The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-08-08

circumstances. We press the matter on the at
tention of Congress; and in the name Of the
people of the United States We demand com.
mittee of inquiry.
CANADIAN INDEPENDRNCE-Our neighbors on
| the other side of the ST. Lawrence have got q
very pretty knack of manifesting their diregard
for, and their independence of the home gov
eminent They have just overthrow two min.
istries, and third is in process of organization,
which, it is hoped, may prove more to their
tastes. The first ministerial crisis was brought
about by the capital question. For years past
the standing dish of disputation in the Canadian
Parliament has been as to the location of q seat
| Of government for the united upper and lower
provinces. The alternating plan that had been
| adopted, of holding the sessions of Parliament
one year in Toronto and another year in
| Quebec, was found to work badly, inasmuch as
the people of neither city would, under such
circumstances, make the outlay necessary for
providing such accommodations for the legisla-
tive body and for the influx of strangers which
its sessions attracted. Parliament itself could
not agree as to where the capital should be
definitely fixed. All the principal cities put in
their respective claims and had Of course
their respective local adhGents in and out Of
settling the question otherwise than by submit.
ting it to the decision of a disinterested party.
1t was consequently referred to the the Queen
or, In other words, to the home government.
As the selection of either Toronto, or
Kingston, or Montreal, or Quebec. would have
insured the united opposition of the members
favoring any Of the other places, it was deemed
advisable TO overlook the claims of all aud
| place was accordingly Fixed upon which
had never been dreamed of in connection
with the question. That place was little
out of the way wilderness settlement named OF
tawa, situated on the river Of the same name
which forms portion Of the boundary line be-
tween the two provinces. Doubtless tie govern
ment, In this decision, was influenced somewhat
by the same motive which led to the location of
our own government at Washington-the dcsi-
rableness Of having the sessions of Parliament
held at distance from the great centres of popu
lation, where they would not be likely TO be mo.
Tested and broken up by mobs, as had not unfre-
quently been the case in Quebec and Montreal.
The home government, however, could have
had little idea of the effect which the selection
of Ottawa was to have Oh their Canadian sub.
jects IL acted on the presumption that as all
parties had agreed TO refer the question TO It.
its decision would have been abided by In tina.
very natural supposition IL was doomed to be
disappointed Instead of giving offence TO the
adherents Of two or three Of the cities claiming
the honor and advantages of the seat OF govern.
ment, II arrayed against il all the united ele-
nents Of opposition. The result was that ON
the 2Sth ult. the House voted that Il was mex.
pedient 10 locate The seat of government at
Ottawa. This was virtual refusal to abide by
Tie award; and as its recognition had been made
n ministerial measure, parliamentary usage
CO compelled the Ministry to REIGN.
Ministerial crises are not very uncommon oc.
currences in Canada, but IL does not often hap.
pen that the Inauguration and overthrow of
new Ministry are Simultaneous events as was
the case there the other day. Mr.. George
Brown, Of Toronto, the editor and proprietor Of
the Toronto CiOJc. was called upon by the Cover
nor General 10 form new Ministry. lie ac-
ceptcd the call, and after few days the Speaker
OF the House announced the names of the va
rious members Of the new Ministry. Some of
the names were received with shouts and jscrs
aud derisive laugbter and simultaneously with
the announcement, a proposition was submit
ted that the new administration did not possess
the confidence Of the House or Of the country.
After long and exciting debate, the PROPOSE
ton was carried and the mushroom Ministry
vanished rom the scene, even before they had
fairly entered upon il.
Another effort is being made 10 get up Nj.
nistry more suited TO the taste of our indepen.
dent neighbors but from what we have seen Of
them lately il is not at oil unlikely that the
Parliament will continue this game at ministe-
rial nine pine. The question in dispute is, as
we have seen, merely local one, involving not
shadow of principle and only important in
business and speculative point Of view When
the Canadians contonn and override the course
Of the government and overthrow two Minis.
tries on such an unimportsnt question, what
might they not be expected TO do if any difficult
ty, involving principles, should spring up be-
tween themselves and the mother country?
These events show clearly that the tenure which
ENGLAND bas on the Canadian provinces IL Of
the frsilest kind and may be snapped asunder