The Portland daily press., 1868-02-11
Domirion OF Canada.

The Opposition papers in Canada call
more loudly than ever for reduction of ex-
penditure in the administration of the gov
ernment The Toronto Globe declares that
only BY adopting policy of economy can
the friends of the Union hope to preserve it,
and to reconcile the people of the Maritime
Provinces to It. The Globe is doubtless
right in Its declaration that the waste and
extravaganza at Ottawa, is one of the gray-
est obstacles in the way Cf the harmonisus
working of the Confederation scheme.
The carelessness which permitted the
adoption of tariff needlessly burdensome to
the people of those Provinces, has done much
to intensity and embitter their dislike of the
whole thing, but the reckless and extrava-
CANT way in which money Is thrown away
by those in power has doubtless done quite
as much. If it could be shown that the
money which Is to be taken out of them in
taxes was to be spent for the public good
theysmight reconcile themselves to their new
burdens; but to be heavily taxed merely to
support in luxury crowd of hungry and ex-
travagant ofice-holders naturally rouses their
resentment. But the deepest and strongest
of all sources of discomfort is the feeling that
they have been il[used. The privilege of
self-goyernment has been taken from them,
and they are put in the power of Canada.
No matter if Canada had treated them much
better than she has, they would still com
plain that it is in her power to tyrannize over
them. and against that they rebel.
There is no question but they are In earn
est. Their leaders may temporise; but if
they do so the people will repudiate their ac.
ton. A few days since we published a re-
port from Montreal that there was to be a
change in the Dominion Cabinet, and that
seats in that body would be offered to Hon.
Mr.. Howe and other anti-Union leaders in
Nova Scotia. 1t is asserted that the Govern
ment of the Confederation have appealed to
Mr.. Howe, and that he has been offered his own
terms, to induce him to abandon his present
course. Ifthere is any truth in these rumors
it must be taken as a very free confession OF
weakness on the part of the Government.
But there is hardly chance that Mr.. Howe
could be induced to listen to such terms. He
is too 5hrewd man, and he knows too well
the Importance of the part he has to play
| And even were he to desert the peoples
cause, such course could only have the eff
feet OF exasperating the people even mere
than at present. They would see in 1t an
evil Canadian influence, and would become
more determined, more bitter than ever il
their opposition.
| Meantime the Legislature of Nova Scott:
has met; the speech" corresponding to ou
governors message, has been delivered, and th,
reply of the Legislature voted, SO that w
may consider the ball fairly opened. Th
Lieutenant Governor does not in his speecl
directly refer to the questions at issue, h
could hardly be expected to do SO, but he ex
presses the utmost confidence in ihe loyalt
of the people of his province, and the convic
tlon that, if the people should desire an
political changes, they will seek the attain
ment of that object through their represen
tatives, in constitutional manner, and tha
their sincere and ardent attachment TO Brit
ish Institutions will not fail to manifest itse
in all their proceedings"
This may be considered neat SOP Tor q,
popular Csrbsrus. The reply declares tbs