The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-07-26
ANlD|AN INDEPENDENCE.
Dne Of EX-PrSmler Nercier on His
Present American Tour. =
yAEYS FRENCH-AMERICAN AID.
IDeseh Of T. Hon. Honors Mercier mt the
keception In Mont Royal HAN Last
Might Before the French socIeiies-A
large snd Enthusiastic Gathering.

LHon. Honore Mercier. ex-prime
minister OF Quebec, was tendersd IA re-.
ception last evening" by the French Nat
uralIzation club. the st. Jean Baptiste
society, and ihs Circle Litteriire In
Mont Royal hall at 935 Westminster
street. He was escorted from the Mar
xaganseti hotel by the societies headed
by the French Canadien band. 1t was
rather late when the distinguished gust
arrived. but he found the hal filled to It's
oapacity with an enthusiastic audience.
among which were many ladies. When
\ the expremier entered he was enthusias.
. ideally received aud applaudei. lie was
+ xecoived on the stage by Lawyer Am
brose Chocquett, who presided. The
stage was finely decorated with Ameri-
can and French flags, which made IA
pretty effect. Henri Faucher played
violin solo. which was encored:
Seated on the stage with NJ Mercier
were M. o. Demarais, ex-memDer OF par
1iament; r. j. Mccarthy. j. o. San
S0uci, B. Menard, j. H. Tangney, NJ d.,
E. Richard, Rev. M Langlois. Charles
1eClsrc aud Hon. Daniel X. BalIou.
A letter Of regret was read from Gov.
Brown.
President Alfred Polnisr of the societies
read an elaborate address I welcome to
the ex-premier. Pres. s.dinx Officer Clcquett
thon In few words introduced M. M.r-
pier. who spoke as follows la English:
M. Mercier's Address.
think it is my duty before address
+ you In French to thank You in your own
language for the cordial welcome you
have extended 10 me and 10 my friend
Demarais. You belong TO great nation
which has no equal today; a nation
whose liberal spirit is known through all
ne world; nation which cxtenis it's
hoepit ality to every honest ma what
( ever, part OF the world he may come
from. You have welcomed my country
men In this same spirit. l thank YOU In
She name OF the province OF Quebec for
she courtesy and welcome you have given
ne You live in a city great aud historic;
founded by man who had to leave hts
FIRST home here which lie had chosen to
occupy. on account OF his rel x Gus b"-
n lief. Here he found rest aud 81 ETY.. H.
NJ called IL Providence. Let me tell you,
my fellow-couutrymen VINO have made
your homes here, you may pronounce
that same word Providen &C." for here
+ you, too, have found a prosperity denied
you In your own land.
My visis TO this c,untry Is not, and
y must -not-be- -censideF-a,- being for
uy own pleasure. / had two objects in
{isitinR you here. First, to visit hose
children OF the province of Quebec whom
love as brothers, 10 seeswhaC her soclal
condition was In this great repuolic If
che United States. L will return home
{eehng thai they are perfectly satisfied
1n b country whose christian spirit unit,s
al men ms brothers. whatever may DO
their creed or nationality, with no r.
otrictions except that of honesty and in
4 telligeacs.
NY secoud object is to interest my fe'-
Ir><nr rrr FRY I'm, rat .,f
<fndepcndepce tor Canada, the cause
(which have decided 10 forward. 1
came to ask them TO help us in tie same
EVny that the Irish people in the United
81 >ates have helped Paraell and his noble
6rothers who are WORK ng for domel Rule.
power. They wanted help and they got
~ from the Irish people in this country.
They showed t. England that the cause
they cbampioned "as not only the cause
of the people OF Ireland. but of ali the
X xgish people in the world. And none
{ary help at once went to them. We in
Canada were not Indifferent to the cause
~ Ireland. We all contributed to the
1uuAi. AS everybody in Quebec knows 1
Wnathe first minister to take In Irish
men INTO Q cabinet in Canada.
As for the Americans, they know that
want TO see my country among the free
nations Of the earth. We have helped you
- che past; such names as Rocham beau
md Lafayette will remind you of our
t{polings In the past toward you. When
Xrauk died the French assembly was
dtournet out Of respect to his memory
- may b allowed TO say it, I had
gother who fought with the New
5ngland army In the great war of
( 1ocossion. So, In conclusion, you cannot
- Indifferent TO our cause. You have
ossed through the same difficulty and
Nth the same people. You proceeded us
- &IsnA Asxke |rr
rms TO ward the borders which divide us
kond ask you to enter that prosperity
which Canada Is entitled to.
Enthueiastic applause frequently In
orrupted the speaker, and AT the close
~ his speech he was long and warmly
1pplanded. He then spoke In French on
Independence Of Canada.
During his speech he said thu two colo
4 Xes were established at the same time,
4 ,be United States by England and Can.
q )ds BY the French. He traced the history
q X both countries from their infancy up
the time OF the American revolution.
10 thon drew contrast In their prss.
Ioxity up to the present day, the United
Rates becoming one OF the greatest
nd nd richest Eh:sa c.csSs countries .s is the
rontinual state OF staguatiou. This is
Hue 10 English influences which have
nnde the country milch cow for the
Donefit Of England. II Canada's inde-
ondonce 10 not soon granted, England
vill offer her for sale, as being OF no
0rther use to her aud her selfish pur-
Dooce. As long as ENGLAND has anything
= DO with the country, Canada will not
I'd cannot prosper. AS it is, when
canadians want to advance their country
~ treaty or otherwise they cannot do A..
- Epgland has reserved that right for
crself, and we may be sure will never
1notion any movement of progress that
~ lead 10 prosperity unless she derives
~ She profit.
Drench canadians in This Country.
There are at present over 100000
Fonch Canadians living in the United
oates, al prosperous aud happy under
1ls great and glorious free fiag OF lib
Ety, the home for all nationalities and
<oods. 70 long as they respect the laws
>,y<rning the conntry. This IL altogether
Iereut In Canada. where he majority
(bo English have no respect for the