.:S::}|j|:jiJ:::::::i|! :::: ::" 1 ;;;;•• iiii :::: : :jli ; ;;^. !!! <•• • ! » ::: **!! • : ::•::::: iiii: jjj : ::: : .*:: ':. " i j:j :::: !!: :::::: ...: :::.. ''M!!!!*! IJIIJJIIJJ ::::: 1 iii ' :: : iiii JJJ IL A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE (Robert Baldwin) Black & White — 33 minutes Produced by the National Film Board of Canada, 1960 Suggested Uses: History classes in junior and senior high schools. SYNOPSIS In 1837 many people of reformist convictions in Upper Canada felt that rebellion was the only answer to their long, frustrating struggle to dislodge the so-called Family Compact from places of governing power. As the situation worsened, the moderates placed their hopes in Robert Baldwin, the leading advocate of constitutional reform. Baldwin, who had withdrawn completely from public life in 1835, was torn between a promise to his dying wife and the demands of his innermost political convictions. OUTLINE OF CONTENTS As the film opens, Robert Baldwin sits in his study at York, Dr. Baldwin, Robert Baldwin's father, insists that his son still mourning the loss of_his wife. He is interrupted by a visit should now return to political life — the situation demands it. from John Montgomery who begs him to speak to the reformers Robert then reveals the promise, not to touch politics again, who, at the call of the now-extremist Mackenzie, are threa- that he made to his wife. Dr. Baldwin insists that no one had tening actual rebellion. Peter Mathews and Samuel Lount a right to exact such a promise. Mrs. Lount begs Baldwin to enter, to add their support to Montgomery's urgent request. undertake the defense of her husband Samuel who, along with Baldwin cautions against any precipitous action, but reaffirms Mathews, has been charged with high treason. Baldwin is re- his determination to stay clear of politics. luctant but finally agrees. The result is, however, almost a At the office of Sir Francis Bond Head, Lieutenant Governor foregone conclusion, and both men are sentenced to be hanged. of Upper Canada, Colonel Fitzgibbon, commander of the militia, As a last resort, a petition for clemency, bearing 8,000 signa- insists that regular troops be recalled from Montreal to meet tures, is presented by Baldwin and Mrs. Lount to Sir George the threat of armed rebellion. Bond Head refuses categorically Arthur, the new Governor who has replaced Bond Head. After and insists that the militia is equal to any situation which may some persuasion the Governor agrees to place the petition be- develop at York. His confidence, however, is shaken by the fore the Council. It is, however, rejected. death of Colonel Moodie who had attempted to shoot his way In their cell, Lount and Mathews await the final word. This through the rebel rallying-point at Montgomery's Tavern. Bond comes in a letter from Francis Hincks, a moderate reform Head stalls for time and, using Baldwin as his emissary, offers leader, who informs them that the petition has failed. They the rebels general pardon and a full consideration of their both accept their fate stoically. Lount wishes he could be grievances on condition that they disperse and return to their sure that their lives will not be thrown away in vain. Baldwin homes. visits the cell to discover that the two are already aware that Baldwin reports to the Lieutenant Governor that Mackenzie all hope has gone. In their last hours the condemned finally will accept the offer, providing it is in writing. This proviso is succeed in exacting a promise from Baldwin that he will return refused, and events come swiftly to a head. Mackenzie's forces to politics as the leader of the reform movement. He carried crumble before the better-disciplined militia and, with the out this task with such thoroughness and determination that in burning of Montgomery's Tavern, all hopes for a successful 1849, after twelve years of bitter struggle, he joined with Louis rebellion in Upper Canada are ended. Although Mackenzie Fontaine to lead the first responsible government of the makes good his escape to the United States, Lount, Mathews Canadas. and Montgomery are captured. OVER SUGGESTED CLASS PREPARATION (a) Introduction: This film can be used to serve a two-fold purpose: first, to delineate the chief events in this im- portant aspect of Upper Canada's struggle toward responsible government; and second, to present the chief protagonists as flesh-and-blood people, comprehensible to younger students of Canadian history. Each teacher, depending on the grade level of his class and his own inclination, will vary the situa- tion to best serve the basic purpose of the lesson. The students should be familiar with the governmental structure of the Canadas as set forth in the Constitution Act of 1791. Moreover, they should be aware that the Legislative Assembly, in which the Reformers had a majority from time to time, was virtually powerless and completely under the veto of the Legislative Council. During the introduction, a picture of Robert Baldwin could be used as an immediate focus for class attention. (b) Words and Phrases Which May Cause Difficulty: constitutional reform Militia rabble amnesty impunity Family Compact regulars vagary of arrogance perogative clemency DIRECTIVE QUESTIONS ANSWERED IN THE FILM 1. Why had Robert Baldwin withdrawn from political life ? 2. Why did John Montgomery visit Baldwin ? 3. Why did Baldwin refuse to join in the rebellion ? 4. Why did Sir Francis Bond Head refuse to recall the regular troops from Montreal ? 5. Why did Dr. Strachan visit Baldwin ? 6. What did the Lieutenant Governor offer the rebels if they would disperse ? Was his offer accepted ? Why did it not work out ': 7. With what crime were Lount and Mathews charged ? Who defended them ? What was the sentence ? 8. What did Baldwin do in a last attempt to save the men from the gallows ? 9. Why did Baldwin finally break the promise to his dead wife ? 10. What position had Baldwin achieved by 1849 ? SUGGESTED FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES 1. Take up and discuss the directive questions. 2. The class might attempt to discover why the rebellion failed. 3. Some students may wish to prepare a comparison of Baldwin in Upper Canada and Howe in Nova Scotia. 4. Discussion question : Is violence ever the solution to injustice in government ? 5. Some students will wish to study thoroughly Baldwin's concept of responsible government. RELATED MATERIALS Films: See the films in NFB's series on Canadian History, for similar dramatized episodes from the lives of outstanding Canadian political figures of the mid-1800's. Filmstrips: See also NFB's Filmstrips Catalogue for the Canadian History Series. Books: General Works Robert Baldwin Creighton, D.G., Dominion of the North. Martin, C., Foundations of Canadian Nationhood. Mclnnis, E.M., Canada: A Political and Social History. Wilson, G.E., Robert Baldwin. Careless, J.M.S., Canada: A Story of Challenge. Leacock, S., Baldwin, Lafontaine and Hincks (Makers of Lower, A.R.M., Canadians in the Making (social history). Canada series.) Easterbrook, T., and Aitken, M., Canadian Economic Guillet, E.G., Lives and Times of the Patriots. History. Morison, J.L., British Supremacy and Canadian Self- Biebner, J.B., North Atlantic Triangle. Government. Kennedy, W.P.M., The Constitution of Canada. Encyclopaedia Canadiana (ten volumes). Distribution Branch National Film Board of Canada 1961.