The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-08-20
COLONIAL REPRESENTATION IN PARLIA-
MINT

subject of colonial presentation in the British
have been called to this important subject BY
lecture, delivered in Glasgow, BY the weli-known
Judge Halliburton, Of Nova Scotia. In the
course of his lecture the Judge stated that, du-
ring the Russian war, two colonial regiments
were offered the English Government for SER
vice in the Crimea, and that the offer was de-
clined and not only declined, but the letter
containing the offer was returned to the for
warder, because it was not addressed to the
proper authorities! The blood of Bldcktcood
rises at this, and he demands more intimate
alliance between the Colonies and the Home
Government. This is all well enough; but it
strikes US that the contemptuous treatment of
the Colonial patriots was owing rather to Red
Tapeism than anything else. 1t was some
member of the great Barnacle family, some fell
low who had been studying the science of hoD
not to do it, who returned the Colonial letter
The question agitated by Blackwood, respect
ing Colonial representation in the Imperial Par
lament, is, however, an important one, and its
discussion in such a conservative quarter at
this time is significant. 1t is evident that Eng.
land is looking forward to changes in the Gov.
eminent Of her Colonies. They are TO be al.
lowed still greater degree Of freedom and in
dependence than they enjoy at the present.
Already the Canadian Provinces make their
own local laws, as our own States do, the only
power of the parent Government lying in the
Governor, who possesses the veto power, but
who does not use it with the freedom Of an
American Executive. But this local legisla.
ton is not all that is needed. Legislation upon
an extended scale is necessary for the general
good Of the people of all the North American
Provinces. The question then arises, where
shall this legislation take place-in London, or
in America? AT present, of course, Parliament
undertakes all such general legislation-a Par
lament in which the Provinces are entirely un.
represented.
A popular project which has been mooted is
a federal union of all the British Provinces,
with delegates, forming kind Of General Con-
gress, similar to the American Congress. With
a large class of Canadians, this plan is favor
lite one; but conservatives eschew it. 1t looks
too much like independence of the mother
country. 1t is patterning too closely after the
American Republic, and it will never do.
Still another class propose Viceroyalty, with
an English Prince upon the vice-regal throne.
Blackpood is friendly to this scheme. But it
would not work. The Anglo Saron says Of it
II A -. L !
fixed at Quebec, and Prince Of the blood royal
is 10 occupyit. A Court, Colonial Aristocra-
cy, Parliament, and an army, more or less,
will be the necessary adjuncta, without which
there will be nothing regal sppertaining to it.
This will be a costly paraphernalis. and not
popular with those who are to bear its burden.
All this. it is assumed, must be done to coun-
terpoise aud hold the Americans in check, a
measure not at all adapted to the creation OF
friendly feelings. 1t would at once become an
object of jealousy and dislike; and as many
Canadians have democratic tendencies, in
trigues would be set on foot By the republicans
on either side of the lines to enbarrass such a
Government. and bring it into discredit. Dis
content would follow, a desire for independence
would grow up, and it would end "a the same
state of things ended in Brazil under Don Pc
dro, viz separation. and the loss of the Colo.
MES to England. From seven to ten years
would be ample time to bring matters to such
a conclusion.
even the Viceroyalty in Ireland is not ex.
sn'efurtwsss mace IN Parliament to abolish it
an toto. Now, the necessity for such an estab.
lishmert is far greater in Ireland than in Cana.
da, the former having DO local Legislature,
while Canada possesses one. The local affairs
of Ireland could not be entirely transacted at
the Home Office in London; consequently, q
large portion, including many details of official
business, is consigned to the care of the Lord
Lieutenant and the Irish Government
Of the Federal Union project the Anglo-
Saron speaks as follows:
I" This idea we have been and still are Cd.
posed to; for it is in effect, practical independ
ence, and will lead to a speedy separation from
the mother country. AS soon as the Colonies
are all represented in one body, every local
grievance will become q general one; ques
tons which would now only agitate Fredericton.
will convulse Quebec, and with it all the Colo
MES and question regarding an Indian title
on Lake Huron will throw Halifax into dsor.
der. In the present state of things, each Col
ony settles its own difficulties within its own
boundaries, and by its own people, simply ma
king the final appeal to England for her Ma
necessary to enact. Responsible Government
gives this great power to each individual Colo
ny. Every Colony is sovereign in its power,
guards its own rights, and protects its Inherent
immunities. New Brunswick is now independ-
ent of Nova Scotia and rice rersa. and no sim
gle Province is obliged to consult another in
matters which relate 70 itself. Nothing can be
contrived that would give fuller independence
and control Of affairs TO the people, than the
present system but if Federal Union be es-
tablished, and Congress inaugura.ed, a new
power is created which is now unknown, and
which may assume functions and commit acts
hostile to Liberty, and adverse to the interests
of the weaker Provinces. In 8 Congress of all
the Colonies, what weight could little Prince
Edwards Island have, when met by the whole
power of Upper and Lower Canada? The
same with Newfoundland. What preponder-
ance could she give TO any great question agi-
tatipg at Quebec, even if her own dearest in
terests were involved An appeal to England
would have very little weight, for the power of
England herself may be ignored By this conse-
quential conclaye WHICH is to sit in Judgment
on the rampar;s of Q .ebec."
This is very good reasoning and We have no
doubt that for the present the British American
Provinces will be contented with fair repre-
sentation in Parliament, provided that with
that privilege there does not follow another
that of paying their share of the expenses of
the British Government If taxation is con-
sequent upon representation in this case, we
dare say the Canadians will prefer to 60 unrep.
resented in Parliament.
Whatever may be the temporary result of this
discussion, we have no doubt eventually il will
result in the independence of those Provinces,