Governing Passion by Don Gutteridge Read Free Book Online Page A

his side was a short, middle-aged, dark
complexioned fellow with a large nose and bushy eyebrows.
    Louis was greeted by those around the table,
and he in turn introduced his companion. “This is Gilles Gagnon, my
secretary and my right-hand man,” he said in slightly accented
English. “You’ve heard me speak of him before.”
    “Welcome, Monsieur Gagnon,” Robert said,
rising to shake his hand.
    “Gilles, please,” Gagnon said, smiling.
    “Well, please take a seat, gentlemen. We’ve
got plenty of business to discuss,” Robert said, and proceeded to
introduce Marc and Hincks to the newcomer.
    The meeting got underway with no further
small talk. Robert reviewed the situation in the ridings of Canada
West, where the Reform party expected to garner twenty of the
forty-two seats. The rest would be split among the Conservatives,
or moderate Tories, the diehard Tories, including the Loyal Orange
Lodge, the extreme Reformers or Clear Grits, and various
independents. Robert then turned to Louis.
    “The rouge should take twenty-five or
more seats,” Louis said, “with the rest split evenly among the
English and French Conservatives.”
    “Is there any chance the French will align
with our Conservatives or Tories?” Hincks asked.
    “Not a chance,” Louis said. “They are
determined to act as a rump group only, as defenders of all things
French. They have no interest in the new economy or the British
monarchy.”
    “So it’s certain that our moderate Reformers
and your rouge Nationalists will form the single largest
group in the new Assembly?” Robert said.
    Louis hesitated. “That is true, but I’m
afraid that is only if I can hold our own people together and bring
them with me to your side, Robert.”
    “There’s trouble in the ranks?”
    “I’m afraid so. John Neilson is leading a
rump group of Ultra-Nationalists who want no truck with the English
or with the union. They are planning to come here after the
election in April not to protect French rights and culture but to
see that the new Parliament does not work.”
    “And he’s recruiting among your people?”
Hincks said.
    “He’s already wooed two or three to his camp
with the prospect of many more. He’s using my own words against
me.”
    LaFontaine had consistently railed in public
against the unfair terms of the union, whereby Quebec got the same
number of seats with a third greater population and was saddled
with Upper Canada’s debt. Moreover, French, while technically
allowed to be spoken in the Assembly, would not be made part of the
permanent record. However, Louis, earlier on, had been won over to
the potential of Baldwin’s idea of responsible government as
providing the only plausible avenue for Quebec gaining its demands.
He was in favour of the union but not the terms. Neilson had
exploited that nicety and was stumping Canada East calling for a
circling of the wagons. And was being listened to.
    “If your group splits, we are finished,”
Hincks said.
    Robert looked grim. “I’ve been able to keep
my supporters on side by promising them a majority in the Assembly.
If word leaks out that that is in jeopardy, the results could be
calamitous.”
    “But you are still the foremost politician in
Quebec,” Marc said to LaFontaine.
    A small, appreciatory smile played at the
corners of Louis’ mouth. “I am not without resources, or
tactics.”
    “You have a plan to stop the bleeding?”
Hincks said.
    “Yes. That’s why I brought along Gilles this
morning.”
    Gagnon smiled broadly.
    “Gilles has come up with an idea we want to
run past you.”
    Gagnon looked around the table and said in
French, “My English is not good enough to express what I have to
say today. Would Monsieur Edwards be kind enough to translate for
me?”
    Marc nodded, and as Gagnon spoke and paused
judiciously, Marc translated his remarks for Hincks and Robert,
even though they could understand quite a bit of French if it was
spoken slowly.
    “Since Louis has