CHAPTER X.

We left the murderer upon the plains making speeches like Marius on the ruins of Carthage.  The self-imposed banishment did not endure for long; and the swarthy face of Louis Riel was once more seen in Riviere Rouge.  When tidings of the murder got abroad, English-speaking Canada cried out that the felon should be handed over to justice.  I say English-speaking Canada, for the French people almost to a man gave their sympathy to the man whose hands were red with the blood of his fellow creature.  They could not be induced to look upon the slaying as an act of inhuman, bloody, ferocity, with which the question of race or religion had not the remotest connection.

“It is because Riel, a Frenchman and a Roman Catholic, shot Thomas Scott, an Englishman and a Protestant, that all this crying for vengeance is heard over the land.  Now, had the cases been reversed, we would hear no English lamentings over a murdered Riel.”  This was in effect what they said, impossible, almost, as it might seem for one to be able to credit it.  For illiterate persons, who could see no treason in the uprising, to condone the tumult and havoc, and regard even the murder justifiable, was what might have been expected.  But what shall be said for M. George E. Cartier, the “enlightened statesman,” for Pere Richot, the “crocmitaine,” for Pere Lastanc, the Vicar-General, and finally, for Monseigneur himself?  Nothing can be said!  We can only as Canadians all hang down our heads in shame, that any section of our common country should make such an exhibition of itself in the sight of humanity.

The protege of the Hierarchy was not long to mope about the plains like another dumb and fallen Saturn.  No less proportions than that of un Dieu hors de combat, a very God overthrown, would the deluded followers accord to the overwhelmed chief.  The clergy never suffered any aspersion to be thrown upon “le grand homme” for by no less appellation was he known.

“He has been your benefactor,” the coarse “crocmitaine” Richot would say.  “Had he not risen and compelled Government to grant you your rights, you would forever have been down-trodden by Canadian tyrants.  When the rage of the heretics in Ontario shall have cooled down we must send Le Bienfaiteur to Parliament.  And the time did actually come when the murderer appeared upon the hustings in the West soliciting the votes of the people.  Nor did he appeal in vain. He was elected. Nay, more than this, he set out for Ottawa, entered that city, and in the open light of day walked up to the Parliament Buildings, and in the eyes of officials and of the public subscribed his name to the Members’ roll.  Thousands have been in the habit of denouncing Sir John for permitting an unhung felon to go about as a free man, but when he came red-handed and presuming to Ottawa and enrolled his name, the Reformers were in power.”