The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-20
Tho Nova scosian secession Agitation.

81
Some months ago, when Mr.. Bright vainly at.
tempted to enlist the sympathies OF the House OF
against confederation, he predicted that II the case
which ne pleaded should be rudey rejected by the
House. they would not have heard by any means the
last OF that question. And, when we remember
what pains the people OF Nova Scotia have taken to
protest yehemently and repeatedly against the act
OF union, We should be surprised II they had ac
guessed in decision OF the Imperial Parliament, in
which, as they are no doubt well aware. nine
OF that august body have taken
year rather conflicts with the vehemence of poll
tical agitation, the Legislative Assembly and Ex-
nl6ed their profound dissatisfaction with the tenor
OF the speeches In which Mr.. Adderley and the Duke
OF or buckingham ln are presumed to have met the
charges OF Mr. Howe, Mr.. Armand and their col
leagues. 1t was comparatively easy here for the
Secretary OF State Tor the Colonies and his suborl
mates topersuade English politicians and the English
people that the agitation in Nova Scotia was no
more than the work OF q few interested intrguers
But they must have well known, Tor Mr.. Bright did
not fail to tell them beforehand, that these state
ments would be contradicted. And we now learn by
official communications from British North America
sentatves in the Legislative Assembly and also
through less formal channels, have not only relter.
ated their demand for repeal OF the union with the
Canadas, but have placed on record an emphatic
contradiction, in several remarkable particulars of
the assertions boldly advanced the imperial PAR
Lament by the Duke OF Buckingham and his Under
Secretary.
1t is asserted that the complaint OF the
Nova Scotians is based upon merely sentimental
the laws of the free trading Nova ScOtians are for the
future to be made by Parliament in which the
colony has no more than nineteen representatives
and the majority is composed Of Canadian protec-
tionissp This, be it observed, is the state OF the
representation in the popular body In the Senate OF
the Dominion, Nova Scotia is represented precisely
as Ireland Is represented by the representative peers
OF Ireland in the House of LOrds--by her bitterest
enemies. And the result of this equitable arrange
ment has been already to increase the pressure IN
direct taxation on the Nova ScOtans ana to raise the
tariif by more than tfty per cent. And what has
been done Is regarded at Halifax as only
an earnest of what may be done by the
Canadians. The powers conferred by the act Of
union upon the Canadian majority IN the Parliament
OF the Dominion are unlimited, and the Nova SEQ
Lans have expressed their determination not to sub
nit TO this absolute tyranny, which, whether may
be exercised or not must be equally CALLING TO the
spirit OF free people. The representatives of the
colony. III their protest to the Lieutenant Governor
point significantly TO the friendly relations which
Nova Scotia has long maintained with the United
States; and though they add that they have no de-
sire TO enter the American Union, but rather an
aversion to republican institutions, cannot doubt
that there 10 in this alluson an important meaning
We hope that The Colonial office may be INDUCED to
reconsider the decision OF the delunct House of
Commons, otherwise we are afraid Mr.. Bright's pro-
phecy that we nave not heard the last of the Nova
Scotians yet, Is likely to be unpleasantly realized.