The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-05
The Independence of Canada.
From he Herald.

The independence of Canada.
From he Herald.
The old colonial system of England has been
greatly modified in later times. The successful
revolt of the United Colonies, which became the
United States, gave it the drst great shock. Still
the old logy politicians, who imagined the colo
nies gave strength to the mother country, and
the placemen of the arlstocracy clung tena-
ciously to the Downing street government of
these distant possessions. But the progress of
more liberal ideas, caused chiefly by the won
dertul success of this country after 1t became
independent OF England, overcame in measure
the preiudices of British statesmen and the inGu-
ence of interested place Inters The conse-
quence has been that the colonies OF late years
have enjoyed a much greater degree OF self
government than formerly.
So great has been the change that some of the
most libeIal-minded English statesmen begin to
regard them as nurseries of future independent
States They are aware that the United States
have been of much more value not only to the
world, but to British commerce in particular,
than as colonies they could ever have been, and
this has made the pride of imperial dominion
give way, to some extent before commercial or
individual interests. These ideas, together with
q sense OF the folly of attempting to coerce
colonies which desire to be independent, have
made rapid strides within few years. and par
ticularly with regard to the North American
colonies since our wa.
Every great revolutionary event produces a
remarkable change in the sentiments of man.
kind, and the iation which Is the focus of the
revolution impresses its views upon the rest of
the world. 1t is the spark which electrifes the
whole lump. Such nation becomes the pro-
pagandist OF new ideas, which make an epoch in
history. Our own position at the present time
is something like that Of France during the re-
volution al the close Of the last century. That
event upheaved society from the very centre; it
was a social and political earthquake. The old
Orla Of resisted q nj
Europe combined against it; but they could not
prevent the progress of its influence The mighty
events of the last five years in this country have
produced an extraordinary effect In the world
and the leaven is still working. The results
may not be fully foreseen at present, but they
will surely appear. The laws of nature are as
inheXible in the moral as in the physical world.
The greatest and earliest effect will be seen un-
doubtedly III those countries which are near to
us. The colonies and States of the American
continent feel more Immediately this influence,
though it has reached Europe and will continue
to act there.
Canada is now in a state of political fermenta-
ton and change. The British Government, with
that conservative monarchical instinct and fore
sight for which it is remarkable, essayed to hold
in check the republican revolutionary influence
to which the events in this country gave new
impulse In fact, there was general movement
of European monarchies for this purpose. The
confederation scheme of England to unite all the
American colonies and create vice royalty, or,
probably, in the end a kingdom, was part of
the general plan. The whole programme is a
failure; and it is surprising that the statesmen OF
Europe had not sagacity enough to perceive that
ii would be so. The breaking down of the
English confederation scheme and the events
that are now taking place in Canada are only
| The first symptoms OF that leaVen which Is to
| change the destiny of that country.
The desire to be annexed to the United States
| is growing rapidly. The more tar-seeing portion
Of the British press perceives this and begins to
| discuss freely the question of independence or
| annexation. An astonishing change mas come
over England in short time. 1t is now ad-
mItted by the leading organs OF public opinion
that If the Canadas really wish to be indepen-
dent, or to be annexed to the United States,
| England should not attempt to prevent them
becoming so. So far as we are concerned we
should be pleased to see the Canadians indepen-
dent, for we consider 1t is the proper destiny of
the American continent to become entirely
| emancipatsd from European control or inhu-
ence, and we might not object to their anneXa-
ton when they become thoroughly purged of
their silly monarchical and aristocratIc notions
and airs. But we have no great desire to possess
their cold, semi arctic, and inhospitable country.
We have an immense domain in temperate
and genial climate with the richest soil, and
every variety of production, sufficient Tor a
population of several hundred millions. What,
then, do we want with Canada, except to have it
freed IRON institutions arftagonlstic to our own
Iflf the Canadians will be lndependent-and ii is
better Tor them than to be as they are-we may
take their case into consideration, But the best
thing for them to do is to pack up their little
effects and cross the border. Let them leave
their shivering country, and emigrate to the
teeming Western States or TO the sunny South
The lands are rich, cheap and in the greatest
abundance. In a few years the arctic frosts
would be melted ont OF them they would become
happy and prosperous, and they would wonder
why they remained so long in their present iso
lated and desolate condition. This is the bes
advice we can give totour Canadian neighbors
Secretary Stewards Southern Voyage.
From The World
Although Mr.. Seward is in no high sense
statesman, he is a politician OF consummate Gun
ming. His voy age through the West Indies int
the South Atlantic is a masterstroke OF craft
He has caused it to be trumpeted 10 the fou
winds that this voyage has no political signif