LIFE AND LETTERS
O F SIR WILFRID LAURIER
B$ O SCAR DO UGLAS SKELTO N
ILLUSTRATED WITH PHOTOG RAPHS
VO LUME II
D$ B . G N S . U O XFO RD UNIVERSIT Y PRESS TORO NTO 1 921
LIST O F ILLUSTRATIO N S
Wilfrid Laurier
Gr oup of Ministers
. Mr Jos h Ch mberl in an . ep a a d his Colon ial Premiers
A Pilgrim age to Hawarden
G roup of Ministers
Cartoon by Hen ri Julien
’ Henri Julien s By-Town Coons
Group of Ministers
Lady Laurier
’ Laurier s Last Imperial Con feren ce
Campaignin g in Western Ontario
Campaign ing in Quebec
Sir Robe rt B orden
’ Mr Laurier s ome in rthabaska . H A
’ Laurier s LawO fiee in rthabaska Mr . A
Their G olden Weddin g Day
Sir Wilfrid Laurier
LIFE AND LE TTER S O F SIR WILF R ID LAU RIE R
LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIER
CHAP TER X
THE FIRST LAURIER M IN ISTR$
S eedin h — — p g t e Partin g Guest Formin g the Ministry The Laurier-G e — — re n way Settlement An Episcopal Challenge An Ap l to — — pea Rome The Beginning o f Pro sperity The Openin g of the West— The B ritish refer P en ce .
’ F TER eighteen years wan derin g in the wilder
n ss of siti n for half the tim d r Wil e oppo o , e un e ’ f id au l ad h i l a t ha r L rier s e ership, t e L bera p r y d
m to r . fift n a s the l n st n u co e powe For ee ye r , o ge ’ b k n str t h of auth it in the untr s ann als ro e e c or y co y ,
ui in ist of Mr . La r er was destined to remain prime m er r Can ada. They were to be years crowded with oppo
tunit an d ith s n sibilit a t stin -tim suffi ient y w re po y, e g e c to search out every strength and every weakn ess of the ’ urier s a M . a leader or of his administration . It w s r L
’ f r e an d a s that he was to be in con tr ol o f o tun , C n ada , ’ the country s affairs at the m ost creative and form ative
i in he a s h n the mini n period in ts history, t ye r w e Do o was attain ing at on ce in dustrial m aturity and n ation al
status. 3 LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIE
I n un 1 896 th s thi l J e, , e e ngs ay hidden in the fu
The imm diat usti n was h t ef e e q e o , w en would he d ’ min istry resign ? Sin ce Mackenzie s resign atio 1 8 8 it had b n a c t d d t i h 7 , ee c ep e oc r n e that in t e e o f a decisive defeat a ministry would n ot await assem blin g of parliam ent an d a form al vote of wa
nfi but uld si t d n n a n . Sir Ch co e ce, wo re g o ce
u r m ad un h T ppe e no due aste in retiring. It was 11
t th r f n sary o win d up e wo k o the departme ts. It still m ore n ecessary to use the van ishing powers o poin tm en t to reward past service an d to buttress f
i i A of ew u s t n s. l n list n s n at s d s po o o g e or , j ge , Qu uns l isin ffi s inland- ev nu ll t s Co e , rev g o cer , r e e co ec or ,
dra n u an d r s n t d to the rn r n ral w p p e e e gove o ge e ,
f o rm rov A er deen his f al a al . o r e Ab , or pp L d b hesitated to sanction the more important n omina As the last parliam en t had voted supplies on ly
un 80 an d as Sir harl s u r had n ot f rm J e , C e T ppe o
nm nt until aft a liam nt had r ud gover e er p r e pro og e , r s nt adm inistrati n the n acts of the p e e o , gover or “ ” ral h ld are in an un usual d r isi n al . e e , egree p ov o
n at ft tw nt -f u ears of n s r ati Se e, a er e y o r y Co e v ve
ib r l a intm n ts was r h lmin l five of L e a ppo e , ove w e g y
tive a d to fill all he main in a an i s serva , n t re g v c c e ’ Sir Charles s n omin ees would n ot only keep the loaded again st the n ew governm en t for m an y a but would embarrass it seriously at the very o ’ blocking Sir Oliver M owat s accession to the cal
n h a ain uld be r h lmin l n s The Be c , g , wo ove w e g y Co
O n this und the n - n ral usin tive . gro gover or ge e , 4 THE FIRST LAURIER MINISTRY
’ acce t his advis r s ad i e . S ir harles after a i or p e v c C , v g “ ous protest against unwarranted invasion of re ” s onsible o nm nt an nd p g ver e , d an e eavour to buttress
’ up his position by appeals to Todd s authority an d ’ ’ Mackenzi s ex am l t at d the ovem or- n al s e p e, re e g ge er refusal to sign the appointmen ts as an indication of want of confiden ce ; on July 8 he resign ed the seals of offic but he n f a t e o f th a tin e, ever org ve h speeding e p r g u s . h M g e t T e n ext day Lord Aberdeen called upon r .
L a urier to form a new admin stration . It was not a difficult task to find sufficient cabin et
th mba rass nt timber. The difficulty was ra er an e r me
i . h m an t n tial m inist s and of r ches T ere were y po e er , f tf li s — f alas than mi ht ha b n had ewpor o o , ewer, , g ve ee , not Liberals in the unrecking days of opposition de noun ced as ex travagan t the creation of every n ew de 1 m an in sts to i h. partm ent. There were y tere we g
1 al r am es McMullen who Replying some time later to a Liber membe , J , ° i en t ex e n diture coun tin had in PP°3 tion been a stern critic of go ve rn m p , g ever ear the silver s oons in Rideau Hall and who now queried the y y p , Revenue of ull cabi establishment of ministers of Customs and of Inland f a k Sir Wil rid wrote : net r n , f “ s ta en a ver stron dear McMullen that ouhave alway y g I know, my , y k the number $ ouhave alwa s been of the o inion that viewon this subject. y p $ u nowthat this is a sub ect duced. o of cabinet ministers ought to be re k j ou I have alwa s holden to the view as to which I could not agree with y . y da with a o ulation s read that to govern eflectively a country like Can a p p p t e i and with the necessit of ivin cabine over such a very l arge t rr tory, y g g l sections no r im e min iste r co uld un de rt ak e t o r educe representation to al , p that u osin ouwere to dro on e cabinet minister, the cabinet. S pp g y p w rom the rovince would be an economy of but if the reduction as f p d satisfied. o t believe that the eo le of O ntario woul be of O ntario, I d no p p tween anada and the United States in The comparison is often m ade be C but ou The United States has onl seven cabinet ministers, y this respect. y is ative duties the can must remember that these ministers have no leg l ; y
f heir de artments. give all their time to the administration o t p 5 LIFE AND LETTERS ' O F S IR 'W'ILFRID LAURI
l Mr . Lauri er had to ho d the balance own parliam entary
vin cial admin istrati
s s and the l nth-h u on hor e e eve o r c verts,
s r i a d futu a a it t e v ce n re c p c y, be ween Edeh
x uti b tw in e ec ve power, e een prov ce and
b t n s cti n and se ti n all in e wee e o c o , ot g , fish-speakin g Protestan t minister an d O ntari
t in i t ut th an i Ca holic m s er . B e r ge o f cho ce l s l a d b f the l ti n and it c o e y n rrowe e ore e ec o , n ecessary n ow to m ake som e last-moment
cause of election $ f atalities f or By July 1 3 all the new ministers but three
sworn in .
M r auri r r fitin b the x i n of . L e , p o g y e per e ce
f a d n ald dete min d n ot to t zie an d o M c o , r e ake
hat uld ha m ant that a departm ent . T wo ve e
’ da the of in Mackenzie s y, work
idin as party gu g or, the departm ent w
un il he uld o f the Co c , wo of the government the general
plann ed. F or the im portan t portfolios of J
M r aurier tun d to Railways, . L r e
a int d to the Oliver Mowat, ppo e which Sir Charles Tupper had sou
“ I have given this question very ample sponsible for the guidance of the party in claim that our friends generally should give way to v lved after all not bein ver this instance, the amount in o g y 6 THE F IRST LAURIER MINISTR$
i i i - an é n ster . of ust . hi t th e e c e M J ce T r y re years befor , young Oliver Mowat had join ed the short-lived Sand
‘ fieltl Macdonald-Dorion m inistry as Postm aster-G en
’ hiimback to the central govern ment after a gen eration s wit h in th r fi lds and stran still l t o e e , ger the o which gave him charge of the department against which he had waged so m an y persistent an d so m an y successful con
titution al battl s h h h n l n r s e . T oug e o o ger had the fo ce
the int st in affai s hi h had m or ere r w c arked his prime,
ir li r was still full of s l t S sa un . In the abin O ve ge co e c e , - ’ his half century s ex perien ce an d his shrewd kn owledge of m en helped a dozen strong ministers of in dividual ways an d training to becom e a team ; while to the Scotch
b t r an vo te s r s n he ni u Pres y e i r , his p e e ce in t mi stry was n inipeachable proof of its thorough soundn ess an d re
s tab lit . i liam t n s i ldin for t nt pec i y W l S eve F e g, we y
ars a alifax n s a r m an for an th r ten re ye H ew p pe , o e p
i un u ti n mast in hi n ati inc m er and q es o ed er s ve prov e, gave up his Nova Scotia post to becom e Min ister of F i n nt al an d st rn an ada he was n ot ll nan ce. I ce r we e C we known ; but it was n ot long before his caution and effi ciency in admin istration and his hard-hitting power in debate had given him a for emost place in parliam ent an d
dr r lai r mi r of in party coun cil . An ew Geo ge B r, p e e
i ho had be n e uall at hom e in N ew B runsw ck, w e q y
be al nd in aliti n min ist i s was a m r un tain Li r a co o r e , o e cer
d ubt d x i n d in all the quantity, shrewd, un o e ly e per e ce wa s an d iles of the m st ffi i nt s h l of liti s y , w o e c e c oo po c n i in m eri a and as a itime- NewBru sw ck) A c , a M r prov 7 LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAUR
n man h wa tho i ce , e s roughly familiar with the and patron age potentialities of the I ntercolo assign ed to his charge as Minister of Railways
m the s n als. Fro We t it was understood that a n of the Man itoba administration might be chosen
har of the a tm nt of he Int ri c ge Dep r e t e or, but f t s ft ime the po t was le unfilled. From his Quebec followers in parliamen e o r f Laurier chose thr ee m n f r po t olios. I srael d d i B e uham ois but l ct efeate n a , e e ed later by ti n i St hns-Ib ill t ha f o n . Jo erv e, ook c rge o the
din d a tm nt ubli ks t e de spen g ep r e , P c Wor , h p which he had assailed an d ex posed in his L
r nri l de tbinie m - cha ges. He Jo y Lo re, ember cl
n uf r m i r of ub c for a brief s a e Port e , p e e Q e e p c ’ l r u etat l ad of th the Lete lie co p d , e er e pro ’ Liberals un til Mercier s union with the Castors
l da a t stant who had won the onfi Rie ys, Pro e c de
ince a s i n u who mb i th a Catholic prov , e g e r e od ed e
ti of urt s and honou f his o tradi ons co e y r o rder, for whom Wilfrid Laurier had profoun d resp
t al s m ath bec am C ntr ller o f I n lan d V8 n a ur y p y, e o o
dn ish r on of the fewmen of l is nue . Sy ey F e , e e
an adian liti s who had f ll his univ C po c , o owed train in g by public service in politics an d in pro farmin in the E ast rn n shi s was n ow b g e Tow p , ’ parliamen t after a term s absen ce spent largely
li i l r a i ati n f ub h po t ca o g n z o o Q e ec . T ough label] “ ; his critics gentlem an farmer$ he was still a f and immensely better fitted for his n ew post as 8
LIFE AND LETTERS OlF: SIR WILFRID ‘LAURIER
d In d terminin o e th tra e. e g to fi r e portfolio ofF in to i ldin ath “ t an o C a t ri F e g r er h t r w ght, Laurier was fiuen ced n ot so m uch by the desire to reassure the b n ess world as by his con viction that 7 for; this m ost
’ ' tant of all the min ist tas s th i por ry s k , e tr ed admin tive capacity an d balan ced judgm ent an d the yonn
ars of illiam ie ldin r the ualities m ye W F g we e , q ’ M i n . r ldin s ta wa n eeded . F e g accep ce s con tingent ’ ir i r s nt i har th S R cha d s as e . To Sir R c d e post of
m w s ff r d ister of Trade an d Com erce a o e e . He took
st and a l al se i to the un t an d po , g ve oy rv ce co ry to
t o m an a ar ut n r a it th par y f r y ye , b eve ag in w h e old nfid n in mbat and n ith m l an d co e ce co , ever w co p ete c i ul fiden ce in all his ll a us. ill am co e g e W M ock, Toro
la r an d r fa m r n at l c t wye Yo k r e , k own e e tion imes “ ” a m ill he m ost i us an d bl f he F r er B , t v goro a e o t tari r u a d fi ht r a d hate r of dom m o g o p , goo g e , goo , a ill an d hi h ambiti n b am st ast r - en w g o , ec e Po m e G e i hard tt mb of ss mbl an d Co R c W. Sco , me er A e y m
n n at sin 1 85 an fam d a the m a r f a d Se e ce 7, d e s ke o Act of 1 868 which firmly established Upper Can a
rat sch ls an d o the Act o f 1 8 8 hi h sepa e oo , f 7 w c E coun ties local option to prohibit the retail sale of liq
P ater was chosen Secretary of State . William sm successful m anufacturer who had coin ed the cry w “ d ric . m a u uh i H as the . o had don e m c serv ce, N P e y
o n i slashin in d bat a speaker f ste tor an power, g e e,
o indl to l s a un d b am to k y ever eave a m rtin g wo , ec e C ’ H n i l s tr ll r of ust m s. H is st li Sir r o e C o po , ke e Jo y , n ot bi t ran r s ntin as it did Thom of ca n e k, rep e e g, , p 1 0 I i TE B FIRST l LAURIER MINISTRY
ex erimm t in under-secr tar shi b t at the fi s p e y p , u rst se sion ‘ both were made ‘ full ministerial and cabin et posi
' $ F rom the .M a itim ro in s b sid s i ldin an d r e p v ce , e e F e g
Blair t wo m i i t r : n s s w r h . e c s n ui . i , e e o e Lo s H Dav es,
law r ban sid nt m i r he la d b r ye , k pre e , pre e in t I s n , m em e
ttawa sin 1 882 had een or ma s ssi e O ce , b f ny e on s th
f r m st a im i al an d s i o the o e o M r e L ber , so prede t n ed f r
ortf li of a in an d ish i s. r eri n p o o M r e F er e F ed ck Borde ,
d ct ban ke militia su n had h l a s at in r o or, r, rgeo , e d e eve y liament but on e sin 1 8 4 and b hi l n int st par ce 7 , y s o g ere in m ilitary m atters had qual ified for n ew hon ours as
n Minister of Militia an d Defe ce .
0 h n all the sts r fill d th n W e po we e e , ere were seventee
minist rs includin two ith ut rtf li on e e , g w o po o o, or
i t ial la f r i r l m b s min s er p ce o every seven L be a em er .
E n so m an m en of utstan din abilit an s r i ve , y o g y d e v ce
ot be n l d d. f he b m mb s man could n i c ue O t Que ec e er , y
w un and et to a n th ir s urs. r m ere yo g, were y e r e p F o
ta i th r r m en of x r i n and rson alit O n r o e e we e e pe e ce pe y,
: ' lt n am s uth rlan d am s ist r John Char o , J e S e , J e L e ,
’
~ v - a r M . m r n r e E . as e r e L n de kin . a G co g C ey, G o g , C C e o , d rds h in w l n . E a ma a o a il a . s h John M cm , W C w , T o B , continued to give effective service as whips or private
. d a one of he m st a res members. James D E g r, t o gg
the n tar io de le atio n was e lecte d S e aker o f sive o f O g , p O n x t d n am was missin — that the Commons. e e pec e e g,
f avid ills H is l n s i his an as the s ni o, D M o g erv ce, r k e or On tario mem ber and his m astery of con stitutional is
’ mar d him out for abin t an a ain . B ut sue s, h ad ke c e r k g 1 1 LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIER he had been d f at d in his old rulin It d v e e e g . woul ha e b n ssibl to fin d a s at o him in na ee po e e f r the Se te, as was d n for Sir li in the mm ns w o e O ver, or Co o , as as don e for
illiam at s n wh a h n W P er o , o lso ad gon e down i his home
n stitun if ills h n l co e cy, M ad bee deem ed indispensab e.
As it was assuan wa i of b , r ce s g ven a ca in et post later ; an d h n in mb 1 89 i at esi n d to w e Nove er, 7, Ol ver Mow r g e b m i ut nant- ve n o nta i a id eco e L e e Go r or f O r o, D v Mills
was a int Ministe f i ppo ed r o Just ce. Perhaps m ore ’ s ri us for th a t s fut was th i t e o , e p r y ure, e in ab li y to find
abin t la or . n am s c e p ce f Dr Be j in Rusell or for D . C .
as of th tia nti . v Fr er, e Nova Sco co ngent O ne ery ’ in t r s in x t w bl b ath D Alton e e t g e perimen as ocked y de .
McCarth to h m in li da h r n h n y, w o ear er ys t e F e c to gue and th ath li li i n had b n an ath m a had e C o c re g o ee e , in tim e so broaden ed an d mellowed that he came to look forward with pride to serving un der a F ren ch-speaking
an d ath li mi . It had ust b n a an ed i C o c pre er j ee rr g , n
1 898 tha he sh ul nt th aui o n n s , t o d e er e L r er g ver me t, a
inist of ustic h n his death sultin f o a M er J e, w e , re g r m
a a id n t n d d an allian hi h mi ht hav run aw y cc e , e e ce w c g e had a m aterial bearing on the future of Liberalism in
On tario .
a th min ist was an x t a rdin a il abl As it w s, e ry e r o r y e
— iduali n on so st n b f r sinc . I n indi t on e , e ro g e o e or e v y,
“ ’ d ril 80 1896 : I am no lon er l D Alton McCarth at O wen Soun , Ap , g y w h r . I am not a Liberal for the ill a Tory; I was kicked out of t e pa ty , y I t d wever to do ri ht and I do not care a straw not let me in . s an , ho , g , 1 wa to that overnment whether I have to oppose Grit or Tory. nt see g w t Mr La i c w d e ell leased o see . ur er ome in. An voted out. I oul b p y w ust e for the better . N o chan e can be for the or If the change m b g se. Liberal party goes im and l think it wilL I shall do what lies in my power ” ee h ai h I did the onserva to k p t em str g t as C tives. 1 2 THE FIRST LAURIER MINISTR$
in a i d abilit in administ ati ca aci v r e y, r ve p ty, in construc ti isi n in int rnal unit an d in int it t l ve v o , e y egr y, i coud f l hall n om a n sa e y c e ge c p riso . Tim e was to dull the
d of al to m hasi diff n s to sa e ge ze , e p ze ere ce , p moral re sistan ce in m than one as bu th , ore c e, t at was in the twi li ht h u the m nin was full of hi h mi g o r ; or g g pro se .
’ The cabin et s first task was to settle the Manitoba
h l usti n . ntil this was d n h sc oo q e o U o e, t ere could be
n o tunit for n s uti a t . n o pe ce, oppor y co r c ve work The eleven th-hour n egotiation s between Ottawa an d Winn i peg an d the result of the election s had made clear the
b un ds ithin hich a m nts must be s u ht It o w w gree e o g . was clear that a federal remedial lawwas out of the question ex cept as an absolutely last resort ; that relief for the min ority must come by provin cial legislation ; that the provin ce would n ot con sider for a m oment the
- blishm n of s arate s h ls b t hat re esta e t ep c oo , u t there was a possibility of securing provision for separate religious teaching and similar adjustments within the fram ework
r limin ar of the ex isting system . P e y discussion s with
r n a an d . ift n in di ated th ssibilit Mr . G ee w y Mr S o c e po y
m n t an d a din l it was n sid r d c of agree e , ccor g y co e e un n e essary to appoint the commission of inquiry suggested n t t d a a when the two governm e s s oo p rt. u ust aft s m limin a r s n d n I n A g , er o e pre ry co re po e ce,
ift ats n an am r n of the anit b Messrs. S on , W o d C e o , M o a
rnm nt am to tta a an d th r th sh d out gove e , c e O w , e e re e t b- tt o h I the solution wi h a su commi ee f t e cabin et. t became apparent that the three points upon which con 1 3 E AND E ER O F SIR 'W R R R LIF , L TT S ILF ID LAU
cession might be m ade were : separate religious ax er ’ is s a t a h of the min it s faith an c e , e c er . or y , d the use f the r n h lan ua F e c g ge in the schools. To reach agr ent
u n d tails as for x am l wh th r he m po e , e p e, e e t inim ten dan ce essential to secure the fir st two p
sh uld be sixt as the in r s d o y, prov ce p opo e , or a
n um b r an d to d bat the sibilit f h e , e e pos y of urt er ’ si n s as to t xt-b s t a h s li n s s o e ook , e c er ce e , and a
ion n id rati n r re uir d trat s of s . , week co e o we e q e I n ot until the middle of November that a settlemen was
ct effe ed. I n the m eantime the question had arisen as to ho the min ority could be brought into the agreem en It was desirable to secure their assent to an agr ent m ade in the ir behalf ; yet it was plain that so far as l e ir ecclesiastical spokesmen were concern ed they w ld n ot form ally assen t to an ythin g short of the im pos
h th n sult d n ot nsult d th uld ke W e er co e or co e , ey wo
O n e f h l adin r se tati o f the trouble . o t e e g epre n ves
r t w o ad si n d his o in n ri M r . r n d as h h o ty, P e e g , re g e p the Green way cabin et when the measures of 1 890 ere
a sed was on sult d and a ed that the m ro p s , c e , gre co p
i hr u l proposed was the best atta n able . T o gh I s ae
an in was s un d d ith sults ess art M r . T e, g L gev o e , w re happy than the sanguin e Min ister of Public W ks foretold
(I srael T ar ts to Wilfrid Laur ier — T r am la tion )
Wi e 8 Novem r 1 nnip g, be ,
M$ DEAR Mn . LAURIE R. This is howthin gs stan d : Ar chbishop Lan gevin st ds r e i ht to o r anize Catholic school districts n firm fo th r g g . I THE FIRST LAURIER MINISTRY
- e rds he deman th re est blis t . o e a oth r wo , ds e a hmm f s par te u ow o t he ti n a ls which as o kn is u of t s o . e schoo , , y , que I h v o shown t a reem en t fo r elieve ha wo l n t him he g , I b t t he ud im mediatel have taken advanta e of it to rais a row The y g e . tic priests who sur r oun d him a re f an a al an d full o f p r ejudice . The Archbisho however seems to m to be co c a p, , e min g ba k to more m oderate osition n d do o thi he w l ma p , a I n t n k il ke a.
t rb ce. O u e at v e r a v dis u an r r l ion s ha e be n ve y co rdi l. I ha e tried to learn his views an d to acif im b m a in him p y h , y k g realize more clearly the un for tunate side of the present situa
tion for Catholics. I n fact, half the F ren ch schools are closed an d about 1 500 F rench-Can adian children are to-day withou in struction t . P ren dergast an d the m ost in telligen t amon g the Fren ch Can adians will su ort o ur ar ran emen t I en clo se n inter pp g . a view re a ed b r P r n e s w h s be v o p p r y M . e d rga t hic hould gi en t the press the day of the publication of the agreement— n ot befo re. A long habit of absolute submission to the clergy has m ade is io m m s n ere ve diffi ult. v r o r ed. F er y h ry c E e y ne is sca ur th , we have n o su or t n the Catholic res o f Man itoba an d pp i p s , “ ” our friends are left to the mercy o f the Man itoba an d of “ ” the N o rth-West Review whic i e ite b F athe Drum , h s d d y r o d 1 ex t e el en t m nd an 8 r m y viol . $ I n brief the osition is this : The F r en ch Liber als uided , p , g b P render ast will su ort us and within a ear at latest y g , pp , y , pr actically the whole commun ity will have accepted the situa ' tio c e th rese t e t n efie t d by e p n agr eem n .
l o Mr . Tar te foun d it n ecessary a so to keep an eye n
i i i t e rit the n ex t a the provin c al m n s ers. H w es d y
I have just telegra phed yo u n ot to ado pt an y o rde r -in t ho e coun cil regarding the Manitoba schools until I re urn . I p w tion t is in fa ct e ssen tial to the you ill adopt my sugge s . I success o f the work of con ciliation which we have un der f taken an d which above everything calls for good faith. I ' the proposed amendmen ts are put into efiect in a spirit of 1 5 LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURI
i nd ood will ll will we f e friendsh p a g , a go ll. I , on th cor en r i a iri o they are fo ced in a n gg rdly sp t, n thing
come of them . I have met all the ministers, in cludin
an t e seem to e to real z n e Greenway, d h y m i e the cess der tandin an conciliator ction un s g d y a . There is n o r eason why the F eder al government acti o di at facti h le ex press satisf on r ss is on . Let; t e gis adopt the proposed amendmen ts ; let them be put in If as have n o oubt the Catholic ex r e , I d , s p ss themsel l wi v satisfied, the ast word ll ha e been said. But it
t el im ruden t to tie ourselve n ow a d th be ex rem y p s , n er v ou adversaries in arliam ent round for attac gi e r p g k. i ui role hitherto has been to act as am ci c r ae. Let us
that T his the o iti whi h v to . is p s on c I ha e taken wit r h ve ro i t o Catholics he e. I a p m sed them o c n tinue our ofic in he licati n of the law ifton wi a es t app o . S ll s r er-in- oun i a r ov t e e for an o d c c l pp ing h settlem n t. Le wait tellin him that it will ot b a vi a le , g n e d s b to do an r e r be fo r e m y tu n .
he s ttl m nt mb T e e e e odied thr ee con cession s. religious teaching was to be carried on between ’ ast an d f u l b istian l p three o r o c ock, y any Chr c er
his d ut h n auth ri d b a res luti n 0 or ep y, w e o ze y o o local board of trustees or requested by the parents 0 children in a rural or twenty-five in an urban se Differen t days or difierent room s m ight be all different den omination s ; no children were to atten ’ dl l e th a nts d si . n at ast on less at e p re e re Seco y, e certificated Roman Catholic teacher was to be empl h l h r the a a att n dan rea in urban sc oo s, w e e ver ge e ce forty an d in village an d rural schools where it real ’ - ve if ui d b a n ts titi n simil twenty fi , req re y p re pe o ; now-R oman Catholic teachers were to be em pi 1 6
LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIE
$ et it h d adher to ts s n sticks. a ed i e se tial positio fusing to agree either to the restoration of a Ca school system wholly separate an d in depen den t
anization as the m dial ill had i d t g , Re e B prov de , or
stablishm nt as the i r sals in l d e e , D ckey p opo vo ve ,
thin a s st m he s ati n f C system wi y e , t egreg o o a
n i ns an d iti s in s arat s ho l childre , n tow c e , ep e c o I
in m s for s ular as ll as li i us ur gs or roo , ec we re g o p
his a re d it had as n t d to all the r T g e , se e othe con ces
f hi h the i del ati n had st d t or w c D ckey eg o oo ou,
h n ow he i whic others proposed. T Laur er gove believed that the agreemen t was of m ore real val the minority than any which could previously have
he m d secured. T Re e ial Bill would have been n nw able ; the D ickey prO po sals in part were equally
a ti abl hil in im tant d tails th ll h pr c c e, w e por e ey fe s o
what was now secured. Definite religious teachin the ten ets of the Rom an Catholic or an y other faith m ade possible in the on ly way compatible with uni
s la in struti n b O ti n al in st ucti n at th ecu r c o , y p o r o e
d The r r s ntati n in acti th u h of the ay. ep e e o pr ce, o g b statut of man ath li s on administrati y e, Ro C o c ve
i s an d an un d rstan din as to t xt-b s r e , e g e ook , we e
he r i i n for a m an Cat m on groun d. T p ov s o Ro teacher was a m odification of on e of the Dickey
e n e a m nt n t b n d the Di posals. Th w gree e we eyo proposals in providing that Rom an Catholic chil might in all cases be ex empted from the standard I isi n a isin n x r is . add d the gio s e e c es t e prov o , r g,
l n u h out of an am ndm nt to the em ous y e o g , e e R e 1 8 THE FIRST LAURIER MINISTRY
’ Bill m d b D Al ton cCarth him self o r ove y M y , f r in st uc i n tion n Fre ch.
The an n un m nt of the s ttl m n t o ce e e e e , on November
l M r 1 9 met r wid a a . r . r n de ast in the , ve y e pprov P e g , .
i to hi h te in t t ha in . a f s t terv ew w c Mr T r re er , po ed ou t
t -one ath li s h ls l s d s m sin e fif y C o c c oo were c o e , o e ce on ,
i tw som si u h some s n ce o, e n ce fo r years ; t at twenty
fiv th s had m un d the ub i h ls Act ith e o er co e er P l c Sc oo , w its stan dardized religious in struction ; and that of the thirty-two schools supported by private con tribution s as
a ish h l half ul h o o p r sc oo s, wo d ave t be aban don ed r turn ed in to public schools within a year ; the n ew agree m nt hil n ot all that uld be desir d was rth a e , w e co e , wo fair and honest trial ; much would depen d upon the
f i in ist a i he An li a a hbish spirit o ts adm r t on . T g c n rc op ’ t s an d an u h ld r of d n min ati n al of Ruper L , p o e e o o
a a d th ttl m nt was the best that uld te ching, gree e se e e co b l il nd s am l . . . I aac be m ade Dr . Bryce, C p e , R T R ey a i in n i d rs d t. I n n tar other leading W peggers en o e i O o, ’ E lar e s e for the D Alton M cCarthy an d . F . C k pok Conservative oppon ents o f the Remedial Bill in approv ing it as a reasonable and satisfactory compromise “ ” “ d la d. La t aith M r . la Laurier has kep f , C rke ec re ” da r m E ast Patrie welcomed the passin g of evil ys. F o to West the overwhelming O pin ion was approval O f a settlement reasonably fair in itself an d likely to en sur e
peace at last. us As usual un anim . But approval was far from o ,
h rand ran d of an i ex tremes met. T e G O ge Lo ge M toba den oun ced the settlem ent as a betrayal O f the 1 9 LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURI R
nati nal scho ls an i o o , ins dious recognition of (1
nati nal t nsi ns. nat 1 o pre e o Se or Bernier and A .
° Riviére l ad s of the ren - a , e er F ch C nadian Con se ves
O f anit ba at a mass m etin in St M o , e g . Boniface a ked it as a wholesale an d disgraceful sur render 1 the ’ min ority s rights ; no settlement could be ac ted which had n ot previously been approved by the eh
bish . ath h i o St. nifa de e op F er C err er, f Bo ce, d
' that the Church was n ot content with half an ho or r h G od. A chbis op Langevin soun ded a call to “ I tell youthere will be a revolt in Quebec whic will ring throughout Can ada an d these m en who to-da are h triumphant will be cast down . T e settlement a ” ar The fi h h n l b un . he x ee f ce. g t as o y eg T n e t k
h e ed ten arish s h ls. I n the far E ast eh e op n p c oo , ’ h O B ri n h s fl k n ed i il s uch bis op e , w o e oc e joy pr v ege “ x i tt d the ni al in usti O less e ten s ve, a acke cy c j ce f this feeble compact O f unscrupulous ex pedie r bish in in a i ula l I n Quebec, A ch op Beg , crc r r, declared:
N o bishop wants n or can approve the ao-called settl i n which in a word i O f the M anitoba school quest o , , , s upon the indefen sible abandonment O f the best establishec and His a most sacred rights of the Catholic min o rity. G r c the i ho f S oniface has sounded an immediate Ar chb s p o t. B en ergetic pr otest again st this agr eem en t ; in so doin g he has done n othing but fulfil his duty as a shepherd an d foll ed e ol ee He could not but de nd the direction s of th H y S . e
his flock.
“ ine i us the ffi ial an of e La Sem a Relig e e, o c org THE FIRST LAURIER MINISTRY
b h of n e l i d the vailin Arch is op Mo tr a , vo ce pre g cc
The Manitoba school question is n ot settled ; it merely w hase In Manitoba Catholics and F ren ch enters a ne p . , e r t a s t h Can adian s are n ot b ggars n o s r nger , o be con ten t wit at crumbs. We will deman d the C holic school, school districts,
cher s and x em tio r om tax es. All on stitution al books, tea , e p n f c and legal mean s o f defen ce will be used befo re con sen tin g to the rising generation bein g led in to religious a nd n ation al apos ere is no dan er of His Eminence the ol F ather tasy. Th g H y e ev f assen ting : the sign al for retr at will n er come r om Rome .
i d To one bishop of moderate views M r . Laur er a dressed a reason ed defen ce of the settlement
T ranslation )
80 N ovember, 1 896.
Mox smox nn a Your Grace may perhaps tell me that these con ces o h Wa i os ible to secure more ? sions do n t go far enoug . s t p s e t o t to et rmi e That is th fir s p in d e n . I the first lace I must meet the Ob ection so ofte ur ed n p , j n g , that it is n ot a question o f kn owing whether it was possible “ to secure more : the con stitution as in terpreted by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council declared that the Catholics had the right to the complete re-establishmen t of separate ” su it that this oin th re i om let misun schools. I bm on p t e s c p e w e ta in beli ve thi i as o de o str at . ders nd g, and I e s ll be e y t m n The tex t of the judgment autho rises merely an amend w w the existin a an ot th ro ti n of that l . men t to g l , d n e ab ga o a It is clea r that sepa ra te sch o ols c ould n o t h a v e bee n r e lished with r i ar r eali h A t of 1 8 0 estab out as a p elim n y ep ng t e c 9 , of which the ex pr ess purpose was to put an en d to the system o deno i ation al hool e tex t of t e ud men t states f m n sc s. Th h j g explicitly that in order to remedy the grievance of which 21 ’ E LETTER 1 O F SIR: W L R R E LIF AND S I F ID . LAU I
‘ “ ' Catholics complained i t was.n ot essential to give them h w i a a e wa from the all the r ig ts h ch h d been t k n a y m, simply to add to the ex isting lawprovisions suficient to pr
the con scien ce O f Catholics.
ven su o in th t the u But that is not all. E pp s g a j of the P rivy Council had d eclared that Catholics were en t stor a io O se ar e schools wa it ossible to at to the r e t n f p at , s p this result by a federal law? Three things are indie ° sable in what is understood by separ ate schools : 1 exem ° l s l istin ct school o r anize from pub ic choo taxes ; 2 11. d g ° 3 a p r oportion a te share in the a ppro priation s vo ted b he e hree con dition s wer e legislature for education . T s t n e i l ord r bu our race kn ows the i th remed a e , t as y G , y un in the bill The bill di n ot ensure a cen t f n ot fo d . d
r a u ati n What wa the rea o the public g nts fo r ed c o . s s n this retr eat ? Why a fter having declared in 1 895 that
e w e li ub i scho s entitled to a r ant from ar at er , ke p l c ol , g r ia treasur i the same overn men t l ave the p ovin c l y, d d g e a r a te s cho o ls which i t p r e te n ded to r e-e s tablish witho ut ? he r aso i e b r Di e Min i te r an t T e n v n M . c the s g g y k y, ti e wa that ther e wer e v r seriou dou ts as to Jus c , s e y s b power O f the feder al parliamen t to appropriate the m o i e i latue ot e w we v a r vin al l s r . In h r ords the B o ll o of p o c g , g ment did n ot recognize this power as existing in the fed l e t governm n . Even a ssumin n g that the govern m en t had this n omin al po o r ce t at in the stat i on i I submit to your G a h e o f O p ni , n of the steadily growing feeling in favour of provin cial ton om there is n ot n ow and ther e n ever will be an ov y, y g m en t stron g en ough to induce parliam en t to lay violent h o n th treasur f rovin ce e y o a p . N ow to reten to r e-establish se arate schools , p d p li r a w l e r out a b c n t ou b im l f ud. pu g , d s p y a a T hi bein the situation I submit to ou r ce at s g , y r G a th c o n cessions o ffered by the government O f M an itoba wil infinitely m or e effective than the ao-called remedial bill c ever hav been i h e , if t ad become law.
As amended the Manitob law i ive o e rate , a wll g , n t s pa sch 22 THE F IRST M URDER MINISTRY
’ — in . n ame for that matter they were called public schools before 1 8 — 90 but an equivalent which I believe acceptable. It will ive us Catholic schools tauht b Catholic teacher s g , g y , in all the districts where the n umber o f Catholic pupils is fort in the cit twent -five i th out n these y y and y n e c n ry, a d schools will be aided by the governmen t like all other public hool w a e t olic sc s. F r ther the l me will vid a h u , a as n ded pro C teaching fo r Catholic pupils in schools where the teacher s t o a re n o Cath lics, at certain fix ed hour s.
So much for the ame dmen ts e w e uestion s n to th la . Th q
of con trol and administra tion re ain have un derta en m . I k t i he anitoba o deal wth them also , and have secured fr om t M govern men t an un der taking to gr an t C atholics fai r r epr esen ta ti i in the educati n l t in s e t a d the ex aminin on o a staff , he p c or s n g i u d rsta n din an d boards. W th this r e r esen tation if oo d n e p , g g harmon are r e-established a ho e and if the a reement y , s I p , g which has been effe te i a rie out the l o al an d broad c d s c r d in . y s irit which has been romised the Catholics can easil r each p p , y ’ a good un der stan din g with the m aj o rity as to the qualification of teachers a t cho l i ul m nd he s o curr c u . I am r eady to admit that the con cessions made by the governmen t o f M an itoba do n ot in clude all that the Catholics
looked for b t to eek to r e-establish se arate schools b , u s p y f eder al in terven tion and to carry things thr ough by main for ce is a tas which six ear s o f a itation of stru le of , k y g , gg , e e Without bit ern ess se m m e v e de r im ossi le . t , to to ha r n ed p b
dwellin . on this oint ask . our race to consider the g p , I y G it ion he a t a ccoun ts races its s uat of t coun try; t king in o t i , cr s he in evi a le as ion s an d the n obler sentimen ts which eed , t t b p s , make provin cial auton omy the foun dation of our political s stem an d believe that our r ace will come to the same y , I y G nclusio s m co n a yself. - l Religious teaching should be re established in the schoo s. i hat it n this oin t ther e is n o doubt. do n o t bel eve t O p , I r e— t li ed law n d am sur e that can be es ab shed by a f eral , a I al cessi ns to which the rovin cial it can be by m utu con o , p w i t on legislatur e ill give ts emo i . Even admittin g that it might be possible to obtain fr om 28 LIFE AND LETTERS OF SIR WILFRID LAURIE
xi tin arliamen t o fr o er to lec the e s g p , r om an th be e ted b eo le l aw com letel resto rin se arate schools p p , a p y g p , ter a la r e would be bet , such w administe ed by a hostil go men t o r a aw less erfect b t sed b the rovi , l p , u p as y p le islatur itself nd min istered a overnmen w g e , a ad by g t from bein hostile had become friendl ? g , y T he r overb ictated b o ular common sense that p , d y p p , wo rst reemen is tter th n th es w-s it m a be ag t be a e b t la u , y ' plied with a s much for ce to political as to private afl It seems to me on every ground that in this case more er n ati w e ff e t om ulsion ev co cili on ill be mor e c ive than c p . have r es n e to b iefl Mon sei n eur the cons I p e t d you r y, g , u h a ee s t me e er i e this rnin u atio s whic , s it s m o , d t m n bu g q es collea ue T arte with the sam en d in view My g , M . , e r e ues ite ace o St Boniface His mis at my q t vis d his Gr f . . e uccessful has n ot b en s . I do n ot ask your Grace to ex press satisfaction the ro osed arr an ement sh l ask ou to con p p g . I p y y whe the r it will n o t be be tte r to giv e the a r r a n gem en t a 1
trial .
a hi r e of t B niface to r en oun ce I could n ot sk s G ac S . o r ights which he believes are guaranted by the con stitu but there is ground for h0 ping that a t rial of the n ew ré o f con ciliation will give him the most co mplete satisfac w the st le to break the t reserving the right to ren e rugg , i these es rove baseless f hop p . I ask your Gr ace to consider that in our system of gm ment there are two prin ciples perpetually in antagonis prin ciple of centralization and the principle of provincial onom Do oun ot think as do that the safet o f t y. y , I , y r i h r arti arl of the ro n ce f fede at on , t e in te ests p cul y p vi o Qu lie in the fir m main ten an ce of provin cial autonomy? that feder al in terven tion should never be ex er cised, but
o rt wh ver othe me n has been exhau: as a last res , en e y r a s an d when all hope o f con ciliation an d of under stan ding th e rovincial a thorities has been found vain th p u .
cce t Monsei neur etc. A p , g , W . 24
’ LIFE AND LETTERS I O F S IR WILF RID LAURI R
ounal La P tric e j r , a , that Qubec was the Sp America the episcopal attack was the beginnin struggle to the death between the hierar chy
nm nt n o com romise was ssi le gover e ; p po b , “ ’ ” L Electeur was too cowardly or too poor to co “ the struggle others would do so for it : We ha
r i t ri s of un 28 0as our fa h r ou v c o e J e , t e s had the vi
of St. enis St. ha l s St. E ustach in s t D , C r e , e, pi e
a of th r li i u auth iti s thre ts e e g o s or e . I fight n ot f0 self but for poltroon s who do n ot dar e to raise ” s head . i fa d the i is ua l w Laur er ce cr s sq re y. He oul
' submit an d he uld not be led int a war a a , wo o g t li h h. n m as nt ars a r he C urc O ce ore, we y ye e r e , min ed to uphold the right of Catholics to be at on ce
free citizen s and faithful son s of the Chur ch . I
m ent b f r the ubli and at om e its lf th lia , e o e p c, R e , the policy he an d his colleagues had already p and it was the policy they determin ed to contir I n parliam ent there was surprisingly little dis
T e rnm n t ur d its f ll w of the issue . h gove e ge o o
the los rs an d to iv the artie s n to taunt e , g e p co ce the settlement an opportunity to work it out in
r th i siti n was m ad O n occasion , howeve , e r po o e
i n I sr ael arte ut it ith his beyon d quest o . T p w
l i t i a d bat in a h frankness an d uc di y n e e M rc ,
Some of our hon ourable friends opposite do n ot s li o i ion The da s ar re alize the cur rents of p ub c p n . y by when the people of Quebec could be deceived and wis as my honour able friends opposite would h them 28 THE FIRST LAURIER MINISTRY t ea I sa that more res in the ideas of liber t and r ted. y pmg s y freedom has been made . in the pr ovin ce o f Quebec in the pa st r h a he r vin e o the min ion en ten yea s t an in ny ot r p o c f Do . Wh ’ I started out fr om my par ents farm I entertained then an d en tertained later many of the doctrines nowheld by man y o f Roman Cath l frien d i t e c er an it is o tha my o ic s n h l gy, d n t
ccoun t r ive them n thin . i the a h a I fo g ma y gs S r , Rom n Cat olic clergy o f the p r ovin ce o f Quebec is co mpo sed o f go od men of moral en there is n ot a ore m r l o f men , m , m o a b dy o than the riests of the rovin ce o uebec but am bound p p f Q , I to add at the same time that those men have been brought u as i were within los walls o o the have p, t , c ed , and s me f m become the unwilling tools of such m en as those who sit on the osite side of th Ho opp e use.
The Con servatives were quite as reluctant to m ake
tl t a h r the set emen a p rty issue . T e Con servative su “ vivors fr m ub still d m an ded usti n ot a o Q e ec e j ce, ” m an d taun t the i l mb who a i d sha , ed L bera me ers h d s gn e ’ the bish s l d b the n s ati fr m th op p e ge, ut Co erv ves o o er
in ash d th i han ds f th h l i prov ces w e e r o e w o e quest on . The bishops had n ot delivered the goods in the last election ; why worry further ? Sir Charles Tupper frankly refused to pull any more episcopal chestnuts out of the fire ; while den ying that he had m ade an y compact
t th bi h s of ub he admitt d he had n atu wi h e s op Q e ec, e r ally expected more support than he had received :
I am free to confess that I entirely overrated the importan ce hi i e o f t s quest on . I fin d th r e has n o t be en tha t deep importance attached to this question by a very large par t f that den omination that had reviousl su o se m a e o I p y pp d. I k this admission fr an l to t e o se and t b eel k y h H u , I cann o ut f that it is not unlikely that it will be much more difficul t in the future than it was in the past to induce gen tlemen 29 LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAUR R
to sacrifice their own ud men to some xt n j g t e ent, a d o the constit ts e t t ings f ir uen to some xten , o m ai policy which when subj ected to the test o f a ctual is n ot found to have the M portance attached to it t reviousl su os I am a to n w at t p y pp ed. gl d k o th he sibilit r ests n o lon e r on m shoulders on t y g y , but up the gentlem an who is n ow the Fir st Minister of the
I n u b the ib als st d to ir . Q e ec, L er oo the gun s pressed to a successful con clusion their protest
the l ti n of . a tt in a ain e ec o Dr M rco e Ch mpl , groun d of undue influen ce of curés who had (1
i a tal sin to t fo l t mor vo e r a Libera . When in
l ti n in na ntur in a h 1 89 M r e ec o Bo ve e M rc , 7 g . asked both can didates to sign a pledge to vote - House again st the Laurier G reenway settlem an y other se ttlem en t n ot approved by the bisho p “ to forbid their fellow-campaign ers to speak on e word in favour of the Laurier-Greenway settlem t or ” f in it a t ial the ns ati andidat o giv g r , Co erv ve c e
h ib al an did t . G uite fla t a . . bu t e L er c e, Mr J F , fused : he would like to see still better term s for hi
t i but must use his own ud m nt as to tl pa r ots, j g e “ : I a a li and in all usti ns 0 m ean s am C tho c, q e o an d morals I am ready to accept without restricti n all liti u decision s of the Chur ch. I po cal q est claim the freedom enjoyed by every British subj I cann ot before G od and my con science ren oun
f isin m i il as a m mb freedom o ex erc g y pr v ege e er, ” m n was l t best of my judg e t. He e ec
i ib al ma orit — th u double the prev ous L er j y, o g sibly the prospect of governm ent railway 80 THE FIRST LAURIER MINISTRY throuh the countr had som g y e influence on the result.
At the h i ht of the ri i i e g c s s Mr. Laur er m ade his own
siti l r A po on c ea . t a ban quet held by the Club National “ ’ in nt al on mb 0 a ew af L E Mo re , Dece er 3 , f days ter lec ” teur had b n bann d he f n he s h l s l ee e , de e ded t c oo ett e m nt as the b st ra ti abl s luti n and h n in t ms e e p c c e o o , t e , er
hi h al t e st ain an nsi n e h u w c reve ed h r d te o of th o r, re ferred to the clerical crusade
evo e ar r z t i I have d t d my c eer to the eali a ion of an dea. I have taken the wor k o f Confederation where I foun d it whe I entered li ical life and etermined t ive it m n po t , d o g y life N ot n will te e o n tin in o the en d in . hi g de r m fr m co u g t m task of reser vin a al s o r civil libert N othin y p g t l co t u y. g will p reven t m e fr om con tin uing my eff o r ts to p reserve that state o f society conquer ed by our fathers at the price o f so man ears an d so m h lood It m a be that the result y y uc b . y o f m eff or ts will be the ar eian R oc but if that be the y T p k, case I will fal with rm r r e r a or co l in , l out mu u o r c imin tion mp a t, cer tain that fr om my tomb will rise the immor tal idea for whic I h ve alwa o h a ys f ught. It is to ou m oun f rien ds that I a i lar address y , y y g , p r t cu ly m self . $ ouar at e outset o f o a er Let m ive y e th y ur c re . e g oua word o oo o nsel Durin our career ouwill y f g d c u . g y y have to suff er m an y thin gs which will appear to you as su r me in s i e e m e t a e p e jut c . L t say o youth t youshould nev r allow your r eligious conviction s to be affected by the acts o f m en . o ur convi tio a e ion Y c n s re immortal . T h ir foundat is etern al Let our conviction s be lwa calm s ren e and . y a ys , e su e ri o r to the in evit r i p able t als o f life . Show to the wo rld that Catholicism is compatible with the ex er cise of liber ty in its highest acceptation show that the Catholics of the ’ coun tr will render to o s s t w a y G d what i God , o Caesar h t ’ is Ce sar 3 .
hil f n t W e de e ding himself resolutely from a tack, 8 1 LIFE AND LETTERS O F ; SIR WILFRID LAUR
He wanted no anti-clerical movement of the
ffi rain model. With some di culty he rest ed of M r B ea nd . ugra whom were in close
in its tti o the h I 89 a tude t Churc . n 1 7 frid Laurier interpreted Liberalism oth lett r to M r eau r n d he r rs to the difli e . B g a efe m et in makin g his policy prevail :
i ui B eau r — T ra it: Wilfr d La r er to H . g and ( ns
tta a F eb O w , ruary Mr De an Du n e m n Let me say howmuch I thank youfor all
n n t e uatel e x e s to o u yo ur lette r . I c a o a d q y p r s y I was touched b the te view h with o y in r I ad y u. fr iends a w re ere n n o e r e ho s e a , th ca t b a b ak, t e iff ces r al urself b d eren . I am a Li e li o b , ke y , belon to the sa s ho i ci g me c ol. I am a d s ple
ment with ouin ter s much to r n y m o st o g. fr n l hresh t a k y t ed the mat er out, our old
be the better for it. “ I am pleased to see that the sale of La 1 well and that n w , , o that youare freed of the youare going to be able to give your health that it requires
But it was n ot en ough to take this stan d un co trymen . It had becom e essential to m as Ro e well . It was n ecessary to appeal who s in the am o m t i poke n e f Ro e o Rome tself,
’ 1 To a rou f ibera s r T g p o L l , with M . arte s sons in charge. 82
LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIE
question is submitted to the pontifical authorities at we may expect a statemen t of doctrine which would ha the effe brin in re ble u an ct of g g reg tta ab ses to end, m ainta peace and han nony in our country an d reassurin g the on
scien ces of Catholics.
As ouare a out o s il fo ome o w l at y b t a r R , y u il render a e service to the Catholics of this coun try who un fortun tely have incurred the disfavour of certain members of the e co
ate because o their olitical o inio an fo r n o he p , f p p ns d r r a n o w at h i a en e so , if y u ould st e t e r case nd repres t t pontifical authorities that all they seek in this coun try to ex ercise their duties as citizens in accord with the r eco tzed
rin ci les of the B ritish onstitution inci le reco ed p p C , pr p s e uall b his oliness Leo X q y y H III .
I n a er a more personal letter of the same date Mr. L gave further suggestions for guidan ce :
T r am la tion )
I am sending youherewith a private letter n ot int ded
fo r ub i it but which m a owever be shown as a cr ede tial . p l c y, y h e olle u in r D le will l ave shortl o Rom . M c a M . ro t e y f r y g the House of Commons are sending him as their advocat and interpreter to state their case oficially befor e the pon cal i woul i e out ee in touch with hi in author ties. I d l k y o k p o rder to in form him as to all useful steps that sho be t tai h n view taken o at n t e end i . In a short time I shall send youa memorandum relat to e n e ch l estion b t the r o the settl me t of th s oo qu , u fi st t t do is to make the pontifical authorities understand tha we are Catholics an d that we wish to r em ain Catholic s but in a con stitutional country such as ours the attitude ken b M aflech an ertain other m embers of the e isco ate y gr . L e d c p , if a rove a ome woul lace s in a osition of infe rit pp d t R , d p u p ri y such that a Catholic could n ever become prime ministe nor ° e en orm ar t o a over nmen t li e the n an i e v f p f g k Ca adi , n h 84 THE F IRST LAURIER MINISTRY
ro stant a n s aril ori sin e the P ro e t nt P te s re ece s y in a maj ty, c t s a s are in a ma orit in the oun tr j y c y. I must r e eat to ou also wha ha ve s id al t p y t I a ready, tha t r while disapproving the conduc of membe s of the episcopacy, o hic have ust eferr t is n t he ten o o of t w h I j r ed, i o t in ti n f an y us to ex ose them to th sli h est h ation If ou co p e g t umili . y n sider it advisable that a delegate should be appointed for n ada ouwill lease in form me I need not sa to ou Ca , y p . y y that the selection of such a delegate would be of very great ini ortan ce p . Acce t m best wishes for our vo a e p y y y g .
The two n s mad th i wa to m fin in e voy e e r y Ro e, d g “ half ecclesiastical Can ada there before us or on the ” wa . I n m r ss was l w. Th affairs o y Ro e, p ogre s o e f all the ends of the earth m et there ; rules of etiquette ’ and audien ce were stifl ; there wer e so m any person ages “ ” e h im ssibilit of makin r id r ss to se . T e po y g ap p ogre , “ l ft n the n ssi of m a in n o writes Mr . Dro et, o e ece ty k g
r r ss at all ith the n ati ns ith this la p og e , w Co greg o , w B ck
al us oh so al us m ddlin old old ab mon de, je o , je o , e g, , ove ” all I n m m nts of d s ai he was a d to b li . o e e p r prep re e eve ’ “ ” lse t w s n ot e as to Zola s R om e n ot wholly fa . I a y convin ce Rome that Bishops wer e in error an d laym en
he bish s had l n had the ear of ardinal right. T op o g C i H ad n ot the u n in un il an d Congregat on. Q ee Co c commanded that separate schools be restored ? H ad n ot Protestant Tupper tried to restore them and had n ot C atholic Laurier resisted? W as n ot this L aurier 1 th li a as n ? An d rha s the a bad Ca o c, Free M o pe p
1 e of Mr Drolet recountin on unim eachable author Replying to a lett r . , g p ‘ he an adian ity a statement to this eflect made in high places by one of t C 85 LIFE AND LETTERS or S IR WILFRID LAURI
t t good Mr. Drole was not he most tactful of un duly suspicious an d his long dossier containin g two i ain st this bish and that in timidat on ag op curé , than on the danger of the recoil to the Church “ The old gentlem an is rather a light weigh “ i a kind of n si u a ta an who ot a crit c, Mo e r T r r , g wrong track from the first an d among
m M r . Laurie bishops then in Ro e, r of faith
i in ister . a must d ts m s Th t be avoi ed at all costs.
the Vatican itsel . I am astonished even f ,
m ann er of attac s. H owever I would n v k , e er muc al c i so h m i e n the heart of a certain set. known me for well on to forty years ; youknow m reli ious convic ion but y g t s, that they exist; how much influence t e hav h y e over me, when I say th been sh b aken y the attacks of those whose mission it is hristia ch it C n ar y. “ hat ve ‘ ’ e r comes. il aut m archer droit son che W f min. That old ontifical Zouav motto it is min e to-da P e ; y. We must strai ht d g roa . I see clearl and distinctl th l y y e goa . I do whether we can re ach it, but I am ull of ho e and c f p oura e. “ g It is a sin ula r thin , that the se violent acts t i g g , h s igno ditions in our own countr h y, t is war to which we are ex posed, far rom estran in me rom the f g g f Church, draws 3 it. I eel how su erior reli i f p g on is to all th at often is n ame of reli o gi n. THE FIRST LAURIER MINISTRY
H e fa d s m h re o ew at better when he turn ed from Cardi nal Ledochow ski, h ad of the r a an da a h e P op g , n d t us th e ham i n of the bish s und his ha e t the c p o op er c rg , o r tar of tat ardin al Sec e y S e, C Ram polla.
hat r the r as n r ss was W eve e o , prog e sl ow. It became
n ssa to ta m r dir t an d m r ece ry ke o e ec o e effective steps. I w t as decided to make a form al an d collective state
m nt of the as to s n d th r s ntati t e c e, e o e repre e ves o Rome, an d to press for the appointment of an apostolic dele at g e . These conclusions were not reached without ’ debate . Tarte opposed Laurier s suggestion of a join t
titi n to his lin ss a li l t e pe o Ho e , s ke y o b twisted or mis
c n st ud b t stants but h n i o r e y Pro e , w e Laur er made it
l ar that it was n o the liti al usti n t l c e t po c q e o , n o the sett e
m nt of the s h l issu but the nfli i the e c oo e, co ct w thin Catholic Church in Can ada that the Pope was to be
o i r he b am an ard nt su t of he asked t cons de , ec e e ppor er t
rt -five m mb r of the mm ns an the plan . Fo y e e s Co o d
’ at ilfrid auri r s n am l adin si n d a ti Sen e , W L e e e g, g e pe ton an d protest There was also some question as
’ 1 TO HIS HO LINES S LEO XIII
“ F a he — We the undersi ned members of the Senate and Most Holy t r, , g , h e of mmo s of an ada and r resentin therein member s of t e Hous Co n C , ep g the Liberal art resent ourselves be ore our Holiness as res ect ul and p y, p f y p f devoted children of Hol hurch to com lain of the ex istence of a state y C , p f hin s which if allowed to contin ue m i ht be extremel dan er us to o t g , , g y g o ituio li i un w e the const t nal bert es of this co try, as ell as to th interests of the u i Ch rch tse lf. “ $ our Holiness has already been made aware of the conduct an d atti tude of ce rtai n relates and o f ce rtain m em be r s of the c a c er wh p se ul r l gy o, durin the eneral elections in this countr in the m on h f g g y; t o Jun e last, in terven ed in a violent m anner in restrain t of electoral edo fre m. taking sides o enl for the onservative art a ainst the Liberal art an p y C p y g p y, d going so far as to declare guilty of grievous sin those of the electors who would vote for th e candidates of the Liberal art p y. 87 LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURI
“ Sincerely attached to the institutions of
deuce can onl exist under erfect electoral reedom. , y p f
deprive him of the right of expressing his opinion on to the electorate ; but when the exercise of that right eli io es and when that violence, in the name of r g n. go iev t of rel olitical act the re ing a gr ous sin ou a pu y p , it f which the conse uences cannot but be atal y o q f ,
iona libert but to reli ion itsel . t l y, g f
wi th danger. “ Then a ai g n, an active and violent intervention of the a litica s i l m in of po l que t ons submitted to the peop e must, duce again st the great m as s of the Catholic popul atio n a tion manifestly prejudicial to that respect which religion d d should e ver inspire an comman .
but since old age and infirmitie abuses to which your illustrious ai ag n, an d threaten once more to
' misc n ot l , on y Catholic in terests mony which should exist between “ Again afi rming our absolute d
of religion extolled in those immortal enc clical s w y hose precious te achings sire in all thin s to follow and lastl g ; , y, grant to the children hurch n d , ow a dressin our Holiness the ost C g y , A olic enediction. “ p B Ottawa , O ctober, THE FIRST LAURIER MINISTRY
to the comin of a a al l at . u the isit f g p p eg e Tr e, v o
a din al S at lli to the Un it d S tat s in 1 892 an d h C r o e e , t e M visit of gr . Conroy to Canada in 1 876 had brought
a and lib t but muh d n d h n pe ce er y, c epe de on t e m a . An Ontario bishop foresaw Protestant denun ciation s “ a al int f n and a d tha a l a n of P p er ere ce, fe re t de eg te se t
f m m ran who b in ss s d ll ro Ro e or F ce , e g prepo e se , as a
n ntal l siasti are ith th a i r Conti e ecc e cs , w e ide that L be
alism in liti s s s n n m us ith in fid lit uld n ot po c i y o y o w e y , co grasp the idea that Liberalism here bore n o relation to ” i n b tha n am on the ti t $ et what s kn ow y t e Con n en .
i e r the risk seemed worth runn ng. Th n ewenvoys we e
h rl s F i atrick and ha l s uss ll son of C a e t C r e R e , Lord
f ill n h s famil s t t i rs Russell o K owe , w o e y pen he w nte
m rtifi d b a st n stat m nt f m E d in Ro e . Fo e y ro g e e ro
a la uns l for the min rit that the udi ial w rd B ke, co e o y, J c
mmitt uld n t and did n ot mm a the r es Co ee co o , , co n d
orati the s l as th b f 1 890 and that t on of choo s ey were e ore , the term s of the Laurier-Gr een way settlemen t were m ore advantageous to the Catholic min ority than an y remedial bill which it was in the power of the parliament
of an ada to f on the in of an it ba and C orce prov ce M o , with letters from Cardin al Vaughan and the Duke of
rf lk the n s nt to R m . At n ss No o , e voy we o e o ce progre ’ was ra id. Russ ll s wit an d kn o l p Mr . e owledge f Ang o ’ man liti s n d m an d rs. M r F it i k s Ro po c ope e y oo . zpatr c “ ” i t was the nd r n d the a ith p e y wo e a we of Rome . W
the r tar of tat ardin al am lla with all Sec e y S e, C R po ,
the th r ardin als who re li l to b n sulted o e c we ke y e co ,
a dinals Vannutelli i nti a obi F rratta C r , V ce , J c ni, e , 39 LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURI R
Ledochowski tti and azella — of h m , Go , M , w o
M r L d ho f ' fa r . e oc wski us d a i h arin all the g re e e g, “ impressing the visitors as m en of strong inte an d judgm ent who were anx ious to learn the tru ’ i M de Val the o th r . l s m anio w g Merry , Pope c p
att ndant and n all in an audi n ith H is e , fi y e ce w H s w w him s the a as ur d. I t as n ar o elf, c e ge ecess y t it clear n ot merely that the judgment of the Privy
il had n o m andat r ff t but that an ada c o y e ec , C w
s s m d to be assum d in m a ed a ee e e Ro e, pr o
li u r an d that n ot all the bis s b Catho c co nt y, hop , u six out of twenty-n in e had committed them selves
i h ib r l a t h r mise to war aga n st t e L e a p r y . T e p o full inquiry thr ough a special commission of car
in was r e adily giv en . T he appo tm en t o f an ap
l at M r . del Val f ll d a few de eg e, g Merry , o owe later . M r a ha l rr del Val was th n n l t g . R p e Me y e o y
but he had alr ad m ad his m ar in E ur two, e y e k op
l f ath r a an ish n blem an 0 1 the househo d o his f e , Sp o descent who was ambassador in turn to Lond B russels an d to Rom e ; in schools in E n glan d 8
h a al ut h he s n b Brussels ; in t e P p Co r , w ere oo ha b lain M r r del Val confiden tial c m er , g . Me ry p
t H is tri in rese his ability an d his judgm en . s k g p “ ’ l -li m an r m et the most truy prin ce ke , I eve ,
t rm e him — his searchin Laurier afterward e d , lish d but s m hat s d a< kin dly eye, his po e o ew re erve
an t n us his sh w his m astery of Europe o g e , re
hn s and ab all the om let thoroug es , , ove , c p e co 40
LIFE AN D LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIE
doubt these efiorts had been inspired by laudable t nti ns and a l o ui e o ove f eq ty, but the fact rema “ that the law which has been en acted for the p of a ati n is d fe ti im f t ins fi i n rep r o e c ve, per ec , uf c e t. concessions stopped far short of justice ; they m
o b i d out ff ti l h a n t e carr e e ec ve y, w en loc l circum sta
han d. m l t usti must be s uht c ge Co p e e j ce o g . H
r th was m for diff n of ini eve , ere roo ere ce op on as to “ best tactics to follow; let n o on e therefore lose si
t ul of m d ati n of m s a d f r h of he r es o er o , eekn e s n o b ot ” “
i . an hil until it hall char ty Me w e, s be granted t
to btain th full t ium h of all th i laims let t o e r p e r c ,
n ot r efuse partial satisfaction . Wherever the lav the situation or the frien dly disposition of in divid
ff th m s m m an s of l ss n in the il an o er e o e e e e g ev , c
t a rtin its dan s it is alt th r b be ter ve g ger , oge e eco and useful that they m ake use of these m ean s an d d ” h t ssi l a t from them t e umost po b e dvan age . greatest care should be taken to immove the q of teachers an d the scope of the work of the sch the Catholic schools should rival the most flourishin g “ methods an d efficien cy : from the stan dpoint o f in lectual culture and the progress of civilization ther n othing but what is great and n oble in the plan c ceived by the Can adian provin ce s of developin g pu
i n of aisin its standa ds nstantl in struct o , r g r co y, m aking it something higher an d ever more perfe
o in d o stud n o ad an in hum an kn o there is n k f y, v ce
d hi h ann t be m ad to ha m ni e ith Cat e ge, w c c o e r o z w ” lic doctrine. THE FIRST LAURIER MINISTRY
I n this m d ate and i h n b o er enl g ten ed uttera ce, oth section s of opin ion within the Church in Can ada foun d
und for satisfa ti n but th ff is gro c o , e gen eral e ect was d ’ tin ctl in su rt of the m d t si i Th y ppo o era es po t on . e Laurier-Greenway settlement had been pronoun ced im
f t an d inad uat as a final s ttl m nt ut its per ec eq e e e e , b acceptan ce as an in stalm ent of justice had been com
m nd d m d ati n and a ni i f the d e e , o er o recog t on o goo ill of its f am s n in i t e w r er e jo ed, and emphasis la d on h
ualit of in struti n b i ls q y c o to e g ven in the schoo . Nothing further could have been ex pected in a public
i n d stat m n t an . aui r and his ube f s e e , d Mr L r e Q e c r e
ha ot h s h ol usti n was b d n desired more . T e c o q e o y
n o m an s et n d d but the l siasti al war was e y e e , ecc e c
alt d and th liti a t n si n as d. n a ain as h e , e po c l e o e e O ce g ,
a s r of ars b f the fi mn ss an d m d ati n of co e ye e ore, r e o er o
i li i l of ub Wilfr d Laurier and the Catho c L bera s Q e ec, and the sagacity and fairn ess of the highest authorities
in the hu h had a rt d a stru l hi h uld ha C rc , ve e gg e w c wo ve in volved both Church an d country in difficulty an d
a t r dis s e . The failure of the crusade was m ade evident when in the sprin g of 1 897 the time cam e for the provincial
i i eb The ns r ati rnment elect ons n Qu ec. Co e v ve gove
E l nn who had b m mi h n on . . of H . J F y , eco e pre er w e
aill n had enter d the T u r adm in istr ati n M r . T o e ppe o , absolutely declin ed to m ake the school question an issue ’ T sti of aui s n am in the local contest. he pre ge L r er e an d the rout of the Conservatives in the federal contest t to th ib al l ad r gave an overwhelming vic ory e L er e e , 48 LIFE AN D ~ LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIE
F elix Gabriel Mamband; a man lacking the ora cal gifts and the personal m agn etism of m an y of his p e J cessors but sh d an d s lid t usted o all en rew o , r f m ,
firml ssi in his li i s. h n h w y progre ve po c e W e , o ever, M archand en deavoured to put educational ref0 in
the f fr n t of his l islati r ramm an re ore o eg ve p og e, d
s the li ad t d t nt ich ver e po cy op e we y years before, had taken control of the schools from a gover ent department and entrusted it wholly to den omin s n al
mm itt s atho li an d r t stan he f und lf co ee , C c P o e t, o e
l e r wa l t a i s b ocked. Th t uce s he d o bin d both p e . t ul B r esi he hbi h of n al M r . a u T Arc s op Mo re , g P , who t in cl se t uh ith ilfrid aui r on kep o o c w W L r e , proved that sunn y ways and person al pressure w uld go further than the storm s an d the thunderbolts o the d u ht old a ri of h i rs o g y w r or T ree R ve .
’ The settlement of the Manitoba school contro m ade it possible to concentrate attention upon po
r of econ omic developmen t. F or yea s the coun try
T i n hi h ad s t i it m arked time . he depress o w c h e n w “ i ” n n eties had n ot yet passed. The prices of farm
u r l w farms hard to s ll an d burd n d d cts we e o , e e e
s b n s h al us m t a s. ail a a k l s h s or g ge R w y , , w o e e o e ,
r tailers had to scratch hard fo custom . Fact
un he m m ar stim ulated by the N . P . fo d t ho e ket sm all an d sought remedy in combin es and selling a
s i n ‘ trade ad an c slowl an d n u ment . Fore g v ed y
i an ts m n d f r r m ain d tain ly. Few imm gr ca e a ewe e e - ex odus of the native born to the United States bl THE ‘ FIRST L AURIER MINISTRY co whi ’ ' a te. H omestad entries in the West had ' “ ” fall n to f ur thtiusand a a e i e o ye r in th early n in et es, and to eighteen hundred in 1 896 ; in that year only five hundred and seventy Canadian s had sufi cient faith in th i own unt t st e r co ry o seek a Western homestead. We of Lake Superior there were only some three hun dred “ th u - e sand e l o thi i . o p op e, ne rd of them I nd ans Th ” trails fr m an it ba to the tat la d a st o M o S es, dec re We “ ern ns ati s a r r bar an d Co erv ve n ew p pe , we e worn e ” brown by the wagon wheels of departin g settlers. The causes of this econ omic stagn ation were n ot
h ll an adian l - fa t ha la d a w o y C . Wor d wide c ors d p ye
rl -bu in had part. Wo d peace an d r apid railway ild g
n d ast a a w lan d s ttl m nt — the ope e v re s of n e s to e e e ,
st n nit d tat s A ntin a Aust alia ussia we er U e S e , rge , r , R ,
' — t and had flung their products on a falling m arke . ’ an ada s s an t stin lim at x a rat d in C evere d e g c e, e gge e f i n ut an ha s her subo dinat l nial ore g rep e, d per p r e co o ut t s had la ed a art in d t rrin s ttl rs. B s atu, p y p e e g e e there were other causes m ore r eadily r emoved : a pro tective tariff which sought to isolate an d m ake self suflicient a population too sparse an d scattered for the ex periment ; racial an d religious bickerings (for which both parties had a share of respon sibility) draining an d distracting energy ; and a governm ent weak an d di - vided in cabin et coun cil and perm eated with dry rot in the gen eral adm in istration . The turn of the tide after 1 896 was of course n ot due
rld- id solely to the chan ge of government. Wo w e he forces played a part in revival as in depression . T 45 LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIE
fillin u of th newlan ds the r g p o er , g owth of ur as a ainst rural ulati n g pop o , the rapid increase m the ’ rld s ld su l ais d i wo go pp y, r e pr ces of all goods an d ar i ularl f t c o fa m oduts. ithi C y r pr c W n an ada, a ’ forces beyon d the go vernment s control m ade for r m nt n b e . Most ota le were the development oi he gold-copper and silver-lead ores of Southern B sh
lumbia the s t it is t u b in h l Co ( pro pec or, r e, e g e p by
the buildin o the an adian a ifi arti l g f C P c c) , and p e y the discovery of fabulously rich placer-min es in the Klondike in 1 896 an d the stampede from all com e of
the ld hi h f in 9 n d 9 s wor w c ollowed 1 8 7 a 1 8 8 . Per p less wealth was taken out of the groun d than was put
in but th s i at l ast im d the um of , e e discover es e pr e p ’ ro s rit an d arr st d he rld s att nti n n p pe y, e e t wo e o g enough to make evident the more enduring wealth t
lay beyon d. “ $ et the new government were n ot merely fli in ” he h l S i ha d a t i ht had n t w ee , as ir R c r C r wr g o ce r y rated the Macken zie cabinet during the depressio of
i h had nfid n in an ada n d the sevent es. T ey co e ce C
m s l s r c nst uti isi n . The li in the e ve , en e gy, o r c ve v o cies they developed in the n ext fewyears were real d
ew s rit . h lid in dispen sable factors in the n pro pe y T ey n ot create the o pportunity ; they did seize it wh it
h immi rati n li the land li the offered. T e g o po cy, po cy
e ta iff an d fis al li of the La railway policy, th r c po cy er admin istration were essential elements in m aking
i as s n to t rm it in a ads what Mr . Laur er w oo e , q 46 THE FIRST LAURIER MINISTRY
‘ ti now as ha kne aml t on c yed as H e , the country of ti ” the twen eth century. The lan d and immigration policy of the admin istra tion was developed by its youngest an d sole Western
memb Clifiord ift n . had n t er, S o He e ered the govem m nt as inist of the I nt i in mb 1 896 as e M er er or, Nove er, , soon as agreemen t had been reached between Ottawa and inn i on the s h l usti n s u n el ti n W peg c oo q e o , ec ri g ec o
r an d n b a lam ati n n e fo Br o y cc o . He k ew the West ; h was ambitious for him self and for his coun try ; his sh d insi ht his administ ati a a it his of rew g , r ve c p c y, power
ui k d isi n ualiti s rar at tt a I d al q c ec o , were q e e O aw . n e
ith the ubli lands of the ai i n s the ing w p c pr r e provi ce ,
i f i n ta n was to en d at n r li ch e act o ke o ce, as Libe al po cy
l n d mand d th la ish ants of l d to ail had o g e e , e v gr an r
f re 1 898 s m fift -six m il a ways. Be o o e y lion cres had been voted an d some thirty-two million acres earn ed as
a a subsid aft 1 898 n ot an a was t d. r ilw y y ; er , cre vo e
Hom estead regulations were eased and simplified.
n a a ai n for s ttl s b an un arall l d in The c mp g e er eg , p e e m in Eu Can ada or elsewhere. Fro Cont ental rope the Doukhobor and the Ruthenian were brought or wel
fillin st n ast s but atin diffi ult comed, g We er w e cre g c
a i arm m the problem s of social or n t on al h on y. Fro United States came the immigrants most immediately th s l f m s as m st ith n o helpful in em e ves, ar er o were, w
tl a ital s illed in the a s o f st n lan d an d lit e c p , k w y We er , most efiective in advertising to the rest of the world the fact that Canada had nowmore to offer the settler than 47 LIFE AND LETTERS O F' SIR WILFRID LAURIE
o any other c untry . Advertisements in six tho d
kl n s a rs in the nit d tat s a n wee y ew p pe U e S e , ge ts
ub-a nts stati n d in li l cent ex i s ge o e every ke y re, h bi it autum n fairs an d free ex cursion s for pressm en d
m d le at s r ad aid in lan d-s far er e g e , e y eeking an d h
n set in a mi rati n shiftin g, soo go g g o that r ejoiced
a u l d the tat s an d ar us d E ad , p zz e S e o e urope . om seven hun dred in 1 897 the settlers from the Souti 08 6
h n — to fifteen t ousa d in 1 900, and one hun dr ed ou
1 h n M r ift r sand in 1 9 1 . T e . S on tun ed to the U ted
n m the s h ls the ss the atri Ki gdo , c oo , pre , p ots ho
wanted Briton s kept within the Empire ; the B h .
t m r sl l but s n su ass d e tide moun ed o e ow y, oo rp e th n
n d m ri an m m n ts — thirt tho tinen tal a A e c ove e , y usan in
un dr d an d t nt thousan d in 1 91 1 904 a h . he 1 , e we y ex odus to the m ore dazzlin g city opportun ities of he
tat s the r turn to E u of the m en who a Un ited S e , e rope d not foun d gold lying in the streets of their N ewJ
ntinud but r far utbalan d b th salem , co e , we e o ce y
st ad n tr i , l a d t coming tide . Hom e e e es e pe o s i ht hundr d b 1 900 t n t -two th thousand e g e y , we y o
-o t usan 0 1 902 an d fort n e ho d b 1 9 6 . by , y y a t had b m a t d d t in that the I n Can ad , i eco e ccep e oc r e l id s ttl m nt but h a d State should not mere y a e e e , s oul i
e m i ti n ea in developin g the m an s of co mun ca o . No t n ew railway was built in these early years ; the (30 1 try
fi e was still growin g up to the Can adian Paci c . e i n I min or an d supplem entary projects were g ve aid. n
st t rn m n t in 1 89 s uht to xt n the the E a he gove e , 7, o g e e
' l l b l a d ur has f m the wa de I nterco on ia , y e se an p c e, ro 48
LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURI
’ thro out th ov ent e r T m w e g ernm s m asue. he co p o th a e f e St. L wren ce canal system to a fourt e l l was l ss ont rsi l an e a li i n f all eve e c rove a , d th bo t o o t lls was l m d on all si s n o we co e de , ot least in the M provin ces where it furn ished a preceden t for de for low at s on n ail a he r e governme t r w ys. T
ffi a tm nt hith to in eficien an a so O ce Dep r e , er t d lar d fi its was t an s orm r th m an a ge e c , r f ed unde e of illiam ul k on e of th stron st W M oc , e ge in the cabin et ; a great irnprovem ent in service and duction of postal rates by one-third were justified
r b s luse c eased usin ess and steadily ri in g sur p s.
As r ards t t i t u i n littl had eg s a e a d o prod ct o , e d n di tl fo th fish h lumb rm an o e rec y r e erm an , t e e o m in er F ishin - h d be e on serv e d b . g groun ds a n c y s as n s r st kin r t ti n a ains utsid e o , e oc g, p o ec o g t o e p n ow in st uti n in urin and a kin and , r c o c g p c g, cold-storage and fest-shipping facilities were The lum berman an d the m in er had shared the be o f railway facilities an d the two-edged gift of protection ; n owfresh efforts were made to open fo m arkets an d to lessen tariff burden s on m in e and
he fa m r had b n aid d b ex m achin ery . T r e ee e y ’ f ms n ow un d dn ish r s men tal ar ; , er Sy ey F e dir the work of ex perimen t and in struction was
i n d an d ith the co- rati n of the S an w de e , , w ope o
an d . . uddi k the E Jam es Robertson J A R c , farmer was aided in that shift from wheat and to cheese and bacon which has transformed C THE FIRST LAURIER MINISTRY
O ne r at fi ld of state aid to r duti n r m ain d g e e p o c o e e ,
t e m st ntr ial h th tariff and tha th o co overs . T e use o f e imulat and ote t ind s r i l manu to st e pr c ut y, part cular y
t rin d en th m dist ti of ns a fac u g, ha be e ost inc ve Co erv
i f r s ha w he tive polic es or n ea ly twen ty year . W t as t Liberal policy to be ? In the Ottawa con vention in ’ s a l aui r s in at d s e h n t b duin . 1 898 , repe e pe c e , o y r g Mr L r e
n t ur in 1 894 an d in n l tt s x han d Wester o , ope e er e c ge
the n l i t M aur i r on the eve of ge eral e ect on be ween r . L e
r nt man ufa tur rt am and a To o o c er, George H . Be r ,
n f i old n f las da s a gran dso o h s frie d o New G gow y , a — the li of th ib als had be n John Murr y, po cy e L er e
n un c r i u d the e d lar . h de d t t n r ec ed T ey o e p o ec o , rge duction of the m id to bear lightly on the n ecessaries “ of life an d to promote freer trade with the whole
l a i ularl ith r at itain an d the U n it d wor d, p rt c y w G e Br e “ it rat d the d m and for a fair and lib ral States, re e e e e ” t a ith the nit d ta an e reciprocity re ty w U e S tes, d s t as “ ” their goal a tariff for revenue only. There was a “ ” t r i al o low-tariff sentim en t in the n in eties dis in ct ev v f , f ll in the failur of t ti n to r t t an o ow g e pro ec o p o ec , d on “ ” this urr nt n an in id ntal t ti nist like M r c e eve c e pro ec o . “ Laurier was on ce swept on to prophesy that free
’ trade as they have it in E nglan d would be Can ada s ultim at al hil M r a e go , w e . D vies den oun ced protection as b n da e bb a s st m a urs d of G an d m an o g , ro ery, y e cc e od .
$ et . aurie m ad it lain arti l the Mr L r e p , p cular y in
rt am r s n d n c that han m ust e radual Be r co re po e e, c ge b g ; ’ ther e would be no tarifl revolution ; one advantage of a tarifi rimaril for ev nu uld be it p y r e e, wo s stability. 51 LIFE AND LETTERS 0 ? SIR WIBERID LAURI R
The first st of the newadmin istration ep ‘ crea
fidence . Instead of meeting protected man uf “ ” sec tl in Re d a l urs the o re y P r o , g vernm ent appo ted a committeeh - Sir icha d artwri ht M R r C g , r . F i
a r n— and Mr . P te so to hear in public all who had to nt itt prese . S ings were held in the leadin g es; not m any others but manufactur ers gave evidenc but th i d man ds m ad in the n e r e were e ope .
i n M r . F eldi g brought down his first budget in 1 89 in a S h i h al hi f i 7, peec wh c reve ed s power o n e d m nt a a t state e nd re din ess in deba e. It was a m est
bud t as bud ts o n ada s. I n h fir t ge , ge g ow y t e st t y
ars of nf d rati n the rdin ar eX e i r ye Co e e o , o y p nd tu wn f ld f om the i in al h t gro three o , r or g t ir een
t fo t n ars had stoo d r an d hen r e ye statio n a y. Fielding forecast for 1 897— 98 an ordin ary ex di 1 ture of an d a total outlay of
is this am unt it was still ust ma to e To ra e o , c o ry r al
x i duti M r F st h ll on ta iff an d se s. ie mo w o y r e c e . g stiffen ed the ex cise duties on spirits and tobac
the st m he the m ain interest lay in cu o s changes. T
i an r tar iff revision was substan t al d com p ehen sive . Im
iti m a to the f ist n o bl portant add on s were de ree l , y
° rn f n i bin d r t in r am s arat rs n co , e ce w re, e w e, c e ep o ,
hin e eduti ns r mad in su a our ing m ac ry ; r c o we e e g r, , - an al oil . he s h d s ere farm implem ents, d co T c e ule simplified an d specific duties largely chan ged ad
as ta n o ab lish duti s on ds valorem . Power w ke t o e
- ’ i n he o ar 1 . Fieldin s direct o t In 1910 11 , the last year under Mr g , y expen diture was an d the total in 1 920 the d the ordinary expenditure was an total, 52 THE FIRST LAURIER MINISTRY
du d b t usts m pro ce y r or co bin es. The duties on iron
and st l er l but m ee w e owered, in co pensation the boun
ties on i -i n uddl d i b p g ro , p e ron ars and steel billets were
in as d and m ad to a l t cre e , e pp y o iron m anufactured in
anada f m f r i n . st im rtant th rin C ro o e g ore Mo po , e p
ci le of a m ax imum an d min imum a iff i ia p t r , w th spec l
f r n to at ritain wa re e e ce Gre B , s introduced. The fir st Fieldin g budget was a masterly achieve w men t. It as a careful an d in form ed endeavour to
arm ni a d re u iff wa h o ze n d ce the tar . It s n ot wholly consistent : the increase of the iron and steel bounties an d the r t nti n of the dut on al in fa e e o y co , ce of Mr.
’ Laurier s declaration after the election that rawmateri als suh as al and i n uld be fr a c co ro wo ee, reve led the
ti r s s It a iff pressure of Nova Sco a in te e t . left the t r still protectionist ; an d while Sir Charles Tupper de clared that the tariff would ruin an d paralyze the in
dustries of th un tr and the lumn s of the nt . e co y , co Mo real “ ” Gazette were filled with ann oun cements from manu l t ers that th i m i l s uld be f r d to l s M r . fac ur e r wo o ce c o e, “ Foster insisted that the Liberal party has em balm ed ’” “ the prin ciple of protection in the tarifl and that there
da in thi a liam nt as b t en the two sid s is to y, s p r e , e we e , pr actically n o differen ce upon the ex pedien cy of the prin ciple of protection as the guidin g prin ciple of our ” ss b ts n a stud in d fiscal system . John Ro Ro er o , r y e pen dent Conservative who had broken from his party
l us i n but was a nfirm d rotec on the schoo q e t o , co e p
io i t a a m iddl i h n he d lar d that hil t n s , g ve e v ew w e ec e w e - - the Liberals might be considered half seas over on the 58 LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIE
a to t cti n h th a w y pro e o , e feared eir gradual ttac the m ost dangerous strategy an d could not fully ’ them even if they did steal the Opposition s d o “ the Opposition is the mother of protection an d l the policy for its own sake ; the govern m ent is a of nurse that takes protection an d suckles it in o ” a t i to earn a livin g for its p rty. $ et he we ght of temporary opin ion an d later ex perien ce have st the Fielding tariff as a sound and moderate r ev As a first practical step toward freer trade it
ll a b n b tt r d. Un f rtun at it n ot we h ve ee e e e o ely,
l sa fo xt n si n s of the ritish r feren a so, ve r e e o B p e ce, the attempt in 1 91 1 to secure reciprocity with the U
tat s to be a last st . S e , ep T he featur e o f the n ewbudget which had m o st p ical importan ce an d popular appeal was the adop of a minimum an d m ax imum tariff ith the , w p of restrictin g the min imum tariff main ly to B Im rialis s kin a unt - o wares. pe ts ee g co er cry t
i ed i r it ns ati s tr in to r str ct rec p oc y, Co erv ve y g eco
r t ti n ith im ialism had u r i al t p o ec o w per , rged ec proc
r n b t n r t ritain and h colon ies prefe e ce e wee G ea B t e ,
l n as itain l a o fr tra an suh so o g Br c e ved t ee de, y c
sals r an idl d am . I n 1 892 the ib ral po we e e re , L e p had un anim ously voted for a resolution moved by L
s man din that as itain alr ad admi Davie , de g Br e y t ut - an ada sh uld re Can adian produc s d y free, C o her duties on goods m ain ly impor ted from B ri
’ D Alton McCarthy an d his Equal Rights League d imum ariff the urged a minimum an max t , 54 THE FIRST LAURIER MINISTRY
at s for itain the i r e Br , Br tish colonies and other coun
tri s re ar d to i fai e p p e g ve r term s. B ut an y policy of tariff discrimination was barred by the ex isten ce of British treaties binding on Can ada and con ferring on
f r i n un tri s i hts to ual tr a m n s o e g co e r g eq e t e t. The e
tr ati s r su i als fr m l nialis r e e we e rv v o co o m . I n ea ly days Britain had m ade colonial tariffs and boun d the colo
n i s b her t ati s. l l the lar r l ni s ith e y re e S ow y ge co o e , w
an ada l adin had m i r C e g, been e erg ng f om this subor
dinate status G i d a l d . a t an M cdon a d had m a e it clear that an ada uld an d ld m a her o n tariffs I n C co wou ke w . t at -m akin n ati r d m for th futur re y g, eg ve f ee o e e had been attain ed in 1 878 when the Colonial Office had agreed to m ake colonial adheren ce to British comm er cisl treaties O ptional ; a begin n in g in positive freedom had come with the in clusion of Canadian with British plenipotentiaries in drafting trade treaties affecting
Bu t ol tr ati s su i d. m i an ada. t he d h C e e rv ve So e, as w t
’ ran or ntin a ntitl d th s s to an tarifl F ce Arge , e e e e power y
il n f i n Th priv ege accorded a y other ore g power. e treaties con cluded with Belgium in 1 862 and the Ger m Z ll n 1 8 5 r till m r burd n s m as an o verein i 6 we e s o e e o e, they called for the grantin g of an y tariff privilege se
i at d r usts fr m corded even to Brit sh goods. Repe e eqe o
n a i 88 890 1 891 had fail d to indu the Ca ad , n 1 1 , 1 , , e ce
iti h ernm en t hich adm itted the im oli o f the B r s gov , w p cy
t a i s o n un th m and so fa the s latter re t e , t de o ce e ce pro
n o rt i tun pect of a tariff war for ce a n re r . The n ew governm en t determin ed to satisfy imperial ’ sentiment and keep its lower tarifl pledges by granting 55 LIFE AND LETTERS OF S IR WILFRID LAURIE a tariff reduction on the exports of Britain and low-tariff r I count ies. f the treaties stood in the th uld first tr to e r un d ey wo y g t o them , an d if that ft to b a th m l ’ re k e down . The Fie ding tarifl pro that a r duti n of one- i hth to be in e c o e g , creased a lat r to on e-f urth should b r t n e o , e g an ed o M ports i “ ” any coun try which admitted the products of Ca on t m s uall fa uabl a x th er eq y vo r e . It w s e pected a m atter of fact Gr eat B ritain and New South would be the only countries which could so qu Sir Charles Tupper at on ce den oun ced the pro as futil the d i lun d rin am a rs : the e, ev ce of b e g teu would be disallowed in Britain ; German y would m an d its rights ; the governm ent could n ot play an l s ith l m im i bli a d oo e w so e n per al o gations. Th t position taken by the governm ent was legally pr o wa b i us b t as Sir i h d ar t ri h us s o v o , u, R c ar C w g t “ c r in ans n ot b n st da . la ed wer, we were or ye er y The position taken by the Laurier governme best summarized in a m em oran dum of coun cil in sen t in response to a r equest from the Colonial S
tar s h hamb rlain . It was nt n ded tha y, Jo ep C e co e Belgian and German treaties did n ot apply to Ca sin ce by 1 859 the old provin ce of C an ada had been out of the category of the colon ies r eferred to in ’
. al la ati of ta iff in dc treaties by A . T G t s dec r on r “ a hil anada had und dence ; that in any c se, w e C edly been actuated by the fact that the m other co was the only n ation in a position to enjoy the ad 56
LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIER
l nial nf r n an i h Co o Co e e ce, d n t eir sequel in participa
ti n in the War ana a s m o Boer , C d ee ed to the world to have committed herself indefin itely to the laudation and support of the n ew imperialism which was domi
n atin he li of ritain g t po cy B . The n ew imperialist m ovement was n ot peculiar to
t an h l Britain or o C ada. The w o e white world was
ll in the i of a assi n for x an si n an absor we gr p p o e p o , p ti n in welt- olitik a s rambl for r sti and r fi o p , c e p e ge p o t,
hi h was to s it on to ban u t an s w c weep kr p cy d chao . The hopes of world peace and economic harmony men had entertain ed in the brief interlude of sanity in the six ti s had b n shatt d and lau h d to e , ee ere g e scorn .
t i lr wa arl in Na ional r va y s ye y grow g m ore intense . The spirit of n ation alism drove subj ect peoples to seek fr d m d f at d stat s to ain th i l st in e ee o , e e e e reg e r o prov c s, an d free an d successful n ation s to find fresh fields for th rid an d n d l d in th i u l e p e e ergy eve ope e r str gg e . i n in r lis It ff Nation al sm we t to seed impe ia m . o ered a san ction for protection ism at hom e and econ omic ex u ploitation abroad. I t provided a stim lus to the growth ts n d d to t t a h stat f m its of arm amen , ee e pro ec e c e ro n b us an d nfi min in th i th milita eigh o r , co r g e r grow ry castes and arm am ent cliques ; the dom inan ce Germ an y en j oyed in Europe after the victory of its eflicient mili ust ia and an the i ht tary m achin e over A r Fr ce, we g which her in vin cible n avy gave Britain in the coun cils
rl stirr d mulati n . The n s lidati n of of the wo d, e e o co o o
at tat s of Eu attain d aft r nturi s the gre s e rope, e e ce e l set th m fr to in in the s ambl for of strugg e, e ee jo cr e 60 ’ THE FIRST LAURIER Mm rsr sii
” 1 ta es to be a d f om the minimum tarifl et it g re pe r , y was also true that the offer was made to the whole
ld n o fa u was xt nd d to an s ial wor , vo r e e e y pec coun tr y,
and if l ium or man ul n t Be g Ger y co d o share, the fault
la ith th m sin at an m l y w e , ce y oment they coud qualify
sim l b m l in ith the n diti ns if h r p y y co p y g w co o ; , oweve , a different view of the effect of the treaty bonds was
tak n b the itish auh iti s it ld b s e y Br t or e , wou e n eces ary “ to ask that the treaties be den oun ced in so far as Can ” a is n d ad co cerne . Whatever doubts there might be as to the legal ’ s undn ss of the rnm nt ar um en ts r r o e gove e s g , the e we e n on e as to the popularity of its policy alike in Can ada
and in at itain . In anada it as l m b Gre Br C , w we co ed y ’ free or freer traders as a first step toward Britain s
li an d b im ialists as a tun for itish ro po cy, y per re r Br p l i tection and a p edge of closer un ty. I n the m other un t d a an d the bd n lub hail d i co ry, Lor F rrer Co e C e t ’ as an advan ce on Can ada s part toward free trade
S ard in nt the t ran air ad r while ir How V ce , ve e F Tr e , - hoped it m arked the beginning of inter imperial pref i erences and the commercial federation of the Emp re. “ ” The Lon don correspon den t of the New York Tim es fairly summ arized British O pin ion when he declared
r the fir st tim e in m ex erien ce E n lan d and the E n lish F o y p , g g are regardin g Can adian s and the Do minion with affectio n ate irit referen e fo th o t er en thusiasm . The sp of p c r e M h t eals to the i a ation here hi chan will Coun ry app m gin . T s ge
’ 1 se tence inserted in the dra t mem randum in Mr. Laurier s hand. A n f o , 57 LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIER
l nial nf n an d th s Co o Co ere ce, in eir equel in participa
ti n in the r W ar an a a s m t o Boe , C d ee ed o the world to have committed herself in defin itely to the laudation and support of the n ew imperialism which was domi
tin he l of i ain n a g t po icy Br t . The n ew imperialist movement was n ot peculiar to
r t an Th h l r Britain o o C ada. e w o e white wo ld was
ll in the i of a assi n for x an si n an absor we gr p p o e p o , p ti n in welt- olitik a s ram ble for r sti an d r fit o p , c p e ge p o , hi h was to s it on to ban u t an s w c weep kr p cy d chao . The hopes of world peace and econ om ic harm ony m en had entertain ed in the brief interlude of sanity in the sixti s had b n shatt r d and lau h d to e , ee e e g e scorn .
ti n al r i alr wa arl in m re Na o v y s ye y grow g o intense . The spirit of n ation alism drove subject peoples to seek f m d f at d stat s o r ain th i l st r in e reedo , e e e e t eg e r o p ov c s, an d free an d successful n ation s to find fresh fields for
ri an d n r d l d in th u l the p de e e gy eve ope eir str gg e . ’ nt o in m s It e e Nation alism we t seed i periali m . ofl r d a san ction for protection ism at hom e an d econ omic ex u ploitation abroad. I t provided a stimul s to the growth
am nts n d d to t t a h stat f m its of arm e , ee e pro ec e c e ro n i b us an d n fi min in th ir r wth m ilitar e gh o r , co r g e g o y castes an d armam ent cliques ; the domin an ce Germ an y en joyed in E urope after the victory of its eflicient mili
ustria an d an the i ht tary m achin e over A Fr ce, we g which her in vin cible n avy gave Britain in the coun cils
rl stirr d mulati n . The n s lidati n o f of the wo d, e e o co o o
a states of E u attain d after enturies the gre t rope, e c l set th m fr to in in the s ambl for of strugg e, e ee jo cr e 60 THE FIRST LAURIER MINISTR$
” 1 ta es to be ea d f m the minimum ta iff et it g r pe ro r , y was also true that the offer was made to the whole
ld n o fa u was xt nd d to an s ial wor , vo r e e e y pec coun try,
and if l ium m an ul not a e fa t Be g or Ger y co d sh re, th ul
la ith th m sin at an m m th ul y w e , ce y o ent ey could q a ify
sim l b m l in ith the n diti ns i h p y y co p y g w co o ; f, owever, a differen t view of the effect of the treaty bonds was
tak n b the itish auh iti s it l b ss e y Br t or e , woud e n ece ary “ to ask that the treaties be den oun ced in so far as Can ” ada is con cerned. Whatever doubts there might be as to the legal
’ s un n s of the n m nt ar um nts h r r o d e s gover e s g e , t e e we e n on e as to the popularity o f its policy alike in Can ada
an d in r at ritain . I anada it was l m d b G e B n C , we co e y ’ free or freer traders as a first step toward Britain s
i an d b im ialists as a r tun for ritish ro pol cy, y per e r B p tection an d a pledge of closer un ity. In the mother
un tr d a an d the bd n lub hail d i co y, Lor F rrer Co e C e t ’ as an advan ce on Canada s part toward free trade
d in nt the t ran air ad r while Sir Howar V ce , ve e F Tr e , - hoped it m arked the beginning of inter imperial pref i h E i eren ces an d the commerc al federation of t e mp re. “ ” The Lon don correspon den t of the New York Times fairly summ arized British O pin ion when he declared
t ime m x erien ce E n lan d an d the E n lish F or the firs t in y e p , g g are regardin g Can adian s an d the D o min ion with aff e ctio n ate s irit of referen ce for the Mother en thusiasm . T he p p eals to the i a n ation er e hi chan wil Country app m gi h . T s ge l
’ 1 sentence inser ed in the dra t memorandum in Mr. Laurier s hand. A t f , 57 LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIER
l nial nf n an d in th s Co o Co ere ce, eir equel in participa ti n in the W ar n a s o Boer , Ca da eemed to the world to have committed herself in defin itely to the laudation an d support of the n ew im perialism which was domi
tin he li O f ritain n a g t po cy B . The n ew imperialist movement was n ot peculiar to
n h r Britain or to Ca ada. The w ole white wo ld was
ell in the ri o f a assi n for x an si n an absor w g p p o e p o , p ti n in welt- olitik a s rambl for r sti an d r fi o p , c e p e ge p o t,
hi h was to s it on to bank u t an a s w c weep r p cy d ch o . The hopes of world peace and econ om ic harm ony m en had entertain ed in the brief interlude of sanity in the six ti s had b n shatt r d an d lau h d to e , ee e e g e scorn .
na ri al wa a l in m re n Natio l v ry s ye r y grow g o i tense . The spirit o f n ation alism drove subject peoples to seek f m d f at d stat s o r ain th i l st r in es reedo , e e e e t eg e r o p ov c , and free an d successful n ation s to find fresh fields for
i n d n d l d in th i l the pr de a e ergy eve ope e r strugg e.
m s I Nation alism wen t to seed in i periali m . t offered a san ction for protection ism at hom e an d economic ex
It r a s i uu t r th ploitation abroad. p ovided t m l s to he g ow nts n e d d to t t a h stat f m its of arm ame , e e pro ec e c e ro n ei hb ur s an d n firmin in their r wth m ilitar g o , co g g o y castes and arm am ent cliques ; the dom in an ce Germ an y en joyed in E urope after the victory of its efficient m ili
ustria an d ran e the i ht tary m achin e over A F c , we g which her in vin cible n avy gave Britain in the coun cils
rld sti d mulati n . The n s lidati n of of the wo , rre e o co o o
a stat s of Eu attain d aft r nturi s the gre t e rope, e e ce e u l set th m fr to in in the s ambl for of str gg e, e ee jo cr e 60 THE FI RST LAURIER MINIS TR$
' 1 tages to be r eaped from the minimum tar yet it was also true that the offer was made to the whole
rld n o fa u was e x ten d d to an s i un wo , vo r e y pec al co try, and if l ium or erman uld not shar the fault Be g G y co e, la ith th m sin at m th l y w e , ce an y oment ey could qua ify
sim l b m l in ith the n diti ns if h r p y y co p y g w co o ; , oweve , a differen t view of the effect of the treaty bonds was
tak n b the itish auth riti s it l ssar e y Br o e , woud be n ece y “ to ask that the treaties be den oun ced in so far as Can ” a is ad concerned. Whatever doubts there might be as to the legal ’ s un dn ss of the n m nt s a um ts o e gover e rg en , there were none as to the popularity of its policy alike in Can ada
an d in r at itain . I n an ada it was l m d b G e Br C , we co e y ’ free or freer traders as a first step toward Britain s
li an b im ialists as a r tun for itish po cy, d y per e r Br pro tection and a pledge of closer un ity. I n the mother
t d arr an d the bd n lub hail d i coun ry, Lor F er Co e C e t ’ as an advan ce on Can ada s part toward free trade
w in nt the t an air ad while Sir Ho ard V ce , ve er F Tr er, - hoped it m arked the beginnin g of inter imperial pref i crenees an d the comm ercial federation of the Em p re . “ ” The Lon don correspon den t of the New York Times fairly summ arized B ritish O pin ion when he declared
t ime m ex erien ce E n lan d and the E n lish F or the firs t in y p , g g ar e r egardin g Can adian s an d the Domin ion with aff ectio n ate s irit o referen e fo the M o the r enthusiasm . The p f p c r t eals to the ima in ation her e T his chan e will Coun ry app g . g
’ 1 e c inser in he dra t em and in Mr. Laurier s hand. A sent n e ted t f m or um, 57 LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIER
l nial nf n an d th ir s i Co o Co ere ce, in e equel in part cipa ti n in the r W ar na s m o Boe , Ca da ee ed to the world to have committed herself in definitely to the laudation an d support of the n ew im perialism which was domi
h li of ri n atin g t e po cy B tain . The n ew immrialist movement was not peculiar to n h l B ritain or to Ca ada. The w o e white world was
ll in the i of a assi n for x ansi n an absor we gr p p o e p o , p ti n in welt- olitik a s ambl for r sti and r fit o p , cr e p e ge p o , hi h was to s it on to bankr u n s w c weep ptcy a d chao . The hopes of world peace and econ om ic harm ony m en had entertain ed in the brief interlude of sanity in the six ti s had b n shatt d an d lau h d e , ee ere g e to scorn .
National rivalry was yearly growin g m ore in tense . The spirit of n ation alism drove subj ect peoples to seek f d m d f at d stat s o ain th i l st in c s ree o , e e e e t reg e r o prov e , an d free an d successful n ation s to find fresh fields for
i r d l d in thei l the pr de and en e gy eve ope r strugg e .
s I ff r Nation alism went to seed in imperiali m . t o e ed a san ction for protectionism at hom e an d econ omic ex
It a s i uus t ploitation abroad. provided t m l to the grow h m ts n e d d to t t a h stat fr m its of arm a en , e e pro ec e c e o n i hb urs an d n firmin in th ir r th m ilitar e g o , co g e g ow y castes an d armam en t cliques ; the dom in an ce Germ an y en joyed in E urope after the victory of its efiicient mili
utri an d ran e the i ht tary m achin e over A s a F c , we g which her in vin cible n avy gave Britain in the coun cils
l tirr d m ulati n . The n s lidati n of of the wor d, s e e o co o o
a tat s of E ur attain d aft r ntur i s the gre t s e ope, e e ce e u l set th m fr to in in the s ambl for of str gg e, e ee jo cr e 60
LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIER
a Laurier when he comes here in June far and awa m ke Mr . , , y the mo st con spicuous an d popular of all the visiting premier s t of he Empire.
The governm ent had don e all that could be done
n d he n xt s m ust be ta n in n d . in Ca a a . T e tep ke Lo on
IVhen in un e 1 89 M r . aurier sailed for E n lan d J , 7 , L g to ta art in the ubile d m n trati s his fi st ke p J e e o s on , r task was to en sur e that in on e way or an other the pref “ ” er n e sh uld stan an d tha the ras m at u e c o d, t h and a e r policy of the govern m en t in actin g fir st an d lat r sh uld b ustifi d e o e j e .
58 THE FIRST LAURIER Mm isr af
1 tages to be reaped from the minimum yet it was also true that the offer was m ade to the whole
rld n o fa u was xt n d d to an i l wo , vo r e e e y spec a country,
and if l ium or m an uld n ot sha the fault Be g Ger y co re, la ith th m sin t an m t l y w e , ce a y om ent hey could qua ify
sim l b m l in ith the n diti n s if h e p y y co p y g w co o ; , owev r , a differen t view of the effect of the treaty bonds was
tak n b the British auh iti s it l s e y t or e , woud be n eces ary “ to ask that the treaties be den oun ced in so far as Can ” a is ad concerned. Whatever doubts there might be as to the legal ’ s un dn ss of the rnm nt ar um n s h r r o e gove e s g e t , t e e we e n on e as to the popularity o f its policy alike in Canada
nd at itain . I n nada it was l m d b a in Gre Br Ca , we co e y ’ fr ee or freer trader s as a first step toward Britain s
li an b im ialists as a r turn for i i h po cy, d y per e Br t s pro tection an d a pledge of closer un ity. I n the mother
t rd a r an d the bd n lub hail d i coun ry, Lo F r er Co e C e t ’ as an advan ce on Can ada s part toward free trade
a in ent the t ran air ad r while Sir How rd V c , ve e F Tr e , hoped it m arked the begin n ing of inter -imperial pref i i cren ees an d the comm erc al federation of the Em p re. “ ” T he Lon don corr espon den t of the New York Tim es fairly summ arized British opinion when he declared
o the fir st tim e in m ex e rien ce E n la n d an d he n lis F r y p , g t E g h are r egardin g Can adian s an d the Dominion with affection ate i s irit f referen ce fo the M other en thus asm . The p o p r Countr eals to the im a ination here This chan e will y app g . g
’ 1 sentence inserted in the dra t memora du in Mr. Laurier s hand. A f n m, 57 LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAU ER
l nial nf n and th Co o Co ere ce, in eir sequel in p
i n in the r ar n s m t o Boe W , Ca ada ee ed to the have committed herself in defin itely to the la an d support of the n ew im perialism which wa
tin he oli it n a g t p cy of Br ain . The n ew imperialist movement was not pec t Britain or o Can ada. The whole white wol
ll in the i of a assi n for ex an si n a we gr p p o p o , n
ti n in welt- olitik a s rambl for r sti a o p , c e p e ge nd which was to sweep it on to bankruptcy an d The hopes of world peace and econ om ic barm o had en tertain ed in the brief interlude of sanity
six ti s had b n shatt r d and la h e , ee e e ug ed to Nation al rivalry was yearly growin g m ore The spirit of n ation alism drove subject peoples
fr m d f at d stat s o ain th i l st ro eedo , e e e e t reg e r o p and free an d successful n ation s to find fresh fie the pride an d en ergy developed in their st t im i lis It Nation alism wen to seed in per a m . a san ction for protectionism at hom e and econ o
It a us ploitation abroad. provided stimul to the m ts n d d to r t t a h stat f] of arm a en , ee e p o ec e c e n us an d nfi min in th ir th eighbo r , co r g e grow castes an d armam ent cliques ; the dom in an ce G enjoyed in E urope after the victory of its efiicie
e ust i an d an the tary m achin e ov r A r a Fr ce, which her in vin cible n avy gave Britain in the c
ld stirr d m ulati n . The n s lida of the wor , e e o co o
a tat s of E ur attain ed after ce the gre t s e ope, u l set th m fr to in in the scram for of str gg e, e ee jo e 60 THE FLOOD TIDE O F IMPERIALISM
overseas possessions in which for a century Britain had had n o m tit r I n co pe o . Africa an d Asia an d the isles of the sea— with Am erica barred by the Monroe Doc trin e— great states an d som e of the sm all m ade haste to sta out fi lds for x l itati n t d ke e e p o o . I n he crowde years sin ce 1 880 Germ an y had appropriated a million mil s rtu al an d l ium or her m n a h e , Po g Be g , o rch, eac n a l as muh an d ran m tha al il e r y c , F ce ore n l three, wh e
ussia r ll d r m rs l ssl a r ss siati lain s an R o e e o e e y c o A c p , d even the Un ited States was soon to enter on its career of hili in x an si n an d aribbea im i l m P pp e e p o C n per a is . It is n ot surprisin g that Britain shared in this m ove
nt She n ter d it m l l ia l m e . e e ore s ow y ; sat ted with wor d
id ss ssi n s x ri n d in th a a a e w e po e o , e pe e ce e dr wb cks n d d lu
n s of m i h d b i r u n i d sio e p re, c ecke y v go o s a d n epen dent
riti ism at h m her stat sm n n e r a x m r c c o e, e e ve nn e ed o e
’ than th i n xt n i hb ur s lan ds a trifl in thes fif e r e e g o , e, e t a s of s m two an d a half milli n mil s an in een ye r , o e o e , r g g
u i r fr m i ria to in a. B ut st ad l as f i o N ge New G e e y, A
lan s la e an stat d d t eth can hinter d over pp d d es crow e og er, ’ as competition in the world s m arkets gr ew keen er an d
fail to ad an e as the stli o n r British trade ed v c , jo ng f ewe
ls the r a hin of r f ss r an d t d r ish s of riva , p e c g p o e o poe e v e
l - ax nd m the le s and the i lin s le ft An g o S o o , See y K p g ,
he ritish l r sti r d to a m their m ark , t B peop e we e r e ore r e Th aggressive an d m ore con scious sha e in th race . e declin e an d defeat of the Liberal party an d Liberal opin ion s was on e m an ifestation of the n ew ten den cy ; it had been the Liberal policy of grantin g self-govern l e hit m i eth but ment which had he d th w e e p re tog er, 61 LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURI
Liberalism had little in common with this n ewex p in t i al lands and am n sub ct e l s il rop c o g je p op e . t l m ore significan t was the decision of Joseph Ch r lain the m st f r ful hara t r in ri i h liti , o o ce c c e B t s po on the formation of the n ewUn ionist govern ment of ord
alisbu in 1 895 to h s the hith rt s n da S ry , c oo e e o eco and l routin e post of Secretary of the Co onies.
' A s Disraeli had typified the imperialism again st eh
ladst n had f u ht the im rialism hi str ed G o e o g , pe w ch in E uropean coun cil chambers an d I ndian pag ts and cared little for kin smen overseas or m arket for sur lus ds so ham berlain rs n ifie the n wer p goo , C pe o d
' im erialism ith its m hasis on the sublim v es p , w e p e of he n l - ax n its r i in int st in the n t A g o S o , ev v g ere g
an e as its assum ti n o f a m issi n to ard lishm ov rse , p o o
a a d its n n ss for n ew m ar ets. the darker r ces, n kee e ’ hamb lain im ialism wa n a l is] Mr . C er s per s rrow y r ; there was n o room in his empire for F ren chm or Dutchm en save as they were tran sform ed into E n
hil th l ss r br ds of f i a an d sia ust m en , w e e e e ee A r c A accept the rule of their trustees for all time : he glo ed “ h n l - x n a — that ud rsist nt lf t e A g o Sa o r ce, pro , pe e , ” in an r s lute st he d lar d in T or nto assert g d e o ock , ec e in 1 887 on his way to the fisheries arbitration at h “ i ton that n o han of lim at or n diti n can ng , c ge c e co o
l a hi h is in fallibl d stin d to be the t e a ter , nd w c y e e dom in ating force in the future history an d civ iliz ion u t l am an E n lishm an . I ref o of the wor d. I g m ake any distin ction between the interests of E n h
e in E n land in anada an d in the nit d Sta m n g , C , U e 62 THE FLOOD TIDE O F IMPERIALISM
His other dominating conviction was the n eed of secur ing m arkets overseas if E n glan d was to hold her place
i I n irmin am 1 894 he in an d her prosper ty . B gh in
sist d e ,
F o r these reason s, I would n ever lose the hold which we
n owhave over our r eat Indian de en den c b far th rea t g p y, y e g est and most valuable of all the customer s we have o r ever
v i t F o h e e v shall ha e n his coun try. r t e sam r ason s I appro e o f the co n tin ued occupation o f Egypt ; an d for the same reason s I have urged upon the governmen t and upon previous govern men ts the n ecessity fo r usin g every legitim ate oppo r tun ity to ex ten d our in fluen ce an d control in that great African con tin en t which is n ow bein g open ed up to civilizatio n an d to commerce an d lastl it i ; y, s for the same reason s that I hold that our n avy should be str en gthen ed un til its supr emacy is so assured that we cann ot be shaken in any of the possession s which we hold or ma hold here after y .
Such was the frank and arrogant gospel which was n ow to be pushed with all the vigour of the successful Birmingham m erchant an d all the adroitn ess of the
m st s ilful liti ian in ritain o k po c B . I n Can ada it seem ed that the n ew imperialism was
o fin d full a tan e an d ustifi ati de ir t ccep c j c on . The s e for closer imperial un ity had greatly stren gthen ed dur
n i m n E n lis -S ea in a i n in g the ni et es. A o g g h p k g C an d a s
id of ra was str n rid in the un hallen ed pr e ce o g, p e c g ’ mi ht of E n lan d s n a rid in the al ur and efii g g vy, p e v o
cien c of her ar rid in the usti e an d firm n ss y my, p e j c e
hi h had m ar ed her f r i n li ride in the hon w c k o e g po cy, p
n a a it of her ladst n and alisbu s our a d c p c y G o es S ry . The lon g r eign of Queen Victoria had furn ished im
ntim t a all in - int her m s i us perial se en r y g po ; do e t c virt e , 63 LIFE AND LETTERS O F S IR WILFRID LAURI her s rr s her m an l m at i s the f o ow , wo y sy p h e , re
l i s of the i t ian ra and ha ot l g or e V c or e , , per ps n e lin kin g of her n am e with the ha ppiest holiday the ar the lim ax da of s rin tim had i ye , c y p g e , g ve portrait the post of hon our in hun dreds of thou of an adian h m s distan an d the da in C o e ; ce, zzl g that surr un ds a thr n e had a o o , con ce led her weakn her persistent and futile efiorts to restore the per
n tr l of the s i n her in ism her d n asti co o overe g , j go , y
ro - rm an i of E ur an oliti s an d h p Ge v ew ope p c , the le n d of i s i ge perfect on un que t on ed. A n atur sentm ent again st the aggressive and unn eighb policy of the Un ited States had strengthen ed im feelin g ; tradition s of the sufferin gs an d the heroi the Un ite d E m pir e Loyalists wer e still fr esh in min ds th r r still an adian s who fi htin , e e we e C were g battl s of 1 81 2 an d the n ula m s a of S e , Ve ez e e s ge
‘ ’ tary Oln ey an d the prohibitive Din gly tarifi play to heir n d w t ha s. N ot l ast im rt n as th e po a t, e eff r i in r s ri an c nfid n in m kin ev v g p o pe ty d o e ce, a g dian s feel they must take a more active an d in de en t art in the rld an d m ust eas to be a l n $ p wo , c e co o was r eally a spirit of n ationalism that was stirrm
im ri i m I for a tim e it took the chann el of pe al s . m
artn rshi m i h be a rm an en t ideal or it mi p e p g t pe , g
n l a ste t ard n ati n h d but in an as it o y p ow o oo , y c e
t d tin n n i sen e a dis ct adva ce over colo ial sm . A s the im perialism of these days was distin ctly r it was n ot surprisin g that the Fren ch-Can adian po
di n i i h n hus s It has tion d n ot e ter into t w t e t ia m . a 64
THE FLOOD TIDE O F IMPERIALISM
been observed that the politician s foremost in advocacy of imperial federation were forem ost also in the attempt
to an li i anada to n arr the g c ze C , ow use of the Fren ch
t n u — the M cCarth s the M cN eills the T rwhitts o g e, y , , y , 1 l a x t ti the Wa l ces. To e pec ac ve enthusiasm for an
An l - ax n m ir was absurd g o S o e p e . Here and there a
r n h- an adian ubli m an n tabl I s a l t F e c C p c , o y r e Tar e,
had in ed the Im ial d ati n a u but h jo per Fe er o Le g e, t e
great body stood aloof . With their own m other coun
tr an th had littl nta t immi rati a y, Fr ce, ey e co c ; g on h d
ased two nturi s b f r th ra ce ce e e o e, e F nce of revolution s
nd anti- l i alism was not the an f old n a c er c Fr ce o , a d the Church had combin ed with the British govern ment to
t ff in t r urs ith this dan r l n cu o e co e w ge ous a d. Fren ch Can adians could n ot escape from passive colonialism by the r oad that was being taken by the E n glish-speakin g
an adian s and the wa of n ati n alism was n ot et C , y o y
n h s ld st s n s of an ada uld n ot be m ope . T e e o e o C co co e
n l - ax n th did n ot ant to be m r n h A g o S o , ey w co e F e c ,
h r n ot n ua d to be m an adian an t ey we e e co r ge co e C , d so they r em ain ed for the presen t Québecquois an d Can
adiens.
’ auri r s attitud t ard the issue sh d a si M r . L e e ow owe g
n n h s s H is a li id al n ificant developme t i t e e year . e r er e “ n a wa th la had been an in depen den t C a ada . Th t s e po r ” destin ati n hood foll wed on lon ial star of our y . N o o co
l a in ism as m anhood after childhood. On y in n depen dent Canada could the ful l equality of the two races be
s i attain ed which was in dispen sable for la t n g un ity. 1 See page 392. 65 LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIE
Now he displayed much m ore sym pathy with the
’ ia i t s lut l s o ion . He had the orator s
n se timent about him . The vision of dian stan din g in the m other of parli m in ste a l d i r ppea e to his m agin ation . with advice from Ontario friends
liti ian s who f lt str n the i s ira i po c , e o gly n p t on or the dien c of im rial un it ub was ot y pe y ; Q e ec n vocal. was deeply an x ious to m eet Ontario m ore than wa to un d rstan d an d int r r t its sentim n t t y, e e p e e s, view an d sacrifice an y person al con viction s which n ot vital an d which m ight stan d
H e had
E n glish other Can adia which youn g Can ada through some form of limited im perial partn ership through a precarious an d burden som e in depen d
F or the r s n t th n to ta n rth asterl rath p e e , e , ck o e y er
a t r poin t for the pol r s a . ’ The Go lden Jubilee o f Queen Victoria s
hr n h d be all el brated in 1 88 b the t o e a en roy y c e 7, i had been distin ctly an aff air for the Br it sh I sles. the n ew tem per of the tim e it was n atural that the m on d Jubilee should be m ade an imperial festiv stock-taking an d display to the world of the E
e T he r m i rs of all the olon i s er r esourc s. p e e c e w e to take part in the cerem on ies and to discuss in en ce with the Colonial S ecretary problem s of 66 THE FLOOD TIDE O F IMPERIALISM
d f n and t ad an d r a atio e e ce r e o g niz n . Con tingents of soldiers from every colony an d dependency were asked to share with B ritish troops the hon our s of the Jubilee
r m arch. E ve y premier accepted and every colony
nthusiasti all s nt f r a d its nt e e c y e o w r co in g nt. M r ui h . a w o was a m anie b Mm a L r er, cco p d y e . L ur
ier sail d for E n land on the fifth O f un k , e g J e . He loo ed
f r ar d nl to the x ri n s of the m e s o w kee y e pe e ce co ing w ek . It was a curious fact that though n owin his fifty-sixth
ear an d for t n t ars in ubli lif he e y , we y ye p c e, had n ver
b f r r ss d the ean . The r of his r f ssi e o e c o e oc wo k p o e on ,
the d m an ds of liti al am ai n s the attra i n e po c c p g , ct o s of a
r stful illa h m a disli for tra llin arti u e v ge o e, ke ve g , p c
la l on the an had t him fr m an first-han d r y oce , kep o y
l d f riti or r n h m en an ffa s N ow kn ow e ge o B sh F e c d a ir . that occasion dem anded he purposed to probe the ex per
ien ce to the full.
The weeks in Britain were crowded and mem orable . ’ A lavish an d kin dly hospitality filled the visitor s days “ t I am n ot ur h th r the ritish E m ir and n igh s. s e w e e B p e ” Ca e w n stituti n . auri r t to a n e ds a n e co o , Mr L e wro e “ n rien d but I am ertain that e er ubilee n adia f , c v y J ” n an lun h n s balls an d st ill n d on e . i n rs d gue w ee D e c eo ,
i in ds astl an d u in ham ala recept on s, W or C e B ck g P ce,
’ ’ ishm n ers ban uts E m ir Cordwain ers an d F o g q e , p e
T r a de L e a ue an d N atio n al iber al lub ublin an d g L C , D
E nbu h and las the an si n us Derry, di rg G gow, M o Ho e
’ nn the all r of the use o f Com an d Lin coln s I , g e y Ho
r ie at ithead ard n - arties m on s an d the n aval ev w Sp , g e p
- - nds n dl ess addr ss s to i an d country house week e , e e e g ve 61 LIFE AND LETTERS O F S IR WILFRID LAURI ER
’ an d n dl ss addr ss s to i e e e e rece ve, D . C . L . s from O xfo d ’ “ n D s r m ambrid a d LL . f o C ge ( L emm a don a
' a ollznan as D r . an d s ubli rat r ardon a p , S y , P c O o , p
unn d fr m his a b u ht he t in cl p e o Hor ce) , ro g t gues s to if fleetin t uh with E n lish lif r at least the E n g o c g e, o lan d of the govern in g classes ; the other E n gla shouted in the streets or sat down to the dinn ers whi “ the Prin cess of Wales provided for three hund ” th usan d of m r o y poo . The Jubilee pagean t was a m ovin g an d m em ora e scen e . The prin ces an d potentates in scarlet and go ’ the m agn ificen t Life Guards an d H er Majesty s P sian ra n s the t o s f m r rn er f the E D goo , r op ro eve y co o
ir — a ri a aussa and i h f ll in p e, M o , Dy k, H , S k , o ow g n adian ust alian an d f ikan d r — the ast , A r , A r e , v , g h ur d h erin ro ds in th str ts the n ui umo e , c e g c w e ee , ge an d warm -hearted enthusiasm that greeted the cen t]
fi ur the u n h s m ssa that m rn in h g e, Q ee , w o e e ge o g
m r ith th sim li it of d m ti n been a ked w e p c y eep e o o , From my heart I than k my beloved people ; may
th m — all im r ss d the behold r ith the mi bless e , p e e e w g
n d i ur of E n land the r an an d the unit of h a v go g , ge y
m ir e the r atn ss that h ad b n an d that et wo e p , g e e ee y
I n the l n r ssion the ular fa ur sin ] be . o g p oce pop vo g
b h C n i out Sir Wilfrid Laurier . Followed y t e a ad ’ ntin nt the t o s of the rn r- n ral s co ge , r oper gove o ge e Bo - Guards an d the Royal North West Moun ted Police
let a ets the r nt ren adier s ith th their scar j ck , To o o G w lon g busbies an d the Royal Can adian Highlan ders ilf id was ni d b bearskin s and kilts, Sir W r recog ze y 68 T HE FLOOD TIDE O F I MPERIALISM
th n in ds and n xt t th ro g g crow , e o e Queen herself carried
off the hon our s of the day. “ ” Sir ilf id aui : . a i O W r L r er Mr L ur er no more. n the day before the Jubilee pageant it had been officially ann oun ced that H er Majesty had been pleased to be stow the hon our of Knight Gran d Cross in the Most
i in uish d d of t i st S . a l D g e Or er M ch e an d St. George upon the Can adian premier as the representative figure
am n the lon ial isit r s. a s r r h n o g co v o Two ye r ea lie , w e a heckler at a political speech in the town of Ren frew had “ ” in advertently called him Sir Wilfrid he had checked “ him sha l ' N ot Sir ilf id lain uri rp y W r ; p Mr. La er ; I ” r t h l am a dem oc at o the i t. Now this dem ocrat to the hilt rejoiced his Conservative critics an d the whole tribe of those who take joy in hum an frailty and in con
b a h sistency y ccepting kn ig thood. I n some sorrowin g G rit quarter s in Can ada it becam e n ecessary to ex plain that the chief had taken the hon our only after earn est
ssu fr m the u n an ri a s s pre re o Q ee , d Tory ca c turi t pictured Victoria on ben ded kn ee beseechin g Wilfr id to
t T he truth was l ss i tur s u b n ot id l accep . e p c e q e ut w e y ’ r he n u had m s an difle ent. T ho o r co e un ought d un
i i fre wished. W lfrid Laur er was quently called an aristocrat by m en who thought that dem ocracy m ean t m ediocrity an d vulgarity . He was sufficiently an aristocr at to doubt whether a knighthood could add h n u E arli r in he a he had x li itl an d em o o r. e t ye r e p c y
i ll d lin d a ff of n i h h d in s it of phat ca y ec e n o er k g t oo , p e the ur in s o f S ir li r at who set r at r st r g g O ve Mow , g e e o e i n o h in on such th ngs. But wt e offer came embarras 69 LIFE AND LETTERS O F SI R WILFRID LAURI R s uis It h b n ann b in g g e. ad ee pl ed y Lord Aberde an d
Sir n ald mith who was hims lf ab ut to b Do S , e o e in uced
' to a t a a . S ir n ald in f rm d ccep peer ge Do o e Mr . L er of th r s s r l ft r h E an e al h t a e r ac h d n l d. M p opo o y e e e g r .
aur ier str n l b e t d in sist d he L o g y o j c e , e must d
S n l ir a d an d lat . ham b rlain d lar hat Do , er Mr C e , ec e t his refusal would disarran ge the whole Jubilee-hc ours schem e that n o ther r m ier ul d be n sider ed r , o p e co co p e sentative and that it uld be dis urt s i th , wo co eou e Queen to declin e an offer which had already r e ived her a r al and had al ad b n in im t t e pp ov , re y ee t a ed h public . I rritated by what he con sidered officio n ess
’ on m ith s art but n ot i hin to m ar the harm f S p , w s g < y o
the ubil e b a r fusal Mr ur a d. . a i ss te J ee we k y e , L er
ha ot e en the su x c s M i r H e d n u al e ue for m . e v , e L had n o d sir to be H er ad shi e e L y p .
N ot m r l in the ubil a an ts bu on oc e e y J ee p ge , t eve
asi n Sir ilfrid was th n tra fi e c o W e ce l colonial gur e. H st d for an ada his f ll - mi s t d fo a le oo C , e ow pre er s oo r g
ustralasian uth fri a l n he fer A or So A c n co o y . T p en tial ar iff ffer had rm ed all ea re e t o wa h rts. The p n ce of a Fren ch-Can adian as a ruler of the greatest B itish
l n t uh d the im a in ati n . N ot l ast is own co o y o c e g o e , h str i in a earan his di n it an d urtes of be in k g pp ce, g y co y g, his elo uen of a m r l in an d fer id ind han q ce, o e g ow g v k
E n lish audi n s r nt to h ar and it mu be g e ce we e wo e , , added m or x ten d d in s e than E n lish aft , e e e cop g e
° n er s hes n t to be ar us d an overshadc n peec were wo , o e g in terest which m ust at tim es have somewhat piqu his “ ”
a . th fi s tim on rd ten colonial comr des For e r t e r , 70
LIFE AND LETTERS O F S IR WILFRID LAURI men t of B ritish power to the ex ten t of which the ima caula could n ever ave dr eamt M a y h . And the time ma ome when a N ewZealander may stand at the gate of West ster ’ P alace asking for NewZe aland s admission into that oric hall which havin been the Cradle o Libert , g f y ud cheers in which the remainder of the sen tence as le w in au . ]
at b f the ati n al ib ral lub h d re L er, e ore N o L e C , e ec d “ that it uld be he ud f , wo t pro est m om en t o m y life if I could see a Can adian of Fren ch descen t sflirmin the prin ciples o f fr eedom in the p arliam ent of eat ” ritain an d b f r he m mb rs of the l nial t t B , , e o e t e e Co o y in a mm n s mmi t r bs d that th Co o co t ee oom , o erve tion al sentimen t was growing stron ger every day an d would dem an d ex pression in representation in th perial parliam ent or in som e gran d n ation al coun or federal legislative body repr esen tative of the E m p as
an an i ed ntit . $ et in th s s ch s a in org z e y e e very pee e , other phr ases he em phasized the n ation al phase olo
a i an ad a s a n ies are born to becom e n t on s . C i n ation Can ada is free an d freedom is its n a on Can ada is practically in depen den t ; a fewyears the earth will be en circled by a series of de
n den t n ati ns r o ni in h e r the suzer ain o f p e o , ec g z g, ow ve ,
he fi st la our h a ts is ed E nglan d . T r p ce in e r ’ i an ada. dd ssin the an ada lub he m c t by C A re g C C , clear that it was on ly in the future that con stituti n al chan ge was desirable ; that for the presen t Can ada as
fi fa t ubtl s wa that nfli tin i eas satis ed. The c do es s co c g were strugglin g for ex pression and that the formul of im perial federation wer e usually readiest to han d A ’ N ew$ ork journal surmised that Sir Donald S s 72 THE FLOOD TIDE O F IMPERIALISM
’ ham a n had b n s n sibl or c p g e ee re po e f Mr. Laurier s im perialist utteran ces ; in reality it was to a m ore subtle and intoxicating vintage that somethin g of the credit
was to be i n — the id of im rial m i ht the a g ve , pr e pe g , p
ian s of tumultuus r ds the h s itali p e o c ow , o p ty of fam ous men an d a i us gr c o women . F or all the growing activity of the Fair Trader s an d ’ M r hamb rlain t t . C e s coque tin g wi h an im mrial Zollver
sin itain was still a f -trad n ati n i , Br ree e o . Mr . Laur er kept that basic fact in min d in both his public an d his pri
at am ai n for the den un ia i n re v e c p g c t o of the t aties. “ The colonies who desired closer commercial relation s ” “ ith r at itain he d la ed at an h t h d n o w G e Br , ec r M c es er, a idea that this country should aban don free trade ; free trade had don e too much for E n glan d to m ake a return
t te ti n n ssa . The anadia rnm n t o pro c o ece ry C n gove e ,
t ld a i l audi n had i n th r fer n he o L verpoo e ce, g ve e p e e ce
itain out of atitud an d in the b lief that trade to Br gr e, e begat tr ade ; they had n o wish to disturb in an y way the
ha a d n m E n d system of free trade t t h d o e so uch for glan .
r i h ld to a l hat then ? But if the t eat es were e pp y, w “ Then either Can ada will have to retr eat or E nglan d ” b b uard t ad an . Wh n the d n lu will have o v ce e Co e C , g
rad s n t d him ith its old ian of the ark of Free T e , pre e e w g “ medal for distinguished services to the cause of in tern a ” r de he r e lie d o n this o ccasion after the tion al free t a , p ,
ati s in still sturdi frec-t ad den un ciation of the tre e , er r e ton es :
e o E la d I am stil I was a free tr ader before I cam t ng n . l more a free trader having seen what free tr ade has done for 73 LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIE
n It is true the dream of obden has n ot been al En gla d. C u have wha is sometimes term ed on e-sided ree ized. $ o t
u that i s one-si ed but the advanta is trade. It is tr e t i d ,
o at o a h v n ot do ted fr ee tr ade n ot fo r th se n i ns th t a e a p . n ad w ve h h r otective stem an d we ha o In Ca a e ha ad t e p sy , t eal i i r a uall an ca efull The onl r eform f a d wth t g d y d r y. y e m n en char acter we have achieved is this that n o ut p r a t , y t t o t r evenu F u her s l be evie sim l fo r r o ec i n bu for e . ha l l d p y p , han at we can n ot o at this mom en t but the rin ci a is t th g , p ar measu ca r ce ere laid down upon which l ger res n p o ed. are p arties who hope to main tain the B ritish Empir e on t te tr ad If th B ritis E m ir e i to be ain lin e s of r es ric d e . e h p s ain ed it can nl be u on th most absolute freedom oli ical t o y p e , p i i ee the d mm e cial . The m o e the Em re s fr an co r r p , str on er it will be T he da will n ever come I ho e hen g . y , p , t rin i r ee om which r ev il i thi con r the grea p c ple of f d p a s n s y, which Englan d has pr omulgated all thr ough the world es eciall thr ou h her colon ies — fr eedom of thou ht fr e om p y g , g , eli i n i l fr eedo m a n fr eedo o f tr ade — the da will in r g o , c vi , d m , y v m w thi r eat rin i h ll c n n e er co e hen s g p c ple s a de li e.
’ Little did either the Cobden Club or Can ada s p m e min ister dream that in six short year s Britain woul be swept by a cam paign to overthrow freedom of trad or
hat l in ba a d fr m that an ta - in t he t , ook g ckw r o v ge po , C an adian preferen ce would be recogn ized as bein g ot
’ the fir st step towar d C an ada s adoption o f free tr ad so
’ much as the first step toward Britain s adoption of ro
tection .
From festivity an d feastin g the premiers turn e to
r e re ers the m ore serious busin ess of the summ e . Th p
- e M hamber ain of all the self govern in g colonies m t r . C
I was the thir d of the in for al in private con feren ce . t m eetin gs which were even tually to develop in to the m 88 at the su sti n of he perial Con feren ce . I n 1 7 , gge o THE FLOOD TIDE O F IMPERIALISM
Im ial d ati n a u rd per Fe er o Le g e, Lo Salisbury had agreed to summ on a con feren ce in Lon don of r epresen
tive of all the l ni s r wn - ta s an d s lf r in . co o e , C o e gove n g At the con feren ce Lord Salisbury r eferred to the three lin es alon g which progress might be made in what seem ed the prevalent ideal of m akin g over the British Empire on the Germ an m odel : a political federation like
’ Germ any s was out of the question for the mom ent ; a
Zollverein was r babl n ot et feasibl but a Kr p o y y e, iegs
re n was ra ti abl an d i ve i p c c e essen t al . Little progr ess
wa m ade in ith r di ti n th u h the an s e e rec o , o g Australi colon ies prom ised a con tribution for the support of a British squadron in Australian waters ; the Can adian
r n tati s Sir Al x and am b ll th n Lie en rep ese ve , e er C p e , e ut - i an t e n r of nta an d . andf rd l min Gov r o O r o, Mr S o F e g,
ld al f fr m the dis ussi n of d f n u in n l he oo o c o e e ce, rg g o y - a state aided Pacific cable . Seven years later a second con feren ce had been held at Ottawa wherein the chief
a the d l m n f in ter l n t issue w s eve op e t o co o ial rade . Now a further stage in the shapin g of this n ew organ of the
i was ta n nl the s lf - l Emp re ke . O y e governin g co on ies
r r r s n t d an th r re r n we e ep e e e , d ey we e p ese ted by their 1 r m ier s : ernm n t s o to nm nt . p e gov e p ke gover e . Mr
ham ber lain who r sid d laid the m hasis on the C , p e e , e p
’ first of Lord Salisbury s three paths : a federal coun cil which coul d speak authoritatively an d without further
1 r m ie r re sent we re : a ada H n i i i w e e s n R t. o r d urie N e h . S l r La T p p C , W f r ;
ale R t. H on . H . id Vic r ia urne s . e to Rt. H on. S ir eor e r S outh W , G R ; , G g T ;
a d t. H on . uh e so ueen sl n R H N l n S o th t a ia . H . u us l Rt on . . Q , g M . ; A r , C C
t n e s ern ustra R . H o i Kin s o W t lia t n. S r John Forre t T asm a i R g ; A , s ; n a, t. i E dward B dd w Zea d Hon . S r ra on N e l R o an t. H . J. S dd ; , n. R e on ; Cape
olon R t. H on . S ir J. ordon S ri N atal R . H . H C y, G p gg ; , t on arry E scombe ; un a d N ewo dl n R on. am t a t. H ir illi hi ew f , S W W y. 75 LIFE AN D LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIER
r eferen ce to local parliam en ts should be establish B ut id l Mr. Re woud have n on e of such an inr oad u
l n ial aut n om an d Sir ilf id co o o y W r , while prepared con sider such a solution some in defin ite years ahe was n ot prepared to en dorse an y imm ediate chan on ly M r . Seddon an d S ir E dward Braddon len t
su rt. A s to a Zollverein i t i s ppo , pr va e d scus ion 1 already m ade plain the difficulty in the way of in duc Great Britain to put a protective tariff on foreign g or C an ada to abolish com pletely her tariff on B ri
ds so that . ham b rlain did n ot n ow r ss goo , Mr C e p e
i A th s n tati s in solut on . ll e repre e ve jo ed in recomm e
n ti r ati s A r in g the de un cia on of the t e e . s to a K ie
w r M verein it as a d ith r . in st n diss n , g ee , w K g o e that the Australian n aval subsidy sho uld be r en ew but the statement of the First Lord of the Admiral that they would be very glad to open up sim ilar n egoti tion s with Can ada brought n o response from Sir W frid who had al ad stat d in ubli his diss n t fr , re y e p c e
f th r t any schem e of n aval ex pen diture or e p esen . T e chief outward result of the five m eetings was a resol tion approvin g the periodical holdin g of sim ilar con f
th m st im tan t ut m so en ces in the future ; e o por o co e, b innin t ard a un d stan din on all sides of t eg g ow n er g, , person al factor s an d the local twists in im perial pr o lem s. It was n ot un til after the con feren ce was en ded th 1: the British governm ent ann oun ced its decision as
ti he law ffi rs of the r n had the tr ea es. T o ce C ow ported that under the treaties Belgium and Germ THE FLOOD TIDE O F IMPERIALISM
' un d ubtedl ntitl d to the min im r were o y e e um ta ifi. I f,
the an ada was n ot to r etr eat ritain d n , C , B had to a n O ul 3 a va ce. n J y 0 it w s ann oun ced that the govem
’ m en t had given the year s n otice r equir ed for the en d
in of the tr ati s. O n this r da s the ir n of g e e ve y y, a o y
fat uld ha it Sir harles u who had ust e wo ve , C T pper, j
a i d in E n lan d a an in t i hi h aft rr ve g , g ve erv ew in w c , er “ declar in g with som e r eason that the idea proclaim ed by Sir Wilfrid Laurier of a great immrial parliam ent ” is h l ssl b hin d the tim s an d uld not su d ope e y e e , co ccee , had gon e on to den oun ce the course of the Laurier “ ministr as a de l ra i n d nd n in sult y c a t o of in epe e ce, an ” ath than a m lim n t an ab ud s h m r er co p e , s r c e e . Now
the an adian li had won itish nm nts C po cy . Br gover e who would n ot commit themselves on a hypothetical question had m et an actual situation ; fr ee traders who would not den oun ce the treaties to perm it Can ada to
' gran t lower tarifl rates in return for a preferen ce from usl ritain l m d a f r n i n atuit . B , we co e pre e e ce g ve gr o y The tactics of the Can adian government in m aking its
n sultin the M e ial nm nt decision without co g p r gover e , the policy of Sir Wilfrid in r efrainin g fr om demandin g
' at an as ld n ot ha b n s ur d tarifl wh in y c e cou ve ee ec e , m e than ustified b the out favours in return , were or j y 1 “ ” m eat trium h for aurier was sub co e. A gr p L
1 w fi cers the anadian overn In accordance with the opinion of the la o , C g t t in um tariff on oods rom el ium erman men applied he m im g f B g , G y, F r an ce S ain the r e n tin e an d other m ost avoured n ations for the , p , A g , f T ne d aled he reci rocal tarifi an d rest of the year . he xt bu get repe t p established as rom uust 1 1898 a strai ht ritish re erential tarifi , f A g , , g B p f , gr anting a reduction of one-fourth of custom s duties on wares from th e ‘ United Kin dom an d certain of the lowtarifl itish colonie g Br s. 77 LIFE AND LETTERS O F S IR WILFRID LAURIE R stantially the heading n ex t day in every newspaper in
at rita Gre B in . Before leavin g E n glan d Sir Wilfrid m ade a pilgrim age to Hawarden to pay his tribute to the m an who for him an d for ten s of thousan ds overseas was the livin g
im ent r i w i em bod of libe al sm . He as accompan ed by d M r . ed an d M r i s ll a n b . d a e s b S ir uis S o y Re , w y Lo
a i s who had m to E n lan d on d a tm n tal D v e , co e g ep r e b h ha a l n and an im ated n rsati n usin ess. T ey d o g co ve o
l n . i e t th h l a with M r . G adsto e No in c d n in e w o e ye r gave to Sir Wilfrid such genuin e pleasure or such last
in m em ries. h n a ar lat r . ladst n g o W e , ye e , Mr G o e
that u aft rn n a an add d t uh of f l died, J ly e oo g ve e o c ee in g to the words Sir Wilfrid spoke in the Can adian
mm n s e tain l n ot l ast am n all the House of Co o , c r y e o g tributes paid to the m em ory of the E nglish statesm an who had don e m ore than any other to m ake E nglan d 1 hon oured overseas.
l a 26 1 898 It is no exa eration to sa that he has raised M y , gg y d d since th e da s of N a oleon n o the stan dar d of civilization . In ee , y p m an has live d whose name has tr avelled so far an d so wide over the sur face o f the earth ; no m an has lived whose n am e alon e so deeply m oved a h - ur in which the hearts of so m any m illion s of m en. This l st alf cent y we live has p roduced m any able an d stron g men who in difierent walks d atten ion of the world at lar e but of the men o f life have attracte the t g , v u a ed this a e it seem s to m e that in the e es of osterit who ha e ill str t g , y p y u wil outlive and outshine all others : avour Lincol n ism arc an d fo r l C , , B k,
e M r . ladst n e nd t l x c ed ev Gladston . G o u oub ed y e ell ery one of these m H e had in hi er son a om bin ation of varied owe r o f the hum an en . s p c p s l arel e d i on in divi u H in te l ect r y to b foun n e s gle in d al . e had the im ag in ative anc the oetic con ce tion of thin s in which oun t avour was f y, p p g , C C H ad e ud o in a d ficien t. e h th a tit e f r bus e the fin an cial bili hich e p ss, ty w v H h Lin coln n e e r e xhibited . e ad the lofty im pulses an d generous inspira tion s which Prince Bismarck always discarded even if he did not tre at wi s them th cor n. “ He en abled the comm realiti f li Ma I on es o fe. y be permitted 78
LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURI
seem ed to pass without question in Par is ; in f foun d occasion to correct a Parisian usage
S e arated from F r an ce we h ve n v e or ot p , a e r f g ten the
its culture ; sepa l ies we ve m ade of its g or , ha ea ts In assin thr ouh h r . p g g ities av n oted u o n m an all c , I h e p y device that the armies of the
E r e — Libert E ualit an d uop , y, q y, ther e 1 8 f wo h of re tn ess that o r t , g a , we have to-day in Can ada : that e absolute com lete mo lib rty, , p , n ation al pride fo r the affirm ation I than in any coun try whatso ever i io n with its wo r shi its cer rel g , p , li e for our lan ua e which is the official tumes ; b rty g g , as En glish is ; liber ty fo r all the in stitution s that our ht fr om F r an ce an d which we r e ar d as a sacr ed broug , g i is o rs What o ther r oof o f it could I Equal ty u . p t i In this coun tr where the m a orit i than h s ? y, j y s o n of he P r otestan t reli ion the ast ener descen t a d t g , l g al have br ought to power a m an of F r en ch descent an d eli ion who has alwa s stron l affirmed his r ace r g , y g y r at t i s e s wi u n o n F erni s o ur . T h re i th s o d religio . y
of on e race over an other .
f in becomin sub ects o f the B ritish Cr own I , g j
the other
scended a s we ar e from
and hold o ur selves in be allo wed a person al re there are people surpr ised the Cr own o f E ngland and ll l alisme Fo m art ma I sa in ass is ca ed oy . ( r y p , y y p th w oin d x s i lo a isme : do n ot like at n e ly c e e pre s on , y l I e to ee to the oo old F r n wo lo cmté pref r k p g d e ch rd y . ) 80
LIFE AND LETTERS O F S IR WILFRID LAURIER
f ct a ati n virtuall inde nden t. It is however are in a n o , y pe , , m anifest that these relations cann ot permanen tly r em ain wha he re A da will me i futue m or e o le s is t a . co n a r r s d t y y , tan t when b the mer e fact o f our r owth in n umber s the , y g , colon ial tie li ht an d ten ous tho it be will be come heav , g u ugh , y bec us it wil o o e t t r o a e l n l ng r co rrespond o our n a ion al aspi ati n s. ha When t t state o f aff air s ar rives, it is evident that the colonial co n n ection must become m o re in tim ate or it must break com letel T l ti i m ai an l . w p y he so u on ll lie nly in the h ds of En g and. It m ay be that this solution will be found in the gr eat prin ciple o i er r n a c f mp ial rep ese tation . T he colon ies o f F r n e ar e rep
r esen ted in her ar liamen t. O ur situation is ver ifferent p y d . We have n ot mer el local auton om but the m o om lete y y, st c p
e islat v in de n den ce. If the e i eri re re l g i e pe , as p ric of mp al p scutation we had to r en oun c our auton om our le islative , e y, g n w w l h v e o it im eria re inde en de ce e oud a n on f . If l re p , e p p cut ti n is to be the solutio n i an be on l as the com s a o , t c y t x i s t - a plemen t an d n ot as the n egation o f tha which e st o d y.
or ten tati e too was his fa urite dr am of a M e v , , vo e
ren h- an adian in stmin ister hi h f ll d : F c C We , w c o owe
P ermit m e en tlemen to add that if the dream of im erial , g , , p re resen tation is to be r ealized I should r e ard it a lo o p , g as g ri us day when Can ada would be r epresented in the historic halls of the Common s of E n land b a F r en ch-Can adian who would g y , br in in to tho se n ew sur r oun din s alon wit fr an lo alt g g , g h k y y to ritish in stitution s the lo ical s irit the ardour o f feelin B , g p , g, the livel im a in ation the artistic in stin ct the oetic con ce y g , , p p
tion o f aff air s, which fr om all time has characterized the F ren ch
e i g n us.
Sir Wilfrid left Paris in better m ood than he had
i e ribbon f the ran d ffi r of th found t. Th o G O ce e
i to his . . . and Leg on of Hon our was added G C . M G
n l b m d l I n rs n al dis ussi n s ith his Cobde C u e a . pe o c o w C h r h ubli m e ith . au . oc er . F enc p c n , w M F re, M y, M 82 THE FLOOD TIDE O F IMPERIALISM
- H an taux . aul auli u M . ul i o , M P Leroy Be e , J es S eg
f i d . N isard he t asi n to r e , M , ook occ o urge that good un derstan din g between Fran ce an d E n glan d which was
not m rel ss ntial for the a of the rld bu e y e e pe ce wo t,
hat was to a an adian of m di ct nc w C ore re co ern , essent ial for the preservation o f racial good-W ill an d n ation al - unit in anda. hen earied of s e h m akin an y C T , w p ec g d
ublic addre sses ith ad aur i r h p , w L y L e e spen t a few
ui t da s in untr r st a in a isit to the h q e y co y e , p y g v ome of
his an st rs in haren te . rom ran the ent ce o C F F ce, y w on to S it lan d an d from wit rland to m he w zer , S ze Ro e, w re,
’ m an ed M r harle uss ll th a c i b . s e ha r c o p y C R e , y d an hou s
i l in ter i w i H is oli e s h r cor d a v e w th H n s. T en F an ce a ain a bri f isit to I lan d — ub1in al a and g , e v re , D , G w y,
— and h m to an ada Derry, o e C .
h n Sir ilfrid rea hed an ada in u ust he W e W c C A g , f a un tr that for th m m n t n e r ound co y e o e k w n o pa ty . Never befor e an d n ever again was public opin ion so
i is a r h r ha be n siti r it united n h f vou . T e e d e Oppo on c i cism because of his failur e to dem an d pr eferen ce for
r f r n but dis ussi n had sh n that his riti ism p e e e ce , c o ow t c c was based on a misreading alike of E nglish politics an d
ri a h n n i of hum an n ature . H is st kin g c ievem e t in e d n g the tr ati s the l adin art he had ta en in all the e e , e g p k ’ summ er s aff airs the n ew in terest in an ada hi h his , C w c
isit had a a en ed in Eur the feli it us x s v w k ope , c o e pre
’ sion he had given of Can ada s hom age to the Queen
e atta hm en t to ritain m ade fri n ds an d o and h r c B , e p
I b n li i al ponen ts join to do him hon our . n pu lic a d po t c
uts in ub n treal an d nt a al banq e Q e ec , Mo , Toro o, pprov 83 LIFE AND LETTERS O F S IR WILFRID LAURIER
of his course and pride in his success were given warm i an d spontan eous expression . H is att tude on imperial relation s was widely en dorsed in E nglish-speakin g
an ada ub a littl h d. If an thin it was C ; Q e ec g ve e ee y g, ’ n ot sufficiently imperialistic for Canada s prevailing m mood. So e Toronto n ewspapers growled at his ref ’ cren e s to an ada b in a n ati n r li i u n als e C s e g o ; e g o s jour , “ ” “ ” “ the itn ss the stmin s the h is i n W e , We ter, C r t a ” u dian in th ir f rven t stat a G ar , e e t pro e ions that imperi l un ity was the goal and imperial federation or defen ce
n tributi n s the wa m ad it n l a tha the co o y, e eve c e rer n
mm nts o the se ular r ss o th ti co e f c p e h w e de was runn in g. It was two years before the sequel to the Jubilee ’ festivities followed in Can ada s participation in an im
w O the sur f e the e w s i tl f re sh de er ial ar . n ac r a l t p , e
velopm ent of im perial interest or organ ization .
hm ad the r lati n s ith the nit tat hi h A , e o w U ed S es w c culmin ated in the sittings of the Joint High Commis
i n n arrat d in the f ll in ha t at h m the s o , e o ow g c p er ; o e, developm ent of the Klondike an d of charges again st
the u n admin ist ati n the th of imm i rati n Y ko r o , grow g o
an r s erit the h l in of a lebi it u d p o p y, o d g p sc e pon pro
hibition of im rt m anufa tur or sal of int x i atin po , c e, e o c g
li urs a ri d b a sli ht m a it but h ld of n o q o , c r e y g jor y e ’ eff ect because of the sm all vote an d Quebec s over
helm in siti n n r ss d att n ti n . $ et si n s w g oppo o , e g o e e o g
tin that M r ham b r ain ur sed t were n ot wan g . C e l p po o push his programm e in Can ada as well as in other quar
of th Em ir anada had utd n ritain t ters e p e . C o o e B i self in its expression of imperial sentiment ; it would 84
LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIER
u s st n ill an d n ot least im rial serious p rpo e, ro g w , , , pe
i sm admirabl fitt d to a r thr u h a lo enthus a , y e c r y o g Co
t M a or n ial Office programm e with fir mn ess an d tac . j
tt n who was s le ted to su eed en eral Gen eral Hu o , e c cc G Gascoigne as gen eral officer comm an din g the militia
h am tim was als a m an of str n i s on about t e s e e, o o g v ew
im erial defen e an d as tim colonial participation in p c , , e 1 wa to s n ot hesitan t in ur in them . s how, g g
-w r un the rld the n fli t was br in Half ay o d wo , co c ew g
’ - 1 Sir Wilfrid s conversation al comment on the govern or generals he had kn own m ay be n oted here : “ i ve r or- en a on o ceased to determine olic The C anad an go n g er l l g ag p y, e ans or need not be the m e re fi urehead the ublic but he is by no m , , g p He has the ivile e of advisin his advisers an d if he is a i . r im ag ne p g g ,
m an o f ense and ex erience his advice is o ten taken . uch o f his s p , f M time m ay be consum ed in laying corner-stones and listen in g to borin g addr s e ut corne r-stones m ust be laid and eo le like a touch o f e s s, b , p p colour an d cer em on in li e som e m en ar ticularl m a or s even like y f ; , p y y , m akin g form al addresses to governor-generals or any one else who m ay be
compelled to listen . “ ' Lord Dufierin was in m any ways an ideal govern or-general for the i i Hi to c h early stages of the Dom n on . s uh of the blar n ey gave us t e good con ceit of ourselves n eeded to help us through our first awkward b led ho ear ad a t a d a h ewdn s a i ho b e y y s. He h t c n quick s r e s that c rr ed him '
far . He was rone to m a ni his office an d inciden tall Dufierin He p g fy y . was alwa s s ea in to the aller ies. H e had n o s ecial oratorical i t y p k g g p g f , r ac w-I ri but a leas in literar e ul ness. His ello shm an Lord Lan s p g y g f f , down e was a m an o f an other m ould a str on min d o f clear-cut ud ment , , g , j g , i w d stinctl b e o vern o . Lord t n as y our a l st g r S a ley an affable gentlem an , n ore ad S a e was an ab e an w o m , but L y t nl y l d itty wom an ; she did n ot seek he lim e-li ht c n ten o hi in e l w t o t t s ne th amil cir c e . The arm g , f y heart and un restin ener of the berdee n s are n ot or o ten i a g gy A f g t n C n ad a. Lo rd in t had much oun d sen se a tron e a a w o s s r m n th a th . M , g n s ought en e am e a da fir t he was bs l te Wh h c to C n a s , a o u ly un tr ained in con stitution al ractice n ew little but horses an d soldie rin but he took his dutie t p , k g, s o heart an d becam e a ff ective ove rn or if om e tim e v n e s e iff . , g , s ry st Lor d re took his duties still m ore seriousl but scattere d s h G y y, hi e fforts. T e Du e o f onn au ht the last overn or in m da was the r i idl tr k C g , g y y, g y ained an d re ressed constitutional m on arch correct and aloo n owin n othin p , f, k g g of Can adian political aff airs and carin g less ; he might well have taken oc casion to give a hint to S ir Robert B orden about his dismissals of ofi ce holders 86 T H E FLO O D T IDE O F IMPERIALIS M
hi h was to i asi n for t stin t ew r w c g ve occ o e g he n fo ces. I n S outh A fr ica the relation s of B oer an d B riton were dail be omi m y c n g ore strain ed. T o the m em ories of
ast r acial n flicts allin B ritish m m or p co , g g e ies of
Ma uba sullen B oe mem i o e d j , r or es f tr ks ever n orthwar
to esca e ritish domin ation the e was d he p B , r a de d t strife between a primitive pastoral people an d a cos m o olitan host of ld-se er The t n e a p go ek s. Oula d r h d just gr oun d for com plain t : the Tran svaal adm in istra ti n was un r ressi e orru tion wa un d ubt dl o p og v , c p s o e y rife in the little oligarchy which surroun ded Paul Kru
er at ret ria articularl am on the im orted H ol g P o , p y g p lan d rs an d the fourteen - ear fran hise shut the n ew e , y c com ers out from a share in the governm ent of the coun
e i $ t try in which they wer fast becom in g a m aj or ty . e the grievan ces were n ot so serious as they were r epre sented by the un scrupulous subsidized press of Johan n esbur an d a e wn the ran e ree tate er g C p To ; O g F S , p
a s the b st- rn d sm all stat in the orld sh d h p e gove e e w , owe what the Boer could do un der favourin g circum stan ces ; the corruption which ex isted was har dly sufficien t to warran t the C an ada of Pacific scandals an d M cG r eevy lootin gs goin g Sir G alahadin g across the world to re ’ dress it ; an d the burgher s fear of bein g swamped in his own coun try by a tran sitory swarm of alien s was n ot
a ful wa t wa n ot be hard to un derstan d. A pe ce y ou s yon d hope ; the progressive p arty am on g the Tran s vaalers led b m en li e raser ouber t otha was , y k F , J , B , im gain in g groun d again st the reaction ary forces. T e - r B tim and good will would have brought refo m . ut e 87 LIFE AND LETTERS OF SIR WILFRID LAURIER
- n th e and good will were lacking. I e n wirnperial tem
r of ritain an d the ritish in uth Af i a the pe B B So r c ,
had to be tau ht his la and that s n the m a Boer g p ce, oo , p of Africa must be painted red from the Cape to
i on the th sid the bb Ca ro ; o er e, stu ornn ess an d slim n ss of O om aul the n i ti n am n man b e P , co v c o o g y ack veldt Boers that the victors of M ajuba could on ce more sweep the rooineks from the field and give all
uth fri a to th ir in d d r s ri u b a l So A c e k re , we e e o s o st c es
t a . The r c l ss am s n aid t e o pe ce e k e J e o r , h warm
tin i n his im ial h s in n n gree g g ve per eroe Lo do , the whitewashin g of Rhodes by a House of Comm on s
mm ittee — with E dward la i or usl diss nt co , B ke v g o y e in g fr om the policy of bushin g-up adopted by both
ron t en che s — the ress am ai n th r ussian F B , p c p g , e P stiffn ess of the r n sul Sir lfred iln r re aled p oco , A M e , ve th n ew a r ssi n ss of ritish li h in e gg e ve e B po cy . W en the sprin g of 1 899 the British authorities con centrated on the r eform of the fran chise as the fun damental con cession which would ensure other grievances being
i ht d the u r nm nt aft r muh h sitati n r g e , Kr ge gover e e c e o an d wrigglin g an d hair-splittin g gave way an d accepted
i ll rlai ad em B u substan t a y what Chambe n h d an ded. t at once the groun d of controversy shifted to the vague
f i i a in ut fri a n ow issue o Br t sh suprem cy So h A c , held to be threaten ed by Boer plots ; n ewdem an ds were m ade “ ” r f r shad d r kl ss s uez d-s n s h s o o e owe , ec e q e e po ge peec e
le fr m i hbur the an ti- in r itish n era hur d o H g y, j go B ge l
e s t ho in sist d that uth fri a n d d on th po , w e So A c ee e
a s i al rati n all d and fr sh t s r est, n ot urg c ope o , rec e , e roop 88
” m g ANi) ten ses or six WiLi‘ nib LAURIER
s at h s ith ha the d m n ds in the pres desp c e , w w t care e a i l mi of his own dut es woud per t. H e had no small measure of sympathy with the South African Dutch in their resistan ce to the in roads of British settlem ent reason ablen ess a solution could be found in a confedera
th r th h o sid tion of Sou Africa unde e Crown . T e c n era tion which turn ed him strongly again st the Boers in the imm ediate crisis was their den ial of the franchise ;
m an an th ib ral Sir ilfri was influn d like y o er L e , W d e ce ’ b M r hamb lain s l v r ta ti s in l thin im y . C er c e e c c c o g i f perialist polic es in radical ormulas. h n war b ame rtain oflers of in dividual W e ec ce , or compan y service an d dem an ds for the despatch of a
i ve Can adian con tin gent r ap dly de loped. The crisis
i t ri l im t d had precip ta ed impe a sent en . The esire to
ritish r ti n in the ast i al th repay B p otec o p , to r v e United
tat s hi h had ust had a m r l ss l i u littl S e , w c j o e or e g or o s e
ith ain and th s ust alasi i war w Sp , o e A r an colonies wh ch had already offered contin gents ; the wide-spread feel in g that with in creasing strength an d prosperity the Domin ion should take a m ore active part in im perial an d world aff airs ; the spirit of adventure an d profes
ual militar al all d for a ti n . s sio y ze , c e c o New paper ap ” als arti ula l on the art of the ntr a pe , p c r y p Mo e l Star,
f an n d the flam s. Sir harl s u r e e C e T ppe , n ewly re tun d fr m E n lan d ut hims lf at r e o g , p e the head of the
m n t for an adian a ti ati m ove e C p r cip on . The m ovem ent was powerfully stim ulated by the
itish auth riti s and th ir a nts a Br o e e ge in Can da. Lord 90 THE FLOOD TIDE O F IMPERIALISM
Minto in the spring of 1 899 had conveyed to Sir Wil
ie r m M r am ber l n n d a frid in quir s f o . Ch ai a the W r Office as to the interpretation of the Militia Act :
Can the imperial military authorities accept p ar agraph 79 as sufficien tly binding on Canada to justify them in r eckoning officially upo n the av ailability of Can adian tr o ops outside the Domin ion in case o f war with a E ur ope an power ? I am in clin ed to draw a distin ct lin e between the official callin g out h - i e . by t e Queen of Can adian tr oops for foreign ser vice [ . outside the American on tinent an the offe o Can adian c ] , d r f troo s b the Domi o which l certain would be eu p y ni n , I fee i sticall m ade if the E ir e were thr eate ned — the latter thus a y mp , n i o e would, however , be a se t mental off er , which could n t b n t el b in e i co sidered wi h pur y us ss calcul at on s.
To which S ir Wilfrid replied that the decisive poin t was n ot whether the theatre of war was at hom e or
but h th the a ti n was for the d f n of abroad, w e er c o e e ce
ul 1 9 in a l tt fran an d da. ain on Can a Ag , J y , e er k
i the in t of n ai te the rn - n al enthusiast c to po ve , gove or ge er l had written urgin g an offer of immediate m ateria f i a an ff r hi h uld def assistan ce in South A r c , o e w c wo initely commit the Dominion to participation in im perial wars :
to the The acceptan ce of the proposal would be a pr oof t of the Em ire however scat world that the componen t par s p , r re ared to stand shoulde r to shoulder to su o rt ter ed, a e p p pp In this articul ar crisis a demon str ation im pe rial inte rests. p ' w l be invaluable but its eflects would of such strength oud , , - a h ar be ond the difficult of to da ; it would I think , re c f y y y i i e which I believe would sign ify the acceptan ce of a pr n c pl then the Em ire enerall ten d n ot only eno rmously to streng p g y, tr e h cr edit but which would also consolidate the in dividual s ngt , , ' e Mother Coun tr . and security of each of the ofisprin g of th y 91 LIFE AND LETTERS O F S IR WILFRID LAURIER
It is a prin ciple which appears to me fr aught with great ossibilities an d erson all as an old friend of Can da n p , p y, a , oth in would lease me m ore t an seei her fir st in cce i g p h ng a pt ng it. B ut s have said to o alrea it is all-i rta t a I y u dy, mpo n that an y such o ff er a s that un der con sideration should be aponta n eous an d n ot merely the r esult of a desire to meet the hopes ex r s at e p e sed hom .
f rtni ht lat r on ul 31 the a ti iti f a A o g e , J y , c v es o n agen t of the South African League resulted in the
us of mm n s assin un anim usl res luti n Ho e Co o p g o y a o o ,
m d b Sir ilfrid an d s n d d b M r . st ove y W eco e y Fo er, ’ ’ ex pressing sympathy with the eflorts of H er Maj esty s governm en t to obtain justice for the Br itish subjects
h ra aal Sir ilfrid d lar d in t e T n sv . W ec e
The obj ect to be sought is that we should extend to our fellow-coun tr ym en in S outh Africa the right-hand of o od-fellowshi that we should assur e them that o ur heart g p, is with them an d that in our j udgment they are in the right ; t ect w ul be to a ssure the im erial authorities who he obj o d p , a e i se f t e i la r that o th t have t k n n hand the cau o h U t nde s, n a question we are at one with them an d that they are a lso in the r ight ; an d perhaps the effect might be also that this m ar k o f s m ath of univer sal s m ath ex tendin fr om continen t y p y, y p y, g to con tin en t an d en cir cling the globe might c ause wiser and m ore hum an e coun sels to prevail in the T ransvaal and possibly
avert the awful arbitr amen t o f war .
rd int in a n l d in the r s luti n ex Lo M o, ck ow e g g e o o s, pressed his person al regret that an off er of m aterial ” assistan had n ot b n mad inst ad th u h he d e ce ee e e , o g a d d
T here has been n o question o f E n glan d askin g for troops and n o expression of opinion in any way that she could deem herself ustified in ex ectin such assistance n ow j p g ; I k , wever rivatel as I told ou that if an re uest wa ho , p y, y , y q s 92
LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIER
we have not oflered a Canadian contingent to the home auth ri i h o t es. T e M ilitia Department duly transmitted ” in di idual ff rs to the Im i l n v o e per a Govern m e t.
O n the sam da h m t e y Mr . C a berlain ook a han d in
the am b a abl to t hi h wa g e y c e Lord Min o, w c s n ot r i d un til two da s lat . I n this m ssa ece ve y er e ge, h th r fr m hast desi n Chambe lain if h w e e o e or g , Mr . r , e did not a t an ff hi h ha n ot bee n m ad at ccep o er w c d e, least assum ed that governm ent action would be forth
omin . furth r t fo m e d c g No e action was aken r so ays.
I n f wa din the d s at h o d int bs d: or r g e p c , L r M o o erve
‘ S o far as I kn ow the re has been n o ofier to raise troo ps in Can ada ex ce t tha f olon u hes and the uestion p t o C el H g , q is whether the Canadian governmen t will itself oficially offer troops or whether it will allow in dividuals to r aise them as
“ - - 1 Secretary of State for War and Comm ander ln Chie f desire to ex press high appreciation oi sign al exhibition of patriotic spir it of people o f an ada shown b ner t v in South rica an d to urnish C y o s o ser e Af , f ' following in formation to assist organisation of force ofiered into units suitable Fi stl units sho ld c nsist o bout for military requirements. r y, u o f a 126 men secondl ma be in an t moun ted in antr or cavalr in ; y, y f ry, f y, y; view of numbers alread avail able in antr m ost cavalr least service y , f y , y , ab l a le ; third y, all should be rmed with 8 03 rifles or carbines, which can be su lied b I erial overnment if necessar ourthl all must pp y mp G y; f y, rovide own e ui men a d u ed r s w h rses fi thl p q p t, n mo nt t 00p o n o ; f y, not m a ai a te ea i Whole orce ma ore than one c pt n and three sub l rns ch un t. f y e hi er t a In considerin um bers be commanded by ofi c r not gh h n maj or. g n w c f ta r War ided b na re hi h can be employed, Secretary o S te fo , gu y tu of of ers b desire that each olon should be airl re resented and , y C y f y p , limits necessary if force is to be fully utilised by available ataf as
inte ral rtio n of Im e rial orces would ladl acce t our units. Con g po p f , g y p f ditions as follows : T roops to be disembarked at port of landin g South v Africa fully equipped at cost of Colonial Go ernment or volunteers. F rom date of disembarkation h pe rial Govern men t will provide pay at ial rates su lies an d ammunition and will de ra ex enses of Impe r , pp , f y p ans o bac to Can ada and a woun d ensions an d com assionate tr p rt k , p y p p emba not later than 31 allowances at Imperial rates. Troops to rk st
roceedin direct to a e Town for orders. Inform accordin l O ctober , p g C p g y - ” all who have od escd to raise volun tee rs. 94 THE FLOOD TIDE O F IMPERIALISM volunteers on their own res onsibilit t p y. Up o the present ‘ this a overnment ofier has not been thouht vi e [ g ] g ad sabl , and ouknow m view about it b t t ma e y y s , u i y be bett r to reconsider the question r ather than to allow an ir respo nsible call o r volun tee rs c v f . I an n ot think it ad isable that Colonel Hughes should be allowed to r aise an ex pedition on his own res onsibilit re res ntin a a w p y p e g Can d . I think it ould be best that any defin ite action sho uld stand over till youcan see me on our return from Chica o y g .
I n a dan ith an a an m n t o f l n standin ccor ce w rr ge e o g g, Sir Wilfrid had left on October 7 to attend an inter n ati n al ather in a At th d di i o g g in Chic go. e e cat on of the new f d ral buildin s sid nt M cKinle the e e g , Pre e y, i - sid nt of xi an d the im inist of V ce Pre e Me co, Pr e M er d d b n i a Si ilfri ad Can a a ha een i v ted to offici te. r W d h plann ed to use the occasion to m ake a plea for better relation s an d at the same tim e to ex plain why Canada
w n s o n da stan d could n ot give ay o its Al a ka b u ry . While his addr esses were effective an d warmly wel
om d the nt was shad d b the n s f m c e , eve over owe y ew ro
a fr m m an d he hast n d to tun to Afric an d o ho e, e e re r
Ottawa. S ir Wilfrid foun d a divided country an d a divided
i I n E n lish-s a in an ada the war con cab n et. g pe k g C , tagion was spreading with the approaching certainty of conflict and the ex citement of war preparations over
sition ith hi h im er ial atr i tism seas. T he Oppo , w g p p o
l ar in r ti ns an d thirst for office ming ed in v y g p opor o , attacked the govern men t for delay an d began to appeal - - ube acti n tim n t. I n to anti Fr en ch Can adian se e Q e c, ve he n h enthusiasm was almost wholly lacking. T Fre c 95 LIFE AND LETTERS Of F SIR WILFRID LAURIER
' Canadian did not . share the racial sympathy of his
” m a i ts an d had m a co p tr o , ore ppreciation of the difficul - ‘ ties of a n on E nglish people surroun ded by E nglish “ ” ’ a M r r folk . L a P tric . a t s or an t , T e g , ook its stan d on the itish in i l n o tax ati n ith u Br pr c p e, o w o t rep ’ resentation ; n o share in Brita in s wars without a share ’ “ ” i un ils L in rita n s c . a sse the l adin B o c Pre , e g in de n d nt un al m hasi v r pe e jo r , e p zed e y clearly the fun ’ dam en tal diflerence which determ in ed the attitude of ’ r n h an adian s to im rial aflairs an hi t F e c C pe , d w ch i took “ E n lish- an adian s m an a ar to un d rstan d g C y ye e . We
r n h- an adian s b l n to on e unt F e c C e o g co ry, C an ada ; Can ada is for us the whole world; but the E nglish nadian s ha two un tri s one h Ca ve co e , ere an d one across ” the sea .
The cabin et had to con sider the situation m ore care
l than ir s n sibl in di idual ful y re po e v s. Grantin g that ’ itain s aus was ust was aid n ss r ? Br c e j , ece a y I t was assur dl n o lif -and-d ath st u l — m r l in h e y e e r gg e, e e y, t e “ f ritish stat sm n th m s l s a m eyes o B e e e e ve , pro enade to ” “ ” Pr etoria ; Pun ch was picturing the Boers as clumsy louts falling over their own rifles ; as that fervent im
er ialist l x and M cN eil] had d lar d in the ue p , A e er , ec e Ho s “ ul it was ha dl n cessar to nd r assistan c in J y, r y e y re e e ” r - o r o a z to a hun d ed t n hamme t crush ha lenut. Can ’ “ ada had n ever taken part in any of Britain s little ” wars overseas ; Macdon ald had declin ed in 1 885 to
n i the da i d raise a co t ngent for Sou n campa gn . H a the governm ent power to act without the con sen t of parliam ent? What would be the effect on racial feel 96
LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRI D LAURIER
ilf id was not hims lf i n to enthui W r e g ve s asm , and he di d not like to be stampeded by the enthusiasm of 1 th r . f o e s Be ore committing Can ada to a n ew policy which might carry her in far and unseen paths it was indis pensable to await a clear an d overwhelmin g pop ’ ula d n m a d. Sir ilf id s b li f alb it n nti r e W r e e , e co ve onal,
in the usti of the aus and his im ial s j ce c e per ympathies, were balan ced by his dislike of war an d all that it
n tail d. It was an th fa t that turn d the e e o er c or e scale .
him the ss ntial usti n was n ot aid to E n lan d For e e q e o g , for both the public an d the British cabin et had m ade it clear that it was not aid but a bin ding precedent w that as ant d. I n that as the usti w e c e q e on becam e, ’ hat uld be the eflect on the aus n a st i w wo c e e re h s heart, n ation al an d racial unity ? Concludin g that with E n g - lish speakin g Can ada blazin g in its dem an d for action an d Fren ch-speaking Canada lukewarm or silent in its
h sitan a ti n uld b st ad an that uni e cy, c o wo e v ce ty, he
t e t n d e did ook th s a h .
n the unt the d isi n was substan tiall s e I co ry, ec o y
t C ns ati iti s ith som n on - art u ce ed. s p o erv ve cr c , w e p y p t ntinud to ail a ains the d isi n not to b ar por , co e r g t ec o e ub c the a ul n in nt. n f the full cost of the co t ge I Q e e , c re
1 i attitude is well vealed in a s eech in owmanvi le His caut ous re p B l , 7 l in e criticism that the overnment had on O ctober 1 , rep y g to th g not “ done enough : My only answer to that is this : We as a government and especially I as the head of the government have in all these m atters a wl d to c a and with d e considera i to think nd go slo y an a t form lly u t on. h occu nt os F or my part, so long as I have t e honour to py my prese p t, you shall never see me carried away by passion or prejudice or even
I have to d der . I h ave to loo to the ri ht enthusiasm. think an consi k g ' d h wr I ve w at e h fiect of an acti n an t e ong. ha to see h will b t e e y o that THE FLOO D TIDE O F IMPERIALISM phrasing of the offer brought acquiescence ; the Liberal m em bers hasten ed to ann oun ce their support of the ’ rnm n t li T s o . he hief x ti n . gove e p cy c e cep o , Mr Henri
uassa an ds n of P a i a Bo r , gr o p n e uan d member for La b ll who r si n d in r t st w r e e, e g e p o e , as m o e omin ous for the futu than influnti l i a n th s nt. re e e pre e Mr . Tarte r ated dir tl in a rr s n den e th r epe ec y, co e po c wi a fo m er
ll a u in the Im ial F d ati n a u co e g e per e er o Le g e, Mr . “ ast ll in s his nt nti ain b i C e Hopk , co e on ag st e n g called upon to raise troops and to pay mon ey without having ” an ri ht of s ntati n in i i l s but y g repre e o m per a coun cil , n thin f ll d m i u th the u o g o owe ore ser o s an b rnin g of Mr. t Tarte in efligy in sun dry places. Bu criticism soon was overbom e by the rush of preparation and the n ews h t from t e fron . I n some fewquarters criticism was directed not so much again st the Canadian government as again st the
riti h o nm n for f r in it h n a t B s g ver e t o c g s a d. Mr. T r e “ voiced this plainly : It is all very well to say that the people of Can ada or of other colonies have m ade this
l I in t of fa t the tar time a vo un tary offer. n po c Secr e y of State for the Colonies has sent a circular to all the
l ni s the m anin of hi h is an in itati n to s n d co o e , e g w c v o e ” d o nt t h i tuusl tr s. int s d his a oop Lor M re e e c rge, v r o y, becaus hn i all n o d m an d had b n m ad un sil e tec c y e ee e ; ea y, because beyon d question in fact pressure had been put
I ha l a s arefull x lain d to ou he n ow ve a w y c y e p e y , “ i lfri li htful h that n ff wrote S r Wi d in a de g p rase, a y o er d h did n ot a from Can a a must be spontan eous. T ere p
r l hamb pear to be much ground fo comp aint. Mr . C er 99 LIFE AND LETTER I S QF S B. WILFRID LAURIER
lain was on ly doing his duty as h e saw it in trying to commit the colonies perman ently to the support of ritish i and r itis I B pol cy B h arms. f any Canadians
had d ubts h th that was ll for o w e er we Canada, it was for them to show the same energy and the same sin gle ’ “ to th i own count s e e r int sts; . hamb y e r , y ere Mr C er ” lain and th rs d la d a l a -si hted nt m ar o e , ec re c e r g co e por y, “ are n ot a ad m al im rialists but a h c e ic pe , r t er practical
m en who use m an s as ll as fram li i , e we e po c es. E nglish imperialists have been workin g for years to bring about imperial co-operation in defen ce ; they did not stop working just when they had the chan ce to ” 1 n accom plish som ething sig al. No pressure from
hambe lain or f m d int uld ha e h d Mr . C r ro Lor M o wo v a an y effect had n ot Canadian sen tim en t m et them half w ith s m r as n th n sid r d that th ay. W o e e o , ey co e e ey were m erely providing an opportun ity for the practical ex pression of a sentiment an d a purpose deeply rooted and often proclaimed. w m d n o tim was l st in On ce the decision as a e, e o
uitin an d des atchin on t b r 30 a battali n recr g p g , Oc o e , o ll anks un d r i ut n an t- l n l of som e a r , e L e e Co o e
a dan ith ubli O ini n hi h was Otter . I n ccor ce w p c p o , w c - stron gly shared by the govern or general and the Min ilitia it was arran d aft n sultati n ister of M , ge , er co o
that the an adian t s sh uld with the W ar Office, C roop o i st ad of b in atta h d to form a perm an ent un it, n e e g c e
n A aft it had sail d various British regime ts. week er e ,
“ 1 S an ord Evan s The anadian ontin ents and anadian In W . f , C C g C ” m 1 901 . 60. perialis , , p 1 00
LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIER
the raising of the siege of Kimberley and Ladysmith
and af kin and th il d M e g, e w d elirium that marked the
a tu of r t ria h ha c p re P e o . T ey d their special pride an d their special sorr ow : pride in the showing their m en m ade in m an y a skirmish from Sunn yside to Mafeking ’ an d art s i e and a ti ularl n the t of H R v r, p r c y i pos hon our
anadian s h ld in the a tu of Cron e at P aardeber C e c p re j g, the turnin in t of the war an d rr n g po , so ow i the lists of asualti s that r the ri i t c e we e p ce o f v c ory.
ha s the liti m lim nts of E n lish stat sm n Per p po c co p e g e e , the kin dl r f r n s of rd b rts an d the arm y e e e ce Lo Ro e , w eulogies of Can adian correspon den ts— who proved them selves as eflicien t as their fightin g kin — tended to ut h ir a hi m en m hat out of r p t e c eve t so ew pe spective .
n ti i atin a da hen roles ould be re r se A c p g y w w ve d, Am erican observers asserted that C an ada seemed to think she had won the war : Are the Can adian s pres ‘ n e t asks Lord Roberts before every battle . Then ’ let the dv an b in was th summ a of a uffal a ce eg , e ry B o
ara ra er B t if th r wa arm id an d in p g ph . u e e s w pr e t n e w i l b a t n s i ter st th r as l tt e s in . e e , e e o g The Can adian governm en t had n o share in the d i the war It did n ot sha li it did irect on of . pe po cy ;
I t r d h n h con n ot con trol strategy. s wo k en ed w e t e ’ a ro tin gen ts were lan de d in Cape Town . Can da s le was distinctly that of supporting the m other coun try. The Con servatives who attacked the govern m ent for n ot doing m or e did n ot suggest any share in policy but m erely an un dertaking to repay the full cost of
‘ e t I n cid ntall this m eant the Canadian conting n s. e y 1 02 T H E FLO O D T IDE O F I MP ERIALISM that Canada had little direct share in the controversies which soon wer e wagin g in the coun try wher e the
es nsibilit did lie the ha s of blun d in inco r po y , c rge er g m
etenc and the ount r har s of tr as n the ecrim p y c e c ge e o , r “ inations over concentration camm and methods of barbarism the dis ut s as to the er I n , p e t ms of peace. Can ada the discussion over the war was more limited ra bu m r fun da nt i h T e in nge t o e me al n c aracter . h ’ ue of anada ex t al li of he la in q stion C s ern po cy, r p ce the E m ir had ow been raised b a o n rete issu p e, n y c c e, an d in parliament and in the gen eral elections which
i l t e t followed debate was v gorous if n ot a ways o th poin . When parliam ent m et in February for its fifth ses si n a h art was r a in its fi htin un d for o , e c p y p ep r g g g gro
e The es n wa l n -dr a n -out the coming con t st . s sio s o g w
b t l e s al n a i a The nl n ew an d it er y p r on a d p rt s n . o y legislation of M portan ce was the budget m easure in creasin g the preferen ce ouBritish goods from 25 per i tta u n n t to er nt. ith C n s at a ks ce . p ce , w o erv ve c po the government for not dem andin g from Britain a
r tu The war shad d all th r prefe en ce in re rn . over owe o e
u Th rnm nt was atta d for d in too iss es. e gove e cke o g r l fa d al little an d for doing too much. I s ae Tarte ce m ost daily assaults because of his own utteran ces an d “ ’ ” tri it ials E h s of stud nt iots L a Pa e s ed or . c oe e r or n ewsp ap er con tr over sies wer e r efle cte d in discussion s t F or in the House which frequen tly rose to fever hea . - ’ t r h u d s it the s a e s ff ts ssrs. a quar e o r, e p e pe k r e or , Me
r ll an d cMull en x rim nted in how Foste , Wa ace, M e pe e ’ “ ” “ often on e could call on e s oppon ent liar and black 1 08 LIFE AND LETT ERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIER
guard without in fringin g the niceties of parliamen d b i tary e ate . Sir Wilfr d himself was stung into con “ ” “ ” demnatio of the il h ts the il n v e s ee , rept e press that
r traduin him . All in all it was an in t r st we e c g , e e ing ’ “ r o w f f ho war in M r . ster s hras lift d e p oo , Fo p e, e th coun try to a higher plan e with broader ideals an d a i ren ovated l fe .
Sir harl s u atta d the n m nt and C e T pper cke gover e ,
Sir ilfrid in arti ular for d in too little an d d in W p c , o g o g
tha ttle t It had d n n thin until f r b t li la e. o e o g o ced y the public opin ion it had tried an d failed to form ; it had been n iggardly when at last it had acted ; out of the ful n ess of its prosperity Canada could afford to take the h n urable the self-r s e tin urs an d m t the o o , e p c g co e, ee full st of her ntin n s Sir ilfrid a i r n e t . u o co co ge W L r e , ’ “ of Sir harl s lieut n an ts add d had been fi st in the C e e e , r
il arades d as n the f ti ub n l i st a . J ee p , a t te o c on
I n re l Sir ilfrid sh d n lusivel that h p y, W owe co c y t e sam fin an ial li in a rdan with the re ust e c po cy, cco ce q e o f the ritish ernm en t had b n foll d b all B gov , ee owe y
‘ l n i I n st ad of d f n din art he atta k d the co o es. e e e g T e c e
u er utin his st n n d m n ati n of im rial T pp , q o g ro g co e o pe federation an d imperial war outlays before this presen t
u im had b e l st n e th die was h r r . t n e s a p c ve No e e o , o c
S harles had all d him lu a m : cast. ir C c e kew r
ir I have n o hesitation in admittin that I was n ot en S , g I ave o m ath thusiastic for that war o r for any war . h n sy p y fo r that mad n ois dull-witted and short-si hted thr on who , y, g g “ clamour for war , who shouted O n to P retoria , who com
t ie hat l -a placen ly prophes d t Gener al Bul er would eat his Christ. 1 04
LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIER
Let itish ib l Br L era s answer. Because it was n ec essary ? Necessary to aid forty million people to crush four hundred thousand? Because public opin
ion d m an d d? E r r n h- an adian n s e e ve y F e c C ew paper,
u and leu had b n s w Ro ge B , ee oppo ed ; as parliament to abdicate in favour of yellow journals? The action of other British colonies? Their action had been mis represented ; the cable n ews had been m anipulated to m ake it appear they had all eagerly offered m en ; it took mon ths for the m ails to reveal that in several Australasian parliaments action had been closely fought ’ in n as ar i d n l b the a r s t I t an d o e c e c r e o y y Spe ke vo e . “ was said n o preceden t had been cr eated : the accom
hed fa t is the d nt as M r . hamb rlain had plis c prece e , C e “ ” len l the der m ade clear in his in so t rep y to or in coun cil .
n l Sir ilfrid aft r itin s m rath dubi us I rep y, W , e c g o e er o
o a ti n ith ut a liam n ta san ti n precedents f r c o w o p r e ry c o , “ rested the case on the dem and of public opinion : Public x t lf h opin ion has m an y ways of e pressing i se . T ere
nl t ss th r is hat is h a d in the st t is n ot o y he pre , e e w e r ree
n sati n an d hat on e can f l in and in private co ver o , w ee ” ur sa had nsid r d it a M r . as the air . B ut Bo co e e we k “ id b ubli ini n t u if ubli ini n to be gu ed y p c op o ; r e, p c op o ’ ’ were to ask somethin g again st on e s hon our or on e s ’ ” i h ne s sen s o f di n it n ot so if sen se of r g t or o e g y ; , l diff r d it dem an ds what is right an d honourab e . He e e
s a as to the i ht of the war E n lan d with Mr . Boura s r g ; g ’ n ever had fought in a more just cause ; Kruger s refusal he had n ot b n of the fran chise was intolerable . T y ee “ di w forced to act by Down in g Street : What we d e 1 06 THE FLOOD TIDE O F IMPERIALISM
di of o ow f w r l ien d d ur n ree ill. My honouab e fr says the con sequence will be that we shall be called
u n to tak a t in th I ha nl this to po e p r o er wars. ve o y
an s r that if it h ld o of we , s ou be the will f the people C an ada at an y future period to take part in any war
of E n lan d the l of an ada ill ha to ha th i g , peop e C w ve ve e r ” own wa . a d ith M r uassa that if it y He gree w . Bo r were to be admitted that Can ada should take part in all ’ ritain s ars it ul be n sa o m ak ew con B w , wo d eces ry t e n
stitutiona t m t ul o sa to itain l er s ; hey wo d have t y Br , “ ' I f ou ant us to h l ou all us to u coun c y w e p y , c yo r
s But that contingen cy had not ari en . ’ The heart of Sir Wilfrid s defen ce of his action lay in his r eferen ce to the threatened cleavage of race :
I u t t o h n r l rie d W at would p t his ques i n to my o ouab e f n . h be the condition of this country to-day if we had refused to obey the voice of public opin ion ? It is o nly too true that i we ad r ou rative d t the most dan erous f h efused r impe uy, g a itation w ul have arisen n a itation which accordin g o d , a g , g to all hum an r obabilit would have en ded m a cleava e in p y, g e o ti t a a e A reater th p pula on of this coun ry upon r ci l lin s. g a t a hon our able c lami y could never take place in C n ada . My friend kn ows as well as an y m an in this H ouse that if there is an thin to whic h v iven olitical life it is to y g h I a e g my p , tr to r omote un it harmon an d amit between the diverse y p y, y y ele en o f th ou tr m ts is c n y.
I n the sam s irit ut siti rath r than n ati e p , b po ve e eg ve, was his closin g appeal :
My hon our able frien d reads the consequen ces of this action i Let in sendin g out a military contin gen t to South Afr ca. me tell you from the bottom o f my heart that my hear t is full of the hopes I en te rtain of the beneficial results which 1 07: LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIER
n hen our oun volunteers will accrue from that actio . W y g sailed from our shores to join the British army in S outh Africa reat we e our ex ectations that the would dis , g r p y - play on those distant battle fields the same cour age which had been displayed by their fathers when fightin g again st A n in n breasts i t as n . i m a on e an other n he l t ce tury ga , y there was a fugitive sense of une asiness at the thought that the fir st facin g of musketry by raw recruits is always a severe ia B when the tele ra h brouht us the news that tr l . ut g p g such was the good impression m ade by our volunteers that - - ace them i the ost o hon our the Commander in Chief had pl d n p f , e t r n are th an e wit that famo cor s in th firs a k, to sh e d g r h us p , the Gordon Highlanders ; when we heard that they had jus fi l th on fid n lace t hat the ha r d ti ed ful y e c e ce p d in hem , t y d cha ge
e r n s hat i c uct w er i a w like v te a , t the r ond as h o c nd had on for them the en comiums of the Comm ander-in -Chief and the un
stin ted admir ation o f their comr ades, who had faced death upon a hundred battle-fields in all par ts of the world— is ther e a man whose bo som did n o t swell with p ride— the p ride of ure atriotism the ri e f con scioun ess o f our s p p , p d o s ri in g stren th the ride of con sciousness th hat t ad een g , p at t day i h b revealed to the world that a n ewpower had arisen in the West? t l w N o r is hat al . The ork of union and harmony between the chie r aces of this coun tr is n t et o l te n ow f y o y c mp e . We k by the un for tun ate occurren ces that to ok place only last wee that there is much to do in that wa But there i n o k y. s bond o f union so strong as the bon d created by comm on dangers ac i o on T o—da the a f ed n c mm . y re re m en in S outh Africa r e resen tin the two br anches of the C adian fa l ht p g an mi y, fig in side b si e fo r he ho o o f a r d g y d t n ur Can ad . Al ea y som e o f them have fallen ivin to their ount t , g g c ry he last full m easur e of devotion . Their remain s have been laid in the same ave gr , her r t he e e t t e to est o t nd of tim in tha last fratern al embr ace . Can we n ot hope — I ask my hon our able frien d himself— that in that gr ave shall be buried the last vestiges of our former an ta onism ? If such shall be the result w ca g , if e n in dulge 1 08
LI FE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIER
moved a resolution in the House requesting H is ’ Majesty s govern ment to conclude an hon ourable peace in uth frica on basis of in d n d n an d ecl So A a epe e ce, d ar ing against any further despatch of contingents from an d -I w l a a. t as n ot he d r d s l l for th i C , ec a e , o e y e Br t
ish nm n t to ad is H is st a ti ula l gover e v e Maje y, p r c r y when C an adian blood an d mon ey had been spent in
he hamb rla a war n ot of our m akin g. T C e in s of to da s kin an d fi ou of a ssi n h y, ee g power pro t t ggre o , ad little in comm on with the m en of the past who had
ad E n l n a u had b n an d sti was m e g a d gre t. Q ebec ee ll a unit a ainst the a an d ls h in anad the g w r , e ew ere C a
a of in ism a e din It as tim fo C n w ve j go w s r ce g. w e r a
ada to a e h si i l ar . I n r l Sir ilf i m k er po t on c e ep y, W r d n oted with surprise that the m an who had been opposed to s n tr o o o n d dvi It e din g o ps was s r eady t se a ce . was un necessary to discuss the question of sen din g fur th r tr s for the war wa r x t for u illa e oop , s ove , e cep g er
ff rt A o h r osal to st the two ub e o s. s t t e p op re ore rep i “ l s to in d nd nc that was n ow too lat : h s c epe e e, e T e e m en [Kruger an d Steyn ] appealed to the G od of battl s an the G od of battl s has n un d a ain st e , d e pro o ce g th m h in ad d ritish te it r th ir t it e . T ey v e B rr o y, e err ory was in ad d in tun and it was ann x d to the it v e r , e e Br ish dom ain in consequen ce of the terrible logic of war .
o to r i he r li c n d mn in He went n ev ew t Boe po cy, o e g the m erciless tax ation an d the refusal of fran chise
i th r al N ot hamb rlain but priv leges in e T an sva . C e i l his min d the Kruger was respon s b e for the war . To strongest eviden ce of that crucial fact was the criticism 1 1 0 THE FLOOD TIDE O F IMPERIALISM of the ‘ Boer policy con tain ed in the published letter s of S ir n de illie s hi f usti of a C l n He ry V r , C e J ce C pe o o y, 1 si to Pre dent Steyn . He concluded
The rolflem of S outh Africa is this — th t o hav in p , a y u e that coun tr two r aces so linke nd so te i e t t y , d a in rm n gl d ha i is n ot ossible to arate the s t p sep m . The e two r aces must be
1 S ir il rid in the earl sta es of the con flict had been in fluenced W f , y g , ’ in his opposition to Kruger s position by the knowledge that Chief Justice de Villiers whom he had met a d to a d v h i don , n come reg r ery hig ly n Lon ’ durin J il wa t d g the ub ee, s a s r on g critic of Kruger s con se rvatism an d ha publicly an d privately— as intercepted letters afterward showed— urged iel ri i was h re the Boers to d to the t sh demands. He there ore t e m o y B , f , im ressed as was Lord into b letters of the hie Justice ivin p , M , y C f g g another an gle
1 90 . 1 3 M ay, 1 I quite agree with youthat Presiden t Kruge r ought to have dis played more liberality toward the n ewcom e rs but I fe ar that the ex ag gerated an d distorted accoun ts which have bee n se nt over o f B oer oppres ' sion have e flccted your judgm ent in the sam e way as they h ave aff ected the ’ ‘ c u ud ment of the reat ma orit the B ritish eo le . The oli o j g g j y o f p p p y, y ‘ ’ sa of admittin se ttl ers sim l to m a e helots of them is intole rable . y, g p y k , I have traveled a good deal over the world and have nowhere seen a m ore ‘ ’ n — a flourishi g people than these ao called helots were be fore the w r . They l ed with tter contem u o h esident and his eo le and I ook u pt p n t e Pr p p , quite agree with Lionel Philips that the great maj ority of them did n ot ‘ ’ uce care a fi for the r n chise . B e that as it m a the residen t did ind g f a y, P the Volkm nd to pass a law con ferrin g the franchise on outlanders after ’ n a sid That law was om ewhat clo ed b undesirable seve ye rs re ence . s gg y co ditions but be re the ne oti tions were closed the P resident con n , fo g a rl i him sented to a p roposal which had been m ade by M r . Chambe a n self that the law should be subm itted to a j oint commission for am en d t T a wer ecei w h t he ffe n ow came too late and men . he ns he r ved as t a t o r that the British government would formulate their own dem ands. Mean a while troops were being moved from all direction s toward the Tr an sva l. Thirteen event days passed durin g which both Presidents implored N of the British government to state their demands for consider ation . o answer cam e an d in a fit of renz which I for m art would n ot wish f y, y p a at B ut can an one doubt t u Kru ued i r nt ultim m . o exc se, ger iss h s ar og u y that the issue was forced upon the T ransvaal go vernm en t? The in forma d d ce tion be fore them was such as to convince them that their in epe n en ha ber a of course did n ot wish for war if he could was aimed at. C m l in u war but those ob ects were utterl in con attain his obj ects witho t , j y itish on sistent with the continued independence of th e state . N o Br Co l y 1 1 1 ‘ LIFE AND LETTERS or sm WILFRID LAURIER
overned b the e o a e t t g y sam p wer and the s m authori y, and tha power has either to be the power of England o r the power of the Dut It ha ei he o li r a enli ed ch. s t r t be the be l and ghten civilization of Englan d to—day or the old bigoted an d n ar row civilizatio o th ut ear o Let n f e D ch of two hun dred y s ag . M r B ouass for et for momen t that e and I re B ri ish . r a g a h a t su ects an e a o civiliza ion in of uman bj , d in th n me f t , the n ame h it as him which is t o wer to overn in that distant y, I k , he p g an ? Th t o u e o t D t T he have l d ere is bu ne f tur f r he uch. y
enj oying responsible governmen t would have borne with the in ter ference with its in tern al aff airs to which this nominally in dependen t state was i d The n tia s be n g subjecte . ego tions hould be re ad by the light of the historical events which preceded them and if so re ad I can not understand how an im artial e rson with an sen se o f ustice or airness can y p p , y j f , ’ su ort ham be rlain s i T e c ie a u a I fin a pp C act on . h h f rg ment th t now d dduced on the B r itish side is that the unpreparedness o f Great Britain shows how little ts e s wished war l v i rul r for . The rea act howe er is that the f , , government believed itself to be prepared and n ever expected that it would require m ore than 20 or 30 tho usand men to promenade to Pretoria an d reduce the er to u v o s s b ection. e lie e m e dear Sir il rid that B j B , W f ,
a su re m e tra e d is bein e n acted in S outh rica . The B ritish eo le p g y g Af p p , wh de lored the ate of Dre us ar e un ustl accusin and unishin o p f yf , j y g p g ir minds ave e n i oned b a venal ress and a whole people . The h b e po s y p by lies which have been sown broadcast over the land at the bidding of a capitalist clique which owes all its wealth to the liberal gold-mining i the co mencement f the war Her a t laws of the republ c. Up to m o M j es y had n o m ore loyal or law-abidin g subj ects than the Dutch of the Cape but their sense of loyalty and of affection for the Empire has been completely destroyed by the un just attack upon the libe rties of a neigh in o l t whom the are related b the closest ties of inshi bour g pe p e o y y k p. The abuse heaped upon the Dutch sin ce the war by the E nglish press
has ten ded still furthe r to alien ate them . “ $ ou suggest in your letter that I should try to influence the leaders f re ublics to ut an en d a needless wa E ven if I w o the p p to r . ere in South Africa the re would o f course be no m ean s of commun icatin g with Knowin m sel benefits f riti sh rul e I sh d en em . the o oul be v the y g, y f, B , ery i c uld ind ce the oers to submit and cordiall acce t ch r glad f I o u B y p su ule. But with these people the p reservation of their in dependence is a sacred s i u I hel i It m a be a oolish en t ment b t cannot res ectin it. miss on. y f p p g T o us it m ay seem foolish an d in deed wicked to prolong a war which can have onl one issue but to them subm ission es eciall a ter the y , , p y f ec a ti s f the ritis ernment robabl a ears to n d l ra on o B h gov , p y pp be othing ” short of a crime. 1 1 2
LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIER
cipatin g themselves from the dominan ce of an in ferior people that peculiar circumstan ces have placed in ” B be xtr mists authority in the Dominion . ut Que c e e
als ad th ir ha of s nsibilit i turin all O n o h e s re re po y, p c g
ta i a m ad f s h fanatics an d u in r n h r o s e up o uc , rg g F e c
' Can adian s to stan d solidly behin d a Fren ch an d Cath
li r mi curi us t ist in the am ai n am o c p e er . A o w c p g c e ’ with Sir Charles Tupper s en deavour to pro ve to Que
ec tha ir ilfrid was he al im rial st an d that b t S W t re pe i , he him self had chief credit for smashin g the Imperial “ i d aui oo E n Federat on League. Sir Wilfri L r er is t g
lish for m e u r d lar d in a s e h at ub . , T ppe ec e pe c Q e ec
hil it was tru that a st n n ati n alist suh as Sir W e e ro g o , c
har l s was mi ht ith s m nsist n s im C e , g w o e co e cy oppo e perial cen tralization an d at the sam e tim e urge an active part in an im perial war as an eviden ce of growth to the
r s n sibiliti s of n ati n h d et the d uble atta an d e po e o oo , y o ck the appeal to the prejudices of both section s was a hard
siti n to d f n d to fai -min d po o e e r ed m en . $ urin the s ssi n a s r illn s f a D g e o eve e e s o Mr. T rte had m ade it impossible for him to carry on his duties ; to secur e a chan ge of clim ate an d lighter work he un der took to act as Can adian commission er at the Paris Ex t $ t posi ion of 1 900. e n ot even with the ocean interven in g could I srael Tarte keep out of politics an d of trou ble s h s in aris hi h b th ti ; peec e P , w c grew y e me they r a h d an ada r us d nta i b i e c e C , o e O r o y their cr ticism of British policy an d Quebec by their advocacy of im perial
ti I c rr federa on . n o espon den ce with him Sir Wilfrid reflected the c aign 1 1 4 THE FLOO D TIDE O F IMPERIALISM
Wil rid Lauie to rael T ar ts — Trcmsla ti ( f r r Is . on ) O ttawa A ril 1 , p 6, 900 Mr Dun T u r n
’ ere thin are oin well Fiel s ud e s . din b s ee h H g g g g g t p c , as oum a have athered fr om the echoes which r eached o u y y g y , was a ver reat success T he fi n cial s t i ex e t y g . n a i uat on is cell n , an d it was presen ted with the clearn ess an d the n er vous for ce which characterize ieldin e o F g. Th Opp sition do n ot know which foot to ut forward and are tr in to m e r ote t on p , y g ak p c i h ferenti l t ri m ar c a r t It as oo and t e pre a a ff h b eas . is a t k t eat or th a d oo reat fo n o gr f em n t g r a yb dy else . I am sending youthe speech that Sir Charles T upper m ade t u e th r o a i o n e a eb c with e obvious u se f c tch n ur r ovi c . Q , p po g p $ ou will see that the outstanding fe ature of the n ew pro us a s w im r ramme is to identif t an co t ith e ial fede ation . g y , y , p r I cabled ou s erd on this sub ect and ouwill un de y ye t ay j , y r stand better n ow the r o o c le Im erial eder pup se f my ab . p f a tion at the resent time i n ot a ractical uestion and , p , s p q , ’ o l in ou adver ar ies am e All there is n o use in ur p ay g r s g . that we have to do is to set thin gs precisely as they are before the public of our provin ce and t o see that the atten tion o f the elector ate is n ot turned from serious thin gs to be affr ighted by chimeras.
I n to rr t in t i s in atin n referri g inco ec erv ew Le M , “ ’ ” an d the Montr eal Star s in accur ate tr an slation o f “ ” what he had really said to Le Journ al -o pin ions “ ” i — M t which are true an d are n ot i1n pol tic r . Tar e
him s lf i t d ith r h or rha s n l showed e g f e w p op ecy, pe p o y a good m emory
an in I B ear in min d that I am not complainin g of yth g. it i i n t e hurt. nl s have been n j our n alism too lo g o b O y, ann oying for m e to think that perhaps the Liber al party is An d being hurt by all these attacks directed again st me . et how r eat a m an I would become in the T or ress if y , g , y p , - I were to leave your cabinet to morr ow$ 1 1 5 LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIER
Sir Wilfrid replies
(T ranslation ) ttaw A ril 3 1 O a, p 0, 900 A word n ow as to the evolution that T upper is trying to o rou h the rovin o ebe t is ot bein g th g in p ce f Qu c . I n g n at l t wa o assume The cam ai n in uebec do e al in he y y u . p g Q is n ot again st military imperialism but again st par liamentary i e alism Man o f our s eeches an d a few o f i e are mp ri . y y p m n
the fodder the are thr owin to our rovince. I do n ot how y g p , v h v w eri ever , belie e that t e m o emen t ill be s ous ; so far , it 1 8 n ot.
It a ro c a c tai alarm but t os tion whi m y p due er n , he p i in ch ‘ t T upper has pla ced himself is a false on e . I has been very “ ” i Vé té ivel oe s n t well an alyzed by T a rdivel n La ri . T ard d o l v s e ial he h ndle without loves b he makes o e u ; me esp c ly a s g , ut very clear the distin ction that exists between what he calls arliamen ta im erialism which o that m atter he declares p ry p , , f r , im ossible un realizable an the militar im erialism of p , , d y p Tu er which e r e rds a a eali h a s . pp , g r ty N othin is more dan erous in m O inion th the g g , y p , an r orter s T he ta e a tho u ht o the win an d dev lo ep . y k g n g e p i r ti of thei own o inio I a c t m t in the di ec on r p n . f n y tha so e “ thin g o f the kin d is what happened with you and the Le ” Matin repor te r .
(Israel T ar ts to Wilfrid Leaflet — T ranslation )
P r M a is, ay 7, 1 900 M$ DEAR Sm WIL F RI D
Althouh I have enou here to kee m b s I wi g gh p e uy, ll n ot con ceal from outhe fact that I am be i n in to be or y g n g b ed. ’ Either on e is in politics o r on e is n t ; that becomes more an d e - m or e cl ar to m e . If I wer e to leave the cabin et to m or r ow,
m in teres woul tur th re i n y t d n in o er di ct o s. But so long as
I am a min ister I shall wo r r bout d r a : , y a my epa tment nd my art whenever o t i t hi o f e h p y I am n n he t ck th fig t. ’ Sir Charles T upper s volteh face has completed his discredit in Lon don . our overnmen t is ver o ula i E d Y g y p p r n nglan , but less so on the Continen t and es ciall in F ran e At , pe y c . 1 1 6
LIFE AND LETTERS or $1 11 WILFRID LAURIER
out six t -five The a itim in s seats of y . M r e prov ce were not carried away by racial cries as much as either of “ ” the lar r r in c s - Im rialism is a lo al issu ge p ov e , pe c e, o e aritim liti ian had ar di d— an th t n M e po c p o e d e Wes , than ful for the n ew r s it nt str n l rn k p o per y, we o g y gove u M r . d m n t. Sir Charl r st r an u h e es T ppe , Fo e , H g
hn a d n ald who had i n u his an it ba Jo M c o , g ve p M o
r i shi to aid hem er ll d f at . p em er p t , w e a e e ed The
nm t wa n o l gover en s give a n ewlease f ife.
1 1 8 CHAP TER X II
THE UN ITED STATES : 1 896- 1 908
— O olony and Republic A policy o f Frien dship— The Dingley “rid— The Joint High Couunission— Success an d Failure — The Alaska Boundary— Negotiations for Settlem en t — Arbitration an d Arbitr ators— A Diplomatic Decision — Canadian Protests — Laurier nd he T r t - akin ower a t ea y M g P .
’ the auri r nm nt s arl a s as in its N L e gover e e y ye r ,
last ars the lati n o f n ada ith the ye , re o s Ca w
Un ited States were a con stan t preoccupation .
h s n t l O was the us T ey pre e ed a doub e difficulty. n e q e
ti n of status — the usti n howfar if at all a c l n o , q e o , , o o y
t he ther could have dealings with a foreign coun ry. T o
was th difi cult of the e ifi issus the b un dar e y sp c c e , o y con troversies which from time to time threaten ed the
of h t n peac e t e con in e t.
t li r s he The question of sta us comp cated eve y is ue. T course of transition from colon y to n ation was slow
an d un e n an d the on tr l of f i n affai s was its ve , c o ore g r i a i ati h t fri an last stage . I n ts p rt cip on in t e Souh A c
W ar an ada had m ad its fi st ntur in t rs as , C e r ve e o ove e
r i ir s t f n affa . i h its own ntin nt its relati ns o e g W co e , o
r of muh lon r an d m in im at stan din so we e c ge ore t e g, much so that m any Canadians then as later failed to recogn ize in the se fam iliar lin e -fen ce disputes with its neighbour the very con troversies which were the staple of
di l ma in ld lands. an ada it was h ld had no p o cy o er C , e , 1 1 9 LIFE AN D LETTERS or sm WILFRID LAURIER
’ voice in foreign aflairs : foreign affairs meant the pomp an d i um stan of f m al di l m a the ld an d c rc ce or p o cy, go
lac of ambassado s b istlin ann n n the b d . e r , r g c o alo g or er There was a m easur e of justification in this failure to see that C an ada was in fact dealing every day with “ ” f r i n afiairs sin he liti al in t r urs ith o e g , ce r po c e co e w
he nit d tat s was fo he m st a t di t filt d t U e S e r t o p r in rec , ere
th uh ritish a n i s. iss tta a had a i ro g B ge c e M O w vo ce,
ti utt f ad e o ashin t n but e q e e orb e h r Speakin g t Mr . W g o $ l l t ex cept through Papa London . et s ow y his con ve o w s i in w adian s n tati n ti n a g v g ay. Can repre e ves had come to share in British n egotiations with the
nit d tat s on an adian issus first as sub rdin at U e S e C e , o e
r o in f m ati n lat as full if min rit purveyo s f or o , er o y ’ a i of the Sir h l u s plenipoten ti r es Crown . C ar es T pper m asterful in sisten ce had even threaten ed to short
ui the t ian ular in t r urse tta a- n d n circ t r g e co , O w Lo o
in a f th ad an was to be Wash gton . Now ur er v ce effected. The specific issues which faced the Laurier govem t lati ith t d t m en t in i s re on s w he Unite S ates were m an y. Al ong a thr ee-thousand-mile boun dary ther e was ample iff n s I n the m d tha h d k room for d ere ce . oo t a mar ed
bli ini n duin the ars that had ass d the pu c op o r g ye p e , a s lf-sufficien c of the nit d tat s the in ssured e y U e S e , of r at ritain the tulant i difference G e B , pe suspic on ’ — : of Can adar these difleren ces had har den ed into
n sm N ot a sin l old issu had b a l a tagoni s. g e e een fin l y w t n s ttl d and n e n s ns a tl isin . The e e , o e were co y r g question of the rights of Un ited States fishermen in 1 20
LIFE AND LETTERS O F SIR WILFRID LAURIER
i to nd t as not esir Canadian m nister at Washing n , a i w d
i the itish minist r Sir able to in voke the a d of Br e ,
P un cefote un il a m f mal sta in an Julian a , t ore or ge y l be d A possible n egotiations shoud reache . t this
tur . hn ha lt n who had b n born in jun c e, Mr Jo C r o , ee the United States and still had close busin ess relations
he b d ff d his s ic s to isit ash across t or er, o ere erv e v W
ton an d s un d . in l the hai man of the ing o Mr D g ey, c r an ommitt and th f i n ds in Ways an d Me s C ee, o er r e
ui a d im ssin the n ed ss. M r . a Con gre L r er gree , pre g e
in t cl ar that he had n o O fficial stan di of m ak g i e ng, a warning which it was soon n ecessary to emphasize
(Wilfrid Laurier to Jof$ : Charlton ) ttawa Januar 1 8 O , y , 1 897
M$ DEAR. CHARLT O N T he r e is a repo r t cur r en t in all the n ewspape r s that you o shin ton o n official issi n have been sent t Wa g n a m on . I depe d e r on youto con tradict this report your s lf . In the co respond x an e between us ou rem mber that ou tol en ce e ch g d , y e y d me that it was absolutely useless to sen d anybody on an oflicial mission to Washington un til the newAdministr ation had been
t n offi e . hi seeme to m er f ctl as l ins alled i c T s d e p e y re onab e, n m ollea ues shared in the same O inion B t w l it a d y c g p . u hi e was in a visable to sen d a Commissio as i d n to W h ngton, it is quite pr oper that as man y pr ominen t Canadians as possible should visit Washington and come in touch with the leaders t c In th t onn io t i e r of he Republi . a c ect n i s th refo e quite
dvisable that ousho uld o but I wis ouwo d a a y g , h y ul be c reful to let it be kn own that youcame simply as a citizen o f Can a t c w ada n d in n o o he r ca a it . I ish so th t w , p y al a you ould utilize your stay there to obtain inf orm ation an d for nothing
else. We must hold our han ds free to deal in an y dir ection which the interests of Can ada ma demand and whils for y , t my part 1 24