The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-31

ISI (IS<1 u ~Z
Edward Blake was born at Adelaide. Onta.
rio. on Oct 10. 1888 His paternal ancestors
belonging to Galway and those OF his mother
to Wicklow. the strong interest In and sympa-
thy for ireland that have marked his careor
are easily accounted for His father William
Hume Blake. was . stanch Reformer. and
played prominent part in Canadian politics.
nfterward becoming Chancellor OF Upper Cam
ada. Young Blnkes scholastic career was
brilliant. and distinguished future was early
prophesied for him. He entered political life
ut the age Of "a. when he was elected NOM
Der OF the Ontario Legislature. With tho late
Alexander Mackenzie he waged in that body
q vigorous fight against the Santfeld-M
donald Ministry. On the fall OF that Ministry
in 1871. Mr.. Blake became Premier OF the
province: but. with Mackenzie. he soon de-
serted provincial politics for the larger field at
Ottawa. Elected to the Dominion House Of
Commons. he was soon recognized +; IL as one Of
Except for. the lye years OF Mr.. Mackenzie's
Adm4strNto during Fart MhiSs ne
tire career at Ottawa was passed on the Op-
position benches. Sir John a. Macdonald s de-
leated on the PaciiG scanda! Issue IN iSf
in 1878 In $50 Blake succeeded Mackenzie
ssn sqdSr ssa as deS P pnd T lie his
ses afars' IN
Hnd was %a So
dissolution of Par Lament last year. Mr.. Blake
~ nina fs his In
Mr.. Blake's failure to Dust his Tory. oppo-
ncnts from onlce Is often cited as proof that he
that was aroused among widely different
John Macdonald. nor att aimed over the Liberal
party anything, resembling tho ascendan9y
them. man Of straich tforward methods and
incompatible honesty. he had as his opponent
p"litica ans Of modern times: He had 70 asht
without funds rich party intrenehed in
Nothing is more clearly esta blished than that
N ba Dnsa S s shs Kls at n ahs DS SRsn hs
him ttriumphantly to power. Mr. Blake. who
made in his profession in order to serve his
countrymeni must feel that he has been poorly
and for years to come will, suffer. the evils
that hcr inability to FREQ herself from the
shaekss Of TTryiSm have eataed UPON her
head and shoulders above his fellow members.
In acquaintance with parliamentary TACTICS;
view and rrofundity Of knowledge. and in all
the higher arts Of statesm p he was s as
mNcn tnt superior oil Dir JOnn MhCUOuhlu bb SlE
agement Of men. As a debater Blake never had
an equal in the Canadian Parliament; though
ana s several u Of the rss rank Ills opponents
were generally chary OF crossing swords with
% worhy his stee rs Sp
able Topper: now Canadas High Commissioner
o.s h p tine aays whsf they sat
Blake has the two fundamental requisites OF
the orator.a commanding presence and 9
With massive head. striking features. and face
clean shaver save for q straggling fringe o.
tention in any surroundings Though he does
not cultivate the arts OF tho stump speaker:
and seldom attempts any sustained flight OF
| eloquence. he has tho power OF awaEing en-
thusiasm In his hearers. and is said to have
found no difficulty IN carrying HE Irish ps audi
ment that Blake is at his best His speeches at
Ottawa IN opposition to Conservative polio are
are characterized By wealth Of sarcasm and
show an absolute acquaintance with his sub
}ect In its remotest ASPECTS. IN tact ~ .he ~
and indefatignble industry, inclining him to
leaving minor points to his lleutenants. His
delivery is rapid and unhestattInG a5d Io ne
struction; inserting parenthesos within paren,.
theses with facility scarcely second 10 that
Two OF the leading Characteristics Of the
Canadian statesman are ny COURAGE n i e1
pressing his convictions md MS orSad t2let-
was a Home Ruler long before Gladstone was
40 thGt p9iicy aGg
as far SacE as Pi5 in l he made
eloquent speech In SUPPORT q the mot,3n Sr
ing the sn o, Homs Rule measure
Professionally opposed the Gl to InsGrpotFSSs se
milton to a Society 0' SO foreign. in AZ
hnS s hs hand s
Ks !hs IT'S Nof r.
posed the disailowancc Of the Jesuit Estates
act passed BY the Qnebec LeGislatu re:, lIs
rvsons deat See of caaada by pol
icy Of Cancellation and generosity TO the IN III,
n1r To h"t and
Franco. phobcs have showerod upon him.
MI Blake is thorough. sn m ,n ~.
troduce Old, World IDEAS and lnstltutions into
Canada, and emphasized his attitude 6y re- e.
ipsinG the title Of knighthood offered MIN oy
Many q the former Liberal leaders, de ris s0s on
tuSe glad TT thsss
advocated an Imperial federation: but hs y y
soes nATs tenfk s Rss t dfssnsd
osnadS First oaa Ssvs
dependent republic. though that was no n4'
e Ms late consttusnts::t v psbl ts
plain why he dissented from the new trade
policy Of the Liberal party, he drew 2 gloom!
picture OF the condition to which tWelyS years AZ
and delivered somewhat oracular judgmsn
which was believed by many 70 mean trnu tha
Canada would find the remedy Tor her troup9e,
In political union with the United states. ba q
IN subsequent letter Mr.. Blake deflarea h ~.
belief that political union thoI9a Sar ~