The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-01-04
British.American Independence.

English statesmen Of the foremost rank
have for some years past occasionally init
mated that British North America might ere
long become n separate and distinct nation !;
yet when the Confederation act was passed,
the Imperial Government acting under the
advice of colonial politicians, simply Joined
the two Canadas and New Brunswick to-
gethcr bestowed a limited number Of small
titles on q few late converts 10 the scheme,
and allowed the Provinces themselves TO
undertake the task of finishing the work,
and for this they have already proved
themselves i'll adapted.
The expenditure Of considerable sums Of
English capital in the construction OF lead
ing lines of railway throughout the Provinces
had, during the decade previous to confede-
ration, silenced nearly all anneXationists
while the late American war, with it's inev-
liable Accomplishments of dismay, dcstruc-
tion, death, and debt, had It was thought by
the lawmakers of the realm, completely dis
posed Of that dread fallacy for an age, if not
for all time. Accordingly, they did not stop
TO inquire what effect the abolition of slavery,
the laying of an Atlantic cable, the construc
tion Of Pacific railway, the withdrawal of
French soldiers from Mexico, the purchase
of the Russian possessions in America by
the United States, the revolution ia Spain
and the consequent weakening of the tie
that binds Cuba 10 the Spanish throne, or
the rebellion and discomfort in Ireland, and
the natural sympathy OF the numerous Irish
emigrants in America, would have on the
future prospects of the embryo State. They
proceeded to grant large subsidy for the
construction and equipment of an inter.
colonial highway, with q view to bind'n NC
the interests of all the colonies together
but apparently without the iaintest idea of
the use that might he made of the grant
OF course this grant has proved source of
weakness and discord rather than OF unity
and strength
The selfconstituted delegates from tie
Provinces, all or nearly all of whom were
converts to the Confederation scheme only
at the eleventh hour and even then rather
for purposes of personal ACKNOWLEDGMENT
than with any regard for the public good
fastened, after the net took effect, to bargain
and intrigue for places OF distinction, without
any regard to either dcccncy fitness, or fair
ness, but purely with a view to dividing the
spoils. Such, in brief, has been the
history Of the Dominion. Its future, unless
radical change should speedily ensue, is
not difficult to foretel. The Dominion must
speedily move for independence actual and
unqualified, on its absorption in the United
States is as certain as time is to roll on.
Serious troubles already exist, not only in
the Dominion proper but also in nearly every
outlying portion OF British America and all
that is now needed TO kindle the fame Of nc
tual, but entirely unnecessary intestine war,
is still further exhibition 10y the present
provincial rulers Of their combined vanity.
dishonesty, incapacity, and audacty. Let
them hold their portfolios for another Year,
md the work viii be complete. Earl
GRANVILLE, during his recent discussion of
colonial affairs wi h another set of sefcon.
stituted but dissatisfied delegates, now hang
ing about the Colonial Office in London,
apparently thinks matters all well enough
rs they now exist Int we imagine so far as
British America 10 concerned, he is lulling
himself to sleep on the very crust of a vol
cano. The rank and file of the British
American people do not like TO be ruled by
men drunk, not only with bad wine, but also
with their own sclfconcet.