Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-09-29

from the New York Tribune
The first Conference OF delegates from the eastern
provinces of British America-Oanada, Nova Scotia
New Brunswick and Prince Edwards Island-met on
the LIST of September at Oharottetown Prince Edwards
Island. Originally, this meeting had been convoke
for the purpose of celebrating on the expectancy OF
uniting, under one Government, and one Legislature
the maritime provinces-Nova Scotia, New Bruins
wick and Prince Edwards Island. But the project
recently agreed upon by the political psrties IN Canada
to establish general British American Confederation,
led to the presence OF delegates from Canada and TO
discussion of the question whether the maritime prov
nces had better 60 with their original pan or drop
it and adept the Canadian scheme.
After careful consideration of the whole question: the
Conference is said to have unanimously come to the
conclusion that the advantages of confederation to all
ths provinces would be very great provided the terms
of alliance could be made satisfactory. The delegates
from the maritime provinces were to resume the con-
sideration of the details of the scheme at Halifax on
the 14th instant after which duly authorized Confer
ence of the several provincial governments is to be held
at Qcebec mature if possible formal proposition
for submission to their respective Paraments 1t the
Conference to be held at Quebec should be able to come
to understanding about plan to be submitted to
the Legislatures of the Provinces may expect that
it will obtain the sanction of the Legislatures and Of
large majority of the peope in each of the Provinces
This result seems at least to be foreshadowsd By the
general favor which the schme of confederation has
ceived from the press o. British America.
Serious opposition will probably be encountered only
10 Lower Canada. There large majority OF the pop.
ulaticn is French by origin by language and by senti
ment. They jealousy intent upon the preservation
of their nationality. The orgnaors of the Con:eder
alton scheme hoped to reconcile them to the project
Notwithstanding the other provinces would be over
whelmDg English speaking majority by the extension
of the Federal principle The Lower Canadians are to
have their own Provincial Legislature which would
naturally be entirely under French cHltro and to the
Central Govern little jurisdiction is to be trans
erred as is compatible with the idea of Confederation
This proposition accepted by considerable portion OF
The French Canadians, but this explicit condition,
that extensive powers shall be given to the Central
Government. To us9 term more Common with us,
the Canadians if the proposed Confederation should be
successfully established, will bs ultra States Rights
men.
Tie English minority of Lower Canada, OF whom
the Montreal Gazette is the chief organ, naturally IL
cnes towards concentration OF power in the hands
of the Central Government, it would secure them
greater influence But the advocacy of this view h4s
greatly excited the ire of the French Canadians One
Of their orgass, La Mevs says threateningy OF this
proposition swell, let them do it." The French Can
adams would unite single man, and before ten years
were passsd there would not be two representatives
from Lower Canada the Parliament, belonging to an
origin different from ours Does not temporary ig
the fact that this very hour the greater part OF the
English members from Lower Canada owe their Sc .ts
to The French Canadians2 Still La Msnerus is ooe of
the French papers not altogether opposed to coneder
aon under it provincial self government 10 TO De Sc
cured to Lower Canada.
Quite different are thu views of young school OF
French enthusiasts, who are repre- sened by newly
established French paper Union Nationale. They re-
ject tie scheme of Confederation altogether and ad
yocata dissolution of the union that now connects
them With Upper Canada. Toey dream of tie organi-
cation of French American nationality. When sepa-
rated from Upper Canada they expect to override the
English speaking residents of Lower Canada, to diff
fuse over all French ideas, and gradually build up
separate and independent French State. Thus far this
party is in minority in Lower Canada If they should
increase in strength they must inevitably form very
disturbing element in the new Confederation.
The further development of this scheme Of British
American Confederation deserves close attention, as it
bids fair to act very CONSPICUOUS part in the history OF
the American Continent.