The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-11-02

The convention OF delegates of the B. A. League
meet at Toronto on Friday next. l do not expect
much from their deliberations. Nous vsrTo~s.
OPINION OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF CANADA
RELATIVE TO ANNEXATION.
TORONTO, Oct. %, 1919
feel assured that you will not require any apollo
gy at my hands for addressing you on topic
which, most unfortunately for the interests Ut our
beloved country, has been lately agltated In some
parts of the province, but especially in the city Of
Montreal. refer to the proposition that has been
formally made to the people of Canada, to consider
the expedency Of seeking change In their polltl-
cal condition. / believe that am warranted In as
sertlng that, setting aside those questions which
our own Parliament has full power TO settle, the
single cause OF discomfort among our people at TINS
moment springs from the restrictions imposed oy
the United States on the admission VI our staple
products INTO her markets
have had an opportunity, since my return from
England, OF conversing with persons acquainted
with public opinion In various parts OF Upper lana
da, and all seem to agree that the lnconsiderate
cry for annexation would be at once stlfied by the
establishment Of reciprocal free trade with the
United States. ! regretted, however, 10 ma a
very prevalent opinion that the United States would
never make the concession. ms annexation
movement 49, of course, not calculated to assist the
efforts of those who abOring with all their en-
ergies to remove the grievances under which the
agricul,urists of this province are suffering. 1t
would be inexpedlent, as well as 1t would be I'M
proper for me, IN a communication of this kind, to
state what has been done, or what Is now dong In
this matter, but think il highly important that It
should be generally understood that the imperial
government is thoroughly sensible OF the impor-
lance of having the free admission OF our products
INTO the American markets; and DO not hesitate
to state my firm conviction that we have every
reason to look forward, not only with hope, but
with confidence, to the speedy attainment OF our
object
The course taken by certain parties in Montreal
is calculated to njure most deeply the best inte-
rests of the province. The demand tor annexation
Is founded on an entire Misrepresentation as TO the
state Of public opinion IN England The generous
sentiments expressed by English statesmen, 10 the
effect that they had desire TO retain the colonies
against the wishes of their Inhabitants, have been
cOnstrue into Indifference as 10 the permanency OF
the connection, an indifference which is most as
suredly not felt by any numerous party IN Eng
land not only are the leading statesmen OF the po-
litica parties into which the people OF that great
country are divided, most favorable to the subsls-
ing come tion, but the warmest advocates of CO.
lonisl Ieform-such men as Mr.. Hume, Sir Will
liam Molesworth, and Mr.. Roebuck, would view
with deep regret the success Of such movement
ss that contemplated by certain parties at Mon
treal Ilwoud indeed, be Notifying TO the friends
OF liberal government everywhere, should 1t turn
out that the concession of the most ample powers
If self government to the most important colony OF
the empire should have the effect not OF strength
enipg the bonds of affection TO the mother country,
but OF rudely severing them forever.
1t seems probable that that the hrst struggle be-
tween the annexationsts and the friends OF British
connection will take place in 20 II riding Having
lately had an opportunity of asceraining the views
of leading statesmen in England. both with regard
10 the connection and TO the question OF reciprocal
free trade with the United States have felt that
at such crisis should be wanting in duty to my
country were to withhold them 1t Is, moreover,
due to the friends Of the administration throughout
the province, whose generous support has placed
us IN our present responsible position, that no mis-
understanding should exist as to our views. Those
haua he. ff.lep nl
wins leiterto Mr.. Perry. They are entertained BY
every member of the presen administration, and will
be carried out by us in Office provided We are sup
ported by those with whom we have hitherto acted
II, on the other hand, we should be deserted BY
those whose confidence has hitherto sustained us,
we have a plain duty TO perform to our sovereign
and our country, which is to sustain any admins
tration favorable to British connection, which car
command larger share Of public confidence than
ourselves. have the honor TO be, &c,
+. HINcks.