New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-20

Mr.. Laurier is a Frenchman and Roman
Catholic which facts make his steady rise to the
leadership OF Canadian politics an exceptional
event in the history Of the Dominion His SYM
pathios and his imperastic policy however
are distinctly British. While he has sought 70
cultivate friendly commercial relations with the
Nhi'ed states because he saw clearly that this
country Was at present the most available mar
ket FOR most of the Canadian products he ba.
always cherished the belief that in course OF
time Canada would be less dependent upon her
American ncghbors, and would be able to direct
most of her trade into English channels IL is
the frenlers conviction that as Canada grows
IN population. wealth and consequent political
power she will demand hearing in the En-
pres counsels. Then there must come thinks
Mr.. Laurcr, a closer partnership with IN.
mother country, in which Canada will have a
position of authority and responsibility which ia
now denied her In the management of her colo
MAI aifairs The fact that the Premier is SO in
'lmately connected With both the French and
English Canadians naturally gives him a
stronger hold upon the two races than most
Prime Ministers of the Dominion have enjoyed
Wifrid Laurier was born at St Lin Ouebe.
on November 20 1871. and is thus now a man OF
hfty-five. He is tall and slender, and has an in
teilectual face, with deep-set earnest eyes His
forehead is high and broad, and his thick grav
hair waves back from it in abundance He
dresses well, and in a rather more youthful fash
ion than is affected by many men of his age
His whole appearance is slightly suggestive Of
the actor.
Mr.. Lauri6r was educated at I,Assomption Cob
lege. Montreal. and afterward took n degree IN
law at McGill University in 1864. The next year
he was admitted to the bar OF Lower Canada.
His first appearance in politics was in 1871
when he represented Drummond and Athabasca
Vhe latter was his home town. in the Quebec
Assembly He was then thirty years old and
was called the dGbutant of the new legislature
His first speech, delivered, of course in French
attracted much attention. Three years later he
Dominion Parliament
IN 1870 he was appointed Minister of Inland
revenue in the Mackenzie Government and
this place he held until the resignation OF tho
government in 1873 After this he was re-
elected to Parliament several times Whom coon
after the general election of February. 1857. Ed
ward Blake retired from the leadership of the
Liberal party in Canada. Mr.. I.aurier who had
expressed strong Liberal views from the hapjn
ming OF hts political career. was chosen to fiji tbs
vacant place. He has since maintained tbts
leadership powerfully. in spite of opposition an
the part OF many Liberals. Twenty years aco
Mr. Iaurier said. I'm a speech on political In
eralsm, delivered In Quebec: II am as I have
already said. Liberal am one OF those who
oeHeVe that In all human affairs there are abuses
to reform. new horizons to discover and neuy
forces TO develop" A critic. in speakin; of this
address at the time said: Mr.. I.aurier's Liberal
Ism. In fact Is OF the strictly British type. He
has borne testimony to the benefit which has az.
;rueo to his French compatriots by the concessen
oe free British Institutions"