SIR WILFRID LAURIER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12398, 11 January 1901, Page 4

SIR WILFRID LAURIER.

[Detroit Free Press.) The sweeping victory of the Liberal party in the elections in Canada revives interest in the wonderfully successful career of Premier Wilfrid Laurier, who has wielded as potent an influence in Dominion affairs as the late Sir John A. Macdonald, and who is a picturesque figure in. Dominion politics. The race cry raised against him by his opponents redounded to his advantage,' and the Liberal victory ■is largely atti'ibutable to that cause. The/attack on Laurier’s proBritish policy also proved a boomerang, and. he goes into power again with the most flattering endorsement of the electors. He promises great reforms during the nest four years. Speaking of his re-election, the “Pall Mall Gazette says he “is one of the, most inspiring and useful personalities in the, Empire,” and 1 he/-has been placed upon a-pedes-tal of greatness not excelled by any statesman either dn the old) or new world's. : -v The village of St Lin, County of L’Afisomption, Province of Quebec, is distinguished as having been the birthplace of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Prime Alinister of Canada. The date of his birth was Nov. 20, 1841. He is the descendant 'if .an old and-honoured French family,, his father being Carolus Laurier, Provincial Land Surveyor. Sir Wilfrid received all the advantages of a collegiate training, being a graduate first of L’Assompt-i-on College and later of M’Gill University, where he took 1 the degree of B.C.L. in 1864, In the same year he was admitted to the Bar, and on October 11, 1880, had 1 a Q.C. attached to his name. - HIS BEGINNING IN POLITICS. ' Sir Wilfrid achieved his first prominence in politics in 1871, when he was elected to the Quebec Assembly for the Counties of Drummond and Archabaska,' continuing in the lower House until 1874, when he was elected to -the same seat In the House of Commons. Three years later .he became Minister of Inland Revenue under the Hon. Mr Alackenzie’s Administration. ‘He was defeated at the by-election held through his s acceptance of office, but the resignation of j Hon I Thibaadeau gave him a seat in _Que-:| bee Eas t , which he held until the resign a- j tion of the" Mackenzie' Administration in J 1878. Re-elections followed in 1878, 1882, i 1887, 1891, and 1896. . \ Sir Wilfrid succeeded Hon Edward Blake ; as leader of the Libera! party in 1888. His ; aggressiveness, large personal following and j irresistible eloquence put lifo into a political body that (had become dormant, and he was soon recognised as a ; bom leader. In 1896 Sir Charles Tupper’s Administration resigned, and Lord Aberdeen sent for Sir Wilfrid to form a Government, with himself as Prime Minister and- President of the Council.

At the Queen’s Jubilee in 1897 Her Majesty conferred upon Sir Wilfrid the rank of K.0.M.G., and he made so favourable an impression as Canada’s representative that he received many tokens of appreciation from various English and Scotch cities. In Paris he also commanded great admiration, being especially honoured by the President of France, and by several public bodies. He made many speeches during his tour, describing Canada’s vast resources and desirability for home-seekers and the advantageous investment of capital, and it is believed that the attention he attracted to his country will be of inestimable value to the Dominion. THE ESTIMATE OF A FRIEND. Gaspard Pacaud, one of Windsor’s bestknown citizens, who has been acquainted with Mr Laurier since childhood, throws some interesting sidelights on Lis' character, early struggles and remarkable rise to his present eminence as the foremost figure in Canadian politics. “ Sir Wilfrid Laurier,” said Mr Pacaud, “ is a unique type of man—a wonderful man in many respects. Aly first remembrance of him is as a mere child, when as a young and obscure lawyer he came from Montreal to Arthabaskaville, where we lived. He was for a time -almost- one of the family, he and my brother being very close friends and professional associates. The future greatstatesman obtained his first introduction into politics through my father, the county of Drummond being the field of his initial acquaintance with the affairs of State, He was in precarious health when he first came to Arthabaska. Consumption seemed, to have fastened 1 a fatal hold on him-and the doctors had given him- a time limit on existence; Right here there is a touch of the romance in his early life. Sir Wilfrid had formed an attachment for Aliss Zoe Lafontain, of Montreal, which, resulted in a betrothal. Convinced that his unfortunate state of health would form an insurmountable barrier to the consummation of a courtship so happily begun, he went to the young lady and nobly offered- to release her from her promise. She promptly refused a sac-

rifice that meant so much for both of them, and the loyalty and devotion that she evinced on that occasion have ever since been characteristic of ’her, both in private and public life. She idolises her distinguished, husband, and no lady of the land has endeared herself more to the Canadian people. Her sweet disposition and' careful solicitude have exerted no small influence upon - the life of Sir Wilfrid, who appreciates the trea-’. sure he found when a young lawyer struggling against adversity and ill-health. “ Mrs Laurier came of modest parentage, having been a music-teacher in Montreal. Their marring© occurred May 13, 1868. STATESMANLIKE QUALITIES. “Laurier,” continued Mr Pacaud, “has been a great surprise in the political worm. Always suave and courteous to all, and of an apparently acquiescent nature, the carlyformed estimate of-hisf-promise-as a leader, was that he would never attain a very high place. It was thought that he would be too easily swayed be opposition ahdr that;; he lacked firmness. But these very qualities; of courtesy, suavity and apparent lahk-of .decision have entered largely.: into his success. Behind his conservatism 1 and uniform ’politeness there is a certain reserve and dignity that form an important part of his diplomatic armour, for Laurier is every inch a diplomat. Moreover, he possesses the quality called magnetism to a remarkable degree. He is a princely-looking man, tall and imposing, with a noble brow crowned with curly hair now tinged with grey. When he starts to address an assemblage he wears the most innocent expression imaginable. Truth and l sincerity are pictured there, and it would seem as though guile were a stranger fo his character. As he warms to his subject flic play, of his features is fas* cinating, and he convinces his hearers rather by his ouiet eloquence and graceful style of oratory than by the robust and gassy methods of the practised demagogue. It is a fact that people with no knowledge of the language can obtain a fair understanding of his remarks when he addresses a gathering in French, simply from his eloquent and expressive gestures andi the marvellous play of his features. He has a full, rich voice, and there is no more attractive figure on the rostrum to»day than Laur.er. V “When the Jesuit question washeing agitated in lhronto,.a v%ij : hotbed of fanaticisfh on both ,sidss; r! tfife of that oity invited Laurier to com© and speak on the question. This was a critical time in his career. .The wisdom of accepting the invitation was doubted, but. the young statesman boldly entered the arena, and so persuasive was he, so eloquent, so logical tod so diplomatic that those who came to hiss remained to applaud. This and a similar feat of diplomacy on the'school question convinced- the .world,, of Laurier’s ability as a statesman, and while he was in England his masterful eloquence won unstinted adtniration. The’ statesmen of the Old World realise that Canada’s Premier ranks With any of them as a diplomat and skilled •parliamentarian, and- there is not one of them that does not trust him. " ’ ' HIS PRIVATE LIFE. • “Sir Wilfrid has been.a constant source of revelation to’ his friends. Personally ho is a man of charming address, always eventempered and pqiitc. .He is as democratic in manner as the most humble farmer at Arthabaskavillp, where he has a picturesque summer villa. There he nourishes his intellect from a large and choice library. The speeches and works of such men as Bright, Gladstone ■ and Disraeli, from whom he quotes liberally on the platform, adorn his shelves. ' “ The home life of Sir .Wilfrid and Lady Laurier is a beautiful one. Though they haVe no offspring of their own they are both Oxtretoely fond of children, and they love powers and birds and the, simple life of the- countryside. Sir Wilfrid and his estimable wife are idolised by the village people 1 for - their many unassuming virtues. He has a heart -of gold, as those who have been benefited by his quiet charity can testify, and she is an ideal helpmate and companion.” . ..