Sir George Etienne Cartier: His Work for Canada and His Services to Montreal — John Shaqi
Sir George Etienne Cartier: His Work for Canada and His Services to MontrealBoyd, John
History
Sir George Etienne Cartier: His Work for Canada and His Services to Montreal
Boyd, John
Canada -- Politics and government -- 19th century; Cartier, George-Etienne, Sir, 1814-1873; Politicians -- Canada -- Biography
The subject of the address which I have the privilege of delivering
to-day is "Sir George Etienne Cartier, His Work for Canada and His
Services to Montreal."
Let me at the outset, Mr. Chairman, express my deep appreciation of the
honor the Executive of the Canadian Club has done me in inviting me to
address the members of this important and representative organization.
When, in 1892, through the efforts of Mr. Charles R. McCullough of
Hamilton, the first Canadian Club was organized, a movement was
inaugurated of the utmost importance to the Dominion. Every important
centre throughout the country now has its Canadian Club, and these
organizations, or as they have been well termed, these "universities
of the people" now numbering nearly one hundred, are doing a splendid
work in fostering a spirit of patriotism and in creating that national
sentiment which is so essential to Canada's welfare. The Canadian Club
of Montreal, composed as it is of the most representative citizens of
the commercial metropolis, has ever been foremost in this great work,
and it is indeed a privilege to have the opportunity of addressing such
a gathering.
What more appropriate subject, Mr. Chairman, could be found for an
address before a Canadian Club, than the career of one of our great
nation-builders, of one who helped to lay the foundations of Canadian
nationality and of the Dominion's greatness?
It is not my intention, Mr. Chairman, nor would time permit on this
occasion, to deal exhaustively with the life and achievements of Sir
George Etienne Cartier. That is now engaging my attention in another
form, and when the Memorial History of the Life and Times of George
Etienne Cartier shall appear, it will, I trust be found to be at
least an exhaustive review of a great career and of one of the most
memorable periods of Canadian history. On this occasion, owing to the
limited time at my disposal, I shall content myself with reviewing
succinctly Cartier's public career and achievements, dwelling briefly
on the lessons of his life with special emphasis upon the great work
that he did for Canada in general and the eminent services which he
rendered to the City of Montreal in particular.
I shall take it for granted, Gentleman, that you are all conversant
with the main facts of Cartier's career, from his birth at St. Antoine
on the Richelieu River on September 6th, 1814, until his entrance to
public life at the age of 34 in 1848, from that date until he became
Prime Minister of United Canada in 1858, and from that until his death
in 1873 when he held the portfolio of Minister of Militia and Defence
in the Dominion Government.
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