LE DISCOURS DE MGR GAUTHIER AU "WIN THE WAR

Voici le texte, dont la publication a vialheureusemenl été trop retardée, du discours prononcé au congrès dit Win the War, par Mgr Georges Gauthier, évêque auxiliaire de Montréal, le 18 mai dernier:

Mr. Président: —

First of ail, allow me to express to the organizers of this Convention, mj^ appréciation of the honor conferred ujjon me by their gracions invitation to address this important gathering. It is very certain that the présent war is the cause of grave anxiety to ail : more certain still, is the fact that our cares will not cease with the signing of the Peace-Treaty. The "after-war" problems will long continue to absorb the attention and devotedness of ail those who love their native land : — and as we ourselves love our country as much as any one, we hâve followed with keen interest, the délibérations and laudable desires of your Congress.

I frankly own that it is rather novel that a French Canadian Bishop should hâve a voice in this assembly: — Imagine ! a Catholic Bishop, a member of that terrible hierarch}' painted in such dark colors in certain parts of our fair Dominion ! Perhaps, it were well that I should leave the comforting impression that those "terrible" Bishops hâve no thought of swallowing any Protestant whatsoever.

And right hère, apropos of this much decried hierarchy: — Do you, my dear Non-Catholic Friends, really know what you owe to it? Without insisting, for the moment, on the part that Canadian Frelatés hâve ever taken in ail generous movements begun in the interest of the Canadian people, I can prove from their writings and deeds that the British Crown has never had more faithful subjects nor stronger supporters in Canada than the members of the Catholic, Canadian Hierarchy. Moreover, this is readily understood, because "Fidehty to the Established Powers" is not a matter of discussion for us Catholics. Now, let me recall but two of the greatest figures of the Catholic Episcopate of this country: Bishop Briand of 1775 and Bishop Plessis of 1812. Thèse dates bring to mind two critical periods of our history

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il.it'ing which the English domination in Canada could hâve crumblcd to dust in tjne twinkle of an cye. Then, while, the pretended loyalists were awaiting, en the Isle of Orléans, the final issue of the struggle, the Catholic Episcopate, supporting the Governor's efforts, called on the French Canadians to repel the invader. Reread the public letters of thèse Churchmen — see the influence they exerted and you cannot fail to acknowîedge the debt of gratitude that even you, my dear Friends, ' owe to the Catholic Hierarchy. Honor is, indeed, due to such Protestant writers as Wj^at t Tilby, and John Boyd — who hâve shown that if Canada is still a British possession, if there is a Province of Ootario, and if today, nine otlier provinces are so proud as she to float the British flag, it is thanks to the Catholic Hierarchy of Québec.

What récognition, what requital hâve we had? Since you allow me to speak frankly and freelj', I shall bring to your notice a few facts from Canadian History.

Not hère the time nor place, to relate the exciting discussions which preceded the adoption of Fédéral Union. Those who care to look into the matter will find excellent food for reflection in Joaeph Pope 's Confédération Documents. What I want j^ou to note particularly, is that this is not the first time in our country's growth that there has been question of National Unity. Those, who hâve read John Boyd's impartial Life of Sir George Cartier, must hâve marked that Cartier and McDonald had also their di'eam of National Unity, which, to them, appeared a reality in the light of the proposed Confédération. Far from their minds the thought that one part could absorb the other, or that a majority could aljuse of its power against a feeble minority. What they struggled for is xohat you also désire, that is, the equality of our two races, and the mutual respect of our religions and educational rights.

From l'ope's Confédération Documents, we learn that Robert Bell, member for Russell County, introduced a Bill dcmanding for the Catholic minority of Ontario the same privilèges and guarantees which the McDonald-Cartier Government were rcady to grant to the Protestant minority of Québec. But in the face of unbending and systematic opposition on the part of the Protestant Majority of Ontario, both bills were wilhdrawn. Sir John A. McDonald, when explaining the withdrawal of the proposed laws, used words Avliich have^since becomc a tragic import to Frenda Canadians: "The minority in each|î^Province must anchor itself in the justice and gcnerosity^of the^majority."

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What did, in reality, hai^pen? Whilc the dclcgates from l'ppor and Lower Canada, Xew Brunswick and Nova Scotia wcre prcparing the British North American Act in London, Sir Alexander Galt, who represented the Protestant minority of Québec, had the following words added to Art. 41 : And in any Province where a System of Separate or Dissentient schools by law obtains, or where the Local Législation may hereafter adopt a sj^stem of Separate or Dissentient schools an appeal shall lie to the Governor in Council of the General Government from the acts and décisions of the local authoritics wliich may affect the rights or privilèges of ^he Protestant or CathoUc minority in the matter of éducation. And the gênerai Parliament shall hâve power in the last resort to legislate on the subject."

The Englishmen of the futiu-e Province of Québec, j'ou see, were, thus, prudently, providing safeguards against the CathoUc French majority which would be mistress of the législature. Events hâve shown that they did not need to fear. When, in fact, has the English Protestant minority of this Province sufïered at our hands ? Hâve we ever interfered with the direction of their schools? Hâve we ever tried to impose any régulation like that known as the X-VII (17th.) — a régulation pronounced absurd by the l^est pédagogie authoritics.

Let us now examine the other side: New Brunswick first assailed the New Constitution on the question of "Separate Schools" — and the CathoUc, French minority there, lost its rights; the second time, the "school question" was posed in Manitoba, and the minority, French and CathoUc, again, went under; later, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Kewatin saw their rights crumble to nothing in the same grave matter. Ontario is, today, facing the same weighty question of "Schools." You aU know how the French and CathoUc minority has been treated there, by the Protestant EngUsh majoritj-. I am proud to say that the Province of Québec is guiltless of am^ such assault on the letter and spirit of Confédération.

Herein, Ues the great obstacle to National Unity, and I repeat ive are not responsible for it. If the CathoUc, French majority of Québec treated the English, Protestant minority as French Canadians are treated in some other parts of the Dominion, we would see the "torch of war" blazing from the hills of Westmount to the very shores of the Pacific. We hâve been patient, we are so, still. Scarcely a week passes by, without certain Ontario newspapcrs publishing shameful libels on the Province df Québec. — Where havc you seen in print

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that the Catholic religion is incompatible with the qualjties of a loyal citizen, if not in Protestant newspapcrs? Where hâve you read that Ontario possesses the maximum of scientifîc light, of morality, of religion; and, Québec the totality of ignorance, of intellectuel bondage, and bf superstition, if not in Protestant weeklies ? Let me add, moreover, that tlie arch-enemy of National Unity is the politician who exploits for his own gain popular préjudice and passions. Cartier and McDonald, who fashioned the "Confédération Covenant," were men of justice and foresight, other politicians seem to be in a fair way of pulhng down what they so strongly built up. However, we hâve no fears for the future. The French Canadian, despised and misunderstood, clings to the soil, ploughs his furrow, lifts his gaze to the Church spire, and awaits brighter days. But when we passionately love our native land, and see so much strength lost in fruitless quarrels of race and religion, our hearts are wrung with sorrow, because unscrupulous schemers succeed in preventing the realization of our dreams of an idéal National Unity.

I should not keep you so long, when more éloquent orators are hère to address you. A few words more, and I hâve done — some claim that we cannot hope for National Unity without one-ness .of language, yet the very British Empire itself belles this statement. What could be more varied than its multiphcity or dialects, tribes and religious beUefs? And yet does this disparity of tongue, color and worship, preveut the Empire from giving us, in this moment, a magnificent example of loyalty and National Unity ? Then look at Switzerland: Has it Unity of tongue, race or religion, and yet "the Swiss" and "the Patriot" are synonymous; — or heroic Belgium — tell me, could any singlencss of race, language or religion hâve bred a more admirable example of patriotism and National Unity? On the other hand, did the use of a common tongue prevent the American Révolution, or the War between the North and the South? — Thè fact of speaking the same language as my next-door neighbor, does not necessarily make me his bosom-friend.

There is not in the whole Dominion, a French Canadian, who is not convinced of the importance of learning to si)eak and write English, correctly. This does not prove that he is less jnteUigenl or less broadminded than others. It ])roves simply that he understands his truc interests. But, when he défends his mother tongue, he feels that he is upholding a cause so sacred and deep, that the peace of society rcsts on

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its very foimdations. He knows moreover, how very useful it is for him to Icnow several languages. — I am happy to quote hère the following words of a wcll known Canadian, Sir James Grant: "One of the most remarkable events in our history is the effort now being made by leading men in Ontario, the first Province of Canada, to demonstrate beyond doubt the true feehng of brothcriy friendship towards the great French nationahty, which has contributed so greatly in every line of action towards the progress and prosperity of our Dominion. The French language is a chiet factor of strength, unity and increased mental activitj' For forty years I hâve had the honor of representing the French cathohc uuiversitj^ of Ottawa in the council of the collège phj'sicians and surgeons, Ontario, and hâve been président and chief of staff of the gênerai hospital (French and Catholic) for about the same period. Ottawa University holds a unique position as an educational institution. A large number of students are from the United States, chiefly to acquire a perfect knowledge of the French language. To this subject I hâve dévot ed careful investigation and with what resuit? The graduâtes, in the repubhc, hâve attained such renown, occupying the highest positions as lawj-ers, priests, physicians and even senators, the resuit of a high order of mental culture. In fact, what phosphates are to the soil in the production of our best grain, so the French language is to the brain cell in the development of the highest degree of intellectual power. The strongest lever of success in life is a thorough knowledge of the French language, which should been couraged in ail our schools, from océan to océan, to strengthen the ties that unité us as a people."

I would like to cite from the Canadian Magazine an article from the pen of Hilton Radley, who marvels at the facility with which French Cauadians learn EngHsh besides their Mother tongue: — His article referred to the proposed project of replacing in the High Schools the study of the German by that of Russian. He asks how it would be possible to make the pupils learn Russian or any other foreign language when they do not give themselves the trouble of acquiring the language of the thousands of French Canadians living in their midst.

Oh! I know there is another question, that of the présent war. It is said that French Canadians hâve not done their part. I will not recaU the statistics so often cited, and which show that our men hâve enlisted in a fair proportion to others. The exploits of the 22nd. Battalion hâve proved that French Canadians are also able to fight, and

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fight against odds. But will you allow me to lay before you the principle set forth by an English writer: "A survey of the différent parts of the British Empire in the présent great crisis shows that the true unity and coopération exists in every case in inverse ratio as the particular unifying methods of our coercionist friends hâve been employed." It is certain that if the French Canadians had becn treated differently in respect to their language, if they had had the "fair play" which is the ordinarj^ "trademark" of British Institutions, if instead of making absurd regidations to hinder them from learning their own language in the schools, they had been told: "You wish to learn EngUsh, well and good: We will also give you fair opportunity of learning French," the resuit of recruiting would hâve been very much greater. Above ail, we would not see in our land those bitter discussions v/hich rcally affect the peace of society.

In spite of ail this, we remain confident. For, in the words of the "Monocle Man," in the Canadian Courier:

"There has never been a single movcment against the R-ench Canadians in this country that has not ended in a complète ethnological failure and a crushing defeat for the imprudent men who hâve tried it. The battlefield of préjudice and passion has often been the burjdngground of numerous ambitions full of promise."

We, my friends, shall strive for nobler things — when through mutual respect and appréciation, as a united body, we bend ail our forces towards the realization of the ideals of those truly great statesmen who inaugm'ated the Confédération, then, and not till then can we be assured of the greatness and the prosperity of Canada: A greatness and a prosperity — measured by a higher standard than that of widely extended and profitable commerce, — by the uprightness and loyalty of its people, the only solid and stable foundation for a great nation.

1ère année, no 11 Montréal Novembre 1917

X,'Jkction française

Revae paraissant le 25 de chaque mois

Anthony freeland

par S.-Iïl, CJenest

HOMMAGE A MLLE ISL^KIE-THÉRÈSE ARCHAMBAULT, Albert Lozeau — ANTHONY FREELAND, (portrait) — L'ÉGLISE CATHOLIQUE DANS LES PROVINCES M.ARITI:MES, Fr. Alexis, co p. — LETTRE OL^'ERTE AU PREMIER :MINISTRE D'ONTARIO, Léon Lor- R.'aN — NOS QUARANTE-HUIT PAGES — LES RE- NOL"\'ELLEMENTS — A TRAVERS LA VIE COU- RANTE, Pierre Homier — LA PETITE FILLE QUI VOULAIT PARLER FRANÇAIS ... — JOURNAUX.

LIVRES ET REVUES — LES ACADIENS — NOS CON- FÉRENCES — PARTIE DOCUMENTAIRE : Un discours de Mgr Béliveau — Les Anglo-Protest axts et