Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-02-09
From the Phil. Evening Bulletin.
CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT IN CANADA.

The last few years in Canada have been
years OF comparative peace and prosperity.
The facts are that the people have learned the
folly Of all immature and rash movements
against 30 powerful Government as that of
England, and that they have shared in the
general prosperity that has pervaded the world
since the gold discoveries in California and
Australia, and thus their condition has been
improved 30 as to lead to quite general ac-
quiescence in the rule of the mother country.
But while circumstances have thus operated
to remove discomfort ia Canada, and while yio-
lent insnrrection is repudiated by all the better
citizens, there has still been serious delibera-
ton upon the burdens under which the colony
lab0rs. Several measures of relief have been
proposed and have been considered, both in
Canada and in England. The first and most
approved plan is that of federal union Of all
the North American Colonies, with Quebec as
the seat Of Government This was proposed
so long ago as 1899 by Lord Durham. But
the home Government has not conntenaDoed
this in any way. In its stead, the separate
Governments were successfully allowed to take
more independent stand, the public officers
of each being made directly responsible to the
people for their acts, and thus much nearer
approach to free republicanism was arrived at.
80 bold that it has excited some alarm in Eng
land, and it has been with some difficulty that
open disagreement has been avoided. Upon
the two great questions Of the clergy reserves
and the rights of seigniors, there is complete
antagonism between England and Canada, and
trifle might kindle this spark Of disafection
into q flame of revolution
The other plan proposed is that Of making
Canada an independent Government, with
British viceroy, and Prince George Of Cam
bridge has been named to fill this dignifed
and responsible post Whether this project
has been seriously entertained by the British
Ministry or not it is difficult 10 say. But there
have been apprehensions of it in Canada, and
it has been regarded with anything but favor
by the Canadian Parliament and people. IL
is feared that it may be but the last step to-
wards the establishment Of monarchy wholly
independent Of the British Crown, with Q
prince of the house Of Hanover as its crowned
sovereign. Great as has been the forbearance
Of the Canadians towards the British Crown,
it is most improbable that they would submit
TO having monarch not Of their own choice,
placed over them, with the right Of transmit
ting his crown to his heirs, and thus establish
ing an independent royalty in North America.
But whatever may be the designs Of Eng
land, the day must come for change in Cam
ada. Federal Union, even owing allegiance
TO England, would be Of infinite benefit to tho
colonists; but any one at all acquainted with
the people can see that it would lead, 10 little
while, to complete separation, and perhaps
annexation to the United States; SO that il can
not be regarded with favor by the Ministers Of
Victoria If they were to resort to the other
plan, and establish viceroyalty, which would
ultimately become an independent sovereignty,
il would necessarily become despotism--a
mere government Of force. Any one can see
that such system could not long stand secure,
with population like that Of Canada, and .
neighbor like the United States. Whatever
may be the issue Of the present emergency it
is full Of interest to the American people.