New-York tribune., 1900-08-26

platform. In these gatherings each candidate
is allowed an equal number Of supporting speak
ers and an equal measure of time is dealt out
to each side by the presiding officer who is
usually the Mayor of the parish, or, in large
meetings, the Warden of the county. These
gIadlatorial displays attract the whole country
side, and the speaking goes on interminably
hour after hour. If the season is favorable these
meetings are always held in the open, and
1aVorlte place for them is the lawn in front Of
the parish church, the time chosen being Sunday
forenoon after mass The church door has been
for generations the centre of parish life; there
proclamatiOns secular and otherwise are post
ed; auction sales are held, and issues, national
and municipal, discussed in mass meeting The
steps of the church form the rOstrum and the
people fill the grounds in front LatterIy in
some of the more progressive dioceses the
Church has shown a disposition to discourage
this profane use of holy ground; but a prohibi-
tion of these gatherings would be bitterly re-
sented by Jean Baptiste a denial of right
rendered hoary by custom
More impressive are the great night gather
ings in the fields the town squares In the
entrance hall OF the Monument Nationale-the
home in this city of the various French Cana
dian national societies-there is displayed a
great oil painting which depicts an historic
gathering of this nature. It shows Papineau
1887. In the midst Of an immense sea of pas
sionate human faces rises a large square plat
from, and on il, the centre Of the storm. stands
the agitator haranguing his fellow countrymen
and firing them TO the point of revolution
Flaming torches throw baleful light over the
scene. Gatherings which have a superficial re
sembance to this great meeting. though fortu-
nately the issues discussed are trivial in com
parison, may be seen in every parish during the
ooTy 1Taafc-
crowd following with breathless interest the
fiery words and dramatic gestures of the spell
binder. In the main these meetings are orderly:
though feeling runs high the right of each
speaker TO a fair hearing if he keeps within
reasonable bounds is conceded. Brutal and vul-
gar abuse Of opponents is not tolerated The
speaker who fay his rival deftIy with
neatly turned phrase and witty epigram is ac-
claimed The audience rejoces in intellectual
Tapier play, but the bludgeon is tabooed
Often speeches which rouse great enthusiasm
in such an assemblage would read very fat next
day in the cold medium of type They are more
snowy than solid and need the adjuncts of
haring fambeaus and the widening circles of
eager faces TO give them their proper effect
The style of speaking is usually Hamboyant and
declamatory; the gestures of the speaker are
passionate; and the oration is bespangled with
high flown passages and rapt apostrophes This
IS Wndt brings out eJaculatlOnS of wonder and
approval from the hearers; this is what wins
elections.
THE RISE OF TARTE
The best known campaigner in the Province
of Quebec and the best hated man in Canadian
politics is ]. Israel Tarte. Minister of Public
Works Up TO ten years ago he was a leading
member Of the Conservative party, but as the re-
suit of a serious family quarrel he joined the
Liberals and became almost Immediately Sir
Wilfrid LauIIer's first lieutenant. This caused
much heartburning among the old Liberals; but
Sir Wilfrid's choice justified for the phe-
nomenal Overturn in this province at the last
general election was due in great measure to
Mr.. Tarte's abilities organizer and plat
form speaker. He has lost caste TO some ex-
tent lately owing to the needessly irritating
way in which he has fouted the ant-French
prejudices in the other provinces. and there is
some talk Of retiring him before the next cleo
ton TO the dignified office of Lieutenant Gov !
ernor Of Quebec. But this is probable; his
party will find need for his splendid campaign
ing qualities Mr.. Tarte is still comparatively |
young, being but year or so on the wrong side |
of fifty: and if he is not cut off by arrangements
Of the liver that have several times brought |
him TO deaths door, he will play a great role |
in the political history of Canada for the next