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Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmAs d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grsnd pour dtre reproduit en un seul clichA, ii est film6 A partir de i'engle supArieur gauche, de gauche i droits, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m6thode. rrata :o pel u re. Id D 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 ■w''^M^''^f:^w,^^P^,nAi^i]^P'>*»'«v\mm^^ I^Bi' ^ gawng ^nn |ie)form 4^nk BANQUET IN HONgHi OF Hon. E, BLAKE, MP, AT THE "WINDSOR HOTEL, M:02VTIH3A.L, TUESDAY, 29th MARCH, 1881 mm MHiillill L Enth RlCBPTl form Club dent; Pro Mackay, Denis Bai V. P. Club m Edmoud . Bouthillie Dorion, N, Club Let dent; Jos. Alfred Roj And th< Cramp, I Mackay. J James Met M.P.P., All Advisori Penny, Ho Huntingto James Mcfc O^ Tiie the dinnei Edward Bl Young Met Windsor tiuated, a g •desire of th to do hoDOi of the partj the etandin] large dining the skill c Arrangemei tendioif ^6 n a position / / ^ THE BLAKE BANQUET. WINDSOR HOTEL, 29th MARCH, 1881. Enthusiastic Reception of the Liberal ]r^ead»r. GEAND IIBEBAL BEUNION. (^tmrnWim. BtCBPTiOH CoMMiTTn. — Young Men^t Re- form Club : John J. Maclaren, Q.C., Presi- dent ; Prof. J. Clarke Murray, LL D., Hobert Mockajr, Ist Y. P., Edward Holton, M.P.. Denis Barry, 2nd V. P., Alex. Mofiatt, 3rd V. P. Club Nationalt : A. £. Poirier, President ; Edmoud Lareau, Philippe H. Boy, F. O Bouthillier, M.P.P., Wm. Scallon, Achille Dorion, N, Dandurand. Club LeUllier: Antoine Favreau, Presi- dent ; Jos. N. Bienvenu, Ernest Tremblay, Alfred B,oj,fili, L. Mederiu Houde. And the following gentlchien : Thomas Cramp, Hon. J. K. Thibaudeau, Hugh Mackay. Joseph Duhamel, James Btewart, James McShane, if.P.P., Hon. H. Mercier, M.P.P., Alfred Perry. Advisory Coiimittkb. — Hon. Edwd. Goif Penny, Hon. B. Laflamme, Q C, Hon. L. 8. Huntington, M.P., Hon. H. Mercier, M.P.P., James McBhane, If. P.P. Toast CoimiTTii.— John J. Maoiarea, Q.C., Hon. J. B. Thibaudeau, Edward Holtou, M.P., Ewan McLennan, Wm. Bcallon, Denis Barry, Selkirk Cross. FiNiNOi CoMiUTTii. — David Seath, Trea- surer ; Bobert Mackay, Alex. Moifatt, Selkirk Cross, ChaH. Parmalee. Printing Committib. — M. Hutchinson, Jamus a. T. Cleghorn, J. O. B. Dillon, Al«x. Munro, M.D., Arch. McGoun, Jr. Musio CoifMiTTiE. — Alex. Moff^tt, David Seatli, John H. Bogers, Fred. Massey, B. Dandurand. Sbatinq Cokmtttib. — James N. Green- shields, W. Fred. Bitchie, Mederic Houde, W. tScallon, C. HI A. Patterson, Alfred Perry, N. Dandurand. Dbooration Committib. — Bobert Mackay, Alex. Moffatt, Bobert Ueid, James Morgan, Jr., C. E. A. PattersDB, THE BA.ISrQXJET. O^ Tuesday evening, 29th of March, the dinner given to the Honourable Edward Blake, under the auspices of the Young Men's Reform Club, came off at the Windsor Hotel, and was, as prognos tiuated, a great and brilliant success. The •(lesire of the members of the Liberal party, to do hoDOur to the talented and able Chief of the party, taxed not only the seating, but the etauding-room capacity of the Windsor's large diuins-room. In fact, notwithstanding the skill displayed by the Committee of Arrangements to find place for all those at- tending the banquet, so that they might be n a position to hear the eloquent addresses which were made by the leaders of the party, they were forced' to send many of their friendn into the gallery with the band, while hundreds more, mounted on chairs, were in the corridors, listening to the speeches as best they could. Seldom has there been seen such a rallviug together of Liberals as last night. I'he meeting held at the Queen's Mail a few months ago, ^hen the same great statesman addressed his countrymen on the Pacific contract, surpassed the meeting of last p'<^htin num- bers, but not in enthusiasm, ' * the Liberal cause and i^s patriotic prim .pals. That meeting was a manifsstatiCi* of th« torn- 66924 2 fldence and respect which the people had in the eouree pursued by the Liberal leader and his eupporters in protecting the patrimony of the people. Last night that confidence and respect was maide the firnaer, and will assuredly give the Chief of the i«rty more strength and encourage ment to stand fast and fight out to the end' the battle of, the people^s rights. On all sides could be peen young and old stand- ing shoulder to shoulder and weighing well the words of wise counsel and advice which fell Arom the lips of the speakers. To many youngsters, indeed, it was of much ad- vantage to hear, from such masters of the politics of the country, the true his- tory of the Reform party ; its battles in the past and its triumphs ; of the men at the party helm in the past, and how they achieved, in the face of many obstacles, Constitutional Government for the people. The difiiculties in those days were greater than now; yet the party, guided by such nobleminded men as Mackenzie, Baldwm, Lafontaine and others, advocating the rights of the people, came through the ordeal with honour and credit, and gained for us the liberties which we now enjoy, and which every true Liberal and lover of his country is bound to see maintained. The clouds round Liberal heads then were dark and lowering, aa they have beeq over us for the past few years, but as there is a silver lining to every cloud, so brightness and light is once more beginning to break over the fortunes of thd Liberal party. As the leaders of the party in the past were guided by high and noble motives for tlie country's good, and eventually were vic- torious, so those of to-d<*y follow in their footsteps, and loc>k to the youn|[ men of the Liberal party to suntain them in the noble work they are seeking to carry out. The Young Men's Reform Club of this city are desirous of doing their duty, and in this they a-e encouraged by those staunch men of Liberal principles whose hair has be- come grey in the service of the party, and who are glad to see the young generation taking hold of the work which for years past they have nobly borne the burden. The formation of the Young Men's Reform Club, as soon as it was started, received every assistance and countenance from the fathers of the party in the city. Advice and counsel were 'ever at hand, and, in a few weeks' tin»e, the members of the young Club sprang, as if by magic, into existence, found thamselves Id such a strong EDsition as to undertake to invite the onoured leader of the party to a closer Acqaaintance. The idea was no sooner broached than it Was quickly acted utton^ and, with the co-operation of their eldtrs, they had, last night, the distinguished honour of having as their guest their lead- er and Canada's greatest statesman, the Hon. Edward Blake. lu doing him honour the; honoured themselves, their city and their country. They have also seen the leader to whom their allegiance is due, one whom we i'eel certain, from the manner in which they received him, they will follow with confidence wherever he may lead, for it will onlv be the path of honour he will ask them to tread. The demonstration of last night was one the Young Men's Reform Club may think of with pride in after years. The arrange- ments for the dinner were as complete as could be desired. Considering the immense number which the ** Windsor' had to cater for, the banquet was in every respect all that the most critical could have antici- The tables had been arranged in what is called rake fashion, the invited guests' table running the whole length of the large dining-room, and twelve smaller ones running at right angles to it, at which were seated the subscriberd. The Chair was taken by Mr. J. J. Maclaren, Q.C., having as Vice-Chairman Messrs. Robt. Mackay, Denis Barry and Alex Mofi'att,y ice- PreHidents of the Club. Acting as Chairman at the other tables were Messrs. J. G- T. Cleghorn, J. C. McCorkifl, S. Cross, Dr. A. Muuro, A. Lareau, J. N. Greenshields, W. Scallon, P. H. Roy, E. C. Monk, D. R. Ross and J. G. B. Dillon. Seated on the right of the Chairman were the Hon. Edwai^ Blake, the guest of the evening. Hon R Laflamme, Mr Scriver, M P, Hon H G Joly, Hon F Langelier, Jas McShane, M P P, B Prefontajne, M P P, F G Bouthillier, M P P. On the left were Hon W Laurier, Hon L 8 Huntington, Hon B Thibaudeau, Ed Uolton, M P, Hon H Mercier, Hon F G Marcband, H A Nelson, M P P, B G Meikle, M F P. Seated on either side of these were jfessrs. Porier, Favreau, E McLennan, Aid Hagar, J H Mooney, Wm Darling, Prof Murray. F X Archambault, C A Geoffrion, W Prevost, Hugh Mackay, F Mackenzie, Thos Cramp, J K Ward, Aid Gilman, F W Thoma^ N W Trenholme, Aid Proctor, Aid D Brown, J Hodgson, H 'Lyman, Edward Mackay, James Shearer, Thos Workman, Jos Barsalou, B W Shepherd, James Stewart, Joel Leduc, J H Joseph, Jas MuOready, Louis Tourville, C Pecrault, V/ W Rob- ertson, Jas O'Halloran, ij U, R French, S Morrice, Thos Leeming, Aid J C Watson, and A A Ayei^ Th«« the bMi( F. X. A QC Chas. A J.R.Ale Dr. Geo Geo. Ak Aid. Da P. L. B€ W.P. Bj Jos. Bar C. Beaui J. Stevei J. E. Bri O'Haral George B C. R. Bh W.M. B Denis Be Geo. Bui R. J. Bn Frank B J. H. Bn Geo. Bisl John Bet Jonathan Thomas '. J. M. Bu< John Cra Thomas ( Arch. M. James Ci T. James T. A. Cra C. E. Chs Selkirk C Prank Ca Thos. Chi Lachut J. G. T. C George C C. C. Claj S. Carsle> T. H. Chr J. B, Can H. M. Chi J. Cochen Dr. C. : Cowans P. A. Croj Joseph Dc William I Cd ttttOD> ir eldtra, neaished aeir lead- naan, the iog him res, their tave aleo igiance is ^m the bim, they erever he e path of tad. The bs one the think of arrange- mplete as i immense ttd to cater ■espect all ive antici- In what is «d guests' Lh of the i smaller t, at which The Chair ren, Q.C., srs. Bobt. 3flatt,Vice- Chairman ). J. G. T. OSS, Dr. A. ihields, W. mk, D. B. Seated on the Hon. le even in P, Hon McShane, P, F G were Hon Hon B H Mercier, Nelson, SeaDtd on in essrs. ^Id Hagar, Murray. F W Prevost, los Cramp, Thomwi; d D Brown, I Mackay, man, Jos es Stewart, MoOready, V; W Bob- Ifrencb, S C Watson, 8 Th« following is the list of subscribers to the banquet : A F. X. Archambault, S. J. Andres, L.D.S., Q.C. W. H. Arnton, Chas. Ault, M.D., A. A. Ayer, J. B.Alexander, M.D. Bohert Archer. Dr. Geo. Armstrong, 0. B. Anderson, Geo. Alderidge, J. J. Aruton. Wm. Adjeus. B Aid. David Brown, F. L. Beique,Q.C., W. F. Badenach, Jos. Barsalou, C. Beausoleil, Cha8. Byrd, Chas. Bodea, A. B. Brown, John S. Brown, Alfi>ed Britton, J. Stevenson Browr., Honore Beaugrand, J. E. Brais, Jos. N. Bienveou, 0'HaraBaynes,N.P.,F. G. Bouthillier, George Baynes, M.D M.P.P., C. B. Black, J. B. Brouseau, W. M. Blaiklock, Moritz Boas, Denis Barry, Geo. Bury,' B. J. Brown, Frank Brenuan, J. H- Browning, Geo. Bishop, John Beattie, Jonathan Brown, Thomas Bowes, J. M. Bucknall, T. V. J. B. A. Beique, B. A. Beckett, Hugh Brodie, N.P., Henri Brosuard, Frs. Braid wood. Nap. Bourassa, Chas. Bover, Thomas Bel!, Edwin Benjamin, Allan Brown. B. Brown. John Crawford, Thomas Cramp Arch. M. Cassils, James Crathern, T. James Claxton, T. A. Crathern, C. E. Chandler, Selkirk Cross, Frank Caverhill, Thos. Christie, M.D., J. F. Cotton, Lachute. James Cunningham, Allan C. Camming, Geo. B. C|:amp, W. Alex. Caldwell, W. B. Craig, G. A. Cameron, B. Coekburn, E. D. CoUeret, A. B. Chaffee, A. B. Chaff«e, Jr., J. G. T. Cleghorn, George Caverhill,, C. C. Clapperton, S. Oarsley, T. H. Christmas, J. B. Cantin, H. M. Childs, J. Cochenthaler, Jas. H. Carnegie, T. A. Crane, Chas. C. Corneille, C. A. Cantin, Geo. A. Childs, Oswald Cammann, Samuel Charest, Geo. L. Cains, Dr. C L. Cotton, C. C. Clapham, Cowansville, Fred Colson, P. A. Crosbey, S. Cutler, Jr., James Crankshaw. Joseph Doutre, Q.C, M. Davis, Wilham Darling, G. DeSola, Thomas Darling, I. T. Daf, William Diysd^.e, W. W. Duolof , Jos. Duhame!, Q.C., Jos. Duchesntan, Achille Dcrion, J. G. B. Dillon, Adam Darling, John Dunlop, H. Thos. Duffy, 0. J. Devlin, J. M. M. Duff; John Dillon, David Drysdale, Sullivan David, James Darling, J. A. Davis, B. Dandurand, J. B. B. Dufresnt, S. Davis, L. 0. David, Ernest Desroaien, D. Downie. L. G. P. Desrosiers, A. L. Dosaulniers, M . D., Louiseville, — Duchesneau, J. B. Dougall, 1'hus. M. Dougall. L. Davis, Dr. Duchesneau. Wm. Ewan, James Ewan, Dr. Fisher, R. French, John Fair, Antoine Favreau, Bos well Fisher, John Fraser, £ F. Edgar, C. D. Edwards. V Sidney Fisher, John Fair, Jr., Geo. H. FUnt, Peter Fulton, Robert Fin lay, David Finlay. C. A. Geoffi*ion, Q.C, J. B. Galipeau, J. N. Greenshields, R. Gardner, Rev. T. Gales, F. E. Garratv, Aid. F. E. Gilman, G. Gouldthorpe, J. B. Gaboury, N.P., P. R. Goyette, Geo. W. Gardner, Geo. Goldie. £[on. Felix Geoffrion, Antoine Gougeon, Thos. P. Gorman, Dr. Globensky, D Graham, Aid. Jfu^ues Grenier. H Hon. L. S. Hunting- ton, M.P., F.d. Holton, M.P., W. DeCourcy Har- nett, Jonathan Hodgson, Edward Hagar, Captain L. Howard Dassel, Thos.E. Hodgson, Aid. Chas. Hagar> C D. Hanson, J. C Holden, Antoine Hamilton, Jas. Hughes^ J. C Holden, James M. Hall, Gavin Houston, E. Higginbotbam, Capt. Henderson , M. Hutchinson, A. Hamilton, J. A. Harte, D. H. Hogg, H. A. Hutcbins, M. Han nan, T. L. Harrison, S.N. Hicks, W. Hamilton, John P. Hodgson, R. Hevnemao, Chas.'W. Hagar. N. E. Hamilton, A. Cristopher Healy. Gkorge lies, J, H. IsMGSon, Alflfvd Isaacson, F. C. Inland, J. H.iJoeepli, Edgar Jaoge, Horace Joseph, Henry Jonan, •J lUL^J," A. L. Johbaou, H. Joseph, E. R. JoboBoi), W. James Jar V in, K Fr«l. W. Kelly, G. R. W. Kittson, W. Fred. Kay, John M. Kirk. A. Keroaoh, Hon. F. Langelier, Hon. R. Laflamme, Q.C., Henrv Lyman, Jos. 6. Learmont, J. L. Lafcntaine, M.F.P., Bdm'd LareaUjQ.C, W. D. Lighthall, W. M. Lemesurier,^ Leon Larue, Fred. 8. Lyman Galixte Lebeof, Joel Leduc, — Lanigan, Dr. Lawder,Ck>wan8- ville. Dr. Laberge, M.P.P., W. J. Learmont, H. H. Lyman, D. L. Lockerby, Wm. La vera, H. Label le, 8eth P. Leet, G. C. Lumley, L. A. La vers, Lynn T. Leet, Daniel Lyonn, M. Longtin, Thos. Liggett Chas. Levine, Geo. R. Longeway, Thos. Leeming. H. Lovell, M. P. P. F. X. Lecavallier. J. B. Leslie. M. Hon.F. G.Marchand, R. G.Meikle, M.P.P., M.P.P., Geo. A. Mooney, Prof. J. Clarke Mur- James Morgan, Jr., ray, LL.D., Geo. W. Moss, E. C. Monk, W. G. Martin, Alex. Mnnro, M.D., Charles Martin, Aid. J. H.Mogney, M. Michaels, H""^. Honore, Mer- Paul G. Martinean, cifer, M.P.P., Charles Martin, David Morrice, W. L. Maltby, W. F. Mewhort, T. R. Marshall, Maxwell Murdoch, Ralph Merry, Frank Mooney, L. L. Maillot, R. Miller, Jr., Fred. Massey, W. E. Muir, L. Munro, P. R. Marti neau. J. W.Mills. F. H. Mathewson, Richard Mooney, W. Symes Miller. Edward Mackay, H. S. Macdonaid, Aid. McShane, M. P., uGneas McMaster, Hugh Mackay, J. J. Maclaren, EwsQ McLennan, Wm. McLaren, A.G. McBean, Mc. Murdoch McKenzie, Geo. McBean, P. H. Mackay, Jr., J. A. McKinnon, A. Macarthur, Alex. Mackenzie, James Maclaren, John Maclean, John McKergow,^ James MoCready, Robert Mackay, John S. McLachlan, Wm. McLachlan, John Macintosh, C. J. Mclntyre, B. C. Maclean, J. Chas. McCorkill, A. C. Mclndoe, G. D. Mackay John Macnish, R. W. McLachlan, James McDougatl, F. C. A. Mclndoe, Arch. MoGoun, Jr., Wm. McCailum, Richard McKeown, John McLean James McLennan, John McQueen, R. W. McDougall, John S. McLacblau, Wm. McLachlan. N. H. A.Ne]8on,M.P.P.,Fred. E.Nelson, Albert D. Nelson, H. Newman, James Neville, W. H. Nolan. 0. James 0'HalIoran,L. S. Odell, Q. C. JohnOsteli, J. B. Owens. Hon. E. G.Penny, Aid. C. D. Proctor, C. Perrault, R.Prefontaine,M'.P. A. E. Poirier, Wilfrid Prevost, Robert Pinkerton, E. Z. Paradis, Q.C E. G. Penny, Jr., L. P. Poitras, Jr., W. D. Pettigrew, G. S. Page, Hon. D. A^ Ross, R. A. Ramsay, W. W. Robertson, Robert Reford, R«^bert Reid, Philippe H. Roy, C. J. Root, J. H. Rogers, Alfred Perry, J. W. Patterson, Frank Pritty, P,Loui8 Perrault, Erne.'^t Pacaud, (ilxAn. H. Parnselee, H. A. Plamc idon, , C. E. A. Putters-n, Eustache Pare, Joseph Percival, A. J. Post, George Phillips. R W. Fred. Ritchie, Thomas Robin, Jos. Rielle, John A. Robertson, H. B. Rainville, J. Y. Rov, D. R. Ross, James M. Reid, J. H. Redfern, Cote W. Lord Ross, St. Antoiue, J. E. Robidoux, F. 0. Rinfret, John Ralston, — Roe, — Roy, James Reid, Wm. Reid. Alfred Roy, fils, John Reid, A. Racine, Arthur Rov. J. C. Bobillard. , S Julius 8criver,M.P., Wm. Smith, Brooks Sanbcrn, Geo. Sumner, John Stirling, Chas. Sullivan, Aid. G. W. Stephens, Jos. Ste. Marie, A. D. Stevens, M.D., J. Alex. Stevenson, G. Stevens. S. D. Stewairi, John G. Savage, Wm. Scallon, J. H. Semple, C. H. St. Louis, W.A.J James I U.C.S David & Andrew J. D. 81 John 8c W. Star A. Spen Wm. 8r Wm. Sr Dr. G. C James 5 Hon H. C. H. S F Wolfei Hon. J. dfau. N. W. T Richard Louis To Wm.Te( James T Wm. F. W. H. V Thomas Aid. J. C George V C. A. W( W. C. W Jas. Will J. K. Wa R. 8. Wf James A J. P. Wh Thos. W< J. J. We R. White W. A.W The tal with cho ^ent«d a t were all t exacting « tice to. D Battalion, ut the We of music o'clock th and took t modated. pariyente deiit Bt tb< W. A. Stepli«u«on, •Tamea Stewart, II. C. St. Pierre, David Steel, Andrew Stewart, J. D. Shaw, John Soott, W. Starke, A. Spence, Wm. Stewart, Wm. Smith, Dr. G. O. Summers, Jamen Shearer, Hon H. Starnen. C. H. Sorley, JatueB Strackan, llobert Sanmel, David Seath, David Stewart, Wm.Stn^ohaii, Kobert Seath, Wm. Seath, Oeorge Sadler, J. 8. Shearer, Jolm Stewart. Jamen M. Slesnor, •R. W. Shepherd, Thaxter Shaw, M. Schwob, A. 6. Stewart. F Wolferet'n ThomaH Hon. J. R. Thibau- deau. N. W. Trenholnie, Richard Thomas, Louis Tourville, Wm. Tees, James Thomson, Wni, F. Torrance, John M. Taylor, Cha«. Torrance, T. H. Turton, A. Dunbar TayU r, Forbefl Torrance, D. T. Teeji, L. S. Thompson, D. Thomas. J. 0. Turgeon. W. H. VanvUet, Thomas Workman, Aid. J. C. Watson, George Wait, C. A. Wood, M.D., W. 0. Wells, Jas. WillianiHon, . J. K. Ward, K. 8. Weir, •lames A. Wright, J. P. Whelan, Tho8. Webster, J. J. Webster, * R. White, W. A. Weir, V Fred. 0. W Verity. W.Simpson Wulker, Alf. Wright, L.D.S., Alex. Walker, N. S. Whitney, Dr. Wanless, Peter White, J..D. Wells, A. A. Welsh, M. Williamn, . Robt. Watson, F. W. Wadswortb, H. S. Wallis, Robert S. White, R. G. Watson. Y Wm. Young. The tables were handsomely decorated with choice hot-house plants, and pre- i««nt«d a tempting appearance. The viandH were all that could be desired by the most exacting epicure, and were amply done jus- tice to. During dinner, the band oft he 65th Battalion, which was placled in the gallery at the West-end, played a choice selection of music in excellent style. About eight o^clock the guests file deht •f the Ctftb, Hon; Me«»n*. niintit)|;tda and Laurier and the officers of the Club, the whole of the members sprung to their feet and cheered vociferously, while the band played '* Hail to the Chief. All being seated, the order to fttll to waj given, and the followmg menu was amply discussed : — MENU. SOUP. Mock Turtle. Consomme a la R«>yal. Boiled HoKuenay Halmnn a la Normandlu. FlIletH of Ilailbut au gratin. Pommel a la ParlMenne. noiLBD. * Leg of M utlon, Caper Hauco. Tongue. Corned Qeef and Havoy Oabbagf. Chicken, Panley Buuoe. XNTREKM. Filets de fioeuf, piqnes aux Champignons. Ris de Veau, glace au pt tits puis. Pigoon bralne, au haricots verts. Foie do DInde, saute aux trufltM. Macaroni au parmasan. ROAST . Beef with Yorkshire Pudding. Turkev, Craii)i«rry Hauoe. Bpring Lamb, Mint 8aucu. Olnclnnati ham, Champagne Bauoe. OAMK. Black Duok, with Jolly. Quail, Broad Hauce. OOU) DISQES. Roast Mutton, Veal, Ham, Ox Tongno, Cornad BotT, FilotaofBoef. Boned Turkey with Jelly. Game Pie with Jtilly MAYONNAISE. Salmon. Potato. Lobnter. Chickun, VEOBTABLE.<}. Xew Bermuda Potatoes. Potatoes, plain and mashed. Asparagus, Htewed Tomatoes, Hplnaob. Bweei Corn, Miwhed Turnip, Onion, Lotluoe, Celery, Radishes, Htieed . TomatoeH. / PAHTKY. Plum Pnddtng, Brandy Sauce, Rhubarb Pie, Charlotte Rurou, Ap.^le Pie, Maraschino .lollj . RaHpberry Tartlets, Jolly PuD*i, Cocoanut SltcoH, Fancy Kisses, Fruit Cako, LAdy Fingern. DESSEUT. Oranges, Applos, Malaga Orapes, Raisins, Figs, English Walnuts, Almonds, Filberts. English Cheese, American Cheese, Gru>er« Clieese, Vanilla Ico Cream, Roman Punch. COKKEE. TBA. After due justice had been done to the viands, etc., the Chairman called the meet- ing to order, and gave the flrst toast of the evening. THK TOASTS. The Chairman then pro poised the toast of "The (jueen," which was received with eli«er6,the band playing "Ghod Mre the Queen." 11 « The Prince and Princem of Wales and the Eojal Family," bronght forth three more remind cheeri, the band playing (< God Bleu the Prince of Wales." "The Ooremor-Oenei'al" receiTed three cheers and a tiger, the band playing « The Oampbells are Coming." "The Army, Navy, and Volunteers," was greeted with three cheers, the band playing " Bale Britannia." C!oI. Harchand respondtMi in a happy speeeh for the honour conferred upon him in being asked te respond to* this toast. Although he was now in the position of a retired'tmilitiaman, although not now in actire serrice, he still felt, in a political point of Tiew, that he was a private in the great political army of our country, — Cana- da. (Cheers.) He briefly referred to his military career ; in his early military his- tory, he had been called to com- mand one of the most valiant brigades- that ever faced the enemy — the Fifth Royals. (Cheers.) He had bad also under his command the Prince of Wales and the Victorias, young and valiant men, who were in all respects worthy to repre- sent the youth of Canada, and un he hi»di told them, victors in love iind victors in war. He concluded by again thanking them. (Applause.) At this point the Secretary, Mr. A. lloOouN, .read th3 following letters and telegrams from those unable to be pre- sent : The following letters were read : — ToROHTO, March 25, 1881. Di^B Sm, — I received yours of 22nd yes- terday, inviting my attendance at a dinner to be given to the Hon. Edward Blake on the 29th instant. I regret that I am compelled to decline the invitation, as I have at present to avoid long and fatiguing journeys ; and also public gatherings of any sort, unless cir- cumstances should make it alMolutely ne- cessary. Wishing you a prosperous gathering, I am, yours faithfully, A. MACK>¥zai. Abch. MoGkxnr, Esq., Montreal. After the reading of this letter the entire audience rose to their feet, and cheered and ■ shouted, waving their hands and glasses, and it was several minutes before the en- thusiasm excited by Mr. Mackenzie's name •ould be controlled. Ottawa, March 1 2, 1881. DiAB 8iB,-.It will afford me much ^easare to accept the invitation of the Toung Men's Keform Club of Montreal, to attend a public dinner to be given in honour of Hon. Mr. Blake, should it not be abso- lutely necessary for me to proceed home directly after the prorogation of Parliament. I have explained to Mr. Holton, M.P., the circumstances, which may render my im* mediate return home necessary. I remain, dear sir. Yours truly, T. W. Amolin Abch. MoOoun, Jr., Esq., Secretary T. M. Reform Club, Ac, Ac. The Hon. Mr. Anglin, since writing this letter, has expressed his great regret that urgent family affairs have rendered it ab- Bolutely'impossible to remain and be pre- sent at the dinner. Ottawa, March 24, 1881. DiAR Mr. Siorrtart, — I very 'much re- gret that pressing professional engagements prevent me from accepting the invitation of the Toung Men's Reform Club of Mont- real, to be present on the occasion of the dinner in honour of the Hon. Mr. Blake. Hoping that the meeting may be a grand success, I am. Tours faithfully, R. W. Scott. Montrkal, March 28. My Dear Mr. Secretary : It is with a great deal of regret that I feel obliged to absent myself from the in- teresting meeting of Liberals, which is to take place to-morrow night, fie assured that nothing but physical weakness would prevent me from taking part by my pre- Bence on an occasion so full of hope for the future of the party, and what is of more consequence, for the future of the country. The younger men, who are te-day coming to the front are those, on whom reliance must shortly be placed, if our public affairs are to be saved from ruin by the depreda- tions of interested parties. Events warn us that the generation of public men to which I myself belong is rapidly passing away. Our sons must supply its place. With the warmest hope that you and your distinguished guest, whom it would be an honour to myself if I were able to honour in the slightest degree, will enjoy a very pleasant etening on Tuesday. Believe me, Tour very obedient servant, [Signed,] Bow. Oorr Pkhtt. A. MoOouN, Esq. This letter was also received with the greatest enthusiasm, and cheer after cheer went round the hall. In honour ba abso- ed home filament. HP., the my Im- Amolin , kc, kc. iting this Bfcret that ed it ab- i be pre- 24,1881. muoh re- ;agementii iavitatiou ) of Mont- lioD of the At. Blake, oe a grand ^ Scott. [arch 28. ret that I om the in- hich U to Be assured ness would by my pre- ope for the s of more le country, lay coming m reliance iiblic affairs be depreda- nts warn ua )n to which sing away. It you and it would be sre able to will enjoy a ay. Beliere at, ft PlMMT. Id with the aft«r cheer The Hon. Mr. Fraser, who was also in. yfted, has been obliged to decline, his physician baring ordered him positirely to aroid using his ^'^'.oe in addressing any publio meetint(. Letters were also received from Senator Bureau, Hon. D. A. Ross, Quebec : James Maclaren, Buckingham ; W. Fred. K»>, Phillipsburg ; Thomas Christie, M.O , La- chute. [TSLIURAM.] Secretary Blake Dinner : The members of the Quebec Reform Club send greetinits to the Fon. Edwsnrd Blake on the occasion of the banquet tendered him as Chief of tbe Reform Party. Under his leadership they look with confidence to the future. F. X. Lkuiiux. Secretary Blake Dinner, Windsor Hotel : Weu*"'*" ,ith you in the warmest ex- pression ot good.wili to our distingaishcd ^ "^der, and wish you every success. Chas. Lanorliib, AcHiLLK Lards, R. J. BRAOiiSr, JULKH TRSHtIR, Ei>. Lacroix, F. X. Lkmirux, D. Barrt. Jos. Trrmont, And others. Also, one from Hon. F. Oeoffrion, M. P. received from Mr. A letter was also Bourassa, M.P., of St. Johns, P.Q , the old est member of the.House of Commons. The next txNwt was the toast of the even- ing, « Our Guest." Mr MACLAREN, iu proposing this toast, spoke as follows : — Gentlemen : I deem it a high honour that, as President of the Young Men's Reform Club, it is my privilege to preside at so magnificent a demon strav'^in to^the distinguished leader of the Liberal Party of the Dominion. (Loud applause.) This is a red-letter day in the history of our Club, in the history of Montreal, and in the history of the Reform Party in the Dominion. During Mr. Blake's visit to Montreal in January last, he gave some words of counsel to the Toung Men's Reform Club, on the Occasion of the presentation to him of an address. It might be summed up in three words : Organise ! Organise I Organize ! At that time onr Club was in a donnaat itnt«. and numb jred but abont fifty membert, and to-day we can boast of a membership of about 350. In less than three months it has increased sevenfold, and to nhow that the interest is jiot waniug now, let me tell you that at the last meeting of the Glnb there were forty-three new applications for membership. When we first invited Mr. Blake to this dinner, there was no regular Reform Association to take the lead iu rach a matter, but I trust that the one organised this afternoon in the Mechanics' Hall, will hereafter lead in matters affecting the Party generally. I cannot say how gratified I am to see such a numerous attendiuice here to- night ; we first thought of 20, or at most 250 guests, and nubody was moro astonished than I was to ^ee the applications come in so rapidly, until, for want of xpace to accom- modate V. Tuosts, we have had to deny many app v nts. Thanks to the Reform party and tL«) popularity of our great leader, our g"«ist8 are only limited by the capacity of ''• * rooiii. TliiB hall has witneiised many notab'e g.uoerings and receptions; dinners tr T,ord Oufferin, the Marquis of Lome, r i >utiny noted political and social rec«p;,ion> Mid festivities, but I am proud to say that '^^e have 120 more guests to- night than were ever gathered at any public dinner previously given lu M'^r/real. This is a great tribute to our leader, and abun- dantly tostifles to the estimation in* which he is held by the people of this city and Province. He has accomplished much since his last visit among ur. He has set a brilliant example of fearlessly doing, his duty under most trying circumptanoes. * The entfauDiasm evoked here proves that he has the personal magnetism which is needed to draw men to his standard, and which is so essential to the success of public leaders. With a comparative hand- ful in the House of Commons, he has shown that he possesHes those qualities i f leadership which would ensure victory for those who would be led* by him. The Liberal Party is bound together by common opinions and principles. Conservatives may boast that there is, perhaps, a greater devotion on the part of his followers to the pcrnou of their chief. It resembles the influence of a Highland chief over the members of his clan, but the recep- tion tendered to the Liberal leader shows not only that he has the completest confi- dence of that party, but possessea the mag- netic power t? inspire enthusiasm among his followers. I wish then to propose the health of Hon. Edward Blake, onr hon- oured guest. The toast was received with the most vociferous cheering, and three times were I> ^ d I ^ K t I ) the cheers given with a royal will, and when the hon, gentleman arose the scene was one of wild enthusiasm which beggars descrip- tion. The Hon. EDWARD BliAEE, in rising to return thanks, was received with loud and prolonged applause, the whole audience rising to their feet, and cheering him in a most enthusiastic and loyal manner. He said: I beg to return you, Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, my most grateful and heartfelt thanks for the kindness of the terms in which you^ sir, have been pleased to pro- pose, and tns distinguished company have been good enough to accept, the toast uf my health. I am very consciouf, sir, that all this is due to your kindness ot heart, and that it is to the warmth of your affec- tion to the cause we are met together to promote, that these expressions of sym- pathy and confidence have been evoked. I regard it as an omen of the accessions uf strength in the future and of the triumphs of our cause and principles, that you have gathered in such numbers and in such enthusiasm, in order to make the demou- stration, not in favour of any man or any set of men, but in substance and in reality in favour of the principles ut the Liberal cause in Canada. (Cheers.) I. &kd occasion already in this city, this afternnoon, to address an important repre- sentative gathering of delegates and others from the various constituencies comprised in the district of Montreal, met fur the im- portant, the vital purpose of perfecting their party organization, and it became my duty to discuss at some length the circum- .4tances which have been present to tlie minds and thoughts of all those who took an interest in public affairs for the laot few months; and under tliese circumstances, as 1 presume many wh6^ where there are now present here, I shall dwell upon those mat- ters very briefly upon this occasion. Referring, then, without further preface, to the subject which formed the principal topic ot discussion during the session, I am relieved in this audience, I know, from the necessity of enlarging upon that topic be- cause, as you, sir, have observed, I had an opportunity a little time ago, during the coursti of the discussion of the sul)- j«ct, of presenting to the people of Montreal my views as to the course laat the public interest required to be taken in that mut- ter. The viewB, which I did not disguise from you I even then entertained, as the results of the struggle have been duly veri- fied : a grent public misfortune has since then been instituted, and I may go further and W0f a great public crime has been commit- tcd. (Applause.) I promised you then, in the name of the Liberal party, that every opportunity which full discussion, which elaborate investigation, which reasonable delay, which propositions exposing the ob- jectionable character of the terms sub- mitted to us could give, should be given to the majority of the House of Com- mons. That pledge, which was all that we could give in the interests of the country, was redeemed, and every opportu- nity was given to those who formed the con- trolling element in the House of Commons to consider and reconsider the vital and momentous character of the Act which they were called uptm to sanction. And I do not speak without having weighed my words, when I say that my telief is ttat there was not merely outside that House but also within its walls, at one time, a pre- ponderance of opinion adverse to that con- tract. (Hear, Hear.) By what means ? under what circumstances ? By what pres. sure ? I don't accuse any one of baseness ; I don't accuse any one of impropriety, but thero was a rallying to the support of the Government which deliberately chose to pledge itself to the carrying of that con- tract. What that preponderating influence may have been it is not for me to state ; it is for the couutry to judge. It has had an ample opportunity of hearing the merits of the question, and it will have further oj*- portunitics in the discussions which between this time and the next ^'eneial election must tiike place ; and, will be called upon, after hearing the question, to decide as to whether or not we are in the right. As I said to you in January, there was, in my opinion, no comparison between the merits of the two plans that were proposed from the two sides of the House. We offered to the consideration of Par- liament and the country* this proposition : That wo should build the works neces- sary to get a communication with the prai- ries of the North-West, already under way ; that we should proceed with the railway through the fertile territories as rapidly as the colonization and development of these territories required them ; that we should subsidise a Company to build the road to the Sault, so that from East to West thero would be a railway connection with that country. To these comparatively moderate and limited objects we submitted that W(; should devote all our energies, and not em- ploy them upon an expensive scheme of communication and colonization, rather proceeding to the practical development of the Nortb-West, so as to put into that country the people who would make it val- uable. Toi! know you have been told time '-ud again that the land which hag been given away is not to be counted as worth >u then, in that eVery iD, 'rhich 'casonablo ^g the ob- irms 8ub- e giver» to of Corn- was all ist8 of the 7 opportu- 3d the con- CoramonH vital and vbich they And I d(» sighed nay ief it) ttat that House line, a pre- o that con- A means ? what pres- f baseness ; )priety, but port of the y chose to f that con- ig influence to fitate ; it has had an le merits of further op- ch betwcc'U al election ailed upon, decide as the right, there was, n between that wore the House, on of Pai- ■ropositioii : ►rks nece»- Eh the prai- mder way ; he railway rapidly as nt of these we ehouUi the road to West theio i with that y moderate ed that wo nd not eui- scheme of ion, rather 9velopmejit into that nake it val- n. told time bug budn d M worth very much, because its value depends upon the railway which is not built thert., but we said, « Then do not give it away ; but build the railway thronfi(h the fertile belt to give the land the value which you admit it will bear the instant the railway is built." We pointed out that we would be in an inflnitely better position by adopting that course than we would be by the con- struction of the line along the part which, for some years, will not be productive of any benefit to the country. That was our view, and against tlxut view was set noth- ing but this, that it was cecessary to make the contract at oncj — not the con- tract for building at once, be- cauKe this work is not to be completed for a period of ten years— but that it was neces- sary to make the contract at once, and to enter into the engagement. They said that the engagement must be entered into at once, an engagement by which we gave work and money to the value of $60,000,000 and land to the extent of 25,000,000 of acres, and privileges, exemptions, monopolies which largely inorettse the value of the land given to the Company, and largely diminish the value of this country. All these thin^j^s, we iivere told, we must finally and forever, and at once convey to the Company. Then there was an alterna- tive proposition. When it was seen what the margin of profit was likely to be to the Coqipany, and us soon us tiie character of the engagements the country was to enter into became known, there arose a feeling amongst a number of substantial, in- fluential and piitriotic Canadians that it would be better that something; should be done to make better arras. gements for the country. A counter proposition was sent in to the Administraliou, as yuu know, by men of unquestioned financial ability, who showed their goo(j faith by the deposit of over $1,400,000 in cash in the banks. I suy a proposal wus sent in, not such as I should like, and containing some of the blemishes ){ the contract, but in- finitely better tlau the contract- — bjtter by $3,000,000 in hard cash, better by 3,000,000 acres of solid hind, better by the abroga- tion of divers exemptions, monopolies and other particulars with wnich all of you are familiar. That alternative was before the Administration, but the Government's answer was, <• It is too late to save the money, or to save the land, or to get rid of the exemptions, the monopolies aud the other objectionable feal'-ro.*." Now, why was it too late ? This otter was made within five weeks from the time at which the Administration had made known the fa<;t that any such conditions would be listened to at all. No pornou h.«d aaf motion until that contract was put before the Parliament that any such terms, so entirely different from what all former suggestions had been as to the terms of the contract, would have been accepted. You know that these gen- tlemen had had no preliminary opportunity to tender for the work, and that within that short space of time they had combined themselves, had made their offer, and do- posited their money. Why was it too lato ? The Government had not been authorised by Parliament to pledge the public faith by the execution of such a contract. That was admitted iu the event. It was admitted also in the event that this contract was not made under the authority- of any Aut of Parliament, or under the Speration of any special resolution of the House of Commons. It was an Executive Act, entirely unauthorised, aud which would only derive legality from being passed openly by the three bran hos of the Legis- lature Before that Bill had been pasaed upon, it had been introduced, but before its final reception the second proposal was be- fore the House, and before that same House of Parliament to whom the first contract was submitted for acceptance or rejociion, and the question to bo submitted was indis- putably within the competence of Pailiu- ment. That House was told that tlie terms of the contract were not the be.^t terms that could be obtained, and it hud befne it still better terms, but it turned deliuerately trom the light aud prc- fetred the darkness ; it ' turued Ironi the good and i)refcrred the ovil ; it turned from that which was advantugeous to tht; country andduliboniiely preferred the worse and less advantageous bargain. (Loud ap- plause.) Now, as I sfiid to you in Jutiuarj , what we wanted was to prevent this result. We used everv effort, and strained every nerve, to prevent it ; we declared that out wish and desire waf, by any means, by any statement we could make, by auy attitude we could take ou this question, to induce the Government of the day toactastliH great majority of the people of this country believe it would hav*< been in the public interest for them to act. We have not yet learned that Governments are infallible, or that they were iu any gensu bound, wiien they found that an error had l>eon ootu- mitted, when they found that fiir better terms than those \vhich they proposed might bo obtained, that they were bound to force those interior terms upon the Honse and upon the counlry. Why did they do this? Was it such a groat olject to the Syndicate? If it was, we liuv<: an additional evidence of thw character of the bargain. Tliese terms wjre expressly to be subject to the approval of Parlia- ment, and. I b<»lieve that the Ql«vern. 10 Ment would have consulted its own true dignitj, and I beliere it would have con- sulted its own true interests best, and I know it would have been consulting the interests of its party best, and I am sure it would have \)een consulting the interests of the country if, this new state of things having arisen, it had yielded to our request. Such a course would have been accepted with a sepse of Telief both outside and in- side of the House. Well, there remains nothing except for the public to judge upon this matter. There remains nothing except the deliberate judgment which, whether at any bye-elections or at the general elections, the voters m this country will be called upon to give as to the atti tude of the two parties, and upon the ques- tion, whether the administration which has so dealt with the material, the vital interests of this country deserves to have thd con- fidence of the people. [Loud applause.] I warned you at that meeting in Montreal that the situation of this country with reference to its public expenditure, was critical, and I point- ed out to you that in former years, as in 1873, there had been a very large increase in the permanent public charge, and that that increase was excused by those who made it upon the ground that there was a large surplus of revenue, and that they were entitled to calculate on a financial sur- plus, and in the year 1873 they did calcu- late upon a continued rate of prosperity and an increment of the public revenue, and a satisfactory state of things. I pointed out at that time that such calcula- tions were wholly fallacious; that the rate of progress in this country, any more than other countries similarly cii- cunistanced, could not be definitely fixed ; that in this country, as in other countries there were obvious and well-marked periods ot undue stimulus, of great excitement, of great apparent prosperity, of large impor- tations, and consequently great revenues, followed al trays and necessarily by periods jtwt the reverse, periods of reaction, periods of depression, periods of poverty and econ- omy, periods of reduced purchasing power of diminished revenue ; and I said in public and in private that it was prudent to regard the general average rate of progress of the country as the true rat*'! upon which we ought to calculate, and that we would not be acting in the right in making permanent additions to the pub- lic charges upon a conjecture, upon a sup- posed prosperity which was falsified by ex- perience, that we were going on at a rapid and natural rate. All those arguments were proved in fact to be truths, for every proposition was realized not very long after, and it hapoened, unfortunately for the Liberal party, that thev had to bear the brunt of it; for ihat period of depression and reaction, which was the ine- vitable consequence, came while they were in power, and those who had created that period of depression and reaction, who had made it more diffi- cult to bear by adding to the people's bur- dens, those who sat on the other side of the House, permitted themselves to rebuke the Liberal party because there was a deficiency in revenue. Now X a»n not one of those who say that it is possible, in the existing state of things in this country, to carry it on without some additions to the public charges, or who say that all such additions are unnecessary, because the services require development, but I am one of those who say that, in our present financial condition, every- propescd addition of a permanent character to the public barges ought to be watched with the utmost jealousy, because we are under very heavy engagements ; we are under engagements which are very shortly to mature, which have been placed under Legislative enactment. With reference to the Pacific Railway, it will add very largely to the public debt and to the ex- isting charges, and with reference to the development of the North- West Territories additions have been made in the same di- rection. Every addition that is mttfe to the annual rate of public expenditure is serious. But, Mr. Chairman, having this overflow of revenue, these considerations have no more weight to-day than they had in 1873. But there is an additional cir- cumstance which ought to give them more weight. That circumstance is this — that the surplus revenue now produced is not due solely to the recurrence of a period of ac- tivity, to the circumstance that we have ex- ported an enormous excess of grains, of timber, of animals, ot produce, and received a great deal of money into the country, which has enabled us to have the surplus. It is /iot duo solely to these causes, but it is due to a cause beyond that ; it is because there has been a very Serious increase in the rate of your taxation. That is the reason why you have this surplus, as 1 said to my friends this afternoon, and credit is taken by the Government for hav- ing this surplus of revenue. They would almost have you believe that they had made the money — that they had earned it with- out its being any charge upon you. I really have been inclined to ask the ques- tion in the House, whether they believed that they had made a present to the people of this country of that amount ; but in truth, in some way or other, in some shape or otiier, it is taken out of your 11 ately for » bear the lepressioa the ine- tiile they who had lepression more diffi- »ple'8 bur- iide of the ebuk<« the deficiency e of those e exiflting to carry it the public I additioDH » BerviceH I am that, in on, every- t character t)e watched se we are 9 ; we are sry shortly iced under reference L add very i to the ex- nce to the Territories le same di- is m4le to enditure is laving this isiderations n they had itional cir- them more this— that iuced is not period of ac- w« have ex- grains, of ind received le country, le surplus. lese causes, yond that ; very serious ition. That surplus, as jrnoon, and ent for hav- hey would By had made led it with- )on you. I the ques- ley believed 3 the people lunt ; but in some shape of your pockets, and the great art which they hare displayed, and the great benefit which they think they have conferred upon a grateful people, is that they have found oat how to put a few lines in the Statute Book to add to the rate of taxation and to take some- thing out of vour pockets and put it into the Treasury for the public use. The Fi- nance Minister deserves the gratitude of the people for this. He says to each of you, " Sir, while you have heretofore paid so much in respect of importations, I call upon you to pay half as much again, and I take a great deal of credit to myself that I have found out that way of making a demand upon you." Now gentlemen, I say that, as the tariff has been adjusted, although the average rate ot increa-se upon articles of importation or consumption appears to be from forty to fifty per cent., yet the taxation is so adjusted as to make the incre- ment something like eighty per cent., and I believe it is laid on such classes of goods that the greater part of that surplus has been derived from the poorer classes of the community. It is obtained by taxes upon the prime necessaries of life ; it is obtained by taxes on the raw materials of xnanufacturers ; it is obtained by a system of taxation which is quite con- trary to the principles of political economy, whether we belong to the protection school or the free-trade school ; and it is obtained in a manner, in my j lodgment, most unsci- entific and bungling ; in a manner which those who are the authors of the tariff have themselves indicated to be incorrect, because each session we have had a Tariff Bill, whilst each session we are told that the tariff is now perfect. I suspect we shall have another Tariff Bill next session, and another Tariff Bill aff«i that, and then, I hope, in the good time to come, that we will have still another Tariff Bill. The situation has been made more critical by thi-* increase of the public charges, because every such increase being of a permanent, or practically of a permanent chaiacter dirainiahes the avail- able margin. As an illustration, you may compare it with the case of a landed pro- prietor who has a large extent of land from which he derives a somewhat fluctuating rental, and on which he has to pay from year to year a fixed rate of interest on mortgages. Thus he lives on a fluctuating margin — the margin between his rents and the interest, the interest being a permanent charge — and thus, in the same way, if our public permanent charges are, in a period of prosperity, to be recklessly in- oceased and further charges be imposed, when the sect ', period of adversity comes the difficulty will be still more serious than it was in the case of 1873. 1 feel,therefore,that if it be the tortoiie of the Liberal party once again to be called npon to deal with the fininces of this country under circum- stinces of depression, and if, indeed, it be their fortune to deal with them under any circumstances, their task in regnlating the public affairs, so far as our tariff is con- cerned, will be . ^riously complicated by the course which is now being taken, by which the burden of the public charges has been increased. If we are told that we have ourselves increased the public charges, we answer that, in our opinion, it is not right, that the Finance Minister who, in 1878, declared that $22,500,000 was all the money that would be required for the public ser- vices, and that we were censurable because we were spending some $23,500,000, should subsequently come before the people of this country and say in 1881, « We want $26,500,000 or $27,000,000." But I believe it to be injurious that we should have a large surplus in this country from year to year. In the first place, we do not want to put any more money into the Treasury than it absolutely requires, for the money is better in our own pockets than in the Treasury; and, in the second place, if it comes into the Treasury it furnishes a very easy excuse for an extravagant use of it. So long as you permit the system of a large surplus to be estimated for from year to year, so long will you find the Gov- ernment declining to resist, or, at any rate, not resisting, every proposal to increase the public charges. If you choose to pay your money when you know it is unnecessary, then you have yourselves to blame if it is needlessly used. Now I have stated these considerations with reference to the finances in this country, and indicated that if this Government continues still in its present course, for two years to come at any rate, we must contemplate the raising of a very high revenue ; and that the revenue must be raised, as it has been both before and since Confedera- tion, by taxation from the Customs and tiie Excise. I say farther, that revenue will have to he raised from the Customs duties imposed upon a great variety 6t articles. The doctrine is generally recognized by statesmen who have investigated the sub- ject of finances, that, in Canada, revenue must continue to be raised from indirect taxation upon a large number of articles. There is no doubt whatever that this will continue until there is some new scheme of raising the revenue propounded, and that thus there will be a very considerable amount of incidental protection as an essen- tial result from the very condition jf things. You know, I suppose, my sentiments with reference to free-trade and protection. I have never disguised them, and it is not here, even in this city of Mohtreal, that I n Hhould diHt^uine th*tm for an iastunt. (Hear, liear). But I am not prepared to allow :hom vfho oppoHe iis to distort the state of thintJTK or tho attitude of the Liberal party on tbifl Hubject, and I rauke these plain whut I believe to nnd esHential condi- tlui mode of raising my. contribution to the same time I docbire to KtattsmcntH of be ub»()liite tious aK to the revenue, hh Hubjeut. At the yon that it ia my opinion, firxt, tliat in the lotereHt of all parties, in the interest of tbe country an a whole, of all indeed, but an infinitesimal proportion of the people of this country, there ought to be very considerable modifications of the tariff. I believe it will be found to bo right, and that it will be found to be advantageous to those who are engaged in various branches of manufactures throughout this country, that the increases which have been made to the tariff should be altered, and that it was not advantageous that those increases should' have been made, coupled with the increases which have bt„n made upon the raw mate- rials of their trades ; that these increases, in the interest of protection, which have re- hulted from the tariff, positively are hurtful, and that in many trades the ost of production bus been in- creased, without any corresponding advan- tage to the persons engaged in the trade. I believe it will bo fdund that the working of this tariff has mischievous results — that very mischievous results, which I do not intend to attempt to trace to-night, will flow from its operation. I stated as long Hgo as 1879, ^when I did not hold a Heat in Parliament, that the people of this country, by a majority at the polls, and by au overwhelming majority in Parlia- ment, had determined to try lor themselves the experiment of a very high restrictive tariff, and that as the experiment was to be triotl, it behoved us to pay for our experience and got the benefit of the lesson. I believe it behoves each one of us with.^^unprcjudiced minds to watch the working of chis experiment. My own opinion is very strong that it will be found that the experi- ence of other countries might have served us for a guide, but we have determined to buy our own oxperieuce,and we ought to take advantage of the lessons for which we have jiaid. If we take a case of a country where there is a large manufacturing interest, and another country where there is a large con- HQming interest, and if we baveau anxious desire to ascertain what the working of this system is, in order to reach a sound conelu- Kion upon it, we need not go ixt. All that I \o not investigate this subject further now than merely to throw out this suggestion for your consideration, and to ask you to consider the subject in its full scope, and endeavour to investigate the subject from every point of view, and not to form a judgment either upon one side or the other, except, upon full consideration. Now we have declared in Parliament our opinion that this enormously heavy tariff ought not to be continued at its present rate ; that it ought to be reduced, so as to create something like an equilibrium be- tween tbe revenue and a reasonable expen- diture. We hold, in fact, that the tariff presses most unequally upon the different sections of the Dominion, and I suppose you will all agree with me that taxation ought, as far as possible, to press equally upon all parts of the country, that the burden ought to be lK)rne equally by all. We say that the class of taxes which presses hardest upon the masses of the population is a very high tax upon the neces- saries of life, aad that is the class of taxes which are at once the most oppressive to the consumer and the least productive to the revenue. We believe that tha^ 18 a g4 eip1«8 1 u race botb. trtance of wayii thi8 o concrete mannfac- d, to the is our ar- ia not the sd there is d another is that, in t to view, le method, they have lave based investigH- ,hat niHkeK lal ? It IK it \n not is not tho it is not ive here. cousume applause.) ith theirs ; ;heir pros- your trade selves lesK come more in the nar- rn interest, to consider nitj upon ind to con- scheme of srity of the use ) I hat that position is established by the mere fact that it js a voluntary ex- ch " 0, because if it had not been suitable to botb partiei^ it would not have taltcn place at all. The very fact, we say, of an exchange indicates to yoti that, if it be tree and voluntary, both parties to that ex- change thought that it was to their benefit that the particular exchange should take place ; that is our opinion of commerce. Our belief is that there is no restriction needed, and that in a fair ex- change each party profits by the operation ; each pays that which he is willing to give for what he wants, whether it be in the form of gor>ds or in the form of monev. Our belief is also that this action is recognized often by those who sometimes oppose us. Why were we anxious to obtain Confedera- tion ? Why were we anxious to enlarge the boundaries of the Dominion of Canada? Why, we wanted to abolish the Customs' lioes between Quebec and Nova Scotia and the other Provinces, and we thougUt it wonld be to the benefit of all parties if that Customs' line should be abolished. We thought it would be for the benefit of Que. liec ; we thought also that it would be for the benefit of Nova Scotia that there should be mutual exchange for the mutual benefit, and therefore we are of opinion that a free exchange is for the advantage of all parties. Nor are we of opinion that it necessarily fullows that the limits of a free exchange are reached when we reach the boundaries of our own soil. If another country has greater natural facilities lor producing any article, and can produce it cheaper, and it we can get it cheaper from that country, and if that country finds that we *have greater natural facilities for producing »owa other article, and can make it cheaper thau it can, then our belief is that a free exchange should take place between these countries. I believe thiiteach of us would profit most by engaging in that industry which would be of most value to the other, and that the whule itittion will profit most by its indi- viduals being similarly engaged. We think that if a nation puts restrictions upon its trad«< with other nations, and when these restrictions which are imposed prevent free exchange, then there is a loss to both coun- tries, liecause, if you had not instituted that tariff', the free exchange which wwuld have been beneficial to the purtii-s m ■itUiiiiy en- gaging ia it wouifi have continued, and if you liK a tariff", then the other country will not allow you . to have free ex- change with its people, therefore the loss will weigh upon you both, and the effect of it really is a^ if a man were to say, " If you will not allow me to sell my goods to you, and if you insist unon my losing $1, I shall insist upon losing $'2." Now these are the abstract views that are entertained of tho practical operations of the fiscal affairs of this country. It is obvious that, for many years to come.we shall have to raise a large revenue in this way, but I desire to say this, that we should take care in raising that revenue that we inflict the least injury and impose the fewest restrictions, which we can, and none which can be avoided. (Applause.) Now, I have one more sugges- tion with reference to the future. My be- lief is that whatever may be the ebbs and flows of public opinion on tliese questions throughout the world, the great forces are with the cause which we advocate. The material forces of nature are iu its fa- vour — steam, the railway, the telegraph line, every improvement in 4)roduction, in transport, is in favour of the general principles to whicii I have alluded — and if the potent advantages of these mighty factors are in its favour, then we cannot but believe that the d*y is u uot fkr divtant wheo we shall see couutriei taking Jiuter viewg than thty do at present of bhose principles which regulate the commercial and fiscal affairs of nations. Hpcaking at the instance ot the Young Re- formeru of Montreal, I will be permitted to address to them a few words upon the gen- eral principles of reform. [Hear, hear.] One of the most eminent En^^lish Reformers not long since described Reformers as men who desire to subordinate personal and sectional interests to the national interests. Now, on what is that hope which is the first and leading characteristic re- ferred to in this definition founded ? It is founded on the indefinite — I will not say infinite — but the indefinite possibilities of improvement in the intellectual nature of man, in his condition, in his width ot view, in his view of all questions with regard to which the doctrines and standard of public virtue are disseminated among the com- munity. We Lduw what has been done in the way of invention and improvement in the last 50 yearfi. I briefly alluded to a score of great and important improvements a moment ago, but we know also that the practical inventor may adopt wonderful the- ories, but his theory will not always work ; it will be defective in some respects, and will not always carry out in practice if he does not mtke allowance always for some things. If he does not make allowance for the renistance of the air, if he does nut make allowance for the power ot gravita- tion, if he does not make allowance for a specific degree of tensile or other resist- ance in materials — all these allowances must be made, but they are in their very nature almost fixed, and a scheme, however ad- _ mirable it may look, must fail if the ' inventor has not made these allowances. But the task of the Reformer who engages in the improvement of the political institu- tions of the people, and of the machinery under which they are governed, and of the different Governments under which they live, is more complicated, while it is a more noble task. Why is it more compli- cated and more noble ? Because the in- definite possibilities of improvement in the moral domain are infiniti-ly greater than in the physical. The inven- tor cannot alter the resistance of the air, he cannot alter the law of gravitation, he cannot improve the condition^ ot the tensile resistance of a material, but we know that the material upon which we work is capable of indefinite improvement, and, therefore, it is our happy privilege to aspire to an ideal beyond that which we feel may be at this moment realized, and strive to- wards that which may not be attained in a very short time, but which it is our privi- lege to look forward and upward to— to look for sUcL an improvemc ut in the eondi- tion of the people amongst whom and for whom we live, — to hope that institutions and conditions may be created which we know cannot at this time suc- cessfully work, because the ronditions un- der which the people live will not permit it, and which, since they have not as yet sufficiently improved, may work success- fully in the future (Applause.) I hope the Young Reformers will see that it is their duty to elevate the mental eye and to grasp at the higher ideal and recog- nized possibilities of improvements to which I have referred. I believe that that is the practical, the present and the definite end whish they ought to have, and by which they ought to work, not, indeed, that these are the final ends, because w« ought to look forward beyond the task in which we are engaged, and they will find in their sphere of action that the horizon does open out and widen upon us, and that there are heights of ideas and principles attainable by us if we have honestly persevered beyond those which are present to us at the moment. (Hear, hear.) If we do not do this, we run into some danger, foi)» those who have been ardent Reformers in their youth may be- come suddenly Conservatives in their old age. I have seen men who, having placed before them some definite ends, have never advanced beyond their immediate attain, ments, and have made them their sole goal, and have not looked beyond them, and have thought that their attainment was the work of a lifetime, and perhr.ps thought that, when these things were attained, per- fection had been reached. They believed that there was nothing further in the fu- ture, that it wao time to <' rest and be thank- ful," as Lord John Russell said, after the Reform Bill of 1832, unconscious that there was to be a Reform Bill in 1867, and another afterwards. These observations may be, to some extent, illustrated by the suggestion which has been made that the Conservative party to day are the legitimate successors and inheritors, and are proceeding upon the lines of eminent Reformers in the past. We know they claim to be the political heirs of Baldwin and La- fontaine. (Hear, hear.) We know what the struggles of Baldwin and Lafontaine were. (Applause.) We know the 20 years' strug? gle for Responsible Government, a very im- portant thing of that age. No doubt it was the most important change possible, and the most important change likely to obtain in that eeneraticn. But we know that during all that time, during all those strug- gles and the other struggles which made these men's names famous in this land, they did not receive any very warn 15 th« oondi-' 1 and for IBtitutiOUR ed which [m« suo- itiuns ua- Loi permit not «s yet k luccesH- ).) I hope that it is ,1 eye and ind recog- ements to ilieve that nt and the > hare, and lot, indeed, jecauae w« the task in they will i that the iden upon ,8 of ideas if we have [lose which nt. (Hear, re run into have been ith may be- iu their old (ring placed have never iate attain !ir sole goal, them, and lent was the ps thought ;tained, per- ey believed in the fu- id be thank- id, after the IS that there and another as may be, by the made that to day are leritors, and of eminent they claim win and La- ow what the ntaine were, years' strug^ ,, a very im- doubt it was )ossible, and ilyto obtain know that those strug- which made 1 this land, very wana nieaftire of support from thes* men, not even, from the present living membvrs of the party who now claim to be the true inheritors of their title (Applause.) We know that the introduction of Responsible Government was opposed bytho<vho looks at the root of the matter ; a Radical is one who considers the form and substance, and understands the real form and features of things, both those that he admires and those which he does sot. What is it which endears us to tbeprlDcipls of a Constitutional Monarchy ? It ii be- cause we believe that under it substantially we have the fullest development of the doctrine * of self-government. It is becaat>e we believe under the form of a Constitutional Monarchy we have in a very efficient way the old and benevolent name of a Commonwealth ; that it is the Commonwealth that governs us. Now what is our plan of carrying out this system of self-government ? We have a Legislature elected by and which ought to be, as it is said to be, representative of the people, and we have an Executive chosen out of that LcKislatare, * and responsible to it, and through it to the people, and we have an independent judiciary. These are the three ele- ments of them, and we enjoy these in their essence ami in their substance. But I think there is yet something to be done, to which Young Reformers may well look forward as the work of their lives. Having that self-government, there are 8om« important matters in the disposition of which we have no part or control. You know, with reftsrence to our foreign policy, with reference to our commercial treaties, and with reference to all those things which are called matters of Imperial concern, it is not the Empire at present which decides but it is the Ministers of the Crown who reside in England It is not all th? sub- jects of the Empire who have to pass upon the matter, and in which they are deeply interested, but it is the Ministers of Eng- land and the representatives of the English constituencies to whcm they are responsi- ble. We are, in this particular respect, in a subordinate and dependent position ; we are not merely subjects of the Queen, but M'e are the subjects of the Queen's- subjects. (Laughter and applause.) For my part, I don't feel com- fortable so long as that state of things ex- ists. I quite agree h\ the suggestion made by Mr. Mercier, this afternoon, that we ought to have a voice in the making of the commercial treaties, and that we ought to have a voice in the making of treaties which affect ourselves, and that in all these matters which affect the common interest of the Eoipire, these four millions of British on this side of the Atlantic ought to Lave some voice in their disposition. (Applause.) It is a long time since I pointed out that we were drifting on this subject, and since I ventured to point out danger in drifting, my belief was, and my belief is to-day that we ought to take up this subject as one of vital and pressing importance, and that it ought to command our best efforts and OTxr beat !■■«•■ le •nergiei in order to reach some solution of it Wluit are the facts of the case ? We are said to belong to a purtnership ; but the great elcioent of a partnerHhip is that all of the firm shall have a voice ia the concern ; but that is not the canQ with ua for we have not a voice in the concerns which affects us, and I say that the time is coming when the people of Canada will decline to suitmit exclusively to the government of other people in mat- ters in which those people have no concern. It will be in the remembcrance of most of you, that there is a story of the Bibylline i>r)oks, where the Sil)yll lirst cff«rt'd five books, which were refused, and then lour and so oil, until slie got the K:irae price fur the one as she had firstaHked for the five. So it may be with us upon some questions, It may even be that many of the Sibylline books have been burned. It may be we can find a mutual ground ;i)ne wuulil be the question of cummou deulnce, and if it wtne so I would say you might rely upon it tliat Englishmen of every shade (m this side of the water would join iu the idea of a bunded Empire, having its local afj^irs managed by local Parliaments, but ban:led together inseparably always and for ever for the common defence. I believe tha' such a confederation would be a good omssn for the future, would be a good omen for the preservation of tlie Empire upon the reasonable grounds of giv- ing satisfaction to all its subjects, and a good omen of peace and progrt s and prosperity for the world at large. The question is being broached from other quarters ; it is being considered in other parts cf the Empire. Does anybody sup- pose that the Irish question is going to be settled by a Land Bill ? Does anybody sup- pose that if the Land Bill is just in its pro- visions that that will dispose of that ques- tion ? No. What is wanted is what Mr. Gladstone foreshadowed in his speeches in Scotland before the general election, an honest attempt to deal with this subject, to remit the local concerns to local bodies and to remit Imperial con- cerns to an Imperial body. (Applause.) Mow, as to this uegociation of our commer- cial tieatie8,what were we told last session ? We were told that we were going to have an advantageous commercial treaty with France, that Sir Alexander Gait wns at Paris, and that it was on the point of being done, but, whilst the question was being ponsidered by the Foreign Oflice, the critical moment passed, and the occa- sion and the treaty was lost. I never heard a stronger argument than th'at to enforce what I B&y . The only reason given was that the Ambassador was not there to close the btirgain, at the time the bargain could hav* been closed, and for that reuion tka favourable moment had passed, and wn have to wait for the recurrence of another favourable moment. (Loud applause.) Turning, however, to our own institutions we are supposed to have a representative body, representative of the public opinion of the people. We know also that that system is defective, because the arrange- ments are such that it does not give fair reprttsentation of the people at the polls. What do we find ? Why, that in the Province of Quebec, in Ontario, and, indeed, in the whole of the Dominion, at the last general election there were almost as many people voted f jr the Reformers ut the polls as foi the Conserva- tives, but there was an overwhelming majority in Parliament for the other side. Is that creditalile? Is that an adequate and !air representation of the people? Is it proper, that whilst they should be register- ing their decitsions, that tl>e arranji^emeuts should be made that though their numbers are equally balanced at the polls, there should be an overwhelming majority iu the House ? It is argued that this system works fairly, because it is just that small minorities ought to be represented, but, in my opinion, the Parliament ought to be a mirror of the people it represents ; it ought to reflect the various shades of opinion, and in that way it ought to be a complete representation of the sentiments of the people. It is quite possible, upon a fair investigation of the matter, to give a fair chance to smi'iU mi- norities, to give them an oppdi ^,uui*/ of re- presentation, but we fina by the present system, that in certitin districts they are so represented far beyond their strength and far beyond their numbers, and that in that way Parliament is not the mirror of the people it represents that it ought to be. I think the Young Reformers of Montreal and elsewhere may well occupy themselves w'th these investigations, and I believe that they will find that the ma- chinery which has been adopted in this country is defective, and that some plan shoi'ld be established for improving our in stitutions in this respect, und make Parlia- ment more really representative. The only objection which I hav* heard to a scheme of combination in this matter is that it would be too complicated, but I believe that the subject is worthy of discussion, and that some system could be adopted by which we should suc- ceed in having a thoroughly rep- resentative House of Commons. (Applause.) Again, they ought to consider the question of the authority of the Executive, ior I con sider that there is too great power vested ihere. Unless you insist that measures shall be brought down at snch a time that there 8 portunj obtaine upon a House registei ment, tative I have I And unc was prai cation m and wh great a placed u the Exe( and choi for Parli It is shall HG upon too la If Parlia pose thei dissent, a the Exec It is a ve lie life th dispositic animositj opinion t cal matte wards eac doubt tha that of th cannot years ago he says, republica. You have brothers ; age an in< unite to d the counti encourajge unity is order to succeed, drops of make the and any ever smal aujrthing ttiighty mi iu a grea public int< party, heni of truth ai applause, resumed h: "The Hi was the n( Mr. B. MA Mb. Cha: another tot It uton tha and w« ' another pplaase.) »titutionH tsentativt) ; opinion that that I arrange- Loea not te people re find ? luebec, in ile of the ition there ed f jr the Conserva- -whelming (ther side, equate and iltj? Is it je register- anfiemeuiK ir uurobers oils, there [>rity in the stem works I minorities my opinion, rror of the ) reflect the 1 t»iat way jentation of It is quite ion of tlie smiUl mi- uniV of re- Hie present they are so (ength and liut in tliat rror of the it ought Reformers |wcll occupy itions, and I lat the ma- lted in this some plan iug our Jn- ake Parlia- The only I :o a scheme ir is that it it I believe discussion, could be Ihould 8uc- lughly rep- (Applause.) ;he question •e, ior I con iwer vested it meaijurcB la time that there shall be a full discufsion, and an op- portunity given for the popular view being obtained before Parli8.ment finally passes upon a measure^ you practically reduce the House of Commons into a machine for registering the decrees of the Govern- ment, instead of a real represen- tative legislative body, (Applauwe.) I have seen Act after Act passed at periods and und»'r circumstances when discussion was practically impossible, when communi- cation with the country was impossible, and when grave mistaken wgiu made and great and momentous errors of policy placed upon the Statute Book just becfiuse the Executive acted upon a policy of delay, and chose to bring down measures too late for Parliament fifficiently to do its work. It is right to insist that Parliament fihall not be called upon to decide upon any measures brought down too late for fair consideration. If Parliament is to subserve its real pur- l)ose there must be an absolute power of dissent, and to resist the encroachment of the Executive upon the Legislative power.' It is a very gratifying circumstance in pub- lie life that there is in Parliament a strong disposition to discountenance any personal animosity, and that whatever differences of opinion there may be between us on politi- cal matters, we may exercise courtesy to- wards eacli other, but still there can be no doubt that a nobler style of friendship than that of those who agree on such matters cannot be imagined. It is twenty-five years ago since I read Sallust, but I think he says, « Idem velle atque idem nolle de republica, ea demum firma ami'citia est." You have associated yourselves as a band of brothers ; on public questions you enccur- age an independent spirit, but you desire to unite to do what is best for the interests of the country. Our duty is to recognize and encourage you in this task ; everywhere unity is essential ; we require union in order to succeed ; with union we shall succeed. You know it is said that "little drops of water and little grains of sand make the mighty ocean and the solid land," and any one, however, insignificant, how- ever small he may be, and unable to do anything alone, if he will join himself to a mighty mass, if he will incorporate himself in a great body, seeking to promote great public interests of the country, and a noble party, hence will be irresistible in the cause of truth and justice (Loud and prolonged applause, during which the hon. gentleman resumed his seat.) "The Senate and House of Commons" was the next toast, and was proposed by Hr. B. MACKAY. He said:— Mb. Chaibman and QsNTiiBiiBN, — There is another toast which, as loyal Canadians and good oitixei^s, we should drink with enthu- siasm. If there is one thing more than an- other of which we should feel proud, it is of the liberty and equality guaranteed the people of this Dominion under our consti- tutional form of Government. I need not refer here at any length to the noble strug- gle of early Reformers like Baldwin and Lafontaine to establish representative in ■ stitutions in this country on a sure and solid foundation. History will do justice to their names. Reform principles in those early and more exciting times are in effect the principles of the Reform party to-day — principles which every true Reformer is bound to assist in upholding and perpetuating. There is more than one gentleman in this room, whom I need not name, whose public life has been devoted to maintaining and extending *ha privileges of Constitutional freedom for which our fathers contended. It is especial- ly fitting, then, that we have here to-night, to reply to the toast of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada (the embodi- ment of our representative institutions), public men whoso fortune it has been to bear a prominent part in the contest for Constitutional Government. Gentlemen, '< The Senate and House of Commons." The toast was received with loud cheers. Hon. Mr. THIBAUDEAU replied for the Senate in a happy speech. He said that hu was sorry that he was called upon to make a reply in a language of which he was not a master. The Ssnate, he could say, was a non-committal body on all occasions. (Laughter.) He was pleased that the Young Men's Reform Club had been so successful in their banquet to the hon- oured Chief of the party. (Cheers.) The Liberal party was to be congratulated oa the fact of Mr. Blake having assumed the leadership, and under his guiding hand he- trusted the day was not far distant when the great Liberal party woulJ once more wield the destinies of their common country. He desired to make his speech shor.\ so would not detain them with any long account of the virtues of the Senators. (I/Oud laugh- ter.) He as:ain congratulated the Young Men's Reform Club on the success of their effort that evening, and trusted they would go on and achieve greater things. The Hon. WILFRED LAURIBB next addressed the assembly as follows, in re- sponse to the same toast : — He referred to the unqualified success of the dinner in proof of the vitality of the Reform party iu Montreal. The success of the dinner should be considered, as it was the dawn (-f a new era in the history of the Reform party. The greet reverse sustained by the party at the elections of 1879, the loss of I 18 •one uf itii moMt gifted leaders, a few deser- tioDf and other erente, oontribated, without doubt, to a great extent, er occasinnH I to electrify is past ; we ill can freely would, many oader if they f. The day 8 to tiie cur- i, and peoplo There are •ty who hope people, with ijus, and not 8o much per eas but their men in the aany of the g around the lid gathering .h U8 under e. I helieve light is the I will revolu- There are no Lst this leiider /anada. I do he Dominion io a wrong lu There i« 19 no Conserva- if time ; and willingly ike. (Cheers, It seems by we thought as Sir John pered it." I )ut it seemH las heard it e an honest agree with them think ;iou8 Liberty, are no B«ch ther fought a in 1849. vices whicli I show their ng the soil footsteps ot to make u las well tell be in bed. this Club; [he speeches his former he like has P the Liberal party, that the future was as bright for them as the past had been. (Ap- plause.) If, for a moment, the great Liberal party had b een found under a cloud, for want of popular appreciation it had been only the accompaniment of that general disturbance which had passed over tb« world, and which had affected even the fiscal relations of one man to another, and they cou'd look forward hopefully, if they dis- played fealty to their principles, to the great influence which these principles would ever cause in the future of the country they loved. (^ Applause ) They were assembled to make some step in the direction of or- ganisation,- by which they would have a voluntary association, composed of in- dividuals in the party, allying tkem- 24 iielveB together for the purpose of bring- ing about those great results. If they were to be successful they required, not only hopeful hearts, not only good principles, not only fealty to their principles, and a de- terminatioa to do their duty, but also to form an organisation to bring to bear the strongest power they could upon the con- victionB of those whom they addressed, and in every way to enable the principles they professed to exercise their proper influence. They required to rally themselves round their principles, so as to make success se- cure in the future. Especially was this need- ed in this Province, for they had bad good reason to say tliat it was not the garden of liberal idttas ; they need not attack men whom they esteemed, but who did not "bub- Hcribe to the same doctrines that they pro- posed, but knowing ad thoy did the diffi- culties they had to encounter, they required not only earnestness and faith in the fu- ture, but the agency of an organisation such as that they were asnembled to promote. In this Province they had seen some reaction of public opinion, and in Ontario they had seen also a bouieversement of opinion ; they had seen that reaction in the other provinces ; and it was only in this great Province of Quebec that the Government was so strong, and, therefore, it behooved them to exert every effort to promote tiieir prin- ciples. (Applause.) Hon. Mr, Thibaodhau read the following resolutions for the organization of the party management for the ensuing year, which, on being put to the meeting, were unanimously adopted : — " That the direction of the Reform Asso- ciation of the District of Montreal be en- trusted to a Committee of Management composed of persone chosen at the yearly meeting called by the President and of- ficers. Liberal Senators, Legislators, Coun- cillors, Deputies and the Presidents of the Reform Clubs of this District. " That this Committee of Management choose from among its members an Execu- tive Committee composed of as many as it may deem fit, and from among whom to name its officers. . ' , »- MK. RLAKB AS LEAOEB. ' Mr. DUUAHBL, MoShanb, M.P.P., resolution : Q. C, moved, seconded the and Mr- following " That this Association is glad to wel- come as its Leader of the Liberal Party the Hon. Edward Blake, whose talents and in- tegrity give reason to hope for the ultimate triumph of the national cause.'.' The resolution was carried with loud •keering, which was redoubled when Mr. Blake rose to return kis thanks for the honour done him. Hon. Edward Blakb said that it was with no ordinary feelings of gratitude with which he received the expressions of good-will, warmth and sympathy which had been con- veyed to him in the resolution recognizing him as leader of the Liberal party. He would endeavour to come as near as possi- ble to the flattering picture they had drawn of him. He would attempt to deserve what had been said of him. He had been very glad to learn what the character pf the meeting was. It was necessary to organize the Liberal party. It should be understood that the Liberal party was not a sectional but a national party (loud and prolonged applause), but still they might, quite con- sistently with that character on an occasion of this kind, deal with these questions of locpl interest which affected the adherence of tfie local party, rather than the Liberal party as a whole. It was their prile and glory that their course had always been dic- tated by principles of right and wrong. They had not yet had an opportunity of learning what was the precise foim of the resolutions with regard to the organization of the party, but to the general spirit and tone of them he gav( his hearty assent and concurrence. The duty of the Liberal par- ty was to secure for all full freedom and liberty ; they regarded those as their sacred rights, they took that as their platform, insistin? each for himself, and insisting equall'. for others, on the securing of their rights , on the principle of fair play from man to man. It had long been the boast of the Liberal party that it insisted in se- curing I'^^rty of opini )n, liberty of the per- son, and liborty of property. That it in- sisted on respecting to the utmost, differ- ence of creed and in not making distinc- tions of nationality. While each might boast of his hereditary nationality they all felt as he felt, and tie believed the Liberal Party felt that they wore to-day constrained by a more living l?ak. which tied them together, as citizens of our land, as Cana- dians. Those of his audience who spoke the FreAch language generally spoke of them- selves as " Canadien," bi'it he must be per- mitted to say thathecoild not allow them to monopolize tha title and make it exclu- sively their own ; they had conferred it upon all. " Atoi anaai, messieurs, j$ tuit Cana- dien," said the speaker, amid a roar of laughter and applause long continued. They would all be brother Canadians from this time forward. They should feel the stronger tie between the living than between the living and the dead, working together as one people for the accomplishment of one t < [iriouB frien un neces ;btB in le of th id this 8 ey tend )nd8 of it becau ihia an jiantry a Art to h lie vast e| Btion o; lents thel (fairs, an| ower to Dmmon t ortunity le Libei 6lf-gover eople ac( iBcertaine imposs our then ntroduce^ be doctri lope to o peaker nseparabl of Goveri Province < lo follow Ontario. ber, he h« existence principle ence of a of the Go ing their one, is co sentative were abl they wi country i which th frage. ] Federal isaid we 1 position. GovernE ti\e coui mal coi permanc creased party ca depressi their op the stai turned, penditu trastinfi th* Op] Pacific anks for tbf* it it was with le with which 5f good-will, lad been con- recognizing party. He ear as possi- y had drawn deserve what d been very tcter pf the ' to organize B understood ; a sectional 1 prolonged :, quite con- 1 an occasion luestions of 3 adherence the Liberal r prile and lys been dic- aud wrong, •ortunity of foim of the )rganizatiou spirit and ' assent and jiberal par- eedom and their sacred platform, insisting 3g of their play from the boast ted in ^0- of the per- hat it in- ost, differ- distinc- ich might ty they all Liberal anstrained ied them as Caaa- spoke the of them- ' be per- low them it exclu- aferred it uU Cana- roar of >ed. They rom this stronger feen the ether a» '< ot one 25 mouB destiay. He endorsed the view of s friend, the Hon. Mr. Mercier, that it ]» necessary to respect the Provincial thts in the Federal system. He was not e of those who mtdutained these rights d this system i.ecause he believed that ley tended to the obliteration of those mds of unity to which he had referred, It becaube his earnost belief was that these ghts and systems gave the people of, this luntry a better chance of being united eart to heart. They gave in a country of le vast extent of ours a reasonable distri- Btion of powers ; to the Local Govern- lents the power to control their own local lairs, and gave to the whole country a ttwer to control the affairs which ^/ere Dmmon to all, and gave them the best op- ortunity for carrying out the principal of 16 Liberal party, a practical and actual slf-government ; government by the euple according to the wishes, the well- scertained wishes of the people. It would e impossible to control these local affafrs our central legislature, the chances f there being necessary reforms ntroduced, the opportunity of carrying on be doctrines of progi ess, than they could lope to obtain by any other means. The peaker dwelt upon the responsibilities nseparablo from the privileges of this lorm of Government. He thought, perhaps, the Provinre of Quebec would yet see its way to follow the example of the Province of Ontario. With regard to the second Cham- ber, he had never been able to reconcile the existence of this Upper Houic with the principle of self-government. The exist- lence of a Senate nominated by the advisers of the Government for the time being, hold- ing their seats for life and respont-ible to no one, is contrary to the priuciplcs of repre- lentative Government. No doubt there were able men among them, men who they will bo glad to see serving their country more efficiently in the position to which they were called by the public suf- frage. Passing to the consideration of Federal matters, the honourable gentleman «nid we find ourselves in a most dangerous position. Previous to 1873 thej present Government had acted upon the idea that ti\e country was in a permanent and nor- mal condition of large importations, and permanent burdens of the country were in- creased to an alarming extent. The Liberal party came into power just as the. tide ot depression set in, and were charged by their opponents with beins: responsible tor the state of affairs. Now the tide has turned, and the same policy of reckless ex- penditure is being again adopted/ Con- trasting the policy of the Government and the Opposition in regard to the Canadian Pseifle Railway, the speaker said that it was impossible to compare th()m without a de- cision in favour of that of the Oppositioa. Referring to the offer «f the second Syndi- cate to build the road, he said they were told tht-y were too late. « But tibey never had a chance before." « No matter ; it is too late." « But is it too late to save three miU lions of money and three millions of a9re« of land ;. too late to save the country from the Lands of a monopoly ?" « Too lata t" ; But when the country comes to pass upon the question the verdict will be that the of- fer was in time (cheers), and I abk when you render that Terdict, to yunisb, if you think well, those unjust stewards who have taken the onerous bargain and have left the good one. (Cheers.) The hon. geotlemaa concluded with wishing the organissation every success, and resumed his seat amidst loud cheering. The following resolutions were unani« mously adopted :— . Moved by Hon. Mr. MRaoiBft t^at the Canadian Liberal party is exclusively poli- tical, having for its chief object the defence of the constitutional liberties which are the only safeguard of all religious and national interests in a country like ours, peopled by various race?, professing different religious creeds ; That, therefore, the Liberal party not only respects our religious and civil insti- tutions and protects their acquired rights, but still defends them against whatever may tend to destroy or obstruct their bene- ficial action on society. Moved by the Hon F G Marehaud, M P P, Hon H Mercier, M P P, James McShane, M P P, Hon E G Penny, Ed Lareau, Ernest Tremblay, F X Archambault, Jas Stewart, J E Robidoux, H O St Pierre, G J Barthe, C F Papineau, Dr P O'Leary, Dr J L P Des- rosiers, Dr E P Lachapelle, F L Beique, C A Geoffrion, J B Brousseau, OdilonOes- marais, V Gladu, Dr Mercif, L P Dufresne, J B R Dufresne, A Larimee, Seconded by J Hodgson, Robert Mackay, R E Fontaine, F O Rinfret, M E Bernier, L F Moirison, Dr A Raymond, L C Lebeuf, A E Poirer, Arch McGoun, Jr, N W Tren- holme, J J Maclaren, D Barry, J S^McCor- kill, A Magnan, J Devlin, J B Resttater, J B Galipeau, Antoine Favreau ; Whereas, every representative system pre- supposes an enlightened electoral body able to judge the questions submitted to it ; Whereas, there is but one method of placing a free^people in a position to gorera itself well, vis., education and the want of education among a people, jeopardizes even the representative system of government \* Whereas, j in^ shedding ^ light, «htoad amongst our people by a htige "lysteta of 26 primary abd indusUial instruction, the. Gov- ernment of this ProTince will consolidate our political institutions a id render them more effectual ; Besolved, That primary instruction in this Province is not sufficiently endowed ; that the giants in favour of our common school* should be increased, and that spe- cial arts' and trades schools' should be created and endowed by the Province in order to spread theoretical and practical knowledge amongst our workiug-classt^s, so as to enabl« them to act the important part belonging to them in our society. Moved by F <} Boutillfer, M P P, Hpn H Mercier, M P P, Hon L S Huntingdon, M P, Hon E G Penny, Hor G R Thibaudeau, Hon A H Faquet, Hon B Liflamme, Wilfrid Pre- vost, Hugh Mackay, aames Stewart, Jona- than Hodgson, C A Geoffrion, C W Scallan, R Gohier, P Lalonde, C F Beauchemin, Au- guste Guilbault, Antoine Gauthier, Pierre Beliveau, Dr A Beaupre, C E Beausoleil, H Neven, F X Mnthieu, Dr Forest, A Decarie, Seconded by E Laberge, M P P, Hon F a Mafchand, B Meikle, M P P, G J Barthe, L H Lafleur, Leon Desserre^ A Catudal, Dr Marcil, A Bocaon, T B Foran, Dr Christie, P G Martineau, Achille Dorion, P R Goy- ette, F Dugas, L P Brodeur, Ed P Fre- chette, P A Fautenx, J A Lapierre, F X Prenoveau, Seath, Cyrillo Lajoie, J O Turgeon, John iialston, That the Federal Constitution guaranteeN the complete autonomy of each Province, and every tendency of the Federal Govern- ment to lessen this self-government, the only safeguard of our religious and national iitterests, should be condemned and resisted with firmness and energy. Moved by E Laberge, M P P, seconded by Mr T B Godin, That the most rigid economy in all branches of administiation in this Province has become an absolute necessity, seeing the impaired condition of our finances and the rapid increase of our indebtedness ; That all disbursements which are not strictly indispensable should cease, and that an effectual reform should be made in the Civil Service ; That the Q, M, O & Railway should be run with prudence and ecsnomy, in the in- terest of the public and not of individuals ; That this meeting regrets to see that the Government of this Province is fast raising the annual expenditure to the i^um expend- ed under the previous Conservative Administrations, which the Joly Govern- ment had succeeded in reducing so^con- siderably, and which they were about to re- duce still more. U ^ :f ■ i, '. I*'. I •■ . 1. ' . V.i'r. »0- iff' f ■•.' « ').!■: «l ' - ^, •:,1»'%.S/^ ..f,f. ,J;|r(;rt. . . .' ,-' 'I .■..:••'.:,''> ^ tuill i' -.■ -'i %'< U •; .. I- , 'rK' -1 V a 'i .1 !■ ■^(i * 'OS -i ,■!. ■ .••^ A • •n{rt<»\ir'»f 'I'vt ,,U vii ,1,1 ..;'' 'y '' ■'<.'' •'^•r * >ih ;nii,v-»H ?. t> ,';;«n,!•' v\W\, ■\t'^i".< . f^i'i ■ ■ r»«- ^ . ! Lajoie, J O ion guaranteeN ach Province, deral Govum- vernment, the s and national d and resisted * P, seconded aomy in all this Province sssity, seeing; finances and •tednees ; hich are not I cease, and ' be made in ay should be ly, in the in- individuals ; see that the i fast raising mm ezpend- Conservative 'oly Govern- ing so^con- about to re- • S' h l.,w /> ' . ',•• f't , i 'ii tit ) < _'«,'6 '*4 <-V -jrip ■\^ 1 1 ; -rt rf1« '7 > mm. wm'- •"mmmmmmtmimm m YOUNG MEN'S REFORM CLUB OF MOISrTJREA.L. Presibent 1st Uice-President. 2n6 Uice-President 3r6 Uice-Presi6ent. •Treasurer.' itommittee. EDWARD HOLTON, M.P; ROBEfiT RKID. JAMBS DARLING. J. N. OREENSHIfiLDS. THOMAS E. HODGSOX. JAMES O. T, CLEGHORN. CHA8. H. PARMALEg. A. SELKIRK CROSS. E. W. P. GUERIN. HORACE JOSEPH. D. R, ROSS. M. HUTCHINSOX. ALEX. MUNRO, M.D. HUGH nOLAN. JOHN H. ROGERS. C. E, A. PATTERSON. JAMES McSHANE, M.P.P. H. MACKAY, Jr. J. G B. DILLOX. W. F. RITCHIE. FRED. MASSEY. Seentary. \ ■"1 o ""x. ■illMH