The Struggle for Imperial Unity: Recollections & Experiences — John Shaqi
The Struggle for Imperial Unity: Recollections & ExperiencesDenison, George T. (George Taylor)
History
The Struggle for Imperial Unity: Recollections & Experiences
Denison, George T. (George Taylor)
Canada -- History -- 1867-1914
The resolutions carried covered three points. Firstly, a welcome
to the refugees, and an endorsation of their action in fearlessly,
and at the sacrifice of their liberty and property, resisting the
usurpation of power by the murderer Riel; secondly, advocating the
adoption of decisive measures to suppress the revolt, and to afford
speedy protection to the loyal subjects in the North-West, and thirdly,
declaring that "It would be a gross injustice to the loyal inhabitants
of Red River, humiliating to our national honour, and contrary to all
British traditions for our Government to receive, negotiate, or treat
with the emissaries of those who have robbed, imprisoned, and murdered
loyal Canadians, whose only fault was zeal for British institutions,
whose only crime was devotion to the old flag." This last resolution,
which was carried with great enthusiasm, was moved by Capt. James
Bennett and seconded by myself.
Foster and I had long conferences with Schultz, Mair, and Lynch that
evening and next day, and it was decided that I should go to Ottawa
with the party, to assist them in furthering their views before the
Government. In the meantime Dr. Canniff and other members of the party
had sent word to friends at Cobourg, Belleville, Prescott, etc., to
organise demonstrations of welcome to the loyalists at the different
points.
A large number of our friends and sympathisers gathered at the Union
Station to see the party off to Ottawa, and received them with loud
cheers. Mr. Andrew Fleming then moved, seconded by Mr. T. H. O'Neil,
the following resolution, written by Foster, which was unanimously
carried:
That we, the citizens of Toronto, in parting with our Red River
guests, beg to reiterate our full recognition of their devotion to,
and sufferings in, the cause of Canada, to emphatically endorse
their manly conduct through troubles sufficient to try the stoutest
heart, and to assure the loyal people of Canada that no minion of the
murderer Riel, no representative of a conspiracy which concentrates
in itself everything a Briton detests, shall be allowed to pass this
platform (should he get so far) to lay insulting proposals at the foot
of a throne which knows how to protect its subjects, and has the means
and never lacks for will to do it.
At Cobourg, where the train stopped for twenty minutes, we were met by
the municipal authorities of the town, and a great crowd of citizens,
who received the party with warm enthusiasm, and with the heartiest
expressions of approval. This occurred about one o'clock in the
morning. The same thing was repeated at Belleville about three or four
a.m., and it was considered advisable for Mr. Mair and Mr. Setter to
stay over there to address a great public meeting to be held the next
day. At Prescott, also, the warmest welcome was given by the citizens.
Public feeling was aroused, and we then knew that we would have Ontario
at our backs.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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