The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-05-03
English Debate on Canada pefanc,

IL seems to us somewhat remarkable that
. the British Parliament should have been so
much excited on the question of defending
Canada. The question, too, has become the
absorbing topic of conversation among the
people Of England as well as among the Cana
dams. There are certain persons, or a GER
tain party, in England, who have very wisely
that is, in their own conceit-come to the
conclusion that the United States are bent on
making an attack ON Canada and annexing il
to their Government. Their opinion is that
this attack will be made as soon as our war is
over. The last standpoint from which they
came to these 81 &c conclusions is that made
by the London Times, which is severything
by turns and nothing long"
The last phase of this subject assumed by
the Times, is the fact that the United States
have made claim against England for DANA
ges done to our commerce during the war, by
the Alabama and other piratical craft, fitted
out in England and manned by Englishmen.
The Times processes to believe that we shall
make this basis for seizing Canada and hold
Ing 1t as a material guaranty until all damages
shall have been adjusted and paid. We Judge
that the writers In the Times derive such
opinions from consciousness of the Justice
Of such claims. But they need not be too
much alarmed; for we shall probably try. the
arts of diplomacy first and make appeals to
the justice Of England before the American
Eagle pounces upon Canada. Warlike, as
they may suppose us to be, we shall not be in
a hurry to "take Canada" gFN
These wise statesmen and savans Of England
In one breath say that Canada must be put in
state of complete defence, and in another
they express the impossibility of defending
Canada in case the United States should at
tack 1t in good earnest. Now we entertain
quite similar opinions. Canada has a very
long frontier, and it would take fabulous
amount of British gold to build forts, erect
Notifications, and dig bitches along the line SO
formidable that Yankee ingenuity and Prov
ess could not overcome them therefore wise
policy would seem to dictate that all such no.
tlons should be discarded. But we are willing
these gentlemen should take their own course.
But there is one thing quite certain. This
class OF English statesmen and politicians
nave been doing much-whether purposely or
not7-to Keep alive that bitterness. or. to use
miioer term, that sense of British Injustice
winch was incorporated into our Declaration
Vi Independence. 1t had nearly burnt out
anu smouldered under the ashes, but since The
repeiion broke out they have been rak;no 81
1ae asnes ana cinders that covered it and re-
klndling H. whether consciously or not we
I00 vaS f.vA 49,
leave IL TOT tnem to say. If the teachings Of
such men were to prevail in ENGLAND Wa have
no doubt . war between our povavnn,.,,.'.,s
and that of Queen Victoria would ,.ha 49,
and shock both coutries and the wor,d
we believe their influence will fall far sh... ~
such a demonstration.
The recent debate in the British Parljaman.
now shows in what direction the current 81
public opinion is setting. A change has come
over some OF their leading statesmen, and it is
quite evident that this change has been
wrought BY the brilliant success that has
crowned the Federal arms, and the near ap.
proach of the downfall Of the rebellion
British statesmen and her more restless politi.
clans begin to see and feel that war with the
United States would be no pastime. They
anu the world now know of what stuff we are
.ha0e' This war has SO developed our re-
sou,ces ana our power that we shall not be
aiAe,y 70 De sneered at by any government on
0si'H, ~na we have arrived at such height
Of national greatness that wa can we'll !. ,Tors
to be magnanimous. When slavery i No rore
and that consummation SO deyou,lv ,r,.h.d
Is near at hand--we hope to be ! has.s,
Light for the civilized world, and helm 4 ~ -
higher civilization. y ~