The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-12-23
Sir John Macdonald.

Whatever may be thought OF his political con-
sistency or conscientiousness, there is no doubt
that Sir John Macdonald was for nearly half a
century the most striking and most powerful per-
sonality in Canadian public life. To depict prop
erly his career would be to trace In detail the
history of Canadian politics since 1874. An at
tempt to do this has been made by his private
secretary, Mr.. JOSEPH POPE, in two volumes,
collectively entitled Memoirs Of Sir John AleI-
dnder Macdonald OTTAWA, J. Durie d Som. II
we cannot call the attempt entirely successful.
1t Is because the author overlooks tho strength
OF the forces tending to effect a reunion of the
Anglo-Saxon race upon this continent. and has.
therefore, TO some extent produced an Imperialist
pamphlet rather than an impartial narrative. For
instance, while scores OF pages aredevoted TO mat
ters of no historical Importance, only ten lines
are gwen to the reciprocity treaty negotiated by
Lord Elgin In 1854, and pot a word is said from
which the reader might divine that the attain
ment OF that treaty was deemed indispensable
for the arrest OF the annexation movement.
Again. In the second volume. We hear next TO
nothing about the agitation for commercial
union in Ontario. which caused the Canadian
Liberals to adopt that policy under the name OF
restricted reciprocity. or about the discussion
OF Canadian independence in Quebec, or about
the effect OF the Mckinley act In revivlng the
impulse TO annexation on the part OF the farm-
ers on the border. As regards, indeed, the point
OF view and the nature of the mate
rails put forward, this book should DO
described as an autobiography rather than
as a disinterested estimate OF the sub
ject's aims. achievements, and character. The
biographer tells us In the preface that he has
relied almost exclusively on the private papers
OF Sir John Macdonald which have been placed
in his hands. and hat no has kept steadily be-
f..a Ill., k. ,anwfNEIon that hIa AnaK AnV.
toward the memory OF his late chief. That, I'M
doubtedly. is one conception OF a b~iographer's
function; there Is another which makes scru-
pulous fidelity to historical truth his paramount
obligation. The censurers and critics OF Sir
John Macdonald will look in vain for much
assistance to the book before US, for, even where
facts cannot be denied, the utmost pains Is taken
TO place them in a favorable light
II Is needful, in other words, TO warnthe reader
that the authors bias must never be lost sight
OF; but II would be . mistake TO infer that this
book Is not. on the whole, a valuable contribu-
ton to our knowledge OF Canadian history. The
mass OF materials which was placed at Mr..
Pope's disposal is nowhere else accessible; they
included. 1t seems, almost all the private as well
as Official letters that Sir John Macdonald ever
received, besides copies OF many Of his own.
These data, while not exhaustive. and In q
large degree, One-sided. are. neverthsless, es-
sentiAl 10 q complete comprehension OF some
important historical events. Among these
may be mentioned the consolidation Of
most of the British North American provinces
in the Dominion OF Canada; tho negotiation Of
the Treaty OF Washington. and the Canadian
Pacific Railway scandal which caused the
downfall Of Sir John Macdonald and his sxclu-
sion from ONCE for some years. Not one Of
these events can be thoroughly understood until
Ne have listened TO the story OF him who WAS
the chief actor In them. II 10 this story which
is here set forth, and Il Is upon this that We shall
mainly dwell, after = brief reference 70 Sir John
MacdonAld's early life.