Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-07-03


countrymen can never descend to him.
DEBATE IN THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT ON
CANADIAN INDEPENDENCE.
The Earl of marlborough did not rise to
oppose the secopd reading of this bill, but to
express his opinion on subject of greater i'm
portance. We made such progress last year
in the work of concession to Canada, that the
question now was. not whether we should stop
in our career, still less whether we should at
tempt to 90 back, but whether we should not,
in the most friendly spirit toward Canada and
the other North American colonies, consult
with their Legislatures on the expediency of
taxing measures for the complete release Of
those colonies from all dependence on the
Crown and Parliament Of Great Britain. He
recolected having conversation with Mr.
| Huslisson, in 1928, during the time that etates-
man held the seals of the Colonial Office, in
which he animated most distinctly that the
time had already arrived for the separation Of
Canada from this country, and Mr.. Huskisson
had even 90 maturely considered the matter,
that he mentioned the form of Government
which no thought it would. be for our interest
TO have established in Canada when our con-
nection with the colony ehould cease. 1t must
be borne in mind that, during the last few
years, Q complete change had taken place in
our relations with the North American colo
MES In 1916 we repealed the corn laws,
without reserving the privileges which Canada
enjoyed under them. At subsequent period
we repealed the navigation laws, which gave
us great advantages in matters of trade and
navigation q
In addition TO those measures we had alter
ed, to great extent-if we had not entirely
abolished-the discriminating duties on the
staple produce Of the North American colo
mics Thus we have deprived ourselves and
the North American colonies of the advanta.
gees which each formerly derived from the con-
nection subsisting between them. For several
years, too, in dealing with the Legislative As
semblies Of the colonies, we had acted on prin-
ciple Numerically opposed to that which for
merly influenced US; we had established in the
colonies what was called responsible govern
ment, or, TO speak more intelligibly, we had
given them, practically, independent Govern
ments. And, really, he could hardly imagine
situation more humiliating than that Of the
Representative Of Her Majesty in Canada
IL was almost wonderful British gentleman
would consent to hold such q situation Of
nullity, unless, indeed, from a consciousness
think himself able TO be, as Lord Metcalfe
was the Minister Of the Colony What
was the use, what the practical advantage,
Of continuing our connection with the col
onies The connection might be Of some
small use in time Of peace; but, on the other
hand consider the danger arising from IL in
matters relating 10 war. There could be no
doubt that the chances Of collision between
this couuoDy and the United States were great
ly increased by our connection with the North
American colonies. IL was equally certain
that 10 the event of war occurring between
this country and the United States on grounds
totally unconnected with the colonies, they
must, from their connection with us, be drawn
into the war, and their whole frontier would
be exposed TO the greatest calamities. Under
these circumstances, il was a matter worthy Of
serious consideration, whether we should not
endeavor, 10 the most friendly manner, to d.
vest ourselves Of q connection which must prove
equally onerous to both parties.
Now. in case of war, could we hope to defend
the colonies successfuIlyl He would advise,
not the noble Duke opposite, who, to his great
satisfaction, had been released from the duties
of the Colonial Office, but the Right Hon. Bar
onet who had succeeded him, to read dispatch
received from Lord Metcalfe in 1916. We were
then, Il was supposed, on the eve of war with
the United States---a war connected with mat
ters in which Canada had no concern--a war
for an object the value Of which was not to
either party equal 10 the expense OF one week
hostilities Let the Colonial Secretary read
Lord Metcalfes dispatch, and see the amount
Of military aid which would be required to en-
able us successfully to defend Canada. AT the
time, he lord Peterborough thought Lord
Metcalfe's estimate was extravagant and no
did not attach any great weight to that noble
Lords unsupported opinion but having con-
suited persons who from their position were
most competent to decide upon tho question, he
found they confirmed Lord Metcalfe's estimate
as to the amount of forco necessary TO lend
Canada successfully, and Il was utterly beyond
the means Of this country TO provide IL II
might be said we did successfully defend Can
ada in 1914, and that We had made great pro-
gross In wealth since. That he admitted, and
he wished that he could add that VIC had made
equal progress in military strength.
r. however, We had advanced in the career