North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-09-09

could ride, there she has secured the seas
with floating batteries oi cannon wherev-
e. counting house could be planted, there
she has stationed her troops, opened her
boards OF trade and OF discount, and ex-
torted or swindled the wealth Of the globe
al once by argument of the strongest and
by art Of the subtlest.
1t will be borne in mind that, before the
now United States had conquered their in
dependence, the French possessions IN
America had been carried by the united
forces Of the British government and OF
the American colonial militia Those
possessions, unlike the Anglo-Anerican
Colonies (Which, wherever and whenever
successful were the fruit OF spontaneous
human enterprise and political or religious
enthusiasm), had been planted, cherished,
and forced, rather than encouraged, by
the monarchy Of France. Under that
monarchy necessarily arose a semblance Of
that feudal state not then delunct, though
fast sinking, in France. The semblance
was, indeed, but faint still, the absence
Of political science, the influence Of the
Catholic priest, and the lght-hearted, I'M
rejecting, though hospilabIe and adven-
turous, character Of the population, re-
vealed its feudal origin, and failed not to
influence its immediate destinies.
or course, TO the French Canadians, the
American insurgent, and the British inva-
der were the same people. Unacquainted
with the English language, and more
prone to the wild freedom OF the hunter
than 10 the reasoned liberty of the repub-
can, the earthquake of Americas revolu-
ton passed if not unielt, yet unappreciated
north of the St. Lawrence. The skill Of
the Catholic Priest knew, and has known,
more or less, 70 this hour, to turn aside the
electric flash of the Declaration OF INDIE
pendence while the subtle Wing cabinet
OF Englan failed not instantly to make its
compact with the church which ruled the
conscences of the People.
The Priesthood in the French colonies
constituted the ieudal dignitaries, or aris-
locracy OF the soil. or this the legitimate
chief and great executive head was the
French monarch the Pope and his su-
premacy being Gin remote new world
and in the altering spirit and circumstances
Of the age) little more than spiritual sha-
dows. The zeal, perseverance, adroit-
ness, and, let it be admitted, the self-deny-
ing virtue and gentle charities OF the first
missionary fathers, had secured to the
French authorities and their settlers a
footing in the country and in the hearts OF
the wild aborgines. The rewards for
these services were choice lands, seignori-
al dues and claims, church and monasteri-
al endownments.
Great Britain, in seizng on the country,
distinguished, on the instant, how it might
alone be secured at once TO her transat-
lantic suzeralnship, and TO her principle of
privilege. She put herself in the place OF
the monarchy Of France, respected the
colonial ieudal priesthood, and. bound the
keepers Of the peoples consciences to her
side. Thus has Great Britain to this day
protected in Canada the church which she
persecutes in Ireland.
Let it be observed, however, that while
her transatlantic Wing Protestant cabinet
sustains the faith and protects the wealth
of the enthroned Canadian clergy, she
carries on an occult conspiracy equally a
gainst the Tory claims of the priestIy
seignors Of Quebec and Montreal, and
against the democratic leanings of the
Canadian population. While the Repub-
lie reigns, the claims Of the prizes. are OPEN
ly protected the law and the sodiery are
ostensibly on his side and duly the fat
vicar and the Pope-appointed bishop have
been wont to pray for the British Protes-
tant King, the anonted of the Lord
who, though born in land of heretics,
protects, as did Cyrus of old, the temple
and the servants OF the living God