The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-09-11
s.That Detestable Confederation"


TO THE northeast of the State Of Maine, sepa-
,ated from it by the Bay of Fundy, is the
almost island of Nova Scotia. 1t contains
about half million of inhabitants, and about
$4,000 square miles of territory. Fer many
years, we may say centuries, 1t has been
allowed to make its own laws, elect its own
officers, and in every way regulate its internal
affairs, almost the same as an independent
province. The only subsection to the British
Crown was in the appointment of certain
nominal officials, whose presence kept alive
spirit of loyalty, and reminded them, with
out offense, of their connection with the
British Crown. Such was the state of the
province-a sort of utopian state-if we
can believe the Attorney General-untll the
idea was conceived of perfecting the union of
the provinces. Against this little Nova
Scotia rebelled. She recognized clearly that
in general assembly, her laws would be
made by representatives coming from an en-
tirely distinct country-from zone different
from theirs. What could a native of Red
River, or resident of Hudson Bay know of
the wants of Nova Scotia or the commerce Of
Halifaxi Then, again, she would have to
bear burden of taxation which to her was
new and startling. They state, in formal pro-
test, published few days since in The EVEN
ING TELEGRAPH, that they pay more than double
taxes, and do not receive half as many
privileges as they did when they were inde-
pendent. The result is that the members OF
the loyal Legislature, with but one exception,
protest against the union as tyrannical, and
against the spirit of the British Constitution.
They say that they are taxed by Legislature
not elected by the people, aud governed by
rulers in whose selection they have no voice.
They are determined at every hazard to free
themselves from so oppressive condition by
legal means if possible; but they are deter
mined to be free. The Attorney General, Hon.
William Wilkins, in speech delivered in the
House, declared that he for one was ready
for anything rather than "the detestable con-
federation and limited clearly that if no
redress can be found at ST. James they will
see il at Washington assistance cannot be
afforded.
We regret to see that certain papers in the
States are inclined to ridicule the statement of
the Attorney General, and to speak despair
ingly of the wish of people to be free, be-
cause they are small aud weak. The fact,
however, that from words spoken, the Attor-
ney General was called to account, and much
alarm expressed at his Unreasonable" remarks,
indicates that he but gave voice to a popu-
lar sentiment. A Government, strong
in itself can afford to treat with careless indif-
ference threats such as those uttered; but
when those threats but echo the thoughts of
the people, the smallest mutterings should be
we'll needed. There is in the dissatisfaction in
Nova Scotia food for reflection in the United
States. The province is rich one. 1t is
situated contiguous to the United States, as it
is the point furthest east to which all vessels
come. The ocean telegraph extends from it.
In truth, in many respects Nova Scotia would
be an accession to the United States most well
come and valuable. II this dissatisfaction be
widespread, surely it is not for us to laugh at
it, or to use our influence to sOoth it down.
The conduct of the British Government towards
us has not been such as to cause us to lend
our aid to crush rebellion in one of her pro-
vinces. Should we secure possession of Nova
Scotia, as member of our Union, an entirely
new regime would be opened, We would con
troll the key to all foreign intercourse, and,
to a certain extent, require all to say our
"open sesame" to gain admittance to this con-
tinent. different state of society would be
found there. No more would we see such
spectacle as that presented by the report of
emigration to the Provinces, which says that
"twenty three thousand two hundred and
seventy-six emigrants have arrived at To-
ronto during the present year, of whom only
3lOl remained in Canads." One emigrant in
eight remains in Car.ada Would such a
state be continued IT, the wise Government of
the United States had charge of the rivers
This, too, as tb. proof of the first year Of
confederation, Ill seems to warrant the ''de-
testahle Unio'-i" being SO termed. We think
that it is not impossible that the day is near
when we will have added Nova Scotia to our
possession IS. 1t is a jewel which the United
States o. Jvets most apxiously; and should the
Alabam claims not be settled, we think that
they night be assumed by the Government,
on CO ,ndition of the cession of the peninsula.
sue was done with Spain in regard to Flo
RIA, France and Louisiana, Mexico and
Texas, to limited extent. Why should not
the time -honored custom be continued, and we
buy Nova Scotia by endorsing British due
bills
Military and Civil Presidents.