First Person. Valerie Knowles
adviser and constant friend” is a reference to the noted Ontario Liberal Party organizer, Alex Smith. Smith was one of those rare male political workers: a man who never aspired to political office, but who gave unselfishly of his energy and talents to the cause of his party. At a time when Liberal fortunes were dismal, he worked tirelessly to perfect the machinery of the Eastern Ontario Liberal Association and to recruit new members for it. The association’s female members owed him a special debt of gratitude because it was his advice and encouragement that persuaded many of them to enter politics. Cairine Wilson was obviously one of his devoted admirers. In fact, one wonders whether she would have taken on her first political jobs without the encouragement of men like Horsey and Smith, raised as she had been in circles where women were expected to defer to men’s opinions and look to male figures for support and wisdom. It is indeed fortunate that these two political mentors recognized her organizing genius and capacity for hard work and were prepared to provide her with continuing injections of self-confidence.
In the new role that she was forging for herself Cairine Wilson would never become one of those radical feminists, who often attacked the churches, capitalism and bourgeois society in general. From time to time she would take unpopular positions on controversial questions and even oppose stances adopted by the Liberal Party, her “dear chief' and friend, Mackenzie King, and members of the establishment. But strident militancy was quite foreign to her nature. Throughout her life in politics she would become an exponent of what has been called “maternal feminism” — the belief that women have special qualities, virtues and interests that they should employ in making the world a better place in which to live. Some of this thinking is hinted at in the following selection that she wrote in 1922 for apreface to a booklet on Liberal clubs. In all likelihood she was asked to compose this introduction by Alex Smith.
Until recently the great mass of women have been regarded as children whose activities must be limited. We women wish to develop the political strength that comes from organized association and discussion and the spirit that arises from activity.
For generations men have had wide political opportunities and are therefore more experienced to speak upon a great many subjects, but there are topics to which women bring a more intimate personal knowledge as well as a greater degree of interest.
As women we wish to use our powers to redress existing evils and in every respect to promote legislation which will benefit the greatest number. With the mothers and children we are primarily concerned and we hope that no mother will in the future be forced through poverty to be separated from her children. These little ones are the Nation’s greatest asset and if we are able to teach the boys and girls a love of country and to take a sane, responsible interest in public affairs, we may leave Canada in safe hands.
There are also the older people to be considered and those who have laboured and sacrificed must not be forgotten when their period of active work is past...31
While she was at the helm of the Ottawa Women’s Liberal Club, Cairine Wilson assisted Norman in his campaign to get reelected to the House of Commons. After seventeen years out of active politics, he ran in Ottawa’s Capital Ward in the federal election of 29 October 1925. The timing was not fortuitous. On the morrow of the nation-wide Conservative landslide, the Wilsons discovered that Norman had polled fourth among four contestants and that two Conservatives had been elected in the two-member constituency. This would be Norman Wilson’s last attempt to get reelected. In the future he would confine his politicking to trying to influence Liberal Party nominations and to aiding the campaigns of friends such as George Mcllraith.
Having led the movement to found the Ottawa Women’s Liberal Club, Cairine Wilson became the driving force behind the establishment of a district federation of women’s Liberal clubs and the National Federation of Liberal Women of Canada, a country-wide federation of women’s Liberal clubs. Thanks to the intervention of two federal elections — in 1925 and 1926 — the nationwide federation took five years to organize and place on a permanent footing. Cairine Wilson embarked on this most ambitious of undertakings in the spring of 1923 when she convened a meeting of the wives and daughters of Liberal MPs to discuss plans for a national organization of Liberal women. At this gathering, it was decided to establish a nationwide federation and Mrs Wilson, as chairman of a provisional committee, began spearheading arrangements for a mammoth meeting of Liberal women to be staged at the Chateau Laurier Hotel on 17 and 18 April 1928.32
When the inaugural assembly was held it was Mrs Charles H. Thorburn, an Ottawa Liberal powerhouse, rather than the Federation’s founder-organizer, who chaired the proceedings. From the first day of that momentous gathering, Mrs Thorburn had her work cut out for her as she attempted to bring order to oftentimes heated discussions. Once the meeting almost broke down when the number of speeches forced her to try to cut off discussion. Among the most controversial issues dealt with that day was the advisability of segregating men and women in different political organizations. Mrs Mary MacCallum, a Saskatchewan delegate, anticipated arguments that led to the Federation’s dissolution in 1947 when she opined, “Personally I do not think it is the best thing for men and women to be segregated into political organizations for the different sexes. If there is one place where men and women should work together it is in politics. Politics that are for the benefit of men are without exception for the benefit of women and vice-versa.” Her views were echoed by other western delegates, who urged cooperation between the sexes, especially in local committees.33
Overshadowing this issue, however, was the design that the organization’s constitution should take. It proved so contentious that each item in the document had to be voted on clause by clause. As finally defined, the objects of the federation were: To encourage the organization of Liberal women throughout Canada; to uphold the cause of Liberalism; to raise the status and advance the political education of women; to aid in securing and maintaining good government and to encourage a broad spirit of Canadian nationality within the British Empire.34
After the close of official business, Cairine Wilson, in her capacity as banquet chairwoman, introduced Mackenzie King at a sell-out dinner at the Chateau Laurier. Nearly one thousand women greeted the Prime Minister with repeated cheers and the singing of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” before order could be restored and Mrs Wilson could make the necessary introductions. In her remarks she said in part:
We are gathered here not to seek high places, but to create a healthy interest in the study of political affairs and in the Liberal policy, which we think is the best for Canada. The man-made civilization of the East has failed and we hope in this newer land to build a better one in which we may all work together. We do not expect to dictate, but we wish to learn and to make the best use of the powers which God has given to us and there are some problems to which women bring a more intimate knowledge than men.35
“Eloquent” is the last word that can be used to describe this excerpt. Indeed, rarely, if ever, did Mrs Wilson rise to heights of oratorical brilliance, for public speaking was not one of her strong points. Scintillating oratory, distinguished by originality of thought and ease of delivery, was the last thing that was expected of her. Even when she became a seasoned political figure and competent speaker, she had to fight to overcome her nervousness when speaking in public. Nevertheless, this excerpt is significant because it encapsulates Cairine Wilson’s approach to politics. The ideas it expresses helped to motivate her entry into politics and provided the philosophical underpinning for much of her political action. In all likelihood, though, these thoughts were far from her mind as she listened to King’s high-pitched, southern Ontario voice ramble on about his party’s faith. With the conference fast drawing to a close, she probably snatched moments to reflect on its evident success. Although only Ontario and Nova Scotia boasted women’s Liberal organizations when it convened, well over five hundred women from across Canada had attended. Delegates from the other provinces had organized into committees so that additional provincial associations could be established at a later date. A constitution had been approved and a name for the new federation had been selected. A president had also been chosen, Mary Ellen Smith, a member of the British Columbia cabinet since 1921. Wanting to remain in the background, Cairine Wilson had allowed herself to be made only an honorary president. But that was as it should be because now she wanted to get another project off the ground.