The sun., 1903-05-17
Str WtlTrtd Laurter.

Sir WtlTrtd lAurter.
The political career OF Sir Wifrid Laurier
is almost cotval with the history OF the
Liberal party in the Dominion OF Canada
since the British North America act was
passed. The fact is recognized in the scope
Of the narrative set forth In the two volumes
entitled Sir Wilfrid Ldurier and tie Liberd1
Party, by j. s. Wilson, Toronto, George
N. Morang d Coz Lest the reader might
suppose that the book Is written from the
viewpoint Of personal adherent OF the
present Premier Of the Dominion, the author
is careful to ray In predatory note that
Sir Wilfrid Laurier had nothing to say In
the preparation OF these volumes. and is
in no wise responsible for the material
collected by the writer, for the manner
of it's presentation or for the opinions ex-
pressed. 1t is, at the same time. evident
that the biographer regards his subject
with lively sympathy, though he shows HIM
self quite capable OF treating political oppon-
ents fairly. This will be evident to readers
Of the Introductory chapter. in which Will
be found an account Of the genesis Of the
Liberal party and Of the early stages OF
It's development.
Wilfrid Laurier was born on Nov. 20,
ls41, at st. Lin. in the county Of L'Assomp-
tion. in the Province OF Quebec. His father
was land surveyor. and his grandfather
a farmer who had a strong inclination for
the study Of mathematics and technical
science. His mother. Marcele Martineau
Of L'Assomption l. Is described as woman
Of rare gifts, with taste for art and a
natural talent for drawing and designing.
His father died in 1882 and left practically
nothing for his family. Land surveying
had not been a remunerative profession.
nor was he Of a saving disposition. Still,
he maintained his eldest son, Wilfrid, at
L'Assomption College, as we'll az during his
Wilfrid Laurier began the study Of law at
McGill University, he joined the lnstitut
Canadien, and thereby registered his flrst
protest against ecclesiastical domination
In the realm Of the intellect and In the field
Of public affairs. 1t liz doubtless we'll known
to many readers that the Institut Csnadien
was literary and scientific society,
equipped with reading room and library.
which was founded In 1874 by a group OF
young. progressive and independent repre-
sentatives OF the French-speakng popula-
tion. 1t formed the nucleus Of wide
spread movement, and, ten years after it
was founded, there were more than hun
dred such instituts in the Province Of Quebec.
By the clergy these associations were re-
garded with increasing distrust, and in
direct measures were soon taken to bring
about their destruction. By 1858 all the
original instituts outside Of Montreal had
closed their doors. or had passed under
clerical control. Such were the relations
between the Catholic hierarchy and the
movement started by the Montreal tnshtst,
when Laurier. young Catholic student,
entered McGill University and cast in his
lot with the resolute few who we're deter
mined to maintain the preroGatives OF In
tellectual freedom in the face OF clerical
displeasure. His name appears among
the ice-presidents OF the institution for
1895 and 1895.
Near the close Of the year last named.
Office at Arthabaskaville. which at that
time was struggling village comprising
. few score houses. . parish church and
Catholic college, get In valley and sur
rounded by a wide sweep Of farming ooun-
try. The town was the seat OF the Superior
Court OF judicial district comprehending
three counties, the population Of which
included English, Scotch, Irish and Ameri-
oan. as well a. French elements. Young
Laurier soon acquired exceptional populari-
ty In this heterogeneous community. and
rose steadily to position OF leadership. His
French nsighbors were proud Of his glfts
and attainments. and he soon acquired q
firm hold upon the esteem and confidence
OF the English speaking people. Politi-
cally, indeed, he was stronger with the
En- glish-speaking voters than with his
French compatriots, for the influence Of
the clergy over the French population
was formidable, and at this time there
was a quarrel between the Reform party
and the Catholic Church.
It was in 1871 that Mr.. Laurier entered
political life. having been elected q men,
Der of the Quebec Legislature in the sum
rner Of that year. He had shown at the bar
the ability to impress judge and to move
q Jury, but 1t remained to be seen whether
he possessed the manner and the method
Of a successful Parliamentary debater. |
His arst speech in the Quebec Legislature
was an unequivocal success. 1t was received |
with respect by his political opponents
and with enthusiasm by his party associates. |
We are told that in this particular the French
Canadians are more generous than their
and self. contained English |
nei shbors. It is said to be a matter OF COM
mon observation at Quebec and Ottawa |
that the social relations OF the French mem |
bers are practically unaffected by political
differences. But, however favorable may
have been tho impression made by his first |
utterance in the parliamentary arena, hs
was not an exceptionally active member !
Of the Quebec Legislature, and only two OF
three Of his speeches have been preserved. |
In fact, he has never been . frequent speaker |
even in the Ottawa Houss Of Commons.
Until his assumption Of the leadership OF
the Liberal party. he WAS rarely heard,
except when great questions we're dis
c,issed or local interests demanded his |
attention.
1t was not in tho Quebec Legislature that |
Mr.. Laurier was to flnd his sphere Of service.
The Liberal leaders quickly recognised |
that his natural field was In Federal Affairs,
and he was easily persuaded to seek cleo |
ton to the Federal Parliament. At the |
general election Of 1874 he stood for the |
Ottawa House Of Commons in the Drum |
mond and Arthabaska district, and was re-
turned by a small majority to the first |
Liberal Parliament elected after Con- |
federation, and the only Liberal Parliament |
which Canada knew until he first |
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