SIR JOHN MACDONAND.

Timaru Herald, Volume LII, Issue 5163, 9 June 1891, Page 4

SIR JOHN MACDONAND.

(From " Men of tlie Timo.")

Sir John Alexander Ma^don-ild. 0.C.8 , wai born m Scotland, but at tho nge of six accompanied vis parents to Canada. He recoived a good general education ut. one of tho ooloniul schools, and although he did not enjoy tbe advantago of a University career, it m stated that he was a cood chssical scholar, and ono of the best read and best cultured men m the Dominion. Ho wa< called lo the Bar of Upper Canada m 1836, on attaining bis majority, and prac'ised f"r eight years, during which period he showed much promi.e and attained a leading position ir. tho profession. He entered Parliament m 184., showed such aptitude for politics that he was mado a member of the Government three years la'er, ond ever sinco. that timo has takeu a vory prominent part m the rule of tbe Dominion. The firs'- Cabinet of which he was a member resigned m March, 1850, and the reformers, under tbe lead of Messrs Lafontaice, Baldwin, nnd Hincks, held the reins of power m Camida until September, 1864. Difficulties connected with the lands reserved for a Protestant clergy, and other questions, led to a coalition m 1854, Mr Macdonald joining the Government 'as Attorney-General, which poat he held until May, 1862, being a part of the time Premier. In January, 1862, (he Militia ?.lepartment was ro-organi.ed, and Mr Macdonald appointed Minister of Militia. De feated on their Militia Bill of that year, he and bis colleagues resigned and remained m opposition until May, 1864, when ho again acceded to office as Attorney-General m the Cabinet of Sir E. P. Taohe. But the Government was unable to command a, sufficient majority, and the proposition to federalise British America having been reported by a Committee of the Legislative Assembly, a conference took placo between the leaders on both sides, which resulted m a cjalitien, with tbe view of maturing and orrrying a measure to unite m one government Canada nnd tho maritime provinces. On the death of Sir E. P. Tache, m July, 1865, Mr Macdonald again became Ministor of Militia, wbich office, with thafcof AttorneyGeneral of .Upper Canada, he continued to bold till 1868 when he was appointed Minir-ter of Justice aud Attorney General, and m 1869 became Premier rrlan, of the Dominion Cabi«, net. He and his Ministry r«Bi_ned Wovember sth, 1873. Jn October. 1878, he w__ entrusted with the taßk of forming a now administration. Appointed one of the delegates from Canada to arrange tho terms :of confederation with thn Imperial Government m 1866, he was chosen by bin co-delegates m London to preside over their delibr rit-ions Mr Macdonald wn» th" nclui rwledged leader of the O- nr.rrvativr- party of Upper Canada. He receive:! the honvinry d •groe nf 0.0.1.. from lb.- Ijniver-irv a' Oxford, find "i< irindn a X >. .0 io 1867. " In 1872 be v?---b crcHtud •• Knight Grind Cross of th« J.'<yul Order of Isohr-I la Cotoliou (of ..pßin). For forty years Sir form waa thr- acknowledged louder of tho Con ervul.ivo party of Upper Cona-'a.