The Portland daily press., 1865-04-01
Defence not Defiance


subject has been before the Engligh Parlia-
ment, and the papers have discussed it with
much earnestness Some OF the British States
men think Canada is now big enough to de-
fend herself, while others think 1t is not par
ticularly necessary to expend much money for
such purpose. Since the Shareholders re-
belon broke out against or Government, this
question of defending the British North
American Provinces has become quite rife
much more SO than it was previous to that
time.
The reasons for this are quite obvious. Now
no one in the Provinces or in England, imagines
for a moment that Canada is in danger of be-
ing attacked by any other nation except the
United States. And why is it now feared that
cur Government will pounce upon it? Has
our Government given the first sign of such
an enterprise? Has single movement ever
been made in that direction? Have any of
our public journals of any influence and re-
speciality advocated such demonstration?
Has any State Legislature ever manifested any
such design upon our neighbors over the line?
Not at all; and yet great lears are expressed
both in the Provinces and on the Fast anchored
Ise," that the United States are DESTROYS Of
annexing Canada to this country, and for that
purpose will not hesitate to declare war
against England.
Why do such fears trouble John Bull?
Why do such apprehensions exist in Canadian
minds? 1t does not require the exercise of a
varv nrofound nhilor nhv RI o;va raadv nawars
to all these questions. 1t is as true now as it
was when the maxim was first put into form.
"a guilty conscience needs no accuser." And
we have the highest authority for saying, that
'the wicked fee when no man pursueth." Now
it is fact which cannot be winked out OF
sight that many Statesmen and other public
men, both in Canada and England, have said
and done things which exasperated the loyal
people of this country. Many journals too,
OF both countries, reviews and other periodi-
Gals, have published articles which were calcu-
lated to excite the i'll blood of our people and
stir up the spirit of revenge. Privateers to
piey open our commerce and blockade runners
have been fitted out in England, and the Eng
lish Government has calmly looked on, if 1t
has not sanctioned them by its authority.
Now the Canadian and English gentlemen
know all these things quite as well as we do, and
no wonder they imagine we feel little warlke
towards them. Their own consciences tell them
that they have done enough to provoke the war
spirit in our bosoms. And in addition to
this they know that our fighting the slave
holders rebellion has made us a military pow
er to be feared as we'll as to be respected.
They believe too that during this war we have
acquired love of military glory which will
not rest easy after the rebellion is put down,
but will drive US to stalking Canada" We can
assure these nervous gentlemen that they
need not indulge any such fears or apprehen-
sions. Like the soldiers of Cromwell's army,
ours, after the war is over, will go back to
their homes, or make new ones on Southern
soil, and again engage in the pursuits of in
dustry, adding substantial wealth to the coun-
try and living quiet and industrious lives.
Our military officers too, will put off their ep-
aulets and lay aside their swords and follow
the arts OF peace. Satisfied with the glory
they have won, they will not seek other battle
fields unless the honor of their country de-
mands it. Ofsuch stuff are the officers and
soldiers of our army made. We live in
remarkable age, such as the world has never
seen before. This terrible war has been
fought for great and noble purposes, and the
whole world will reap the benefits of it, and
generations yet unborn will read its history
with grateful hearts. Thus do we look through
our horoscope. We again assure our Canadi-
an neighbors that they need not be at the ex-
pense and trouble of hedging themselves
about with formidable forts and deep bitches.
We shall not trouble them, if they behave
themselves well, and If they don't, their forts
and bitches and frowning guns would not avail
them in the hour Of trial. 1t wouli not be
hard job to take Canada, however formidable
the defepces may be made. John Bright, one
of the most noble statesmen of the Mother
Country" expressed our opinion on this SUBJ
ject
But If the Canadians, assisted by the Home
Government, are willing to incur the expense
of making formidable defensive preparations,
we are not so weak or vain as to consider
them "defances." We shall look upon them
in a calmer and more philosophical spirit,
We beg our neighbors not to borrow any
trouble on that account. They may rest as
sured that we shall not, from any thirst of
military glory, attack Canada, but we prefer
TO see her and the other Provinces in pow
erful confederation, and to witness their pro-
gress and prosperity in all that elevates human
ity and begets higher civilization. All that
we ask is, that they practice the Golden
Rule.
As the editor Of the Globe truly says: 1t is /
impossible that defensive preparations in Can
ada should be construed into menace against
the United States: No, we haven't the least 1
fear that Canada will invade the States, even
fshe were to drill, arm, and equip every man
within her borders and erect Sebastipols all
along the frontier. Such an invasion we do not
even dream Of, much less give it moments
serious consideration. And If our neighbors
entertain apprehensions that the Yankees, out
of mere love Of military glory, will invade
them, we advise them to dismiss all such
fears and not suffer them to interfere with any
business operations. We are entirely willing
that the Canadians, "maydie fighting with their
last breath for Fatherland," if they can find
any body TO fight with. We trust that they will
still prove loyal to their good motherly Queen,
extirpate every root of pro-slavery sentiment
that may exist among them, and cease to
foster and cherish those vipers in their bo-
SONS, Southern Sympathizers."