
"Riel address public meeting in Price Albert"
Prince Albert Times 8/1/1884 Public Meeting A public meeting was held last Saturday afternoon in Treton Hall, for the purpose of hearing Mr. Louis Riel of Montana, who had been invited by some of the inhabitants of the place, to explain his views on the situation of the settlers of the North West Territories. The meeting, which was well attended, was called to order by Mr. John Stewart who proposed that Mr. W. Miller, be the chairman of the meeting, which was unanimously carried. Mr. John Stewart said that as Mr. W. Jackson had acted as secretary for a meeting held for a like object at Red Deer Hill, he proposed him as secretary for this one, which one being seconded by Mr. J.O. Davis, was carried. The Chairman marked that meetings held at Prince Albert were orderly, and he felt sure that they would give Mr. Riel a fair hearing whether they agreed with him or not, and consequently he felt the pleasure and honor of accepting him as their chairman. He would simply call upon Mr. Riel, who would be able to explain to them his views, without any further remarks. * * * * * Mr. Riel, who was received with applause, said:- He was happy to make their acquaintance in such a friendly way, and before going further would thank them for the honor they had done him by inviting him to come among them, to help them in redressing their grievances. He intended to address the meeting as human beings, and asked if they thought there was anything in him other than human. If he was, then he ought to have the rights and privileges of a human being, and wished the meeting to state their decision in the matter, (Applause) God put safeguards for all, and the British arms had the motto embellished on it of "Dieu et mon droit" (God and my right which were applicable to everyone under the British flag. He had noticed that he had been called an "alien French half-breed," which seemed to suggest he was otherwise than human. Riel again asked for the sympathy of the meeting as he did not feel satisfied with their last expression, as he thought it was not unanimous. (Applause). * * * * * Mr. Treston here interrupted the speaker by putting a question as to the "Bill of Rights" to which Mr. Riel replied that he would be happy to answer any questions later on. Mr. Riel, continuing, said the people were aiming at something important, "union", but there were some who were attempting to raise race prejudices in the North West, similar to Manitoba, which was at the present suffering from it. The half-breeds could not compete with the people from the East, not having the same benefits, but they were much better than hitherto, having come into contact with civilization. He was born in this country, although now by naturalization papers he was an American citizen, which he intended to remain, but he had rights, which had not been acknowledged, and he intended to work to until he got them. He wished them to understand no trouble would have his sanction, as he was for peace, believing that their object would be gained faster if they acted orderly and peaceably. * * * * * Justice was ahead, but self interest was working against them. The Dominion of Canada gave away land to the H.B.C. which was not theirs to give, and the H.B.C. accepted, and acted with the Dominion knowing that, but it was the policy of share and share alike. The Indian had been robbed of his living by the advance of civilization, and they ought to receive ample compensation. Immigrants come out here and paid far too much for the land buying from the Government and H.B.C. which was not theirs to sell. * * * * * The first, not the only, thing they needed, but as it would lead to the other things, was free and responsible government. The present Government was too far away to properly act. Objections might be taken to them not having a large enough population for free government, but Manitoba had only 12,000 of a population whom admitted, and if they were granted direct representation, why should Saskatchewan and Alberta not have the same privileges? The present form of Government was useless, but the members were gentlemen, and he did not complain of them personally. An attempt was being made to divide the opinion of the population, but he trusted it would not succeed. (Applause) Instead of going for minor grievances, " go for them en bloc, constantly, peaceably, for responsible government, struggle till you get what you want." There were many men in his opinion at present in the country who were able to govern it. Let all help to get responsible government, as the first thing to be acquired. He was pleased to think that he had been invited to suggest, in the peoples' first attempts here to redress their grievances, and would look aback with pleasure when they had succeeded in their just cause. Mr. Riel concluded by thanking the meeting for their kind attention. * * * * * Mr. Deacon said they would require to be careful who they selected as their leader, for Mr. Riel had been a failure before, and they had no guarantee that he would not be so again. Personally he admired Lepine more than him, for he had stood his ground and walked Manitoba a free man today. Was the law right in not hanging Riel, in other countries lynch law... At this point the Chairman called the gentleman to order, but the majority of the meeting got uproarious, attempts being made to lay hands on Mr. Deacon. Quietness was restored after a time by the prompt interference of Sergt. Stewart and constables of the Mounted Police who were present. Mr. Riel then returned to the hall, which he had left during the disturbance. * * * * * The following gentlemen then made a few remarks: T. Miller, J.C. Slater, T. Scott, W. Jackson and others. Mr. Riel then replied to questions put to him by some of those present. Dr. Deacon afterwards said he wished to apologize to the meeting for being the means of creating a disturbance, which was far from his intention. He said he had grievances in common with others, but would bear with them rather than work in connection with Riel or with those connected with him. Arrangements were made to form a committee to draw up a list of grievances to be embodied in petition along with others to the Dominion Government.

"Riel address public meeting in Price Albert"

Prince Albert Times
8/1/1884
Public Meeting
A public meeting was held last Saturday afternoon in Treton Hall, for the purpose of hearing Mr. Louis Riel of Montana, who had been invited by some of the inhabitants of the place, to explain his views on the situation of the settlers of the North West Territories. The meeting, which was well attended, was called to order by Mr. John Stewart who proposed that Mr. W. Miller, be the chairman of the meeting, which was unanimously carried. Mr. John Stewart said that as Mr. W. Jackson had acted as secretary for a meeting held for a like object at Red Deer Hill, he proposed him as secretary for this one, which one being seconded by Mr. J.O. Davis, was carried.
The Chairman marked that meetings held at Prince Albert were orderly, and he felt sure that they would give Mr. Riel a fair hearing whether they agreed with him or not, and consequently he felt the pleasure and honor of accepting him as their chairman. He would simply call upon Mr. Riel, who would be able to explain to them his views, without any further remarks.
* * * * *
Mr. Riel, who was received with applause, said:- He was happy to make their acquaintance in such a friendly way, and before going further would thank them for the honor they had done him by inviting him to come among them, to help them in redressing their grievances. He intended to address the meeting as human beings, and asked if they thought there was anything in him other than human. If he was, then he ought to have the rights and privileges of a human being, and wished the meeting to state their decision in the matter, (Applause) God put safeguards for all, and the British arms had the motto embellished on it of "Dieu et mon droit" (God and my right which were applicable to everyone under the British flag. He had noticed that he had been called an "alien French half-breed," which seemed to suggest he was otherwise than human. Riel again asked for the sympathy of the meeting as he did not feel satisfied with their last expression, as he thought it was not unanimous. (Applause).
* * * * *
Mr. Treston here interrupted the speaker by putting a question as to the "Bill of Rights" to which Mr. Riel replied that he would be happy to answer any questions later on.
Mr. Riel, continuing, said the people were aiming at something important, "union", but there were some who were attempting to raise race prejudices in the North West, similar to Manitoba, which was at the present suffering from it. The half-breeds could not compete with the people from the East, not having the same benefits, but they were much better than hitherto, having come into contact with civilization. He was born in this country, although now by naturalization papers he was an American citizen, which he intended to remain, but he had rights, which had not been acknowledged, and he intended to work to until he got them. He wished them to understand no trouble would have his sanction, as he was for peace, believing that their object would be gained faster if they acted orderly and peaceably.
* * * * *
Justice was ahead, but self interest was working against them. The Dominion of Canada gave away land to the H.B.C. which was not theirs to give, and the H.B.C. accepted, and acted with the Dominion knowing that, but it was the policy of share and share alike. The Indian had been robbed of his living by the advance of civilization, and they ought to receive ample compensation. Immigrants come out here and paid far too much for the land buying from the Government and H.B.C. which was not theirs to sell.
* * * * *
The first, not the only, thing they needed, but as it would lead to the other things, was free and responsible government. The present Government was too far away to properly act. Objections might be taken to them not having a large enough population for free government, but Manitoba had only 12,000 of a population whom admitted, and if they were granted direct representation, why should Saskatchewan and Alberta not have the same privileges? The present form of Government was useless, but the members were gentlemen, and he did not complain of them personally. An attempt was being made to divide the opinion of the population, but he trusted it would not succeed. (Applause) Instead of going for minor grievances, " go for them en bloc, constantly, peaceably, for responsible government, struggle till you get what you want." There were many men in his opinion at present in the country who were able to govern it. Let all help to get responsible government, as the first thing to be acquired. He was pleased to think that he had been invited to suggest, in the peoples' first attempts here to redress their grievances, and would look aback with pleasure when they had succeeded in their just cause. Mr. Riel concluded by thanking the meeting for their kind attention.
* * * * *
Mr. Deacon said they would require to be careful who they selected as their leader, for Mr. Riel had been a failure before, and they had no guarantee that he would not be so again. Personally he admired Lepine more than him, for he had stood his ground and walked Manitoba a free man today. Was the law right in not hanging Riel, in other countries lynch law...
At this point the Chairman called the gentleman to order, but the majority of the meeting got uproarious, attempts being made to lay hands on Mr. Deacon. Quietness was restored after a time by the prompt interference of Sergt. Stewart and constables of the Mounted Police who were present. Mr. Riel then returned to the hall, which he had left during the disturbance.
* * * * *
The following gentlemen then made a few remarks: T. Miller, J.C. Slater, T. Scott, W. Jackson and others. Mr. Riel then replied to questions put to him by some of those present.
Dr. Deacon afterwards said he wished to apologize to the meeting for being the means of creating a disturbance, which was far from his intention. He said he had grievances in common with others, but would bear with them rather than work in connection with Riel or with those connected with him.
Arrangements were made to form a committee to draw up a list of grievances to be embodied in petition along with others to the Dominion Government.