The New York herald., 1850-04-25
Our Canadian Correspondence.


n Caxaaiar Optuio,, of the JtebS,J Casc-Ahnis- |
ssssai Sh.taes-Tne " Clean Grit R.faners-
Changes ia the Cabinef-Mr. Merritt Progr's-
sivs Reformer-hnnera,ion at Ssand-sttA-
Death of the =" Irdeyeldent nt'-THe Clergy Rfserre
Questton ,eia probably break np fhe Ca6tnet-
Great Fyoods-Stedmers- Railroad
You have been so completely inundated with de-
hates on slavery the details of the Webster case,
and other domestic and foreign news, for the last
kw weeks, that, having nothing exciting TO com
municate from Canada, | thought il needless 10
write you. This Webster case, by the way, seems
20 have been strangely conducted from first TO last
The arrest, the dragging the prisoner TO the col
lege to see the manged remains and account for
their discovery, the secret proceedings of The Co
roners jury, the illegal character OF much Of the
evidence against, and the strong, multiplied, unm-
pesched, evidence for the prisoner, the charge of
the Judge, and the conduct of the jury, are so
unique and startling to the mind of an English law
yer, that is ready TO conclude that the Boston
ians have thrown the principles and well settled
modern practice of English law where there high
spirited ancestors threw the tea--overboard. Web
ster is probably guilty; but is man TO be hung on
probabilities When judges of counsel against
aprisoner, and when jures substitute prayer"
and "ballotiing Tor careful analysis of facts and
comparison OF testimony, We have made pretty
decided step towards the practices of the middle
ages--Ihe days of fire and water ordeal, or Judi
oalm Iei
Bot Canada, you say what is going on there
Parliament is TO assemble on the 18th of May, and
all parties, minsterialists, "clean grits," tories,
anhC and State men, annexationists, and Sc
veral others which might be mentioned, prepar-
ing for a regular siand-up night. There never was
session during which members were so much at
..sixes and sevens, as they are likely 10 be this
The government will nave small ma jority, but it
cannot be depended on. The Court of Chancery
and one Two other questions will melt il away To
minus quantity. Ministers see this, and they are
already tal.iI Of adopting the miserable shift of
making them open uestion5; I, e. they will not risk
the loss OF their pordge by either supporting OPP
posing them as government. The public do not for
get the whitening contempt poured upon the heads of
the late cab ne, who were driven into the same
corner, by these gentry, then in opposition. The
cCn.ylment will be returned now, with more than
lawful interest. This cabinet cannot last beyond
the next session, unless they move on in their re-
foms much faster than even their best friends eX-
pect them To do.
The progressive relouners are making rapid
headway. They are known by the vulgar, but ex-
pres i've, appellation OF " clear grits." They are
composed of the old liberals of the country and all
holding democratic principles. The ministry
though elevated TO power by them, have not given
them the measures, acted in accordance with
the policy which they approve-hence their deser-
tion Among other things, they demand retrench-
ment, which is anything but paatable 10 the office
holders. In the teeth Of this demand the govern
ment lately attempted TO fill up useless office with
one OF their parliamentary supporters.
The annexationist movement has come to dead
lock. The want of sympathy on your side, the de-
eided tone of Earl GIeys despatch, the political Tevo
iutions going among ourselves, and the prospect
Of reciprocity Of trade have together deprived the
movement of life. The Indeptndent newspaper
expires with the next number. Ii has been pub
hshed only half year, and had reached a circula-
tion Of about one thousand, which in this country
is very fair progress; but the want of funds, and
the indifference of many of the first and most infu-
ential anne Xhtionsts, induced Mr. Wilson 10 give
up the enterprise All parties, except the mniste-
nalists and fossated tories, will now unite their
energies 10 elective institutions, extension of
suffrage, vote by ballot, and other democratic
FORMS which will gradually prepare the people for
organic changes of a more thorough kind. The
discussion of the annexation question has done inn
mense good in this, that II has made the discus
sion of these intermediate questions perfectly safe
and proper, and procured for them the ready ear
Of the most bitter tories an anii-anne tionsts
They say, "Now you talk sensibly: il YOU go for
elective institutions, for assimlang govern
ment as much as possible TO the American. but not
joining them, We go with you." Thus far they are
willing 10 go to prevent worse consequences. But
II annexation had not been openly and boldly dis
crsfcd the advocates of these democratic reforms
would have been stigmatzed with all manner OF
hdeous eplthets. We have thus made "A long stride
towards the goal, and must keep ground till
the time arrives for the final step. The Montreal
annexstionists hold on with vlgor even yet. was
told to-day that they have sent $500 or 5000 TO
Wilson, TO enable him to keep up the Independent,
and have Promised more help "of the same
SOFT, but Wilson has made up his mind to retire
from the field even a matter of policy, and this
help will not b. likely TO change his purpose.
The question of clergy reserves and rectories Is
exciting good deal of public attention IN Canada
just now, and IL with which the ministry
afraid to deal One seventh Of the land Of the up
per province was originally set apart for the "sup
port Of a Protestant clergy" The Church Of
England party made desperate struggle io get the
whole Of these lands, on the ground that they were
The established church," and that the words
Protestant clergy could only properly refer TO
their priests Tie religious bodies of thr province
were rent and distracted with this contest for twenty
years, some claiming share, and others denying
the right OF the state TO give TO any, until al least
the AID of the Imperial Legislature was called in 10
settle the row, which II did, tried To do by
giving a large slice 10 the Church OF Eng
land, another 10 the Church of Scotland. or
Kirk, another to the Roman Catholics, and
another 10 one body Of the Meihodists, leaving
another portion to be given to any Of the remaining
denominations whomight choose toapply forit. Thus
perpetual bribe isheld out 10 the clergy Of the diff
ferent sects 10 come and feed at the public crib,
should they for any reason be put upon short allow
ance al home. The effect Of this sccursed system
has been most disastrous 10 the religious interests
and harmony Of the whole people. Only one. be-
leve, of the many scCts not mentioned in Abe act,
has not applied for a share of the spos, but the
mammon-loying priests of several are etcmaly cast
lng about Tor some excuse 20 offer tO their resisting
people for asking slice. determined elio is about
10 be made to appropriate these reserves TO edu-
cation. OF some other public object, IN which all
would derive an equal benefit The luty Of even
the todlts named IN TIE aCt, VIII, large poriOn OF
them, go for taking away this bribe from their cer
gy, and the other religious bodies are united to
man on the subject. State support of religion. or
rather of irregion. for that is the result. will
longer BE- tolerated. An " Ant-Clergy Reserve A.
sociation" is formed IN this city. and will COM
mcnce on agitation ON large scale. The minority
are IN dilemma. The Ffenchmen threaten 10 op-
pose this movement, on the ground that il will al-
ford precedent for laying sacrlegous hands on the
property Of the Catholic priests, nuns. and religious
orders in Lower Canada. But the cases entirely
different The property ofthc religious orders in Low
Cr a7ada wa secured To them by the articles OF cap
pulauon AZ the time Of the conquest. and confirmed
by the treaty Of Paris. The reserves ind pper Canada
were a parliamentary gift and may be resumed, II
the public good requires IL. | have been thus
particular, this ~ question which may split up
the present cabinet, and lead TO dissolution of the
union between Upper and Lower Canada. When
IL cones up. your readers who take an interest in
Canadian nlirs will hctier undo rstand lis hearnrs