1958 Fredericton Encaenia
Stanfield, Robert Lorne
Doctor of Laws (LL.D.)
Orator: Cattley, Robert E.D.
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L to R: Colin B. Mackay, Robert Lorne Stanfield
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Source: UA PC-4 no.7g
Citation:
ENCAENIA, MAY, 1958
ROBERT LORNE STANFIELD
to be Doctor of Laws
In Stanfield of Nova Scotia you have one who in his own and his world's estimation was not destined to become a statesman. The least political of politicians, the least gushing of orators, the least demonstrative of enthusiasts, he is retiring where others thrust, turns a sceptic where they blandish, and wields the rapier of dry humour, not the broadswords of rhetoric and propaganda.
Emancipated by fortune, culture and temperament from the thraldom of partisanship, he has always been more interested in good government than in party triumphs. And, because he knew that good government depends on good opposition, he allowed himself in 1946 to become Secretary to an almost obliterated Conservative cause. He asked the electors for a mere handful to counter the Liberal phalanx. In 1949 they gave him seven, in 1953 twelve. In 1956, when he was hoping to lead a modest Opposition, they returned him as Premier. Stanfield's majority may still be precariously small, but like Stanfields' other product it may well prove unshrinkable.
As Premier, all the talents which never glittered in the arena he has burnished in the service of his own province and of the greater heartland of all four. No two men could be such a contrast in manner, method, or physique than Premiers Stanfield and Flemming. No two men have done more to weld into a potential economic unit the whole area of the Maritime Provinces.
From:
Cattley, Robert E.D. Honoris causa: the effervescences of a university orator. Fredericton: UNB Associated Alumnae, 1968.
ROBERT LORNE STANFIELD
to be Doctor of Laws
In Stanfield of Nova Scotia you have one who in his own and his world's estimation was not destined to become a statesman. The least political of politicians, the least gushing of orators, the least demonstrative of enthusiasts, he is retiring where others thrust, turns a sceptic where they blandish, and wields the rapier of dry humour, not the broadswords of rhetoric and propaganda.
Emancipated by fortune, culture and temperament from the thraldom of partisanship, he has always been more interested in good government than in party triumphs. And, because he knew that good government depends on good opposition, he allowed himself in 1946 to become Secretary to an almost obliterated Conservative cause. He asked the electors for a mere handful to counter the Liberal phalanx. In 1949 they gave him seven, in 1953 twelve. In 1956, when he was hoping to lead a modest Opposition, they returned him as Premier. Stanfield's majority may still be precariously small, but like Stanfields' other product it may well prove unshrinkable.
As Premier, all the talents which never glittered in the arena he has burnished in the service of his own province and of the greater heartland of all four. No two men could be such a contrast in manner, method, or physique than Premiers Stanfield and Flemming. No two men have done more to weld into a potential economic unit the whole area of the Maritime Provinces.
From:
Cattley, Robert E.D. Honoris causa: the effervescences of a university orator. Fredericton: UNB Associated Alumnae, 1968.
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