The New York herald., 1864-10-14

effect that the plan OF a confederation such as
we have already given TO our readers. both in
our Canadian corresoondence ard in another
article in to-day's HERALD, has been affirmed
ard consented to by the Convention OF the Pro-
vinciaI delegates now in session at Quebec.
In all probability, therefore, the confedera-
ton may be considered as "ixed fact" and
another nationality is to appear on this CONT
nent founded on representation, responsible
lity and the popular will. This is only repe-
tition of our revolutionary drama with q
different prologue. The British government
has very plainly confessed its inability 10 de-
fcnd the Canadas, and the London Times has
warned them that if they are attacked they
must defend themselves Goldwin Smith and
other liberal English writer's have advocated
the entire separation Of the transatlantic
colonies from the Mother Country as an actual
benefit to the latter.
The immediate causes Of the new movement
are undoubtedly the discomfort in Upper
Canada at the inequality Of representation and
taxation existing between the two provinces.
and the dissatisfaction in the lower province
the Catholic sway, which does not respect their
rights in regard to education and the public
schools. With these questions the administra
tion of the day, like those preceding it, find
themselves unable to carry on the government
and they Lave, therefore, advocated and recon-
mended the confederation as the only remedy.
Nevertheless the French in the lower province
are very much opposed to the measure, and
threaten violence rather than agree to its adop-
tcn.
We, who can look as calmly on the political
difficulties in the British provinces as they have
looked on ours, see in this confederation the
shadow of great coming event. In our own
revolutionary struggle we sought the friend
ship Of the Canadas. and it is quite probable
the day is at hand when they will seek ours.
For the present they may look to the Mother
Country for further protection under the new
form of government, and may seek to propitiate
it by a nominal submission to viceroy of
foreign selection. But they cannot get it in any
moment Of real danger. The connection will
be found an empty reliance. The people will
very soon determine. in the ordinary course OF
events, to select not only their legislatures and
local governors, but the supreme head.
The solution of the whole problem appears
to us to be very simple. Let the Canadas and
the lower provinces confederate, let them
choose their own chief executive in the most
convenient way, aud when the organization is
complete, let them join the great republican
family on the soutns,rn side OF the st. Lawrence
and the lakes. we shall ,s,rn be a strong and
powerful national c9nfederacy, "ine p,~,,aa p,~,.ca-
less continent" will be ours; our interests,
already similar, will become one, and we may
look forward to degree Of prosperity such as
the world never before witnessed. If the
British North Americans will regard this subject
without prejudice, and with q proper regard
listen to our advice. We will welcome
them to the Union, and let them enjoy all the
advantages OF members of this great nation.
MURDER By RAnwXY.-Thc increase in the
number of accidents occurring on our railway
lines is beginning to attract attention and
inquiry. During the month Of September
there were no less than sixteen Of these casual
ties in different parts Of the country, in which
upwards Of fifty persons lost their lives In
most cases the disaster was to be traced either
TO want of proper expenditure on the part of
the companies or to carelessness on the part of
their employees. A false economy in many
instances prevented the adoption of simple
measures of precaution which would have eifec-
tually guarded against it.
Since the commencement OF the present
OF the SAME character in our own vicinity. On
the 9th one took place on the Hudson River
road by which one person was killed. On the
10th another occurred on the New York and
New Haven road, by which two passengers
were dangerously injured and . number of
others slightly. In this case the accident was
traced to the fracture of rail at a spot
where care should have boen taken to sub
ject the line TO daily examination. Yester-
day morning again an accident took place
on the Hudson River road near Manbattanville
by the falling of q rock upon the track, the
consequence Of which could have been equally
we'll guarded against if the road had been pro.
pcTiy lOOhcu TOIluudtcly III buiS
stance no lives were lost, which certainly would
not have been the case If the train had been
moving at a rapid rate.
That II is in the power Of railroad directors
to protect the public against the recurrence OF
all such stoppages and disasters has been de.
monstrated by the immunity which all well
managed lines enjoy from them. II from mat.
ten.ion to their duties, or the desire to accumu-
late larger profits, the directors Of the lines in
which they are frequent continue to turn a
deaf year TO he circumstances Of the r:s,s r~s,,s
then the latter must take the remedy into their
own bands, and by finding verdicts Of wilful
murder or heavy damages against them when
nver they are brought into cnnrt andAnNnr to