Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1839-05-24
AFFAIRS OF CANADA.

Those who flatter themselves that the
order and quiet which have been restored
to the Canadian provinces at the point of
the bayonet are to be Of long duration will,
we apprehend, find themselves greatly mis-
taken. At present to be sure, it may be
said of them as it was of the capitol Of i'll.
fated Poland, after the despotlc power of
Russia had crimsoned her fields with the
bravcst blood Of The world-"order reigns
at Warsaw" But 1t will not be as easy
for England to crush the spirit of her
American colonies under the IRON heel OF
power for a great length of lnlo as it was
for the Russian despot TO trample down
efltclualIy the liberties of Poland Had
the latter been located as far from he rea CHI
of her oppressor. and on the borders of a
country enjoying the privileges of ireemen
as Canada is, we apprchend she would not
now be grooming under the rod OF tyranny.
nor would her noble sons be now wandering
throughout the world eXlles frCm their
native land.
When we say, however, that The present
state Of quiet in The BrlIsh provinces will
moi be of long duration we do not mean 10
be understood that thee is any probability
of further bloodshed. We do not beIlev
thu, the mass of the people there ever IN
their most ardent efforts to obtain the
political rights to which they felt them
Sc Ives entitled had the least idea of being
driven to shat most dreadful resort. Mel
Their do we believe that they are in any
m amer responsible for tie commencement
NJ ,,rmed hosliIlrics. That crisis, it is ad
mi,,n,i on all hands in this country, wa
forced upon them by the action of The
Briish .ou,horllles who desired to pust
them into that extremity. But there were
many, yery many friends Of liberty nnt
opponens of the arlstocratic forms of wha
is called the British Constitution, whr
abs,alned wholly from toklng any parl u
the conflict after it became one OF bIoo'
instead of reason. And not only did they
abstain from taking ny arms against th'
government. but they even supported III
measures with view to pat an end TO 'h'
horrors of civil war. Such men vii
eventually prove more dangerous to 'hs
power of England than those who coul,
permit themselves to be driven IA silly AM
lnconsderately into measures that nigh
subject them TO the punishment Of treason
The crisis which n cruel and barbar on
policy forced upon the people of Canada i:
now passed But the manner in which i,
was brought On and the conduct of tn,
British government throughout will b.
remembered and discussed, and pubic
opinion will be deliberately formed IN re.
ference to it, The idea that monarchlca
sway has been maintained by overrunnln!
the land with armed cohorts Of serv,I'
troops, will not commend it very strongl,
to people Of any spirit or who have an!
iu., notions Of civil liberty.
Already we perceive that the principle
which caused the whole difficulty are be
ginning 10 be openly promulgated Tn
Quebec Gazette gives statement OF par
lies IN the Upper Province as iolows:-
81. The Official and high church party an
their connexions, Q. Their opponents
who advocate a more liberal system q
Government, the most prominent OF whom
we suspect, would have no objection /