Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-07-14
Darpps ytsms.
A PROPOSAL TO suRREsDEa CANADA.


The Duke of Newcastle, in moving
the second reading Of the Canadian
Legislative Bill, in the House of Lords,
on the l4th inst. stated that its objecl
was torepeal those clauses in the I'm.
ion Act which prohibit legislation by
the Canadian Parliament on the sub
ject Of Legislative Council, and to
leave the Colonial Legislature entirely
free to act as il may think ft with re.
spect to the creation Of Second
Chamber. The Earl Of Ellenborougt
availed himself of that occasion to say
that they had made such progress las
year in the work of concession to Can,
ada, that the question now was, no
whether they should stop in their ca,
reer. still less whether they should at
temptto 60 back. but whether they
should not, in the most friendly spiri
toward Canada and the other North
American colonies. consult with theil
Legislatures on the expediency Of Ia
king measures for the complete re-
lease of those colonies from all depen-
dencc on the Crown and Parliament o
Great Britain.
He stated that the corn and nayiga-
tica laws, and the discriminating du-
ties that had formerly existed in favor
Of the Canadas' were now repealed.
and that the colonies in question seem.
ed TO derive very little advantage from
their annexation with the home gov
ernment. He continued by asking
What was the use, what the practi-
cal advantage Of continuing our
connection with the colonies.----
The connection might be Of some
small. use in time of peace; but,
on the other hand, consider the dan
ger arising from it in matters relating
to war. There could be no doubt that
the chances Of ofcollision between this
country and the United States were
greatly increased by our connection
with the North American Colonies.--
1t was equally certain that in the event
of war occurring between this country
ana the United States on grounds to-
tally 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 circum stances, it was Q
matter worthy of serious consideration
whether we should not endoayor, ID
/ the most friendly manner, TO divesl
ourselves OF q connection which mus
prove equally onerousto both parties
Now, in case of war, could we hope tc
defend the colonies successfully? He
would advise, not the noble Duke op.
posite, who to his great Satisfaction
had been released from the duties o
the Colonial Office, but the Right Hon
orable Baronet who had succeeded
him, to read a dispatch received from
Lord Mctcalfe, in 1916. We were
then, il was supposed, on the eve OF .
war with the United States--a wal
connected with matters with which
{ Canada had no coucern--a war for an
object the value OF which was not. tc
either party, equal to the expense o
one weeks hostillties. Let the Colo
NAL Secretary read Lord Metcalie'
dispatch, and see the amount of mill
tary aid which would be required t
enable Us successfully to defend Cana
da. At the time he (Lord Elleabo
rough) thought Lord Metcahe's esti
maze was exIravagant, and he did no
attach any great Importance TO tha
noble Lord ) unsupported opinion; bat
having consulted persons who from
their position were most compe
tent to decide upon the ques
ton, he found they confirmed Lore
Melcalic's estimate us to the amoun
of force necessary to defend Canad
successfully, and il was utterly beyon'
the means of this country to proyid
, il. It might be said that we did sac
cessfuTIy defend Canada in i7i4, an
that WI had made great progres
in wealth since That he admitted
, and he wished that be could add thS
we had made equal progress in milit'
ry strength.
) II. however, we had advanced in Il,
career Of prosperity, consider the enol
a nous progress which the United Stat.
r had made in their innumerable raj