Laurier: A Study in Canadian Politics by J. W. (John Wesley) Dafoe
page 66 of 88 (75%)
page 66 of 88 (75%)
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"Reciprocity"--a word the Liberals were quite willing, for the time
being, to forget. He was left to lie where he had fallen. For some years he lived in political obscurity, and it was only the emergence of the Unionist movement which made possible his re-entrance to public life and his later career. THE REVIVAL OF LIBERAL HOPES When Sir Wilfrid resumed the leadership after the formality of tendering his resignation to the party caucus it meant, in fact, that he intended to die in the saddle. Thereafter Sir Wilfrid talked much about the inexpediency of continuing in the leadership, and often used language foreshadowing his resignation--indeed the letters quoted by Professor Skelton in the latter chapters of his book abound in these intimations--but these came to be regarded by those in the know as portents: implying an intention to insist upon policies to which objections were likely to develop within the party. Notwithstanding the severity of their defeat--they were in a minority of 45 in the House--the Liberals in opposition showed a good fighting front, and ere long hope revived. The Borden government found itself in difficulties from the moment of taking office--largely by reason of the tactics by which Laurier's supremacy in Quebec had been undermined. The Nationalist chiefs declined an invitation to enter the government, but they controlled the Quebec appointments to the cabinet, and thus assumed a quasi-responsibility for the new government's policy. The result was disastrous to them; for the Borden government, subject to the influences that had enabled it to sweep Ontario, could not concern |
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