OPENING ADDRESS. 13 



scheme of Confederation by wliich this Dominion was formed. 

 The names of two of these men stand out prominently — Hon. 

 Peter Mitchell and Hon. John M. Johnson. Mr. Johnson was 

 Attorney General of the Province, and filled other offices in the 

 Provincial Government with great ability. He was our first 

 representative in the Dominion Parliament, and was one of the 

 delegates to England on the Confederation question. Hon. Peter 

 Mitchell was one of the ablest men the Pi-ovince ever had. He 

 was the first Minister of Marine and Fisheries, and to him is due in 

 a large measure the credit of establishing that office. Sir Leonard 

 Tilley, a contemporary with him, has been honoured by the city 

 of St. John in many ways. A monument was recently erected to 

 his memory, and it certainly would be a graceful act on the xmrt 

 of the people of this County if they bestirred themselves and paid 

 a proper tribute to the memory of their former representatives. 

 From time to time the matter has be n informally discussed, but 

 no result has been reached, and I feel that it is not to the credit of 

 the people that the memories of these men should be allowed to 

 pass into oblivion by the constituents whom they so ably repre- 

 sented. 



It is a good thing for the rising generation to be acquainted 

 with the lives and history of the men who occupied high positions 

 in the Province. The study of the lives of these men and their 

 works tend to broaden the views. I am sure that I voice the 

 sentiments of the people of this County when I say that some 

 practical means should be adopted to keoi) the memories of such 

 men in remembrance. 



The great x)ower that exists to-day is education, and the tuture 

 of the country depends in a great measure upon the proper educa- 

 tion of our children. The illiterate young man to-day is htmdi- 

 capped. He is entirely out of the race. The avenues that are 

 o])en to an educated man are shut to him. and it is our bounden 

 duty to endeavour by all possible means to see that the youth of 

 the country receive i)roper instruction and education. Well in- 

 fornied young men are in great demand for all professions and 

 trades. The knowledge of electricity has opened up broad 

 avenues, and the future is bright for every ambitious young man 

 to make his mark in the world. 



We are onlj^ in the ante-room of development and knowledge. 



