The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-06-24
Sketch Of His Career.

Sir John Alexander Macdonald, g. c. B.,
&c. B., D. C. L., LII. D., Premier OF the
Government of the Dominion Of Canada,
was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on June II,
1916 When he was about five years old his
parents emigrated to Canada, and settled at
there the family moved to Pictou, town
further west, leaving John Alexander, then
in his teens, at Kingston, to attend the Royal
Grammar School. There he received his ed,
ucation. He was diligent at his studies, ana
was admitted to the bar at the age of twenty
one. He Immediately opened an office ~
Kingston and followed his profession with
. success for about five years before he began
to turn his attention to politics. He was re-
tained in all the important cases brought in
to the courts in that part OF the country.
Shortly after the Canadian rebellion ne
; successfully defended band OF 500 rebels
who had attacked the Kingston garrison. 1t
was while practising in Kingston that ne
won the distinction Of being the greatest
constitutional lawyer in Canada, dlstlnc-
ton which was his to the last. In 1871 ne
first entered politics, and in 1914 was elected
member of Parliament. For many years he
represented Kingston as Conservative He
was appointed a member of the Executive
Council and Receiver-General in May, 1S47,
and at the end Of the same year he held the
Office of Commissioner Of Crown Lands. For
the next ten or fifteen years be was returned
to Parliament.
In July, 1865, Mr.. Macdonald was ap-
pointed Minister of Militia for the second
time, which Office he held, together with that
Of Attorney Of Upper Canada, un-
til the confederation Of the Canadian prov
inces as the Dominion Of Canada.
Mr.. Macdonald was chiefly instrumental in
bringing about confederation OF the prov
inces Of British North America. He was
Chairman of the Colonial Conference in
London, England, 1S66-67, when the British
North American act was passel by the Eng
lish House of Commons on July l, 1867.
Mr. Macdonald was called upon to form
the first Government for the new Dominion,
and was sworn in by the English Privy
Council, and appointed Attorney-G General
and Minister Of Justice Of Canada, an office
which he continued to hold until be and his
Ministry resigned on the Canadian Pacific
Railway scandal in November, 1873
In 1871 Mr. Macdonald was one of her
Majesty's joint high Commissioners and
Plenipotentiaries to act in connection with
the Commissioners appointed by the Presi.
dent Of the United States for the settlement
of the Alabama claims resulting in the
treaty Of Washington in May, 1871.
In 1865 Mr.. Macdonald received the hon.
orary degree Of D. c. L. from the University
of Oxford, and in 1867 he was made K. c.
D. In 1SfS ne was maze knlSnC OF tne
Grand Cross of the Royal Order Of Isabel
the Catholic Of Spain. One of his latest
honors was that of 6. c +. This title de-
scends to his son.
Sir John Mac6onald's legislative record is
long and mostly creditab!e.
He has often been called Canada'S greatest
politician, and he doubtless merited the
name. He was bold, ambitious, and auda-
cious in his policy. He was 4 born wire puler
and was unmatched as an electioneering
agent. He was not overscrupulous as to the
methods be adopted so long as they led to
victory. His career was dominated by
desire to give Canada an independent policy,
and to promote the imperial interests Of
Great and Greater Britain, SO long as the
pursuit of these objects did not jeopardize
his chances of success. for his main object
was to always remain in Office.
Sir John was ready in public speech. He
had an open, cordial manner, wide range
Of information and an amazing memory for
faces. No orc ever accused him of economy
in his private or public life
Sir Johr lived at EarnSclffa, in Ottawa.
where his short, bent form, and Disraeli-like
face were we'll known to every one