The New York herald., 1868-04-08
sketch or Thomas D,Arcy sucG:ce.

Mr.. McGee has been for some years past prom.i-
nent citizen OF Canada and distinguished member
Of the government OF the Dominion. He Was vel!
known as an able Parliamentary debaier and states
man OF more than ordinary talents.
Mr.. MCGEE was born In Carlingford, Ireland. April
IL, 1925, and received his education at wexford.
where his father, Mr.. James McGee. held position
in her Majesty's Custom House. At the age
OF seventeen Mr.. MCGEE came to the United
states and settled In Boston, where he be-
came connected with the Boston P1ot, working
In the composing room Mt a small weekly salary.
On his arrival he friendless and penniess. but
hts industrious habits and above ALL his fine talents
soon brought about him friends and improved his
condition. He was in a short time placed upon the
editorial staff as leading writer and finally became
editor Of the plot. performing the duties at the
same time OF foreign editor on the Daily Times.
After remaining few years in Boston ne returned
to his native land, and became attached TO the
Dublin Nation az an editoria! writer When the
revolutionary troubles broke out In ls4s he
was compromised In the movements, and was
compelled to leave Ireland and seek refuge
In this country: on his arrival here he started,
with John Mitchell the American Ceit, an
organ OF Irish feeling and sentiment. Abandoning
this enterprise on account or financial difficulties,
after remaining while longer IN New York as a
sort OF political leader OF his cOuntrymen here he
went to Canada and settled In Montreal. There his
political opinions seemed to have undergone de.
cided ana radical chAnge. once an ardent republl-
can, he now became a strong rOyalist, and was
taken in hand by the government and placed In the
path OF political preferment and success. He was
President Of the Executive Council in Canada from
1894 to 1857 and held the Office OF Minister OF Agr
culture was made chief commissioner TO the Paris
Exposition In 1855 and to the Dublin Exhibition
In 1864, and also TO the local Paris Exposition
He was also q delegate TO all the confer
ences held TO promote the union of the COLO
MES Of British North America. In advancing
this scheme. now almost fully completed, Mr.. McGee
was found a valuable agent His knowledge OF con-
stitutiona law and the vigorous manner In which
he developed the most favorable points In the
governmental policy. while he bore down all op
position by his eloquence always more or less
marked by the bterest satire and invective, made
him the leading speaker for the government. In ali
his oratorca efforts he frequently descended 70 the
most inexcusable personalities, and II he did not
succeed In impressng his own Views upon the minds
of his opponents he never failed to make them his
bitter personal enemies. His ideas of republicanism
of late years were never acceptable TO the great
mass Of his countrymen either at home or In the
colonies. He was too ardent an admtrer OF the Divine
right OF kings TO become popular with those Of his
fellows who had experienced something OF the un
pleasant influences flowing from the exercise OF that
rtaht. supported oy the government he attained
honors that he probably would not have gained had
he chung to his carrier and better principles.
Mr.. McGee was \ fluent and eloquent speaker,
witty but dscursive, and not always effective. lie
represented the West division OF Montreal In the
Parliament, and was generally supported by the
Catholic voters. whose leader he was for many years.
In literature, as In politics. Mr.. McGee was prom
nent He wrote very able and thorough ''Ifistory
OF ireland, aud also The Lives Of Irish Writer'S"