The New York herald., 1866-01-04
The Independence Of Canada.

The Independence Of Canada.
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 1t the first great shock.
Still the old fogy politicians, who imagined the
colonies gave strength to the mother country,
and the placemen Of the aristocracy clung tena-
ciously to the Downing street government Of
these distant possessions. But the progress Of
more liberal ideas, caused chiefly by the wonder
full success of this country after it became indie
pendent of England, overcame in a measure
the prejudices of British statesmen and the in
fuence of interested place hunters. The con-
sequence has been that the colonies Of late
years have enjoyed q much greater degree Of
selfgovernment than formerly. SO great has
been the change that some Of The most liberal
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 indi-
vidual interests. These ideas, together with
sense Of the folly of attempting TO coerce colo
nles which desire to be independent, have made
rapid strides within few years, and particu-
larly with regard 10 the North American colo
MES since Our var.
Every great revolutionary event produces =
remarkable change In the sentimenis Of man
kind, and the nation which is the focus of the
revolution impresses its views upon ths rest of
the world. II is the spark which elsctriles the
whole lump. Such nation becomes The propa-
gandist Of new ideas, which make an epoch In
history. Our own position a' the present time
is something like that OF France during the
revolution at the close of the last century. That
event upheavsd society from the very centre;
II was social and political earthquake. The
old order Of society resisted II; all the natious
of Europe combined against II; but they could
not prevent the progress of is influence. The
mighty events Of the last five years In
this country have produced an cxtrn ordinary
effect in the world, and the leaven is stll work
ing. The results may not be fully foreseen at
present, but they will surely appear. The
laws Of nature are a. infexihie in the moral ss
in the physical world. The greatest and ear
liest effect will be seen undoubtedly in those
countries which are near 10 us. The colonies
and States OF the American continent feel more
Immediately this influence. though II has
reached Europe and will continue to act there
Canada is now ia state Of political fermcnt.
al al. r.
with that conservative monarchical instinct and
foresight for which il is remarkable, essaycd Ia
hold in check the republican revolutionary in.
fiucnce to which the evonts in this country gave
a new impulse. In fact there was general
movement of European monsrchies for this
purpose. The confederation scheme of Eng
land 10 unto all the American colonies aud
create vice royalty, or, probably, in the end,
aklngdom, was part or the general plan The
whole programme is q failures and il is surprising
that the statesmen Of Europe had not ssgaeiiy
enough 10 perceive itwouid be 10. The breaking
down Of the English confederation scheme and
the events that arc now taking place in Cansds
are only tho irsi symptom. cf that leavcu
which Is 10 change tho desiiny of that country.
The desire 10 be annexed 10 The United States
is growing rapidly. Tie more lsr-seeing DOR.
ton Of the British pres. perceive. this, and be-
gins to discuss freely the question Of indie.
pcndence or annexation. An astonishing
change has como over England In q short
time. II IL now admitted by the leading organ.
Of public opinion that II The Cansdss raaliy
wish to be independent, or to be annexed %
the United States. England should not attemp,
to prevent them becoming 10. So far ss We
are concerned We should he pleased TO see
The Canadians independent. for We consider /,
is the proper destiny Of the American CONT.
peut 10 become entirely emsneip,,ed from