The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-04-02
Third Dispatc h.
Canadian Troubles.

The Northern papers all notice the recent events
In Canada, and most express the opinion that the
signs of civil commotion and ultimate independence
OF the Imperial Government are more apparent
than ever For ourselves, we do not see any thing
in the measure lately passed by the Colonial Par
Lament to alarm the British Government. On the
contrary, the bill introduced by the Colonial Min.
istry, and since passed by both Houses of Parlia-
ment, is calculated to strengthen rather than
weaken the authority of the Crown. The mea-
sure is a sop thrown to French Canadians and
Colonial radicals and no doubt it WILL for time,
silence the barkings ofthese troublesome and clam
Orous parties.
The Canadian rebellion of 1887 was the result of
two conjoint dissatisfactions. 1t was, in Lower
Canada, an outbreak of race against race-of
French-descended colonists against the stronger
and dominant colonists from the British islands
In Upper Canada, the struggle was between the
democratic and aristocratic principles between
the rights and powers of the masses and the claims
and assumptions of cliques. The French party of
Lower Canada acted, it is true, in with the
radicals of the Upper Province; but the harmony
arose from a common opposition to the existing
authorities rather than from any community of feel
ing in regard to the great objects and functions of
government. As the rebellion-so called-of 1887
was thus brought about by the influence of diff
ferent principles, it is difficult to separate the
Franco Canadian movement of that epoch from
the democratic movement of Upper Canada 1t
was the latter entirely which gained the sympathy
of the people Of the United States and as our eyes
were more constantly directed towards the efforts
of the liberals of Upper Canada it is natural that
we should regard the struggle of 1887 war
between the rights of the many and the privileges
of the few. Hence when we hear that the Cana
dian Parliament has passed bill of indemnity for
losses sustained during the troubles of 1887, we
are apt to imagine that the bill is more especially
for the relief of the Canadian liberal party, and
that it is a concession made by the Imperial Gov
eminent to the demands of the utra-radical Pro-
vncials. This is far from being the case; though
the measure is in reality triumph of liberal ideas.
Those who pushed the bill with most zeal were
the dissatisfied French colonsts and we have no
doubt that, for while at least, this part of the
population will be the most loyal in all Canada. A
price will be paid them by the present Ministry
they ought TO render service for at least term of
years, if not in perpetuity.
Canadian independence is not advanced step
by the bill of indemnity lately passed; therefore
is premature for either Canadians or Americans to
talk about annexation to the United States. No
doubt many an English statesman, and large por-
ton of the English people, join with the Canadians
in hoping for separation of the colonies from the
mother country. As long ago as 1888, Sir John
Jervis, afterwards Lord ST. Vincent, told Lord
Sheburne that there was very great omission in
the treaty of Paris; and the error consisted in
leaving Canada British province But the mas
ter passion of nations prde-prevents England
from yielding with grace what she must one day
give up through necessity. As matter of con-
sistency them the British Government is forced to
pursue policy that will tend to retain the Cana
dian colonies and the present liberal ministry have
the sagacity to perceive that the French party will
be very desirable acquisition to the Imperial
party The bill of indemnify will therefore be-
come a law.
Even were this bill entirely, as it is in part, a
concession to the liberals of Canada, no such effects
would ensue as are spoken of by the Northern pa
pers of the United States and by the Tory journals
of the colonies. We know there is common
maxim in the mouths of many. that concession only
makes people more clamorous-that the govern
ment which begins to yield begins to die. Espe-
cialiy is this applied to the present affairs of
Canada. 1t is represented that the British Govern
ment, by sustaining the bill of indemnity, will de-
clare those beneactors whom formerly treated as
rebels; that it will, in fact, be- nothing more nor
less than offering reward to disloyalty and rebel
lion. But the highest bounty government can
offer revolutionists is opposition to public opinion
and the clearly expressed sentiments of the country
The measures which have provoked revolution
have always been those which were not in ac:
cordance. with the spirit of the time and of the
people for whom they were intended. Whenever
government moves with and embodies public sent-
ment it is safe, for far it is just. 1t is when
government denies its Duties when it assumes to be
the master and not the servant of the public, when
it attempts to rise above the source from which it
emanated, that it becomes dangerous, destructive,
revolutionary. 1t is because the bill of indemnify
is agreeable to . large majority of the Canadians,
because in 30 far as it d concession to the ad-