The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-10-12
C.nadn-Thc Annexation Questian.

CsRada-Thc Annexation Question.
The question of annexation 10 the United States
continues to be debated with great interest by the
Inhabitants and public journals Of Canada, more
particularly by those that, in times past, were
looked upon the most loyal subjects of the
Brush crown, and prided themselves on monopo-
lizlng all the loyalty in those provinces. We
have adverted in columns to the causes which
induced them TO desert the ground of loyalty and
10 assume the position which they now occupy
The principal one was, that, under the system of
responsible government which was introduced
into Canada, the French interest gained as
sendancy IN the provincial parliament, and con.
tTolled, as a matter Of course, the distribution of
the Offices and emoluments, the exclusion of the
British or tory party, who had enjoyed all the
loaves and fishes from time immemoral, and who
looked upon and treated the French, not as fellow
subjects, on equal terms with each other as re-
gaIded political rights, but as a conquered people
whom the conquerors had right to dictate TO and
ssnrol. Under the responsible government
scheme, the French got the control of the legis-
latme and Of the spoils, and from the time when
they got the ascendancy until the present, their
political opponents, the British or tory party, have
been chahng and freting at the idea of French
domination.
This is the situation Of the two parties in Cana.
de- snd ,h- 1890 -L:-I- o. A--~-s l..es~..-
state Of things there, and the disturbed and excited
feelings between the rival races. The approval of
the Rebellion Losses bill by the Governor Gene
raj, the refusal OF the British government TO ecall
Lord Elgin, for having sanctioned that measure,
and their support Of him in the course which he
has pursued in the administration Of the affairs Of
those provinces generally. destroyed all hope in
the breasts of the Tory party Of acquiring their
lost power, which, in the ordinary course Of po-
ltcal AFFAIR." had been transferred to the French.
As q means, therefore, OF releasing themselves
from Fench domination, they all at once threw
away the mantle ofoyalry, and seized the idea of
annexing Canada to the United States-in the frst
place, however, only for the purpose Of ghtening
the British Parliament into their measures, but
afterwards for getting rid OF the French and now,
In all seriousness, all parties seem to be gong the
whole figure,
The annexation question Is discussed more than
ever; and It Ia supported openly by many news
papers Of influence and circulation, whose repeated
remarks and discussions the proprley OF sever
ing the political connection between Canada and
Great Britain, and uniting the destiny Of the omer
with that Of the American confederacy, will, no
doubt, IN course Of time, remove the prejudlces
towards the people and institutions Of the United
States which exist in the minds II the masses of
the Canadians, and prepare them for becoming
citizens Of this republic. But this change Of opin.
ion-ihis revolution m mems mnds-will take
hule time TO mature. Nor would II, perhaps, be
advisable that annexation should take place with.
out the Canadians undergoing a probation, and
without the advantages and disadvantages Of the
proposed change were duly weighed and delbe-
rate conclusion arrived at, that annexation to the
United States would be favorable change for
Canada.
The annexationists Of Canada must not, how
ever, imagine that the people of this country are
exceedingly anxious for their incorporation into our
conftderscy, or that they can become members Of
our mighty republic at any time they please. There
must be two parties TO every contract. In addition
TO that, the subject IL surrounded with dificulte.-
come Of very important character, which il would
take lorg time to discuss and dispose Of Their
union with the United States might be opposed by
the Southern States, unless an equivalent for the
anti-slsvery interest which Canada would bring
into national councils, were made NJ ia some
way or other In the natural course OF things. the
Spanish island 81 Cuba will fall into our Lao; and the
annexation OF that island might in part supply the
equivalent referred to. We have received a larg,
slice Of territory by the incorporation Of Texas,
and by the indemnity which got, 10 the late war.
from Mexico; and we cannot, for the present, at
least, expect any more from that quarter Cuba,
therefore, is the only place to which we can look
for an equivalent TO our Southern friends to make
mp for the accession Of Northern influence which
Canada would bring into the Union. But tbs an
nexaton OF Cuba is not yet ripe. The navy of the
United States has been employed under the dIrec-
ton Of the cabinet at Washington, in the anti
American work Of preventing the inhabitants Of
Cuba from asserting their Independence and ma
sionalty, with success; 80 that Spanish govern.
ment there is strengthened for few years longer.
II would not, perhaps, be advisable to take in he
Csnadas, without at the same time incorporating
Southern territory, in order to maintain the squlli.
bnum which now exists between the interests and
sentiments Of the several sections Of the republic.
There is no question that the feeling in favor Of
snnssstion is becoming stronger in Canada every
day. We shall continue to watch its progress, az
veil the temper 10 which it is discussed; but the
proect cannot be earned out for some little time 10
come, no matter how DESTROYS our Canadian friends
nsy become for the change. They must first get
ne consent Of Great Brtain-lnsa we will talk