Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1890-07-12
st. Jean Baptlste.
From the Toronto Mail.

French Canadians, whether III exile
or at home, abandoned business yestel-
dav to glorify their nationality and to
reflect upon the past, present ana future
of their race When the Jesults ruled
in New France they determined that
next to an ecclesiastical establishment
one of the first requirements OF the
colony was patron saint. They there
for met this fong-felt want by appoint
inc St. Joseph to the vacancy. For
many years St. Joseph held among. the
saints the first place IN the hearts OF the
settlers. If he did not successfully pro-
tect the young nationality, he at least
helped the church in its enterprises,
for no new venture was entered upon
until masses had been said i'll
his honor, and no successes were
scored except with his assist
ance. In process OF Tune new
conditions presented themselves: The
British held. the country and the
French Canadians had been forced into
struggle with Downing Street. Then
new patron was sought in the place OF
the now discarded Joseph. Eorreasons.
not divulged, though possibly they are
explainable by the circumstances that
| Jean Baptiste had long been favorite
name among the people, and had there.
fore assumed a quasi national slgnh-
canoe. the saint whose voice was heard
| in the wilderness was chosen to preside
over the destinies of the race. The ac-
| ceptance of the national saint and the
foundation of the national fete was a
| momentOus occasion for Lower Canada.
1t was the year 1884. At that time of
all others it seemed appropriate that
| John the Baptist should be summoned
to urge the people to prepare for better
| things. But the Inauguration of the
new regime was not noisy procedure.
Sixty gentlemen met at a banquet.
| They toasted the people, the Legisla-
ture, the clergy, their Irish compatriots,
and the government of the United
States. Then patriotic speeches were
made, and Mr.. Cartier, afterWard Sir
George, sang song composed for the
occasion: "Oh, Canada, mon pays! mes
amoersP' Following this entertain
ment came the formation of st. Jean
Baptiste societies throughout the PROV
ince. These organizations have vigor-
ously propagated the French and Catho-
lie ideal of a Canadian nationality.
Thoroughly French, they sent a deputa-
ton to New York to participate in the
inauguration of the statue to Lafayette
Earnestly Catholic, the church has re-
warded them with what is declared to
be an inestimable prize, in the shape of
relics of the saint after whom they are
called. The significance Of the patron
saint to French Canadians is marked.
In him they see the sign of the coming
nationality. Under his name they sink
all differences to declare, as a French
writer tells us, first, that they will pro-
tect their autonomy, and second, that
they will not permit contact with the
races which surround them to destroy
their national character In short, st.
Jean Baptiste and his relics are invoked
to keep the French separate from the
English, the Irish and the Scotch, and
to strengthen them in the purpose of
establishing in the Dominion a French
as distinguished from Canadian nation
atty. Other races in Canada have their
patron saints and their national societies,
but in no other instance is the perpetu-
alton Of distinct nationality aimed at.