, 1862-07-14

0*+AAe2A~e
The London Times Of June Goth ult., deyotes
leading article to discussion Of the project
now before Congress for opening ship canals
for var purposes Concciying that the imme-
diate object Of this plan isessentially military,
the 1inaes regards the movement at threat
against Canada, and adds:
Some fifty years ago it was agreed by treaty
that the vast inland lakes, the possession Of
importance, should be practically neutralizsd
Neither country was to keep any force at all
there. Equality Of weakness was to be sub
tttuted for equality ofstrength, and that un
Outstanding has been faithfully observed. 1t
followed, Of course, that in the event of q war
Which could most rapidly collect or extenpo-
rize naval force, and it was easy discernablc
that at certain periods Of the year the chances
would be IN our oWn favor, and others in favor
resulted tIoEi the affairs Of the Trent in De-
eember last, the federal States would probably
have had an advantage over us for i time. At
| that season there was no access to the lakes
from. the sea, and, us Americans were euperior
| to the Canadians On the spot in popu-
likelihood have pu. superior force
af'oat- As soon, however, IS the break
| ing up Of the ice had opened the navigation Of
Tic st. Lawrence we could have poured
Ehcle fleet OF gunboats through that river into
| tie lakts, whereas no such channel would
| have been open to the Americans. It was
| at the prospect thus disclosed that the Amer
| icans took alarm. Though peace was happily
I maintained, war, for some weeks, had been
| discussed as d probable contingency, and the
advantages secured to us By the possession Ct
the St. Lawrence we're contemplated with
great uneasiness- Especially was this anxiety
| 1elt in the State Of New York, the legislature
| Of which province passed an act IN April last
for 'adapting the canals of the State to the
Lakes" This aet forms tho groundwork Of
the comprehensive project to which ne now
invite attention.
1t is no. improbable that the federal gov
eminent may discern some domestic advanta-
scs IN the scheme just opened, but It is pro-
posed and recommended exclusively with
reference to = Canadian war, and is, In
detd, designed as q measure Of national
defense. The sbject is to provide facilities foI
the lakes in as short time as possible, and
this object might be attained, 1t Is said, as re.
CARDS 1.-The two eastern lakes, within single
year. The execution Of the plRn would IN.
doubted1y modify the relative positions o
Great Britain and America, on tie Canadian
more can be said on that point. The Treaty
Z. Of Client would not close these canals to the
| Americans any more than it closes the St
, Lawrence to IE; in fact, the federals wonli
| pfOo0uly eA$ luaL lut lew pTpJoCE WAS re
Qutred to put them on level With ourselves
The chief security Of Canada will b:
found, not in frontier arsenals or fortresses
, but in the spirit with which Its population /.
animated. The period OF suspense which fol
lowed on the Trent atfsir disclosed to tht
Americans the unwelcome and apparently sur
! piisIng fact that Canadians Of all classes ani
parties we're resolved to bear the brunt O
t | unequal war rather than be. absorbed in tht
/ great republic. We fear 1t cannot be assumed
: that a taste Of war will leave the American
with desire for peace. Iteeems, on the con
t trAtY, MS If they were already reconctled to al
. the evils which war brings IN it's train, and 81
| if they preferred military glory with all it.
, cost to tranquility and case Still, 1t will un
t doubtedly be felt that to attempt the conque,
8 Of a hardy and courageous people is ver1
ince. The federa1B, even If they should pre-
: vail over the confederates, will infallib1y dis
| cover that rebelliouB subjects arc more trouble
some than independent Heigahors, aud that
i'll hardly be worth their while to repeat Il
q the North an attempt which has cost them 81
L dearly in the South. While it was believe,
. that Canada wanted only an opportunity t
L become part Of the Union 1t was nat nra
: enough for Unioniet statesmen to specu1as
+ o. the CHANGES Of the acquisition. but nor
that the feeling Of the canadians has bee
The Americans will, probably, thtn]
d twice, before they attack Canada; and tue
e may be perfectly assured that We have not th
h | rcmoteat Intention Of attacking them. The
=. can oona aa nazay- gunboats as they please
u @ Gne r. @a think Eodaa best consist with th
SOD sH Countries Ts = tse 5sast adyant3
has HI herto 20 successfully prrvsijed f.nasi
- ing the neutrality Of the lskas should IS Ia
II undistu1hed, ~