Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-07-17
TnE CANADIAN QUESTION.
From the London Tim,s. June

rrVun tue Lonuon times, June
This not one OF those extraordinary cases In which It
matters little whether give good bad cons.itut
what colony likes or wha, it utterly abhors The case
altogether and unique If it only for the vast.
ness Of its proportions This colony in question by
the largest In tho worlj-the largest there was
as regards either the colonial population the territory
IL occupies. II has larger population than that Scot
land and as largo that of independent European
States Three millions Of people Of our blood and our
spirit who any day they please attach themselves to
neshboring republic holding the hand of ira
ternity DO treated like handful of Engshmen
dropped continent of s,vages, island in the
Pacific. They to be taught sehoolboys with
lessons from Aristotle. Montcsqnieu, aud Do Lolme wo
have to consider, what may square with system
what the coonsts wan, aud expect. We have to com
pare the results of acquiescence and of refusal aud to
tako that which promises be the least difficult
or least dangerous.
There is cowardce in all this for as We claim the
right Of self goveumen, ourselves bound by the
simplest rule o: give three millions OF our
who fellow aud only share our common
allegiance long they choose remain under it
When have treat it'll powerful independent Stat,
remember and respect It's power aud Independence
Canada is powerful aud only dependent, the term NAV
sill be applied because she chooses remain So We
bound for sakes well as for hers to respect
her positions and that respect should US TO let her
govern herself, and choose her constitution.
To grant the prayer of the Canadian people Is not TO
rush into gratuous difficulty Ga the contrary our
present relations difficult and the very instances which
Lord Derby last night took such pleasure in recalling to
prove the utter aesurdi,y of attempting to
govern three millions of people the other side OF the
world more than they desire. Lord Derby Pride
aud the conscience Of the mother counry were
to the quick at having to give express sanction to the
CANADIAN Rebellion Losses Bill and that for the resump-
tion OF the uuapproprated Clergy Reserves We do no,
quite assent TO this view oil the subject but IL
So what iollowsS Are to Ia, up Tor ourselves per
pe,ua fnl oil disappointment by maintaining nominated
Upper House over the colony and keeping il in
leading strings longer than IL likes No parent will
demand unqualified submission from his son, or
will keep him at home, IT il is not quite agreeable
him, unless he wishes break his sons heart
aud his own also If be makes the attempt he will bring
on himself the difficulty Of either thwsrtng his past
all bearing, complying the expense OF his opin-
ion and set-respect Ii still when the parent
an empire and the child is three millions Of race
in possession OF hall cOntineut and utterly of
control We forced into this general mode OF dealing
with the question: for that is the mode Lord Derby
adopted Tie tells Us we giving the Canadians demo
cratic constitution and that surrenderng certain
hold possess in her Legislature and certain Sc
curiy in the Independent aud exclusive character Of the
Upper House. We are forced to that
maintain any hold or security longer than is quite agree
able to the Canadians themselves. Their government
mus; really spring from the people Where there already
exists powerful territorial nobility, aud OF princes
under the modest title OF Dukes aud Lords there no
choice but to recognise and maintain in due form of law
the power they actually possess aud haFmonza with
one another all the existing forces of the State In Cana
u Only lorce the iorc5 oil the
people at large; and the people send the
greater will that force be. All that be done toward
an Upper House in that country is have second Cham
Der spriuging directly from the people, like the first,
out with little security for its wisdom and indie
pendence.
The most potent, at least the plausible reason
Lord Derby aege against the is that Canada
thrves immensely aud is wonderfully tranquil under the
existing Legislature Thea what occasion for a change?
His LDrdship does not attempt reconcile this
Piled prosperity aud this remarkable with the pass
ing Of measures which he forgive forget with
the maintenance OF policy which be thinks weak, cow
aEdy, aud dishonest aud with the rule of Governor for
whom he scarcely pseends disguise his contempt The
whole OF Canada for several years past
been in the teeth of Lord Desbys advice, and the
colony il happy and loyal that his Lordship thinks an
argument against all further change. Were Canada this
moment in state OF rebellion aud bankruptcy that might
be fairly adduced against the policy OF the Home Govern
ment aud the conduct Of the Imperial legislature and
doubtless Lord Derby would avail himself of argu-
Bat is rather hard that Lord Derby should
denim the measure before the House much OF q
piece with recent legislation aud 10 the breath adj
lce against the necessity Of that the pros
perIy and good feeling which he is forced admit and
which he cannot deny owing that legis
ltiOn. Certainly this is blow hot cold with one
breath. The real question before Parliament is the
acer OF colonial policy Are content ourselves
with carrying out the Si,aes OF the Canadian people,
far they be ascertined, and are lot absolutely
dishonest insulting this coun,ryS IN our opinion
that Is all that We can do or ought TO attempt.