The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-09-01
Tho New Dominion.

combined to inspire the British Government
with an ambition 10 consolidate aud
strengthen her provinces on this continent.
The French effort to establish an empire in
Mexico having proved q total failure, the
Canadss presented the only remaining oppor-
tunity of maintaining check upon the free
dom and influence of the United States on this
side Of the Atlantic. The purchase Of Alaska
stimulated increased exertions from the indi-
cations 1t afforded Of the disposition and
ability of the American people to extend their
frontiers. The Fenian raids, with all their
follies, were suffi GENTLY formidable to inspire
= fear that If the provinces were not Olos,ly
watched they might be gobbled up piece-meal,
or at all events, seriously assailed by
the doughty champions of the Emerald Isle,
who propose to hberats Ireland by
enslaving colonists on this continent. A pow
erful industrial and commercial motive also
inspired desire to retain under British con-
troll railway route from the Atlantic to the
Pacific. The New Dominion was the natural
offspring of these motives. The general char
aoter Of the scheme is to effect for the colonists
who were formerly independent q union
scarcely less complete than the Americans
cemented during and subsequent to the Revo-
luton. Many difficulties, however, have been
encountered in the completion Of this oombi-
nation. The old policy of the British Govern
ment was to distract its colonies, keeping
them as distinct from each other as possible,
so that amid their conflicting interests and an
tagonisms the influence of Parliament and the
Home Office might remain supreme. Besides,
each colony had a distinct charter, which
could not rightfully be abrogated
without the clear consent of its oiti-
zens. 1t was humiliating enough to be under
the sway of transatlantic rulers, without
feeling the oppressive yoke Of band Of ada
cent oolonists. If the original thirteen colo
MES of the United States had been combined
under sort of Congress paramount to the
local Legislatures, and if, at the same time,
the authority of Great Britain remained as
supreme as it was before the Declaration Of
Independence gave birth to the nation, we
would have government substantially SINH
lar to that established by the New Dominion.
1t is easy to understand that this complex
system may authorize the establishment Of q
double tyranny, and that it is not
likely to prove popular among any por-
ton Of people whose proximity to our
country has inspired to no inconside-
rable degree, an admiration and yearning for
republican institutions. In Nova Scotia an
tagonism to the new form of government has
assumed an especially determined and reso-
lutte shape. Her citizens were never really in
favor OF this project. at one period, however,
an unfaithful Legislature, under the skilful
manipulation OF an adroit Governor General,
yielded reluctant consent, and this consent
is now declared to be complete barrier to
further opposition. In vain do the Nova Sco-
tians plead for the maintenance Of their old
charter, and denounce the injustice OF an alli-
ance antagonistic alike to their interests and
their prejudices. Parliament turns deaf ear
to their entreaties, and new intrigues are To-
mented TO seduce by bribes decorations, and
cheap hOnors, her leading public men from
an advocacy of the known wishes of their con-
stituents. For the present submission is in
evitable, but one of the results of the indig-
nant feeling which has been aroused is the
rapid growth Of proclivity towards annexa.
ton with the United States, and the opinion
has become widely prevalent that such a
union is merely question of time.
None Of the Colonies appear to be particu-
larly well pleased with their prospects. What
they need above all other things is free in
tercourse with the United States, and the
abrogation of the Reciprocity Treaty has
proved terrible blow to thsir prosperity. If
the efforts to revive 1t, which are now being
made at Washington prove successful, British
rule will regain many of its lost charms; but
1t is doubtful whether the American people
will consent to this proposed renewal. The
sentiment prevailing when the treaty was alb
rogated still exists to large degree, and
there seems to be no good reason
why we should share, on equal terms, our
prosperity with any people who do not share
our burdens, and who are not in all things
bone Of our bone and flesh Of our flesh.
While the British Government does not
totally ignore its duty Of promoting the indus
trial prosperity fits American possessions,
this duty is generally discharged in an offsn-
sive, ungracious, and inefficient manner, and
even nominal blessings are thus converted
into grievances. In constructing railways, for
instance, commercial considerations are subor-
dinated to political and military objects. The
new Intercolonial Railway, which is to be con-
structed at the joint expense of Canada and
Great Britain, is located rather on the route
over which troops can be safely and rapidly
transported from Halifax to the interior, than