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Primary sourceSpeech20 March 1899

The Political Position in Canada: Speech on the Address

Charles Tupper · 20 March 1899

Tupper's lengthy 1899 House of Commons speech as Conservative opposition leader, responding to the speech from the throne.

Tupper delivered this speech himself in 1899 as leader of the Conservative opposition.

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The Political Position in Canada: Speech on the Address
Charles Tupper, The Political Position in Canada: Speech on the Address, 1899. Scanned book, Internet Archive.

About this source

What it is

This printed pamphlet reproduces a speech delivered by Sir Charles Tupper in the House of Commons, Ottawa, on 20 March 1899, replying to the address on the speech from the throne. At this time Tupper led the Conservative party in opposition.

Why it matters

The speech, reportedly lasting over four hours, reveals the intensity of political debate in Canada in the late 1890s, particularly around tariff policy. It shows Tupper's continuing influence as a political orator even after his time as Prime Minister.

Look closer

  • Why might such a long speech have been printed and distributed as a pamphlet?
  • What does the description of the audience's reaction tell you about how speeches were received in Parliament?
  • How might a speech written for political opponents differ from a private account of the same events?

This speech is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Charles Tupper on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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