The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-01-29
Affairs In CanaGl q.


coRREsPoNpENcE OF THE HERALD
MONTREAL, Jan. %, lS4S.
Canadian affairs are exciting some degree Of
interest at present; and, as a consequence, not
few American papers are enlightening their read
ers on the subject, with, in many cases, most
absurd remarks For instance, have seen it
asserted that the triumph of the liberal party,
In the recent elections here, is kind of political
revolution which tends to draw the Canadian
people nearer to us-that, in fact, d" liberal -
opinions are synonymous to republican, sc.
Nothing can be more ridiculous. The great
test questions in Canada, of political parties, are
purely local. The fair division of ollice-the
right of the Canadians to make their own local
laws-aud the making their constitution an ex-
act transcript of the British are, in fact the only
political questions in Canada, and the leading
principles of these are allowed by both parties.
The University Question: as it is called, Is
not political question, properly speaking-it is
a mere sectarian dispute. The I" church OF Eng.
land" wishes to mOnopolize half Of the clergy
reserves, "a quantity OF land donated tor the sup
port of religion in Canada, by George the iii. j
the established church of Scotland" claims a
third, leaving the residue to be distributed among
all the remaining sects. Asa consequence, the
other denominations are dissatisfied that they
pairing of a more equitable division, now cry
Justify that the whole amount set aside by the
British government for religious purposes, be
funded and applied to the promotion OF education
generally.
1t will be seen at once, therefore, that the edu
cation party comprises large proportion OF peo-
e,who, on other questions, may be, and are, d.
vided as the poles
that of free trade. la Montreal, and elsewhere,
free traders will be found in both the liberal and
conservative ranks, so that this cannot be classed
as political test In fact, the Canadians have
no aspirations for political freedom beyond what
they now possess. The most ultra liberal scars
not above colonial rule; and, indeed, the tory in
our infant struggles for liberty, was more of
publican than the Canadian radical OF the present
day is. Canadians in general have been taught
to regard Americans much In the same light that
Enghshmen looked upon Frenchmen some years
since. An Englishman's idea of a Frenchman
was, half-starved, shrlvelled-up looking speci-
men of humanity, continually ejacul atlng ..mon
Dieu % and employing the intervals by swallow
ing frogs. A Canadians idea of an Amerl-
can is pretty much the same We are locked
upon as an embodiment OF rascalty. Tell
Canadian that there are such things as ladies'
and gentlemen IN this country, and he Will look
increduous. Tell him that in our Congress
there are as talented men (nOt to say more SOY as
he will find in England, and he will laugh out
right And it is almost natural consequence
that Canadians should be thus ignorant Their
trade with us, till within the last year or so, has
been almost nothing, and consequently their In
tercourse has been very uncomfortable.
The great majority OF Americans who stray
into Canada, are not of that class which tends
to raise our national character, being generally
sharpers, blacklegs, and the ike. The partial
trade which the drawback law has induced with
New York, has dissipated slightly the toggy APP
prehension the Canadians entertain OF us, and
as free trade is carried out, and a closer CONNER
cial intercourse prevails, light VIII continue to
dawn upon them as to our real character. Ihey
(,,llx hahI nj fIn
Possessed of splendid counry-rlch In mihe
raj and agricultural wealth-scarcely taxed
they yet, with all their advantages, tar behind
the very least favored OF our States The reason
is plain. They have always accustomed them
selves to depend upon England to carry out
their public works. They have magnificent ca
nals-splendid plank and macadamised roads
fine improved harbors-all made and paid Tor by
own energies to sustain them, and like slckly
children, they are afraid if they let go their
mothers skirts they will fall! Their public
works, as we have said, are splendld but they
had no part In building them, aud the manner IN
which their private enterprises are conducted,
proves that, had 1t depended upon them, they
would never have been built.
There is but one railroad in all the Canadas-a
very poor affair, from Laprarie to ST.
Johns-and we believe that it is owned by Anne
rcan capitalists. The Great Western Railroad,
about which we have heard so much, is still in
embryo, and unless taken hold of by Americans,
III likely 10 remain prospective IOIeNcI. IHc
capital would all be taken up in the United States
were 1t not for the illlberaity OF the Canadians,
who are willing enough we should subscribe, but
deny us at the same time the privilege OF direct
ing the affairs OF the company In proportion to
our stock.
On the whole, we are glad to see the free trade
movement, as il will be the only means OF inform
ing the Canadians of the great country alongside
OF them and when they once become aware OF
our greatness and their own lttleness, 1t is not
improbable they may awake to the conviction
that 1t Is better TO form portion OF great re-
public, than dependency OF Il country thousands
OF miles distant. At present, what field has a
man of talent in Canada ! Let HIM rise to the
lington, who knows of it whilst, if it were
portion of the republic, his ambition, as his field,
might be boundless. We, however, do not re-
quire Canada. Not only is our country large
enough, (Mexico included,) but we can make
more out Of the Canadas in the state they at pre-
sent exist, than If they were joined To us. But
following out the great principles OF phllanthro-
py, we are willing she should JOIN us whenever
she pleases, as we believe it would be conducive
as we'll to her prosperity as her happiness.
AN AMERICAN
tFrom the Montreal Herald, Jan. ~
With this mail forward classified table Of the
returns to parliament the general election which has
just concluded Ii will be that the minister's as We
anticipated In a previous summary, have sustained
decisive defeat That has been 40 decisive however,
has disappointed ourselves and we believe the great
majority of those best acqusiuted with the state
opinion throughout the country. 1t seems extremely
be from twenty to Internationally. In synopsis such
this need not 90 into the Of the change In
public opinion which this event indicates. No doubt