New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-08-13
THE TROUBLES OF THE CANADIAN
GOVERNMENT.

We find some of the Canadian journals insinuatlng
that the ostensible cause Of Mr.. Cats resignation Is
not the real one which is to be found in the opposi'
ton that his financial policy encountered both IN and
out of the Provincial Legislature and in the critical
and troubous condition of public affairs supernduced
by the Confederation scheme. BE this as it may
however it is certain that difficulties are thekening
around the Canadian Government which will severely
tax the craftsmanship Of those at the helm OF affairs
What with the mischief threatened by arenewa OF the
Fenian invasion, and the necessity for vigilance IN
guarding against the dangers looming in this quarters
what with the onerous nature Of the task OF financial
and legislative readustment, which Confederation, IL
cOnsummated, will impose; and what with the troubles
arising out Of the clash and conflict Of Roman Catholic
and Protestant interests in the matter OF popular edu
cation, the administration Of the Canadian Govern
ment is obviously becoming increasingly difficult.
The School question, on which Mr. Gait resigned
ofice-owing as is alleged to difference of opinion
with his colleagues-is likely to prove source Of
serious embarrassment to the Government for some
time to come The Protestant minority of Lover
Canada demand separate schools for the education Of
Protestant children, and barganed with the Govern
ment, it appears, that as a condition OF obtaining
their support for the Confederation project,
law for the establishment Of separate schools should
be passed. A bill with this object was accordingly
introduced by the Government but the Catholic
minority of Upper Canada demand for themselves
the same advantages under this head claimed by
the Lower Canada minority, and bill Slml'
lar TO the Government measure was, Tor this
end brought in by a private member oil the
Legislative Assembly. The members for Lower
Canada in the Catholic interest were willing to
vote for the Government bill on condition that
the Government shall guarantee the interests OF the
Upper Canada Catholics in the way proposed. Without
their aid the Government measure cOuldnot be carried;
but as public opinion in Upper Canada was strongly
against the concession demanded by the Catholics OF
that portion Of the province, the Ministry,
as a compromise determined upon withdrawing
the Government bill, thus getting rid OF
the otherb and leaving the matter where it stood be-
fore the question of separate schools was mooed 10
this Mr. Gait who had pledged himself to support the
claims Of the Lower Canada minority, was opposed,
and hence his resignation, in which he probably
availed himself of the opportunity presented by the
difficulty for Withdrawing FROM what had become
to him very trying position. Meanwhile, the
question Of separate schools remains unsettled,
10 be q source of future trouble to the Gov
erment, the Protestant minority OF Lower
Canada insisting on their demand and the Catholic
minority of Upper Canada being as determined on
having the same concession made to them. To aggra-
vae the difficulty presented by this question: in which
the element of sectaran antagonsm certain to play
a prominent part, the Protestants of Upper Canada
are unwilling that the Catholic minority OF that Sec
ton should enjoy tho privileges which their brethren
of the Lower Provinces are seeking, and which the
Catholics are willing they should enjoy.