The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-29 00:00:00

and encouragement which costs us so little and is
worth so much to them. When a parent has esta-
blished his son in the world he naturally expects to
be called upon for assistance from time to time,
not only in money but as a reference, an authority,
a guardian ; and so our colonists while exerting
themselves to the utmost in their own behalf have
a right to look to the old country as a friend in re-
serve who can be confidently appealed to. The
favour asked in this case is no very great one to a
nation like our own. It is simply " That the Com-
missioners of her MAJESTY'S Treasury be authorised
to guarantee interest at a rate not exceeding 4 per
cent. per annum on any principal money not exceed-
ing £3,000,000 sterling to be raised by loan by the Go-
vernment of Canada for the construction of a rail-
way connecting Quebec and Halifax." The advan-
tages of such a line are too obvious to need recapitu-
lation. Mr. ADDERLEY, in moving the resolution,
gave some interesting particulars. The expenses,
including the cost of construction, the payment of
the interest and the sinking fund of 1 per cent.,
would amount in all to £210,000 per annum. The
security for this is the consolidated revenue of
Canada, and, as Mr. ADDERLEY reminded the
House, she has upon all occasions been able and
ready to meet her engagements. When, in 1842,
England guaranteed the loan of a million and a half
for public works, the revenue of Canada was only
£300,000 a year. With that revenue, however, Canada
paid off the loan nine years before it became due.
Her revenue is now £2,500,000, and her progress
in every respect has been steady, though rapid.
Between 1851 and 1864 the tonnage of vessels
entering the North American ports has increased
from one and a half millions to two and a half mil-
lions ; the exports from four to forty million dol-
lars ; the imports, exclusive of bullion, from nine
million dollars to twenty-one millions. The number
of letters has doubled, the population has nearly
doubled, and in every department of national pro-
gress the most satisfactory advance has been made.
The national debt, which has been incurred entirely
for public works of a remunerative character, amounts
only to about £12,000,000, and is decreasing under
the influence of a sinking fund. Every precaution
has been taken for the protection of the imperial
interests. The line is to be open at all times for
the conveyance of her MAJESTY'S troops, and it is
strictly provided that the interest on the £3,000,000,
and all other charges connected with the railway,
shall be defrayed prior to any other charge on the
Canadian Government in respect to public works.
Under these circumstances, therefore, there seems
little room for the apprehensions of the objectors to
the scheme, some of whom actually urge that it is
rash to enter into any engagements of the kind with
Canada, since in a few years she may he annexed
to the United States.

There were not wanting, however, exponents of
the argument against the measure, though happily
the event proved them to be in the minority. Mr.
LOWE'S opinions on the matter are pretty well
known. He thinks it " absurd" to imagine that we
can defend these colonies against any attack by the
United States ; he holds that nothing can be more
" fatal or ridiculous" than to set them up as a rival
to America. He objects to our showing the world
that we take any peculiar interest in the form of
government which our colonies may choose to
adopt, and thinks the management of our own
affairs quite as much as we are equal to. Since
such potent arguments can be used against the
principle of the scheme, the difficulties as to
are ut the leas
else sanguine colonists might regret to learn from
Air. LOWE'S observations --Ist, that the railway
will enable the Americans to invade Canada at any
time ; 2d, that the railway itself is a hopeless un-
dertaking, since it must be closed during a great
portion of the year— (a fact the less to be regretted,
since it will hinder the American invasion) ; 3d,
that it is ridiculous to suppose the line can be con-
structed for anything like the highest estimate ;
4th, that it is our duty to cultivate the most peace-
ful relations with the United States, since we cannot
defend Canada in case of an attack, and had better
not attempt it. It is not surprising, after this
address from the member for Caine, Mr. WATKIN
thought it necessary to remind the house that these
helpless and insignificant colonies of ours extended
over an area equal to one-eighth of the habitable
globe. Mr. GLADSTONE, as might have been ex-
pected, gave his cordial support to the measure,
admitting that the duty of self-defence was in-
cumbent on all our self-governing colonies, but
dealing with the siject in a statesmanlike and
national spirit. The division, as we have said, will
' doubtless have its effect on the other side of the
Atlantic, giving a stimulus to the loyalty of the
Canadians, and teaching possibly some moderation
to the Fenians and their abettors.