New-York daily tribune., 1854-07-13
THE CANADIAN QUESTION.

This is not one of those ordinary cases in which it
tiers little whether we give a good or bad constitution,
what colony likes what il utterly abk0rs The case
10 and unique If il only for the vast
ness of its proportions The colony in question is by far
the largest the wod-the largest there ever was so far
regards either the colonial population or the territory
occupies. 1t has larger population than that OF Scot
land and arge that Of many Independent European
States. Three millions of people OF our bood and our
sprt who NAV any day they please attach Themselves 10
boring republic, hoicing out the hand oil ira
ternity 10 be treated like handful OF Engsmen
dropped a continent of savaees or an island IN The
Pacific. They not 10 he taught schoolboys with
lessons from ATntotL M0afCs9uea, and De Lgime We
have to consider not what may square with system but
what the colonss want and expect We have to compare
the results Of acquiesce3ce and of refusal and to take
that which promises to be the least difficult or least
dangerous.
There is no cowarlice in oil this, for claim the
right Of self government ourselves bound by the
simplest rule Of 10 give it 20 three millions OF our
who fellowship ecs, and only share cur common
allegiance long they choose 10 remain under H.
When have to treat with powerful independent state,
Canada is powerful and only dependent, il the term may
still be applied, because she chooses to remain We
are bound for eke well for hers TO respee; her
position; and that respect should teach us 10 let her
govern herself and choose her own constitution.
To grant the prayer Of the Canadian people s not 10
ruth into q praiuiious difficulty. On the contrary
present relations difficult and the very instances which
Lord Derby last night took such pleasure IN recalling to
memory prove the utter absurdity OF attempting 10
govern three millions Of people on the other side OF the
world more than they desire Lord Derby the pride
the conscience Of the mother country were touched to
the quick at having TO give an express sanction to the
Canadian Rebellion Losses BILL and that for the resump
ton of the unappropraied Clergy Reserves We do not
quite this view Of the subec but II II be
So wha, ollows Are VIC TO lay up for ourselves per-
peual fund Of disappointment by maintaining nominated
Cpper House the colony, and otherwise keeping II IN
leading strings longer than il likes No parent will
demand unqualified submission from his son, or
will keep him at home If /: IS not quite agreeable
to lin, unless he wishes to break his sons heart
and his also. II he makes the atemp; he will bring
on himself the difficulty Of either thwarling his son past
all bearing complying ct the expense Of bis opl
ion and seespect II is so still more when the parent Is
an empire and the child is three millions of our own race,
in possession of half continent and utterly ont Of
control We forced into this genera mode OF dealing
with the question, for that is the mode Lord Derby has
adopted lie tells giving the Canadians demo-
cratic constitution, and that We are sarenderng certain
hold we now possess in her Legislature and GER
tam security in the 1adspeHde%t and tsce% excase %
answer that we cannot maintain any hold or security
longer than is quite agreeable 10 the Canadians them
selves Their government must really spring from the
people Where there already eIists powerful territorial
nobility, and of princes under the modest n;e OF
Dukes and Lords there is no choice but to recognize and
maintain in due form Of law the power they actually pos
sess and to bamonize with another all the existing
forces of the State In Canada there is only force
ard that the force of the people at large and the more
peose we send over the greater will that force be. All
that be done toward Upper House in that country
have second Chamber sprnging directly from the
people, like the first but with little security for
it, wisdom and Independence.
The most potent ct least the most plausible reason Lord
Derby can allege against the measure is that Canada
existing Legislature. 1hen what occasion for changel
His Lordship does not attempt to reconcile this
pied prosperity and this remarkable content with the pass
ing of measures which he cannot forgive forget with
the maintenance Of policy which he thinks weak, cow
ardy, and dishonest and with the rule of Governor for
whom he scarcely pre.end TO disguise his contempt The
whole Of Canada for several years past has
been in the teeth of Lord Derby advice and the co.,
ony so happy and loyal that bis Lordshp thinks
gument against all further change. Were Canada at this
moment in state Of rebellion and bankruptcy that might
be fairly adduced against the policy of the Home Govern
and the conduct OF the Imperial Legislature and,
doubtless Lord Derby would avail himself Of that argG
ment But il is rather hard that Lord Derby should
demn the before the House too much of q
piece with recent legislation and in the breath ad
duce against the necessity of that the pros
peity and good feeling which he is forced admit and
which he cannot deny owing TO that legis
ston. Certainly this is to blow hot and cold with one
breath. Tho real question before Parliament is the cha-
scer Of colonial policy Are content ourselves
with carrying out the wishes Of the Canadian people
far they be be ascertsined, and absolutely
dishonest insulting to this country In our opinion,
that is all that we can do, or ought to attempt.