THE TORONTO MAIL
(From our own Correspondent June 26, 1889,
QUEBEC, June 24—Twenty-five thousand people is a fair estimate of the vast multitude that gath-red on the banks of the Saint Charles river this morning to witness the blessing and dedication of the Cartier-Brebeuf monument, erected in honour of the Saint Malo navigator and the Jesuit fathers. : It was a great day for the French- Canadian people. From early morning thousands of habitants from all parts of Canada and the neighbouring Republic thronged the streets. The French tricolor floated in all directions and the greatness of New France wasthe theme of every discourse. It was an essentially national and religious demonstration. The Church and the State were united, as one ofthe speakers remarked, for the glory of the French-Canadian people. It was a magnificent opportunity to obaïin an idea of the spirit and aspirations of this peculiar people, who once defeated, (2) but not con-
(1) Cartier-Brébeuf—Premier Mercier on the present Jesuit agitation—Sec ‘nd day’s celebration in the ancient capital—-Honouring the navigator and the Jesuit missionary—Distinguished guests and an immense crowd present—Celebration of Mass—Military honours—Cardinal Taschereau’s address—Mr. Chauveau’s oration.
(2) Nous sommes heureux de constater que le ‘* Wuil’’ admet la thèse soutenue par tous les Canadiens-français, à savoir : que nous avons été DÉFAITS mais non coxquis. S'ileut dit CÉDÉS au lieu de pÉFAITs, ileut été dans la stricte vérité. car si nous avons perdu la bataille des Plaines d'Abraham, en 1759, nous avons gagné la bataille de Ste Foye, en 1760, la dernière qui ait été livrée avant l’odieuse cession,—pour ne pas dire le lâche abandon—de Louis XV.
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quered, have arisen on the ruins of New France and are now strong in their determination to found and perpetuate a distinct French-Canadian nationality on the continent of America. Religion was blended with nationality. The Cartier-Brebeuf monument, one of the speakers declared, was emblematic of the union of Church and Ntate, and animated by one idea, the French-Canadian people turned out in their strength, and the expressions of the speakers left no room for doubt as to what are to be the lines on which the future programme is to be pursued. “ Nos institutiors, notre langue et nos lois,’ is the rallying cry. Where the natural independence of each individual of the Anglo-Saxon race is often the cause of disaster and defeat, the adhesiveness of the French-Canadian raceis one of the strongest sources of its power. They are a compact body, wielded by the influence of an allpowerfull institution. Against such a body it is easy for any impartial observer to see that the English people, divided by party lines and anxious to conciliate the French vote, are virtually hopeless. The French-Canadians, not satisfied with being ‘ masters of Quebec,” have cast longing eyes on the other provinces of the Dominion, and now the dream of their leaders is to see Ontario, Manitoba, and the other provinces French. A leading French-Canadian said to me :—"* In fifty years, by our natural increase, we shall number ten millions of people and shall control Canada.” That is the issue that the English people, too prone to be apathetic and to sacrifice their future interests for the sake of party, are called upon to face. The sooner they do so the better. No amount of harsh language, of wild and bigoted fanaticism, will avail to stem the tide of French-Canadian nationalism, which is growing stronger every day. The French- Canadians will pursue their path towards a discinct uationality. The Church and the State are to be united for this common object, and to-day’s celebration was intended as a striking commemoration ofthis alliance.
