New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-04-09
CANADA.

From Our Own couespoad-.t ~
TORONTO, Tuesday, April 3, 1855
The Government is carrying its measures by
sweepiDg mai ,risies. The second reading Of the
Militia bill was carried by vote of Is against
"a. and the new Elective Legislative Council
was suppol ted Oh the second reading, by "a vote
of 20 sgainst 4. The Mioistry took the ground
on y Militia bill that the measure In reduced
no new prln,iple that the only question it
raissd related 10 An efficient organization Of the
Miits. The cGief opposition came from the
Rouges who cOntt pded that the bill introduced
an entirely new principle; that it made the colony
its own defender, without giving it those priv
ilepes which appertain to countries capable Of
Undertaking their own defense; that we have no
interest in the present war; that ii is the duty OF
the Parent State to protect the colony, till the
latter becomes independent; that II England
should happen to quarrel with the United states
on her own account that would be her affair, not
ours; that we ought not TO make any military
display that will irritate the United States that
we could oppose no efficient resistance to them;
that it is our interest to keep at peace; and one
member at least, Mr.. Papn, declared that he
would not in any event, take up arms on the side
of England against the United States. An Upper
Canada member Mr.. Wilson, of London, opposed
the measure. on the ground that it was not safe
to put arms into the hands of lrishmen-au asser-
ton which naturally excited much national feel
ING. and which Mr.. Wilson found the necessity of
explaining, but, in doing So he only affirmed 1t
with greater distinctness.
The opposition to the Elective Legislative Coun-
ell is almost nil Ii is based on predictions that
the measure will nceesatate complete change
in our system Of government; that 1t will lead 10
the adoption of American institutions in all their
integrity and perhaps to annexation. These ar
cuments however, produce no effect upon the
House. They were used in previous session,
and they did not change vote. Ibey are now
repeated with no better success. Perhaps the
fayorite objection to the bill is, that it will bring
the Government to a dead lock in this way. One
House will sustain the Government, aud the other
oppose IT. and the result will be that 10 business
viii be done. But. as | said before, all the argl-
ments against the bill fall pointless. Nobody re-
CARDS them. Not that there is any very strong
enthusiasm in favor of the measure. BY no
means: ard il is, to say truth, somewhat difficult
to account for the large m,orities by which 1t is
supported. There seems no reason to SUP pose
that it will not become law.
The question on which the most intense feeling
Las been exhibited. is that arising out OF the lOca
ton of the Government. BY an arrangement en-
tered into in lag, after the Parliament buildings
in Montreal were destroyed BY mob. Govern
1nent was 10 take up its quarters every alternate
is strictly one Of prerogatiye, TO be decided by the
Governor. on the advice Of bis Council. In lSi9,
however the sense OF the representatives. OF the
people was taken on the question, aud the decision
was in favor of alternate Parliaments in different
sections Of the Province. The Legislative COun-
ell, however did not agree: il protested against
ieaying Montreal. Well, Government came 70
TORONTO: but insread of remaining here four
years, it remained only two Mr.. Lafontaine, who
then had everything pretty much his own way,
contending that the intention was TO move at
the end OF the Parliament Government there
fore moved 10 Quebec in the fall OF ISL;
and next fall the four years term will be
out. Montreal has always felt keenly the
deprivation of the seat of Government, and
never ceased to try to get it back. The adyo-
Gates of that city are OF course great advocates
for permanent seat Of Government, and they
descant with great JUNCTION on its economy, III
,sfety and its wisdom They aimed first to get o
declaration in favor of permanent sest OF GOV
eminent: and trusted to be able to make Montreal
the place on which the choice for site would ia
.fterward. II is impossible 70 convey any idea 0