The length of Sir Wilfrid’s public career alone challenges admiration
and respect. He had been almost half a century in active politics;
forty-six years a salient figure in Parliament; a leader of the Liberal
party for thirty years; Prime Minister for fifteen years. He saw
generations of men and generations of statesmen. He saw Confederation in
its cradle and watched it grow to nationhood. Since he entered public
life England has had three Monarchs, while the figures of Disraeli and
Gladstone, of Salisbury and Campbell-Bannerman have passed across its
national stage. He witnessed the rise of Cavour and saw the sword of
Garibaldi flash, and he sympathized with their aspirations for an United
Italy. He saw the German States confederated by Bismarck into blood and
iron, saw France, his Motherland, crushed and bleeding at the feet of
the Teuton conqueror, and lived to see the structure which Bismarck
reared crumbled into utter dust. Since he entered public life, Russia
has had two Emperors, emancipated its slaves, fought three great wars,
overthrown the House of Czars and plunged into anarchy and ruin. France
has been an Empire and a Republic, and countless rulers and statesmen
have appeared and vanished from her national life. During that period
the United States has developed into a great power, fought four wars,
and the figures of Lincoln and Grant, of Blaine and Garfield, of
McKinley and Roosevelt, have left their imprint and passed away.
Meanwhile the British Empire has grown and expanded in size and strength
and liberty, and Canada, from the feeble infancy into which the Fathers
of Confederation tried to infuse the vitality of unity, has become the
great Dominion of 1919. And during all those years, while rulers have
come and gone, while statesmen have flourished and faded, while empires
have sprung up or been destroyed, Sir Wilfrid remained a central figure
on the international stage.
* * * * *
Wilfrid Laurier was born at St. Lin, Quebec, on November 20th., 1841, of
a family that had settled in Lower Canada, six generations before. His
forebears came from Anjou, France, and originally bore the family name
of Cottineau. A marriage contract, drawn up in Montreal in 1666, bears
the signature of the first representative of the family in
Canada—Francois Cottineau, dit Champlauriet, or translated literally,
Francis Cottineau, said, or called, Champlauriet. Apparently this latter
appellation was subsequently adopted by the family, and after Louis XIV
had, by royal decree, proclaimed the land to be French territory. They
first established themselves in the forest of Ile Jesus, an island
immediately north of the Island of Montreal, and at the mouth of the
Ottawa River, and a little later removed to the Parish of Lechenaie, on
the north bank of the same river. Charles Laurier, the grandfather of
Sir Wilfrid was a man of remarkable energy and ability, and in the face
of many obstacles taught himself surveying, and was master of
mathematics in his scholastic district. At the beginning of the 19th.
century he established his son, Carolus Laurier, on farm land which he
had cleared in the bush near the little village of St. Lin, which
nestles in the foothills of the Laurentide range, north of Montreal.
Carolus Laurier, like his father, was a surveyor by profession, and a
farmer by habit, and followed both occupations to his best advantage. He
wanted some of the strong personality of his father, but was of a
generous and friendly nature, and of an inventive turn of mind, as is
evidenced by the fact that he was the first person in the colony to
devise what then passed for a threshing machine, and which replaced the
flail, which he had inherited from his father. Born in a quiet backwoods
settlement, Carolus Laurier was a radical in the strongest sense of the
word, and perhaps it was the father who laid the foundations of the
son’s political faith. In one respect Carolus Laurier is particularly
deserving of praise. He was sufficiently acute to realize that his son
had unusual aptitudes, and to make the best of those mental endowments
provided him with a good classical education. In those days this was no
light undertaking for a man of the station and means of Carolus Laurier.
The father realized, too, that it would be of inestimable advantage to
this son to have a thorough knowledge of the English language, and of
English customs, and to this end he carefully directed the son’s
education.
Wilfrid Laurier’s mother, née Marcelle Martineau, was a relative of the
mother of the French-Canadian poet Frechette, one of the most gifted
sons of Lower Canada, and it may be that the same family strain which
produced the poet, showed itself in another way in the unusual qualities
of the French-Canadian statesman. Five years after Wilfrid Laurier was
born his mother passed away. Some time after Carolus Laurier married
Adelaine Ethier, and she brought up young Wilfrid. The second offspring
of the first marriage, Malvina Laurier, died at an early age. Of the
second marriage, three sons were born: Uheld, a physician, who died at
Arthabaska in 1898; Charlemagne, merchant, and until his death in 1907,
member for the county of Ottawa, and Henri, prothonotary of Arthabaska,
who died in 1906. Carolus Laurier, the father, died in 1881.
Young Laurier commenced his studies in the parochial school of St. Lin,
where he learned reading and writing and the rudiments of arithmetic.
His father then decided to extend his son’s horizon so as to permit of
his seeing something of the life and learning the language of his
English compatriots. About eight miles west of St. Lin, and on the bank
of the river Achigan, is the village of New Glasgow. This settlement was
established about 1820 by a number of Scotch Protestants who came to
Canada with English regiments. Carolus Laurier had done surveying in
this neighbourhood and was well acquainted with many of the families,
and thus an arrangement to have his son resident among them for a period
was easily brought about. Shortly after young Wilfrid Laurier was a
figure in the intimate life of the Murrays, the Guthries, the Macleans,
the Bennetts and other families of the settlement. For a time he boarded
with an Irish Catholic family, named Kirk, and later he lived with the
Murrays, giving, in return for lodging and food, his services as a clerk
in the general store kept by the head of the household.
The school which young Laurier attended for two terms, 1852-53 and
1853-54, was brusquely closed during the first term because of the
departure for other parts of the teacher, one Thompson. He was quickly
replaced by a man of considerable rough talent, one, “Sandy” Maclean,
who possessed a pronounced and good taste for literature, and who in
many ways made an admirable teacher. His young French-Canadian pupil,
learning English at play, at work, at home and at school, aroused in the
good Scot a kindly concern, and Sir Wilfrid Laurier in later years never
failed to attribute his knowledge of English literature to the man who
first opened his eyes to the wealth of English letters.
These two years at New Glasgow proved of inestimable benefit to young
Laurier. Not only did he secure a good foundation for further study of
the English language, but he had inculcated in him a broadness of
vision, an understanding of his English compatriots and a spirit of
tolerance and good will, which ever afterwards proved a great asset. In
September, 1854, at the age of thirteen years, Wilfrid Laurier was sent
to college at L’Assomption. There he passed seven rigorous years of
study. His health was delicate, and his physique did not permit of his
taking part in the ordinary sports of his fellow-students. His favourite
recreation was to visit the village court house when the judicial
assizes were in progress and to listen there to the pleadings of the
village lawyers. Sir Wilfrid often recalled of this period of his life
that a contradictory meeting of two political opponents always afforded
him the keenest enjoyment. In fact, in his anxiety to miss none of such
delightful and auspicious events as court sessions and public meetings
he often ran foul of the school authorities.
* * * * *
Wilfrid Laurier’s mother died when the boy was but six years old. His
earlier years were spent under the constant supervision of the village
curé. He knew no language but the French. St. Lin slept quite a distance
from the centre of the earth—Montreal. It heard only echoes of the
outer world. But like every other French-Canadian village, it had its
church, its curé, and its dream. It prayed for a French-Canadian
Messiah.
They say that something in the boy’s temperament raised a vague hope in
the heart of the parish priest. The priest was one of the dreamers of
St. Lin, one who helped keep alive the name of New France. It is said
that one afternoon he invited the lad Laurier into the garden of the
presbytery, and there tested as best he could the drift of his
imagination, whether he loved the heroic, whether he would make a
patriot or not. He let himself hope that the little imaginative son of
the land-surveyor might be of use to his race by writing songs, perhaps,
that they could chant on the day of their re-establishment, or
perhaps—. He took the boy into his study, where the black crucifix hung
upon the wall. From the bottom of an ancient chest of drawers, one that
had come from Brittany, he drew forth an object carefully folded so as
to conceal certain gaping holes and frayed edges. He lifted it and let
the folds slip out, so that the colored cloth hung before the eyes of
the boy.
“Do you know what that is, my son?” he demanded.
“It is the French flag, Father.”
“It is our flag,” corrected the priest.
On various occasions he took the boy to the study and told him stories
connected with the flag. The visits became a sort of ceremony. Each day
the boy learned a new fact about the piece of silk. It had been carried
not far from Montcalm himself on the day that he rode out of Quebec to
meet Wolfe and defeat upon the Plains of Abraham. It was marked by
British bullets. There were stains on it, almost faded out, that had
come from French veins. This, it is said, was the strange first training
which Laurier received for the works which he afterwards accomplished.
* * * * *
It was amid such associations that the future Prime Minister of Canada
first learned the English tongue—“with a bit of Scotch accent,” as he
once himself described it—and religious breadth and tolerance, two
endowments which helped to give to the man of French descent and Roman
Catholic faith the grace and facility of expression and the breadth of
vision irresistibly appealing alike to both the great races in Canada,
British and French, Protestant and Catholic.
The powerful influence of the years spent under the shadow of the little
Presbyterian church of New Glasgow was demonstrated throughout his whole
career, while his life-long affection—almost amounting to
reverence—for Murray, the sturdy Scot who “fathered” him at this time,
resembled the deep sentiment entertained by David Lloyd George for the
worthy Welsh cobbler-uncle who did so much to make his career possible.
Wilfrid Laurier never alluded to Malcolm Murray without evidences of the
deepest appreciation and admiration.
That he also enjoyed with all the enthusiasm of boyhood, his stay in
this Scottish settlement he has recalled on more than one occasion. “I
remember,” he once observed after he had become a national figure, “I
remember how I fought with the Scotch boys and made school-boy love to
the Scotch girls, with more success in the latter than in the former.”
From his earliest boyhood, Laurier gave evidence of an independent
character. While at college in L’Assomption, a debating society was
formed, and there are men living to-day at the base of the Laurentides
who remember the debating qualities of the man who was to shine later on
as a Rupert in debate, in the home of the elder daughter of the mother
of parliaments—the Canadian Commons Chamber. An instance of this comes
to mind. A resolution had been submitted to the effect that the old
kings in the interest of Canada should have permitted the Huguenots to
settle here. Opposition was, of course, manifest in the debate, but
young Laurier espoused the affirmative side in the discussion which
waxed very warm, and his speech, which followed, was of so aggressive a
character that the prefect of studies was scandalized, and at one fell
swoop stopped the debate, and threw such societies into the discard.
Up to his last days Sir Wilfrid used to laugh over this incident, and he
often remarked that it was a great pity the debate was stopped, as the
entire international situation in Europe might have been affected by the
result of that discussion, participated in by the boys of L’Assomption
College. “Of course,” every ready with a joke at his own expense, “very
few of us knew what a Huguenot was, but that made no difference. We had
started in to settle questions affecting the religious future of
humanity, and should have been allowed to accomplish our mission.”
* * * * *
St. Valentine could not reproduce an incident so romantic, nor the gods
that preside over the efficacy of Mistletoe, narrate one of their
well-known triumphs more picturesque, than that which Fra Cupid could
delineate when first he interfered with the heart and pulse beat, as
well as with the slumbers of young Laurier trying to rest himself at
Arthabaskaville! In the words of Senator David, it appropriately
happened as follows:—
During his clerkship at Montreal, he made the acquaintance of a
beautiful and good natured young girl, who refused a very advantageous
marriage in preference to Laurier. Having heard one day, to what a
degree she still remained faithful and devoted to him, he made his way
to Montreal, got married on the following day, returned immediately to
Arthabaska, and came a few weeks later to get his wife. Their union was
a beautiful instance of unity of aim and interest. Lady Laurier proved
to be a helpmate in the fullest sense, and to her love and devotion to
him throughout life Sir Wilfrid paid many a proud and touching tribute.
Lady Laurier, though quiet and retiring, took part in many activities
and held office as vice-president of the St. John’s Ambulance
Association; vice-president of the Local Council of Women;
vice-president of the National Council of Women; honorary president of
the Canadian Immigration Guild; and honorary president of the Women’s
Canadian Historical Society.
In his home Sir Wilfrid Laurier was an exponent of the simple life. As a
young man he cared little or nothing for games, preferring to devote his
spare time to his books, and as he grew older none of the various forms
of amusement to which Canadians are accustomed to devote much of their
time appealed strongly to his fancy. He did not even succumb to the
fascination of golf, the favourite pastime of many men of brain, and to
the last was a “home” man in the truest sense of the word.
Although for fifteen years the first citizen of Canada, his residence on
Laurier Avenue, Ottawa, was by no means the most imposing private
dwelling in the Capital. It was comfortable and commodious, but not
pretentious. Naturally within its walls entertainment was furnished to
many, but it was all done without ostentation. Therein Lady Laurier
presided, with an amiable and kindly grace, and what undoubtedly struck
the observant guests was the note of domestic felicity and a freedom
from the exactions of officialdom.
* * * * *
In the quiet of his library at home Sir Wilfrid spent a great deal of
his time, and often burned the midnight oil. In fact, it was seldom he
retired before the day had run its course. Only on very rare occasions
did he go out in a social way in the evening, and on even rare occasions
was seen at the theatre. The mimic world of the stage had little
attraction for him. Nevertheless, he was fond of music, and few are more
talented in that line than his partner in life, but the aesthetic side
of things possibly appealed to him in a greater degree. He was very fond
of art and painting, and his home was beautifully decorated.
A sketch of Sir Wilfrid’s home life and habits would be very incomplete
without more than a passing reference to his beautiful and restful
domicile at Arthabaskaville, Quebec, where he always went as soon as it
was possible to get away from the Capital after the close of the
sessions. There it was his almost invariable custom to spend his
Christmas holidays. Many were the invitations he received to be the
honoured guest at more pretentious residences at the seaside and in the
mountains, but these were nearly always rejected in favor of
Arthabaskaville. There it was possible to get real rest and respite from
the cares of a busy world. He preferred to go home back to the quaint
little French-Canadian village and its restful influence. His
Arthabaskaville home is a beautiful place, and it was kept open nearly
all the year round. There are lovely shade trees and a beautiful lawn,
and, once there, Sir Wilfrid always put on the conventional summer
attire and took it easy on the lawn or in the garden. He got all the
leading Canadian newspapers, and in this way kept in touch with the
outside world.
His arrival in the little home village always caused a good deal of
excitement. All Quebec was proud of her distinguished son, but he was
particularly adored in the village in which he spent so large a part of
his life. His neighbours, knowing that he sought Arthabaskaville for the
blessed privilege of a rest, did not intrude on him, but none of them
ever missed an opportunity to exchange a greeting with the famous
statesman.
Every Sunday spent at Arthabaskaville saw Sir Wilfrid at the little
parish church where he would attend the mass and hear a sermon to the
faithful by the curé. After church the villagers would crowd around to
clasp the hand of the distinguished Canadian statesman. No barrier of
haughty reserve surrounded Sir Wilfrid. It was “Bon Jour, Baptiste”
here, “Comment ça va” there, and there was general handshaking. Nowhere
more markedly than at his old Arthabaskaville home were the qualities
which contributed to Sir Wilfrid’s success brought out—the simple
manner, the genial ways and the indefinable grâce which drew people to
him, and won their admiration and devotion.
* * * * *
Sir Wilfrid once said that his sympathy and respect always went out to
the working newspaper man, as he had in his early life followed the
business, being editor of “Le Defricheur,” of Arthabaska, succeeding
Eric Dorion, well-known as L’Enfant Terrible, and as Laurier was a very
advanced Liberal he made things quite lively in the editorial columns of
that newspaper, so hot, in fact, that his bishop, who was no other than
Mgr. Lafleche, at Three Rivers, forbade the reading of Laurier’s
newspaper, with the result that a very large percentage of the
subscription list was withdrawn, and the future leader saw his first
journalistic enterprise go out of business. It is not necessary to say
that the articles so severely condemned by the Bishop of Three Rivers
would not be considered very radical these days, but his Lordship was a
staunch Tory, as well as a churchman, and, no doubt, thought that the
sheet in question could be dispensed with easily enough. Later on,
however, Sir Wilfrid was a successful contributor to “L’Electeur,” the
predecessor of “Le Soleil,” of Quebec, his article on “the den of forty
thieves” creating a sensation, and a libel suit at the time. That was
during the Chapleau-Senecal-Densereau regime at Quebec, and party
feeling ran very high, the cause célèbre having been tried in Montreal
before the late Mr. Justice Ramsay, resulting in the defendants being
acquitted. There was intense excitement in political and journalistic
circles, when it became known that Laurier was the author of the article
in question, and, in fact, the paper pleaded justification through its
attorneys.
* * * * *
About fifty-five years ago the Undergraduates’ Society, faculty of law
of McGill, was holding a general meeting. The students attending this
meeting had the opportunity of hearing their elder confreres of the
class of 1864, bidding farewell to old McGill.
Curiously enough, the proposer of the address of farewell was a young
man, who in the years to come had the good fortune to reach to the
height of honour, which a country can confer upon her sons, and whose
name was to be written in golden letters upon the register of the
faculty. This name was Wilfrid Laurier.
In his address, this talented young lawyer said among other things,
that: “I pledge my honour that I will give the whole of my life to the
cause of conciliation, harmony and concord amongst the different
elements of this country of ours.”
The routine of his student days was wise, modest, studious and sober. He
employed his leisure moments, that is to say, as many as he could snatch
away from his office and university work, in reading, in studying
literature and great speeches and the art of eloquence, in the political
or literary clubs, just as at McGill, he was counted amongst the first
rank and was the means of compelling others to recognize in him the
first rays of an eloquence which, later on, was to shed so much lustre.
The steady and persistent preparation of Sir Wilfrid for that which was
his heritage, was early noted by his admirers. He was stamped as an
orator in his speech-making address to the throne, in 1871, when he
spoke on the timely topic of “National Industry.” It is interesting to
have the testimony of one of his contemporaries who thus describes Sir
Wilfrid at that time:
Tall, slender frame, pallid face, brownish hair, supple, approachable,
steadfast and convincing look, slightly a dreamer, a sort of
pleasantness about his facial expression, modest and yet distinguished,
a certain demeanour of confidence or of melancholy which tended to call
forth sympathy.
Before Laurier left Montreal to take up his residence in the Townships,
he was a prominent member of the institution known as L’Institut
Canadian, which in time came under the episcopal condemnation of the
late Mgr. Ignace Bourget, Bishop of Montreal, and became very
prominently before the public by the death of Guibord, a well-known
Montreal printer, and the subsequent refusal of the head of the diocese
to allow his internment in the family lot at Côté des Neiges. This
incident belongs to the religious history of Montreal, but Hon. L. O.
David is authority for the statement that had Wilfrid Laurier died under
the same circumstances as Guibord, his remains would have been also
denied entry into the Catholic city of the dead, as he never retracted
following the fulmination of the then Bishop of Montreal.
Sir Wilfrid was the one man, perhaps, in French-Canada who was opposed,
through most of his political career by the bishops of his race, yet he
had the satisfaction of seeing the clergy, both high and low, rally to
his side during the crowning act of his life, and oppose conscription.
He proved to the world that his race could sacrifice their religious
sentiments, but that there was no surrender in matters of race or tongue
as he was the one man in Canada who could repeat before the Orangemen of
Toronto, with Henry VIII: “No Italian priest will ever tithe or toll in
my dominions,” and hold the Province of Quebec in the hollow of his hand
at the same time. He carried his French followers successfully through
several elections, in spite of episcopal opposition, and died mourned
and beloved by the whole Province.
* * * * *
Since 1871, Sir Wilfrid has been actively before the public. That date
marked his entrance into the Quebec Assembly on his election in the
Riding of Drummond and Arthabaska. His first appearance in public life
revealed the qualities that were to make him famous. The effect of his
fluent, cultivated and charming discourse is described by Frechette, the
poet, as magical, “On the following day,” he writes, “the name of
Laurier was on every lip, and all who then heard it will remember how
those two syllables rang out true and clear, their tone that of a coin
of gold, pure from all alloy, and bearing the impress of sterling
worth.”