The original charter has been modified.
In 1903, on St. Jean Baptiste day, a national religious banner was adopted, recalling the memories of Carillon. It has a blue background, fleurdelisé, and bearing a large white cross with the emblem of the Sacred Heart in the middle of maple leaves. This was prepared by the Rev. E. Filiatrault and adopted by many of St. Jean Baptiste Association. It was a protest against those who, while desiring a flag to recall their French origin and their national sentiments, had used the tri-colored flag of modern France faute de mieux, although the ideas conveyed by it did not represent the ancient regime under which the French-Canadians had sprung. The fleur de lys of the past represents the sentiment of their descendants today, rather than does the modern tri-color.
The list of presidents contains many distinguished names.
| 1834 | Jacques Viger |
| 1843-44 | Hon. D.B. Viger |
| 1845 | Hon. M. Masson |
| 1846-47 | Hon. A.M. Morin |
| 1848-49 | Hon. M. Bourret |
| 1850 | E.R. Fabre |
| 1851-52 | Ludger Duvernay |
| 1853 | C.S. Cherrier |
| 1854-55 | Sir G.E. Cartier |
| 1856-57 | J.B. Meilleur |
| 1858 | Damase Masson |
| 1859 | Dr. P. Beaubien |
| 1860 | Hon. J.A. Quesnel |
| 1861 | R. Trudeau |
| 1862 | Hon. de Beaujeu |
| 1863 | Olivier Berthelet |
| 1864 | T. Bouthillier |
| 1865-66 | Hon. P.J.O. Chauveau |
| 1867-68 | C.E. Leblanc |
| 1869-70 | Hon. G. Ouimet |
| 1871 | C.S. Rodier |
| 1872-73 | Hon. J. Coursol |
| 1874 | Sir A.A. Dorion |
| 1875 | Jacques Grenier |
| 1876 | Louis Archambault |
| 1877-78 | T.P. Rottot |
| 1879 | Hon. J.B. Rolland |
| 1880 | Hon. T.J.D. Loranger |
| 1881 | N. Bourassa |
| 1882 | Hon. L. Beaubien |
| 1883 | Jérémie Perrault |
| 1884 | Hon. T.J.D. Loranger |
| 1885-86 | A. Ouimet |
| 1887 | E.P. Lachapelle |
| 1888-94 | L.O. David |
| 1895-98 | Honorable Loranger |
| 1899-1903 | Hon. F.L. Beique |
| 1905 | H. Laporte |
| 1907-10 | J.C. Beauchamp |
| 1910 | Thomas Gauthier |
| 1912 | Olivar Asselin |
ST. GEORGE’S NATIONAL SOCIETY
St. George’s National Society became such in 1834. But previously Englishmen good and true had rallied together on St. George’s day years before. The following account of a celebration in 1821 will therefore be interesting:
“Monday last being the day consecrated to the titular Saint of old England, and, what bestows on it nearly as great a distinction, being that appointed for the celebration of our most gracious Sovereign’s Nativity, a royal salute was at one o’clock fired on the Champ de Mars by the troops in Garrison, and a holiday was observed at both the Banks. (Montreal Bank, and Bank of Canada.)
“In the evening, natives of the Mistress of the Ocean joined at the Neptune Inn, when the evening was passed in social festivity in the expression of the loyal sentiments stamped in the bosom of every Briton, in toasts to the prosperity of the British Empire, and to the happiness of the illustrious family at its head.
“The dinner given at the Neptune Inn, kept by Geo. Casser, situate at the corner of St. Joseph Street, (now St. Sulpice) opposite the Montreal Steamboat landing place, was an excellent one provided for the occasion, to which the Sons of St. George, in large numbers, sat down precisely at 5 o’clock p. m.
“The utmost harmony and decorum prevailed throughout. A transparent painting ‘Combating the Dragon,’ done by Mr. Thomas Honey, was among the most conspicuous decorations of the room. In the course of the evening, when the circling glass had excited a high degree of hilarity, the gaiety of the moment was increased by a few well-selected songs accompanied by appropriate and patriotic toasts, among which the following few were given and received with enthusiasm:—The King, God bless him; Queen Caroline; The Duke of York and the Royal Family; England and the Day we celebrate; Our worthy Governor, the Earl of Dalhousie; Sir Peregrine Maitland and our Sister Province (Upper Canada); Lady Dalhousie and the Canadian Fair; may the Rose, Thistle and Shamrock ever entwine; the Duke of Wellington and the Army of Great Britain; Capt. Byner and our Navy; Trade and prosperity to the Canadas; Colonel De Salaberry and the surviving heroes of Chateauguay; Colonel Burer and the Garrison of Montreal; May the seeds of dissention never find growth in the soil of Great Britain; the immortal memory of Nelson (in silence); Colonel Morrison and the surviving heroes of Chrysler’s farm; Captain Broke and the surviving tars of the ‘Shannon’; the liberal heart that gives, and the tender heart that forgives; may the sins of our forefathers descend upon our foes; firmness in the Senate, valour in the field and fortitude on the waves; The Constitution of Great Britain—a pattern to the world.