(January 28, 1822 – April 17, 1892), a building contractor and newspaper editor, was the second Prime Minister of Canada
from November 7, 1873 to October 8, 1878.
He was born in Logierait
, Perthshire
, Scotland
to Alexander Mackenzie Sr. and Mary Stewart Fleming. He was the third of ten children. At the age of 13, Mackenzie's father died, and he was forced to end his formal education in order to help support his family.
I have always held those political opinions which point to the universal brotherhood of man, no matter in what rank of life he may have taken his origin.
We shall all respect the principles of each other and do nothing that would be regarded as an act of oppression to any portion of the people.
I am sure that in Canada the people appreciate this principle, and the general intelligence which prevails over that country is such that I am sure there is no danger of a reactionary policy ever finding a response in the hearts of any considerable number of our people.
This belief led me to propose the establishment of a Military College modelled on existing similar institutions in England and the United States, with the expectation that when the first batch of Graduates were leaving the College. means would be found to employ the Graduates in the Canadian Military Service