Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-02-18
SIR WILFRlD LAURIER
The death Of Sir Wilfred Laurier closes

The death of Sir wifred Laurier closes a career
which is in many respects exceptional Remarkable op-
portunities came to him, and he always mastered them
in such q manner as to deserve we'll of his countrymen.
Even those who most bitterly opposed and assailed him
during the stormy days of political strife, were forced
to admit that he was what the French call a 'charmeur"
that is. he was not only a gentleman. bu: something
more, by virtue Of the fascination that irradiated from
his personality.
In a manner, Sir Wilfrid had been handicapped from
birth, for until his thirtieth year he did not feel able to
address the public in the English language. having been
brought up and schooled particularly in French. With
characteristic energy he overcame the handicap just at
the time when his oratorical powers were needed. and
when he first spoke. during the famous debate in the
Canadian house Of commons, the occasion being the pro-
posed expulsion of Louis Riel, the rebel of the northwest,
the people of the Dominion realized with immense sur
prise that they had among them an orator of the first
magnitude. Since that day his fame rose. so that it can
be said now at the time of his death that his life history
virtually is the story of Canada's emerging into national
greatness.
BY nature Sir Wilfrid was destined to belong to the
opposition. He was too Independent of mind to follow
a popular trend just because it happened to be popular,
and he knew well that tenacity of purpose which, ultim-
ately brings home victory to a minority that stands on
the sids Of right His frmness during the years of
struggle is a shining example to all those who, tempor-
arify, find themselves in opposition to q regime which is
slated for defeat when truth and justice have asserted
themselves sufficiently.
AS premier of the Dominion Sir wilfrid was easily
the most impressive statesman Canada had ever elevat-
ed to that post Eyen in Franco and England his mere
appearance evoked admiring comment, for everyone
knew that it betrayed a character and an intellect far
above the average. The orders and decorations bestowed
upon the Canadian premier We're a tribute to one of the
real leaders of the whole English-speaking world, but they
did not turn his head. Flattery and admiration could
not result in the deterioration Of a sterling soul like Sir
Nilfrids nor make him forget that he was the servant
Of his people whose welfare was always a personal mat
ter with him.
When our own country recentlyslost one of its grea
men, Theodore Roosevelt, the people of the Dominion
were as one with the American nation in mourning its
loss. The sympathy now will be reciprocated, formal,
and informally no doubt, and it will be seen that border
lines do not separate the nations Of the American con
tinent. The sorrow that will be expressed in this coun.
try is only a little less poignant than that of the Domin.
ion. for whenever one OF the upbuilders of America
passes into eternity, all hearts beat in unison-and per
haps never as perfectly as now after a period which ha:
tested the genuineness of brotherhood and friendship
as no other period in history has done it. It may not be
saying too much that had it not been for the inhuenc.
of Sir Wifrid Laurier the Dominion might not have &C
ccmplished all the things which in time of peace and il
time Of war have reflected everlasting glory upon TIN
history of our northern neighbor.