, 1869-06-10
CANADIAN AGITATION FOR IEpEpEN.
UENEE

A Toronto letter 10 the New York Times
says that all attempts to conceal the fact
TINT tho iaea Of independence is taking
strong hold on the Canadian mind aro
futile, and that the agitation is increasing
in strength and spreading among all GLASSES
except tho British officials. The letter says
that tho strongest support the movement
receives ia among the merchants and busi-
ness men Of Montreal, but TINT it also has
numerous supporters in Quebec, Lon
don, Kingston, and other cihes. The
commercial community Of Montreal, we are
informed, look upon Independence as the
only possible relief from The present bust
ness stagustion. Without free trade With
The United States, business, they admit,
must continue crippled and PROSTATE,
There is general feeling Of distzust and
dissatisfaction with tho existing state OF
things, and The outlook for the future Is
not bright Hence the cry for indcpon-
denec. Many arc advocating Independence
who profess to be opposed to an
nc1ation; but it is hardly possible to
! resist the conviction that independence
\ of tho mother country would be followed
BY unioa with the United States. It Is
easier to advocate independence than an
nexation. It encounters less prejudice, less
| Of the provincial attachment to tho govern
nent Of the smother couutry;" md it
III believed that England will make
GO serious opposition to tho in-
dependence Of the colonies, when they de-
sire it. It is, therefore, peaceful measure,
and its advocates incur no riak Of being
chilled rebels or traitors Indeed, it is
known and felt, from tho hints thrown out
in Parliament and in the British press, that
tho North American provinces are regarded
as bill Of expense and Of no political o.
military use to Great Britain, aud
that tho mother country would be
glad TO be rid Of them IL some
reasonable pretext could Sand
The DritiAh Governmen: loal i,t<
push the loyal incumlr4nc4s vi. ~ doors
Lut would be pleased 4 t.2y abo..l asl
etmission to set up for thea,selSes. Lewt
would bo promptly ei7ea, 4'>.h tle pA1s & Ia
tiesdng, AGO, my chill, nnd be happy.
The knowledge of tho deaz,, o. the part oi
Great Britain to be free from tho colonial
burden will huston the movement for inde
, rcndeuce-
The people Of tho Canadas are paying Ia,
TO our government of BIZ millions year i,
, gold for permission 70 sell their susplu
products in our markets. The martini
!, provinces Of Nova Sootia, New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Prince Edwards Islam
pay two millions more, making, for tho 81
colonies, about f,ctlre miaions in greanback
Pc, annum which they contribut
to the support Of the Governmen
. Of the United StateA This j
ono Of the potent influences that is creatin,
the agitation for Independence as the pre-
pa1ato1y step to annexation. Canthe colo.
MES afford to pay twelve millions yea
, foF the sakc Of maintaining connection
with European government which woul
: be glad to be nd Of them7 Thst is zeall
, The question before the people Of the Do
, minion- The argument in favor Of inde
pendence and annexation has the weight Q
: rs per cent on TIE value Of ali II
wheat, barley, oats, butter, cheese, castle
horses, sheep, wool, poultry, hay, lumber IN
5 wood produced in the colonies. Th
9 farmers lose not only the twelve million
' / paid to The Federal Government, but e5 pc
: cent On the price of all they sell to the Dc
j. mestic consumers, making, perhaps, twelv
T millions more. And, until fsee trade Wit,
. the "statesT.can be established, they viii b
4 obliged to suffer this enormous loss on th
: value Of their industry. But there can b
3 no free trade with the Estates" on IN
= other or better tarma thnn that on xhic
' they have free trade among themselves, viz
| 1Tr,o,,