Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-06-12
SIR JOHN MACDONALD.
CANADA'S PREMIER SUCCUMBS
TO THE COMMON ENEMY.
His Death ~ MOurned Throughout
the Entire British Empire.-He
Was Canada's FavOrite Son.
Canada's Loss.


Sir John A. Macdonald, premier OF
Canada and the statesman most widely
known and universally esteemed through
out the dominion. was stricken by paraly-
sis a week ago and on Saturday night last,
after a determined struggle, he passed
away. The entire country is in deep
mourning over its great loss, and messages
OF sympathy and regret reach the dead
mans family from every quarter OF the
globe. Queen Victoria cabled from Bal
moral TO the encouragement that she
was deeply panied TO learn Of Sir Johns
death, which she regarded as loss 10
Canada and the sovereign. Her majesty
extended her heartfelt sympathy TO Lady
Macdonald in her bereavement Other
dispatches have also been received from
Lord Salisbury and scores Of other notable
persons in England.
The Right Honorable Sir John Alex
ander Macdc maid, G.. c. b., ID. q. L., Ii.
d., was the eldest son Of the late Hugh
Macdonald. Esq, "A native of Strathland-
shire, Scotland, and was born in Glasgow
on January IL, 1915. He received his
education at the Royal Grammer School,
Kingston. under DR.. Watson, a fellow of
Oxford University. After leaving this
seminary he studied law with George
Mackenzie and became u barrster in
United Canada in 1896; becoming Q. G.
in 1916 and bencher ex-ofic.o of the Law
Society of Ontario He held the rank of
past grand senior warden of the Canada
Free Mascns, as well as being the repre-
sentative in Canada of the Grand Lodge of
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of
England. He held "a seat in the executive
council of Canada for L years. He held
the position of receiver general in 1917,
was commissioner Of crown lands in 1S47-
As and was attorney general in lS54-62,
lS64-67, and prime minister in 1858; gov
eri.ment leader in the assembly in lS6467
and minister of militia affairs from 1862
1867. In 1865 he was requested To take
the place of Sir T.. Il. Tache as prime
minister on the death of that gentleman,
but waived his claim in favor of Sir n. f..
Belleau. He was sent TO England
and other foreign nations on public bust
ness on many occasions and was made
chairman OF the London colonial confer
ence in 1867, when the act well known
as the British North American act was
passed in the imperial parliament. He
formed the first government July |, 1867,
when the new constitution came into force
when he was sworn member Of the privy
council and appointed minister of justice
and Encouragement of Canada, an Office
which he continued to fill with marked
ability until he and his ministry resigned
under the Union Pacific charges November
g, 1878. On the resignation OF the reform
administration in 1878 he formed the
present government, in which he became
minister of the interior, but resigned this
portfolio TO become president of the council
and superintendent general of Indian
L., - ~ ,nf
her majesty's joint high commissioners TO
act in company with Earl De Grey, Sir
Stafford Ncrthcote, Sir Edward Thornton
and Montague Bernard in efecting, with
five commissioners appointed by the
president of the United States, settle
ment of the Alabama claims and other
matters in dispute between America and
Great Britain The labors of the Joint
high commission resulted in the treaty of
Washington, signed on May 5,
1871, in Washington, ID. &. He
has received great many honorable
titles and degrees from various colleges
and societies. The Oxford university con-
ferred upon him the degree of ID. G.. l.. in
1865. He received the title of LII. ID.
from Queens university, Kingston. and ID.
c. l. from the university of Trinity col
lege, Toronto. He was created X. c. b.
in 1867. G.. G.. .. in 1884 and "A knight
of the grand cross of the Royal Order of
Isabella Catolica (of SPAIN in 1872. He
became member of the privy council in
1879 and was unanimously elected leader
of the Canadian liberal-conservative OPP
position in November, 1873. Sir John
gave the late government the benefit of
his long and valuable experience in per-
fccting many important measures. Dur
ing the summer OF 1850 he visited England
in company with the ministers of railways
and agriculture. where they arranged the
contract for the construction of the
Canadian Pacific railroad. He visited
England again in 1854. and was recognized
and honored as the pioneer Of imperial
unity. He attended the conference held in
London at which the imperial league was
formed. and moved the appointment of a
general committee TO conduct its affairs.
Sir John had been married twice. His
first wife was Isabella, daughter Of Alex
ander Clark. Esq, of Dalnavert, Inverness
shire, Scotland. who died in 1886. He
next welded Susan Agness, daughter of
T. j. Barnard. member Of her majesty's
privy council of the Island of Jamaica.