Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1838-01-13
CANADA.


gives them importance in the eyes OF
Americans, if not in the eyes of Euro
means, and makes the cause of their dis
content and rebellion, very natural
subject of inquiry. This we believe, is
very little understood by our citizens
who have found our own political con-
ten,ions quite enough for the occupa-
ton OF their minds without going
abroad to meddle with the qurrels OF
their neighbors; not that they take no
interest in the struggles of those who
are centendimg for those rlghtsof self
government for which our fathers once
/ battled, and their sons now enjoy, but
from the supposition that the quarrels
of the Canadians with the provincial
government, would result in nothing
serious, and that the great cause OF Ii
berty would neither be favorably nor
unfavorably affected thereby. The re-
belIion Of the Canadians was unlocked
for, and took our citizens by surprise.
Ii was no. believed they had the cour-
agc,-shall we call it the teuaerity?--
to resist the British government, by
force Of arms. Nor do we doubt that
many of the leaders Of the patriots or
rebels,-whichever they may turn out
to be-werc nearly as much taken by
surprise, by the events that have occur
ed within few weeks, as we of the
States were. They set ball in mo-
ton which they could not afterwards
control; -they kindled fire which
all their attempts cannot now allay.
The cause which at first, perhaps, was
the cause Of few ambitions leaders,
disconted because not noticed or pro-
NOTED by the Governor according to
their own estimation of their merits,
has now become the cause Of the pco-
pie, if we may judge by the accounts
we have ofthe general discomfort pre-
vailing in the two provinces. Many of
these leaders have fed, but in the cause
Of liberty, and where the people are
aroused to action, there will never be
wanting those who can fill the front
rank and lead TO action, ana to victory.
We do not deem it proper that the CT
tizens of this country should take any
part in this contest, either for or against
the Canadians; but while we would adj
vocatc neutrality, we by no means ex-
pect Indifference We cannot look upon
the contest without giving our SYM
pathies to those who are endcavoring
to throw off the galling.-ycs calling,
however HgAt-shacklcs Of foreign
government.
In regard to the causes which pro-
duced this rebellion, we believe they
are to be found chiefly in the system
ofColonial Government, and in,hc rest
iyeness of the people under foreign
yoke. Triiles becomeimportant when
principles are involved. 1t would be
difficult, probably, for the people them
selves to designate any particular griv-
ances other than such IS arise from the
system government itself, and which
are beyond the power of the local au-
thorities to redress. We do not know
that we can give our readers clearer
insight into the origin Of the present
difficulties, than ny republshing from
The Commercial Herald, part of an ar
ticlc which appeared in that paper on
the 18th Of May, 1885, and which was
written by gentleman thoroughly
acquainted with Canadian afiairs;--it
is as follows:
canada at this day presents an at
tltude differing very little from that Of
the United States, on the eve Of De.
claration Of Independence. The same
court influence, the same aristocratica
assumption, the same regardlessness
circumstance and pctition;ina word
the popular feeling is in high degree
in direct opposition to the colonial Of
flee in Downing street. 1t is a fac
which should be borne in mind, tina
the higher officers, including the Gov
crnor and his Executive, are appoint
cd by the King, which in other word
means the Colonial Secretary for thu
time being, and all the members of thu
I. Legislative Council, which is wei
known as the second branch in tn
Government, and answerable to tn
House Of Peers, are nominated by tn
Governor, and for life. Though thi
arrangement is strictly constitutional
| it nevertheless meets with very gene
raj and constantly increasing opposi
ton from the people. Americans vii
not be surprised at this, when the,
/ learn that the equalization for this i'm
portant and honorable distinction
owing less to mental energy, mora
Il ,..artL or r,olitical infleneudence. tha