What words of wisdom! What a spirit of true patriotism, of justice and of toleration they breathe! If Cartier in fact had never made any other utterance than this, it would be sufficient to stamp him as a true patriot and wise statesman. It will be well for Canada if such are always the guiding principles of its national life.
While the idea of Macdonald and Cartier and the other great Fathers of Confederation was, as has been said, to establish a Canadian nationality, none the less was it their intention to perpetuate British institutions on the North American continent, to establish, to use Macdonald's expression, a friendly nation, enjoying, it is true, the most complete autonomy, but at the same time in alliance with Great Britain and the other portions of the Empire. No stronger believer in British institutions as the repository of freedom; no more ardent admirer of the British flag as the symbol of justice and liberty could be found than Cartier. In all his utterances during the Confederation, debates, he took special pains to emphasize that Confederation was intended not to weaken, but to strengthen, the ties between the Dominion, Great Britain and the other portions of the Empire. "Confederation," he said, in one of his speeches on the measure, "has for its first reason our common affection for British institutions, its object is to assure by all possible guarantees, their maintenance in the future."
For the British flag Cartier on all occasions expressed a passionate devotion.
"The Canadian people," he said at a great banquet given in his honor in London in 1869, "desires to remain faithful to the old flag of Great Britain, that flag which waves over all seas, which tyranny has never been able to overcome, that flag which symbolizes true liberty".
These words expressed Cartier's deep and earnest conviction. During his several visits to Great Britain, he was deeply impressed by the greatness of British institutions. On those occasions he was the recipient of signal marks of honor; he was the personal guest of Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle for some time, and he received marked attention from Gladstone, Lord Lytton, and other distinguished British statesmen. His services in connection with the establishment of Confederation, as you know, were recognized by the conferring of a baronetcy upon him by Queen Victoria.
CARTIER'S WORK FOR MONTREAL
Having reviewed the great work which Cartier did for Canada in general, permit me to emphasize the eminent services which he rendered to Montreal. It is doubtful whether many Montrealers of the present generation fully realize the importance of Cartier's services to this city, and for that reason this portion of his career should be of special interest to citizens of this great metropolis.
From 1861 until 1872, Cartier was one of the representatives of Montreal, first in the Parliament of United Canada, and afterwards in the House of Commons. During a portion of that period, he also represented Montreal-East in the Quebec Legislature under the system of dual representation which prevailed for some time following the establishment of Confederation. Montreal's interests were always dear to Cartier's heart, and throughout his long public career he zealously strove to promote the welfare and development of this city.
Reference has already been made to the interest which Cartier showed from the outset of his career in railway construction. He realized that in order that Montreal might attain an unrivalled position, it would be necessary that railway communications should be established, that the St. Lawrence channel should be deepened, and that canals should be constructed and improved. One of the earliest of his speeches of which we have record was delivered at a great mass-meeting of the citizens of Montreal, held in 1846, on the Champ de Mars, to promote the construction of the Montreal & Portland Railway to connect Montreal and Portland. Cartier on that occasion declared that such an undertaking was a truly national work. Alluding to the fact that property in such cities as Buffalo, Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore, which had become great railway terminals, had as a result greatly increased in value, he declared that the same thing would happen in the case of Montreal if adequate railway facilities were established.
"The prosperity of Montreal," he said, "depends upon its position as the great emporium for the commerce of the West, and we can only assure that prosperity by better means of transport from the waters of the West to the Atlantic by our canals and railways."