Rhetoric
This part of the collection features recordings of speeches and other public presentations from the Saskatchewan Archives Board and similar sources.
Tommy Douglas – Challenge of the Times
September 5, 1955, Regina, Saskatchewan
Douglas served as Saskatchewan Premier from 1944 to 1961, and is the province’s longest-serving Premier. Douglas is regarded as one of the best orators in Canadian history. This speech delivered as part of the Saskatchewan Golden Jubilee, is largely free of partisanship and was part of a longer speech delivered the previous day (unfortunately no recording of the longer speech seems to exist), which spoke primarily about the spirit of Saskatchewan people. While boosterism dominates the shorter speech, he returns to spiritual themes in the conclusion. (Duration 5:32)
William Patterson – Character of the Pioneers
September 5, 1955, Regina, Saskatchewan
Patterson was Saskatchewan’s Premier from 1935 to 1944. He is the only Saskatchewan Premier to have also served as the province’s Lt. Governor, and held that office at the time of this speech. Patterson’s speech is primarily a tribute to Saskatchewan’s pioneers but in his description of their virtues, he is expressing ideas about Saskatchewan people that are still widely-held. Some today would label his comments about ethnic pioneers paternalistic but taken within their historic context, they point towards the eventual acceptance of multiculturalism. (Duration 5:12)
James Gardiner – Destiny of Saskatchewan
September 5, 1955, Regina, Saskatchewan
Gardiner served as Premier of Saskatchewan from 1926 to 1929 and again between 1934 and 1935. After leaving provincial politics in 1935, he served as federal Minister of Agriculture for 22 years, longer than any person in Canadian history. Gardiner remembers attending the 1905 ceremonies in Regina inaugurating the province of Saskatchewan and states that the spirit of optimism that existed at that time remained strong in 1955. He confidently predicts Saskatchewan will regain its position and Canada’s third greatest province. (Duration 9:37)
Charles Dunning – The Spirit of Voluntary Cooperation
September 5, 1955, Regina, Saskatchewan
Dunning was Premier of Saskatchewan from 1922 to 1926. Following his departure from provincial politics, Dunning enjoyed a successful career in both federal politics and in business. He also held key positions overseeing aspects of Canada’s efforts during World War II. Although Dunning was clearly alluding to organized co-operatives, much of his description of “the spirit of voluntary cooperation” would be recognized today by such names as volunteerism, small-town or community spirit or simply being a good neighbour. (Duration 6:07)
William Martin – A Tribute to Saskatchewan’s Early Leaders
September 5, 1955, Regina, Saskatchewan
Martin was Saskatchewan’s second Premier, serving from 1916 to 1922. Martin also served as Chief Justice for Saskatchewan and held that position at the time of this speech. Martin’s speech is a tribute to the early leaders of Saskatchewan’s provincial government starting in 1905. His comments are especially poignant because he personally knew each of the men he was speaking about and had worked with all of them. As he speaks about the achievements of Saskatchewan’s first government, it is obvious that his admiration was sincere. (Duration 9:15)