Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-10-09
RECEPTION TO LAURIER.
Canadn's Premier Wins His Way Into
the Hearts of a Chicago
Audience,

| CHICAGO. Oct. S.-When Sir Wilfrid
| Laurier, premier of the Dominion of Cam
ada, stopped TO kiss two little girls who
were presenting him bunch OF red roses
on the stage of Studebaker hall to-day, he
won his way at once 10 the heart of more
than 700 persons, who were gathered
| there to bid himself and party welcome
| in the name OF the French-C canadians of
| Chicago. The whole audience arose in a
| body and cheered approval of the grace
| ful 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 Will
| frtd had an opportunity to speak he show
ed his thorough appreciation of the warm
welcome rendered him by the French
Canadians. He thanked them for their
reception of himself and the other officials
| from Canada. In a brief address, he de-
c!ared that 1t touched his heart to wit
ness so true an appreciation OF his polit-
| !cal policy, which he declared to be equal
ity to all" He said his gospel is CON
citation" 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 because of the
greater resources IN the latter country,
but now, owing to revived prosperity, he
said, emigration from Canada is ceasing
He closed his address by again thanking
the audience for their welcome.
Immediately after the close of Sir Will
frids address. which was delivered in
French man in the center of the hall
arose and asked the speaker to say some
thing in English, as a part of the audience
had not understood any of his remarks
In response 10 this request the premier
spoke as follows:
Il listened with great pleasure to the
invitation which has been addressed TO me
by my friend in the audience. l would
readily comply with II but for one rea-
son. In the month Of January last, l was
In the city of Washington, acting as Brit
ish commissioner to endeayor to settle GER
tain difficulties, which We had with our
American neighbors. Incidentally, | may
say, ladies and gentlemen, that. even in
the best of families, little quarrels some
times occur, and II so happens that, at
this moment, there are, not what | would
call quarrels, but number OF difficulties,
among them the Alaskan boundary ques-
ton. Applause.)
While endeavoring to settle these diff
culties In Washington I attended demon
sration very much of the character of the
present one. heard one of the justices of
the supreme court state that the American
systems, because it was government by
law.
Let me say that am Canadian-I am
a British subject. / have great admiration
for the American constitution and system
of government, but this is a free country
where liberty of speech prevails. There
fore, If l had the pleasure to speak my
mind l would have told Mr.. justice Har-
Ian, for he was the justice 10 whom | re-
ferred, that the British system of gov
ernment is superior to the American. But,