Hide Article Text (OCR)
Under this heading the Globe says editorially: The accession of Mr. Laurier to the premiership of Canada will be a bond of union between the two great divisions of the people. Mr. Laurier is of the race and the faith of the minority, but he has energetical ly disclaimed the idea of seeking the advancement of his race or creed at the expense of the nation. Speaking to his constituents in Quebec some time ago he said: ‘I love England, I love British institutions, and why? Because under British institutions, under the banner of St. George, my fellow-coun trymen of French orign have found far greater freedom than we could ever have hoped for had we remained sub ject to France. If I wanted examples or precepts of art I would go to France; if I wanted philsophical counsels I would go to Germany, but for means of government, for , all economical principles, I go to the land of sound common sense—old England.” Twenty years ago he told a Quebec audience that he had too much respect for the faith in which he was born to use it as the basis of a political or ganization :— You wish to organize a Catholic party , but have you not con sidered that if you have the mis fortune to succeed you will draw upon your country calamities of which it is impossible to foresee the consequences . You wish to organize all the Catholics into one party, without other bonds, without other basis, than a common religion; but have you not reflected that by that very fact you will organ ize the Protestant population as a sin gle party, and that then, instead of the peace,and harmony now prevailing be tween the different elements of the Canadian population, you throw open the door to war, a religious war, the most terrible of all wars.” And in the House of Commons last session, during the debate on the coer cion bill, he said; ‘‘So long as I have a seat in this house, so long as I occupy the position I do now, whenever it shall become my duty to take a stand upon,any question whatever, that I will take, not from the point of view of Roman Catholicism, not from the point of view of Protestantism, but from a point of view which can appeal to the consciences of all men, irrespec tive of their particular faith, upon grounds which can be occupied by all men who love justice, freedom and toleration.” We know that this declaration, and Mr. Laurier's opposition to coercion, brought him into conflict with the heads of his own church. But we know also that Mr. Laurier has been supported in his attitude by an over whelming majority of his own people. The English-speaking people of Canada show their confidence in him, and we believe that he will continue to grow in the confidence of all, irrespective of race or creed, as a true Canadian, whose first thought is for Canada.
Newspaper Details
Edmonton Bulletin
Edmonton, Alberta, CA
Sat, Jul 04, 1896
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Cherish M.
USA 27 Jun 2026
Other Publications Near Edmonton, Alberta
Edmonton Daily Bulletin
Edmonton Bulletin
