The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-06-13
Canadian Affairs.

Canadian Affairs.
Among the public papers brought by The Niagara,
which too long for insertion in columns, is
the official dispatch of Lord Eigin, Governor Gem
eral of Canada, to the Foreign Secretary, which
has been laid before Parliament by the British Min
istry. Itgives detailed history of'the Indemnify
Bill, and OF his own motives in approving it--varied
by pretty Comprehensive censure upon the motives
and conduct of all who opposed it and him. He
complains Of the Misrepresentation of the press,
and particularly of the exaggerated reports in the
United States-quotes newspaper articles as signs
of the party violence of the Tories-and concludes
by requesting recall, if the Ministry should think
a man less Objectionable TO the Canadians but hold
ing nevertheless the same views of administration,
would better promote the Government views.
There is, however, no idea of recalling him, or
cf doing any thing to censure his administration.
Earl Grey, the Colonial Secretary, has, in Para-
ment, publicly approved and sanctioned Lord Ell
gins whole course. The Ministry is committed
fully to support him. The press in the interest Of
the Government is out on his side in the strongest
language, and treats the Tory opposition as unrea-
sonable and factious. In fact, the whole current
of authority and of opinion in England is decidedly
on the side of the Government of Canada as adj
ministered by Lord Elgin.
1t is not to be supposed that the British party in
Canada, as the opposition loves to style ITSELF will
be patient under these failures and rebukes. Con-
tending with great vehemence that the dominant
party is anti British in its feelings and policy, that
its are systematically oppressive the loyalty
of the provinces, that it is feeding and rewardng
disaffeciion and rebellion, and thus weakening at
the same time the attachments of the most jealous
of the friends of British connection, it will be with
no complacent feelings that they will hear of the
Ministerial approval Of dispatch filled with heavy
charges of bad faith against themselves, and the
Government sanction of the policy which they op-
pose as anti British and revolutionary. We antici-
pated no violent outbreak of resentment further
than the utterance of excited feelings; but deeper
and increasing feeling of alienation from the Brit
ish connection, manifested by all those parliament
tary and partisan movements of vexatious opposi-
ton, which are the precursors of great civil con-
tests and omens of the violent disruption of States.
The party in power is accused of being influenced
by French sympathies, and of containing republic
can elements The course of events is apparently
driving their opponents, from opposite reasons, into
a like state of dissatisfaction with the Home Gov
eminent, and thus giving general impulse in
Canada towards independence. We have no idea
that this is within the present scope Of the purposes
or wishes of majority of the Canadian opposition.
There not in The American colonies, before our
Revolution, any definite determination of sepera-
ton from Great Britain, until within very brief
period before the Declaration of Independence
The purest republicans of the Revolution chung to
the idea of reconciliation with the parent country
until, we may say, few months before events
their decision, and a public opinion
was formed in favor of total separation. 1t is so
with the Canadians. The march of their destiny
is determined by the same fixed natural laws. 1t
Is as impossible for distant people to hold perma-
nent sway over growing and prosperous colony,
planted where land is abundant, and the feeling of
independence is cultivated by habits of sef-depend-
ence and the increasing knowledge of expanding
wealth and strength, as it would be for the parent
10 hold the iugrown man in the subsection of the
pupil and minor. The separation of the two is as
inevitable in one case the other and the singu-
ar change of position in Canadian politics, by |
which the Loyalists became the discontented parv
only acceeraes the fusion of all shades of opinion
INTO ultimate desire and effort for independence
What is TO after, few have seriously consid-
cred, and none may venture to do more than guess
As neighbors, the varying hues of the ques-
ion make an interesting study for Americans