the
sweeping Liberal victories at the geiuTiil elections ot IS'.IL) in
the torn' principal provinces ot Conf'edevatio!) — in NcwBrinis-
wick on tiie :^Oih January, in Nova Scotia on tliu lil.st May, in
Ontario on the ^th .lune, and, last but not least, in Quebec on
the I7th June, the Mercier National Govemment in the last
named province Vjeing retuined to power by the over-
whelming vote of the people — was fittingly connnemorated by
a great banquet given V)y the Club National at Montreal on
the 2nd July, to which the victorious Premiers of the diiferent
jirovinces and the principal members of the party, both Fe-
deral aim P'ovincial, were invited. 'I'he festivity was a remar-
kable success and among the prominent speakers on the oc-
casion was the leader of the Federal Opposition, I fonorable
Wilfrid La jrier,who re'-'ied to the toast of *' Cana<la" and to
whose utterance /'AY. ,/t'«r of Quebec referred in the follow-
ing strain in its issue of the .Jth July :
"The address nf the leader of the Feileral Opposition will
be read with the same enthusiasm with which it was greeted
by the guests at the iiant^uet. It will be especially
read with profit and advantage by all the citizens of this coun-
try, no matter to what party, race or creed they may belong.
How many prejudices, false impressions and misunderstand-
ings will be dissipated by this noble language !
" It IS well that Mr. Laurier's voice should thus be raised
from time to time in this country,as his words are like a power-
ful wind which drives liefore it the clouds that fanaticism ac-
cumulates over our heads. His elo(pience is eminiMitly pa-
cificatory,, and we trust to have another calm of a few weeks
after his last ileclarations.
•' In what magnificent lauL'uage he lays down the great
))rinciples of justice and equality which animate his party I
IIow his high-minded way of presenting things towers above
the clamors and yells of fanaticism ! What is chieHy to be
ailmired in the Liberal leader is th, unity, the stability, the
unswerving rectitude of his ideas, the mark of profound con-
31)
.^igjgjgg^^^sf*^^- V , ,/
CIO
SPEECH
victions. As remarkod liy a coniiuciitator on his speeches in
ii volume recently ])ulili.sheil, "his elomience is an endless va-
riation on a single tlicmo ": liis work is ,'t system, as his ine-
tliod is asyiitliesis ; all his s[)eei'iies hang togetlior ; tiioy are
like the chapters of a same hook or tiie poriotls ol' a deinon-
fetration.
" ( )tir liopo is that tliis last adch'ess may be translated into
Engli>h and read in all the provinces. This is all we a-^k in
the interest oF general li.irmony."
(Traiislalion)
Hi): .
Mr. President
AM) Gentlemen,
In tlie first place, I must congratulate the Club
National on the hap])y in3i)iration which su[>'<rcsted
the placing of this demonstration under the {)atronage
of the Prime Ministers of the four ])rovince3, which
were the original parties to and still hold the fore-
most rank in Confederation. It sliouhl he congratu-
lated, I say, because tlie idea was really an inspira-
tion. It happens — and the fact is one of good omen
lur our country — that tlie Uovernmenls of tliose four
provinces are at tliis moment in the liands of men,
who. apart from simie shades of o[)inion, l>elong to
tlie same political way of thinking, who, in the course
of the y(>ar, appealed tc the electorate of their res-
pective provinces, and v/ho came out of the struggle
stronger than they went into it, thus showing that the
o[)inion3, of whicli tiu'y are the champions, nre now
more generally spr(\id, more dee)dy anchored in the
hearts of the popuhitions whicli they represent than
at any time in their ])ast history.
Centlemen, the names which we sec emblazoned
here — Mowat, Mercier, IMair and Fielding, — iiames
which you greet with enthusiasm every time they
are meidioocd — remind us that there is a community
between the ])r()vince3 of Confederation, that tliere is
a community of sentiment between the races inhabit-
ing them, and that, if there are amongst us differences
of origin and divergencies of opinion, the boundaries
AT THE CI.L'D NATIONAL
fill
of our country are. after all, not confined to the boun-
daries of uur province?.
The soil of our country is co-extensive with the
soil of Canada and, if we are separated on many points,
still we form only one nation.
We have the pleasure of seeing to-day at this
table the one who appealed last to the electorate of
his province, our friend, Mr. Mercicr, and we can ten-
der our congratulations to him jjorsonall}'. We do
not enjoy the name !)riviloge as regards Messrs. Mowat,
Fielding and l>lair. as they were unable to give us the
honor of their i)repence. Jiut, gentlenien, I use
no metaphor when I say that, if they are not with us,
their principles and ideas are with us and fill this
hall.
I use no metaphor in saying this, for. I aiipeal to
you, if we do not cherish in our hearts the [irinciples
which they defend.
Those jirinciples constitute the a])anage, the pa-
trimony, so to saj', of all who, under any name, form
part of the Lilieral Opposition in the Ilouse of Com-
mons.
I would certainly have been delighted to review,
with them, the history of the four victories obtained
inlhefour provinces to which I have junt referred.
This, however, would carry me too far. But I can-
not resist the temi)tation to mention one, but not our
own, as wf are at home.
<ien ti( men, I api)eal to you all if it is not true
that, on the night of the oth June last, when the tele-
graph was bringing us the news oftlie battle which
had lieen louglil in the [irovince of Ontario. wlu-n each
despatch ioiiuunced a fresh victory, the joy and the
enthusiasm ol' the Liberals of that jirovincc could not
have exceeded thejoy and entliusia-mi of the Lilierals
of the ])rovince of Quebec.
Yes, gentlemen, ^Ir. Mowat's victory in Ontario
was not only the trium))!! of the Libernl cause in On-
tario, but 'he triuniidi of the FJIht!!! cause in liie
e/i/fVf Dooiiniuu of Canada. It was the triuni])b of
G12
S?PEECII
if-
the only ijriiiciplca on which C'onfcdpration can safe-
ly rest. It was alike the triumi)h of the autonomy
uflhe ))rovinces and of the unity of Canaila.
Once more, then, let us congratulata tlie oflicers
<ifthe Clul) National on the happy in3})iration which
has furnished another opportunity to alfirm that our
])arty recojinizes Canada in its entirety as our country !
This is the best way to refute the slander which is be-
m^ constantly reiterated by the jtress of another
province.
It is needless to say that this aihrmation would
be uncalled for, if we were treated with the simplest
iustice by our adversaries ; but, under existing cir-
cumstances, far from being useless, it is exceedingly
well-timed, for. at the present hour, a powerful orga-
jiization, which even ^Ir. Mowat has had to contend
against, asserts that the French Canadians are the en -
emies of the constitution, that they want to isolate
themselves and have nothing to do with the other
races.
By inviting Messrs. Mowat, Blair and Fielding,a3
you have done, you refute this slander ; you show
that their provinces are our country as our province
is theirs, and that their fellow-countrymen are our
fellow-countrymen. You affirm further that, if they
have their aspirations and their traditions, as we have
ours, we have together the same idea, that is to say,
the moral, intellectual advancement of cur common
country, Canada.
Nevertheless, to-morrow — not later than to-mor-
row — the Conservative or rather the Tory press, seiz-
ing for the hundredth time, jierhaiJS, on some isolated
■wuids uttered by men without autliority, will repeat
and repeat that the French Canadians want to isolate
themsolvc.-.to break up Confederation, and to erect
upon its ruins a number of insignificant little principa-
lities, each living separately like so many oysters
within their shells.
You have disposed of this calumny, but it will be
repeated in spite of the most authoritative denials.
It will be repeated in spite of the denials of those who
ri^
AT THE CH 15 NATIOXAI.
618
have the ritrht to speak, ])ecau3e, ut the pre-ent time,
these rthiinU'V.-! constitute the poisoned \veii[)on witii
whiclitiic Tiiry pint y. ill luintlu'i' provhicc. hope to
injure tlie Lihorul i>ai'ty. These slanders have hoen
repeated by all theT(. ry politicians, hii;-and liltle-lVoiu
the top to "the Itottoni of the huhlcr. They liave been
reiK'ated against Mi'. .Mo\v;it in the conte-t through
•wliicl) he has just i^DUe in Ontario, and they will bo
rei)eated against us at the first opportunity.
^'ou have pmicsted nuvunst tliese f landers And I
myself have been oblii:i' I on aiinther occasion ;ind
under other circumstani us to pvntcst aj^'ainsl tlnin.
Not later Ihnn Inst sessinii. on the llonr of the lliniso
of Commons, I reminch'd those who did me the honor
of listening to me that. in all the struggles of our ances-
tors against tlie government of the mother country,
they never asked for nure than one thing, for more
than one jirivilege : that of being treated as English
gubjects.
I stated thnt. if our ancestors deinamh'd ihi'* pri-
vilege, it was i'or their descendants to accept its duties.
I recalled thnt there never had been bat one pa-
per amongst us winch had called for tlie erection of a
French repul)lic on the banks of the St.Lnwrence. and
I might add to-day thnl. during the last elections,
tlnit i)ai)er did noisup()ort ]\Ir. Mercier.
When T say that I am not one of those who wish
for the separation of the Confederation and '"'ivor th."
creation of little princip.ilities in our midst, T do not
mean to say that we should always remain a colony.
On the contrary, the day is coming when this coun-
try will have to take its place among the nation- of
the earth.
T,,,J'>ut T do not want to see my country's independence^
attained through the hostility of one race to the
others. T do not wnnt my country's independence to
be conceived in the blood of civil war. T want my
country's independence to he reached through the
normal and regular progress of all the elements of its
})opulatioii towards the realization of a common aspi-
ration .
i
J.
614
.SPEECH
fii
Wp. of Fronoh orifjin, liiTve tho sontinipnt of our
own iiulividuiiUty. Wo want to hand ilown i^ our
children tlielanguafre wo received iVoni our lorclathers.
l>ut, while ehcnshini,' this I'eelin;; in our hearts, we
do not iulniit that it is inconi[tatihlo with our title of
Caijadians.
We are citizens of Canada and intend to fulfd all
the duties wlii(;li tiiat title involves.
]>ut. at the same time, the monieat we invite to
our table men of another race like Mr. Mowat, Mr.
Fielding and Mr. ]>lair, we ailirm tliat we acknow-
ledge them as (Uir fellow-countr3'nien as the_y ac-
knowledge that we arc theirs. Their country is our
country. Their jjolitical views are our political views.
What they want, we want. What they want and what
we want is that the rights of tlie minorities should
be re3i)ected, tluit the constitutional guarantees be
safeguarded, the ])rovinccs sovereign in tlieir author-
ity, and Canada united in its diversity.
8ucli, from my point of view, gentlemen, are the
only theories on which the existence of the Canadian
Coufetteration can be maintained. Unfortunately,
these theories liavo been forgotten. Forgotten ! They
liavo been wilfully and systematically violated by the
Ottawa (Jovernmcnt, anil a (londition of things has
resulted, which is not without danger.
It is not my habit, wlien the occasion arises, t
shut my eyes to an actual danger.
See what is happening all around us ; remark the
attitude of a certain portion of the pres.s, and I think
■we r-hall be compelled to admit to ourselves that the
present situation is not without room for alarm, con-
sidering the unea&y feeling, the constraint, the
distrust existing between the British elements and
the French race.
The cause of this misfortune is to be found in the
first place in the tendency of the Ottawa Government
to encroach ui)on the rights of the provinces.
In all the phases of its existence, the Lilieral
party has protested against this fatal tendency and
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33 WEST MAIN STREET
WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580
(716) 872-4503
6^
616
SPEECH
especially by the agitation which followed the rebel-
lion in the North Webt and the execution of Louia
Kiel.
When I allude to those unhappy days, fortuna-
tely now passed away, it is not with any desire to
re-open wounds which are hardly yet healed, but I
owe it to the cause of truth to reestablish the facts,
I owe it to the cause of truth to gay that the charges
made against us on this head by the Tory press of
Ontario are groundless, and that, if we took the
attitude we did on the Riel question, it was not from
any race feeling, as is asserted, butsimj^ly because in
our opinion the Government had no right to punisli
a crime Avhich it had itself provoked.
And if the Ilalf-breeds revolted, it was not Kiel's
fault, but the fault of Sir John Macdonald's Govern-
ment which, for year.-;, had refused to listen to their
legitimate complaints and which hastened to listen
to them when they were formulated by the complain-
ants with arms in their hands.
Nevertheless, in spite of all this, the Tory press
asserts — and a man of the eminence of Mr. McCartliy
has also dared to assert — that, in that agitation, the
French Canadians were actuated by an unworthy
sentiment, that, if tliey demanded Louis Kiel's pardon,
it was not because they believed him to be innocent,
but simply because he belonged to their race, and
that, every time one of their race committed a ciime
entailing the death penalty, they would endeavor to
prevent the law from taking its course.
I consider it a task unworthy of ourselves to re-
fute such charges. On the contrary, I assert that the
agitation, which took place, had its origin and basis
in the instinct of real Liberal principles.
It may be said, perhaps : If the agitation was
founded on Liberal princi])les only, why did it not
extend to the other provinces ? The resieon is
very simple. There is an English jjroverb which
says : " lUood is thicker than water." On that occa-
sion, it was the voice of blood which spoke and which
AT THE CLUB NATIONAL
617
breathed life, sentiment, and emotion into the cold
abstraction of a principle.
All men resent injustice, but the feeling becomes
more intense when that injustice comes home to us.
It was because we felt ourselves assailed that so much
warmth was thrown into that agitation.
These are some of the charges made against up.
A war of race is being waged upon us on the pretext
that we ourselves are waging a race war. We are also
attacked by our adversaries in the name of Liberal
])rinciples. Tt is astonishing how Liberal our adver-
fcaries have grown within a few years. In the prov-
ince of Ontario, the principal charge which Mr. .Mowat
had to fight was the charge of not being Liberal
enough, and, if you will run your eye through the
Conservative press of Ontario, you will find that all
t^ J attacks directed against Mr. Mowat and liis friends
are on the ground that they are only Lil:)erals in name
and that in reality they are under the tutelage and
domination of the ecclesiastical hierarchy.
These attacks are not merely intended for the Li-
berals of Ontario, but for the Liberals of the whole
country.
I have but one remark to make on this head
and I speak at this moment in the name of my autho-
rity as leader of the Liberal party in the Dominion
of Canada — the Liberal party will not yield any more
to the clamors of extreme Protestants than it has here-
tofore yielded to the clamors of extreme Catholics.
Gentleman, I do not desire to reproach anyone,
as I respect all convictions, but you will remember
that only a few years ago and, during many long
years, we had in this province what I might term a
religious war. Even our name of Liberals was made
a reproach to us by ultra-Catholics. During long
years, Liberalism was represented as a heresy. Du-
ring long years, we had to struggle to maintain the
freedom of the electorate and to secure the elector's
right to vote without intimidation and without
undue influence.
618
SPEECH AT THE CLUB NATIONAL
recede in tow of the
it will belong to its
We carried on that struggle both on the civil and
on the religious ground, and won a victory on both.
And now, in the province of Ontario, we have to sus-
tain a fight of an altogether opposite character. In
that province, our assailants are the extreme Protes-
tants. The extreme Catholics blamed us fur being
too Liberal and the extreuie Protestants now blame
us fur not being Liberal enough, their chief objection
to us being that we will not destroy established insti-
tutions and that we want the convictions uf minorities
to be protected.
I repeat that the Liberal party will no more
yield to the clamors of the one than to the clamors of
the other and is not prepared to revive here the old
quarrels an,^ disputes of Europe.
The Liberal party will not
Liberals uf continental Europe ;
time and its country.
The Liberal principles, as we understand and
defend them, do not apply only to one province, one
cla-ts, one race or one belief, but to all the provinces,
all classes, all races and all beliefs.
Oentlemen, I once more propose the toast of
" Canada. "
Let us resolve that never shall we introduce into
this country the disputes and quarrels which have
drenched Europe in blood ; that in this country order
and freedom shall forever reign ; that all the races
shall dwell together in harmony and peace ; and
that the rights of the strong shall weigh no more in
the balance with us than the rights of the weak !
From this moment, let us also resolve to organize
so that, on the day which is not now far off and of
which I already see the dawning, the cause which
has just triumphed in Quebec, Ontario, New Bruns-
wick and Nova Scotia, may also triumph throughout
the Dominion from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
THE END.
CONSULTING INDEX
Conservative Party :
Hostile to responsible government 83
Policy based on venality 144, oG3, 421
Tory Ix»yalty 270, 373
Tories and Ultramontanes 554
Tory double game 495, 538, 575, 617
Disallowance :
The American system 309
The Manitoba incident, 3(i4, 370
The Imperial Government and the right of voto, 372
How it is abused 307
The streams' bill 499
Dual Representation :
Incompatible with the freedom of the elector..
Incompatible with the federative principle
13
15
Duality of Languages :
Must the French language disappear? 3('9, 541
Prepon<lerance of the English language 191, GOO
Insults and threats of Mr. McCarthy 572, 577, 583
French in the NorthWeat 000
The French in Ontario 496, 001
Electoral Franchise :
Freedom of the suffrage 7
A fixed idea ofSir .John's 193
Matter within the jurisdiction of the LiOcal powers I9.'),20l
The franchise in the United States, our model on this
head..... 203
Women suffrage 207
TJsurjjation of popular rights 2()8
A measure uncalled for 194, 20
Diversity of Franchise \'J'<, 2(J2, 205
620
CONSULTING INDEX
Fisheries, affair of the :
Vexatious iiroceedings towards American fisher t 464
men \ 40O
The iiKidiixvirciKli 470, 4'.'(), 500
Projiosals at the Washington Conlerence 410, iX->
Home Rile 339, 605
Imperial Federation •')02
Je.siit's Estates :
Confiscation of these estates
Intervention of the Pope
Charges made against tlio Jesuits
Expulsion ol' tiie Jesuits
Settiem'^ut trie 1 by Mr. Mercior's Conservative
predecessors OOG,
Settlement ajpproved hy the Protestants of
Quebec
Jesuits as pioneers in this country
E(iual Rights Association
Letellier Affair :
Federal JurisiUction disputed
LetelHer calumniated by liis ex-advisers
Letellier protected by Ministerial respcmsibility....
A high authority
His act covered by popular sanction
504
.-)45
516
5 IS
544
5()S
517
547
8!i
9^
101
104
10"»
Lll?ERALISM :
Is it a new form of evil ? 54
Distinction between the Conservative idea and the
Liberal idea 56
Superiority of the Liberal principles 61
History of the Liberal party in this country 67
English and Continental Liberalism 67, 73, 536, 54'J
The priest's political rights 75
Where the right of interference in politics ends 76
CONSULTING INDEX
621
Liberal Party :
Its programme 78
Nothing revolutionary in it 82
The youth and the Liberal party 143
Equal justice, equal riglits 528
Alliance with the National Conservatives 554, 615
English Liberals our models 63, 67, 82, 521, 552
Reform struggles 443
Liberty :
Conciliation of the rights of the people and the rights
of society 11
Definition of true liberty 73
The struggles of liberty 275,307
False conception of liberty 548
Liberty of opinions 553
Freedom the best way to govern men 343
Justifiable rebellions 275, 312, 338, 346
North -West Rebellion :
Events of 1869-70 221
The Mackenzie Government and the
Half-Breeds 213, 226, 240, 321
The claims of the Half-Breeds 214,224, 244, 268
Laws recognizing these claims 228, 261
Mgr. Tache's plan 230
Fruitless petitions of the North-West ) 233, 237, 242, 246,
Council, officials and settlers ) 264, 271, 328
The surveys by square or longitudinal sections 238
Sir John's policy relative to the surveys 243
"Too Late " 266
Sir John's conduct towards the
Half-Breeds 232, 235, 247, 260, 323
Death of Thomas Scott 290,2',»4
Mr. Chapleauand the Half-Breeds 247
Suppressed documents 220, 316
Gabriel Dumont 248, 326
Broken promises 316,330
622
CONSULTING INDEX
" Justice the same everywhere," 212
The white settlers' reBponsibility, 259
Tlie IIulf-Breeds' nuineroua petitions ami > 203, 314
deputations ) 324, 331
Half-Breeds dispossessed... 319, 332
Justifiable rebellions 4S8
Mercy should have been the rule 58o
Pacific Railway:
Conservative and Liberal policy |23
Three changes of policy in three years 125
Complete surrender to the Syndicate 127, 129
Monopoly of the Pacific 1,30, 134, 371
A fief of twenty-five millions of acres 131
Tyrannized settlers 13^
Line north of Lake Superior 130
Personal uemauks:
Baldwin (Hon. Kobt.) 591
Belleai' (Sir N.-K) ]s(j
Blake (Hon. Edward) 141, 185, 18S, 190,530, 534
Brown (Hon. George) sjg
Caitier (Sir G.-E.) ]5-,
Cartwriglit (.Sir Richard) ig(j
Dorion (Sir A.-A.) 19,-,
Durham (Lord) 346, 425
Holton (Hon. L.-H.) m
Joly (Hon. H.-G.) ."". 514
Lafontaine (Sir L.-H.) (jg
Macdonald (Sir .John) 188 530
Mackenzie (Hon. A.) igg
Mercier (Hon.-H.) 374, ,j(j7
Papineau (Joseph) 591J
Papineau (L. J.) 21,s, 351
Tupper (Sir Charles) igy
Wiman (Erastus) 4S2
CONSULTING INDEX
G23
Province of Quebec :
Loyalty of the French Canadians \ ^JJ- ^ 278, m, 349
Their only rovengo 118
Did tney ask panlon for Kiel simply because he was
French ? 2S4, 579, OKI
Canadian above all 305, 311, 359, 442, 5l'S
Are the Protestant minority ill-treated? 513
French Canadians and Tory party, 3(H>
Union on party lines only 50, 60, 72, 256, 596
Tithes 598
Lord Durham's report 591
The French Canadian Republic 53^, 569, 613
Provincial Autonomy :
Kespective independence of the Local and Federal
Legislature 15, 204, 364, 543, 557, 661
Contradictions of the Conservatives on this question iU6
Northern boundaries of Ontario and Quebec 147
Superiority of the federative system 166
Licenses 159
Attempts at Legislative I'nion 105, 365
Provinces Sovereign in thtir sphere, Dominion united
in its diversity 2, 198, 200
Anomalies in the Constitution J ',(7
Monopoly and Manitoba 559
Separation of legislative pov^-ers 301
Distribution of subsidies t-o the Provinces 374
Provincial victories of 1S90 610
AVhat they signify 612
The only way to maintain Confederation 614
RACE AND RELIGION- 22U, 300, o-jS
Reciprocity :
Article of the Liberal programme 377, 407, 503, 56S
Theold Kuciprocity 'I'reiity 377, 452
The statutory oiler of 1S79 380, 401,4)3, 4:7
Why the first treaty \vas not ren(wcd3>2, 3,'<4. 4()1, 151^474
624
CONSULTING INDEX
Commercial union witli (rreat Riittiln...3Sr), 4;{2, 4.')9, rjfiS
Our history from the economic stanflpoint 398
Obstacles to interprovincial trade 405
Keciprocity favored by the United States 413, 45')
Unlimited Reciprocity t?s Limited Reciprocity.... 413, 417
The manuthcturing interests 418, 450
How the loss of revenue should bo supplied 42(J
The disloyalty cry 390, 422, 434, 458, 564
Commercial independence , 424
The anneriation movement of 1849 427
Sir John formerly for Reciprocity 453
The scourge of emigration, 376,395, 440, 449
Modern industry wants large markets 409
Responsible Government 347, 426
Kiel :
His expulsion from Parliament 22
His amnesty 31,37, 274
His mental condition 282
Riel and Jackson ;. 288
Sir Adolphe Caron and Riel 274, 286
Mr. ChaplottU and Riel 292
General Middleton and Riel 296
Riel and the Half-Breeds 235, 245, 330
A judicial murder 253, 258
Sir Alex. Campbells' memorandum ..280, 3(X>
Tariff:
Variations of Sir John's party 42
True meaning of the " National Policy " 46
Retaliation policy 47, 379,464, 472, 480
Excessive protection 43
The tariff and the Maritime Provinces 362 478
Inanity of the N. P 375, 41]^ 473
The N. P. and British connection 277
The " Hies on the wheel '' 451
U>
,3S,'), 4;{2, 4:)9, rm
tint 398
405
i 413, 45')
•oclty.... 413, 417
418, 450
lied 420
422,434, 458,564
424
427
453
376, 395, 440, 449
409
347, 426
22
31,37, 274
282
;. 288
274, 286
292
296
235,245, 336
253, 258
..280, 300
42
' 46
379,464, 472, 480
48
362,478
375, 411, 473
277
451