The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-18
Probable Recall or the 7,vernor OF Ohnada
Lord Elgins A0naaDissi axiom.

Lord Elgin's Adn.aDiss, axiom.
1t is currently reported that the Governor of
Canada, Lord Elgin is to return to Englad in
the Sarah Sands, and that the post he has filled
for some six years and half is about to be con-
ferred upon a nobleman high in favor with the
Aberdeen ministry. We are not in position
either to affirm or contradict positively the
rumor; and we give it to our readers for what
it may be worth. According to the old rule of
the British colonial Office, Lord Elgin's term of
service expired eighteen months ago; had it
not been tor the difficulty Of finding him sue
cessor, and the natural unwillingness of the
British government to deprive the colony Of
public officer whose ability was undoubted, be
would probably have been recalled at that pc
riod Other considerations of a personal nature
had also some weight with the Colonial Secre-
tary. Though the annexation movement hud died
out the embers of discomfort were still smould-
ering at that time among the colonial tories
These, having been defeated in their hopes and
aims, had turned oil their spleen against the
Governor. and would have construed his recall
into triumph for their party. A very natural
desire on the part of both the Russell and
the Derby administrations to prevent misappre-
hension on this head, may have contributed
something towards the prolongation of his
term Of Office.
Now, however. that all is quiet, and every
thing betokens new era of prosperity for the
province, it will be difficult for the most cap
tious to ascribe Lord Elgin's retirement to any
other motive than one equally credtable to
himself and the British government So far as
he is concerned, more propitious moment for
resigning the authority he has held SO long can
hardly be expected. To the colony, his depar-
ture would be severe, if not an irreparable
loss but in view of the notorious fckleness
and instability Of the colonial mind it is very
questionable whether period will ever arrive
at which he could abdicate with more honor, or
leave behind him more substantial and wide
spread traces of regret at his loss.
He entered upon the discharge of the duties
Of Colonial Governor at most critical period
Though six years had elapsed since the estab-
lshment Of free constitution in the colony, the
system had never received q fair trial. Neither
the people nor the executive possessed thor
ough comprehension of its principles. Parties
were disjointed; politics were chaos. in which
the old leaders tried in vain to grope their way.
Nor had the Governors who had ruled since
1841, been more capable of coping with the diff.
fculties of their task Under Sydenham, Bagot,
and Metcalfe, discomfort had been ever
on the increase. A change took place
when Lord Elgin arrived He had rightly in
tons ba
sumed at once the position of neutrality which
il designed for the chief executive officer. A
very few months sufliced to restore calmness to
the people discomfort vanished as soon as it
was manifest that selfgovernment was practi-
cally established in the colony. Until 1919,
Lord Elgin was universally popular. In that
year. as our readers are aware, the celebrated
rebellion losses bill was passed by large ma
iorities in both houses, and, in spite of petitions
from the tories, received the formal assent of
the Governor. A storm burst. which at one
moment threatened revolution. The oppo-
House. drove Lord Elgin from Montreal and
entirely forfeited, by their riotous vandalism,
whatever sympathy they bad previously enjoy
ed among honest men. Their attack upon the
Governor was as dastarJly as their censure was
unreasonable. He was bound by the constitu-
ton to assent to the bill had he withheld his
sanction, he would have proved hin self as unfit
for the office as his predecessors. 1t is, more
over. well known at present that the assent was
given in obedience to direct and positive orders
from the colonial Office.
As was to be expected, public opinion
in Great Britain and elsewhere sustained
Lord Elgin, and did not spare the rioters.
He was made Peer of tae Realm, and
complimentcd by men of all parties in
the House, op his judicious conduct. The hoad-
quarters OF the Canadian government were re-
moved to Toronto and after few weeks, the
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