Three photographs stand here in the Museum of History of some of the Fathers of Confederation. From top to bottom they are John A. Macdonald, George Brown, and George-Etienne Cartier. Macdonald and Cartier were partners in the United Canadas legislature. Macdonald and Brown despised each other, but understood the need to work together on the efforts that would lead to Confederation.
Another Father of Confederation was its most eloquent, and most unlikely. Thomas D'Arcy McGee had been an Irish radical advocating for revolution back in Ireland in his youth. But life in Canada changed his views, and as a political voice he was known for his oratory, his writings, and his passion for his new homeland. A portrait of McGee has pride of place in this area.
His shift from Irish radical to a believer in the idea of British parliamentary systems and a British North America earned him enemies among the Fenian Brotherhood. McGee was assassinated late one night in 1868 coming home from a session in Parliament.
But he would live to take part in Confederation. This is a photograph of delegates to the 1864 Charlottetown Conference.
Out of the efforts of colonial leaders during this period would come the British North America Act of 1867 and a new country: Canada.
Items in this display case belong to Cartier and Macdonald, from the time of the signing of the Act in London.
A quote by Macdonald closes things out for today.
What a huge responsibility...
ReplyDeleteWonderful header photograph and interesting slice of history.
ReplyDeleteInteresting history. Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteInteresting.
ReplyDeleteWe just voted last Sunday. Not a "clear" majority, so now they... argh. What did I go voting for, politics, or politicians only agree they want more money (here, at least).
I too have been forced to work with people I despised. I am a member of a couple of committees now when I am not exactly fond of some of the others.
ReplyDeleteMuito interessante.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço e bom fim-de-semana.
Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
Livros-Autografados
Interesting exhibit and art work.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Interesting! I enjoy history; it was one of my best subjects many years ago when I was still in school.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
@Italiafinlandia: the making of a country.
ReplyDelete@John: thank you.
@Nancy: thanks.
@Iris: we just voted in another minority government.
@David: I get along with most of my co workers, aside from one who I don't have to deal with too much.
@Francisco: thanks.
@Eileen: thank you.
@Lea: I love history.
John A’s statue was removed from its bench in Charlottetown last summer. He was instrumental is starting the residential schools.. I can only imagine how offensive that statue was to the indigenous people.
ReplyDeleteI like those old poster and the pictures of those days.
ReplyDelete...putting the pieces together can be difficult.
ReplyDeleteInteresting exhibit and history.
ReplyDeleteThese people weren't perfect but they did good job to put out country together.
ReplyDeleteWe learned very little about these guys in school and nothing about McGee that I remember.
ReplyDeleteI've stopped all committee work. I just cannot take it anymore!
ReplyDeleteInteresting exhibit
ReplyDeleteMucho trabajo ha habido en el empeño y hay gran parte de ese trabajo, que no se puede ver.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for sharing that part of Canadian history.
ReplyDeleteInteresting as always.
ReplyDeleteSome people do great works.
ReplyDeleteHistory in the making ~ great exhibit and photos ~
ReplyDeleteLiving in the moment,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
It seems like so long ago -- and yet in the scheme of things, not at all.
ReplyDeletewe went to several older museums this trip ... i enjoy history so so much. very cool. enjoy learning. ( ;
ReplyDelete@Marie: an understandable decision.
ReplyDelete@Jan: as do I.
@Tom: indeed.
@Bill: I agree.
@Red: definitely.
@RedPat: he was quite a person.
@Jennifer: understandable.
@Maywyn: that it is.
ReplyDelete@Ventana: thank you.
@Murcia: you're welcome.
@Gemel: thanks.
@Joanne: indeed.
@Carol: thank you.
@Jeanie: that's true.
@Beth: I love it too.
Such responsibilities! Interesting history so enriching.
ReplyDeleteIndeed.
Delete