How London, Ontario, Celebrated the Birth of Confederation from 1867 Through 1907

Western University Scholarship@Western Psychology Publications Psychology Department 2017 How London, Ontario, Celebrated the Birth of Confederation from 1867 through 1907 Marvin L. Simner Western University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/psychologypub Part of the Canadian History Commons Citation of this paper: Simner, Marvin L., "How London, Ontario, Celebrated the Birth of Confederation from 1867 through 1907" (2017). Psychology Publications. 109. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/psychologypub/109 The London and Middlesex Historian Volume 26, 2017 How London, Ontario, Celebrated the Birth of Confederation from 1867 through 1907 Marvin L. Simner hile many important announcements the Proclamation, the announcement itself set have appeared in London’s news- the stage for considerable and often prolonged W papers throughout the course of debate within the city. This article will review Canadian history, undeniably one of the most the nature of that debate. The Prelude will important was published on June 6, 1867, when focus on the newspaper coverage before and the London Free Press reprinted the following after June 6, 1867, to reveal how informed the material from a supplement that had appeared citizens of London were about the significance on May 21 in the London (England) Gazette. of the Proclamation. The Aftermath will review the many political decisions along with By the Queen, A Proclamation the preparations (or lack thereof) that were Whereas, by an act of Parliament, made for the celebrations held after 1867 passed on the twenty-ninth day of through 1907. Finally, in the Epilogue we will March, one thousand eight hundred examine several probable causes for these and sixty-seven, in the thirtieth year decisions. of our reign, intituled “an Act for the union of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and the Prelude government thereby, and for the Although the population of London purposes connected therewith,” in 1867 was only around 13,0002 both after divers recitals it is enacted newspapers provided their readers with a that “it shall be lawful for the considerable amount of local, national and Queen, by and with the advice of international news. Thus it is not surprising her Majesty’s Most Honorable that the citizens of London were well informed Privy Council, to declare, by about the details of the negotiations taking proclamation, that…on and after place in England as well as the overall the first day of July, 1867, the implications of the Queen’s Proclamation. provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia Much of this information was conveyed and New Brunswick shall form and through printed versions of the speeches made be one dominion under the name of by the Canadian Parliamentarians who were Canada.1 in England at the time and were involved in During the months that preceded the the negotiations. Perhaps the best summary Proclamation many articles appeared in both of the overall future implications of the the Free Press and the London Daily Proclamation, however, was contained in Advertiser in anticipation of this event. the words of George-Etienne Cartier on his Whereas both papers were strongly in favor of return from England in May of that year. 6 The London and Middlesex Historian Volume 26, 2017 …The consummation of Confed- readers will remember how eration is a measure which has earnestly we recommended the raised Canada from a mere selection of the Queen’s Birthday Province into a Nation. Hereafter for the natal day of Young Canada. Canada will comprise not merely Had this been done we should have the comparatively insignificant had one grand day of annual rejoic- Provinces of Upper and Lower ing and to all time Confederation Canada, but Nova Scotia, New would have been associated with Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, the name and memory of Victoria. Newfoundland, Hudson’s Bay and It cannot be helped or changed British Columbia in addition. When now, but we fear it will be found all of the Provinces mentioned in practically impossible to keep two the great scheme have come into the great public holidays with full zest Union as members of the great within five weeks of each other.4 Confederacy, the Dominion of The Free Press approached the matter Canada will extend from the in a very different way when it issued a rebuttal Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean…that to an earlier editorial in the Ottawa Times, by this great union of the Provinces, which also advocated holding the celebration we shall rank as the third comer- on the Queen’s Birthday. cial power in the world. We shall in this respect stand only behind Our contemporary thinks that the England and the United States. Queen’s Birthday should suffice. When we come to think that we have Now what would be thought of a obtained such a result without man who objected to keep his own violence or bloodshed, without birthday because his mother had political trouble or dissension such one? People would think him as has been witnessed in other slightly “spooney,” because they countries, we have reason to be would see that in the course of time, proud.3 in the current of events, his own birthday became of more personal Although there was no disagreement in importance than even that of his the local press with Cartier’s overall future mother. And when a man celebrates evaluation of the proclamation, the initial his own birthday, he exhibits an debate in the London local papers centered individuality which is respected. It largely around the date on which the may be that he has not yet left the proclamation was to be enacted as well as the paternal home, but still he has an nature of the celebration that would take place individuality…But will the parent on that date. frown because he assumes the While the Free Press did not disagree responsibility of recognizing himself with the selection of July 1, the Daily as distinct from his parents? Far Advertiser considered this date a most from it… such exhibitions of coming unfortunate choice. manhood are most gratifying; and in the case of Canada, some slight We cannot help thinking the day evidence that we appreciate the new and date of the birth of Confed- condition that is upon us would be eration rather unfortunate. Our especially gratifying to England…5 7 The London and Middlesex Historian Volume 26, 2017 What is interesting about this issue is of these tasks must have been selected that it suggests an apparent lack of information somewhere between March 8 and May 16. on the part of the press concerning the many Moreover, it is doubtful whether John A. factors that led to the selection of July 1 as Macdonald, who was largely responsible for opposed to May 24. To appreciate the the British North American Bill and would rationale behind the choice of July 1 it is become the first Prime Minister of Canada, had important to understand the events that any say in this matter “since he was far away preceded the Queen’s Proclamation. from London when the matter was finally settled.”9. Moreover, according to his diary, By March, 8, 1867 the British North Macdonald would have preferred a date a least American Bill had passed the third reading in two weeks after July 1 given the overwhelming both the House of Lords and the House of nature of the task at hand.10 Hence, the most Commons. At this point “England had that can be said about the possible selection finished all that she was to do for the union of of May 24, is that if this date was even British North America…The (Canadian) considered in England, it must have been Delegates could (now) go home. The task of ruled out quite early in the deliberations as bringing the new Dominion of Canada into simply unworkable. existence was now theirs and must be carried out in British America.”6 Given these Unfortunately the rationale for the marching orders, what did the task to be carried selection of July 1 does not appear in out in Canada consist of and how long would it the minutes of the British Parliament though take to complete? it might appear in the private correspondence of some members of Parliament, which was By the first Dominion Day (July 1, a common way of handling certain matters 1867), a large number of important during this time. It could even have been decisions would have to be made. decided during some unrecorded discussions The first senators would have to be between certain members of Parliament chosen, the new lieutenant-governors (see chapter four in Martin11). In essence, the appointed, and the new provincial actual reasoning behind the choice of this date, governments set up. Of all the tasks, at present, is unknown. It is possible, however, however…the formation of the first that the date may have been selected for at federal cabinet was without a doubt least two reasons. the most difficult…It was generally agreed that the cabinet ought not Since the action to be taken by the to be any larger than the former British Parliament on July 1 would mean Canadian cabinet which was the establishment of new country, for normally composed of twelve symbolic purposes it might have seemed ministers…and the first cabinet must most appropriate that this action should occur represent racial and religious, as at the start of a new month because it 7 well as regional interests… would thereby signify the uplifting nature of the British North American Bill. On May 16 the following statement appeared in Free Press: “It is rumored that the Alternatively, by designating July 1 Queen’s Proclamation will fix the date when as Canada’s “independence day,” celebrations the constitution of the new Dominion comes held throughout the country on this date could into force, about the beginning of July”.8 be used to overshadow the normal celebrations Thus the date of July 1 for the completion of all held only three days later in the United States 8 The London and Middlesex Historian Volume 26, 2017 to signify America’s Independence Day.

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