Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-07-08
THE CANADAs.

and the opinions ayowed BY them IN Parliament, IN
regard to the Canadas indicate that the Government
Of England is looking to the political separation Of
those colonies from the parent country, and, by a
wise forecast, is preparing for peaceful and har-
monious consummation of the severance--an event
which must at some time or other take place either
Spcsccfully or violently. There i an age and ma
t,,rty in colonies and communities 10 individuals,
when self-depcndenee becomes a law and necessity
of existence Cases occur in which neither the
colony nor the child waits the age Of maturity to
fly of, but when that age comes wise parent will
prepare obey and accommodate himself to it, In the
case of the colony, resistance from the parent Gov
ernment sows the seeds of enduring enmity, while
graceful acquicscence and kind aid in launching
the new State into indepenaent existence secure
pcrpetuity Of the good will which belongs to kindred
blood. We are happy, tAorelore to think that Eng
land does not to repeat in the case Of her Ca
madam Colonies the great error she committed with
her other American Colonies in ITS. AS sam
pie of the manner in which the subject of Canadian
affairs has come to be spoken Of in England, we
subjoin an extract from debate in the House of
Lords on the 14th of last month:
On the l4h long debate ensued in the House Of Lords
the second reading Of the Canadian Legislative Coun
Gil bill The Duke of NEWCASTLE in moving the second
reading stated that the object of the bill to repeal
those clauses in the Union Act which prohibit legislation
by the Canadian Parliament the subject of Legisa
tive Council and to leave the Colonial Legislature entire
ly free to may think t with respect the
ton of second chamber. This, he said the sole
aim Of the measure which he asked the House read
second me believing that it accordance with the
soundest principles Of colonial legislation.
The Earl of DEsART begged the Duke to postpone the
bill until the Earl of DERRY should be present For his
part he doubted the necessity Of having elective
Legislative Council at oil.
Lord WHARNcLIFrE requested to be informed whether
the bill owed its parcntage to the Duke Of NEWCASTLE
it the result Of correspondence between the Home CO.
konial Office and the local authorities?
The Earl of ELLESDoRouaH would not oppose the second
reading Of the BILL but wished express opinion
3 much more important subject, namely, that Britain
having made such concessions Canada last year. the
question was, not whether it sheud stop in that
course still less whether it should attempt to back
but whether Britain should not in the most friendly spirit
towards Canada and the other North American Colonies
consult with their Legislatures the expedency Of TAX
ing for the complete release of those Colonies
from all dependence the Crown and Parliament OF
Great Britain Their present connexon might be of some
small in time Of peace but the other hand there
could be doubt that the chances of collision between
Britain and the United States greatly increased by
the connexon of Britain with those ColoniesCoones
too which Lord METcALF whe Governor of Canada had
informed the Home Office could not be successfully de-
Tended by Britain against the United States. Why need
lessy increase the chances of war The citizens Of the
United States very ambitious, and very sensitive
the point Of honor; the British people the point
Of justice These considerations should lead rupture
between the United States and Britain regarded
event which might happen at period. Under
these circumstances he hoped that at early period
the Government would communicate with the leading
persons in the Legislative Assemblies Of the North Ame-
rcan Colonies with the view of ascertanng their opinion
on the subject Of separation
The Duke of NEWCASTLE retorted that he was astons
ed that the Earl OF ELLEsBonoyaH should PROFOUND OPT
MONS which would be unpaatable the people Of
Colonies they their lordships Of that House
He (the Duke of would inform the noble Earl that he
did not belong to Government which would consent to
making such proposals. the people of Canada For his
part he looked upon such proposal offence against
the dignity and the sovereignty Of Britain and hostile
the best interests Of the Colonists
Lord BRouGHAM asked why the Duke Of NEWCASTLE
should vehementy denonnce the proposal for the Sc
paraon Of these Colonies from the parent State The
proposal not novel. 1t had been entertained and
expressed by many eminent For himself, he would
respectfully recommend 10 the people OF Canadn 80 to
select the members OF their second Chamber that that
Chamber should not be duplicate Of the Lower
House.
The Duke of NEwcAsTLR replied that the bill was o
mere enabling BILL and there nothing in it to prevent
the local Legislature from eecng the members Of the
Upper House for life for certain number of years
The Evening Post states that the bill referred to
above comedies to the Canadian people the right
OF dispensing with a second house Of legislature.
This movement is practical one in the direct line
OF the future independence of Canada Of the mother
country The Legislative Council Of
Canada has long been an obnoxious body to the
Canadian people, from the way in which its mem
bers are appointed, it not being representative
body. TO render it so or to abolish it will be an
important occurrence in the future of Canadian
Legislation. The Council appointed by the Governor
commands no respect from the people, who look
upon it only as drag-chain imposed on, the deci-
sions of the elective house. Were the second
house elective, the Senators of our States, the
result would be more satisfactory. The Canadians
are, it appears, shortly 20 have the option Of dis
pensing with a second house, and we shall not be
sorry to trial of the efficacy Of single House
Of Parliament though opinion has hitherto run
wholly in favor of twoz'
The Portsmouth va Transcript says orders have been
received for dsmsntling the u g. ship Pennsylvana in