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William Lyon Mackenzie
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Politics was his passion and Mackenzie, who fervently believed in an "unfettered press," used the Colonial Advocate
to denounce the leading denizens of society and to urge his readers to
press for a more representative form of government. As early as 1824 he
advocated the confederation of the British North American colonies.
Always a crusader for democracy over autocracy, Mackenzie championed the
cause of the common man and woman and the struggle of the many against
the few. He raged against land speculators, hypocritical clergy of the
Church of England and dishonest officials. In order to be closer to the
political action, he moved across the lake to Toronto in 1825.
At a time when moderation in speech and writing was
rare, his paper became the mouth-piece of a man determined on stirring
up society. Mackenzie pointed out the injustice and absurdity of the
existing state of things, where the people were beguiled with a mockery
of representation in Parliament, without having any voice in the
nomination of the persons forming the government of the day. Those
exercising the power made no attempt to disguise their control nor
distort the real facts of the case. They flagrantly avowed their
independence of public opinion and sneered at arguments founded on the
doctrine of ministerial responsibility.
Mackenzie wasted neither time nor his considerable
talents and targeted any cause that came into his 'ken' with his
long-winded, meandering style. He blasted broadsides at the Family Compact,
a select group of men linked by political, social and religious ties.
This close-knit clique exercised control over government that was
completely independent of the people
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The Rebellion is part of our local history. I think it should be a proud part. A stalwart member of the rebellion carrying a pike on his shoulder might be a suitable motif for a banner on town lamp standards this summer.
What do you think?
This is the thirtieth anniversary of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Charter could be the motif of summer banners in the Town of Aurora.
What say you?
We have the hardware. It's inexpensive and a normal program.
I love sailing ships but we don't have a connection.
Our Rebellion is still a bit raw, but you could run your idea by Council. It would be nice if they could agree on something colourful and not a crack at the treasury.
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