The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-07 00:00:00

will never reach either his head or his heart. And here

I ought, perhaps, to stop.

We have been taught that

after-dinner speeches ai:e dangerous ; and Prudence
might, on ordinary occasions, dictate that I should pro-
ceed no further. If, however, at a public dinner given
to Lord Elgin, as Governor-General of Canada, I should
make no reference to his merits, I should expose myself
to the condemnation of my own countrymen. Under his
enlightened government her Majesty's North Amer_nlena.,
n
provinces have realised the blessings of a wise, prudent,
and prosperous administration ; and we, of thever:t.
neigh-
bouring nation, though jealous of our rights,
son to be abundantly have
satisfied with his just and friendly
conduct towards ourselves. (Rear.) Ile
,8 service has known how
to reconcile his devotion to her Majesty
proper regard.to the rights anti interests
ofBice with a
the kindred
and neighbouring people.
Would to Heaven we had
such governors-general in all
the European colonies
,
in the vicinity of the United tStatreosblHst of statesman.slOrdsliiphas
solved one of the most difficult pie u
ship. He has been able, successfully and satisfactorily,
to administer,
amidst many difficulties, a colonial go-
vernment over a free people. (Hear.) This is an easy
task where the commands of a despot are law to his
obedient subjects but not so in a colony where the
people feel that they possess the rights and privileges of
native-born Britons. And now, what shall I say in re-
ply
? Had I not imagin6d that my own humble instru-
mentality might contribute in some small degree to re-
move existing causes of dissensions between the two
countries, and to confirm and perpetuate their mutual
friendship, I should not have enjoyed the privilege of
addressing you this day as the Minister of my country.
(Cheers.) It is my most earnest desire that the two
nations, kindred as they are in point of blood, should
be equally kindred in each other's affections. And wby
should they not be ? have many' free principles in
common which it would be tedious to enumerate ;
we speak the same language, we read the same
books, and we both enjoy a free press, without which
liberty in any country would soon become an empty
name. We claim your old masters to be our pro-
perty as much as yours, and, thank God, our people
are able to real and appreciate them. Every child born
in moat of our states has the same right to receive a
good and useful common school education as to breathe
his native air, or to drink from his native fountains.
Why, then, should any jealousy exist between us ? There
have never been two nations on the face of the earth
whose material interests are so closely identified. (Hear,
hear.) Commercially speaking, the progress of the
United States has proved nearly as beneficial to Great
Britain as to ourselves. The extension of our posses-
sions on the continent of America, from the purchase of
Louisiana to the present moment—an extension which
has been accomplished, whatever may be said to the
contrary, upon pure principles of honour and justice-1
has in the very same degree extended British commerce
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