The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-11-09
DDALrIA-L,L..

From the LORdCR icrGtd oct. Is.
The modern project of uniting all the British
North American Territories under single federal
government, so as to create cOunterpoise to the
growing ascendancy of the United States, is cxct-
ing intense interest among Canadian politicians
Federalism, combining the principle of local indie
pendence with that of central authority seems ad-
mirably adapted to vast continents destined to re
ceive immense populations. 1t prevents the cxis-
tence of international jealousirs, which experience
shows have always grown up where separate king
doms have been established in contiguity to each
other, leading to wars which have retarded the
CIVILIZATION of Europe and loaded it with debts.
Under federalism all the parts obey the whole
and the whole is bound to protect all the parts
Each State has its own local Legislature within its
own boundary, and is a member of the Congress
which binds the whole confederation. When an
outlying territory advances in population it not
subdued as conquest, but admitted within the pale
OF the federation Thus political fraternity is re-
cognized, which prevents all unworthy motives to
cupidity or ambition. This is one of the causes
OF the rapid growth of the United States Had the
constitution of the original thirteen States been
exclusive, new populations would never have
massed themselves around their borders fearing
to be enslaved or annexed when they became
wealthy; but no such fears were entertained in
dustry being certain of its reward, and the small
capitalist and laborer assured that the land which
they had reclaimed would in due time be erected
into an independent State, and form a coordinate
and coequal part of the common republic In some
such condition now is the North American terrific
ry, which contains one-ninth of the whole area of
the globe, computed at 81 100000 square miles OF
TINS total, Canada measures 400 900 square miles;
New New brunswick, 2S,0OO Nova Scotia 19, 900;
81 aFince nna EDWARD Island 1000; and Newfoundland
31,OoO-in the whole, 4S6 900 square miles. From
the Atlantic to the Pacific are 1000 900 square
miles OF territory. Europe only contains los OOO
or 292,0 miles less. The great province of Cana
Ga alone Is equal in size to Great Britain, France
TruSsla; and the maritime provinces of British
North America cover 5000 square miles of terri
tory. For the future settlement of this immense
country craftsmanship is called upon to provide
and Sir Bulwer Lytton has commenced the gigan
tic task by founding British Columbia. either to re-
Il IN separate kingdom or form an integral mart
OF mighty confederation
The more enterprising of the Canadian mer-
Gnahts are now earnestly considering how they NAV
best utilize the Northwest Territory and as com
mencement the Northwest TRANSFORMATION Comma
ny has been formed. The first Improvement to be
eifected IS the general communication between Red
river and Lake Superior, by facilitating the tran
sit over the pOrtages. If the company slumber over
its duties their claims forfeited by the terms of
the charter, so that no obstructive MONOPOLY has
been created, and others will be allowed to super
sede those who have failed. This precaution
shows that the Legislature are fully intent on OPEN
ing the passage, and its completion can only be
work OF time. The benefit to be derived from its
execution is now fully appreciated. The Cana
dians are asking themselves. ''Can we not have
West as valuable to us as Illinois has proved
to have been to New York;" This question
they answer in the affirmative, insist
ing tnaC the hed river, the Swan, the ASSN
boine and the Saskatchewan have prairies on their
banks as fertile as any on the Mississippi and Mis-
souri,. Moreover, their energies have been quick
ened by the spirited move of Sir Bulwer Lyt-
ton in founding the colony of New Columbia, the
terminus on the Pacific of the grand railway which
ought to commence at Halifax and run to Quebec
thence crossing the whole British territory to
Vancouver This enterprise, at least that portion
of connecting Halifax and Quebec, was mooted in
Parliament by the present Duke of Newcastle in
lS4S, and he pointed out the advantage of avoiding
the circuitous route from England to Quebec by the
st. Lawrence and the dangerous coast of Cape Bre-
ton. Lord Grey also praised the plan, and Lord
Durham remarked, that ''if for great political OBJ
Jects it should ever become necessary or advisable
to unite all the British provinces under one legsla-
tive government, then there will be found on this
side of the Atlantic powerful British State,
which, supported by the imperial power ~ the
mother country, may bid defiance to all the United
States of America" Various plans are now afoat
for reaching the East, as by the Isthmus of Suez,
the Panama Canal and the Red Sea route to Kurra-
chez. On their merits or demerits we have not
now space to enter; but for speed line from Hall
fax to Vancouver appears the most desirable, and
we should be placed in rapid contact with China
and India, Corea and japan. In this view the
value of Canada is incalculabIa