The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-06-09


Canadian Dangers and Dsfsnoes.
The subject Of ltosifyirg and defending
Canada against the supposed aggressive spirit
of Brother JohRathan, u one which, within
the past four years. has greatly exercised not
only our northern neighbors, but the English
home government. Excited discussions have
ham hoId both in the Canadian and Imperi-
Il psrliament; important officials have hur-
lied hither and thither across the Atlantic, on
errands relating to the matter; exciting
speeches have been made, and almost every
thing else done except to vote the funds for
so gigantic an undertaking. When 1t came to-
that, the parliaments, imperial and provincial,
showed decided disposition modestly to
draw back, and allow somebody else 10 take
the lead. A few months ago, when it first
began to be apparent that the authorities Of
the United States was to be restored over the
whole Of the rebel territory, this excitement
gained fresh impetus. The london Times
went into agonies over the fllibustering pro-
pensities of the dreadful Yankees, and pre-
dicted that should they succeed inpstting
down tho rebellion, their next proceeding
would be an attempt to seize the Canadas in
reprisal for the doings of the Alabama and her
sisters. thaul
With all this absurd talk fresh in our rec
collection, It is a little amusing to see now
how completely the tables are turned. The
rebellion Is subdued, the government is
stronger than yet the armies are quiet
ly disoanding, and the rich prize Of the unde-
Tended, unfol titled Canada, which was to
prove irresistible to avaricious Johnathan. ey-
identity has for him but very few attractions.
He might like 1t as a gift but he will not
trouble himself to snatch it. And while all
fears not absolutely insane of an invasion OF
Canada from the United States, are exploded,
We find that the invasion of the United States
from Canada is every day increasing in mag
nitude and Importance. We need not trouble
ourselves to go after Canals, for Canada is CON-
ingto us. Peaceably, silently, but surely, the
population Of the British North American
provinces is pouring itselfover the line, into
the United States. The movement is not con-
hued to Canada; the maritime provinces pre-
sent the same phenomenon. A recent New
Brunswick paper complains bitterly that the
most enterprising young men will not stay
there. 1t says: Ship builders, miners, me-
chanics, tradesmen, farmers, the bone and sin
ew OF the land, are leaving us in scores, and
the same is true of the population of all the
provinces" The emigiants already number
many thousands, and are constantly increas-
ing. In some districts they already amount
to third Of the inhabitants. Add to this the
fact which we take from the ST. John Globe
that Of S70S steerage passengers who arrived
In Portland, per steamer, between the LIST OF
January last, and the opening of the ST. Law.
| renee In May, 1852 were all that remained in
Canada, while nearly two thirds of the num.
Der went to the Eastern and Western s. ates
and it becomes sufficiently apparent that the
United States effer the greatest attractions 10
the emigrants. stass ssi#sa
These are suggestive facts. Precisely how
much or how little they indicate, what bear
ing they may have upon the future destinies
OF the two great Anglo Saxon nationalities Of
this continent, tits impossible to declare. Our
northern neighbors viii doubtless view them
In light somewhat different from ours We
cannot, of course, object to that One thing,
however, seems certain, whether the two
countries remain separate or become united
their mission is identical. y The best interests
OF civilization and ofhumanity in the Western
Hemisphere are committed to their hands
Each Is fully embarked in the career Of prog
ress, aud pledged to the principles OF freedom.
They may march under different leaders, and
different organizations; but they move in par
allel lines. These minor differences may eff
feet the rate Of progress-they cannot alter
Its direction. Friendship and good feeling
are therefore not only the policies but the du-
ties of both.