132 ‘ _ OUR ISLAND STORY .

Electoral Districts in 1858, Mr. Coles, in conjunction with the

' Hon. Mr. Kelly, was returned at the general election of that year for the Fort Augustus District, which he faithfully and ably re- '

presented during the last ten years of his political life. Owing to neither party being able to secure a parliamentary working major— ity, another general election took place in 1859, which resulted in the return of the Conservatives, who held the reins of Govern- ment for eight consecutive years. During this time Mr. Coles

was leader ofthe Opposition, and in 1867 he led his party tovic- '

tory at the pollsQ Upon the return of the Liberals to power in

that year, he was elected president of the Executive Council and

received the appointment of Colonial Secretary for the Colony. But, alas! he was not long permitted to adorn the responsible

positions which his country called him to occupy. The Infallible

Disposer of all things willed it otherwise. Mr. Coles’ popularity J

was always great, but never more so than when he was caught in the relentless grasp of the hand of affliction. He was 'one of the

delegates on the Confederation question in 1864 and in 1865 was,

one of the Island’s representatives to the Detroit Convention on Reciprocity with the United States, of which question he was’an able advocate. ' . -

_ “To Mr. Coles we are indebted for the best measures on our '

Statute Book. To him, more than any other man, are we indebted for many of the priceless privileges which we today enjoy. And these great privileges—these acts 0f blessing and amelioration—- were not secured without a struggle—~a struggle which we fear shattered his mind’and shortened his days of usefulness. Yes; our privileges were dearly bought. They were the purchase of sufferings and toil, of unwearied perseverance and undaunted energy. Never had man to encounter greater obstacles, or stouter difficulties. With a limited education to assist him, he had to fight against banks, incOrporated companies‘and men of means. Springing from the ranks and without influence at his back, he

had to battle against an established aristocracy, the bar, the merci- . "

less landlords, and the prejudice of the worst form of Toryism. But he triumphed over them all, and in the face of an opposition- before which ordinary men would quail he obtained for the people