We are giving extra coverage to the Granby congress of the Union of Electors because it was, in a sense, more than just another successful congress of the Movement. Through the years which the Institute of Political Action has been organizing these congresses for the Crediters of the Union of Electors, there has never been a failure. Each congress has seemed to be just so much better than the one preceding.
But the Granby congress was marked in a special way by the enthusiastic and wholehearted reception given it by the officials of the municipality and by the citizens. It might be said that as far as Granby and the surrounding region was concerned, the Movement of the Union of Electors "had arrived". It has been accepted by the authorities and the people of Granby for what it is, a spreading and powerful movement of the people, acting for and on behalf of their own interests instead of for the interests of this or that political party.
Granby is known, not only throughout Quebec, but throughout Canada and many other parts of the world, as a progressive and up-to- date municipality, a model of municipalities. And this not only because of its brilliant and genial chief official, Mayor Horace Boivin whose reputation needs no proclaiming, nor because of its world-famous Zoo, but because it is a city whose administration is efficient, whose citizens. are proud of their town and make every effort to be able to go on being proud of it.
That is why the Union of Electors is proud and happy that it has been acknowledged for its true worth by the civil authorities and the citizens of Granby.
From all parts of the land - Crediters in their white berets flocked into Granby on Saturday, May 21, from all parts of the country. Some of them went to extraordinary measures and made considerable sacrifices to be present.
Henri Leclerc thumbed his way to Toronto from whence he took the train to Granby, A strong delegation came from Cochrane, Ontario, a distance of 800 miles. There were groups from Sudbury, far north in Ontario, near Georgian Bay; there were delegates from Cornwall.
New Brunswick was well represented with groups from Moncton, Minto, Bathurst, St. Quentin, Grand Falls and Edmunston. All the regions of the province of Quebec, it goes without saying, were represented, including the usual enthusiastic contingent from far-away Abitibi. And from the United States we had Sylvio Ouellet of Niagara, N.Y. and Ephrem St-Jacques from Florida.
Entire bus-loads of Crediters came rolling in from those districts which had long distances to cover.
The ability of Crediters to organize for these congresses would give a fine lesson in logistics to our army generals.
We have devoted the front page of this issue and a following page to paying tribute to this very great man.
The Granby congress as we have explained, had for one of its chief aims, the fêting of the 25th anniversary of Mr. Even in the apostolate of Social Credit.
In the name of all the Crediters of the Movement, Mrs. Gilberte Côté-Mercier, directress and co-founder of the Union of Electors, and the full-time personnel of Vers Demain presented a giant bouquet of flowers to Mr. Even - flowers white, red, and gold, the colours of the Crediters banner. On the white ribbon binding the flowers was the inscription; Louis Even, herald of a better world, 1935 - 1960 . On the golden ribbon was written, "The apostles of Vers Demain offer their work of 20 years; 819,167 subscriptions".
For their part, the full time missioners, the men who go abroad in the field to spread the message of Social Credit, headed by Hervé Provencher and Louis-Philippe Bouchard, offered a large painting of Pope Pius XII, whom Louis Even so admired.
Perhaps the gifts which struck home most deeply in the heart of Mr. Even were the subscriptions gathered over the year since the last congress and presented by individual workers. These offerings represented much hard work by individual members, sacrifing most of their leisure time going from door to door soliciting subscriptions to Vers Demain and The Union of Electors. No one could possibly show greater homage for Mr. Even than those who by their labours in taking subscriptions help to forward the great movement which is his whole life.
Here are some of the aces among the subscription-takers:
Sauveur Fradette 742 subscriptions
Laureanne Genest 604 subscriptions
Philippe Benoit 503 subscriptions
The list of those who took 400, 300, 200 and, 100 subscriptions over the period of the year was almost interminable. Their names form a brilliant diadem to crown the Movement's work.
His Honor the Mayor, J. Horace Boivin, received the Crediters in princely fashion. In the name of the city of Granby His Honor presented to the celebrated jubilarian the key of the city, in gold, inscribed with the words, "The city of Granby to Louis Even for his 25 years of devotion." This striking symbol was a token of the great respect which the chief official of the city and the other authorities hold for the great ideal of justice and order which is the work of Louis Even's life. And for Louis Even personally it was a mark of recognition, recognition by the authorities charged with the welfare of citizens, that here is a man whose life and work can bring only benefit to the citizens.
In addition, Mayor Boivin presented Mr. Even with a coin especially struck by the city of Granby to celebrate its centennary recently. All of these presentations were accompanied by a magnificent bouquet of flowers.
Continuing to display the warmth of his regard, the Mayor gallantly presented to Mrs. Côté-Mercier, a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a generous supply of the delicious maple syrup for which Granby is justly famous.
And to top it all off, His Honor presented to the members of the congress a large supply of refrigerated apple juice the famous apple juice of the apples of Rougemont, of which there are none more delicious for their evening repast in the arena. The generosity of this gesture can be gauged by the fact that thousands of Crediters had their evening meal in the arena and there wasn't a one who didn't have his fill of apple juice.
Perhaps the most striking act of the authorities of Granby, and specifically of Mayor Horace Boivin, was the signing of the Golden Book of Granby.
For the first time in the history of Granby this precious book was carried in solemn procession guarded by white helmeted police, from the city hall to the arena.
"I wanted your representatives to sign this book," said Mayor Boivin, "but since you are too numerous to get into the city hall, I have taken the unprecedented step of bringing the book here to your convention hall. Never before in the history of Granby has the Golden Book left the city hall."
How more strikingly could the mayor have demonstrated his regard for our Movement and its leaders and members.
Special pens for the signing were presented to Mr. Even, Mrs. Côté-Mercier and Mr. Hervé Provencher. Mayor Boivin publicly lauded Mr. Provencher as the architect of a tremendously successful congress, a true marvel of organization.
The Golden Book was then signed by others holding office in the Movement (including the editor-in-chief of this paper). Also, representatives of the various regional groups came forward to sign the book in the name of their fellow Crediters.
We would be guilty of gross ingratitude if we passed over in silence the hospitality of the people of Granby.
Thousands of Crediters from out of town were lodged gratis for two nights by the warm-hearted citizens of this town. The parade of the Crediters through the town on Sunday was viewed by the citizens with warmth and enthusiasm.
And what is particularly worthy of note (and any one has had to organize such a business a congress or a convention will appreciate it) not one of the numerous banners, flags, signs, etc. erected by the Movement in Granby, was torn down, defaced, damaged or touched.
This is a striking commentary on the very high quality of citizens inhabiting Granby.
Mr. J. A. Russell, provincial M.P. and Mr. Marcel Boivin, the federal M.P., were kind enough to come and extend greetings to the Crediters. In addition these gentlemen were generous to the extent of helping to defray the expenses of the arena. The Mayor donated $200; Mr. Russell contributed $200 and the wood - which was used in building the very large stage, Mr. Boivin contributed $50.
Mr. Russel greeted the audience with these words among others: "Crediters, I have seen you at work and I know that you form a most enthusiastic regiment. I would be proud to have an army of apostles like you. I have no doubt of your victory."
For his part, Mr. Marcel Boivin, the Federal member encouraged the Crediters to continue their policy of exerting pressure on their representatives; "it is the best way to get results", he said. He also came out for doubled family allowances.
The principal discourse of the congress, that by Mr. Even will be reported on in the next issue.
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