now. eculd even report some of the arguments had resulted in the dismissal of Lieuused by those gentlemen, some of whom tenant Governor Letellier, but rather have already brought ruin on our than have justice done to the French Province, but this would be of no use speaking members of the Senate, Sir Is our Province to be ruled by John Macdonald called Mr. Mousseau to intriguers and jobbers? How long will fill up the vacancy in the Government. it be said that the Premier acts upon the Mr. Mousseau is a personal friend of suggestions of those men? For my part, mine, and certainly I have no personal obI cannot submit to such a state of things.jection to his entry into the Government, We, the representatives of the Province but under the circumstances Mr. Mousof Quebec, have submitted to all as we seau has shown a lack of patriotism, and have submitted on many other occasions that he cares more for honors than for to avoid disturbing that peace and the rights of his Province. I have harmony which is so desirable to the always felt that when a man is invited to good working of our institutions. In- enter an administration it is his duty to deed, we have shown so much compliance see whether he can consistently with his that we have even been called a “ flock principles, assume the responsibility of of sheep," but if there is a time to com- its policy and honorably take a seat on ply, there is also a time to refuse to the Treasury Benches with men who may Fubmit silently, and that is why the differ from him. But not only is Mr. representatives of Quebec in this Sen Mousseau responsible for the act of Sir ate protested in 1878 against the in- John Macdonald, who seems to care justice done to them and to the whole very little for the Province which suppopulation throughout the Dominion ported him so well, but the leader of this speaking the French language. During House is equally responsible. As the the session of 1879 a similar protest was leader of the Senate he may be considmade by the very same gentlemen. This ered as the assistant of the Prime Minisyear the resignations of the Hon. ter. It was his right and duty to state Messrs. Masson and Baby took place to the Premier "if you wish me to conand the difficulty might then have been duct the affairs of the Senate give me easily settled. A Senator speaking the what I consider the Senate has a right French language might have been chosen to. If you do not, I cannot claim the and justice might readily have been support of the men who are denied done to the French population of the their rights, and consequently I cannot Dominion and to the French-speaking accept the leadership of that important members of the Senate; but our in- body." I challenge any man to deny triguers set to work, and there is a that such was the duty of the leader of rumor in Montreal and elsewhere that this House. As I have shown, the hon. those two seats had been promised long gentleman, two years ago, stated his ago to two hon. gentlemen, one from the views on this question, and I ask this city of Quebec, who is now the hon. House what confidence the members from Minister of Militia, and the other to a Quebec can have in a leader who, when gentleman who holds a high position in an opportunity occurs in the reconstructhe Province of Quebec, but that tion of the Government to give them this latter gentlemen, for reasons beyond their fair representation, has failed to do his control had to decline, and continue so? Only those who are ready, as we to hold his post. Thus, there was a say in French, "to bow to the rising sun," vacancy in the Cabinet which had to be will hesitate to reproach the Governfilled up before the meeting of Parliament for this act of injustice which they ment. The opportunity was a favorable perpetrated during the recess. For my one to settle this difficulty, if this rumor part, I consider that I would be untrue is true. It is stated inside and outside of these buildings that Sir John Macdonald had shown his objection to the members for Bagot and Laval (Messrs. Mousseau and Quimet), since they had taken upon themselves to bring before the Commons a certain motion which was carried, and to my Province if I were to sit here from day to day and draw my indemnity without discharging this the first duty which is incumbent upon me as a representative of that Province, which is suffering from the ill will of the Government. I know it is said that I am very decided in my opinions. I reply that I the first Government of the Dominion adhere to my opinions until convinced was formed, five of its members were by logical arguments that I am wrong, taken from Ontario, four from Quebec and on this very question if an argu-(three French and one English), and four ment can be used to show me that from the Maritime Provinces, and to-day the rights of Quebec are not trampled we have seven ministers from Ontario on, I am ready to to give way. alone, against seven for the whole of the I have submitted my case to the House other Provinces. Of those thirteen and I challenge the Government to ministers in 1867, no less than five ocadvance a logical argument against it. cupied seats in this House, but since the If to-day some Senator from Quebec death of Sir George Cartier, the man who should ask a question in the French stood by Quebec at all times, and who language, and the hon. Postmaster-Gene- sometimes disturbed the serenity of the ral, who understands a little French, present Premier, three of those benches should be out, how would the hon. Min-have been occupied by Senators who are ister of Inland Revenue meet the emer- not ministers, but at all times one of the gency? He would have to request the ministers, whether they were two, Senator to wait a moment until he could four or five, one of the a was a French find an interpreter. But even when the speaking minister. I have often comhon. Postmaster-General (Hon. Alex. plained of those changes before, and I Campbell) is in the House, how does have often asked the representatives of he deal with a question put to the Gov-| Quebec to vindicate the rights of their Proernment by an hon. Senator who cannot vince, and not only them, but members speak English? What was his answer from the Maritime Provinces also. to the question put by the hon. Senator If we admit such an interpretation of the for Sorel (a French Seaator)? “I am 133rd clause what will be the consesorry," replied the hon. Postmaster-quence? Who can say if this be admit General, "that I cannot give my answer ted that Sir John Macdonald or Mr. in his own language, &e."—and the an- Mackenzie, or any other party leader in swer was given in English, and the hon. forming a Government, will not take the Senator from Sorel had to look out for thirteen Ministers from Ontario, or some of his colleagues who understood twelve from that Province and one from both languages, and give him a trans- some other province ? Suppose such a lation of the answer of the Government. thing should be done, and I, as a repre Is that the position in which we sentative of the people, should complain should be placed by the very men we of it, could they not reply: "You have so long supported, while the Liberal arquiesced in this interpretation of the Administration of Mr. Mackenzie, whom 133rd clause in 1879 and 1880." Who ca cur province has always opposed, gave say, if that interpretation be assented to, us on the Treasury benches of the that the Premier will not select the four Senate a Minister of French origin? Ministers from Quebec from amongst the And is that giving a fair interpretation | English-speaking members of the House to the 133rd clause of the British North of Commons? If I did not raise my America Act? It would be an absurdity. voice, as I do now, to protest against such If that clause signifies anything it means an interpretation, he might well reply. that we are free to debate in either " You sanctioned this in 1879 and 1880." language, and therefore the Government In 1867, the framers of the constitution must necessarily be represented in this interpreted the 133rd clause by the House by a member who can speak arrangements which were then made, the French language. That it is so, and to those arrangements I will stick. is proved by the interpretation given My principles have always been Conserto it by the very men who framed that vative, and I have never been a folclause. And who are those who should lower of this or that man. If, then, interpret it? Sir John Macdonald, the the leaders of the Conservative party dePostmaster-General, the Minister of In-part from sound Conservative principles, land Revenue, Mr. Chapais, and some I am bound to refuse them my support. members in the other House. And how If they set aside the constitution, and did they interpret it? In 1867 when trample upon the rights of my Province Can I cannot support them. The Province | it may be so. There is still no proof to of Quebec has been so long ill-treated the contrary. At all events, whether that her people may not resent this de- true or not, I did not state it positively. privation of her rights, but whether they I merely said that such a rumor was in understand what is due to them or not Icirculation in, Montreal, among persons shall take a stand here which I know is who are usually well informed. Another for their good, because I hold now as 1 rumor in Montreal is this: that a held when I was their representative by prominent gentleman in the Province of election, that having been placed at the Quebec had a quasi promise since 1878 head I am bound to act in the best in- that he would be given a position in the terests of the Province I represent. Government of Canada on the first. Why, hon. gentlemen, all means were occasion, but who, as explained before, tried to break down this little party who though desirous of accepting it this. have been vindicating the rights of Que- year, could not. So the 8 at was given bec, if rumor is true. Any gentleman to another gentleman, but with the condiwho passed through Montreal last sumtion that the seat should be vacated at mer must have heard of new intrigues. any time. Mr. Mousseau then becameI challenge any one to deny that there President of the Council until has been, and that there is still to-day, another seat in the Cabinet becomes such a rumor amongst a class of gentle vacant. He will then assume a more men in Montreal, (I do not say it is cur-important department, which will lead rent throughout the city, but among a him to another situation outside the certain class,) that the Government had Cabinet, and so give way to the hon. one of their friends offer a high position gentleman who is now a locum tenens. to a member of this House who strongly advocates the rights of the Province of Quebec, as I am now doing. Hon. Sir ALEX. CAMPBELL-I That is the rumor, and in the course of time we will see what foundation there is for it. Being a public man, I had to weigh these take everything into account--the party, matters in the balance of justice, and to with all its intrigues, its family compact, and its jobbers on one side, and on the other the Province of Quebec, with have been listening with great attention to what the hon. gentleman says, and say distinctly that, so far as I know, and so far as the Government is aware, no such suggestion has been made to any-all its good works in the past for the body. party, and with all the injustice she has suffered, and see on what side the balance of good or evil might go. What did I find? That Quebec had done more than her share; that the other provinces had received more than they had a right to, and that Quebec should get at least what she is entitled to under the great compact of 1867. I ask for nothing but justice for her. When Nova Scotia de Hon. Mr. BELLEROSE-I may tell the hon gentleman that my authority is a pretty good one. I hope it is not so. If the hon. gentleman will state that it is not true, I must accept his denial, but I must tell him that many things are done which every one of the ministers does not know. Sometimes friends of the Government do things of this kind on an indirect suggestion of some of themanded better terms, did we from Quemembers of the Government. bee reply: "No; Nova Scotia has received Hon. Sir ALEX. CAMPBELL-Ishall have no more?" No; on the conwhat the compact gives her, and she never heard any such thing; I do not think such an offer would be made without my knowledge. I never heard of it, and I do not believe it. Hon. Mr. BELLEROSE-I have no doubt, knowing the hon. gentleman as I have known him for sixteen years, that he would not do such a thing, and consequently he may not know it, and may not have heard of it, and yet, for all that, trary, while the majority from Ontario declined to entertain the request, Quebec said" We will examine your Nova Scotia case"; and we found on examination that her claim had some foundation, and Quebec said whatever the compact might be, and though the result might be to increase the taxes on our own people, we would help Nova Scotia; and yet a rep. resentative of Quebec is grudged a few leader of this House. For my own part, although I will admit that I think it would have been better for the Province of Quebec if we had a Minister from that Province in this House, still I do not think it is essential; and if there was a fault to be found, certainly it ought not to be laid upon the leader of this House. Certainly there should be found some other member of the Government in whose hands the interests of Quebec are placed, and I take this opportunity to protest against what the hon. member has stated with reference to the hon. leader of this House. Hon. Sir ALEX. CAMPBELL-If nobody else desires to speak, I wish to minutes to lay his complaint before the House to ask justice at the hands of those from whom she should expect it! Quebec, in the future, as in the past, will always be ready to do justice to any. province of the Dominion which complains of injustice; I only hope that the same spirit will be displayed by the other provinces in dealing with Quebec. We do not ask for better terms; we do not ask for millions of dollars or anything more than was allowed to her under Confederation. We ask simply to be placed on the same footing as the other provinces in this Chamber. Quebec was the first province to vote the resolutions on which the British North America Act was founded. To some of them she had objections, but when it was ex-say a few words in reply to the remarks plained that the compact was in the nature of a treaty and could not be amended, she accepted the resolutions as a whole. Let us not now have reason to | regret the confidence which we then displayed in our statesmen, I have again to apologize for having spoken at such length, and perhaps in an enthusiastic manner, upon this subject, but I cannot help remembering the scenes which occurred of late years when Nova Scotia and New Brunswick had complaints to lay before us. There was then something more than enthusiasm and natural excitement which one would show in speaking on such subjects. I may therefore fairly claim to be excused, especially when I have established the fact that in making this demand I have been asking nothing but justice for over a million of Her Majesty's loyal subjects. of my hon. friend, the member for De Lanaudiere. There is no one who places a higher value upon the support of the French Canadian members of this House than I do; and there is no one, I think, who has evinced the feeling more constantly through the whole of his public career than myself. My early years were passed in Lower Canada; all my early associations and memories are there. I know the people of that Province well, and my sympathies have always been much with them. I have the greatest respect for them, and love their country and its people, and, therefore, I think Ï can say that amongst the English-speaking members of this House no one has a greater sympathy with them, or a more thorough desire to do that which is most convenient and agreeable to their feelings, than I do; and I think I have Hon. Mr. DE BOUCHERVILLE-reference to his general position, it is always shown this disposition. With It may be that I have misunderstood the somewhat difficult to follow my hon. hon. gentleman who has just sat down, friend, although I understand him in a but if not, he has spoken in the name, as way that many hon. gentlemen in this he says, of the Senators from Lower House do not, because he has referred to the history of the two parties anterior to the Union, which is not a subject, I am sure, agreeable to the ears of a great many of the members of this House, who have nothing to do with the dir putes which existed in Canada before Confederation, and to whose minds it must be as uninteresting as it would be to us from old Canada to hear of the disputes which occurred in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, or any other province of the Dominion; but the allusion is Canada. Hon. Mr. BELLEROSE-I did not think that. I said no doubt there were .some, and I know that there are one or two, for whom I do not speak. Hon. Mr. DEBOUCHERVILLE--I am very glad that I was mistaken on that point, but still, since I am on my feet, I take occasion to say that I differ from the hon. member in the strictures which he has thought fit to make upon the hon. made with this object, (and I admit, so | been represented by four members in the far as I am concerned, and so far as the Government. That was the full extent leader of the Government is concerned, of the representation in the Government it is a just reference,) it is made in order to which the province was entitled, and to show that in past years in the history which was settled at Confederation. of old Canada the Conservative party of There is no pretence that that has not the Province of Upper Canada were been the case. According to the popuvery greatly indebted to the support of lation of Quebec, it was reasonable that the Conservatives of Lower Canada, and three of those members should be French undoubtedly that was the case for very and one English. That has been the thany years. For a long time in the rule; it was adopted and practised by history of old Canada the Conservatives Sir George Cartier and has obtained ever in Upper Canada were in a minority, and since the Union. There is no pretence they were enabled to maintain their that it has been departed from, and, in position in the Government by the sup- addition, look for a moment at the offices port of the Conservatives of Lower which representatives from Quebec have Canada. That was the position of held, irrespective of these positions in the parties. Undoubtedly it was an argu- Government. You will find that, for two ment which was ready to my hon. Parliaments, the chair which you, Sir, friend's hand, and which it was quite occupy was held by a French Canadian-open to him to use in order to show the by Mr. Chauveau and by Mr. Cauchon. extent of the debt of gratitude which Sir Quebec has in the other branch of the John Macdonald and myself, at all Legislature at this moment, Mr. events, and perhaps some other members Blanchet, who fills the position of of the Administration, although Speaker-all these gentlemen, who I think 'not-owed to the Conservatives occupied creditably the positions they of Quebec. I quite admit that, nor do I were called upon to fill; and I only at all object to the reference which my allude to their holding those positions for hon. friend made to myself, or to his the purpose of the argument which it right to criticize my conduct. I do not enables me to use, that the Province of at all object to his stating that it was the Quebec has no reason to say injustice duty of the leader of the House to assert has been done to it. whatever might be due to this House in any re-arrangement of the Government, and I believe it to be quite possible that a time might arise when some successor of mine might be obliged to resort to the last measure to which he could resort in order to enforce what he considered the rights of this House in the formation of the Government. I quite concede this, and the hon. gentleman had the right to make the allusion which be did make, and I admit that circum stances might arise which would make it the duty of the leader of this House to resort to the step to which I have pointed. Now, the complaint which iny hon. friend makes is of injustice to the Province of Quebec. I make bold to say that there never was a complaint Tade with less foundation. He speaks of it as an injustice to the Province of Quebec, but I rather apprehend what he means is injustice to certain members of the Province of Quebec who sit in this House. Quebec has had every justice. From the time of the Union, Quebec has Hon. Mr. BELLEROSE-The hon. gentleman is fully aware of the difficulty lt is one Hon. Sir ALEX. CAMPBELL-I can make allowance for the difficulty tho hon. gentleman mentions, though I am quite sure, if he did not refer to it, we should not have noticed it; but his explanation does not alter the case. |