Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-04
Daily Aennebtf sonrnd.
AUG U L "A.
a. Tuesday Morning, January 4, 1870.
THE WINNIPEG REBELLION.

hlVef country. Whoh ~ ""0 o"PP'SN~
quite recently had been brought to close
is assuming according to last accounts
new and unlocked for importance The
region in which this rebellion has taken
place is that part of British America which
adioins Minnesota, including the territory
upon and about Red River and Lake Win
nipeg, and extending to the southern
shore of Hudson's Bay. The people are
largely mixed Indian and European blood.
English, Scotch, French and American are
represented in the mixture. The civiliza-
ton of course is not the most advanced,
hut late events show that they have some
spirit and independence, with good
share of native intelligence and courage
to maintain what they think to be their
rights. From their mode of life they are
Injured to dangers and hardships and ac-
customed to the use of warlike instru-
ments, and these advantages with the wild
nature of their country render them a
more formidable foe than their small num-
bers indicate.
The cause of their present attitude of
rebellion is their dislike to be incorporated
as part Of the Dominion of Canada.
They think they have some right to object
to an arrangement which is against their
wishes and interests, and so they have OBJ
iected even so far as to resort to force and
declare their independence. Governor
McDougall undertook to guell their rising
and to this end, following British pre-
cedents elsewhere, attempted to instigate
and employ the Indian tribe in the vicinity
to crush out the insurgents. Luckily for
the latter they had more influence with
che Indians than Governor McDougall
had, and frustrated his barbarous plan.
Not only did they succeed in defeating the
Governor in that scheme, but they captur
ed Fort Garry, took the arms and NUM-
lions of war which it contained to equip
themselves for battle, and obliged the
Governor who hoped to turn them over to
the tender mercies of the savages to beat
n retreat from the country, and accom-
plished all without bloodshed. The state
of affairs at this present time is that they
have declared their independence and
adopted form of government, while
Governor McDougall is on his way to
Canada to report his want of success and
the necessity of active measures in the
spring against the rebellion.
The real wish of the rebels is to be an
nexed to the United States. They have
no business connexion with Canada, are
only related to her by common al
legiance to Great Britain. All their inter-
ests join them to us. Their principal point
of trade and business is at Pembina in
Minnesota, which was once a part of their
territory Their social relations as well
IS their business interests also connect
them with us. Their chief was formerly a
resident of Minnesota, and probably i'm
bibed his ideas of independence and re-
sistance to wrong on this side of the bor-
der, as no doubt many Of his followers
did. The country is fine one though in
wild condition generally, Astounding in
rich mines, rivers and lakes, with pro-
ductiye soil. and will be when settled and
cultivated the seat of a large population
and trade which must find support through
connexion with the people south of the
boundary. In the States will be their
markets, aud through them they must
seek a passage to the rest of the world.
The settlers realize this if the Governor
does not, and aim to shape their destiny
accordingly.
But the British government is probably
~ well aware of the facts in the case as
its rebeiiious subjects. and it also knows
and here is the difiiculty-that if it gives
up the Winnipeg colony it must also aban-
don a railroad to the Pacific to connect its
possessions on the east and west, and
when tins II given up !: must yield all ex-
pectations of holding those possessions or
preventing them seeking annexation to
the United States. Already British Co
1umbia on the west is knocking at the
door and asking to be received into the
Union. Nova Scotia on the east is evil
1ently coming to the conclusion that her
true destiny is anne Ration, and the Winni-
pegs are in arms to fight for it. Here is
matter then for the grave consideration OF
our British cousins Ii they crush the
rebels the principle that prompts annexa-
ton will still live. That they cannot de-
stroy, for it Is in accordance with the
memorable laws that lead all communities
10 seek their highest interests. 1t has
manifested itself at both ends of the line
AS well AS the middle, and if the Dominion
holds ont against it any time she viii find
it costly job.
A special despatch 10 the New York
Post, says there is good deal of doubt as
10 who will be appointed as the successor
at Edwin NJ Stanton on the Supreme
Bench. Ii is believed, however, that the
President will make the selection from