New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-25
THE NEW DOMINION.

PREDICTION - TIE INDEPENDENCE MOVE
MENT sTRENGTHENED-A GREAT ISSUE FORE
SIIADOwED.
OTTAWA, Feb 23.-AnOther and much more
formidable detection from the Government than Mr. Nc
Douglas is that OF Sir Alexander Toch Gait for many
years and under many administrations Minister of
Finance. He last offered the portfolio. as
since Confederation he has not occupied seat IN the
Cabinet although voting with the Ministry as he disa-
greed with them on matters Of policy. Last Sep
tember when the resignation OF Mr. Rose left the seat
vacant Cartier and Macdonald both offered it to Mr.
Gait with the distinct understanding that he was not to
indulge 10 any Of his Independence OF Canada hereses
they desired the Ministry to be unit In condem"ng
these views This would say nothing more nor
less than bride to him to keep quiet and have the
Treasury his pains. Mr. Gait however declined the
appointment these seductive terms In letter wherein
he reaIrmed his Independence views. 1t may not be
amlss to quote portion Of it. Addressing Sir George f.
MONTREAL Sept II, 1869.
MY DEAR CARTIER received your letter of the 18th
INST last night given its contents best con
sideratoD thank Sir John, as well as yourself LOT te
desire YOU express that should again enter the Admin
istraton as Minister OF Finance but my view Of public
duty compels me TO decline would nave wlsneu tna
as for other reasons have no doubt my reply would
have been the same but presume your reason TOT
10 enter the Cabinet You In no way countenanced my
views this subject think this was useless, as al
quite the public would rather have believed had
receded from my position than that Sir Johns Govern
nent had become so progressive. As you have intro
duced the subject must, in all fraukness say that be;
heving that the policy aimed at by the Imperial
Government and feeling confident thatit would IN many
respects benefit this country. could not have consented
90 enter the Cabinet under pledge TO oppose II n any
and every form. On the contrary think our own pol
Icy should be framed with reference 10 that when ap
pears to 10 be inevitable, the separation OF the DO
mnlOn from Great Britain. Believe me, ever yours,
The upshot was that Sir Francis Hineks was chosen
Finance Minister disgust OF threefourths OF the
of the Domin astOuishment
Sir Francis Hnckss name is closely interviewer In the
political history OF Canada fifteen years ago. man OF
great ability acute, hard working, practical he did more
mischief than any man OF his day. Under his manage
ment FOR tho first time began the accumulation OF the
Canadian DEBT, and system Of extravaganza IN admin
Istaon and OF uncxampled obbery and favoritism IN
public works was naugurated. But, worse than ALL he
set Catholic against Protestant, orangenan against Pa
pst aud introduced into party politics that religious ee
ment Mt whose malignant bidding time and again,
bludgcon pistol, and knife have been usea'
Forced TO leave Canada, lac entered the BRITISH
Colonial Service and was atterly Governor oil the "u
ward Isles Finding himself in 1869 unemployed, with
no probability Of preferment for the nonce, he came
TO Canada and to surprise OF every one took office
on the retirement OF Mr. Rose and refusal OF Mr. Gait as
Finance Minister. Tbs mennal action created no end
o, comment People could forget that the Premier
had In day OF fierce debate stigmatzed the new convert
as man steeped the lips In corruption" aud that he
should Olcr once 10 tll- anu Nuht bitS MA"
consent TO serve under him these sad saps In the
face Of probability Sir Francis being blessed with an
hbomlnaby high and iupraccable temper 1t was not
likely that harmony should long exist where he was ana
coming from position where lie bad been Governor
with $4,000 year. IL was not TO be expected that ne
Would be content with subordinate berth as Cabinet
Minister ana paltry 5000 yoar with steslings Con
seauonty predictions without number made that
either no would play Sir John A. Macdonald cuckoo
trick and onsting his chief the Premiership him
ef or that from internal pickering the pressure OF
public opinion be wonll ruin tho Cabinet. Tie
only measure with which, yet his name has been den
taed has been the exclusion 81 hls
department. was assured couple OF days since, are 50
far In arrear that the returns for the year ending june
leo are not yet IN state to be laid before the House
lie has. on tho other hand cost the Administration
vast amount OF ccnsure aud has lost to them the conh
The debate on the address 6ses a1RBgE 25SlAsT
character and instructive For the first time since
i'm is7 tins Ministry in has real debate taken
place. and men say that debate has OF late
years produced much sensation. The Immediate
accession OF Gov McDougall 10 the ranks OF the OPP
position was followed by a lively passage between
himself Mr.. Howe, and Mr.. Upper. Practically Mr.
NcDoupall charged Mr.. Howe with leaving an
uufriendly Impression as his oDougals) coming to
the Northwest amOvg tho people, II not win netihH
them TO disturbance. It narrowed Itself TO question OF
yeracy between these gentemen either or nelther OF
whom believe according TO the society Ia when ma
myself. | should not be particularly surprised II MT
MeDougar had cause Of complaint against Mr.. Howe
Judging from the atter's mscbef.making powers and
predlectons Mr. Mackenzie the leader OF the Ontario
oppositon made q very teling speech, reviewing and
eondemning the general policy OF the Government Then
came Mr. Bowel, moderate Conservative from ontario
who though supporter Of the Government, was 80 mod
crate reserved, and critical that his speech evoked
general attention. Then the rumors that Sir A. l.
..lst.A md nan he nFnas
the floor and arrayed himself among the opponents VI che
Government
From what hear every side. no event In late parn
menary history created great an excitement Gait
has for many years been closely Identified Win tue LAD
eral.C Conservative party rs Cartier or Mcdonald him
self being the third OF the triumyirate His detection
with that of McDougall Is an awkward blow. People
talk OF rats leaving sinking SHIP and presase no good
for Ministry which has in a single week lost two sup
porters so notable and powerful Mr. Cats retire.
ment at once led 20 q review OF the Coalition OF 1864 ana
10 an attack coalitions generally with loop out vi
the way 10 bring Independence The discussion Il ho
vet over shall not now reviewit snmoe 10 say lna'
Mr. Huntington, In answer TO sir George L. 's'''e''
that ere long should have the latter cooy
appropriatng the Independence PLATFORM ana Dolby
shonting the watchHord which he now DEGREES Ihere
ia incline 10 think much truth In this IL mas areanS
been prophesied Of these men IN power au" noi' P'
career renders IL safe prediction, that no poi'V so
ersau was too difficult for them Indeed IRON nnsis
with politicians here, and hearing their candid estimates
OF each other, consider 1t not unlikely that the OF
George f. Cartier who thirty years ago was
rehl fearing the rope and to-day Is the hottest oyaist
4, Canad, may I'm few months be clamoring for that
which means annexation or for the latter
step itself
Cir Alexander Tc,h Cali. NJ. r. FOR the town OF she'
nroot IA a son OF the late John Gait Scottish ho'eh''
Of rcputc He is in the very prime OF ie vigorous eua
Gated and one OF tho finest orators Ia the dominion ms
snrv and urt ia his budget speeches. the ease WIN