Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-07-04
IRgif Hatriis,
PROCEEDINGS N PARJtAMgNT-~CANAbiAN
LEoiSLAriyE BILL, &c. &c.

| II
uteres. On the l+.h lengthy dtaate ensued In III Q
House Of Lords the second reading OF tho Canadian
Legislative Council Bill Tho Duke Of Newcastle In mo-
wing the second reading stated that the object Of the bill
to repeal those clauses In the Union Act which pro-
hbit Legislation by the Canadian Parliament the sub
ject OF Legislative Council aud to leave the Colonial
Legislature entirely free to act it may think st. with
respect to the creation Of second chamber. This no
s,d the sole aim Of the measure which he asked tho
House to read second time, believing that Il was In &C
corance with the soundest principles Of colonial legisla-
ton. The Earl Of Desart begged the Duke to postpope
the bill until the Earl Of Derby should be present For
his part he doubted the necessity OF having an cleo.
tive Legislative Council at all Lord wharncls REQUEST
cd to be informed whether the bill owed It's parensge to
the Duke Of Newcastle, whether It had been recon-
mended by Lord Eigin Il the result Of cores
Pondence between the Home colonial office and the local
authorities.
The Earl of Peterborough did rise to oppose the
second reading or this bill but to express his opinion ON
subject Of greater Importance We made such progress
last year In the work Of concession to Cauana that tho
question now was whether should sop in our ca
reer still less whether should attempt 20 back but
whether we should not in the mos. friendly spirit towards
Canada aud the other North American colonies consult
with their Legislatures the expedency Of taking meas
ues Tor tho complete release OF those colonies from ali
dependence on the Crown and Parliament oil Great Britain
lie recolected having conversation with Mr. Huskisson
IN 1898 during tho time that statesman held the seals of
most distinctly that the time had already arrived for the
separation Of Canada from this country aud Mr. uuskson
had even so maturely considered the that he mem
toned the form OF government which he thought il would
DC Tor our Interest to have established when our
| connexion with the colony should cease 1. must no
borne in mind that during the last few years. acompctc
change had taken place in relations with the North
American colonies In 1916 repealed the corn laws
without reserving the privileges which Canada enoved
nnder them Al subsequent period repealed the
navigation laws which gave great advantages
IN matters of trade and navigation. In addition
70 those measures, We have altered, to great
e1'ent-h We had not entirely abolished the
discriminating duties on the staple produce Of the North
American colonies Thus had deprived ourselves and
the North American colonies Of tho advantages which
each formerly derived from the connexon uLsistiug
tween them For several years too in dealing with the
Legislative Assemblies of the colonies had acted ON
principe Numerically opposed that which formerly
influenced u.s. we had established in the colonies what
was called responsible government, or-to speak more
inteisby-we had given them practically independent
governments Aud, really, he could hardly imagine a |
situation more humiliatng than that Of the representative
OF Her Majesty in Canada. IL almost wonderful a
British genteman would holt such IA situation
or nuly unless indeed from consciousness of his own
abilities aid resources he should think himself able be-
as Lord Aecalfe was, the Minister Of the colony. What
was the uc-what the practical advantage OF continuing
our connection with the coloniess The might
be OF small use in time Of peace but the other hand
consider The danger arising from in relating
war The'e could be doubt that the chances collision
between this country and the United States greatly
incteasedby our connection with the North American
|
occurring between this country and the United States
on grounds totally unconuected with the colonies
they must from their connection with us be drawn into
the war; and their whoe frontier would be exposed the
greatest caamities Under these circumstances it wss
matter worthy Of serious consideration whether we should
not end.'o in the most friendly manner, dves our
selves o connection waich prove equally onerous
to both parties Now, 10 of war could we hope to
defend the colonies successfully? lie would advise not
the nobh duke opposite, who his great satisi had
been released from the duties of the Colonial Office but
the rigt hon. barone who had succeeded him. to read
despatch received from Lord Metcalfe in 1876 We were
then 1t vas supposed, on the Of with the United
Sates-a war connected with in which Canada
had no eoncern-a for object the value of which
was not to either party equal the expense weeks
ho'til Let the Colonial Secretary read Lord Mctca
despatch aud see the of military aid which would
DC required 10 enable successfully defend Canada
AT tie lime he lord Elenborough) thought Lord Net
caes estimate was eEtravasant, aud he did attach
any great weight TO that noble lords unsupported op NOR
but, ha'ing Consulted persons who from their position
were most competent to decide upon the question he
found tey confirmed Lord Metcaes estimate "a TO Il
amour of force necessary defend Canada sue cessfy
and It was utterly beyond the of this country 10
provide it, IL might be said that did successfully de-
lend Canada in 1911, and that had made great pro
gress in wealth since That he admitted and he wished
he could add that We had made equal progress in mill
tary strength. II, however we had advanced 10 the |
career oil prosperity, consider the enormous pro
sres which the United States lad made their immune
rAble railroads, their welapponted and well disciplined
ariny-an advantage which they did formerly possess
Tor they conducted the Of 1914 with rabbc
Increased and appliances
command OF the United States would hardly be possible
10 defend Canada with TIE idea OF with the
United States was horrible The event would be one of
the greatest evils; OF the dcst human all ctions-
Connected as in all the details of commerce
would he more like tearing asuner the limbs of one hu
man BODY than tile collision OF two separate bodies. Why
Geedessly increase the chances of wary Our brethren
ON the other side of the Atlantic very ambitious
aud very sensitive on the point OF honor So were we
and also extremely sensitive on the point of
Justice Not only would we not endure Injustice
We ,h
tce to another. These considerations should lead US TO
regard rupture with the United States as an event
which might happen a. some period. Under these cir
cumsanccs, he hoped thst, early period the Co
vernment wond commune with the leading persons ia
the Legislative Assemblies OF the North American colonies
WITH the view OF ascertainng their opinion the subject
o' separation We should consult with in the mos,
friendly spirit, If they members of one and the
same family IN which we felt deep coucern
The Duke OF Newcastle felt bound express not only
regret, but fsonshmrnt-!ookng the noble ears no.
sition a legislator and statesnan-tbat he shnnd
have propounded doctrines which, from his own kuowl-
edge, he could assert would be unpaIabe to the Cos
lonies as they wer 10 their lodships lear bear The
noble carl suggested that the right hon. baronet the Sc
cretay for the Colonies should concert measures for the
separation OF the colonies from this country Nov he
could assure the noble earl that he woul not belong To
any government that would be party making such
proposals to the people Of Canada. (Iear) For his
part he would look upon the proposal as an offence
against tho dignity, aud, be might almost say the sove
regny OF the country, and hO,tls the most important
interests OF the colonies What reasons had the noble
earl assigned for the which lie recommended lie
referred TO rccen. acts OF the Legislature this country
aud when he did so noble earl opposite cheerei (rar
hear) However, our recent commercial legislation b.i
only caused the co onisis to Pfzi the connection with tho
mother country more dearly Under the new system OF
commercial intercourse our North American colonies bad
ptospeed to even greitr tia our Australian CO.
lOnies The noble earl hsd referred to conversation held
with Nr uskssOn in 1928, ia which that statesman said
that the time had come for ecng separation between
this country and the North American colonies Now he
was disposed TO regari with respect and almost with
reverence anything propounded by Mr. IIuskissoD
but lot heir ordshps recOlect what were the cir
cnmsianecs of 1928 1t not surprising that Ia 1928
Mr lluskson, with president mind, looked forward to the
probability OF the severance OF the come 1ion between
Great Britain and Canada. state OF things was then
prevailing in that colony which, year. later led TO
an unfortunate rebellion that cost much blood and tra.
sure material change in the condition Of Canada had
taken place since then, through its connection With this
country, aud II Mr luski'son were Hive now instead of
thinking of separation he would concut With him 1.-THE
Duke OF Newcastlci In The legislation he was now pro
posing for the colony. The noble Earl had said that the
government Of Canada practically responsible Go
vernmtn aud that he thought, in cons ,queneo Of that
responsibility the colony should be separated from this
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