Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1865-02-10
NEW CONFEDERACY.

The manufacture of Confederacies seems the order
Of the day on this continent Four years we have
watched and resisted the desperate attempt to es-
tablish one in our Southern Sates attention
is called to the efforts making to establish in
Northern border. But while the former must ex-
ecrate, abomnable in itself and full of woe to man
kind, the latter only eXcites curious interest We
have been wont to think it but question of time
when the Canadas shall join sisterhood of States
Not very many years ago the attempt was made-at
least began-but nothing came of it. The past four
years have disclosed no more of the annexation feel
ing in Canada than of "Union feeling" in the rebel
States. The reason is the same: "Union feeling
for the sake Of Sdrery becomes secession feeling
when the Union means Liberty; annexation feeling
for selfish interest becomes tine if selfish inter-
est points the other way. The tme Union feeling
and the true annexation feelng-those which love
Union and annexation for their own good sake-have
probably not been lessened by the war. They exist
ed-rather as eaven than in great amount-they
exist still Treated wisely th9 may yet leaven the
whole of their respective Jumps.
As in the South 70 in the Northern provinces, con-
federation is the last device adopted for securing their
respective interests. But with this difference: while
In the South it has been a settled policy, preparing
ior during Mt least generation, in the provinces it is
al sudden birth How long and in whose brain it has
been connecting is perhaps not known. No apparent
necessity demanded it-nor any deep general popu-
lar DESIRE When first proposed, it was taken up as
sort of phythng. 1t took no real hold on the poppar
heart and Nesuspect has none now Did vou ask its
meaning and purpose clear answer came. Did
you inquire as to It's origin and necessity the foo
frequent answer--an answer alanninp,v familiar 70
the thoughts and speech of our tme-was that nolti
cal corruption pecunary cupdity lay at the botto,n
of it. We mean to suggest no wrong motive ony-
where; but to show the curious relation which it bors
TO the popular thought in Canada far ms it Tell nm
der view. Not very promising beginning, one
would think.
The speech Of the Governor General at the recent
opening of the Parliament in Canada perhaps throws
some needed light on the origin aud purpose of the
movement. "A careful consideration Of the general
"position of British North America" he says, "n.
'duced the conviction that the circumstances of the
'tmes afforded the opportunity, not merely for the
settlement of question Of provincial politics. but
i'also for the simultaneous creation n Rec ndt0na
"y'. (Ihe italics are ours.) Stating then that q
Provincial Conference had deemed Federal Union
feasible and desirable aud adopted plan he adds
"The general design of II Union and the particular
'plan by which it is proposed to carry that intention
iinto effect have both received the candid approba-
fton of the Imperial Government" lie SAYS further
that he has assurance Of the introduction into the I'm
perial Parliament of bill to give dnal validity to the