The Clan Fraser in Canada: Souvenir of the First Annual GatheringFraser, Alexander
History
The Clan Fraser in Canada: Souvenir of the First Annual Gathering
Fraser, Alexander
Clans -- Canada; Fraser family
MR. W. P. FRASER spoke for "The Frasers in Politics." He said: Mr.
Chairman, Vice-chairman and Brother Clansmen, it would seem that the
toast of distinguished clansmen is quite an inexhaustible one. Much has
been said of our clansmen in the various ranks of life, but I believe no
more than is deserved. As a matter of course the Frasers have ranked
high in politics. We have not had a Prime Minister of the name in the
Dominion of Canada, but we have given to the Legislatures of Ontario,
Quebec, and the Lower Provinces, many of their most useful members,
their most eloquent speakers, and their most responsible statesmen. We
have borne our share of public duty in this country, both in the rank
and file of political workers, and as leaders. I do not need to go far
afield to find some of the more striking examples. There is one name so
long and honorably associated with the fortunes of this Province that it
merits premier recognition. I refer to that of the Hon. Christopher
Finlay Fraser, who would have responded to this toast himself to-night,
were it not that he has been suffering from severe illness for some
time, and has not sufficiently recovered to take his place among us.
Reference has been made to his letter of regret, and I feel sure that
every word in it is true--that it is the outcome of his sincere
feeling; for Mr. Fraser is as much a clansman as he is a politician, and
has ever manifested the same deep interest in matters connected with his
Clan, as he has displayed in the public duties which he is called upon
to perform. The position which he occupies, the services which he has
rendered, his wide sphere of influence, his sterling honesty and
unblemished record--these lie as an open book before you. For me to
expatiate upon them would be quite superfluous. His name will go down in
the annals of our statesmen as one of the most competent Ministers of
the Crown who ever held office in this Province, as one of subtle
intellect who served his country and his party in great crises, as one
who gave his talents generously and disinterestedly to the welfare of
his fellow-beings, and in a peculiar manner helped to lay the
foundations of a great nationality in this country. Another of our
clansmen, whose telegram of regret shows that he has been intercepted on
the way from the far east to our gathering, has made the name famous in
the politics of Canada, and is likely to attain to still greater
eminence in the future. At his home in Nova Scotia he has long been
known as a man of probity, ability, and capacity for public duty. It is
not so long ago that he was first heard of in these western parts, but
already he has sprung into notice, and his services are in request at
many public gatherings. I am sure we all regret the absence of Mr. D. C.
Fraser, M.P. for Guysboro', to-night. He is not only a politician but a
patron of learning and celtic literature. To his generous heart and open
hand many a struggling Highlander owes much, and through his
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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