The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-03-25

Honor6 Merciet entered the Jesuits' College In
Montreal. where he took high rank. distin-
gushing himself especially In the classics.
Leaving college. he began the study Of law In
the once Of Messieurs Ladamboise h Pap
ineau. at ST. Hysointhe: an important town In
the Eastern Townships" not far from Mon
real. and 10 1868 he was admitted to the bar.
Three years earlier. however. he had entered
politics BY the door Of journalism. In 1882 he
became editor OF lie Courier de 81. Hvdcitlihe.
supporting the Liberal Ministry OF Messrs.
Macdonald and sicotte. When NJ. sicotte re-
tired from the Ministry NJ. Mercier followed
hin, into opposition; but he went no further
with Sicotte. who ceased opposition on accept
ing place on the bench. NJ. Mercier did ct
allow his paper to be choked by Sicotte's final
retirem.nt but joined forces with Cartier
later Sir George Cartierj IN opposing the Gov
eminent on the question OF the schools. pro-
portonate representation, and the completion
Of the Intercolouial Railway; and he opposed
the candidacy o: his old law chief NJ. Pspi-
nssu. to succeed NJ sicotte. supporting the
victorious candidate. N. Remi Raymond
When the question OF confederation came to
the front 10 1854. NJ. Mercier decided not to fol-
low Cartier In support OF IT. In confederation
he could see Tory expedient to maintain
power. behind which he perceived Sir John
throw the ufluencs OF the French Canadians
In United Canada.
This view Of the question was not that ofthe
owners OF lie Cour,isr de ST Hvucfnthe. and NJ.
Msrcier had to give up his editorial work. Be-
fore confederation was contaminated. how
ever. he returned to bis chair. In January.
1886. and formed D body OF political leaders
bad job. demanding always fair play for
the French Canadians. Two OF these lead
q MERE q .s ssd .ss
points Of the veto power and provincial tstatel
sovereisnty under the proposed Dominion
CSa 80 ns that &eresr AGAIN
was compelled 10 leave the sditorship this
ne DEVOTED himsslffer the next FIVE years
pc 1G sSl asd s9Sk no pert n
vas form ed 10 Quebec. s Il. ' pistiorm 81 Which
advocated a protse.ivs tarlh. the autonomy Of
p: ballot isdlciS assisiSa
sufficiently populated to support it. N. Mers
he sD Tss . e. si t to III:
D9mlpion House Of Com from Rouyllls.
a Inc tSs ease 81 pr.:
e: IN :ssPo, sss
The Pacific Railway scandal hurst aud sir
.shn's Government resigned in Noyember
.oSsa u fsrs%sns IN Janaars 1874 h d tr
angular contest begun In 1t. Hyaeinths ended
By ~ Mereiers retiring to prevent the eoun-
" being carried by a Tory. In 1873 he ran
his revenge at q hy-slection 10 1870. when. on
taking his first CABINET position, that OF So-
lieitor- General In the Provincial Government.
hewas elected by :tO4 votes
year. and Tor nearly two years more N. Mer.
esr vas out Of politics. He had not intended
70 return to politics his law business 10 Mon.
trsal orcnpying hin sufficiently. but at the
eo1stltueney invited him 10 accept an election.
and BE- WAS chosen by reclamation.
In l6SJ h. Mercler succeeded Nj Jolly a.
sadeI OF the Opposition. His supporters were
only fifteen 10 num.er. but they, held the ball
aass ot power In the Provincial Parliament.
sad u d. Msrcier could not outyote two Gov
sstnnsnts he put them both to flight and after
puoi" feeling In Quebec against the Goysra-
nent and kept II oTRanizsd until la 1887 he be-
cane Prime Minister Of the province. go,
xhhtn' flaee he retained until late n iS91
nuI p 9.rd TO do SO by charges made freely
sh.t hs cier was guilty OF peeulation-
saee then he has been In opposition. aequit-
md ov liry OF the ehargss. aud preparing to
h.i tee United French Canadians to victory.
Speaker A friend describes his oratory ss Of
iO sSsanfS I, power. tsnaeity, and Iosieal
hLponiSus Athens: It would not have dishon-
tvtei me homAn Senate Of that earnest age of
.ns VIGOROUS speeches. which belonged 70 the
SeS sSs II the Gid republic the secret OF
N MERCER was made Knight of the Grand
i ISss Of the Order OF Gregory the Great In
IN 1880 he Was created Coant Of the
as nah nS@ nd Empire. apd In the same rear was
"a's al onesr OF the Legion OF Honor