The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1891-06-10


Sir John A. Macdonald was born in
Sutherlandshire Scotland, January II,
1915 He was brought to Canada in
1890, when his father. Hugh Macdonald,
settled in Kingston, Ont. He was edu-
Gated at Kingston and when sixteen
years old began TO study law. He was
admitted TO the bar in 1885. and in 1885
became counsel and achieved distinction
by his defense OF Won Schultz, who
made a raid in Canada in 1889. Mao
donald entered public life in 1874 as the
representative OF the city Of Kingston
in the house Of assembly and continued
TO sit for this constituency until the
union of 1857, when he was elected TO
the house OF commons Of Canada by the
same electorate until 1878, when he was
defeated Several other constituencies
then elected him and he sat for Lennox
county.
In May, 1s47, he was first appointed
to Office, becoming receiver general and
subsequently commissioner OF crown
lands Early in 1sIs the government
was defeated and Macdonald remained
In opposition until 1sii In September,
1854. the government was defeated on
the question of the secularization of the
clergy reserves and Macdonald entered
the coalition cabinet, which was formed,
becoming attorney general, and under
his advice the clergy reserves were
secularized on what was considered a
fair basis In 1885, on the death of Sir
Allen McNab, Macdonald became the
leader Of the conservatives, which posi-
tion he has held ever since, exercising
great influence on Canadian history. In
1853 the Macdonald ministry was de-
feated on the question Of the location
Of tlR seat of government, but the now
miniEtry was defeated on the first day
tho house assembled and Macdonald
again resumed power, retaining his po-
sition until 1862, when he was defeated
on the militia bill. He remained in op-
position for two years; he was again
called to form a cabinet
In 1894 Macdonald and his associates
succesded in convincing the people that
a Confederation OF all the British North
American provinces was desirable. In
bringiug'about the confederation Mac.
donald was an active factor, and II may
be claimed that he was the creator OF
the Dominion Of Canada. The new con-
stitution went into force July 1, 1897.
Macdonald was sworn In as privy coun.
seller aud appointed minister OF justice
and attorney general In recognition
of his services he was created knight
comgaander OF tho bath by Queen VIC
t6fia, and In 1854 he received the grand
cross OF the Same order. He remained
primo minister until 1878, when he was
defeated on what was known ~ the Ca
nadiaa Pacific scandal He remained
in opposition until 1878, when his party
wee snccessful In the tariff issue, aud
he resumed Office pledged TO protection.
In. 1aS2 and again In 1887 he carried the
country. His success at the recent Do
minjbn elections Is known.
Sir John was one OF the Alabama
claiin commissioners, and for his sue
cess on that commission was made q
priyy councillor OF Great britain. He
D,nfped twice His first wife, Isabella.
daughter Of Alexander Clark, OF Delna-
vert Scotland, died In 1886. His second
wife was Susan Agnes, daughter Of T.
J. BerHard, member Of the privy coun-
oil 81 the island Of jamaica