The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-02-23
SIR JOHN MCDONALD.
He Declares He Has no Aspirations to
be GovernorGeneral.

he Declares He Has no Aspirations to
be GovernorGeneral.
OTTAWA, Feb. 21.--For some time past there
mas Deen considerable speculation as to the
probable successor of the Marquis of Lorne on
the expiration of his term of office as Govern
or-lteneral in October next. The name of Sir
John A. Mcdonald, among others, has been
prominently mentioned in connection with the
Governorship In replying to Mr.. Hesson,
VINO had moved for any correspondence that
mad passed between his Excellency the Gov
eInor-General and the imperial government on
the subject of Lord Lorne's successor Sir John
said in the House today: "There is no cores
pondenoe at the disposal OF the government on
this subject which can be brought down. II
there is any correspondence between his Ex-
cellency and the imperial government, 1t will
be with him as an imperial officer. With that
correspondence we have no concern, and over
1t we have no control. / have no doubt the
country will accept any successor that her
Majesty will be graciously pleased to send
when we are unfortunate enough to lose the
presence among us of the illustrious nobleman
who now represents the Queen in Canada
My honorable friend speaks about rumors that
might be selected. Mr.. Speaker, have no
aspirations in that direction, and if / had any
aspirations, there is not the remotest chance
that those aspirations would be satisfied or
fulfilled. am condemned to the grateful but
onerous duty of leading the Conservative
party, and | think that so long as / am in
public life shall most likely hold that posi-
tlon, whether on this side the of House or on
other side. as the people may determine. Ap-
plausel | have pledged myself to the House
70 move, In 1892, readjustment of the con-
stituency In Ontario, and as my honorable
Irlenus opposite are always very anxious i
should carry out my pledges, I shall try TO car
~ that out, [laughter and if 1 attempt to car
out the pledged to bring down gerrymauder-
ing measure in 1892, that precludes me from
the possibility of aspiring to the position of
GoveruoT-GeneTai. Laughter and applause
But, speaking seriously, the subject has
been discussed in the pres, and my name has
been mentioned as that of probable succes-
sor to his Excellency. The story originated in
the mind of the correspondent of New York
newspaper, and the press of Cannada took it
up, 1t being the summer season and there be-
ing nothing.else to discuss. Sir, that subject
was fully aired at the time of confederation.
One OF the great advantages we have in Cana
da under our political system is, that as the
Queen in England stands far above all parties,
holds the alance between parties, and carries
out the constitutional principle of taking ad-
vice from advisers who have the confidence of
the people, so her representative here stands
above all parties, and holds the balance be-
tween them Hear hear.1 1t would be the
greatest misfortune that could befall us If any
alteration OF thar system should take place. /
should look upon it as ad i1dicatiCn-and no
uncertain indication-that England was not SO
very anxious to continue the connection be-
tween Canada and the Mother Country is she
should give up the selection of representa-
tive of the sovereign, quite aloof from all par
Ties and belonging to neither party, to come
here as our Governor-General. It is in this
feature OF our system that we have great adj
vantage over the Constitution of the United
States. The President there is elected for four
years He is the subject of bitter political
writing from the time he becomes candidate,
and when he is elected he is the head Of par
ty, instead of being the head of nation. |
say it would be very great misfortune if our
present system should be altered Hear, hear!l
am happy to believe there is not the slightest
chance of any such change. I am glad to be-
lieve that the sense of the importance of our
connection with the empire is increasing in
England every day, and that with our grow
ing wealth and our position in the world as an
auxiliary nation, the desire to retain Canada
as one of the brightest jewels in Her Maiesty's
crown grows stronger"