New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-07-23
TIE CONFEDERATION or BRITISH
NeETn AMERICA.

The proposed confederation OF all the Prov
;nces of British America 10 still tho chief sub
iact Of discussion in the British American press.
In Upper Canada the bulk of both The Conserva-
tive party and the RcfoImers have agreed upon
,he Union scheme; and the rapidly increasing
power ana influence of Upper Canada VIII be
able Ia do much toward iS cousummation.
Upper Canada, formerly much the inferior of
Lower Canad, (Where the French element stilI
preponderates) has. during the last thirty years,
been rapidly gaining over her rival sister, ard
il now not only ahead Of her, but leaves hcr
from year to yenr for hshind. When the Impe-
rial Union Act Of 1910 went into force. Lower
Canada had 1890 people morc than Upper
Canada. but-in consequence OF largo imIi-
grstion-ihe Western Province in 1877 passed in
advance OF the Eastern. In 1852 the census
returns showed her to have 81 600 souls more
than Lower Canada. In I56l the excess OF her
population had increased to 23i,5 souls. and
az present. by the official calculations OF the
Statistical Board, it exceeds 10000 Souls.
From the language Of the organs and the de.
puties of both political parties of Upper Canada,
we must infer that the great majority OF the pop
uIa,ion are ready to support the plan of Con-
federation. plan so taught with far-reaching
consequences, is Of course. starting nov poit-
ical controversies in Upper Canada and IN the
other British provinces Whether the two Can
adds shall initiate the Confederation even II
the other provinces are not found willing to
Join il; or whether il shall bo made contingent
upon the agreement \Of ell the British
proyinces whether, in case Of the con-
summation Of the Confederation. the terri
torial extent of the Two Cana ~ shall
remain ~ IL Is, or whether they shall be sub
divided into more Provinces; how the two
Houses Of the new Confederation shall bc CON-
posed, together with many other details of the
plan Of union, are questions which are eagerly
canvassed. 1t Is readily admitted that very
grave and serious difficulties remain TO be over
come, and even George Brown. on whom rests
manly thc task of carrying through this grand
plan, openly speaks OF the possibility that The
desired result may not Immediately bo attained.
But whateger may be the result Of the pres
rnt negotiations Il cannot be concealed that
the conception Of the plan. it' discussion by the
Canadian Parliament and tho Canadian pres,
the excitement which II hos produced aud Is
still producing, The hopes aud plans which II 10
nursing in the minds Of thousands, especially the
youthful, are already significant fots in the his
tory Of British America and IN the history Of the
American Continent. If struggle Is kindied
betEccn those, on the ono side, who with glow
ing enthusiasm develop the idea OF great
British nationality, with what appears
to them tine certain prospect of be-
coming The second country OF the American
continent, and one Of the large countries Of The
globe; aud. On tho other oide, the old fogy con-
seryatiyes who prefer the stability and oLscurity
of their present insigniicancc, We cannot doubt
the final issue. The contest between progressive
impulses md conservative inertia has always the
same results, aud British America will hardly
form tho first exception To this rule.
1t is not difficult TO ace tho moral effects
which a pertial, and, sill moro, a complete
recitation of the Union movements would have
upon the population Of British America. In
1861. this population already amounted To
5000, 900, 10. counting The people living wet
Of the Rocky Mountains DuriGg the last three
years the increase has been considerable To
tho great progress Of Upper Canada we have
already referred. and vest OF the Rocky Noun
.. I. H,i.,.l.f. Li1. L., rtt..l no
progress ofour Pacific states. Let Oh these State
be brought into close communication with each
other, and the people can hardly fail to become
conscious of an identity Of interests, and OF tho
their joint cultivation. This consciousness,
when once fixed cannot possibly fail TO call
forth new energy. 10 develop new IDEAS, 70
enlarge commerce, to promote immigration, and
70 speed, in every respect the birth Of power
lul nation
Wo neoi not stop 70 speculate on the rela-
ton OF this now nation 10 the United States.
VIII ally British North American Of the most
unsuspcctcd loyalty, will even any Englishmon,
for moment doubt that when Tho population
Oh British America shsll have reached--ss in
the course Of time, and nj 10 distant day, i
undoubtedly must reach--twenty and more
millions, the sentiments Of The people with re-.
gard TO the immense provinces which they
own and with regard to the--in compari-
son with them-liliputisn Islands which
now send Goyernor.Genc-al 20 rule over
them, must undergo radical change! Tho
result, No believe, lis certain; il will work itself
out without any aid from abroad. Tho concep-