century remarkable for the unification of states and the
expansion of popular government.

During Sir John Macdonald's lifetime his admirers called him the Father
of Confederation. In length and prestige of official service and in
talent for leadership he had no equals. His was the guiding hand after
the union. The first constructive measures that cemented the Dominion
are identified with his regime. When he died in the twenty-fourth year
of Confederation he had been prime minister for nearly nineteen years.
To his contemporaries {179} he towered above others. Time established
his reputation and authority. The personal attachment of his followers
was like to nothing we have seen since, because to their natural pride
in his political triumphs was added a passionate devotion to the man
himself. His opponents have cheerfully borne tribute to the
fascination he exercised over young and old. Holton's delightfully
ambiguous remark, on the occasion of Macdonald's marvellous restoration
to office in 1878, is historic: 'Well! John A. beats the devil.' Sir
Oliver Mowat said, 'He was a genial man, a pleasant companion, full of
humour and wit.' Even his satirical foe, Sir Richard Cartwright,
recognized in him an unusual personality impressing all who came in
contact with it. 'He had an immense acquaintance,' wrote Cartwright,
'with men of all sorts and conditions from one end of Canada to the
other.'

As long as he lived, therefore, an impartial estimate of Macdonald's
share in effecting Confederation could not be expected. After his
death the glamour of his name prevented a critical survey of his
achievements. Even yet it is too soon to render a final verdict. He
took control of the situation at an early stage, because to frame a new
constitution was a task {180} after his own heart. He managed the
Quebec Conference with the arts which none of the other members
possessed in equal degree. As political complications arose his
remarkable astuteness soon overcame them; and he emerged from the
negotiations the most conspicuous figure in a distinguished group. It
is inevitable that genius for command should overshadow the merits of
others. True in every line of endeavour, this is especially so in
politics. With his great gifts, Macdonald preserved his ascendancy in
the young nation and was the chief architect of its fortunes for many
years.

[Illustration: An election campaign--George Brown addressing an
audienc