SIR W. LAURIER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 38, 29 September 1911, Page 6

SI R W. LAURIER.

A SILVER-TONGUED FRENCHCAN A.DI AN. “AN IDOLISED LEADER.” As recently stated in our cable columns, Sir Wilfrid Laurier and his party have been defeated at the elections that have just taken place in Canada. Sir Wilfrid Laurier (the first French-Canadian to attain the has been Prime Minister since 1896. Of him a Canadian recently wrote: — Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the silvertongued French-Canadian Premieir, has boon described as the “Joshua who is leading Canadians along the path that is opening before them, a man who has won for. himself in Britain and in France high distinctions and deep respect, and who by virtue of bis work in tiic Old Countries has visibly helped the cause of Canadian nationality.’’ Not only has lie been the saviour of French Canada, but he is the idolised leader of his party in the House of Commons at Ottawa ; and Sir Oliver Mowat at an Ottawa convention referred to him as “a man whom all men, without distinction of party or race, admire, and whose purity of purpose and conduct all must recognise.” The most attractive political personality in the Dominion, Sir Wilfrid lias enjoyed the respect and esteem of the Govern men I ai Homo. His aims arc pair a:;;! FI'S, having ever the good of his century ia view. “I predict,” said he in cln first speech he made after landing in England on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee, “that the time is appoaching when Canadian pride and aspiration will develop a claim to demand as a right their share in that broader citizenship which embraces the whole Empire, and whose legislative centre is the Palace at Westminister.” Sir Wilfrid’s politics would best be described as Liberalism, subject ever to patriotism. There docs not exist in Motherland nr Colony a truer patriot or a more whole-souled imperialist. ‘‘THE LITTLE GENTLEMAN.” The son of a Quebec land sur-

vcyor of limited means, he was raised ia the county of L’Assomption, and early in his youth manifested that true gentlcmaiilincss and quiet dignity which have ever charactciisnd ids pui.lic and private life. As the little fellow passed daily through the village on his May to -school the peasant women would say “Voila he pei.it monsieur” (there goes the little gentleman), and to his unfailing courtesy and ungrudging kindliness of heart must be credited sonic mea-

sure of his success, for he is largehearted even to his bitterest political foe. Nothing vulgar, coarse, or unkind finds, place .in his composition, and 'actions and speech are dignified by courtesy, considei ation, and charity.

Sir Wilfrid's early predilection was for lay',panel after three years’ study he. -was; ad in it tod to the Bar in 1861 at. the ago of twenty-three. While at, L’Assomption College lie would! ptiy many visits to the courthouse to hear the celebrated orators of the time, and on some occasions he was guilty of breaking the rules of his college in order to do so. But the knowledge ho thus obtained was of incalculable benefit to him in after years. HIS POLITICAL START. Lanrier’s first entrance into matters political was inconjunction with Meredic Lanctot, a firebrand orator and sensational journalist, '-who later sank from a glaring popularity to dull and drear obscurity.

It was young Lanrier’s indomitable pluck and Tloggeclncss of purpose that crtried' him' through this period of his career'.- 1 In consequence of ill-health he migrated from Montreal to Anthabasciip where he combined law and journalism, being in charge of the “Defricheur,” the organ of the National Party. Here he came into violent collision with the clergy, and the paper became a thing of the past. An illness followed, lasting several weeks, and' friends despaired of the young lawyer’s life, but, contrary to expectation, he recovered, and again entered upon his legal duties. Soon his eloquence and ability drew to him the’ attention of the people of his district. The eastern townships had ■ been making rapid strides forward, and in 1871 Laurior was returned to the Quebec Legislature by a majority of thousands.

There are many points in which Sir Wilfrid Laurier resembles the great Pin,, one.'.being that “at his first appeal audt 4 lie- showed himself superior to all ids contemporaries in fund of knowledge and power of expression.” His first speech ■ created a sensation. “Who,” 1 asked they, “can this boy lie? He is not yet thirty, and handles the deepest public questions with authority* •and speaks with power and eloquence.” The next'day the name of Laurier was famous. ' MAIDEN SPEECH. ; vii ■ . u.ho ; lures, years Iptcr, ii| f .lß74, the rising young politician entered the HonScV of' Cb’mmons,' 1 and ’ soon his’ oppoiturpty camp*; Thebßubject under discussion,, was the Lews Heil rebellion in,,the Nortb-west.il The debate had boeti going,,on fori Two days when Laurier, took the floor.: His speeches had always before been made in French, but on this occasion he spoke in English. Curiosity and interest on the part of his hearers 'gave place to admiration, and for more than an hour the House simply hung upon Ids words. , The English members wore astonished at his eloquence and charm, and a deep silence reigned while ho spoke. When lie sat clown cheers, loud and prolonged for more than five minutes, rose from all sides, and members thronged round him to offer congratulations.’ In 187(1, on entering the Macken-zic-Adam Ministry as Minister of Inland Eevcmio, lie met his first and only defeat, hut was returned for Quebec East. For eighteen years he sat in Opposition, during the last nine years of which period he was the Leader. In 1896 the Conservative Government' was defeated and Wilfrid Laurier was called upon to form a Ministry.

On his visit to England in 1897, on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee, his, public utterances, his political moves, ; and every appearance before the curtain only served to increase his ‘popularity, and to make him the lion of the day. Honours were showered ; upon him. He was made K.C.M.G. and a member of the Imperial Privy Council. Later he took part in two Imperial Conferences. HIS MASTERS. Sir Wilfrid Laurier calls himself a pupil of Charles Janies Fox, John Fright, and William Ewart Gladstone, to the last of whom he paid most eloquent tribute in the Ottawa House on the occasion of his death. The most remarkable characteristic of Canada’s Premier’, as an orator is his innate love of truth. Thoroughly equipped on all points, quick at repartee, with prudence and presence r.f mind above the ordinary, lie is an exceptional leader and powerful opponent. When any important question is in debate, he is at his best. His resonant and vibrating voice, with its wonderful modulations, carries conviction. Eloquent, graceful, and 'bceiiiwl, ho charms the listener, and oik o si'bvd with the conviction that an horn a. man is speaking. Frechette says: “His whole countenance denote- reace in himself and goodwill to others. A great man in public, an amiable cavalier among the fair sex, a genial companion among his intimate friends; his lips ever ready with a laugh as frank and hearty as his words—such is Wilfrid Laurier.”