Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-10-26


CANADIAN ANNExATIoN.-The position of
affairs in Canada has, for years past, been
growing more and more complicated, and the
impression now seems general, even in Eng
land if we may Judge from the tone of the
British press, that the severance of the Colo
MES from the mother country is matter
which cannot be prevented, however much it
may be deferred, and its occurrence is regar-
ded simply as matter of time, equally GER
tain. whether ii happens in one year or in
twenty. This feeling, and the desire for its
accomplishment has received an immense &C
cesson of force from the recent outbreaks and
disturbances in Montreal, and the present
growing dissatisfaction which exists amongst
all classes in the provinces. Several schemes
have been proposed for the organization of
the British Provinces in North America-such
as federal union of the Provinces; an indie
pendent existence; or annexation to the Uni
ted States This latter alternative, at first held
out as threat by some tory malcontents,
seems to have seized upon the public mind of
Canada almost TO the exclusion of all Others
We have before US remarkably able address
10 the Canadian people. setting forth the ad-
vantages to be derived from annexation, and
calling upon them to take measures for its
| peaceful accomplishment, which, of course,
would imply the consent of England The
tone of the address is remarkably calm and
rational. Several of the ablest and most in
! 1uential papers in Canada also espouse the
same cause. The advantages set forth in the
address, as inducements for the United States
10 accede to the arrangement are, the removal
of foreign power on our Northern frontier,
which would enable US to dispense with the
cost of frontier Notifications, revenue esfab-
lishments, etc. We would also have the free
navigation of the St. Lawrence, exclusive pos
session of the lakes, and a chance at the fish
cries, for it is generally understood, that with
Canada, will go Nova Scotia, New Brunswick,
and the other British American POSSESSIONS
These are the supposed advantages; of course
the disadvantages are studiously kept out of
view.
During our recent brief absence at the North,
we happened to travel from Philadelphia to
New York with a gentleman from Canada.
who was on a tour through several of our
States. He seemed TO be of the opinion that
if the question of annexation were sub
mitted to the people of that colony now,
perhaps not more than one third would
be in favor of it. A year since, not one man
in one hundred would have dreamed of such
a thing. At the present rate of progression
in year hence the annexation party will be
in the majority. The impression seems to be,
that England only wants to get rid OF Canada
in some way that will not woand her pride
AS for the thing itself, it is now a loss to her
and it is matter of question whether it could
) be of any benefit TO the United States. Il
seems TO US that public opinion at the North
is pretty strongly directed TO this point, and
no doubt numerous party will soon be or.
ganized in its favor. Perhaps we are anticipa.
ting, but the signs of the times evidently poin
TO such an event