, 1891-07-08

John Macdonald no harm IN Ine eyes or MS
compatriots, as he was universally Known to
be one of the most unmercenary Of men.
Ever since 1856, when he succeeded to the
vacancy created by the i'll health of Sir Allan
Mac N~ab-nominally the head Of the Conser'
vative party in Canada-Sir John Macdonald
has virtually had no rival among the D)mn-
ions public men. In 1871 he was selected as
one of the Joint High Commissioners who went
to Washington to settle the Alabama claims,
then pending between the United States and
Great Britain. 1t was generally conceded
that in knowledge of American politics and
American character Sir John was superiorto his
English colleagues-the Marquis of Ripon, the
late Sir Stafford Northcote, and the late Sir
Montague Bernard.
In the preface to Sir Edward Watkins
Canada and the States Recollections from
1851 to 1886" there is a quotation from a
speech made many years ago by the great
Canadian statesman who has just died; 81
hope'-such were Sir John MacDonald's words
Ito live to see the day when Canada will
become England's right arm; that is the most
powerful auxiliary of the British Empire, in
stead Of being, as now, a source of anxiety
and danger" Towards this G~onsummation no
one did more than the distinguished man who
was Prime Minister of Canada for more years
than all his contemporaries combined. lie
was generally the guest of Sir Edward Watkin
during his recent visits to England and the
following passage speaks the sentiments of both.
'Anyone'' writes Sir Edward, "who reads the
following pages will see that ] am an Impe-
rialist-that Ihate little Englandism. So far
as my puny forces would go l have struggled
for the union of the Canadian provinces, that
they might be retained under the best form
of Government the world has yet seen-a
limited monarchy under the sway Of such a
beneticent ruler as Queen Victoria" 1t was
the purpose of Sir John Macdonald, ever aG-
tive and industrious. to contribute to this end,
and it will be satisfaction to English subjects
all over the world to know that, like the
Charles James Fox Of Sir Walter SCOTS
noblest poem, the greatest Of Canadian states
man "a Briton died." Tho remarkable re,
semblance in face, character, and mental
peculiarities between Lord Beconsfield and
Sir John Macdonald has again and again been
remarked upon by English, Canadian, and
American newspapers.
A scene which will never be forgotten by
those who took part in it was enacted at the
first meeting of the Dominion House of Com
mons after the death of Sir John Macdonald.
Within five minutes after the doors were open
ed the galleries were packed to suffocation.
The walls of the Chamber were draped with
black. The chair which during so many
years had been occupied by the now departed
Premier was covered with black Grape. On
his desk, which was similarly draped, was
laid a cushion composed Of white roses, carna-
tons, and smilax, and bearing the words Our
Chief" Sir Hector Langevin, Minister of
Public Works, who rose amid the profoundest
silence, his voice quivering with emotion, said
it fell to his lot, as the oldest Privy Councillor,
to announce to the House that their old chief
was no more. By Sir John MacDonald's
death Canada has lost her greatest statesman,
agreat patriot, a man of whom any country in
the world might we'll be proud. The Queen
had never had. a more devoted subject. His
love for Canada was Ionly equalled by his love
for the Mother Country which gave him birth.
Sir Hector Langevin moved:-"That in the
opinion of this House the mortal remains of
Sir John Macdonald should be publicly inter-
red, and this House will concur in giving to
the ceremony a fitting degree of solemnity and
Importance" This motion was seconded by
Colonel Bowel. Mr.. Davis also delivered a
brief eulogy, and the resolution was unani-
mously adopted. Sir Hector then moved that
the House should adjourn for four days, until
after the funeral on June II. The motion
was passed without dissent. In the Senate
the Hon. J. J. @. Abbott, the leader of the
Government party, In a brilliant panegyric.