The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-08
The British North American Confederation.

From the World
The project of uniting all the British North
American provinces in one grand confederation,
which was agitated last year. and fell through
by the opposition of the lower provinces, is re-
Vlyed with the prospect of early success. AT a
banquet which took place, day or two since,
in Cornwel, Upper Car ada, where the principal
Canadian Ministers were present ard made
speeches, this subject was put forward, in tone
of confident prediction as If no doubt was en-
te1tained et an immediate favorable result. The
influence, O. the Imperial Government has been
brought TO bear on the lower provinces, and it
is expected that the union will be cons ummated
ut an early day.
One Of the most powerful causes of the new
impetus given to this project, is the failure to
procure the renewal or extension OF the Reci-
proclty treaty. The geographical position of the
upper provinces, which stretch along behind q
belt OF our States mterposed between tlem and
the ocean, renders intercourse with us, and
transit Tor their products through our territory
commercial necessity. Ii they cannot obtain
1t by treaty, there is strong temptation to ac-
qulre its advantages by annexation. The con-
federation is one OF the means OF counteryailino
this tendency. II consummated, it will foster
national spirit and the pride OF independence;
Tor nobody supposes that so populous and ex-
tenslve country, united under one Govern
ment, can long remain de gendency OF q foreign
crown. Great Britain thinks the United States
are already too large and powerful for the gene.
raj balance OF power. She would, under anv
circumstances, object to our further growth by
annexation. She has much stronger objection
to our enlargement at her expense.
She has no expectation OF holding Canada per-
manently; she regards 1t as ceAtail that her
North American colonies will be ultima ely an
nexed to the United States or ultimately inde
pendent. She can concede their independence
without loss of prestige; and by that means
establish an allied patton as partial counter
poise to the United States. This, at present, is
the leading object o. her American policy. She
IS dong all in her power to favor spirit of
selfmportance and TO promote the desire of
Independence in her North American posses
slons. She encourages them to exercise some OF
the highest functions Of sovereign nations, Her
ministers and agents are allowed to go to WASH
mgton and negotiate directly for reciprocity
without any appearance of responsibility except
20 the colonial Government. In all matters of
domestic legislation she leaves them perfectly
free. By the projected union their thoughts will
be strongly turned towards independence; and
she can easily direct their national aspirations
towards throne, to be filled by one of the sons
of Victoria.
If there are germs of an annexation party in
the upper provinces, there are none IN the 10 Wer
But il Canada should be annexed, the feeble
lower provinces could not expect long to escape
absorption by so powerful neighbor. When
the United States should come to own the terri
tory on both sides the st. Lawrence, they would
naturally covet the provinces that guard the
entrance to its mouth, and lie on the gulf into
which II empties. In view of the danger of
ultimate annexation, resulting from the loss of
the Reciprocity treaty, successful appeal can
be made to the loyalty and British feeling of the
lower provinces in favor, OF the confederation:
and we shall probably witness, this spring, the
completion OF an arrangement fraught with i'm.
portant consequences in the future history of
this continent.