Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-27

An English translation of the win
ming speech of Roch Pinard, Canadian
orator, who spoke in French, follows;
Our country has reached brilliant
epoch in her history; she has become
free nation and has won her rights to
international life. Henceforth, the Ca
nadians will witness their country TAX
ing an active part in the affairs of the
world. Should not our hearts be justly
filled with enthusiasm in leaving the
passive life Of the colonies, to enter at
last into the independent life of ma
lions? Can we not regard the future
with hope. when We behold our nation,
enriched with the qualities of two noble
and dignified races, fighting her way
among the great powers? A man feels
happy. when, at the age of 81, he eS-
capeS the guardianship of his masters.
to set up, in society, by his own energy.
Our Joy must be still more complete.
for it is our whole nation that attains
the majority.
To understand perfectly well the evo-
luton of our country and her actual
character, may be allowed to place be-
fore you the two-fold situation of Can
ada, that is. her political and ethical
situation, while showing you neverthe-
less the many advantages of such a
condition.
rection of our Colonial life, France and
England. The former gave us our
founders and colonist, but afterward
disregarded md forsook us. The latter
conquered us two centuries ago, and
imposed her authority upon us, allow
ing us, however to bring into notice
our competency and thereby to obtain
our liberty.
In fact, in what state were we after
the war that changed our allegiance?
We were but a simple colony entirely
submitted to the mother country. At
that time the Canadian government
could make TO laws, sign no treaty, nor
even watch over the future of the ma
ton without the decisive intervention of
England. This could not last forever.
Our forefathers vigorously protested
and fought increasingly, but always
with perfect loyalty, for the enfran-
chisement of their nation. Without
having recourse to a revolution, as was
the case in the United States, they con-
quered the right to govern themselves.
Then our mother country well under
stood that Canada could provide for It
self. After many partial concessions,
England gave us suitable form of gov
eminent, or rather. she approved the
one that our political leaders had
adopted. Hence. is it not proper for us
to be grateful toward our second
mother country who understood us so
well and guided us with great ability
and justice, keeping, however, the best
part of our gratitude for France, who
has given us our existence?
The constant labor of our statesmen,
Cartier and Mcdonald. obtained us the
confederation. This was a decisive step
toward our independence. England
highly approved the system grouping
the provinces under a federal govern
ment and at the same time leaving to
each province its particular govern
ment. AfterWard. the imperial confer
ences recognized the other liberties we
claimed. the last clearly declaring the
complete government of Canada.
At the present time we form free ma
ton, in no way subject to any other.
We also form part Of the common
wealth." a simple community of ma
tons, equal in every way, which works,
each for its own interests, while mu-
tually helping one another. The Eng
lish Parliament only preSideS over this
association of various nations.
Was not the idea of Cartier and Nc
Donald a mastery stroke? =. The con-
federation, whose sixtieth anniversary
we so joyously celebrated two years ago,
is a form of government, charter
which gives our country full Satisfac-
ton. 1t answers to the different needs
of bi-lingual nation by granting
each race which inhabits our country
the means of developing itself accord
ing to its particular character. 1t al