On this date in 1892, the Free Press of Manitoba published a piece after one of their reporters interviewed Grant. The journalist had sought his views on minority education rights in the province. Sadly, events would prove Grant wrong only a few years later.

“I look upon that as definitely settled,” Principal Grant said. “Each province has supreme power within the limit of its jurisdiction, as defined by the British North America Act, and the Dominion government has no right to interfere so long as the powers granted by this Act are not overstepped, and the Privy Council has decided that the Manitoba government has acted within the limits of the constitution."

The reporter’s questions continued, and Grant was asked whether the federal government might be required to introduce legislation to further ensure that minority rights were protected.

“The Privy Council,” Grant replied, “says there is no right transgressed, and consequently nothing to remedy. My idea is this, however; If the minority in Manitoba feel that they have a grievance, as they no doubt do, let them do as the minority in New Brunswick did, appeal to the majority, and they will undoubtedly find that majority ready to do them ample justice. This is the only way they can find redress, for the majority will not stand it to be concussed or coerced from the outside.”

Later events, of course, would prove the academic wrong and this issue would paralyze the federal government, cause the resignation of Prime Minister Sir Mackenzie Bowell and threaten the very unity of Canada itself. But those events are for another day on Art’s History.