Sir John Alexander Macdonald

Sir John Alexander Macdonald, 1815-1891

First Prime Minister of Canada. Born in Glasgow, Scotland on the 11th of January, 1815. He has been described as a lively youth, a good scholar, and a voluminous reader. His qualities of a good memory for faces and names, a frank and cordial manner of speech, a willingness to say yes rather than no and self-confidence brought him early into the political field. After the Upper Canada election of 1854 he took office as attorney-general west and became an influential legislator, in the prime of life and fullest measure of his intellectual power. His country has advanced under his care; that though the public debt is large, there is a great deal to show for it. The road (the Canadian Pacific Railway) must be a triumphant financial success, as well as of advantage to the great country through which it takes its course. It is a triumph of Canadian enterprise, energy and liberality, and has directed to the Dominion admiring eyes in every corner of the globe.

The British North America Act is a bundle of compromises put together to bring the provinces together, and not meant to be permanent. If Sir John should live to assist in revising its terms it will be a happy augury of success. In the settlement of difficulties at various periods with the United States his influence has been wholly for the good. This was manifested particularly in the Treaty of Washington of 1871.

"For forty years" (says a writer) Sir John has been "a representative of the people in parliament, for thirty years the trusted and beloved leader of the great Conservative party, and for twenty-five years the premier of the Dominion of Canada". His own words in 1873, "there does not exist in Canada a man who has given more of his time, more of his heart, more of his wealth, or more of his intellect and powers, such as they may be, for the good of this Dominion of Canada."