The Grip cartoons: vols. I & II, May 1873 to May 1874 — A Closer Reading

efore it. The motive imputed to him by the Conservative Press for this refusal was fear, and in the eyes of his partizans Sir John sustained the attitude represented in the Cartoon.

“_Wanted, a Good Stout Boy._”

There were those, of course, who saw an evidence of weakness in the Governor-General’s use of his prerogative of prorogation in accordance with the advice of the accused Ministers. But perhaps a “stouter boy” would have done little better in that difficult and delicate case, and certainly few “boys” could have done the work of the “place” generally so as to secure more of the peoples’ respect and admiration than Lord Dufferin enjoys.

“_The Irrepressible Showman._”

Apropos of the visit to Canada of Barnum, the Showman, during the Pacific Scandal “fever.”

SEPTEMBER 13th, 1873.

“_Blackwash and Whitewash._”

“Illustrating,” as the legend goes on to say, “the recent great opposition speeches, and the doings of the jolly Royal Commission.” The Reformers, of course, lost no opportunity of painting Sir John in grimy colours; while it was generally acknowledged that the Royal Commissioners and the Conservative press did little more during the excitement than “whitewash” him.

SEPTEMBER 20th, 1873.

“_We in Canada seem to have lost all idea of justice, honour and integrity._”

So said the _Mail_, the leading Conservative organ, on September 26th. _Grip_ sought to point this lugubrious confession with an illustration drawn from the topic of the hour.

SEPTEMBER 27th, 1873.

“_Progressing Favourably._”

A Peep into the hearts of the Reform Leaders during the interesting period of Sir John Macdonald’s political “indisposition.” The “Poor Dear Premier” may be seen, if the reader will take the trouble to peer into the bed-room.

“_Rehearsing for the 23rd._”

Representing the spirit in which the Leaders of the Respective Parties approached what was expected to be the decisive date.

“_Will he get Through?_”

The question which was on all lips during the interim between the prorogation of the House of Commons on the 13th of August and the day fixed for its re-assembling, October 23rd. The prophecy conveyed in the unreasonable smallness of the hoop in the clowns hand, was duly realized.

“_A Case of Riel Distress._”

The murder of Thomas Scott, at Fort Garry, during the Red River Rebellion, naturally excited great indignation throughout the Dominion, and a universal demand was made for the apprehension and punishment of Louis Riel, the leader of the malcontents, at whose instigation the deed was committed. This righteous sentiment, however, ultimately resolved itself into mere political “claptrap,” and the action of the Conservative Government, then in power, was hypocritical throughout, they having secretly promised the rebels an amnesty, while publicly professing an anxious desire to “catch him.”

“Of comfort no man speak; Let’s talk of graves and worms and epitaphs!”—SHAKESPEARE.

Typical of the overwhelming grief which seized the Conservative Party on being turned out of office, after a reign of nearly twenty years.

“_Miss Canada’s School._”

Being a word of advice to the new Premier. The persons represented in the cartoon, are, commencing at the head of the “class,” Hon. A. Mackenzie, Hon. Edward Blake, Hon. Geo. Brown, Hon. E. B. Wood, Louis Riel (who had been elected M. P. for Provencher, Manitoba), Hon. M. Langevin, James Beaty, Esq., M. P., T. C. Patteson, Esq., manager of _The Mail_, Sir Francis Hincks, and Sir John Macdonald. Monitor, His Excellency, Earl Dufferin, Gov. General.

“_The Political Mother Hubbard._”

It had been currently reported in the newspapers that the dignity of the Lieut. Governorship of Ontario was to have been bestowed on the Hon. George Brown, immediately on the accession to power of the Reform Government. The new ministers discovered, however, that Sir John Macdonald, had, in the last gasp of his official life, appointed one of his own colleagues, (the Hon. John Crawford) to the position in question, besides disposing of ninety-nine other “places” in the gift of the First Minister.

“_The Irrepressible Jack._”

The circumstance under which Sir John Macdonald was deposed from power seemed to warrant the assumption of the Reformers that he was “done for.” But on the contrary it only seemed the signal for additional honours to be heaped upon him by the Conservative Party, who unhesitatingly chose him leader of the opposition, and nominated him as member for Kingston, West Toronto, &c., not to mention banquets, and other species of emphasis.

“_The Premier’s Model._”

In an address to the electors of Lambton, soon after the accession to power of the Reform Party, Mr. Mackenzie declared the cardinal points of the policy he would inaugurate, as leader, to be “Electoral Purity” and “the Independence of Parliament.” (Before entering political life, Mr. Mackenzie followed the vocation of stone-mason.)

“_The Liberal Programme._”