The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-05-06
DAILY PRESS.
PORTLAND
Wednesday Morning, May 6, 1868.
Dominion of Canadn.
THE NOVA sCTTIA CLOUD.

.. THE NOVA SCTTIA CLOUD.
A somewhat noteworthy circumstance In
Canadian affairs has been the singular ret
icence of the press of the country in rela-
ton to the recent important Parliamentary
debate on the condition of affairs in Nova
Scotia, the substance of which has already
been reported in our telegraphic columns.
Most of the papers show their appreciation
OF the Importance of the subject by publish
ing full reports of the debate itself; but
comment is silent with them all. Whether
this unusual reserve arises from recognition
of the gravity of the impending crisis, and
natural hesitation to do anything which
may precipitate it, or simply from not knowing
what to say in so unlooked-for state OF
things, the fact is certainly curious. To un-
pref JUDGED observers it is at least not difficult
to perceive that crisis of momentous i'm
portance in the history OF British America is
daily drawing nearer. The Nova Scotians are
determined not to submit to the rule which
has been unfairly imposed upon them; and
the Imperial government is equally resolute
not to set them free from the irksome bond.
Ii neither party consents to recede from its
position collision is inevitable. OF course,
Nova Scotia, single-handed, would never hold
herself capable of coping with the power of
Great Britain; but will the mother country
care to repeat the attempt to coerce refrac-
tory colony or province in America? Has
not her experience in that direc ion been
such as to make her more cautious than for
merly-especially in view of the considera-
tions recently suggested by Mr.. Goodwin
Smith in public speech at Manchester. Mr..
Smith said: ,.s
Ii we try to hold the Nova Scotians to the
Confederatlon, and they become very much ex-
asperated, am afraid that they may lead to
some dlherences between us and the United
states. L am convinced that the United
States entertain no design whatever against
the independence of the Canadians L am
convinced that they will allow things to take
ther natural course as regards Canada. 1t is
impossible IN not to see that the advantages of
tne U mon are such that all the neighboring
territories tend to fall into it, 1t secures to all
lts members internal peace, external security
ana internal free trade-advantage which
cannot fall to attract towards it our colonies
on It's borders. But l am convinced that the
Americans entertain no aggressive designs
against the Canadians. But on the other
hand, do not feel sure that they will permit
any european power to coerce any community
on that continent; and if we were to attempt
10 coerce the Nova Scotians, and compel them
10 remain in Confederation which they dis
IKE, do not feel at all sure that serious con-
sequences would not eusue; and cannot help
thlnking that this is one of the symptoms of
tne necessity OF reconsidering our colonial in
We would not be understood as intimating
that in the contingencies suggested by Mr..
Smith, the complications" he deprecates
would be likely to occur, but these considera-
tions will doubtless have some weight with
the English government. -t f.