The morning call., 1895-01-01
SIR JOHN MACDONALD.

Sir John Macdonald, who may be said
TO have held Canada in the hollow of his
hand for halt century, is one of the most
picturesque figures of our times, and yet
his biography has only just been written.
II is hardly work OF literary genius, hut
it contains material derived from authentic
sources, and will occupy a place In the
library Of every student of history.
Sir John was Scotch boy. His father
was small shopkeeper, who emigrated,
settled at Kingston, Ontario and articled
his son to lawyer. At 90 the young man
was elected TO Parliament as member for
Kingston, and from that time till his death
be was always ia Parliament, and either
in Office or at the head Of the opposition.
From first to last his political stock in
trade was adherence to the British con-
nsction." In his first speech to the electors
of Kingston he said that 'the prosperity
Of Canada depends upon its permanent
connection with the mother country" In
his last speech to tie same constituency,
delivered nearly half a century later, he
said that with his latest breath he would
oppose the yelled treason which attempts
by sordid means and mercenary proffers
TO lure the Canadian people from their
allegiance" This seems 70 most people
unusual doctrine and poor politics. Canada
would have been more prosperous if it had
embraced the only opportunity it ever had
of entering the Union at the close of the
Civil War. Most Canadians are of that
opinion to-day. But Sir John rode his
hobby throughout his life. and there were
enough of his way of thinking, or under
hi ira 10 rx,,- I,
port which no other Canadian could COM
mand. he was shrewd enough TO see the
value of an alliance with the French Can
adams OF Quebec. He was himself stanch
Protestant, but he had no objection to
conceding to the Catholics of the East the
claims which they put forth for their
church, and at the price of yielding these
he secured the votes of the clericals of the
lower province. 1t was this support which
always enabled him to defeat George
Brown. an ADLER man, but no politician.
The consolidation of the provinces into
the Dominion of Canada was his work, and
it is yet too soon to judge of its merit. Sir
Johns idea was to build up a system
which should so differ from that of the
United States that the two could hardly
coalesce. His British North American
act conceded to the provinces nothing but
powers of local administration, and con-
cen tTated all sovereignty in the Dominion.
Whatever powers were not specifically
delegated TO the provln ces were reserved
to the central power-the very opposite of
the plan upon which our Federal Union is
founded. He planned legislative union
merely; the idea of state sovereign " re-
volted his monarchical interests. If he
had had his way he would have formed g
monarchy in Canada. with the Queen or
one of her sons as monarch. But the
British Government wisely foresaw that
this would not be congenial TO Canadians,
and would irritate the susce tlpilities of
Americans. and Sir Johns scheme was
dropped.
His political life very nearly ended with |
the Canadian Pacific scandal The Do
minion Parliament voted S30,000,0O0 in
money and 100000 acres OF land to the
company, which built line to the Poetic,
and left to Sir John Macdonald's Ministry
the right to choose which of the many
companies seeking the grant should get it.
At the head of one of these companies
was Sir Hugh Allan. He gave to Sir John
for use at the elections In Ontario sum
of S35. 900. and a much larger sum to Sir
George Cartier, who was also member of
the Ministry. for use at the elections in
Quebec. With this help the Ministry car
RED the day; and Sir Rugh Allan's COM
pRny got the grant. But Parliament !
revolted. 1t was openly stated by sup
porters of the Ministry that the grant and
subsidy to Sir Hugh Allan's friends was
ma hn fin INN ~ b,r 81,
money received, whereupon a resolution |
was passed that mo Ministry had right |
to accept peeuniary help from an appli-
cant for a Government contract" Sir |
John was overthrown. and rem aimed out |
of office for several years; but, by
an extreme proteciionist tariff.
he managed to regain power. and died In |
office.
At one period of his life Sir Johns habits
were conviyial. He was once invited TO a
political dinner at which he was expected |
to deliver momentous speech on the |
issues Of the day. Unfortunately, before |
the time came for him to speak, the cham |
payne had circulated freely. and when the |
Prime Minister got on his legs he had |
forgotten the speech he intended to make |
and uttered lot of balderdash The chief |
reporter suppressed the speech that night, |
stating that il would appear in the follow
ing issue. Next day be called on Sir John |
and begged him TO revise the speech. The
Premier had not heard three sentences
before he stopped the reporters notes and
cried: THAT is not what said. Not at
all. | will now repeat my speech" And |
he uttered the words be had intended to
say. so that the reporter got them ac-
curately. "And now. young man." added |
Sir John, ''let me give you one place OF
advice. Never again attempt to report
public speaker when you are drunk"
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