The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-09-03
Our Canadian Correspondence.

MONTREAL, August 81, 1852.
Ignorance of the Canadians-H,dnt of Information
as tote United States-Strongiy in Fdror of an
neration TO Decelopc their Observation-Disclosures
Opposition to the Government, &C., &c.
1t lis matter Of much regret, that the social in
tercourse between the people of tho United States
and the Canadians has 50 long been neglected and
comparatively restricted. We are astonishcd at the
ignorance which prevails, amongst the best in
formed, Of the principles Of the United States
government, its wealth, resources, and power. Only
few and those Of the aristocratic ORDER ever visit
the United States read the papers, or are familiar
with the condition Of the people; and as those are
amongst the most loyal of victoras subjects, being
officers Of her government, they never communicate
to the masses the least particle of knowledge which
they obtain by travel and observation in the States
The present generation Of the mass Of Canadians
as ignorant of the benefits Of free government
as were their French ancestors two hundred years
ago. There is no improvement in their condition.
either mentally, morally politically and they are
assubservent to the priesthood and monarchy under
which they live, as the subjects of the cost
despotic government on earth. They persue the
same Flooding course of their early ancestors living
dull, heavy, laborions, monotonous life. This is
the peculiar condition OF the residents ia the lower
province in the upper province the puragstive of
Tree thinking prevails to some extent, in consequence
Of the increase OF intelligence from Ireland Scot
land, and the States. Possessing q knowledge of
the characteristics Of such benighted people, as
Papineau, Mackenzie, Nelson, and other leaders Of
the attempted rebellion must have had, it is n
matter OF perfect astonishment that they would
have vent,ired upon the hazardous enterprise and
calculating upon the support Of such servle dooters
to despotism and priestcraft That the people of
Canada--tbe masses, spoke of-are loyal to their
temporal and spiritual rulers is no fault of theirs
They are uueducated, and are generally unacouaint
ed even with the written language of their mother
tongue--a mongral French The difference In
cent and pronunciation between the oral and printed
language, is nearly as great as that which dis
tingmshes the Scotch Highlander from the broad
language OF an irishman. Hence, the excuse Tor
the profound Ignorance which prevails among tho
Canadian masses. They cannot read their own
language.
In the cities of Toronto, Kingston, and Montreal,
however, the light of intelligence Is DOW making
rapid progress. had frequent, full, open, ana iree
conversations with many of their leadng men, na-
from Scotland. England, and Ireland. This class
are in constant receipt of American papers and are
toleyablv we'll posted up in the knowledge Of our
nolit;cai condition. These lending men are strong
and emphatic in their desire for annexation to the
United States They own that tho Canadas have
lain dormant long enough; that the people require
the introduction of American enterprise; that the
country possesses the richest agricultural regions in
universe that their forests greater more yalua-
BILE, and more extensive than all the rest Of North
America combined; that their ma gni6cent rivers
AID y0Is ..l ilaInCl.sS .Acs -. IJ.v Eyit..x
10 commercial enterprise than any explored re3ion
on earth; thatSbciy climate and soil is unsurpassed