The morning call., 1891-06-07
GONE TO
HIS LAST REST.
Sir John A. Macdonald Peace
fully Passes Away.
Calada'S Most IlluStTiOuS Statesman Dies
Last Night at EaFlSClife Dis
tilguIShed Political Career
ETeCial to THE MORNING CALL

OTTAWA, June 6.-SIr John A. Macdon-
aid Is no more. The distinguished states
man who has guided tie political destines
OF Canada for nearly half century passed
peacefully away at 1915 o'clock tonight
surrounded by bis entire household. Lady
Macdonald who bore up so brayely during
the fatal illness, is now prostrated with
grief. All the church bells are tolIiug and
thousands of citizens are expressing deep
regret at the PremieT's demise. For hours
the members of the household have been
watching at his bedside, waiting to see lifs
depart. Although the physicians declared
last night that Sir John could not survive till
morning, they had not made allowance for
his marvellous vitality. He had lost con-
sciousness thirty hours ago and had taken
no noarishment since, save small quantities
Of champagne, which were administered
with difficulty. The Premier, sick unto
death, kept up the unequal struggle until
after 10 o'clock tonight For days it is as
gumed he .esisted the inevitable by sheer
force Of his powerful win. but yesterday
consciousness disappeared never to return.
In the ensuing period nature, now no longer
restrained, asserted itself, life's fire already
burning low, flickered and smOldered as
though his soul would leave its earthly tab
ernacle.
At 10 O'Clock this morning hundreds who
called to make inquiries realized that all
hope bad now vanished forever. The news
from the sick-room was more discour5ging
than ever.
A strange and lesden color Overspread his
cOuutenanee and his extremities assumed
icy coldness. Once or twice the watchers
at his bedside thought death had come and
DR.. Powell, holding the Premier's pulse,
discovered only faint trace Of life. Lady
Macdonald for three hours before the sad
event never left the room for an instant
The other watchers included Mary, her in
valid daughter; Hugh John Macdonald, the
Premier's son; John Pope, Sir Johns faith
full private secretary, and near friends Of
the family.
At 10 o'clock in the evening a complete
collapse st in. In the succeeding few
minutes the PremiePs breathing became
more aud more labOred and only the slight
est futter Of the heart indicated life's pres
enee.
At1O:15 o'clock tho Premier gave a few
long and heavy inspirations, and, without a
struggle or the slightest evidence of pain,
passed away. An undertaken was promptly
notified to prepare The body for embahlment.
Tie funeral is likely to take place Tuesday
next, and Will be Of a State character. On
that day the body will likely be removed TO
the Senate Chamber and lie in state for
four OF FIVE hours. The interment will sub
sequently take place at Kingston, Ont,
where the Premier's first wife aud his
father are buried.
Sir John Alexander Macdonald, K C. B.. D.
c. L. (OXOH.) LID, Canadian statesman, was
born al Glasgow, Scotland, January II, 1916.
He was educated al the ROya! Grammar School.
Kingston, and admitted TO the bar In 1880. He
was elected 10 Parliament for klngstO0, Upper
Canada as Conservative In November 1914,
ana long repfesented that CITY. tie was ap.
pointed member OF the Executive Council and
Receiver General in May, and Commissioner OF
Clown Lands 10 December, 1647. The Cabinet
of which be a member resigned IN May,
1850, and The TefOrmerS, under tie lead Of
MessTs. LafCniaine, Baldwin and Kinks, held
the reins OF power IN Canada until September,
1854. Difficulties connected with the lands re-
served for a Protestant clergy and other Quss-
tiOns led to a coalition IN 1854, Mr. Macdonald
Joining me government as attorney -General
which post he held until May, 1852. being part
OF tie lime Premier. In January, 1852. the
Militia Department was TeOTganZed and Mr.
Macdonald appointed Minister Of Militia. De-
feated on their militia bill Of that year, he and
his colleagues resigned and remained in oppo-
sition until March 1864 when he again acceded
10 Office as AJtOrn y-General 10 the Cabinet OF
Sjr Z. Z. ISche. But The Government was
able 10 command sufficient majority, and tie
proposition 10 federalize British America having
been reported by committee oil the Legislative
Assembly a conference took place between the
leaders on both sides, which resulted 10 cOaii-
tiOn with the view OF maturing a7d carrying a
measure 10 unite In one Government Canada and
the maritime provinces. On the death OF Sir T.
p THehe IN July, 1865, Mr.. Macdonald again
am
that Of AttOrney-GeHeTal of Upper Canada, hs
continued TO hold till The confederation. This
he was mainly instrumental 10 bringing
about having been delegate 10
the conference IN IharlottetOwn IN 1864 and IN
quebec 10 ne same year, an0 was chairman OF
tie London Colonial Conference Of 1867, when
the act OF union, known as the British North
American ACT, passed By the Imperial Par
Aament. On July 1, 1867, when the new COnsti-
tuition came into force, Mr. Macdonald was called
upon 10 fOIm the first Government for the new
Dominion and took Tie oath as a member OF the
PriVy Council and appointed Minister OF Justice
and AttOTney-Genera OF Canada. Office he
continued 20 I'll until he ana bis Ministry
signed on the Pacific Railway charges NoVem-
Der, 1873 In 1871 Mr.. Macdonald was one OF
her Maiesty's Joint High Commissioners aud
PienipOientlatles 10 act IN connection with the
commission named by the President OF the UHlied
States for the settlement OF tie Alabama claims,
resulting IN tie treaty OF Washington, May,
1871. 10 October, 1878, on the fall of tile Mac
EeuZie Reform Government, MT. Macdonald
was intrustcd with the task OF forming
position OF Minister Of the Interior until 1885.
and Premier OF the Dominion which lie still held
Rt he time Of his death. In 1866 hr. Macdonald
received The honorary degree Of d. G. l. IrOm
the University Of Oxford; aud in 1867 he
made X. Z. b. In 1872 lie was created a
Knight Grand Cross Of the Royal Order OF Isabel
IA Ca oca OF Spaiu. For fOrty years Sir John
Macdonald was the acknowledged leader OF tie
Conservative parry Of Upper Canada.
"EaTnscllhe," where Sir John died. and which
IS popularity known as Lady MacdOuald's home,
IS peculiarly well 81 uated on point juttng out
iutu tic Ottawa River, where l. commands Ell
Chanting views Of the Parliament Buildings
erOwuing their tree clad emlnrnce; OF the valley
o. The Ottawa, extending eastward ana west
ward, With lhe Grand River speeding swiftly
through lis center, aud Of the LaurcutlaH Noun
IaIns lifting their smooth shoulders 10 close In
the northern horizon. AlIthis NAV be seen from
the windows OF her bOudOir, lovely bright room
furnished with desk, bOOk-shelves tables, easy
chairs, sofa, pictures and other pleasant acces-
sOTies, where much hard Work IS done by its
cupant. "Earnschh-." If not precisely an I'M
posing edltce, is, al all events. an exceedingly
cOmfOl table one, and IS conpelenliy II not
IuXuTiOusly furnished. The everyday lie OF the
household is somewhat after tltO French fashion;
cup Uf chocolate before rising, breakfast al IL
O'clOck and dinner at O'clock, ibis arrange
ment having been found most convenient for the
Premier The guest chambers are rarely unOc-
cupied, Lazy Macdonald deiighting In a cEeeTy
home and tie bum OF happy voices. she has
only one child, daughter, whose pTecaflous
stale OF health has unhappily pTeeluded her
from being aught but constant care TO her
mo. ber.
The part that Lady Macdonald has played in
her husbands life is not 10 b. sci forth IN a few
wofds All that Lady BeseOusield was TO The
CONSERVATIVE Premier Of England Lady MaedOn-
aid has be 10 lie Conservative Premier OF
Canada, WHO, singularly enough bore a striking
physical likeness 10 Dsraeli. Sne enjoyed his
fullest confidence. IL any one or earth knew his
mind IL was She. Their understanding OF each
other was complete aud their matrimonial
felicity unruhed How much Canada owes to
Lady Macdonald for the help she has given her
qealest statesman only tie Premier himself
could hliy estimate.
SHOTS EXCHANGED.