During his speech, Laurier set an example of grace and class that leaders in politics today might consider emulating. Our first French-Canadian Prime Minister chose to honour his past opponent, the late Sir John A. Macdonald. Imagine today if such non-partisan gestures were the rule, not the exception.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier: If I have been able in the course of my life to give justice as I see it where justice is due; if I have been able to meet my opponents and to shake hands and to greet friend and foe, the good I think of him I owe it to the example given me by a man whose portrait I see on the wall here, and who was at one time leader of the Conservative party,” Laurier said. “When I entered Parliament Sir John Macdonald had been for thirty years the acknowledged leader in Canadian polities. I was very young then, but from the very first day I entered the House Sir John always showed me the greatest kindness, and as I grew up and time went on my position in Parliament improved, and day came when I was entrusted with the leadership of my party, I was then then in contact with him on all matters of public interest which the leaders of the two parties have to confer upon in carrying out their public duties.

And therefore, gentlemen, although I differed from him in many ways, at all events there was something in his way of leading his party which was worthy of imitation. And I must say for the credit of his memory that I always found him in all his relations not only courteous but true to his word, and never unfair, and in this, respect, and not his policy, I have tried to emulate his example.

Laurier then concluded.

“If there has been some measure of success in my leadership, the Conservatives cannot find fault with me for it. It is possible to differ and yet to be united: it is possible to mitigate the acerbities of public life such are not possible anywhere else.”