The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-26
From the London Tunes, November 2.
Canada.

When considered the address published by
the citizens of Montreal on the subject of annexa-
ton, ascribed to II the importance which belongs
TO document cmanating from n great CITY, and
expressing the opinions predominant in large
community. But il may be safely doubted whether
we have not ascrbed too much importance TO it.
We retract nothing that we said on the tone, the
temper and the gravity of the document By
whomsoever il was proposed, by whomsoever con
coctcd 1t reflects great credit the skill TACT and
adroitness of is authors But il seems 70 us doubt
iul whether il correctly expresses the sentiments of
the majority Of the Montreal population and il is
quite clear that even If il does express them the
present position and condition OF that city would
not warrant in measuring by the Of its own
the general state OF Canadian parties and politics.
Montreal has been for many years distinguished
for its turbulence and factiousness. Many causes
have co-operated TO produce this result 1t is peo-
pied by two races, each very excitable and each
susceptible Of the most opposite impressions At
one time community Of religion unites them in a
violent hostility 20 the members Of other sects; at
another, diversity Of race impcls them 10 acts OF
violence inconsistent with any religious sympathics
At ono time they arc Catholics linked with Catho.
lies against Protestants Of every denomination at
another, Irish Cets fighting against Gallo hdbitdni
in behalf Of British and almost Of an Orange
cause To these Of internal dssension
among the lower arc added recent causes of discon.
tent among all classes at Montreal. IL the en-
trepot Of great export trade, when Canadian ex-
ports were cherished by protective tariffs il is the
seat Of government in troubled times and during
Crltcal DISCUSSIONS. Protection ~ removed; its
trade suffers temporary lcthargy. Tits proposed
20 transfer the scat Of government 10 come other
city This proposal, If persisted in, must diminish
il Importance, and, for a certain time, damage It's
interests. Under thcse circumstances, what wonder
il there that the citizens Of Montreal should exhibit
discomfort, and indulge in the language ofdisaec.
ton Surely, the wonder rather Il that the discon-
tent should have been measured in its terms and
20 temperate in it, tone.
But, apart from Montreal, il seems almost be-
yond the possibility Of doubt that the tendency TO
annexation has not spread far throughout the pro-
vince Of United Canada. The evidence Of this is
striking and almost universal The Governor has
in his recent tour, been received with enthusiasm
IN several, with respect and cOrdiality in almost all
places. The exceptional cases Of disoyalty and
turbulence may be traced 20 tho very same cause
which has recently disturbed the quiet Of northern
Ireland, viz, the virulcncc Of the Orange faction
50 that in fact this danger 10 the preservation Of
English power arises, not from love Of republican
institutions but from jealous regard for the prerog.
atives Of the English crown. The representative
Of the crown, when insulted at all, is nsulted bv
those who think that the people have too much and
the sovereign too little power This curious SWIM
tom We commend to the study Of those who In
Canadian discomfort sec nothing but warming for
republican institutions and democratic license
To Us the matter appears in different light We
believe that the men who are now loudest in their
cries for annexation would be most reluctant 20
realize their own menaces With the execution Of
ono two who might become distinguished states.
men If the great United American Republic, the
majority Of the anneIationsts would really be less
considerable percentages ~ American citizens than
they are as British subjects. When tho novelty of
a great revolution Or a great apostacy had worn
away, they would sink down into the unimportant
condition Of Legislators without influence or spccu
lators without capital; they would find that they
had formerly possessed without using all the ad.
yantagcs which free press and a responsible gov.
eminent can confer on any nation, and that il ia
just as impossible for republican az for a mo-
narchcal government 10 force wealth and pros.
ri a md t.,.t
Some Of the leading statesmon Of Canada seem
aware Of the prcdicamcnt to which this movement
might reduce them Mr.. Baldwin emphatically
records his decided opposition to the annexation
party. Others must follow. Indeed, il ia difficult
to see Of whom such a party can be consistently
and continuously composed. Will il be Of French
men, Why, annexation would swamp them at
once. They would be absorbed, cnpuC.d annihi.
lated in the huge Celtic SaHO ernanic element of
The Republican Union OF the British population
Of Eastern Canada Why, they have not suffered
materially by the recent policy Of the mother coun-
try Protection did not do much for free trade
docs not do much against, them They have no
special reason 10 murmur and complain The
Western Canadians have suffered most. They have
been suddenly deprived II a monopoly share IN
great market They have been suddenly cx
posed 10 the risks and pcrils Of mighty com
petition. They may be spiteful; they may be
irritated; but then, many OF them arc ultra Roy.
asts many ultra Protestants, many ultra. Church
men, no few Orangemen. How will such men CO.
acsce to substitute republic for the excitement Of
ascendency factions and royalIst fcuds; We do
not gay that il il impossible for them 90 do this,
and more than this. The recent experience Of Eu i.
ropcan history teaches us that nothing il imnossi
bic in politics But do say that the imJpoglio in
which Canadian parties must be involved ere they
can make a move for annexation, proves that any
distresses and misfortunes which Canada may per.
chance undergo will receive an increment from
other things than English tyranny or Imperial ca.
price.
But Thunder the pressure Of temporary adver.
sty, or from an undue estimate Of the benefits Of
republican institutions-the Canadian people de-