The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-11-13

maJoflty oil Inc CITY council, was presented 10 MIN
bv the leaguers, his scruples gave way. Even
this triflng circumstance will help to show yos
the extent to which old habits, practices, preju-
dices, and feelings breaking up before the rush
Of new ideas, and the desire tor change.
Before proceed to tell you what the League is
doing it is perhaps necessary that should describe
briefly Its origin, character, and objects. The out
RACES OF the Montreal torles in the destruction of
the parliament buildings, and in attacks upon Lord
Elgin, and the private property of several of his
ministers, produced immediate reaction In Upper
Canada. The more respectable of the tory party
were contounded, and repudlated the acts of the
Lower barbarians. The reformers, who began to
exhibit signs of dlsunion, or rather of dissatisac-
ten with the government, for not coming up to
their promises at the pOlls rallied round the minis
try, and poured into Montreal plentiful stream
OF addresses OF confidence III the government,
and remuneration of the house burners. The 90.
position thus found itself greatly weakened by
these outrages, while the ministry was strengthen
ed at the very time support was needed. TIE coun-
teract the disastrous effect their conduct had pro-
duced in Upper Canada, upon the conservative q
party, as the tories like TO be called, and to be
prepared Tor an election, In Lord Elgn should
be recalled, according to their expectations, the
idea OF league was put forth in Montreal CIR
oulars were addressed to the leading men of their
party, and to the officers OF the Orange societies in
ings were held, and league branches organized;
but no definite principles were laid down, and no
distinct objects proclaimed; In fact, it trans
parent that the league was merely an electioneer-
ing engine, TO turn the ms out and the outs in
But the Home government fully sustained Lord
Elgn. lie was likely to remain in the colony, and
no dissolution of Parliament was likely to occur
for two years, when its existence would term-
nate, by efuxion OF time. The leaguers saw the
game was up for some tlme-a very long time in
their estimation and they turned their thoughts to
other objects. Annexation was talked of al some
OF their meetings. AT first, am inclined 10 think
they meant no more than to try and brighten the
British government into their views. But when
thsir delegate, Sir Allen McNab, was told by Lord
Grey TO return home and endeavor to quiet the
public mlnd, and 10 promote peace and good
will among his neIghbors, and the LOnden Times
and other influential English journals denounced
them as worse than the rebels OF 1887, and told
the Canadian government that their sovereign
beckoned tkem on in the course they had taken;
and, lastly, when Lord Elg in was raised to the
peeIage, as reward for his good conduct, the
leaguers took 1t special insult and their loyal
ty, one OF them said yesterday In the convention,
has ever since " been oozing out at their fingers
ends" The question OF annexation has, within the
last two or three months been entered upon in
earnest and though none of the league societies
have, to my knowledge, openly and formally de-
cared for II, yet, you will see by the sketch OF
their proceedings which send you, all their argu-
ments, resolutions and speeches, tend directly that
way. Several members of the convention have
been instructed by their constituents not to support
resolutions in favor OF annexation; but il Is evident
that those who are prepared TO abandon their ale
glance as soon as the opportunity offers, have re-
celved large accessions TO their number since the
meeting at Kingston.
The names and past history OF some of the pro-
minent actors in the convention will explain to
your readers the position and probable influence of
the body upon the party TO which they belong, and
upon the country, better than long dissertation.
The President OF the League, Mr.. Moflatt, is, as
have already stated, a wholesale merchant in Mont
rtel. He is a man Of considerable wealth, and
much respected. He is a tory, OF course: indeed,
all the members of the league are, or have hitherto
been, tories. He was elected to parliament for
Montreal few years ago. by the aid Of soldiers and
cannon, but has seat in either branch of the le-
gisature at present. Oge Il. Gowan is the most
prominent man IN the convention, though on the
present occasion he has given way 10 others, and
apparently watched for the critical moments
when 1t was necessary to give the cue to his fol-
lowers. Mr.. Gowan was for many years Grand
Master of the Orangemen of Canada, and has great
influence with that body still, which numbers 3D.
600 or 81, 600 members He sat several sessions in
the Upper Canada legislature, and has also been
in parliament since the union, but was defeated
at the last general election. The present govern
ment dismissed him from office which had been
created for him by the previous government and
for taking part IN certain recent performances at
Brockyllle, Insutng.to tse Governor General, they
have dismissed him from the msgistracy, and also
deprived him of commission which he held in the
militia. These things will only make him more
popular with his party. lie is good speaker and
Is well acquainted with the politics OF the country
and the feelings OF the people. The Brockville
Statesman, a weekly newspaper, either belongs TO
HIM, or j. understood to be under his control. lie
introduced a series at resolutions INTO the conven-
ton, the first ct which deiares that these colonies
cannot continue IN their present political or COM
mercial state" which, after some discussion, were
tackled To a resolution introduced by Mr.. Jno.
Gamble, descriptive OF the disturbed state of the
country, and UNANIMOUSLY carried IL the country
milf Sta
Is ii going to Read Mr.. Gowans speech, an out
line OF which is enclosed, and you will see that IN
has opinion annexation is the goal Mr.. Gamble Is
another leader in the convention. He Is n clever
man, and has also represented the people IN parlia-
ment. lie u q miller, cloth manufacturer, store
Keeper, Nc., and is connected by the strongest ties
with the old compact party. Yet he 10 willing to
abandon all their iayorlte doctrines, and goes for
elective institutions 10 their fullest extent, even to
an elective governor. lie quoted Bancroft to
show that Come ctcuu and some others of the old
colonies had been allowed ,hisprivllege, and there
fore n was not anti. British Unprecedented. IL
was amusing 20 watch the confused aud discomlilted
looks Of the old tories and government Officials OF
pact day, who hung round the purheus of the hall.
listening 10 these strange doctrines from their
kiih and kin, while the cheers and horse. laughs
ol iow old Tetormefs, attracted by the no.
vety, resounded through the building. An
elective house OF lords, upper house, as we call
them, was the Ultima thule OF the liberal creed in
1875 and lo:.6. Neither Papneau nor MckenZt8
veniuttd to ask, or seriously wished. anything
beyond this But now the very men who pursued
the liberals Of 81 with fire and sword, burned
their dwellings over the heads Of heirdeienceless
families, thirsied for the blood of Lount and
Matthews, and ceased not their clamorl oil those
two patriots, rs pure as ever died for their coun-
try, were Judiclally murdered-threw into prison
every man suspected OF believing in elective usii-
tutlons, until the JaIls were filled, and many died
from the suflerings 20 which they were exposed
these men. who Tor cOld-blooded atrocities against
the liberals OF - deserve TO rama with Buier's
Rangers, those hslLhounds Of the revolution, are
now yehcnently dsclaimng against our present
system OF government protesting against the ty-
Fanny Of Great Britain Nr interfering with our To-
cal affairs, and av0wng their determination TO Sc
cure elective legislature in all its three branches
king. Lords, and Commonsl After such
change hes been Effected, IL would be interesting
90 know whether gny link remains sufficient TO
hsd us for a single day TO the mother country.
confess myself disbeliever in the existence, in
that case, Of nk ofsny Kind.
Several Of the leoguers, besides those ] have
mentioned, have been members OF the legislature.
DuCeaD, Murncy, II. Mcdonald. and Aikm1r. are