The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-07-22
The French Population Of Canada.

i
We are glad to see that the people Of the Upper
Province are beginning to open their eyes TO the
state of vassaage in which they have been hitherto
living, to French domination, and to the gross
foreigners make of the privileges which British
generosity and English courtesy have accorded to
them for so long time After the conquest Of the
Province, the French population were completely
at the mercy OF their conquerers and ought, in
common with immemorial usage such conjuno-
lures, have been made to suffer all the pains and
penalties which usually fall to the lot Of the con-
quered, and which the French nation have them
selves exerted, with the most merciless severity,
over all who have ever been subjected to them.
But the English, in this instance. instead Of follow
ing French example, both in the eastern and west
ern world, accorded to them the most generous, and
previously unhesrd of, privileges, thereby naturally
supposing that by such means they would secure
the gratitude, cooperation, and friendship Of their
Gallo convicts. But so far from this having been
the case, these very ungrateful people have never
used their generously permitted power for any other
purpose than to confound English purposes and
thwart British authority. They have used their
influence TO cool all who had any friendly leaning
towards their conquerors and they have also heated
the enemies Of Britain TO the very preparation OF
rebellion and murder. There il not single ques-
tion that has ever come before the Canadian
Legislature, having British American interests for
its basis, tn ha, not been opposed and retarded
by the opposition of these wretched aliens; and
even in matters that did not, in the slightest de-
gree, concern them such as that Of the Court of
Chancery, the other day-they have been ever
ready to raise their twanging voices TO confonnd
rather than conciliate 1t is, therefore, that men
of sense and judgment among those Of British origin
are now beginning TO see plainly that they must
lay aside their little differences Of opinion upon
minor subjects, and unite together, in one common
interest, against the petty intrigues, remorseless
hostility and enduring hatred Of their hereditary
foe. Had Canada been united in the name, origin,
and language of the inhabitants, there would have
have been anomiles in its courts Of Law, any
rebellion to suny the pages of its history And
what have we got in return for all this vexstious
and troublesome opposition Is there one single
French on the lists of our literature, arts
or manufactures, that reaches beyond the very low
est point Of mediocrityl Have we not rather u
population alien to US in manners, language and
law, and who are irreclaimably ignorant beyond
the utmost extent Of any other people claiming
civilization in the whole world! That people must
be ignorant and irreclaimable, indeed, upon whom
educated, talented, and energetic England has had
no influence during an intercourse Of a century.
in so critical an emergency men OF British birth
are beginning TO that some mmed iate must
be adopted to stem the muddy stream Of French
interference which dsturbs the wisdom Of our
youncs. ana they arc turning their eyes for sym
patty and support TO their brethren Of the Eastern
provinces. by whose means they ma hope to neutral
lie the gnoble efforts CT these Frebchmen By afede
raj union OF the provinces we might naturally hope
TO extingush all such feeling, and reduce the puo-
lie councils Of the colony to an English Standard
ut least in law and language, whatever might be
the complexion Of It's politics. Such union would
secure the best interests Of the province and de-
eidedly bulwsrk against all foreign interference the
integrity Of the British American empire. I'VE
are told the French Canadians laugh at us for
mooting such n question. because they, having a
majority in the Houses Of Parliament, can easily
neutralize any resolution favorable to such a union
Mr. Merritt's notion however, upon the subject is
an important one. and viii serve 10 bring out the
strength Of the relative parties. The question is,
at present. the most important that presents IT,
self for legislative consideration, because on IL de-
ponds the commercial well a. social prosperity Of
the country-on II depends the consideration Of
whether we will be governed by men who speak our
language and derive their birthright from the same
soil, or by aliens to blood, hereditary encmies
to our race, who cannot forgive us and never will
forgive us, for the superiority we have always
evinced, both physically and morally, over the m
No time can be better than the present for dis
cuasing and pressing this question home. An cleo
ton is approaching, and the electors Of English.
Irish, or Scotch origin should be ide alive to it's
importance, as a test whereby they may try the
metal Of those who seek to represent them. The
question is not Of politics Of ,rty consders-
ton, but one common to the interests OF all who
wish to see British feeling, British law. and British
intelligence, flourish and come to maturity upon the
soil Of British colony.