New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-07-26
THE NEW DOMINION.
INDEPENDENCE OR ANNEXATION.


MONTREAL, July 2.-That there is a strong
anne raton feeling here well deeprooted ideas 10
favor OF independence doubted by those who
move In we'll informed circles. But It Is not In society
that tendency Of the public mind is learned; Il by
mixing with tho people standing at baTcoHnteTs, becom
ing intimate with trades folk conyorsng freely and on
level with the mechanic and iaborer-lt y by these
that correct idea may be formed OF what the
public think body, on these and kindred questions
satisfied that there thousands Of people Who II
given the alternative, would pronounce FOR annexation
moderate and most awake the eKigeneles Of tho day
tho lndependents-Or, what they now style them
selves, the National Independent League. The
members OF tho League are urged daily to call
mass meetings everywhere, commencing IN Mon
Organization yet far from perfect their most prominent
members si so ltlle hcqnahteG Win eaeI Uther tnn
bilious leaders Of knots OF politicians here and there
arc, l hear from various quarters endeayOring TO
form separate societies having the end In view aud
the absence OF any powerful executive 30 ihr IN tue
League rather encourages this undesirable state OF Things
than otherwise Meanwhile combination OF interests
concentrated In a group Of persons Who II not wholly
men OF public mark at all events OF considerable
Influence IN their proper circles and OF personal wealth.
Ia course OF taking the national helm The policy as
they express 10 Is national one National pride"
say they eve have national pride We are not ma
tion not people; We are simply French Cana
dams Irish Canadians English Canadians scotch Cana
dams belonging 70 no race, and having nc name-a peo
pie Of a mongre birthrght We have nothing TO defend
nothing to boast or nothing 70 Do PROUD OF except our
mere personal possessions The land we I've IN does
not belong TO US, we cannot dispose OF our
selves or our goods, or administer laws OF
perform single public act without the sanction of man
sent 1900 miles from land not hall Oh us KNOW any
thing about TO rule over us That inc knu OIL leeng
here and IL has more strength firmly believe, and
tributes 20 the nameless longing Tor V change
which certainly possesses the Inhabitants OF TINS country
any considerations Of policy or desire Tor personal
RggrandiLemen:. IL is great Tact ana cutters larSe
into understanding OF this question thst tue EuRsh
and Scotch Canadian population ana ner descenuahtso
this day speak OF the mother country as nome anu tue
old country" they sojOurers ana strangers mere
Great Britain Is tho sovereign land and this, as de-
pendoncy Is "hOme;" but, fixed here gaining their
yehboodhere they seek naturally 20 make II "home 10
is the aspiration OF people and wllend 10 independence
Those who XatOniss at heart must not De con-
founded with the National party. one OF them SAID TO
me, but few months ego; LEI mo canvass my warn t
sign petition IN favor OF neNaton TO the states lie
spoke Sincerely and probably right but In the country
places feeling only Just coming ripe for Independence
and will not contemplate step beyond that TIL 1t Is
proved that nationality outside the Union Is failure ana
An impossblty this side OF the continent Canadians
generally look upon their political position with It's ast,
present and future emblemato Of three eyilLto be
colony evil; TO be nation without power ana WITH
out revenue is evil 10 become part OF the neigh
boring Republic evil and hard nOrsel to swallow 10
boot OF the three evils nationality Is the most accept
able the feelings OF tho people, while the thinking pOr
ton the community, largo number seem To con-
slider annexation the inevitable result feOpe are cry
ing out for a mass meeting, and will probably get
one, although / question whether many puDHo men
will be Induced speak there preferrng 10 lot smaller
build mp the ladder by which theY nope 10 elimD 10
poyer In any political movement here the priesthood
exercise considerable influence The Seminary OF Mon
treal or Soeiete ST. Sce me great Ecclesiastical power
OF Lower Canada for things rs they are ana III tIe
populatou would 20 one step IN any direction
one of them the most jealousy guarded beng payment
rsssd NV the farmer The Jesus, however, warmly
for annexation aud are Americans at heart Ihey were
Tho rat settlers here and claim LaPralrle Isle do Gesu
aud other large possessions around Montreal beside inc
csn de Mars aud other parts OF the city, but they can
90 No. recognitiOn Of their claims, aud feel tho deprVa
lion of what they consider their rights most keeny'