The Express.
London, England, 1860-08-29 00:00:00

THE FRENCH CANADIANS.

EXTRAORDINARY BORNE.

The Montreal Contenerrial Aarertiser reports an
extroonlinary scene which had taken place in the Montreal
city council. It was proposed to change the name of Com-
miasionersioare to that of Victoria-square, a step to which
the French members objected :
"The council was dividing on the main motion, and •
name or two had been called hurriedly, as Councillor
Homier rose to speak on the queatiou. eat down in-
stantly, thinking it was too late, but was immediately suc-
ceeded by Councillor Cason, who shouted excitedly to
Councillor Homier that he had a right to speak, whereupon
some half-smothered tokens of approbation from the gal-
leries, which were crowded with French Canadians, indi-
cated that the plot was well understood, suit all were ready
for their parts. Councillor lirousseau now sprung to his
feet, and striking his desk a env", de fond re, almost broke
the lid, roaring out that Councillor Homier had a perfect
right to speak, and should epodc, previous to taking the
vote. He was not afraid to maintain his rights, and would
fight ten of the hest English to do so. Councillor Homier
rose amidst the thunders of the galleries, and giving his
desk a sledge-hammer thump, knocked hie water ghat to
the floor, and stamped his feet with the energy of a treadmill
dancer, exclaiming, amidst the wildest excitement, ' Yea, I
have is right to speak and, turning to the crowd, whom
the chairman had endeavoured to quiet, roared, 'lt is for
you to decide this question. Speak up; you pay your
share, Ines rituyen• ; you have as good a right to speak ea
cauthem.• The crowd then did speak in an unmis-
manner, clapping, stamping, and cheering ss if the
whole pandemonium crew hail been let loose. Councillor
Homier proceeded to pour showers of vile abuse on the
heads of the English, stating that the cowardly English, with
their whores and haatards, came to the country of the
Comedians, and, after receiving shelter and support, began
to domineer over them, and wished to crush them, their lan-
guage, and laws. They wanted to rule Canada and have it
for themselves—(cheers and groans) but eh, ; they
could not change the St. Jean Baptistes, or subdue them.
They were the children of the old French who had Fettled
in the country tint, and would teach tho English that they
would not be insulted and oppreesed. After proceeding iu
this strain for some time, under the protection of the gal-
leries, who cheered and *damped frantically on every
appeal to them, Councillor Rennie appealed to the chairman
against the behaviour of Councilor Homier, but his
worship could do nothing to restore order, and Coun•
cillor Homier continued his harangue for some minutes
more, when lie sat down, after abusing meet wickedly
the ' English, Irish, and Scotch beggars,' who were
thrown in their midst, and tried to mush the Canadians.
Councillor l)uhamel next proceeded to address the
mayor. He was a Canadian in feelings, in language, and
religion, and would never sanction the tvranuy of the
English over the French Canadians. The English had no
right here, only that got by hvonets and at the cannon's
mouth. Enough honour had been done the name of Victoria
in giving it to the greatest bridge in the world, without
milling every street and square by tint name. The English
had encroached on everything Canadian. Let them look
at that crumbling heap of stooes in Jacques Cartieragnare--
called 'Nelson's Monument,' which never should have
been put there, as it was • ' disgrace'—a • shame' to the
square called after the great Frenchman, whose statue
should be in its place.—Councillor Cusson also spoke
with savage bitterness at the attempts made by the Eng•
lish—the accurned race—to rule the descendants of the
=t nation on the globe. But they would never be put
by the English vagabonds who came here in rags, nor
by the Irish beggars who were vomited on their shore.
The proceedings now assumed a dramatic complexion owing
to the sudden approach of a figure, dressed in a long scarlet
robe, and wearing a cocked hat. This was Councillor
Homier, dressed in the mayor's new robe and hat, owl as
he announced himself the mayor there was great laughter
and applause from all sides. He had obtained the robe by
squeezing himself through a window. The chainnan had
Wt his place meanwhile, and the councillors gradually
retired."

The Contmerrifil Adrertiatr offers the following editorial
remarks upon this extraordinary scene "We have pointed
out from time to time how this bitter hatred against
the English, Irish, and Scotch pomilation of tuna&
is encouraged by a party among the French Cans.
dins which looks forward to • war with France to
afford them an opportunity of revolt. sod to • French
invasion as a means of subjecting the superior race.'
Without a solitary re•wm, without even the shadow of a
wrong to stimulate it, there is to-day • more persistent and
deadly hatred among this ' national' section of the French
Canadian population towards the British government and
vane than at any time before or immediately after the re-
bellions of 1837 and 1838. The representatives of this party,
in the council, in the press, and in political circles, loss so
opportunity to excite popular pet
laws, and tOcmate a war
of races which must desolate e country. The prime
movers in this conspiracy, and the instigators of these men,
aro foreign Jesuits, who, contrary to law and to public
policy, have been allowed to locate themselves in oar midst,
and to repeat here the machinations by which they have
been recognised in lime which their presence cursed
se the disturben of nations."

MIGRATION 01 SIVALLOAR—Ax & proof of the
unseasonably inclement weather which hits recently pre-
vailed, it may be stated that during several days pad mul-
titude. mallow' have been uheervell hovering over the
river, about the Lower Hope, evidently ermigod in their
annual migration, the preernt time being at least a month
earlier than the usual aeriel voyage of these pink.