The resident beavers of castorblog.com would be remiss if they did not today acknowledge the 188th anniversary of their nation's founding father, Sir John Alexander Macdonald.
Though cheerfully corrupt and disgracefully alcoholic, he was, more than anyone else, responsible for the creation of Canada in 1867. As the country's first Prime Minister (1867-73; 1878-91) John A. went on to serve his country faithfully, if not always wisely, until his death in 1891. He master-minded the construction of the transcontinental railway which ensured that his country spanned the continent. He provoked, and then crushed, two aboriginal rebellions. He developed the National Policy that led to over a century of protectionist trade practices. He founded the North West Mounted Police and Canada's first National Park. When he died the Liberal politician Wilfred Laurier said: "the place of Sir John A. Macdonald in this country was so large & so absorbing that it is almost impossible to conceive that the politics of this country will continue without him. His loss overwhelms us."
Here's to you John. Who's like you? Damn few and they're all dead.
Posted by at January 11, 2003 03:41 PM