The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-10-09
Canadian Statesman Welcomed BY
Countrymen In Windy City.
MADE PLEASING SPEECH
SAYS HIS GOSPEL IS coNcILIA-
TON, HIS POLICY EQUALITY.
Premier First Spoke In French, Then
Briefly In ENTHUSIASTICALLY
Refers to Alaskan Boundary Dis
pute AS a Little Difficulty of the
Present-Today's Programme.

Chicago, Oct S.--When Sir Wilfrid
Laurier, premier Of the Dominion of
Canada, stopped to kiss two little girls
vino were presenting him with a bunch of
red roses on the stage of Studehaker hall
today. he won his way at once to the
hearts of more than 1900 persons who
were gathered to bid himself and party
welcome in the name of the French
Canadians of Chicago. The whole audi
ence arose in q body and cheered ap-
prevail of the graceful act Of the chief
guest. At the same time two other little
when they presented Lady <aurier with
flowers in the box at the side of the
stage, Immediately after this. when Sir
WiIfrid haA an Opportunity to speak, he
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 declared that it touched his heart to
witness so true an appreciation OF his
political policy. which ne declared to be
equality to ALL" He said his gospel is
Cancellation. 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 pros
perity, he said emigration from Canada is
ceasing. He closed his address by again
I4idIh1ilS Tue -IOt SlIClL MGlGulllts
Immediately after the close of Sir Viii
frfd's address, which was delivered in
French. a man in the center OF the hall
arose and asked the speaker to say some
thing in English. as. only part of the
audience had understood his remarks.
In response to this request, the premier
spoke as follows:
81 listened with great pleasure under
standing the invitation which has been
addressed to me by my friend in the audi
ence. / would readily comply with 1t but
for one reason. [ will give you the reason
why l cannot answer that Invitation as l
would wish In the month of January last
l was in the city of Washington. acting
as British commissioner to endeavor to
settle certain difficulties which we had
with our American neighbors. Inciden-
tally, l may say, ladies and gentlemen,
that even in the best of facilities. little
quarrelS sometimes occur, and it SO hap
pens that at this moment there is not
what would call a quarrel, but a num-
Der of difficulties about the Alaskan
boundary question, (Applaqse) While
Washington, / attended a demonstration
very much of the character of the present
one. heard one Of the justices of the
supreme court state that the American
system of government was superior to all
systems, because 1T was a government by
law. Let me say that i am a Canadian.
I am a British subject. l have great adj
mfration for the American constitution
and system of government, but this is a
free country where liberty of speech pre-
walls. therefore, II L had the pleasure or
being able to speak my mind, L would
have told Mr.. Justice Harlan. for he was
the justice to whom l referred THAT the
British system of government is superior
to the American. But. as has already
been said, Americans are governed by
law. and that being SO, we must obey the
law, and the law today Is that l am not
to speak the English Language, but to
speak it tomorrow. Sut 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 a brother Frencfman.
Mr.. Laurier was followed by NJ AL
phonse PeEetier, president of the Cana
dian senate and Mayor Prefonty of Mon
treal. who paid an eloquent tribute to
their fellow countrymen in the United
States.
Tomorrow's programme for the Cana
dian visitors begins at $3.50 O'Clock when
Sir Wilfrid and the remainder of his party
will be formally presented to President
Mckinley and members of the cabinet at
the Auditorium. The Canadians will then
go to view the cornerstone ceremonies.
and after luncheon at tire Union League
club, will view the afternoon parade. In
the evening Sir Witfrid speaks at the BAN
quet at the Auditorium. Wednesday the
Canadian officials Will be entertained at a
luncheon given by the Canadian-Amer
leans of Chicago. After this they Will
leave for Ottawa