Former Mayor Larry Di Ianni and Mr. Ecklund's daughter Erika

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LARRY'S CORNER- Hamilton's Former Mayor Speaks

former Mayor of Hamilton, Larry Di Ianni

The Royal Visit: Great For Hamilton

By Larry Di Ianni
(posted November 06, 2009)

 I had no idea when I was asked to sign a letter inviting the Royals to Hamilton on the strength of Camilla’s family relationship to Sir Allan MacNab that she and Charles would actually come.  I am thrilled they did.  Camilla is Sir Allan’s great, great, great granddaughter; and in case that seems too far removed, let me put it this way:  Sir Allan was grandfather to Camilla’s grandfather. 

Hamilton was the home to Sir Allan and Dundurn Castle stands in marvellous honour to this important Hamiltonian and Canadian.  Do we know enough about Sir Allan?  Probably not!  Hamiltonians may not know that Sir Allan was a soldier who acted bravely during the War of 1812.  He was also a lawyer and a businessman as well as a politician.  He had a forceful personality even though he was somewhat enigmatic.  He had deep influence in many aspects of pre-Confederation Canada and the creation of a Liberal-Conservative alliance.  He was a practical Tory who later became a hard-core Tory.  Because of his interest in bringing his party from extremism to practicality, he became Premier of Canada in 1854.  Dundurn Castle, his stately 37 room mansion is his most visible legacy. 

On the business front Sir Allan made his fortune by building the Great Western Railroad, along with his Scottish partner, Peter Buchanan.  Sir Allan was so devoted to economic development that he once avowed that “All my politics are Railroad.” 

If Hamiltonians have not had a chance to re-visit Dundurn Castle, there is no better time to do so than the Christmas season.  The curator staff does a wonderful job of recreating a period look for the occasion. 

Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall and Charles Prince of Wales were very impressed by our Castle and its link to Royalty.  Hamiltonians turned out by the thousands to greet the Royal couple warmly.  All this was good.  I waited at HMCS Haida, the next Hamilton stop for the Royal pair.  The Haida, Canada’s most decorated warship is also not well known to Hamiltonians.  It is docked next to HMCS Star and now sports a new Cutter Display opened yesterday by HRH. 

The Media unfortunately released a poll just before the visit by Charles and Camilla indicating that Canadians are indifferent to the monarchy.  The Spec did an online survey which, although not scientific, reflected this apathetic mood.  That is too bad.  I believe the poll says more about our lack of historical understanding than it does about the monarchy.  As Canadians we just don’t have the finer appreciation to what has contributed to our becoming the country we are.  We don’t even understand the rules which govern our Parliament as was witnessed last year during the great ‘Coalition’ debate between the Liberals and NDP.  The Prime Minister, for political reasons, did nothing to use the moment as a teaching opportunity to inform Canadians about their institutions of government.  He won the day, but we lost as a nation. 

At this point, the same can be said about the Royal visit.  Canadians should be using the occasion to learn about the benign and cost-neutral role of the monarchy in our country.  And Canadians should take every opportunity to see Royals when they visit, especially if one of them is likely to become King of England.  One does not have to be a rabid monarchist to appreciate historical tradition; one has to simply recognize it as part of what has made this country what it is.  I am not sure if I am a monarchist, but I am certainly a traditionalist.  To me this means that I respect the richness that the institution of Royalty has meant to our land.  And I am thrilled that Hamilton is part of this rich tradition as well.  When Charles becomes King and Camilla Queen of England, we can all boast that the queen’s grandfather still has a home in Hamilton!

 

 


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