Two Men gave their countries New Meaning

Abraham Lincoln and Pierre Trudeau were separated by nationality and a century of history. Yet they have many things in common.

Abraham Lincoln and Pierre Trudeau came to leadership about 100 years after their countries had set out on the road to self-government. Each took his country down a road that could not have been foreseen at its founding, and that would be determinative for its second century.

Both led their countries at a time of crisis. The crisis in the United States was more dramatic than that in Canada. But in the essential meaning of the word (crisis = "choice" in Greek), their contributions were similar in influencing that choice.

Each came to leadership when the territorial integrity of his country was in question. Would it would continue to be one, or would it fragment into two or more parts? The central emphasis of both men was on the unity of their countries, though they achieved this in different ways.

Abraham Lincoln was elected mainly by northerners who were ready to stop a secessionist move by the South. Pierre Trudeau was elected by many English speaking Canadians who were glad to have a French Canadian who would stand up to separatism in Québec.

Lincoln's election was followed by the secession of the Confederate states. The mobilizing of a Union army was his first response.

Trudeau's election was followed within two years by the 1970 October Crisis where separatist terrorist cells kidnapped two public figures and murdered one of them. Trudeau's response was the calling out of the army and proclamation of the War Measures Act to restore order.

Both leaders took the issue beyond that of separation from the country to something more fundamental: the question "Why do we have a country in the first place?"

Lincoln picked up the theme of Freedom raised in the Declaration of Independence. "Freedom" had become a slogan for self interest by successful individuals and member states of the Union.

In making slavery, rather than secession, the central issue, he was asking "What does it matter if we cry 'freedom' if all are not free among us: if half are slave and half are free?" Slavery, that had been an unanswered question at Independence, could be left unanswered no longer.

Trudeau used the threat of separatism to raise the issue of pluralism that had been a part of Canada from Confederation. How big a part had been unclear.

For many English speaking Canadians, Canada was essentially an English speaking country with one bilingual province (Québec) where French Canadians could speak their own language.

To those outside who wanted to see Québec "put in its place," Trudeau retorted, "Québec's place is in Canada, and if Québécois are to feel at home in Canada, they must be able to speak in their own language to their government wherever in Canada they live."

Trudeau's championing of bilingualism came at a cost. In the West, groups whose mother tongue was neither French nor English claimed public support for their cultures before they would accept his language policy. Canada therefore emerged as a bilingual and multicultural state.

Lincoln's pursuit of the Civil War settled the issue of secession. It did not settle that of freedom for former slaves who continued to be discriminated against under States' Rights. This continued to fester for almost 100 years till the 1960's Civil Rights movement.

Trudeau's firm response did not deal decisively with separatism. That was fought in two referendums on Québec sovereignty: one in 1980 when he was Prime Minister, another 15 years later that failed by less than 1% of the votes cast. Some Quebecois still look for a successful third round, while others wish to move on.

But Trudeau's response did deal with the issue of violence. Many moderate Quebeckers had supported the terrorists' goals if not their means. They were shocked and sickened by the events of October 1970 and turned their backs decisively on violence as a means.

There were no more bombs in mailboxes, no more Molotov cocktails at public marches, no more calls for Quebec separation by armed uprising. Secession might still be on the table by democratic means. Secession by violence was not.

President Lincoln and Prime Minister Trudeau both made significant speeches. Abraham Lincoln is best remembered for his Gettysburg Address where he defined Democracy as "government of the people, for the people, and by the people."

He is also remembered for his second Inaugural Address, where he called for reconciliation with the South in the appeal "With malice for none, charity for all..."

Pierre Trudeau is specially remembered for a speech in the first Referendum debate, where he said "My name is a Québec name, and it is a Canadian name too..."

He echoed Lincoln's call for reconciliation after the Referendum when he urged his followers not to gloat over their victory, and to respect the deep and sincere passions of their opponents.

Abraham Lincoln and Pierre Trudeau evoked strong passions: antipathy as well as adulation. Assassination elevated Lincoln's legacy. It is now forgotten how hated he was by his enemies.

Opposition to Trudeau still simmers in parts of Canada and brings together strange bedfellows: Québec sovereigntists who blame him for blocking their dream and Westerners who believe he neglected their region in favour of Québec.

Abraham Lincoln and Pierre Trudeau are still the most respected leaders of their two countries. They were men of their times, ahead of their times and, in some ways, limited by their times.

They are also men--and human beings--for all seasons.