The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-03-05
Oar Canadian CorrssPsnasncss
QUEBgC, Feb. ~. 1852.

in the Elections onseqxsWces-Rs Reflections Of Mr..
GowLds Resolutions = Ripa 81. Laurence and
Canals throxn ope. to americas Vessds- Dongs
Of Govummewt-Htncks' Departure for Esgiamd.
The most important event Of tho week has been
the advertisement Of the Provincial Government Cor
tenders for q lire Of screw steamers to ply once
fortnight during the summer, between Quebec and
Liverpool, and once a month during the winter sea
son, between Liverpool and IL alifax, or Portland,
or some Atlantic port. The scheme was mooted in
the House of Assembly, by the Hon Hamilton
Merritt, during the last session of Parliament, but
cold water was tbY0 upon II by thu ministry. Mr..
Merritt, who Is really man of invention apd
energy has the unfortunate reputation OF bsing
more theoretical than praotioal he has been styled
by many newspapers and members Of the House,
visionary progressive On this account, people did
Tot take much notice of his resolutions as they
deserved. Reflection seems to have wrought q
change in Mr.. Hincks' mind-sthe advertisement Is
all that Mr.. Merrick demanded and If the scheme
be not Above to fall through, he will be justly en-
titled to much credit for the share he had in
terprise which will be fraught with Infinite benefit
to this country. The tenders are TO bs blessed in
July-and PEI haps, ere next wintar the pioneer OF
the new lire may have steamed from Quebec
Some people have expressed surprise that Port
land should have been mentioned Us ono of the At
laDtio ports whence the Steamers are 10 sail during
the winter. 1t is hintod that Influences connected
been at work But if, as is expected, that line is
completed during the ensuing summer, 1t il obvious
that until the Halifax road be made, Portland Of
fers advantages as the outlet Of Canada which are
paramount.
Another line Of steamers which it is proposed to
start is orc from Pictou to Quebec, touching at
Paspebiae and Miramichi. The Legislature Of New
Brunswick has agreed to grant assistance to any
company or individual that will start such line
the amount of such assistance being left in blank
Our neighbors, the 'Blue-noses, in Nova Scotia,
have broken out ia an aggravated fit Of republican.
m II ~, has been PROPOSED TO op shs pasronsg,
the sherihs and the ma istracy elective. The best
joke Of the whole business is the confession of .
member of the cabinet, that ths administration
would be delighted to be rid of this patrenage-tbat
they were tired OF it-and could. not endure the
tarnts OF corruption that ooD.iCually thrown in
their teeth. 1t seems to have been admitted on all
sides, that the present magistracy were very nefi
oient, and unworthy Of their Offices Perhaps this
movement may be connected in some way with the
excitement pervading our neighbo-S anent the
Maine Liquor law.
The Roman Ca holio clergy are beginning to feel
tho consequences of their iing in the a.o
elections. Complaints and petitions are pouring
int the Bishops study. The charges brought
against the country priests are in many instances,
OF most aggravated character will oaly men
ton those Of the truth Of which have seen conou
sive evidence. In one county, priest walked to
the polls and exhorted his fock to oppose one Of
the candidates "a ProtestanD, alleging that he had
grossly lDSWteu CDe DlSnOp. IN Lnc eyes OIL Cue
pious Lower Canadian farmer, insult offered to
a bishop is no less than an outrage Committed
against the Deity-a mitigated though still
heinous form of blasphemy. The candidate thus
certificates of tho falsehood of the charge But the
mischief was done, and the priest was Beyond the
reach of retaliation In another county, the priest
actually preached sermon against popular can.
ddate "a Catholic, bat Qremir man, !. e., re.
publican), and when his Pensioners ventured to
expostulate with him on the indecency of thus pro-
flaming the pulpit, the reverend politician flew nto
apassion. called public meeting, and reiterated
before. Alas, for his cloth! His victim was in the
room, concealed in the crowd; aud when tho aew
Of priestly vitupcration had ceased he appeared
the platform with the reports Of votes and pro.
ceediDgs in the House Of Assembly in his hand,
and challenged his assailant to produce from that,
the only authentic source, some confirmation OF his
calunnies. The ourc was dumfounded, AMI by
the unanimous voice Of the meeting was compelled
70 read aloud the refutation contained iu the re-
ports, Of the slRnders lie haesutered still more
aggravated Of libel from the pulpit occurred in
one OF the most populeus parishes in tho neighbor-
hsod Of Quebec. The county was contested bya
Catholic and Protestant, and the cure, after
yaym elogium on the merits Of tho former, do.
touEctd In voice OF thunder, the terrors of divine
vengeance against any who should have tho im.
piey to vote fer Procestant-un ho0ln,e sass fo',
Sans uRgnm These details may appear trivial at
FIRE. sight; but am firmly persuaded Of the impor-
tance of making them public. They illustrate tho
theoc.aiic principle which has boen too often the
nainspiing Of our political movements. They
show to an astorished world that in g country en-
jeying the freest Of all possible constitutions, and
blessed with democratic form of government,
society may be so constituted that the re III power
OF the State is held by an oil catchy Of priests
] know that the only thorough remedy for such
state Of things is the enlightenment aad educa-
ton Of the mosses-thst so long rs the people are
willing to follow it il fruitles5 TO atteiapt 70 pre-
vent the prieets leading tho way; but still, Rntil
N W. ted FRI
censure and indignation may do much 70 p-eyans
it's abuse.
Mr.. Gould's resolutions have boon rejected by a
considerable majority, in the Montreal Board OF
Trade, DO not infer from this that they are
secuted by the public. A strange feeling in their
favor is abroad. Some people have said that they
snounted to transferring to the United States
the regulation OF our internal commerce.; but this
ia obviously Incorrect Their scope merely goes to
advocate the establishment of tariff, based the
eame foundation as shat Of the United States-the
abolition ftho frontier custom houses aud the diyi
zion Of the revenue arising from the imports by
sea, between the States and Canada, probably on
the basis Of Ipopulstion-these reforms to be car.
ried into effect whenever the United States would
pass law to meet them. do not conceal my con-
yiction that many difficulties would occur in the
practical working of such o scheme; but, With the
opinions Of the most eminent merchants OF the
country before me, declaring that 1t would be most
beneficial to Canada, should be s0rry' 10 see tho
plen dropped because it appeared difficult to work
out
The revocation of Mr.. Corwin's treasury circular,
Of 18th November last, requiring oil goods imported
from Europe into the States via Capada, to be
assessed for duty at the United States ports at the
market value in Can ada, has given general s.tis.
faction here
am credibly informed that the executive govern
ment OF Canada have had under consideration the
propriety Of throwing open tho canals and river ST
Lawrence TO foreign vessels. II has been recon-
meIded that pending the action Of Congress on the
reciprocity billwhich the government seem still TO
hope viii be carried in CopgressTbe free use OF tho
canals AID st. Lawrerce should be conceded to
American bottoms. There seems every likelihood
Of this suggestion being carried into effoot this
spring,
The Executive Council have met every day for
seven and eight hours day Much oasneas of i'm.
Ioitapce to private individuals has been transacted
The Hon. Malcolm Cameron hss not yet taken his
seat. The Hon. Francis Hincks leaves Quebec to.
day for England by the steamer Of the 4Sh, to nc
gotiate tho loan for the Halifax railway.
STApACoNA.