The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-02-20
CURRENT COMMENT
A Great Canadian.

The historic significance of Sir Wilfrid
Laurier's career is found TO a consider.
able extut in the competence with which
he directed the affairs of a growing ma
ton, in his contribution to that nations
prestige and in the esteem with which
he played the role of a nations leader.
Though statesmanlike measures of i'm
portance stood to his Credit-notably his
institution of the policy of imperial pref.
erence-he was less conspicuous for his
share in the development of any out
standing new testimony than for his
able, practical, progressive administra-
ton of ordinary public business in har-
mony with the public demand
Sir Wilfrid stands in the minds of
Americans for unrestricted tariff reel.
proeity with the United States, But
reciprocity was an issue of the liberal
party when Sir Wifrid became its lead
or in 1891, and in 1911 that issue cost
him the premiership. lie is known as
a liberal. And liberal he was in the
great qualities of moderation and bent
toward Cancellation. But during the
greater part of his long service as prime
minister, there were no very sharp differ
ences of theory between conservatives
and liberals On taking office he made
no attempt to alter the tariff policy Of
Sir John Macdonald 1t has been oh,
served that politics in Canada during
his regime was little more than mat.
ter OF the "ins" versus the outs For
IS years he held office, always showing
himself a skillful, adroit politician, but
always striving for good relations be-
tween the French, speaking and English,
speaking sections Of the population, and
between Canada and the United States.
This was the period of Canada's rise
to world Importance. And from the time
when Sir Wilfrid appeared at Queen
Victoria's jubilee, he remained the man
who chiefly symbolized Canadas political
maturity in the eyes of the world, With
Sir Charles Topper in retirement, Sir
Wilfrid's only rival as the uphoder of
Cauada's prestige was Lord Strath-
coma But Sir Wilfrid was what Lord
Strathcona could never be-a really pop.
ular national leader Few, if any politi-
clans of equal eminence have inspired
like affection and devotion. After all, it
may be that his great triumph was due
to his personality, Brilliant, lovable, I'M
! affected a speaker of magnetism and
genuine cloquencc, Sir WiIfrid had only
to go before an audience to capture its
sympathy. Personal integrity and the
charm Of his private life strengthened
his hold on the hearts of the Canadian
people, regardless Of party.
Sir Wilfrid's leadership of the indie
pendent liberals in opposition to cons
scription in 1917 was one of the few
courses of his life which involved him
in defeat, The issue was so acute that
| his attitude, temporarily at least, cost
him a part of his popularity. Sir Will
frid misiudged tine sentiment of the
| English-speaking people, They had suf-
fered severe losses in the war, and were
determined that French Quebec should
| bear its share,
Once before Sir Wilfrid had failed to
estimate popular feeling-on the reci-
procity issue in 1911, when, to be sure,
Misrepresentation and unguarded re-
marks by President Taft and Champ
Clark had added fuel to the flames Of
national sentiment. Yet. Sir Wilfrid,