The Irish standard., 1888-02-11

the same state of feeling exists, with
the exception, perhaps. of one or two
of the smaller ones. In Ontario OF
Quebec an annexationist would not
would not dare to show his nose at the
polls.'' '1What is the truth, Sir John,
about the recent so-caIled succession
movement in Noyia Scotiap" s"Oh,
that is merely a. party move to get what
they call better terms-that is. larger
subsidies from the Dominion; anG the
fact shat it has no other significance
was proved by the late general election
in February, when by a majority of
two to one representatives Of Nova
Scotia were elected to support the
present administration, waici, is known
to be enthusiastic over the connection
with England. You must remem ber
that the only true exponents of the
feeling Of the people III any province
as to the relations between the Domin-
ion and England, Or the Dominion and
the provinces, are the representatives
in the Dominion Parliament. A prov
incial Legislature is nothing but alarge
municipality with a limited jurisdic-
tion." And commercial union, Sir
John, what about it?'' Sir John
smiled. "There will be no uncertain
sound about that" he said, ''as soon
as the House of Commons meets next
January. It will be repudlated by a.
vast majority Of tie 215 members there.
But | will answer you as L did an old
farmer, nota great politician but sup
porter of the present government, who
had been captiyated by the commercial
union idea, and who came to me in
SONS trouble and put "a question SINH
lar to yours. told him that thought
commercial union might be very good
thing, except for three objections:
First, that England would have moth
ing to do with it; second, that the
United States would have nothing to
do With it; and third, Canada would
have nothing to DO with it, / have
spoken Of the resemblance that Sir
John Macdonald bears to Abraham
Lincojn in the humorous side Of his
genius. I may, perhaps, give one OK.
ample Of it in conclusion, which / think
will be row. Many, many years ago,
when Sir John was q younger and con-
eequently less thoughtful man, al
though at that time too s member of
the Dominion cabinet, Ii was his duty
to deliver an important speech on a
semi-pubIic occasion. Sir John had
been dining, wisely, no doubt, but dim
ing we'll. He delivered the speech, and
the editor who toid me the story waited
for hours and hours. until il was time
for his paper to go to press, foT the
telegraphicreport But it did nos come
until twenty-four hours later, and
some dime afterwards. when he saw his
reporter who was present and should
have <;Bnt it, aud who was himself an
experienced political journalist, he
learned the reason of the delay. "The
speech, !" said tue reporter, was SO i'm
pru6enta one that / took upon myself
the responsibility of suppressing it, and
next DAY went to see Sir John, and
frankly told nina what / had done.
You were quite right, my boY,' he said,
Read me the speech / read him a
few sentences. L never said that Elk
claimed he. But. Sir John, said,
here it is taken down verbatim
WELL he said. read pae some more
After a few sentences be exclaimed
again, L certainly never said that
L assured him that il was so. Finally
he said, We'll, could you take another
speech now?' [ replied Certainly and
he walked up aud dewn the room
and delivered me an impressive and
polite address. When he had fn-
ished rose to go, and had taken my
leave and had my hand on the handle
of the door, when he stepped me.
Yoang man. he said, you are still
practically at the outset of what may
be an important and successful career.
Take word of advice from me. Next
tiae you have occasion to report an im-
portant speech delivered BIZ cabinet
minister be sure and don't get
drunkl'"
Elected An Abbot.