Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-05-02
THE CANADA QUESTION.


to much speculation and argument on
both sides of the Atlantic, in respect to
the condition and future destiny of
Canada, in the event of rupture between
the United States and England. Appre.
tensions among English Statesmen have
indeed, been of SO grave a character
recently, as to urge the British Parliament
to pass an appropriation bill tr the
purpose of fortifying Canada against any
attempted or anticipated encroachments
of hostile character, by the United
States.
In reviewing this question generally
the Manchester Examiner and Times. a
leading English journal, introduced in its
editorial columns of March 25th, one of
the most mastery articles in favor or
Canadian Independence we have yet
read. So conclusive are its arguments,
to our mind, that we here give the article
in full. 1t is as follows:-
The vote of the House of Commons on
the Canadian Fortifcations is one which
very few thoughtful people can regard as
satisfactory. The financial aspect of the
question is comparatively trivial. Fifty
thousand pounds is not large sum, and
though it is true that the whole of the
sum which it is proposed to expend is
lour times larger, yet the aggregate is
less than we lay out upon a single man.
ot-war OF the most approved construction.
so let US put money out of the question,
and deal with the latter on the broadest
grounds. The proposal to extend the
tortihcations of Quebec and Montreal
assumes, of course, that the people of the
United States may invade Canada. Let
US assume that they will do so, and then
ask what those Notifications are likely to
be worth. If our readers will be good
enough to reach down their aliases and
glance at the map of North America
they will not find much difficulty in form,
ing an opinion on that point. The country
to be defended is strip of territory about
htteen hundred miles long, and a hundred
or hundred and fifty broad sparsely
peopled, and without any natural barriers
to assist in its defence, for the st. Lawrence
and the lakes may be regarded as facilities
rather than as distractions to the invader.
AT its eastern extremity this strip of land
Is lce'locked for nearly half the year, aud
during that period is only accessible
through the territory of the United States.
All through the winter months, Canada
might us well be at the North Pole for
any assistance that could then be sent 10
1t from this country. Look, now, at the
position Of the United States The terri.
tories OF the republic are coterminous with
those OF Canada oil the way from the ST
Lawrence to the Red River settlements
along tue border lie the most populous
states OF the Union, and many of it's
largest towns. If the United States
should resolve to invade Canada, they
would do so with will, aud we know
what that amounts to. They have sud.
ueniy become one of the greatest mill ary
powers in the world, and there is no
longer doubt that for any object ON
Wnlch their hearts were set thev could
bring an army Of half q million we'll.
trained soldiers into the field, under the
command of generals who are entitled 10
rank among the best Of any age. We
are assured that the American army ia
oetter supplied with artillery than anv
otner IN the world We are also told
mat where we could put one gunboat on
the lakes they could put ten. AS for
supplies, the vast granary of the West
lies behind them, and hundred RAILWAYS
run from the interior of the States 10 t5s
canadian border Now for the precious
loftlneatlons on which We are going to
expend 100000, and Great Britain and
oa9ads together, in the long run, about
uaii million. They guard two points
on the St, Lawrence. Even if thew can
De held, they will take all the trooSs wa
can muster TO defend them, and. mean.
wnlle, what becomes Of the rest of Canada
we protect say one hundred miles wbs,
OF the other nine hundred At the verv
best we shall only succeed in defending
Lower Canada-that part of the country
winch IS least populous and valuable
while the tiourishiDg towns and districts
OF Upper Canada will be necessarily
abandoned to the enemy. At the worst
and the worst, We are told on excellent
authority, is very likely to happen-our
forces, pent up in Quebec and Montreal,
aud cut off for FIVE months from all com.
munication with this country, would he
compelled to surrender, and we should
near oil them for the FIRST time when they
were were gracing victor's pageant at New
We believe the case to be precisely as
MIR. Lowe describes it. To defend Canada