Biography john a macdonald

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The whole population turned out, and the houses of the principal streets were illuminated. He also saw that the child had a natural aptitude for such a profession, and both he and Mrs. Macdonald appear to have had an abiding faith that their son would become a distinguished man. Besides a good general practice, he was solicitor to the old Commercial Bank and to the Trust and Loan Company, both strong corporations; and to all this the young man succeeded, and soon accumulated considerable money, with some of which he bought city property.

Macdonald bluntly explained the rationale in 1879: “When the school is on the reserve, the child lives with its parents, who are savages… He is simply a savage who can read and write,” he said. By 1876, his government consolidated all previous colonial laws regarding First Nations into the Indian Act, a comprehensive statute that would govern virtually every aspect of Indigenous life for generations.

The railway was more than an economic artery; it was a tool of nationhood and imperial ambition. But it also left a bitter legacy of sorrow and anger – particularly among French Canadians and the Métis, who mourned Riel, and among the Cree, who had lost revered chiefs and faced even stricter subjugation. As they sat chatting, little John A. flitted through the room, when the old man, following the boy with his finger, said: "There goes the star of Canada."

On another occasion his father was told of some of the lad's wild pranks, and the narrative was supplemented with a hint that these tricks would probably lead him to some bad end.

It excited a good deal of interest, as John A. was contesting the most populous ward of the chy, and the young men worked hard for him. 

The election was very close and keen. Game must have been plentiful at that time, but our hero delighted in neither hunting nor fishing, and the only hunting story handed down in this connection is one to the effect that the Van Black boys, returning from a hunt, saw John coming up the road.

His demeanor was courageous but without bravado. The CPR stood as the crowning achievement of Macdonald’s economic vision, but it came at great human cost to those who stood in the path of his nation-dream.

Macdonald’s expansionist policies were not without prejudice. However, this school had a great reputation, and to it John was sent. He was not fond of athletics, or of hunting, or sport, although he was very nimble and was a fleet runner.

Macdonald acted on this advice. These hardships took a toll. Hunger set the stage for unrest. Among these was Kenneth MacKenzie, afterwards made county judge of Lennox and Addington by John A.; and one day an abusive article appeared about him. John A. had become Receiver General, and was then living in Montreal, the seat of Government.

Many promised supplies – like farming tools or adequate rations – never arrived or were of poor quality. There will be bloodshed.' John A., with several young gentlemen, were standing in front of the Hopkins House, when he slipped behind the doctor, and pinned a long Orange ribbon lo his coat. Young Macdonald was always full of fun, and delighted to play tricks upon his playmates.

Williamson himself was present, but John A., pretended not to be aware of this till he had finished, when he took a sly glance in the direction of his victim.