The Portland daily press., 1868-10-27
Dominion of Canada.

- 'DASAhtOi-OEN 10 u. MILL
4th DIsIRICT-HENRY o. PERRY.
5th DIsTRICT-EBENEZER KNuWIT0N
Dominion of Canada.
RECIPROCITY.
The Canadian people are really anxious for
speedy renewal of the Treaty of Reciprocity;
but cherishing perhaps natural resentment
on account OF the manner in which the old
Treaty was abrogated, they are very much
afraid that their dignity will be compromised
by an appearance of eagerness. Their news
papers assume an amusing tone Of diplomatic
reserve in speaking OF the matter, and counsel
those who will have the task of renewal in
hand to stand on their dignity, and to move
with caution, and be careful not to give the
Americans too much advantage The recent
dispatch from Washington, giving iutorma-
tion respecting the progress of negotiations
between Mr.. Thornton and Mr.. Seward has
created not little commotior in some Cana
dian circles. Some OF the papers perempto-
rlly deny that any such negotiations have
taken place. The Toroto Globe works ilself
into quite fury in relation to the matter.
Alter quoting the paragraph of the dispatch
which states that Minister Thornton had ad-
dressed note to Mr.. Seward in July last
calling his attention to the distressed condi-
tion of the people of Nova Scotia in conse-
quence of their exclusion from our markets,
consequent upon the termination of the reci-
procity treaty, and asking him 20 enter into
negotiations, the Globe bursts forth in this
fashion:
We do not believe that Mr.. Thornton ever
did anything OF the kind. If he did he is the
most egregious ass that ever was charged with
diplomatic duty by the Government of Great
Britain, and that is saving a Good deal. II
would be an exceedingly ill-judged step on
his part to undertake 10 initiate negotiations
for reciprocity at all; but to begin such nego-
tiations with doleful whine about distress
in Nova Scotia, would be an act of folly al
most unparalleled. One OF the great objects
OF the abrogation of the former treaty, was
to produce distress in these Provinces,
in the hope that they could thereby be
forced to seek relief in annexation to the
United States. II Mr.. Seward were convinc
ed that this policy, which has signaly tailed
everywhere else. had succeeded in Nova SEQ
tia, where at the sape time a considerable
degree OF political dIscontent exists. he would
be one OF the last men in the United States
to consent to the negotiation of new treaty
OF reciprocity. The distress in Nova SEQ
TIA" IS IN very great degree fiction intend
ed 10 advance Repeal interests; but whether
real or imaginary, it is the very last argument
that man of intelligence approaching Mr..
Seward on the subject OF reciprocity would
thlnk OF using. As for the rest OF the story.
we shall not have long to wait in order to as
certain what il is worth. The Presidential
election will be over in few days, and Con
gress will meet soon after. Then the COM
mltlees referred to will have an opportunity
OF dealing with the question, and the two
Houses OF Congress can deal as they please
with the proposals of the committees Until
the subject is fairly taken up by Congress, we
DO not see tnat there is the slightest occasion
fr any movement On the part either OF the
British Minister at Washington or OF the Ca
madam government.
THE INTERCoLoNIAL RAILWAY,
The Cabinet has not located any portion
of the lntercolcnial Rail way route yet Prac-
tical men have been over the Robinson route.
and think it doubtful whether the line be-
tween the Metis and Restgauche rivers,
about one hundred miles, can be run during
the winter, as the snow falls to the depth OF
six feet, and the population is scarce in that
section of the country. Fancy a train snow
ed up in that inhospitable region. In some
places there is only single cabin in 35
miles. 1ti with great difficulty railway men
can get conveyances to examine the roufe.-
1t is not expected any work will be done be-
fore next May.
The appointment of Mr.. Brydges as COM
missioner for the Lower Canada portion ofthe
rnaG OvaS off H.
Mr.. Bridges is an Englishlnan and it is be-
lieved that he will not administer the pat
ronage in the interests of the French" No
body seems to think it necessary to conceal
the fact that the whole business of building
the road is to be managed as a political lob;
and the open way in which men are quarrel
ing over the distribution of the spoils surpass-
es any thing we have seen. Political man
ayers in this country have not always the
cleanest hands, but no administration in the
the United States would dare to face the
country with the odium of so open and ac-
knowledged a job upon it.
AN ELECTION
Of some importance took place in Inver-
ness county Nova Scotia on Thursday, result
ing in the defeat of Mr.. Blanchard the Union
candidate for seat in the local Parliament
| and the choice of his opponent Mr.. McDon-
| aid The canvass has been an exciting one,
an immense effort having been made to secure
| the seat Tor Mr.. Blanchard, it being under
stood that his return would be received as
indicating o reaction against the repeal move
| ment..
The Canadians seem to have great deal
| of trouble with their currency. They have
been trying Tor long time to depreciate the
American silver in circulation among them
and now they are making an effort to elevate
the character of their own copper currency,
which with the various provincial coinages
has become sadly mixed.
Thursday, the 22nd, was observed as day
of public Thanksgiving in Canada. New
Brunswick has her Thanksgiving on the 18th
of November.
During the past three months there have
been no less than thirty-seven incendary fires
in Montreal, thirty-Iour occurring in hay lofts
and stables. The fremen are worn out with
work, and papers demand the Insurance
Companies shall take more vigorous steps
than offering trifing rewards.
The Montreal Minerve, says rumor is in
circulation that 1.-The seat of Government
will not remain long at Ottawa, but will b,
sooner than we think removed to Montreal.
This movement is connected with proec
to establish Legislative Union. The Glob
says that Ontario would oppose any sucl
movement, as it was the evils which tina
Province suffered under Legislative Unior
which cansed the agitation that brough
about Confederation.
An Ottawa Telegram states that represeh
tatives from the local cabinets IN Nova oeotia
New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario, are t.
, assemble there this week for conference
with the Privy Council on matters OF com
mon concern.
Rev. P. Titcomb has closed his labors Q
0 Limerick, and gone to the Saints Rest