William Wallace, M.P.

There is a trite saying to the effect that the best apples are to be found on the tree that contains the most clubs and it very frequently occurs in election contests that the ablest candidate is the one that is the most vindictively assailed, because it is desirable on the part of his opponents to defeat him in proportion to the ability he possesses if elected to forward the cause of his political party.  Mr. William Wallace has been twice elected to represent the South Riding of Norfolk in the House of Commons, and in the course of the two contests was the target of much detraction and calumny; his character for honesty and independence was, however, too well known throughout the County to admit of his chances of election being injured by the reports which were circulated to his disadvantage.

The practice which prevails in Canada of making political contests hinge on assaults on private character cannot be too strongly condemned, as it is calculated to awaken the worst passions of the people, and divert their attention from the political questions of the day, properly speaking, and prevents them giving an intelligent verdict on the questions which should comprise the sum of our politics.

The following sketch taken from "Morgan's Parliamentary Companion" for 1876 may be read with interest by our patrons:

"Eldest son of the late John Wallace, a native of Ayrshire, Scotland, who served in the Scots' Greys at Waterloo, by Anne Spiers, his wife.  Born near Galston, Ayrshire, 4th Feb. 1820, educated at the parish school at Whithorn, Wigtonshire; married, 1852, Mary Anne, second daughter of George Kent, Esq., of Simcoe, Ontario.  Came to Canada in 1840, founded the British Canadian newspaper (Simcoe), 1861, of which he still remains editor and proprietor.  Was School Trustee of Simcoe for many years, and has been Reeve of Simcoe and a member of the County Council of Norfolk.  Sat for present seat from the general election in 1872 until general election of 1874. Again returned 16 December, 1874, on he unseating of the sitting member.  A Conservative, but not opposed to well considered change or wise progress.  An opponent of the present Government, but no factionist.  Is an advocate of the federation of the Empire, and introduced a series of resolutions bearing on that question in 1873; of railways and telegraphs being owned by the Government; of a scheme for building the Pacific Railway on the credit of the country, but not by money borrowed from abroad; of a national currency; and of a civil service reform which will divest governments of patronage; of compulsory voting; and of every other measure that will advocate the moral and industrial interests of the country. I etermindedly [sic] hostile to "Canada First" if it means independence, but strongly in favor of it if it mean Canada first in all that will tend to the elevation of man and the greatness of a people.  Opposed to an elective Senate because it is another step toward Republicanism, in which it is his opinion Canada and Canadians have already gone too far."

Mr. Wallace, by his eloquence and independence, has become extensively popular in Western Ontario, and has become a leading member of the House of Commons, and although not a special favorite with his political opponents, he has by his outspoken candour earned their respect as an honest man.  As a speaker he is fluent and convincing, and his earnest nervous manner has made his one of the most effective platform speakers in Ontario.