Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1849-05-10
April 10Th, lS49.


pest. The immediate demand of the disaffected
we may perhaps not yet call them rebels-iS
the recall of Lord Elgin. For this there is one
loud and universal cry from the whole Anglo
American population in both Canadas. 1t is not
probable that the ministry at home will dare to
resist the demand. His Lordship will be remov-
ed and rewarded by a more honorable appoint
ment-though, except the Governor Generalship
OF india, there IS perhaps not an office IN the gift
Of the crown that is more lucrative, or response
bic. But it must be apparent that this change Of
Executive will not paclty the colony. If Lord
Elgin'S successor be of the same school, and be
disposed to carry out the same policy, the British
party will have gained little. They will still be
excluded from power, and subjected TO the in
suits Of which they now grlevously complain. II,
On the other hand, the ministry should be salts
fed Of their error, and fall back upon the old pol
icy, and send outa conservative Governor, who
will form his cabinet from the ranks of the colo
NAL tories, then disaffection will nc transferred TO
the French haAtanS. and we shall, probably have
a re-enactment, by another class of performers.
Of the scenes Of sedition lately witnessed. The
causes OF diScord lie deeper. They may be found
in the prejudices and hatred, long and mutually
cherished, Of two distinct races, living in contact
but never intermingling or fusing.
We have seen that the British party ostenta-
'OHHy tiO1NSo ttiCh iOydif " IL Quecn ana
their abhotrence at separation from the mother
country. This they do while the relative advan-
tages Of annexation and independence are dis
cusSed, openly and with an earnestneSS belonging
70 a question, in the immediate solution Of which
the colony IS vitality interested. It is very prob
able that this discussion IS promoted merely as a
means OF intimidation, by many who would shud-
der at the idea of severing British connexion.-
1t is a hazardous game, however, to be plaved bv
the truly loyal. The discussion, conducted with
the ability and calmness which have thus far
marked it, cannot fail to awaken ideas that would
otherwise have long remained dormant-ideas
which will sooner or later be carried into effect.
we are indeed surprised at the diSpassionate tone
IN which the discussion is carried on. The
question of the annexation of Texas excited with
us ten times as much heat and exasperation.-
And should the absorption ofCanada be forced up-
on us, we have no hope that our press will be half
as cool IN the discussion as the Canadian Ioval to-
ry press is at the present moment.
There Is, unfortunately, but too many among
us who rejoice in commotion and revolution, no
matter what the end IN view may be. This class
will hail, of course, the troubles in Canada
with delight, and suffer their feelings TO become
enlisted for the ~agitators, simply because thew
are agltators, and in opposition to The e%xistino
government. They will not stop to enquire into
the causes ofthe popular excitement. It s%ufices
them to know that there is disaffection and as. in
their creed, all existing institutions are bad. thew
ioment dlSaftection in the hope of change, though
the change be not for the better. OF course,
therefore, there is already a aumber of "svmpa-
thisers' ready to cross the line, at any moment,
to help those against whom they were lust as rea-
dy TO fight in 1887.
But the fact is, there is nothing in this move
ment, either as regards the principles or the ac-
tors, which should enlist the sympathies of the
American people. The colonial tory, who has
always been the bitterest hater of our country
and its institutions, and whose present rebellious
attitude IS IN consequence of the ultra liberalism
OF the administration of Lord Elgin, has no
possible claim upon the feelings Of his republican
nelghbcrs. We think the indemnity for losses.
actual and contingent, incurred in the rebellion
by the rebels themselves, an act Of romantic gen
crosby, unprecented in history, and, under the
circumstances, exceedingly unwise. The pas
sage OF this indemnity bill was the immediate
cause OF the outbreak. 1t was, however, but the
last drop which made the cup overflow. nisaf-
lection developed itself more and more, at every
successive act Of the ministry, and, without 60
inc at all into the history Of Canadian politics,
we may say, fearless Of contradiction, that the
whole policy Of Lord Elgin's administration has
been very liberal. Whether Lord Durham's
famous policy of responsible provincial govern
ment were wise or unwiSe, it was adopted, and
Lord Elgln has but honestly carried it out, as he
was in duty bound. The liberal party gained
the asccndency in the Parliament and sustained
the Governor Generals liberal measures. to the
utter horror and discontinue Of the tories, who,
for the first time, found themselves in a minority.
Wise or unwiSe, the measures of Lord Elgin's
administration are sustained by the representa-
hves OF the people, and to sympathise with those
who resort to violence o.oppose them, is to con-
tenn the doctrine Of popular sovereignty. The
lovers OF excitement, those who think dull and
undressing, newspaper that has not the de-
tails OF a revolution, or a popular outbreak, may
desire a row in Canada-but no genuine lover of
republican government can wish success to a
party headed by Sir Allen McNab.
And, moreover, there has been nothing in the
proceedings Of this party, 50 far, which commends
It to our admiration. Stoning the members
OF Parliament out Of their seats and then burniuo
the Legislative Hall, with the fine library it con-
tanned, and all the archives Of the co!ony-throw-
ING rotten eggs at the Governor General-and gut
ting the houses of his cabinet ministers-are not
consistent with American ideas. They are but
the lawleSS acts of a mob-not the manifestations
Of popular power, newly recovered, or for
the first time asserted. If the movement was in
tended as a mere party demonstration it exceeds
all the license which the most tolerant might
wink at in times Of excessive zeal and excite
ment. If It was the initiatory step towards al
change of political relations with the mother coun-
try, it was weak and contemplate, and calculated