The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-27

The Earl Of Elgin and Kincardine, late GO
vernon General of the British North American
Provinces, is at present staying at the St. Nj
cbolas Hotel, and will leave to-day in the
steamer Pacific for England. He has been
too intimately connected with negotiations in
which the United States are as deeply concern
ed as Canada for his departure from the conti-
nent to pass wholly unnoticed: and the task of
referring to his career in America is the more
grateful to US as party passions and personal
prejudice have in general prevented his own
people doing him Justice.
A successful government Of eight years
over highly enlightened and prosperous peo
pie is alone guarantee of Lor Elgin's states
manship. Great Britain seldom allows her GO
vernors to retain Office over FIVE; it was the
knowledge Of Lord Egin's capacity and the
peculiar difficulties of the Canadian question
which induced the free traders in 1851 to pro-
loog his term OF Office, though he Owed his ap-
pointment and first start in life to their oppo-
nents. The trust then reposed in him he had
fully justified. Among all her sons, Scotland
can point to none who, in his sphere, has exhi-
bited more true courage, firm will, and un-
swerving honesty Of purpose than James Bruce
Of Elgin and Kincardine To appreciate the
trying nature of his position, it must be borne
in mind that he accepted Office in Canada
shortly after the grant Of the constitution, and
that when he set foot in the Province, parties
were still fighting about the meaning and effect
of that document. The question was whether
the French Canadians of the east should
be admitted to equal rights with the
English or not. Those who know John Bull
will readily understand both how vehemently
he sustained the negative, and how obstinately
he detained against the very principles he
would have fought for in En- gland. The British
residents Of Canada swore to a man that the
French should have no rights at all: that they
and they only should rnle in the conquered
Canada" With this creed they met Lord FL
gir on his arrival. The Governor calmly point
ed out the clear language of the constitution,
and stated his intention Of carrying Il out The
John Bulls were incredulous, and when Par
lament was elected favorable to the doctrines
Of the constitution, and directly opposed to the
tory theory, they called upon Lord Eigin to
dissolve 1t. Further, theJ requested him to dis
miss his Cabines ami 10 take "real Englishmen,
staunsh to the backbone" and to have nothing
to say to Frenchmen tr the like. This pro.
ceediDg, which will at once be recognized as In
the true John Bull style, brought matters to
crisis. Lord E'gin declined the dictation Of
the minority, and declared that in all matters
concerning Canadian interests alone, he would
be wholly governed by the majority Of Parlia-
ment. Then the sories exploded. There was
nothing too harsh to be said Of the Governor
who wouldn't 'ramp'e the constitution under
foot, and crush out young freedom in the
province He was "a Isscally Scotchman,r a
mean, scurvy dog 'traitor to bis country
q disgrace to The name G. Brace" "villain:"
his impeachment was loudly called for; his
life was threatened, his carriage attacked, his
residence only preserved from destruction by a
guard Of soldiers. The descendants of Hampden
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