The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-06-03

1
my decision Among these the to provide for
the naturalization Of parties in Lower Canada whose
property was destroyed during the rebellion in 1887
ana 1883 with respect to which, your lordship is
| aware, much excitement has unhappily been stirred
o. herewith enclose. for your ordship's perusal,
printed copy Of the act in question, and shall not
fail by the first mail furnish you with full norma
ton respecting its character and objects the circum
on which resolved after much reflection to sanction
| IT, No money can be paid under it as indemnity, for
considerable period that her Majestys power Of
disallowance be exercised with effect should her
| Majesty be so advised notwithstanding the course
which have taken. As am writing this despatch in
haste, with view to its transmission by way of New
york. shall confne myself tor the present to state
ment Of the proceedings by which the peace of the city
T. In order however, to render this narrative intel
gbe must premise that for time past the House
object of bitter denuncation and not unfreguently of
reckless menace on the part of certain portion the
press OF the province and more especially Of that Of
Montreal Your lordship will probably recoect that
the body in question is the product general election
which took place about eighteen months ago under
auspices Of the political party in opposition and
after dissolution, to which had on their ad-
vice. for the purpose Of strengthening them in their
position government. The result Of this measure
was in the hast degree uRavorabe to those who had
recommended 1t; not however, so much in Lower
was little affected by the dissolution in the upper
province where several constituencies among which
were some OF the most Popuou rejected conservative
In FAVOR OF liberal candidates On question Of conf
dence raised at the commencement Of the session. i'm
medately after the general election, the adminstra-
enc and change OF government as matter Of course
ensued.
g. This alteration in the political complexion Of the
Assembly and the change Of government consequent
upon it, therefore clearly distinctly
to revusion Of sentiment in the British constituencies
OF Upper Canada. In Lower Canada nothing had oc-
CURED to account for either This circumstance has
however, failed to for the decisions popu
lar representative body either forbearance respect
from certain section of those who profess to be en-
phatcay the supporters Of British interests. To de-
nounce the Parliament as French in its composition
inHn
has been their constant object and the widest doc
,rinss have been preached with respect to the right
Violence any indignity to which it may be subjected
rom rom such source. have now before article
That appeared In one Of the principal English
pers of Montreal at very early period Of the session
Of which transcribe the concluding paragraph as il,
that time, and before the public mind had BEEF excited
by the discussion Of the Rebellion Losses Bill portion
OF the press ventured to crtcse the proceedings
local Parliament. The article of measure af-
fecting the townships, to which, believe great OBJ
ever, IN the words - We are very glad of 1.-THE
sooner the cloven foot is made visible the BETTER the
obvious intention of that majority composed of French
men, aided by ratorous British anadans is to force
French institutions still further upon the British mi
nority in Lower Canada. The intention is obvious us
we said and we are very glad that it is openly shown
We trust that the party of the government will
coed in every one of their obnoxious measures When
French tyranny becomes insupportable we shall find
Cromwell Sheffield, in the olden times used to be
famous for its keen and wetempered whettles well,
they make there now just sharp and just
wcll-tempered. When We can stand tyranny longer
it will be seen whether good bayonets in Saxon hands
will not be more than match for a mace and ma
jority"
6. To persons accustomed to tho working Of consti.
tutons government, in well ordered communities, it
may incredible that such language should en-
poyed by the organs Of any respectable party in refe
renee to body comprising the freely chosen represen
tatiyes OF constituency formed on most popular ba
Sis but the cause Of the anomaly is apparent enough
to all who acquainted with the history of Canada
For series of years. the popular representative body
and the executive, supported by the legislative coun
Gil, were, In the lower province especially in condi
tion Of almost constant antagonist To revile the one
was the surest test Of patriotsm to denounce the
other, Of loyalty. In society singuarly democratic
in its structure where diverstes Of supplied spe-
cial elements Of confusion and where conseouently
it most important that constituted authority
should be respected the moral influence law and 60
vernment was enfeebled by the existence of perpetual
strife between the powers that ought to have Afforded
to each other a mutual support. No state Of affairs
could be imagined less favorable to the extinction Of
national anmosities, and to the firm establishment of
the gentle and benignant control Of those liberal in
situations which 1t is Ensands pride and privilege to
bestow upon her children.
7. am not without hope that steady adherence to
the principles OF constitutional government and the
continuance Of harmony between the coordinate
branches OF the legislature may lead in the
of time to the correction Of these evils meanwhile
however, must ascribe mainly to the cause which
have assigned the tone arrogant defiance with which
the resolutions not of the government only but also of
the Parliament, are treated by parties who happen for
with either, and the acts Of violence to which this
innammatory language has, In the present instance
led
the respecting rebellion losses Lower Canada
which hrs been introduced by the government and
which the local parliament has passed by large mao-
rites and that in the minds of others sirs national
antipahes and recollections Of former conflicts which
designing politicians seek to improve to their own
selfish ends, cannot fear be doubted 1t is therefore,
emphstically measure which should have been APP
preached with salmness and caution, by all at least
who not directly interested in the issue Unortu
nately, however, this has been by the case
Not only have appeals to passion Of the most reckless
description proceeded from the local press but they
mt
they had little right to look for It, Passages such
the following in which London journal Of influence
sure in question: They tocrably able to take
of themselves and very much the tone
province, If they do not find some means Of resisting
the heavy blow and great discouragement which Is
aimed at them" read with avidity and construed
to mean that sympathy will be extended inuen-
tial quarters at home to those who to the
obnoxious decision Of the local legislature whatever
the means to which they resort for the attainment Of
that end.
o. The scenes by which the city Of Montreal has been
lately disgraced the natural fruits OF agitation
Of this character; operating people Of excitabe
temper who have been taught to believe that race
which they despse, and over which they have been
won't to exercise dominion, has obtained through the
operation of constitutional system authority which
it could not otherwise have acquired Hence more es
pecally their vehement indignation against me per-
sonally and the conviction many cases doubt not
perfectly sincere, that have been guilty of serious
derelcton of duty because have not, my predeces
scrs have often done before consented to place
self in the front of agitation counterfeit the policy
Of Parliament. The nature Of the constitutional doc
trnes which practically obtain in this section of the
community Is curiousy exemplfed by the fact that it
is not the passage Of the bill by overwhelming
jorty of the representatives of the people, the
quiescence the council but the consent Of the COVER
nor which furnishes the pretext for exhibition Of
popular violence
TO- When left the House Of Parliament after giving
the royal assent to several bills to which have
ferred received with min gled cheers and hootings
by a crowd, by ne means numerous, which surrounded
the entrance to the building. small knot of indi-
vduas consisting It has since been ascertained, Of
persons Of respectable class In society, peted the
rage with missiles which they have brought with
them for the purpose. Within an hour after this
currence, notice, of which enclose copy, issued
from of the newspaper offices, calling meeting in
the open air. At the meeting inhammatory speeches
were made On q suddcn-whether under the effect Of
momentary excitement, or In pursuance of plan ar
ranged beorehandthe mob proceeded to the House Of
Parliament, where the members still sitting and
breaking the windows set fire to the building and burn
ed it to the ground By this wanton act public pro-
perty of considerable value including two excellent Ii
braries has been utterly destroyed Having acheyed