The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-01-13
Secret Springs of the Red River Rebel
lion.


To fully comprehend the meaning ofthe late
movement on the Red River, it is necessary
that our readers should be partially initiated
into the internal workings Of Canadian
party politics. And 10 this end we must first
know something of the various races castles,
secret orders-in fact, something of The gen.
eral civil and rel gious education of the VAR
GUS peoples composing the would-be nation
north OF the st. Lawrence.
When our Canadian correspondent some
two weeks since drew our attention to the
coming schism between the crcstfallen Gov
MoDoUoALI, his Upper Canadian friends,
and the double dealing but short-sighted
Ministry at Ottawa, we hardly supposed that
proof of the correctness Of this information
was so soon TO be furnished. But proof pos
tive now actually appears on every hand;
and rare, if not startling, political develop.
ments may he expected in the approaching
session of the Dominion Parliament.
There have been in Canada within the past
fifteen years beth CARTIER.MACDoNAIp
Ministry and q MACDoNALD-CARTIER Minis
try. GEORGE f. CARTIER, now Sir GEORGE,
hes been for years the leader Of French
Canadian Lower Canada; while JouN A,
MACDONALD, now Sir JONI, has been equal
ly the leading political manipulation of the
English, Scotch, and Irish of Upper Canada.
The former is the trusted champion of
Roman Catholicism, while the latter is the
favored and trusted leader OF the ultra
Orange fraternity, and has always represent
ed the old town OF Kingston in Parliament
The very place that so grossly insulted the
Prince of WALES when on his tour Of the
Provinces in 1850, simply because he chose
10 visit Roman Catholic institutions while in
Quebec Now it appears that the CARTIER
party, speaking through Bishop TACHE,
have aroused the old French Canadian
Roman Catholic spirit in the French element
Of Rcd River, and have inspired them TO ac-
lion in protection OF their religious rights, as
well as the general British American inter,
ests of the French race. Gov McDoUoALI
il reported to have said at 81. Paul The
halfbreeds admit that their action is due to
the letters written by Bishop TACnE, prior to
his departure for Rome TO attend the ecu
mcncal Council" An intelligent correspon-
dent of Toronto paper who met Mr.. Nc
DoUGAIL at ST. Cloud, after a prolonged in
teryiew with that functonary, suggestively
writes as follows:
mo one has as vet been able 10 n,hom the real
cause for tie action OF the French clergy AZ Red
River; but Won will doubtless be surprised that a
pa. OF the game to be played by tne crafty leaders
of the halfbr, eds Is in addition To making demand
for land, Ia establish on the northwestern side OF
the province Of Ontario a French colony, who will
act In unisOn with the Fcnch of the province d
Quebec, and act check to the province Of Ontario
az Lower Canada did before confederation on TIE
Western province. The scheme N IN crude state
but future devsoDments wili show that ! am correct
In making the assertion, backed up as am EOV By
uHdOudted authority"
We also observe that the leading organ of III
ira Protestant Sir JOHN MACDONALD patron
izingly alludes to the Red River insurgent
as 1.-The iellow-countrymen Of the noble
minded Sir GEORGE Il. CARTIER, who see
in England the salvation of the people o
his own blood on this continent" On tn
other hand. Sir GEORGE, in recent speecl
at Qdebec before u French Canadian Society
says If Western Canada is prosperous 70
day, it is because there was hardy rae
here before its settlement, 4 race patient, In
dustrlous, Persevering, who had determines
TO found State on the banks of the st. Law
renee" But whore" he cxultngly ask
"would they have been without the enduI
ing, industrious, persevoring race whicl
eolonized this province|
1t is fact beyond contradiction that III
French Of Lower Canada would never hay
yielded their assent TO confederation at al
had they not first secured distinct govern