The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-03-10

The Montreal Herald of the 9TH last. has
review of the recent debate in the House of
Lords in which Lord Monck, late Governor
General of Canada, spoke favorably OF the in
dependence of Canada. We append part of
the Heratd's article, which is remarkable
from the clearness with which it shows how
the minds not only of Canadians but of Eng
lshmeh are becoming tanil:arized with the
idea of the independence of the Dominion:
We do not know, however, whether the
tone OF the debate in general was not even
more important as affording a clue to The av-
eraee opinion OF the statesman class in Eng
land than the speech OF Lord Monck. The
London Times, whose policy is VIGOROUSLY
the same which Lord Monck avowed, does
not hesitate, indeed, to say that every speaker
in the debate was substantially of the same
mind, and an analysis OF the sentiments ex-
pressed will lead us, it not to that conclusion.
at least long way in that direction. Tie
Ministry said Lord Monck had more or ]essn
dlsavowed the policy which Lord Car
narvon had imputed to them, but which he
Lord Monck) still believed to be their
policy. In truth, it was less rather than
moie, tor except poetical statement mean
ing nothing, that he could imagine, the break
ing up OF the Empire, Lord Granville, who
spoke tor the Ministry, said not one word
which could be taken for disavowal. The
tone OF his Lordship's remarks was lust that
OF man who had begun an enterprise with
full conviction Of its propriety, hut who find
ing momentary obstacles in the way. and a
certain unpopularity attending upon his
course, bends to the resistance which he
meets with, without for an instant giving
up his purpose, which we take to be not to de-
clare the Colonies to cease to be part OF the
Empire; but to act with view to Imperial
interests only, leaving the Colonies to stay or
60 as they please. The plainest part of his re-
marks was that in which he declared that no
one would think of keeping them against
their Will. Lord Derby agreed in every re-
spect with Lord Monck Lord Derby plainly
showed that be looked upon the present rela-
lions between the parts of the Empire only as
far weather arrangement that would inevi-
tably tall to pieces whenever the time came
that would make union really valuable, and
that was Incapable OF being patched up; and
even Lord Carnarvon himself professed to
contemplate without Jealousy some time
though he thought that time had not yet
come---wben those countries which were now
called dependencies would become allies. With
him, therefore, the question OF separation was
not one OF principle, but only of opportunity;
and even now he declared that the connection
was more apparent Than real Alter such ex-
pressions OF sentiment, Lord Monck was at
least logical when he said that the indepen-
dence Of the Colonies, which some were de-
precating, had already taken place, and that
was now matter OF dead forms to be cut
away from actual living circumstances.
We are sure that no one will believe that
we lmpute too much Importance to tie sub
Ject OF this debate in the Lords, aud the mode
in which it was handled. Whatever our opin-
ions and affections may lead us to think or
desire on this subject it is of the last impor-
lance to us tic comprehend the true drift of
that part OF the British mind which is certain
eventually to direct the course of the cou 1try.
There are of course still two opinions IN Eng
land; but the one is like Lord Carnarvon's
speech, questionable as to its estimate of ex-
lstlng facts; vague as to its desire, and impo-
tent as to its purposes; the other is like Lord
Monks second speech, clear and trenchant in
conviction, and alike steady and consciou. as
to its design.