Hon. Laurent Olivier David

Hon. Laurent Olivier David, senator and journalist, possesses a statesmanlike grasp of affairs that has enabled him to handle important public questions in a manner that has largely influenced public opinion. Prominent and active, however, as he has been in the field of journalism and in politics, literature is perhaps his real life work and his writings will endure for years to come, especially the important historical volumes of which he is the author. A native of Sault au Récollet, Quebec, he was born March 24, 1840, a son of Major Stanislas and Elizabeth (Tremblay) David. He pursued his education in St. Therese College and after thorough preparation for law practice was called to the bar in 1864. While yet a law student he entered the field of newspaper publication in the founding of Le Colonisateur, to which he was a contributor. He would undoubtedly have won prominence in the practice of law had he continued in that field, but the trend of his mind was rather for the discussion of public questions of vital significance and far-reaching importance. He was particularly interested in the question of the impending confederation which so altered the destiny of the Dominion. It was during the period of his early manhood that he became associated with Sir Wilfrid Laurier, and the friendship then formed between them has since existed. There was little indication at that period to show that Laurier, the young lawyer, who was forced to practice the most rigid economy, would in future years, as prime minister, guide the destinies of his country. Long after he had risen to prominence Mr. David became his biographer, his history of the eminent liberal leader being marked by delicate sympathy, inner knowledge and keen and subtle appreciation of character.

Continuing his activity in the journalistic field, Mr. David, in 1870, established and became chief editor of an illustrated weekly called L’Opinion Publique, which he left because he objected to the paper’s supporting the government on the question of the Pacific scandal. He made in that circumstance an important sacrifice of his personal interest. In this enterprise he was associated with Messrs. Mousseau and Desbarats. In 1874, in association with the late C. Beausoleil, M. P., he established Le Bien Public, which he discontinued when the Mackenzie government refused to raise the tariff more than a relatively small per cent, which Mr. David thought insufficient in view of the financial crisis then prevailing. His newspaper career as well as his natural interest brought him into close connection with the important political and other significant questions of the day, and his discussion thereof through the columns of the press did not a little in formulating public policy. His presentation of any subject was always clear and cogent. There was a piquant and compelling force in his style, and the development of his native powers and talents in the field of literature has made him one of Canada’s foremost representatives in authorship. During the brief interval between two epochs in his newspaper publication he acted as translator and assistant clerk of the votes and deliberations of the house of commons during the Mackenzie regime. This was the initial step of his activity in public office. He resigned the position in 1878 and afterward successfully practiced his profession in Montreal. In May, 1892, Mr. David was called to the office of city clerk of Montreal and was one of the revisers who drafted a new charter for the city in 1898.

In the meantime he was taking an active part in the discussion of many questions relative to the provincial and national welfare. Originally a supporter of the conservative party, he withdrew therefrom to join L’Union Nationale, an organization of young men pledged to oppose the confederacy of the provinces. Later he joined the liberal party under Dorion, Holton and Laflamme and was in full accord with their policy on all questions save that of protection to native industries, which he had always favored. For many years he has been an unswerving supporter of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, enjoying his personal friendship and political confidence in a supreme degree. In 1867 and 1875 he unsuccessfully contested Hochelaga (local) at the general election, and in 1878 contested Hochelaga for the house of commons, while in 1891 he contested Montreal East for the house of commons. He sat for Montreal East in the legislature from 1886 until 1890, when he retired because he was not entirely in accord with the policy of Mr. Mercier, his local leader. On the 19th of June, 1903, he was called to the senate by Lord Minto and has since taken an active part in shaping the legislative history of the country along the lines of progressive statesmanship. He moved the address in reply to the speech from the throne in 1905, and his speech was highly appreciated by the whole Canadian press. He has since moved on the subject of senate reform and on the subject of concerted measures for the restriction in Canada of indecent and immoral literature, and other subjects of vital interest to the general public. He declined appointment to the lieutenant governorship of the Northwest and it is said that he would have been appointed judge if he had been willing to accept the charge. He was also offered a judgeship in Montreal and refused.

It would be difficult to determine which has been the most important feature in the life record of the Hon. Laurent O. David. Much of his time has been devoted to authorship, in which field he has had marked influence aside from that which he has exerted in journalism. From his pen have come various important historical works, the titles and dates of publication being as follows: Biographies et Portraits (1876); Le Heros de Chateauguay (1883); Les Patriotes de 1837-8 (1884); Mes Contemporains (1894); Les Deux Papineau (1896), Le Clergé Canadien (do.), condemned at Rome and placed on the Index because of the strong position which he took against the intervention of the priest in political matters; L’Union de Deux Canadas 1841-67 (1898); Le Drapeau de Carillon, a drama (1901); Laurier et son Temps (1905); Histoire du Canada depuis la Confédération; and Souvenirs et Biographies (1910). He has also lately published biographies of Charles Le Moyne and of his illustrious sons, d’Iberville, de Bienville, etc. These biographies first appeared in La Presse but will later be issued in book form. He has frequently addressed the public from the platform on such important subjects as National Unity, A Page of Canadian History, etc., and is recognized as one of Canada’s most graceful and instructive writers as well as a much admired public speaker. The Toronto Club has characterized him as “a man of fine literary attainments and high views of national life” and the Toronto News wrote of him, “a man of sincere and enlightened views, excellent abilities and thoroughly informed upon public questions.”

Mr. David was married in 1868 to Mlle. Albina Chenet, who died in July, 1887. In 1892 he wedded Mlle. Ludivine Garceau. His children numbered one son and nine daughters. Next to his home, he holds dear the public interests and is prominently identified with the Society for the Protection of Women and Children of the province of Quebec. He is deeply and helpfully interested in all measures which seek the betterment of the community, and endeavors to shape the public welfare according to the highest ideals. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a knight of the Legion of Honor of France, having been appointed in 1911. He has deep attachment for the institutions of his native land, and it has been said of him that “next to his love of Canada is his love for the flag which protects him and his race in all that they hold dear and precious.” He often gives expression to his admiration for the English constitution and does not cease to repeat that it is the most perfect political system of government made by man. He has membership in the Canadian Club and in the Roman Catholic church. From early life he has been deeply interested in the conservation of the French language and customs, especially since the opening of the Northwest, which event seemed to threaten the extinction of the French-Canadians by foreign populations. Accordingly he associated himself with St. Jean Baptiste and other national societies, and it was as president of St. Jean Baptiste Society that he labored to erect the Monument National. Although considered a sincere patriot by his countrymen his patriotism is not narrow, and he is always ready to admire what is done by other people for the advancement and honor of their nationality. He often repeats that the existence of different nationalities in a country is an element of progress and civilization and that Canada cannot but benefit by the work along different lines of the representatives of two of the greatest nations of the world; that the maintenance of French nationality does not conflict with the keeping of British institutions. In his present position as city clerk of Montreal he has displayed admirable fitness resulting from habits of precision and wide knowledge of the civic situation, combined with the courtesy, urbanity and quiet dignity which have ever been among his marked characteristics. He has enjoyed widespread confidence in this position, discharging his duties without regard to partisanship, and the most malevolent have never dared to assail the integrity and honor of his course. His utterances may stir to public thought and action and then, having accomplished their purpose, are in a measure forgotten. His position as an author, however, is established for all time, and in this connection the Montreal Standard has written:

“As a writer he has gained the highest distinction. Like Keats, he has an instinct for fine words. As Goldwin Smith is in English, so Mr. David, among French-Canadians, is the most exquisite writer of his generation. Perhaps the chief charm of his prose lies in its exceeding clarity, and clearness is the first quality in a French writer. There is no man in Canada today who can better propound a synthesis; that also is a luminous feature of his style. But for elegance and clearness he has among his compatriots achieved a position of unique pre-eminence.”