return some time previously to the country.  Mr. Papineau’s career in parliament was not calculated to strengthen his position in impartial history.  He proved beyond a doubt that he was only a demagogue, incapable of learning lessons of wise statesmanship during the years of reflection that were given him in exile.  He continued to show his ignorance of the principles and workings of responsible government.  Before the rebellion which he so rashly and vehemently forced on his credulous, impulsive countrymen, so apt to be deceived by flashy rhetoric and glittering generalities, he never made a speech or proposed a measure in support of the system of parliamentary government as explained by Baldwin and Howe, and even W. Lyon Mackenzie.  His energy and eloquence were directed towards the establishment of an elective legislative council in which his compatriots would have necessarily the great majority, a supremacy that would enable him and his following to control the whole legislation and government, and promote his dominant idea of a Nation Canadienne in the valley of the St. Lawrence.  After the union he made it the object of his political life to thwart in every way possible the sagacious, patriotic plans of LaFontaine, Morin, and other broad-minded statesmen of his own nationality, and to destroy that system of responsible government under which French Canada had become a progressive and influential section of the province.

As soon as parliament assembled at the end of February, the government was defeated on the vote for the speakership.  Its nominee, Sir Allan MacNab, received only nineteen votes out of fifty-four, and Morin, the Liberal candidate, was then unanimously chosen.  When the address in reply to the governor-general’s speech came up for consideration, Baldwin moved an amendment, expressing a want of confidence in the ministry, which was carried by a majority of thirty votes in a house of seventy-four members, exclusive of the speaker, who votes only in case of a tie.  Lord Elgin received and answered the address as soon as it was ready for presentation, and then sent for LaFontaine and Baldwin.

He spoke to them, as he tells us himself, “in a candid and friendly tone,” and expressed the opinion that “there was a fair prospect, if they were moderate and firm, of forming an administration deserving and enjoying the confidence of parliament.”  He added that “they might count on all proper support and assistance from him.”  When they “dwelt on difficulties arising out of pretensions advanced in various quarters,” he advised them “not to attach too much importance to such considerations, but to bring together a council strong in administrative talent, and to take their stand on the wisdom of their measures and policy.”  The result was the construction of a powerful government by LaFontaine with the aid of Baldwin.  “My present council,” Lord Elgin wrote to the colonial secretary, “unquestionably contains more talent, and has a firmer hold on the