THE MONTREAL DAILY STAR
20 august
TWO OFFICERS BANQUETED
Last night the papal zouaves of Canada and their friends tendered à grand banquet in the Cabinet de lecture, to their old comrades, lieutenant colonel Hughes and captain Larocque. The hall had been artistically decorated with flags, streamers and inscriptions, and presented à very gay appearance.
At the table d'honneur Were seated the president of the canadian section of the zouaves, Mr L, P. Hebert, the well known sculplor, having at his right lieutenant colonel Hughes, lieutenant colonel Ouimet, captain Garneau, of the ninth battalion, of Quebec, honorable senator Lacoste, Q. C., His Honor Mr Recorder de Montigny and D' Paré, of the 65", and on his left captain Laroche, his Worship the Mayor, honorable senator Thibeaudeau, vice-consul C. O0. Perreault, Mr E. P,. Leblane, M. P., for Laval, and adjutant Robert of the 65",
Seated at the other tables were : Mr A. L. de Martigny, of la banque Jacques Cartier, D' Lachapelle, captains Beauset, Ostelle and des Trois-Maisons, and Messrs 3. MeKenzie, G. À. Drolet, E. Hurtubise, 3. E, Gervais, À, Prendengast, H. A. Plamondon, Theodore Fontaine, 4. G. M. MeGown, D° A. Piché, 3, N. Mazurelte, Eusebe Branchaud, N. Jos. Côté, L. G. À. Sauvée, chevalier C. H. Vallée, D' Champagne, N. Renaud, Eugène Varis, Israël Marin, E. A. Desormeault, Gualbert Gervais, H. Groleau, Léon Descarries and J. Monier, of the papal zouaves.
Me Duperrouzel had provided à very substantial repast, and among the many dainties the tables contained were : Maskinonge à la « Saskatchewan, » Croquelles à la « Hughes, » Bouchées à la « Larocque, » Pudding à la « Ouimet, » etc.
The first toast, that of the « Queen, » was duly honored and colonel Ouimet arose amid a thunder of applanse to answer the loast of « Our volunteers. » He slated that the North-West rising would have proved fatal to Canadian power had there not been brave defenders willing to fight unto death for their countrv’s cause. The Sixty-Fifth had in this given to the world a true certificate of the existence of a French nation in Canada. He spoke of the insufficient equipment of the Sixty-Fifth, and stated that notwithstanding this fact, four days after having been notitied all were willing and ready to start for the front (Cheers). In
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conclusion colonel Ouimet said : « In complimenting the Sixty-Fiflh for its generous and noble conduct in the North-West, it would be no injustice for me to say that colonel Ouimet also did his duty to the letter (Cheers and singing of « For he is a jolly good fellow! »), It is a duty E'owe to all French Canadians, and especially to the officers and men of the Sixty-Fifth. E am unable to comprehend the reasons Which caused certain persons to state very loudly that E ha left the Sixty-Fifth without à motive, L therefore wish to now state publicly, that when LE left Caglary, it was with orders and a permit from my superior oficer (Renewed cheers), E was asked to Work in another place for the success of the expedition, and to obtain for the Alberta column the necessary authorization lo continue to the front, E can flatter myself that FE did my duty well, and F was heartily thanked for it, When LE was so brutally accused E was in a political and military position which would not allow me to justify myself, But after the campaign was over E was highly complimented, and my conscience is now at case, L'always served the Sixty-Fifth honorably and well, and E'always will, »
An enthusiastie peal of applause greeted colonel Ouimet's last words, an accompanied by the City Band in atlendance, all joined in a chorus and sang « For he is à jolly good fellow! »
Lieutenant colonel Hughes pledged his word for the correctness of colonel Ouimet’s statements. He said that major-general Strange had not only given permission to colonel Ouimet to go to Ottawa, but had asked it of him as à special favor, General Strange had informed colonel Hughes that he was unable to obtain what he needed and that as colonel Ouimet was a member of the Federal House, and as he enjoyed influence in political cireles, he wished to send him to Ottawa. « À few days ago, » continued colonel Hughes, « major-general Strange came to my office and informed me that he wished me to tender his sincere apologies to colonel Ouimet for having, when he received a telegram from Ottawa asking if il was true that colonel Ouimet was on the way home, inadvertently answered no. Major-general Strange would now do almost anything to dispel the wrong he unwittingly did to colonel Ouimet and to the Sixty-Fifth » (Cheers).
Captain Larocque thanked his fellow-zouaves for their cordial reception and was followed by captain Garneau, of Quebec, captain Ed, Beauset of the 65" and Mr G, A. Drolet of the papal zouaves. The toasts of the « Ladies » and « Press » were then proposed and honored and all dispersed at a late hour highly pleased with what everyone would have agreed lo call an exceedingly pleasant reunion de famille.
LA MINERVE
20 août
