The New York herald., 1851-08-19
Our Canadian Correspondence.
TORONTO, August 10, 1851.

AchcNio, huSuct ~, loOi.
Canadian Polaics--RPotei Coaiaiom--Fsieal
Un,cn-Ihs Route to Toronto ria Rochester
Captain K9r-Rios Lake, &c.
Our politics are just no in state Of great con-
fusion. Old parties and alliances are tumbling to
pieces, and complete uncertainty overhangs the
result. Chaos cannot endure long, however, and Q
few days will therefore probably determine whether
the change ends in the temporary restoration to
power Of the old obstructives, or whether combi-
nation Of the more liberal minsterialists and the
more moderate radicals be formed, to guide the
vessel Of state out Of impending difficulties.
The breakup Of the present cabinet has long
been foresoen certain. Their constant dsre gard
ofthe principles which bore them into Office natu-
rally ienated the confidence Of the Upper Canada
liberals, and prepared them to witness ministerial
difficulties without surprise or sympathy. Messrs
Baldwin and Price may be said to have committed
political suicide, and therefore longer stand in
the way Of better men. Lafontane has repeatedly
proclaimed his own intention to die at the end Of
the session; but, somehow, we Upper Canadians
feel by no means of so felictous an event. He
has long enjoyed the reputation Of being the Die
tator OF the Province, and Is unquestionably the
head and ruler Of the French party. / cannot see
anything in the man that can make him formida-
bic as an antagonist Of form, except his logged
obstinacy. lie is massive in all res poets, except
intellect, ard j fancy that his whole power has
hitherto been, and still Is of negative character
lie is the huge log of the Parliament-the type Of
the inert mRs-oyer which our slow Canadian
coaches have so far been unable to pass. Once let
US have the steam up, and We shall 20 ahead In
politics as well railsays.
The idea Of n coalition between the fragments Of
the whig party and the tories appears to be aban-
dored on both sides, and the only talk concerning
new combinations has Inference to junction of
HIncks and his friends with a section of the clear
giits-the radicals Of the colony. Negotiations
have been going on. this subject. for fortnight
past, but AZ yet they have produced nothing deci-
siye Unless somethis Of the sort be accomplished
it is clear tLa at the ensuing elections the minis
teTial candidates will go to the wall in all direc
tors. In this ptrton Of the province, at any rate,
the elections Will, Ia great measure, turn upon
questions which blend religion with politics, and
which, therefore, involve sectarisn animosity as
well ss ordinary elcctioneeriug partisanship. IL
will be pretty hot time, Ia ali directions: the
oburchmen striving for n continuance Of the losyes
and fshes; the Roman Catholics strugg ing 70 give
the supremacy TO priestly poE,r and tue multitude
of ditscnters battling against both Everywhere
the question will be, Shall tie clergy reserves and
the fectoTes be allowed to.continue as the founda
tion or nucleus, Of dOmin ant church. or shall they
be wholly alienated from ecclesiastical purposes
Tie recent riots in this city the occasion OF the
anti clergy feferve meetings, foreshadow the cha,
Tacter winch the con est will assume in some quar-
t,rs. 1t can hardly end without bloodshed
Last hBnt, the hsscmbly was occupied with n
debate on proposition Of a tory member to throw
Opeu toc navigation Of the st Lawrence 20 vessels
Of all nations. Government resisted action in the
matter, on the ground that II IL intimately a.so-
ciattd with the reciprocity negotiations which are
still pending at Wash ngton. Hincks said tha. the
latest intelligence TIA is highly satisfactory as
20 The prospect Of OBJ aiming the long sought for
boon, and he c0ntendcd that il would be unsise 10
throw open the ~ La Frsnce until sJmc counter.
vaibng advantage has been secured. The opp ,.i-
ton members insisted that tho chance Of Obtainiog
reciprocity Is a. remote a. ever aud they arsuc9
that the true policy Of toe province is 10 afford
every possible facility to vessels visiting our Eaterg
in oidc. That We may build up commerce Tor oar
selves. itesT Cctive Il the United States Mf N J.
Eouitor. ar eminent constitutionai la vyor. bat
Crotcleuy pOhticit tn, asserted tnat the Americana
iave even now fol liberty to navigate tle IA.
LaHrCDce, tccausc 10 lgoblbi.Cry laV IS in cxis.
ttLco and be stakcd his reputation On the 0piaion
that any American ship0wner, who chooses 70