Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-07-05
ScOLDING CANADA.

fiOn the London Tines, Jdneo.
|. is difficult 70 read without emotion Of some kind
the announcement that at the present time and under
existing circumstances the Canadian Parliament has
fused second reading to the bill for establishing ef
cent militia for the defence of the province. Let us
make all possible deductions and allowances before we
give way 70 that emotion-be ii regret surprise in
dgnation. The militia bill which re- ecied proposed
TO raise force of 80 900 and reserve OF so 900
more.
The finances Of the province are n an exceedingly
embarrassed and discouraging STATE. The revenue 10
diminished, partly, no doubt, by the calamity OF the
American war, but parity by al uIudicious protective
policy which has strai:ened the income without deye
opiDg the OF the colony The expenditure is
enormous, nhlted by succession Of Jobs, by which
parliamentary support has b.en purchased for embar.
rsssed ministries. At the time when the colony s called
upon TO incur heavy expenses for the support OF It's mi
ia the is estimated in round numbers at ST.
900 0O0 and the expenditure at $I2 600 000 leaving
dt6c Of 100000 TO be supplied by fresh taxation or
by loans.
II the frat place. the late Parliament Of Canada has
shown itself sgEaly wanting in those instincts of ber
~ which uIgs free people TO hy to arms on the least
surmise Of Danger from foreign enemies. Ii is TO Us in
conceivable that 600 600 OF civil I'd people watch
osons OF the great volcano without realizing TO
themselves the fact that the fiery food which is desoa
ting large and fair portion Of the earths surface
may to them, and, were 1t not for what We
have seem should have thought 1t equally impossible
for them to perceive this danger without taking every
measure in their power TO anticipate aud prevent Its az
proacb. The only solution that be offered for so
strange a fact 10 that Canada has learnt to Ius. TO
others for the performance Of services for which weaker
and less wealthy Dopul wont to rely exclusively
on themselves We have inersfcted Canada with canss
intended Tor her military defence, and paid for out OF
the imperial treasury. We have always garsoned her
ortresses and paid for their repairs and alterations
those forFesses had been everything aud nothing
TO the people in whose country they ae situate lie,
perhaps not very wonderful hat persons educated
der SUCH system should TO consider themselves
relieved from the stCrner duties OF life, aud be content
10 lean on remote aud uncertain defenders, instead OF
on their own eff ria. There seems disposition IN Can
ala 10 treat the question whether the colony shoull
in its own defence which the colony itself
has only very secondary and Indirect intens: The
question il assumed 10 be, not whether the colony
defend itself but upon whom the duly OF defending 1t
should fall The question really ia not who shall dcferd
Canada but whether the duty Of defending her efficient
IL shall be undertaken by any enc. This not ques
on, 90 would make it appear, OF loyalty 10 the
lgisl connection. TIE English connection has, in
fact but little 10 do with the matter. II Canada had
wholly emsncipsted herself from the British empire,
she would not by TIA; means emancipate herself
from the mpefious duty Of self-defence. II Canada
remsins ever so firmly attached to Englard
the duty Of self defence will cling to her. Il is
tine 10 speak cut and TO dspel the Illusions
which have mLlel mems minds in other aud qlieCr
umes People have thought-nsy, we trace something
OF this feeling in the very able speech OF Mr. aose upon
which We la.ely commentCd-tbat, if separated from
Eas and, Canada would have no further concern with
questions of peace such she has at present.
and that the only chance of her being involved 10 hos
tlides Is her present connection with Great Britain. We
are Disposed 90 hold the exact contrary Of THE and 10
tbiuk far likely that Great Britain should be in
volved ia account OF Canada than that Canada
should be involved In account OF Great Britain
lie. Canada look carefully a. her own circumstances, let
IT statesmen study the tone OF the American press and
tha ard position OF anal the
Am rcan contirelt. How long will the present civil
war afford employment to 100000 armed men p
Or If the itself should not abate, how long
will the American Government be atl. to bear
the vast strain their finances which the payment
| OF such al army implies And, when the time has
at last arrived when either from the termination Of civil
strife or the failure Of money and credit, the United
States no longer able 10 support their vast army
uiat is 10 prsvcnt that army from marching toodrd The
northern frontier, and sd!ialing iu rsvsag its lore Of
pt.nder and Of conquest in The rich aud HuC1ssd prov.
iness of Canada
Let no. the Canadians on the other hand believe that
they have in their presen; connection with Great Britain
sufci,n' protection sgsinst invasion without! takip
auy trouble to defend themselves. Such an opinion Is
funded on mistks both Of power and cur will -
Il il not In our power send forth from this little island
military force sufficient defend the frontier OF Cana.
da against the numerous armies which have learnt arms
aud discipline In the great school OF the present civil
war Our tqlal to go large concentrs'
|
our population too small antagonist TOO poSerfA
But if We had the power, IL Is quite certain that we
ould not have the will. Opinion England is perfectly
| cided that IN the connection between the mother
country and the colony the advantage il uhnely more
on the side Of the child than Of the parent We no
-ngsr monopolzi the trade OF the colonies We no
longer lob their patronage. We canno hope from them
any "a stance for defending ous own shores, Will, we
! are hound TO assist in protecting theirs. We cannot
obtain fom this very colony OF Canada reasonable
f,ir treatment for cur manufac;urcs which are taxed
twenty Gy9 per cent their value to increase reve.
cnue which the colonies will apply to our, or even
TO their own defence There s little reciprocity in such
relation. Should the colony wish TO put an erd 10 il,
We would never draw the sword 10 defend IT, and II
Canada will not yht protect It's independence from
foreign invasion, neither will Englaod The question is
not oae for Canada Of dssoving maintaining It's con-
necon with Great Britain. That il may dissolve almost
at pleasure The question ia Of destroying or maintain
ing iis own liberty and independonce-of being sell
| governed commonwealth a member, or, psrhaps-a'
ia talked of for the Souha suit lgied territory Of tho
| United States.