The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-05-15

MONTREAL, May 8, l649.


The pohtcal barometer Of Canada is falling IA |
pidly. A treacherous calm has succeeded the late |
burst of popular fury Otwardly, there is nothing
peculiar TO attract or arrest the eye; but close
scrutiny will unveil dangerous and mysterious
movement on the side of both parties engaged in
the present contest. It is, in my opinion, and l
hesitate not to boldly proclaim the fact, the long
dreaded "war of races" Every day produces
fresh evidence in proof Of this assertion. The
evil has long been STAYED off by English and Ca
madam politicians, but all admit it must now come
TO an issue.
Lord Durham, in his able and celebrated report
TO the Imperial Parliament on the affairs OF Cana
da asserts this division of as the root of all
our misfortune. Until this question is definitely
settled, it is useless to expect these provinces to
prosper 81 expected to find, said that nobleman,
ga contest between a government and people,
found two nations warning in the bosom of a sim
gle State-I found struggle not of principles, but
of races; and perceived that 1t would be idle to
attempt any amehoration of laws or institutions,
until we could FIRST succeed in terminating the
deadly luminosity that now separates the inhabi-
tants of Lower Canada into the hostile divisions Of
French and English" The union Of the pro-
vlnces was tried as a remedy, and has failed for,
although, were every English member to stand by
his race, fair majority could be otained in the
lower house OF the legislature yet such never VIII
council of the nation devoid of every patriotic
feeling and sentiment, and to whom a seat
in the Assembly is but the mere stepping stone
to emoIHment and office Every member, with
to sell himself! his principles, and his party, upon
its being paid down. BY the sword the contest
must now be decided better it should take place
at the present tme than three or four years hence
M OpnOr g favorable French
than the British for, by great political dogde
M. Lafon,aine has managed to place the English
party in the position of rebels, and his cOun-
trymen as the defenders OF the government: Should
the home government consider 1t compatible with
the principles of responsible government to allow
the rebel BILL, loyalty no longer exists in these
from Sandwich to Casper, the fiery messenger of
war will go forth, and terrible struggle for the
mastery of the soil will take place between the RI
val races. 1t remains to be seen whether the SOL
dlery OF England will aid the Gallo party in the
contest. Should such an event occur, to another
quarter will the Ang Canadian, look for aid. The
United States Is bound, setting aside the ties OF
blood and common descent, to assist the progress
OF freedom and the march of liberty, Nothing,
now, but Inc complete subsection Of the French
Face, will satisfy the exasperated Anglo-Saxons
of this colony To them, and their odious laws
and customs, is justly attributed the loss OF our
prosperity, and the letters TO our advancement.
] again quote Lord Durhams report, as, In my
opinion, it shows the folly of Great Britain, in the
first instance, pressing upon people, not even
tons since discarded BY the very people With whom
they originated =
There two modes by which government may
deal with conquered territory. The first open
it is that of respecting the rights and nationality Of
the actual occupuns OF recognizing the existing laws
and preserving established institutions; of giving
encouragement to the influx of the conquering people
and without attempting any change in the elements Of
the community, merely incorporating the province us
der the general authority Of the central government
The second Is that Of treating the conquered territory
open to the conquerors, Of encouraging their in
tux, Of regarding the conquered entirely SUBJ
ordinate and of cndeavorng speedily and rapidly
possible to asilate the character and institutions
its subjects those of the great body of its
pre In the of old and long settled country,
in which the land appropriated In which little room
left for colonization and in which the race Of the
actual occupants must continue to constitute the bulk
of the futu-e population OF the province policy well
humanity, render the well being of the conquered
mend the adoption of the aforementioned system; but
in and unsettled country proyident legislator
of the poor individuals who happen at the moment to
nhaft portion Of the so but those Of that compa-
ratively vast population by which he may reasonably
with view Of attracting and nourishing that future
population and he would therefore establish those in
sttutions which would be most acceptable to the
by which he hoped to colombo the country
Had England adopted this latter step, the
Canadas would now be prosperous, and going on
to prosper. She has acted Just the contrary. To
encourage and cherish that nationality has been
her great primary object the last four years, In
hopes that it would be new barrier to the future
dismemberment of the colonies from under her
sway. The forming OF the British American
league look upon the great chain, at no distant
time TO link the 1,250,000 Anglo-Saxons of the
provinces in brotherhood, and place them in luxta-
position TO the miserable 800 600 French Canadians.
Since my last letter, branches of the league have
been formed in Quebec, Toronto, Kingston, By
tome, and Beleville; and have no doubt but that,
by the time my next letter reaches you, shall have
TO mention a still further spreading of this asso
Of lat
takes place this evening. The organizing of the
wards still continues, and the roll now amounts
TO about 500. AT meeting held here on Monday
last, II was determined to send Sir Allan A1cNab
home, with the petition to the Queen from the in
habtants of this city, praying for the recall Of Lord
Elgin. The expenses of the voyage will be borne
equally by Toronto and Montreal.
BY private accounts from Toronto, | am enabled
TO safely assure you that the utmost excitement
prevails in that city, and that in the event of its
beng, necessary, thousands, are ready to leave
their hcme stead, and come down to assist in the
trouncing of the French: The same feeling also
prevails in Hamilton, and Upper Canada generally.
The Governor has been burnt in effigy in every
town of any. importance; and Is generally com
msted to the flames with most suitable companions,
his knavsh ministers.
IN the meantime, the provincial government are
not idle. Upwards of sixteen thousand dellars,
secret service money has been expended; and
heard a member Of Parliament openly state YES
terday, that, If asked, he could give the name of
one party who had received $1,000 of 1t. Adj
dresses OF coincidence with his Excellency Lord
Elgn are secretly circulating in every village in
Canada Small boys and girls made to place their
marks on the papers In Kingston, il was stated
by the government emssames, that If the citizens
would sign, they should have the seat of govern
ment restored to them. A message was despatched
yesterday for the remaining troops of cavalry on
the frontier; why or wherefore, has not yet tran
splred.
In Upper Canada the militia officers have com
menccd throwing up their commissions. The
ministry have not yet been enabled 10 obtain any
clue as 10 the incendiares who set the Parliament
buildings on fire. Searching inquiries, however,
are being made, and should any Of the dehnquents
be discovered, fear they WILDE made example
the hair Of he head Of one man engaged in the
proceedings of that terrible night, they will be but
cutting their own throats There are two three
parties against whom warrants have now been cut
somc time, but the officers are AFRAID to serve
tLem, as in,imations too PLAIN to be mistaken