The Portland daily press., 1867-10-22
Dominion Of Canada.

The meeting house remains vacant. "
! h Dtt IL ------ 400 - = - ----t 3. .t
fa@ Dominion Of Canada.
| There Is Iull in the political excitement
among the Canadians. The opposing parties
are resting after their hard fought battle, and
boxing over the field to see how the resnlt
has left them. The government party are
themselves on the successful
issue of the elections in Ontario, Quebec and
New Brunswick, but their heavy defeat in
Nova Scotia is not only morti.ying fact in
itself, but is regarded with some anxiety from
its possible results. The Opposition will have
powerful leader in the Hon. Joseph Howe
Of Nova Scotia, who is perhaps the most elo-
luent orator, as he is certainly one of the
most able men in the Dominion. At the
great Detroit convention two or three years
ago, where were assembled numbers OF the
best speakers of the Western States, Mr..
Howe made confessedly the best argument
and most eloquent speech of all. A Montreal
paper, not Of Mr.. Howe's political complexion,
gives the following very fair estimate of his
character and abilities, which in view of the
prominent position he is likely to still occupy
in Canadian affairs, may not be uninteresting:
AS an editor in the first instance, and sub
sequently as a leading member OF Parliament,
Mr.. Howe has more than any other man been
the educator in public affairs OF the existing
generation of Nova Scotians; and il has been
the work OF his life to develop in that prov
ince Tree institutions and thoroughly respon-
gibla 1Qnortmpnt M tho
piles Of the British Constitution. His oppon-
ents, as well as his supporters, have acquired
their existing opinions and practice under his
influence; and, until the late political chang
es, Howe might have taken credit to himself
for being the principal instrument in es-
tablishing sound and wholesome constitli-
tion for his native province, and in preparing
the minds OF the people OF all parties for its
acceptance and permanent working.
As a leader, Howe has some great qualities.
In eloquence and power ofreaching the hearts
of the people, he has no superior ON this con-
tinent. He has quick sympathy with the pop
ular mind, ready appreciation efthe powers OF
others, and much mastery over those who
work with him. He is thoroughly straight
forward; and no man who knows him doubts
his patriotism and honesty of purpose. In No
va Scotia, he is loved and trusted alike by
Protestant and Catholic, by English, Irish,
and French, because no one for moment be-
leves that he will use the power he may ac-
quire tor any selfish or sectional object. He
is sometimes rough in spirit, and always mer-
ciless in his denunciations OF wrong, mean
ness, corruption, and treachery; but warm in
his attachments, and above taking any unfair
advantage. He is not eminent as a tactician,
-preferring to act upor. the public mind rath
er than to manage men by the arts of the par
liamentary leader; but hitherto all mere tao
tics and .tinesse have gone down before his
more direct methods. sat 4r.rrs U.t-.
,f ,ag d, RECIPROCITY.
There is reason to suppose that among the
earliest measures of the new government viii
be one looking to the establishment of some
kind Of Reciprocity Treaty with the United
States. The abrogation OF the former treaty,
although severely felt in Canada, caused a
greatTdeal more loss and Inconvenience in
this country. In Canada, it only reused The
people from dependence on the American
market, and established direct lines of trade
between Canada and foreign ports, instead Of
receiving from American importers. Every
intelligent person ON both sides OF the line
wishes to see it renewed, and there is little
doubt that, in a modified form perhaps, it will
be.
THE SILVER NUISANCE"
An intelligent correspondent, writing from
Montreal, says the silver question will early
be subject OF legislation. Nearly all the spe-
Gle circulated in Ontario and Quebec is Am
erican coin. If the Americans could not an
mex Canada, the Canadians have appropriated
the American dimes, quarters, and half-dol-
lars. Some years ago this coin circulated at
par, and British silver coin at per cent. dis
count. Now the position is reversed. Gan
American quarter-dollar is worth but TWEEN
ty-four cents at the banks, the government Of
fees, and in the Lower Provinces. In retail
however, it passed at par, but
merchants suffered serious loss.-
1t is proposed, therefore, to have uniform Sc
ries of coin throughout the Dominion. Prob
ably the standard OF values arranged by the
recent convention at PARIS will be accepted as
a basis. The doom OF the American coin,
however, is sealed. They will doubtless be
banished. The States will soon be invaded
by asilver army" We can well afford to en-
lure such an invasion.
SPEECH OF sENEhAI MICHEL SIS i
General Michel, late commander in-ehief of
Ihe iorces Vi Oalaua' ~ repyinS W one " lne
farewell addresses made to him, is reported to
have used the following significant language:
,.,..,,o .
very especially to you, men of Montreal. You
are placee III q pos.sioh neia py no other Guy
lhal hhoW u ~ ne Wofiu. lou are Piaced
on tnis vast continent Wnich can be made tne
feceslns nouse Vi ohe-tnlru OF the contlnents
eAleI,oI srau1, anu you are aDie 10 uespatch
.nat eI',u 70 LuioPe. Iou nave power OF pc
H. n,osf 3o,,r;sh;nc o,n;ts,s -, 49, 80 -
the globe. But you are unsafeiy situated.
Your gains some day, II you arc aa,oisely
penur'19s, W may oe sdSem 70 pay Jor goar cap
Of uour ruia g5rtiGt ,.,,, "'ng n,g oo &c .ause
- - -. 80. II ~, 40 sViuier Zen