New-York tribune., 1867-05-25
THE DOMINION or CANADA.

By Royal proclamation the British PROVINCES
of Upper and Lower Canada, Nova Scotia, ana
New Brunswick have been declared unltef un-
DIR one Government as the Dominion OF
Canada, and from the Pacific Coast we have
Information that the whole OF BRUSH
America is to be included in the cOntedera-
ton. The cOnslmmatiOn OF the contederl-
ton scheme of the Canadian politicians Is GER
tiny a noteworthy event. although we can
hardly agree with one of the most prominent
Of them, the Hon. Darcy McGee, when he
says that since Cabot, hoping against hope,
caught his first glimpse of PrimG VISTA, no
more important event in the connection OF
England with our continent has occurred than
that so quietly consummated the other day at
London We suspect that Mr.. McGee's his
torical reading must be rather limited. The
connection of England with our continent "
certainly had something to do with the landing
OF the pilgrims on Plymouth Rock; and yet
that event was but the prelude to
one of the grandest dramas that
the Ages have ever witnessed. "The connect
lion of England with our continent most as
suredly had something to do with the Boston
tea riots; and yet that popular outbreak, gave
birth to the immortal Declaration of lndepend-
ence, with all its glorious results. The promo
ters of Confederation are so jubilant at the
success of their project, that they regard the
New Dominion as already taking rank among
the powers of the earth. "We have passed
"forever,p SAYS the gentleman we have already
quoted, "out of the condition of colonies, andit
1--WE still desire to perpetuate the connection
"(with the Mother Country it must be in the
"new and as vet to be created character OF AL
"lies.r This same individual, who is mem
Der of the Government, in lengthy address TO
the Montreal constituency, which he has just
published, sets forth the principles and policy
of which the rulers and people of the Dominion
are-or ought-to be guided. Among other
things he advocates large expendturesin gigantic
public works, throwing the burdens thereby Gre
ated on future generations lie wants n big DEBT
after the example of great nations. And no
proposes the creation, with the least possible
delay of a standing army. For what purpose
this army is to be created he only dlstantly
hints but he says quite enough To show that
in making the proposal he has the United
States in his minds eye. He, too, like Earl
Russell. is troubled with fears of aggressions
from unprncipled ambition" and so to pro-
vide against the dreaded contingency he would
tarm the people with the best weapons, and
"the earliest moment Indeed, it is remark
able how jealousy of the United States, dislike
of orr institutions, and suspicion of our Gov
ernment and people betray themselves through
ont the whole of this authoritative exposition
of the policy of the Confederation party. The
acquisition of Russian America is, OF course.
construed into a threat against the new nation ;
the monarchical principles upon which tho po-
litical constitution of the Dominion Is founded
are lauded, as giving it a proud distinction In
comparison with the "mere democracy of the
"Unted States and the hope is expressed that
"for the sake of freedom, justice, and ciyiliza-
"tion," the Dominion might become populous
and prosperous-to which end a general arma-
ment is urged. All this, some people may say,
is only very foolish talk. That 1t Is foolish Is
evident enough but considering the position OF
the individual using it, the prominent part he
took in carving out the Confederation scheme,
and the probability of his continuing to exer-
cire a sensible influence in Canadian politics
under the new order of things the language
acquires importance in spite of its intrinsic
folly. Mr. McGee and his compatriots, we
fear, are bent upon a policy too lofty
for the present condition of the country.
What We in our national strength, can
accomplish with comparative ease, 1t would
be extremely hazardous for the people of the
Dominion to attempt. Let the fate of the un-
happy frog in the fable, who aspired to the
dimensions of the OK, be warning to them.
And when the leading politicians of Canada
begin already to talk about a standing army,
let the people of England look to it that their
new "alies,r under the leadership OF the Me-
Gees, the Carriers. and the McDonalds, do not
before long involve them in serious trouble
with the United States.