The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-07

Tho Destiny Of Canada
The very interesting and exhaustive article
we published yesterday. in the form of a CON-
munication from our correspondent at Mon
treal on the subject of Canadian independ-
ence and annexation points out the inevita-
BILE destiny Of Canada as we'll as Of all the
colonial possessions of Great Britain on this
Continent. 1t appears that in addition to
other agencies and movements which have
been at work, more or less, for half a century,
to annex Canada to the United States, and the
fires Of which are still burning silently, new
movement has been organized, with the appro-
pirate title of the "Union League" that may
exercise powerful influence on the question.
From the details of this organization, as far as
they are given, we think the ''Union League"
may become the most compact as well as the
most extensive political body that ever existed
in the colonies. The Canadians understand
working in this way. The great movement for
independence in Canada, with view to an
nexation afterwards, thirty years ago, when
Papineau was the prominent leader, and when
convicted and transported to the penal settle
ments in Australia, was intimately connected
with similar secret political organization on
both sides OF the border. This, however, ap-
pears to be discreetly worked up for the pur-
pose of bringing about the independence and
annexation of Canada by moral power or iniiu-
ence, and to avoid any conflict with the Eng
lish government.
Whether the time is ripe enough or not for
the success Of this annexation movement
remains to be seen. Up to the breaking out
of the Southern rebellion and our great civil
war there was no period, perhaps. for fifty
years back, that the Canadians did not desire
annexation and that they would not have voted
by large majority for it, could the question
have been fairly submitted to them. But a
change came over them with that war. They
sympathized more with the Southerners than
with the North. This arose from several
causes. British feeling and influence and the
sentiment of the government and people Of
England controlled them in great measure.
Then, they did not understand the issue well,
as, indeed, very many Americans did not.
Besides, the sympathies of parties not imme-
diately engaged or concerned in such a con-
fict are very apt to be with the weakest side,
and with those who are Fighting on the defen-
sive against great odds, Independent of the
merits Of the question at issue. But the Cana
dams are getting over all that. They see now
the mighty power and future of this republic,
and begin to be DESTROYS again to unite their
destiny with ours. A great change has taken
place within the last year or two. II will not
take many years to show the colonists that
unless they be annexed they will sink into
insignifcance under the overshadowing power
and prosperity of the United States. Eng
land is shaking them off; she will
not have any longer the expense and
responsibility of governing, protecting,
and leading them as children. She knows
well, toe, that in case Of any Trouble with the
United States Canada would be wrested from
tingences and does not want the expense and
trouble of governing colonies on the American
border. As to independence, what sort of a
figure would the British colonies cut by the
side of this great republic if even they were
independent? Politically, commercially and
in every way they would be completely over
Swallowed. In all probability they would
decline positively as well as relatively under
such circumstances
The Canadians, no doubt, are thinking of
fhipna op1 nranoripu fho for
the destiny that awaits them. Events are
fast ripening to that end. When annexed the
colonists will have no more fear of Fenians,
no more trouble about commercial treaties
and their trade across the border and their
country will prosper under the quickening
influence of American enterprise and institu-
tions. England, too, would gain by this
transfer Of allegiance, just as she has gained
in her commerce by the independence Of these
United States, which were also colonies
formerly. The statesmen of that country
begin to realize this fact If the colonsts
move now in earnest the mother country will
not, probably, place any serious obstacles in
the way Of annexation, and we may settle the
Alabama claims and all our difficulties with
the British government by the transfer of it's
possessions in America to us. The destiny OF
the United States is to be continental empire,
and the sooner the British colonists realize
that fact the better for themselves and the
better for the world.
More Indian Troubles Brewing.