The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-03-05
A King for Canada.

La Fontaine tells us the fable Of the frogs
who, becoming disconnected with their form
of government, besought Jupiter to send them
ruler After much importantly Jupiter sent
them log, which, coming down splash into
the pond, created considerable CONSERVATION
among the frogs and caused them to Jump
precipitately into their holes. 1t was some
time before the boldest ventured forth to see
what sort Of q ruler had been sent them,
and, after careful reconnaissance, during
which the frogs exhibited much strategic skill,
they discovered that it was no ruler but only
q log that Jupiter had sent them. Then they
began to croak, and nothing but croaking was
in order in the pond for many days and nights.
Finally, being no adopts at logrolling, like
our Congressman, they appealed again to
Jupiter, declaring that 1t was ruler and not
log they wanted. Whereupon Jupiter sent
them q stork for king. King Stork was cor
daily and reverentially received by the frogs,
and, after becoming commander of the situa-
ton, began his reign by stalking majestically
through his dominions and gobbling up his
subjects whenever he felt inclined to take q
meal. In due time the frogs found their num-
bers diminish, and the remainder, croaking
being no longer Of avail, saw their folly in
making such desperate efforts to secure rulers
like King Log and King Stork.
This little story is suggestive of the con-
dition of our Canadian neighbors. They are
the most uneasy set of unreconstructed NOR
kol tho Ca 0f tho oh "a
Canadians, English, French, Scotch nor Irish.
At one time they grumble at having too much
independence, then at not having enough.
Then they want annexation, then they don't
Then they want q republic, and 60 crazy
upon the visit of the heir apparent to the
crown of Great Britain. They seem to
have . day for everything; like the
frogs in the fable they are croaking
all the time. They have day for independ-
ence, another for annexation, another for a
republic, another for things to remain as they
are, another for consolidation, and finally one
for monarchy. Consolidation has proved a
king log. Their monarchy is likely to prove a
king stork-a ruler who will ultimately gobble
up their political rights as the frogs were in
the fable. But how will the French Canadians
take this nice little scheme Of planting prince
of the blood Of their hereditary foes upon q
throne erected on their native soil? The ira
ditions Of two hundred years, when their an
cestors fought the British in the wildernesses
Of Canada, are not yet obliterated, but have
been renewed by the glory reflected upon the
French arms in rival contests with the British
in the Crimea. The English in Canada, who
have been in the habit Of snubbing the French
Canadians for years, will no doubt rejoice to
see scion Of the house Of Guelph upon the
throne of Canada. But 1t will prove . barren
triumph. The diadem will become thorny II
not an empty bauble. The head that wears it
will prove the most uneasy that ever wore a
crown on this continent, Maximilian's not ex-
cepted. The proposed King of Canada may
seek to pacify those implacable foes, the irate
Fenians, by ascending the throne under the
title Of Patrick 1.-The name of the patron
saint Of Ireland being one of his patronymics-
but that wont save him. He may attempt to
follow the example Of his illustrious namesake,
and give the toads and frogs in Canada q twist
and Danish them forever; but he will find there
are too many Of them on both sides Of the Dor
der, and in the end, instead of gobbling up his
subjects, like King Stork in the fable, King
Patrick will find himself fortunate if he can
escape with . whole skin himself. This may
be accomplished without the aid Of the Cana
dams themselves for in their ignorance and
vacillation they know not what they do, nor
what they want, nor what they ought to ex-
pect Their fate is q problem which is happily
illustrated by the fable Of La Fontaine.