Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-02-05
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WYE LA

Ina held pufruhnI 10 o HUUCT uUTV|VV -
al Monresl by authority cf the Constitutional COMMITTEE.
The meeting convened on the 10th instant, IN the large hall
attached Ia ST. Psul's Cathedral. and was attended, m
said. by more than two thousand ct the most respectable
and influential of the citizens OF Montreal. We copy the
Nh, Honorable James Fraser was called to the Chair
and Captain Maiden requested to perform the duties OF Sec
retsry.
The Hen. Chairman, after a few preliminary oeser'a-
tions regarding the object OF the meeting as previously con-
viewed by the notice, called upon those gentlemen who were
pr-par,d with motions relating thereto, To enter the eusi-
ncs. OF III. evening. when the following resolutions were
adopted without a single dissenting voice in the vast assem-
blsgc.
Duckly, Eco.
.rha, Judging from recent events in The neighboring re-
pubLe. n us mo-, improbable that a disunon OF the Anieri-
can States i not for distant; and ms this meeting doubts not
That those favorable To- true liberty, both civil and religious
would gladly avail themselves q an opportunity OF di's'l'
wing a eonntxon with men Ot habits aud feelings oiamet-
real, opposed tn their own, That the approaching rupture
Affords a favorable occasion OF securing them an alliance
With our peaceful colony
I'd, Moved by Archibald Home, Esq SECONDED oS Id
mond Drenon, Esq.
That. impressed with this conviction, il becomes our
imperative duty To hold out the night hand OF fellowship TO
our brethren IN the Nortnern States, aud to assure them of
our ardent desire TO co operate with them in eheetng a Con-
neI,on with an empire ~here the advantages oi liberty,
restrained within due limits, are fully enjoyed. and yet
where the law is neither uampled under foot, nor made
subseryient 10 the cor pspBt."
81, Moved by James Cuolew, Esq., seconded by Wan.
DAVIDSON. Esq.
" n NbEfF N' Wv
tionai committee, with such States as, from their gergTsph cal
position, and the tone Of political feeling generally e'inced
by them, would be likely To appreciate such a change
4h. Moved by Stephen Hail. Esq seconded by b. $3.50
MCracken. Esq who addressed the meeting at consider
able length, pointing out the many advantages botn IN a
commercial and political point of view, to he derived BY
such 4 step, as well TO the Canodas rs to the States which
would be thereby annexed 10 the British Empire:
THAT, in the opinion Of this meeting, the boundary be-
tween the British possessions and the American States best
calculated la establish and maintain permanent feace on
TINS Continent, would be. a line commencing at the Allan
tic with the CITY Of New York, extending along the South
em boundary OF the State nj New YorE, Ia it, junction
with the Northern boundary ct the State Vt Pennsylvania,
continuing the same along the Northern boundary Of the
States OF Ohio. Illinois and Missouri. and thence following
the 42d parallel of latitude to the Pacific Ocean"
The alleged numbers and responsibility of this
assembly of Solons. entItle them To at least equal
consideration with similar bodies in the Unittd
States. Unless the above account be n pleasant
hoax. conveying a far from poIntless satire, or an
oxcruciating attempt at severity on the part OF
our Canadian friends, or unless "the large hall
attached 10 ST. Paul's Cathedral" be an asylum
for the reception of the insane, we know not how
TO account for the imbecility and qualification of
so large a number of human beings. Verify
these colonists OF Canada seem 10 have lived
alongside of the American Union to some pur-
pose. They have learned the power Of Con
NtUNlOLlh, III ave NdhEhth Ht ih"u '''Ni ~ A'
most malignant type, of which their republican
neighbors have long been the willing victims. 1t
is evident, however, that whatever other disease
they may have acquired from The Yankee, they
have entirely escaped the cOntaglon OF his shrewd
discernment and strong common sense. La the
opinion of John Wilson. Esq., the mover of the
first resolution, and OF the meeting which unani.
mousiy adopted as their own, the vaccinations
and Judgment Of that sagacious politician, The
disunion of The American States IS al hand and
the North, being tired of their connection with
the South, would gladly avail themselves of an
opportunity for securing an alliance with Cana
da. Whatever may be thought Of the o'her posi-
tons of Mr.. Wilson, he certainly never laid a
iruer word in his life, than when he intimafed that
our Northern brethren are DESTROYS of securing
an alliance with his ancient colony" For a
long time has Jonathan cast Il loving glance
upon the fair young daughter of the British crown,
and, undcterred by the irigId air with which she
has hitherto repealed his advances, his eye rests
in fond delight upon her priucely heritage, her
broad lands and bright rivers; and some fine
morning, if John Wilson, Esq, will rub his eyes,
he will discover 'the live Yankee in his Sunday
suit. and with a rifle upon his shoulder, knocking
at the grim old castles Of the young heIress, and
refusing 10 take no for an answer.
In regard TO the resolution of Archibald Home.
Esq, which was also unanimously adopted, the
Northern States must certainly feel Obliged by
the ardor with which Canada, as represented by
Mr.. Home, extends to them "lhe right hand Of
fellowship" but there is something 50 vague in
The terms of the resolution, as to leave Il doubt
II II =. :. ~. 49,. r NJ. IL ~.
da should he annexed tO the United States. or
the United States TO Canada. But he remarks
Of Mr.. McCiacken clearly define the object Of
the meeting, when he says that, if accomplished,
"the States would be thereby annexed to the
British Empire" Certainly, this would be an
advantageous arrangement 10 Canada, but we
doubt whether It Is altogether the one which the
Northern States have IN view. Ii is Just possible
that their people may have some faint recollection
of having been once before annexed to the British
Empire. and that there are certain unpleasant re.
niniscences connected with that Union, which il
wopId moi be altogether desirable to revive. Ii
NAV be unmanly and unreasonable, but they have
imbibed a sort Of prejudice against crowned heads,
and orders of nobility, and large standing armies :
and having got into the way Of governing them.
Selves tntl NDilh it'i hWh"hiu ulu uUCOIfnOftd.
bile in the extreme, # obliged, like ,her ncipbbors
of Canada, 10 lick the very dust from the feet of
the Servants Of servants whom Great Britain
sends to ride rough shOd over the loyal yasspls Of
her colonies. We cannot, however, but admire
,he modesy Of Mr.. McCrcken, who proposes to
effect that by a simple paper resolution, which the
Imperial Government, with The foil force Of the
Empire, was unable to preserve. II Mr.. MEG.
will extend his researches across the American
Lnc, be will find IN the Northern States, a. we'll
rs the South, many little mcmenloes Of tho past,
which would satisfy his mind that, # ever an an.
ncXation takes place. il will certainly not be that
Or the United States TO Canada. Tie will find
Lexington. AID Concord, and Bunker Hill, still
IN existence he viii find rude stones IN the ham.
lets. and monuments in the towns, commcmora.
ting the virtues and the valor Of men who fought
a. HaA b.