The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-03-07
TIE KINGDOM OF CANADA.

Pr0Y Osed Protest of the Legislature Of Maine.
The joint standing Committee Federal Relations in
tho Maine senate TO whom referred much OF the
Governors message relates tho proposed confeder
ton Of the British North American provinces, having
considered the subject matter thereof, ask leave to
REPORT
Any question affecting the political relations OF any
portion OF the continent OF North America OF interest
to the people Of the United States especially
the people of those States which, from frontier posi-
ton hare necessary connection with those domnions,
and arc Influenced and affected BY their proximity The
political relations OF the provinces bordering the
STATE Of Maine accordingly, are matters OF interest,"
aud, under some circumstances OF hg host importance
to the people OF this state A
The colonial empire OF Great Britain dates back the
charter OF April TO- 1906 by which the people OF the
british nation authorized TO establish colonial
governments in North and South Virginia. under
claim OF title tho territory bordering the Atlantic
Ocean between the thirty fourth and forty fifth degrees
OF north latitude. Subsequent grants 10 the companies
Of New England and Virginia extended this claim OF
title by England far north the forty eighth degree
Of north latitude, and this broad belt OF fourteen
degrees, from the Atlantic TO the Pacific Ocean.
The original grant by King James, under the guidance
OF such leading minds Sir Ferdlnando Gorces, SIR
John Pophan, Chief Justice OF England the Earl Of
southampton and Lord Bacon, Contemplated the esab-
lishncnt OF plantations communities coones Amer
ica having the right Of In their local nd
mnistation subject only 10 the superior power Of the
imperial home government The system of territorial
governments known under our federal Union Is
modelled on the same plan.
enc among the coonists led 10 curtailment, BY
and almost imperccptibe degrees, OF the privileges
clearly set forth In the original grant Of April 10 l60o
amended charters though claim ny TO Inc an enlarge.
ment Of the Of the colonial governments wore,
In point OF fact more restrictive than The original Grant
The right to choose officers, coin money, collect
by impos organize military force for their own
defence establish oil laws necessary for their gov
srnmoni provided they were TO the laws OF
England was clearly granted, In full and ample
manner as the United states government now permits
nj civn.ln Init nv ho
torai governments.
Under this benefcent system the colonial dependen-
earth every hemisphere with free governments, the
repositories OF the rights OF tho people With tho ex-
ment was similar 10 that OF England other OF the
seven powers of Europe, who embarked t0g sther In
plans OF colonization, have left any great results as the
fruit OF their iabors The magnificent dominionS OF
France In the world which for century and n
half surpassed all others N their promise Of future
greatness, disappeared before the power OF n free
people, whose habits OF scfgoverument had taught
them how 10 conquer and rnlc men Of equal military
genus, bu, whose dependence upon The uncertain
favor OF princes another continent And but tor the
invasion OF the rights Of the people Of the thirteen Colo
nes-grantcd to them oy the original charter Of King
James-by the stupid kings Of the house OF Hanover,
no could any possibility OF American republic
within hundred years from the time Of their actual
separation from the British crown.
The revolt OF the thirteen colonies and the recognition
Of their government by that Of England. recsabshed
the principles OF King James charter and fy colonial
governments, scattered different portions OF the
civilized world, allegiance TO Great Britain
embracing more than eight million square miles OF ter
ritory and about hundred millions Of people, 10 the
form Of British colonies and dependencies
'fhc Coional Empire OF Great Britain, therefore,, as
has been justly remarked he wonder Of this age had
i,s root In the cnsrtcr Of April TO- 1906 and LIS develop
ment In the New England charter OF 1870 rne dea OF
strong central government having extended domnions
In distant lands, divided into separate PROVINCES COM
mnities and States enjoying equal and lust laws suited
to the local OF EACH which developed IN action
under the rule Of Cromwell seems well suited 70 confer
the blessings OF upon oil people capa
BILE Of the exercise OF political rights The fundamental
principle on which such governments rest " that
declared BY the Declaration Of Independencc that all
Just governments founded upon the consent Of the
governed and every colonial government OF the British
empire has devovcd upon the people the duty and
trusted 70 them the right Of popular elections
rho admitted doctrine Of the British Emprc at this
dny IA that whenever any colony shall have reached suf
cent age strength 70 be capable OF SELF government
their independence TO be yielded them, in the same
manner as the child Is emancpated from the fathers
rule on reaching the period Of majority.
Probably no form Of government can be devised
20 generous IN ts administration and 20 free from inst
irritation that under which the North American pro-
vinces this day held by Great Britain without being
burdened 10 maintain the national power completely
protected and defended In all their external re-
atons-thcy are allowed 70 collect revenues
by impost, without discrimination in favor Of
the imperial government; or being taxed a dol
lar 70 maintain The imperial exchcQuep, they are