langue qui, dans l'eglise, se répandit avec éloquence des lèvres de
Saint Bernard et de Bossuet; et qui, avec Saint Louis, Du Guesclin et
l'héroïque Pucelle d'Orléans, résonna sur les champs de bataille.
Cette place sera toujours identifiée avec la race glorieuse qui
produisit ces grandes âmes; et cette cité, placée comme elle l'est, sur
un des sites les plus imposants du monde, semble digne de ceux dont le
langage est parlé dans tout l'ancien Canada, et qui couronnèrent de
demeures civilisées le rocher élevé qui est aujourd'hui le Gibraltar de
notre puissance.
Bien des changements se sont opérés depuis que la première flotte
européenne jeta l'ancre sur les bords du Saint-Laurent, mais aucun
événement ne souilla jamais les glorieuses annales de cette forteresse,
de cette place si chère a l'histoire. Car ne fut-ce pas d'ici que
jaillirent ces influences qui changèrent en riches habitations de
nations puissantes, ces vastes déserts inconnus? Ne fut-ce pas de
Québec que les paroles de foi, les impérissables richesses de la
science et de la civilisation se répandirent à travers un nouveau
continent? C'est d'ici que les grandes rivières furent découvertes, et
que les flots, devenant les grandes voies du commerce, furent forcés de
partager le travail de l'homme.
Qu'y a-t-il d'étonnant à ce que vous chérissiez tant ces souvenirs, et
que, de l'avis et avec l'assistance de Lord Dufferin, vous ayez résolu
de faire tout ce qui est en votre pouvoir, non seulement pour conserver
ce qui rappelle au voyageur vos jours de gloire, mais encore pour
embellir le plus possible la précieuse relique qui vous a été léguée en
votre charmante cité.
Les mesures que vous avez prises au sujet de l'embellissement de votre
ville, mises au jour tout récemment, créées par votre générosité, et
encouragées par l'esprit sympathique de votre dernier gouverneur-
général, à qui aucun effort noble et généreux ne fit appel en vain,
prouvent que vous ne permettrez jamais que l'intérêt et la beauté qui
attirent tant de milliers de visiteurs, chaque année, vers votre cité
soient détruits par un utilitairianisme mal entendu; mais que vous
tiendrez à conserver en son intégrité le seul grand et antique monument
de la grandeur du Canada, que ce pays possède.
En conclusion, permettez-moi de vous assurer que nous souhaitons
sincèrement que vos voeux les plus ardents, quant à ce qui regarde
l'accroissement du commerce de votre port, se réalisent, et que les
eaux de la grande rivière qui coule au pied de votre promontoire
puissent constament être couvertes des vaisseaux, superbes et
solidement construits, que vos artisans peuvent produire avec tant
d'habileté et en aussi grand nombre.
Personne ne désire ce résultat plus sincèrement que la princesse, que
vous avez si gracieusement acclamée et qui se joint à moi pour vous
exprimer mes sincères remerciements; elle qui en venant ici, doit être
regardée comme la représentante personnelle de notre reine issue de
cette maison royale, qui reçut comme fiancée Henriette de France, fille
du grand monarque français, dont une des gloires de son règne fut
l'honneur qu'il rendit au voyageur illustre, l'intrépide Champlain, ce
nom à jamais identifté avec tout ce qui nous entoure.
At Laval University he said:--
Monseigneur et Messieurs,--La rivalité à laquelle vous faites allusion
dans votre éloquente et bien-veillante adresse, et qui, dites vous,
existe encore entre les sujets de sa majesté au Canada, ne devrait
jamais s'éteindre surtout quand cette émulation a pour origine le
désir d'obéir aux lois dans leur libre et juste application, et les
nobles efforts d'un chacun pour placer chaque province au premier rang
dans la représentation de notre pays et faire ainsi progresser le
Canada dans la voie de l'ordre et de la prospérité.
De même que votre magnifique édifice domine votre cité, de même la
pensée dominante de votre université est d'être le phare sur lequel se
dirige le peuple dans l'espérance que cette émulation tendra à nous
diriger vers de hautes et nobles destinées.
Nous entrons avec le plus profond intérêt dans ces salles où vous avez
entrepris cette tâche glorieuse, et nous concourrons de tout coeur dans
les souhaits que vous venez d'exprimer, dans le voeu que nous formons
pour votre prospérité.
Nous nous sommes réjouis, en débarquant il y a deux jours, de voir que
vos autorités, avec un si grand nombre de population, manifestaient de
la manière la plus énergique et avec une noble générosité la confiance
qu'ils avaient placé dans le représentant de leur souveraine.
Soyez persuadé que je comprends toute l'importance de cette confiance.
Ce n'est pas à moi personnellement que ces témoignages s'adressent,
mais au représentant d'un gouvernement assurant une liberté à laquelle
on ne songe pas dans d'autre pays, et qui se trouve unie aux anciens
usages et à l'autorité modérée sous laquelle le peuple de notre empire
a trouvé le bonheur, la puissance et l'union.
Permettez-moi de vous remercier de votre bien-veillante reception, et
de vous dire que je désire avoir ma part de l'approbation que le public
accorde à vos travaux, en continuant l'octroi des prix inauguré par
Lord Dufferin, qui savait si bien apprécier la valeur de votre
université, et qui, en sa qualité de savant, connaissait tout le prix
de l'enseignement qu'on y donne.
Ici les élèvès placés sous vos soins, reçoivent tous les jours une
large part des connaissances que vous avez puisées à des sources
précieuses dans diverses contrées du globe; car les voyages sont aussi
propres à instruire que les livres eux-mêmes, et parmi vos professeurs
il y en a qui ont parcouru beaucoup de pays et vu beaucoup de peuples
différents, et qui ont suivi en Amérique la pratique des fondateurs du
Christianisme, en apprenant les langues étrangères, en voyant l'ancien
monde, ses habitants, tout en s'initiant à sa littérature immortelle.
Les fondateurs de cette institution ont pourvu aux moyens de faire
suivre des cours complets de médecine, qui jusqu'ici n'avaient été
ouverts qu'a un petit nombre de personnes; car dans votre institution
la medécine s'enseigne d'après une méthode digne de la nation qui a
produit Broussais, Bichat, Corvisart et Pinel.
Les sciences naturelles sont enseignées à des hommes qui, en prenant
part au développement et aux découvertes des richesses naturelles de ce
vaste continent, continueront l'oeuvre de leurs ancetres, les pionniers
du Canada.
Cette partie de la puissance renferme des richesses naturelles encore
inconnues et qui n'exigent que l'esprit d'entreprise pour leur
exploitation.
C'est aussi un pays où l'or, les marbres précieux et les serpentines
aideront á augmenter par leur valeur les revenus de la population qui
doit neanmoins compter principalement sur la culture du sol et qui dans
l'elevage des bestiaux augmentera sa prospérité en approvisionnant
les marches de l'Europe.
Je suis très honoré de votre réception, et mon désir le plus sincère
est que la Divine Providence permette que l'Université Laval soit
toujours le flambeau des arts et des sciences pour la noble et
génereuse population de Québec.
At Toronto during the same year the Governor-General had occasion to
speak as follows:--
Gentlemen,--In rising to return you my heartfelt thanks for the loyal
and cordial manner in which you have received the toast of the health
of the Queen's representative, I thank my learned and honourable friend
on my left for the manner in which he has proposed that toast, and you,
gentlemen, for the way in which you have been good enough to receive it.
I knew that in a Canadian company that toast would be received with all
honours, because I believe there is no nation in this world which has
more profound love for its Sovereign than the Canadian people. (Loud
cheers.) With reference to the Prince of Wales, to whose visit you have
made allusion, I know that he was delighted, as was also the Duke of
Connaught, with the visit they paid to Canada, and they have both
expressed a confident hope that during my term of office they may
revisit Canadian soil. (Loud cheering.) With regard to ourselves
personally, I shall accept with gratitude everything that has fallen
to-night from your eloquent lips, sir, with regard to the Princess, my
wife. (Great cheering.) But as for myself, I must demur to the
excessive kindness of some of your expressions; and although it may be
a bold opinion for a layman to lay down in the presence of so many
distinguished in the law, I believe my learned friend has almost for
the first time--and I hope for the last--in his life departed from
that attitude of strict impartiality which it is his duty, as well as
my own, to maintain. (Great laughter and cheering.) I have a theory on
the subject, of which I will let you into the secret. My honourable
friend has confided to me that it was his painful duty to make some
very severe observations from the Bench to-day. I think that it may be
possibly owing to a natural reaction of feeling, that he has found it
almost obligatory to make some observations in my favour to-night,
almost too kind (Loud laughter.) We have been delighted with the
reception we have met with in Toronto, and I must say that it has been
a matter of good fortune, in my opinion, that we have been able to
visit this great city at a time when its citizens are occupied with the
great show which is being held within a short distance of its limits,
and which is a most remarkable exhibition to have been set on foot and
carried out by any city. (Cheers.) And in a few days we shall not only
have had the pleasure of inspecting the exhibits, but of seeing some of
the live stock which is now enjoying such favour not only in Canada,
but also, luckily for Europe, over the water. That examination will
be for me one of peculiar interest. I look forward to that trade
developing a new and--as I trust it will be--a permanent source of
revenue to this country. (Cheers.) I see you have Landseer's pictures
of "Peace" and "War" upon your walls. I know of no more striking
contrast that can be seen between peace and war than at Quebec, for
instance, where under the frowning guns of that magnificent fortress
the air is daily full of the lowing of cattle and bleating of sheep,
and vast numbers are to be seen being embarked upon the large and fine
vessels of the Allan Line for transport to Europe. (Cheers.) We may
congratulate Canada not only that she has begun that trade, but that
she has done so in so energetic a fashion, that though the shippers
expected there would be but little traffic so late this year, the trade
has been carried on with increasing volume throughout the autumn, and
depend upon it, it will bring you good return, not only to the farmers
already here, but by bringing more people to Canada. These people are
the class you want, and I believe that for every few hundred cattle or
sheep you send to Liverpool, you have every prospect of getting in
exchange a stout English farmer. (Loud cheers.) Gentlemen, I hardly
expected that upon this, my first official visit, I should have had the
opportunity of expressing my gratitude to the Toronto Club for
entertaining me in so friendly a fashion at so pleasant a banquet. In
meeting you here to-night, I feel I am in the presence of a
representative assembly of those who lead the intellectual and
commercial life of this city, one of the greatest already, and at the
same time one of the most promising, not only in the Dominion but on
the American continent. Before you, then, gentlemen, I wish I could
find words warm enough to give you an idea of the manner in which we
have been touched by the efforts made in our behalf by the citizens of
Toronto. (Loud cheers.) It would not be reasonable to seek any
justification of such kind feeling, but, at all events, I can say to
you that, if a hearty and earnest interest in every phase of your
national life can be taken as any excuse for such welcome, this
justification, at all events, exists to the full. (Loud and prolonged
cheering.) In one sense, also, I am no stranger to your affairs, for I
do not feel that in studying Canada I have embarked on a sea hitherto
unknown to me. It is not only since my arrival here that I have watched
with unflagging enthusiasm the current of events which is so surely
leading this country to the full enjoyment of a great inheritance, for
long before we landed on your shores much of your history and of your
present condition was well known to me. A brief visit, paid many years
ago, could give me but little real insight into your condition, but
every man in England who has had anything to do with public life has,
since the Confederation of the British North American Provinces,
considered his political studies as wholly wanting if a pretty thorough
knowledge of your resources and position were not included in his
survey of the Empire. (Cheers.) Confederation has had this advantage,
that your destinies have been presided over by men who had weight and
authority at home, and who were able to put before the English people,
in attractive form, the resources of this country. Especially was this
the case during the six and a half years Lord Dufferin has been in this
country; for his speeches, giving in so poetical a form, and with such
mastery of diction and such a grasp of comprehension, an account of
your material and political condition, were universally read and
universally admired. (Loud cheers.) Perhaps in former days, and before
the country had become one, so much attention would not have been given
to your affairs, but since Confederation we all know in England--every
politician in England knows--that he is not to consider this country as
a small group of disconnected Colonies, but as a great and consolidated
people, growing in importance not only year by year, but hour by hour.
(Great cheering.) You now form a people for whom the Colonial Office
and Foreign Office alike are desirous to act with the utmost strength
of the Empire in forwarding your interests; and in speaking through the
Imperial Foreign Office, it is impossible that you should not remember
that it is not only the voice of two, three, or four or five millions,
as the case may be, that you speak, but the voice of a nation of over
forty millions. (Great cheering.) As I said before, I believe that in
former days perhaps the interest was not so lively, although perhaps it
would be unjust to say that too strongly, because within the last few
months, as well as in past years, we have had striking examples of how
willing Great Britain is to undertake warlike expenditure for colonies
by no means as united or as important as Canada. (Prolonged cheers.)
But the feeling with regard to Canada as a mere congeries of colonies,
and Canada as one people and Government, may perhaps be compared to the
different feelings that a mother may be supposed to have in the pride
with which she may regard a nursery full of small infants, and the far
different pride with which she looks upon the career and stature of her
grown-up and eldest son. (Laughter and cheers.) To be sure, as it is
with all sons and all mothers, little passing and temporary
misconceptions may occasionally occur, and which only show how deep in
reality is their mutual love. (Laughter.) The mother may sometimes
think it sad that her child has forgotten some little teaching learnt
on her knee, and that one or two of the son's opinions smack of foreign
notions--she may think that some of his doings tend not only to injure
her, but himself also and the world at large. (Great laughter.) Perhaps,
sometimes, he thinks on his part that it is a pity old people cannot
put themselves in the place of younger natures. (Uproarious laughter.)
But if such is the tenor of the thought which may sometimes occupy the
mother and the child, let no one dream for a moment that their
affection has become less deep, or that true loyalty of nature is less
felt. (Loud cheering.) They are one in heart and mind; they wish to
remain so, and shall remain so; and I should like to see the man who
would dare to come between them. (Tremendous cheering.) In saying this,
gentlemen, I express what may be regarded as my first impressions of
the feelings which animate you, and I believe that when I leave you, my
last impressions will be identical. (Loud cheering.) And now, gentlemen,
the topics on which a Governor-General may speak without offence are
somewhat limited--(laughter)--although he is expected to be the
advertiser-general of one of the largest countries in the world--(great
laughter and applause)--an empire so large that the study of its
proportions is, I think, much more like the study of astronomy than the
study of geography. (Laughter and applause.) It is perhaps best that he
should speak on generalities; but in making my first appearance among
you I may be expected to record other general impressions. I may
perhaps be permitted to mention a subject which is generally understood
as giving a good opening for conversation and acquaintance, and likely
to lead to no serious difference of opinion, namely, the subject of the
weather. (Roars of laughter.) I can now speak with some authority upon
that momentous topic--(laughter)--because I have now spent a winter, a
spring, a summer, and part of an autumn in Canada, and I believe that
any one who has had a similar experience with me will agree that the
seasons and climate enjoyed here are singularly pleasant and salubrious.
(Cheers.) You have, gentlemen, real seasons--there is a real winter and
a real summer. (Loud laughter.) You are not troubled with shams in that
respect--(laughter)--no shoddy manufactures of that nature are imported
over here from Europe, where winter is often like a raw summer and
summer like a wet winter. How different has been the reality of your
winter, for as an old woman once wrote home to her friends in Scotland,
"All the children here may run about in the snow without wetting their
feet" (Great laughter and cheers.) We have only to look at that column
on which a splendid bunch of peaches is hanging to see a summer trophy
which should bring many to our door; but it is only a small sample of a
vast crop of a similar nature which you have in Western Ontario, for as
I am informed by my honourable friend on my right, Mr. Mackenzie, the
peaches are often given to the pigs. (Great laughter.) The pleasant and
bracing seasons of Canada can be enjoyed in a country without its equal,
for nowhere has the settler a more varied range of choice in the
scenery, the locality, the soil which will finally determine him where
to found a home. His fortune may be compared to that of a man entering
one of those new houses where each may have his own flat--a magnificent
abode, where, if he wish not to travel, far, to be easily reached and
visited by his friends, he may remain in the rooms of the ground floor--our
spacious Maritime Provinces, where he will find himself very near
his fishmonger--(cheers and laughter)--close to the old tradesmen with
whom he has dealt in Europe, and warmed by a great kitchen
well-furnished with a store of Pictou coal. (Laughter and cheers.) If he
prefer other apartments he may ascend to those great and most
comfortable rooms, our ancient and populous Provinces of Quebec and
Ontario--the first-floor rooms of our Canadian mansion, which are so
amply provided with the old-fashioned associations which he may love;
while, if still more active, he may select accommodation in the vast
chambers of the second floor--the wonderful districts of the North-West,
which have been so bountifully furnished by beneficent Nature, that he
will require but little capital to make his abode exactly according to
his own taste. (Loud cheers.) And if he prefers another and still more
airy location--(laughter)--he may go on again and inhabit our recently
erected and lofty storey of the Rocky Mountain District, near which he
would again find an ample supply of coal, nearly as good as that which
he found "down below." (Applause.) He will be none the less fortunate
when he makes the acquaintance of the master of this modern mansion,
when he finds that everything is ruled in order and prosperity by him,
and that his name is the Canadian House of Commons. (Loud applause.)
And now, dropping all fanciful metaphors, I must speak in more serious
terms for a moment, and express my admiration for that I most able
House, the excellence of whose debates would be a credit to any
assembly. (Cheers.) During its session I have sometimes been reminded
of an exclamation of the late Baron Bunsen, the German diplomatist and
author, whose residence in London as Prussian Ambassador at the Court
of St. James's has caused him to be affectionately remembered in
England. Chevalier Bunsen, looking on at the proceedings of the House
of Commons, said that to him it was a marvel how an Englishman could
ever rest until he had sought to become a member of that Assembly,
where the Ministers of the Sovereign, and they who endeavoured to win a
share in the government of a powerful people, met face to face as
champions of different policies to discuss before the country the
principles which should guide a mighty nation. As in England, so here,
let no one turn his back on political life as too hard, as bringing too
much contention, or as occasioning too much unpleasantness. One of the
worst signs of a country's condition is, when they who have leisure, or
property, or social influence look upon public life as too dirty for
them, and hang back from the honourable rivalry, allowing other hands
to have a commanding share in government. (Hear, hear.) I am confident
that this will not be the case here, and long may it be before a
Canadian prefers his ease, if he may command it, to that noblest labour
to which he can be called by the voice of his fellow-citizens, a share
in the government of his country, in her Parliament. (Cheers.)
In striving to be a member of the Dominion Parliament, or to have a
potent voice in the election of such a one, each man, whatever may be
his circumstances, must feel that it is a high and proper ambition to
do what in him lies to direct the policy of this Royal Commonwealth,
which sees its will expressed by the Cabinet--which is but a Committee
of the Parliament elected by the people--carried out loyally and fully
by the Executive head of the Government. (Cheers.) To be sure you may
say to me, you are speaking in ignorance--the Governor-General is not
allowed to be present at the debates of Parliament. (Laughter.)
Certainly, gentlemen, I am not allowed to be present and never have
been. (Renewed laughter.) I have never even followed the example of my
eminent predecessor, who has left me such a heritage of speeches at the
Toronto Club. (Laughter and applause.) I have followed his example in
making a speech, but I have not followed his example in another case,
for I am informed that he has heard debates of the House concealed by
the friendly shadows behind the Speaker's chair. (Loud cheers and
laughter.) I have never placed myself in that position, and of course
my knowledge is entirely derived from reports--of course I do not speak
of newspaper reports. (Roars of laughter.) That is quite impossible--
(renewed laughter)--because I am fully conscious that we should not put
our trust in printers--(great laughter)--but I speak of other reports
which are more trustworthy, and for which, of course, my responsible
Ministers are responsible. (Laughter.)
I shall mention a particular rumour that has reached my ears, which is
to the scarcely credible effect that the current of discussion is often
not quite so tranquil as might be assumed by outsiders, looking only at
the harmonious outline of the buildings in which the members meet
(Great laughter.) Perhaps the reported occasional quickening of the
political current, and the hurried words to which it gives rise, occur
only because pure panegyric is distasteful, and a wholesome criticism
is on the other hand preferred.