Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1854-07-14
Great Britain and Canada.

1t is the first step which is the difficult one
The fact that in the English Parliament
Lords Of high standing speak out freely their
opinion in favor Of separating Canada entire
ly from the mother country. is very signii-
cant. In Il late speech in the House Of Lords
| Lord Ellcnhorough said
That the question now was, whether we
/ should not, in the most friendly spirit towards
/ Canada and the other North American Colo
/ mics, consult with their Legislatures on the
cxrcdicucy uf taking measures for the COM
/ plrtc release of those Colonies from all lie
/ pendcncc on the Crown and Parliament Of
/ Great Britain He rccolcctcd having con-
ycrsation with Mr. IIuskisson in lS2S, du-
ring the time that Statesman held the seals of
the Colonial Oiicc. in which he intimatcd
most distinctly that the time had already ar
rived for the separation of Canada from this
country and Mr.. lluskisson had even ma
turcly considered the matter, that he mcn-
toned the form of government which he
thought it would he for our interest to have
established in Canada, when our connection
with the Colony should cease. 1t must hc
Borne in mind that. during the last few years,
a complete change had taken place in our re-
lations with the North American Colonies,
In 1916 we repealed the Corn Laws, with
out rcsewing the privileges which Cana
da enjoyed under them. At a subsequent
period we repealed the Navigation Laws,
which gave us great advantages in matters
of trade and navigation. In addition to those
measures. We had altered, to a great extent
If we had not entirely abol-hcd-the dis
eliminating duties ON the staple produce Of
the North American Colonies. Thus we had
deprived ourselves and the North American
Colonies Of the advantages which each former
ly derived from the connection suhslsting be-
tween them. For several years, too, in deal
ing with the Legislative Assemblies of the
Colonies, we had acted on principle dame
trically opposed to that which formerly in
fuenCcd US we had established in the Colo
MES what was called responsible Government,
or-to speak more intelligibly-wc had given
them, practically, independent Governments.
In continuing his remarks he said, though
there might be triling advantages to both
countries from their connexon in State of
peace the chances of war were greatly in
creased from that very conncXion. Both
America and England were ambitious and
sensitive on the point Of honor. If war
should occur, 1t would be impossible for En-
gland to defend Canada.
Under these circumstances, he hoped that.
at an early period. the Government would
communicate with the leading persons in the
Legislative Assemblies oft the North American
colonies, with the view of ascertainng their
opinion on the subject of separation. We
should consult with them in the most friend
ly spirit, as if they were members of one and
the same family in which we felt "A deep CON
cern.
The Duke of Newcastle was very much
shocked at such rcmarks-''as highly deroga-
tory to the dignity and he might almost say,
the sovereignty of the country, and hostile to
the most important interests of the Colonies. =
Lord Broughum said there was no novelty in
the opinion
1t had been entertained and expressed by
many eminent men. 1t was an opinion shared
IN by Lord Ashburton and by Lord St. Vim
cent: and those who held the doctrine of Sc
paratiOn did So, not because they Were dis
posed to undcr,aluc the importance Of Cana
da, but rather because they highly estimated
the importance of that country. They he
lievcd that after II certain period of time
after what Was called passing the youth of
nations, that of colonial lilc-the best thing
that could happen to a country in colonial
conncXon with AN older State, was that,
without any quarrel, wthout amy GOODNESS or
alienation of any sort, but with perfect
amity and good will, and ON purely voluntary
grounds, there should succeed to that colonial
conncction,a connection between Two free and
independent States.