Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1869-11-09
The Canadian Question.

Canadian independence, either alb
solute, or as a means of attaining an
nexation to the United States, has
passed from a tabooed subject in
Canada TO the most prominent topic
of the hour. though still carefully
and guardedly discussed. MIR. John
Young, in bis recent speeches at
Quebec and Halifax, argued, that if
her people willed, Canada would be-
come an independent power with
the consent OF England. Sir John
Rose, who is about removing to New
York to enter firm of bankers and
brokers in Wall Street, at farewell
dinner given him at Montreal was
guarded, and advised that they
should not be too eager and impa-
tient to anticipate their destiny, !"
which, in spite of his own intent,
only shows that there is strong la
tent eagerness and Impotence on
the. part of the Canadian people
to anticipate some destiny which is
either independence or annexation.
The Hon. L. S. Huntingdon, in q
recent speech before an Agricultural
Society, at Bedford, spoke as follows
OF the supposed advantages of the
connection between Canada and
Great Britain:
Il an4 inquiring after the special
advantages of the connection. These
are not TO be found in our CONNER
clal intercourse, for here we are left
to compete against the world. 1t is
not that her abundant capital attract
ed by our loyalty and affection. flows
IN upon US because we are a depend
ency, to develope our resources and
to awaken the hum of industry
| along our shores; for that capital
seeks only safe return of it's invest
ments, and it is often drawn where
1t is better rewarded among stran-
ers. 1t is not that the prestige of
the connection gives US a position
among the people of the earth for
our powers are merely local and mu-
nlcipal, and bear the taint of interi-
GRITTY and dependence. There re-
mains. therefore, but one advantage,
and we end as Mr.. Cameron began
for us-the advantage of the con-
nectlon is narrowed to the solitary
matter of defence, and we shall see
as we proceed, that even this is of
doubtful utility. Defence presup-
poses attack, which we have only to
dread from our Republican neigh
bors. But the difficulties with them
ale always OF an Imperial character
The Trent affair, the Alabama
claims, the Irish Feuian quarrel
with England, were all as foreign to
us as the China seas, and interested
US only in the consequences. 1t is
not true that the same may be said
of Liverpool or Dublin, for a hun
dred reasons. but especially because
they are a part of the British Isles,
and are represented in the British
Parliament. We have no voice, and
cannot influence the foreign policy
of the empire. There is only for US
the duty of awaiting till war is de-
clarei and tie luxury of becoming
the / cid Of blood, the theatre of des-
olation."
When Canadians begin thus to
compute the financial advantages of
the connection with Great Britain, it
cannot take them long to learn that
the legislation which really affects
their interests most potent TALLY for
good or i'll, transPires at Washington
and not at London. This being so,
the only remaining question is
whether it is better to remain at the
outer gate for the crumbs, or to
come in and sit down at our table,
to be represented in the Washington
lobby by especial agents" or in the
Senate and House by twenty or
thirty Senators and Congressman.