SIR WILFRID LAURIER.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11760, 21 February 1919, Page 5

SIR WILFRID LAURIER.

The death of Sir Wilfrid Lanrier has robbed Canada of one her most distinguished sons and the British Empire of a sincere and patriotc statesman. His old ape was clouded by political misfortune and by errors of judgment which cost him much prestige, nut when history strikes a balance it will place a eubetaatial measure of loyal and unselfish accomplishment to the credit of one who was French iu oiigin and British in allegiance. It would be unfair to judge Sir Wilfrid Lanrier oy his proposals for reciprocity with IJthe United States, which cost him hia political supremacy, or by his recent opposition to conscription, which cost him the allegiance of a large section of his supporters. The real services of Sir Wilfrid Lanrier to the Empire—and they wore many and valuable—were performed during the 15 years in which he was Premier, from 1896 to 1911. An Imperialist g f wide outlook and quick imagination, he vied with Mr Seddon in preaching the gospel of the essential unity of British countries at a time when the response from Downing Street was less warm and spontaneous than it is now. The granting of a preference of 33 l-3per cant, to British goods, tho despatch of Canadian contingents to Sooth Africa, the assumption of responsibility from the fortresses at Halifax and Esqnimault, the encouragement of cheap postage and of the Pacific cable, were practical expressions of his desire to bind Canada to the Mother Country. In his handling;of domestic aifiaira he was not less original and succeoful. Under his Government Canada enjoyed an era of expansion which is unequalled. He encouraged railway construction and fostered settlement by bold measures which have proved economically sound and have contributed powerfully to tho material greatness of modern Canada. Sir Wilfrid Lanrier was more than a poliEicien. He had gifts of mind which would have brought him honour and fortune in any of the learned professions, but he applied them with a single purpose to the service of his country. His eloquence drew him vast audiences wherever he spoke. The distinction of his manner, oldworld and;’ohivalroas, but uatfecled charmed all who heard him, and his amiability endeared him even to his opponents. His moral grandeur ennobled his : office in a country where politics are not above reproach and no breath of suspicion ever sullied his private or public life. His opposition to conscription was probably based on the fear that it would widen the breach between French Canadians and British Canadians which it has ever been his object to bridge. If it be recorded against Sir Wilfrid that be failed to stimulate his fellow-Frenchmen to give final proof of their loyalty to tbe Empire, and to the ideals for which France was bleeding, it must iu fairness be remembered that he came nearer to breaking down the barriers between Quebec and the remainder of Canada than any other man has yet done. The ideal he constantly proclaimed was to make of Englishman, Scotsman, Irishman, and Frenchman one great, free, and united Canada. He has not lived to see the fusion complete, hut who shall say that his hope was vain or that his influence will perish before it shall have accomplished its purpose?