The record-union., 1899-10-09
PREMIER LAURIER.
Wins the F1audits of a Large Au-
dienee at Chicago.

CHICAGO, Oct. S.-When Sir Will
frld Iaurier, Premier of the Dominion
OF Canada, stopped to kiss two little
girls who were presenting him with a
bunch of red roses on the stage at
Studebaker Hall to-day, he won his
way at once to the hearts of more
than 1000 persons who were gathered
to bid himself and party welcome in
the name of the French-C Canadians OF
Chicago.
The whole audience rose in body
and cheered approval of the graceful
act of the chief guest At the same
time two other girls We're received in
the same manner when they presented
Lady Laurier with flowers in the box
at the side of the stage.
Immediately after this, when Sir
Wilfrid had an opportunity to speak,
he showed his thorough appreciation
of the warm welcome rendered by the
French Canadians. He thanked them
for their reception of himself and the
other officials from Canada.
In brief address he declared that
it touched his heart to witness so true
an appreciation of his political policy,
which he declared to be equality to
ALL" He said his gospel is "concilia-
ton" He also referred to the close
relations existing between the United
States and Canada. He said that in
past years many young men had gone
from the Dominion into the States be-
cause of the greater resources in the
latter country, but now, owing to re-
yived prosperity, he said, emigration
from Canada is ceasing.
Immediately after the close of Sir
Wilfrid's address, which was delivered
in French, a man in the center of the
hall arose and asked the speaker to
say something in English, as only a
part of the audience had understood
his remarks.
In response to this request the Pre-
mier spoke as follows:
II listened with great pleasure, un-
derstanding the invitation which has
been addressed to me by my friend
in the audience. I would readily COM
ply with it, but for one reason. 1 will
give you the reason why 1 cannot an
Swer that invitation as / would wish.
In the month of January I was in the
city of Washington, acting as British
Commissioner to endeavor to settle cer-
tain difficulties which we had with
our American neighbors. Among them
was the Alaskan boundary question.
(Applause) While endeavoring to set
tie these difficulties in Washington
attended a demonstration very much of
the character of the present one. L
heard one of the Justices of the Su-
preme Court state that the American
system of government was superior
to all systems, because it was a gov
ernment by law. Let me say that
am a Canadian-I am a British subject
I have great admiration for the Amer
lean Constitution and system of gov
ernment, but this is a free country,
where liberty of speech prevails. There
fore, if / had the pleasure of being
able to speak my mind, | would have
told Mr. Justice Harlan, for he was
the Justice to whom I referred, that
the British system of government is
superior to the American. But as has
already been said, Americans are gov
must obey the law, and the law to-day
is that I am not to speak the English
language, but to speak it tomorrow.
But even at the risk of committing a
breach of the law, let me thank the
people of Chicago for their kind and
cordial reception which they have
given to brother Frenchman.''