The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-05-27


consummated the three last constitutional
amendments and recast the Government, by
requiring the rebellious States to ratify the
amendments as among the conditions of res
toration to the Union. In short, Congress is
the section of the Government which is
clothed with practical ability-which does
things-and consequently it draws to itself
the forces of sovereignty and must go on in
creasing while the other branches are de-
creasing.
In pursuing this investigation it might be
shown, we think, that not only is Congress
gaining on the coordinate branches of the
Government, but the House of Representa-
tives is gaining on the Senate; but it is not
necessary to be thus minute. 1t is more to
the point to glance at the necessity and the
safety of this general process. Without its
Inauguration it is perfectly clsar that the ma
ton could not have been rescued from its
recent peril. The Government, as previously
operated, was like an old-fsshioned man-of-
war, powerful on its broadsides, but exposed
to raking fires and to boarding, especially if
disabled at the helm; while now it resembles
a turreted iron-clad, with its guns under
ready control and equally effective in any
direction. This adaptability gives an
impression of greater accession
of power than has actually happened, and we
think it will be found on examination that
the States and the other branches of the
Federal Government have not been divested
of any attributes really essential to the well
fare of the people, and that Congress has
assumed none that are dangerous. 1t has
certainly attempted no such pretensions as
the Supreme Court judges quietly put forth
the Dred Scott decision, which affirmed
hat this Government had been admins
tered on wrong principles for seventy years
and that no barriers could be erected
against the national spread of slavery
There were no outcries then about centraIi-
zation! And yet that decree was made
without any impulse from the people, by
men who held life Offices, and 1t was claimed
to be irreversible in its nature. Congress,
on the other hand, comes directly from the
people, and goes back to them again at short
intervals, and is never free from the popular
pressure. If any branch of the Government,
therefore. can be safely intrusted with in
creased power, it is the legislative. Further
securities against abuse are found in the vast
and increasing extent of our country which
will render any deleterious kind of centraliza-
tion, like that of the French political system,
utterly out of the question; and also in the
character of our people, whose impulses,
training, and experience make them more
and more the haters of everything in the
nature of absolutism. But they do see that
government, like all other instrumentalities,
to be worth anything must be efficient, and
they are taking care that ours shall be.
CANADA
From Harper's Weekly edited by G. ". Curtis.
The present political situation and pros
poets of Canada make the opinion of that
country upon the treaty of Washington a SUBJ
ject of peculiar interest. The Canadian
member of the commission, Sir john A. Mac
donald, is man of unquestionable ability,
and he would not be likely to assent to any
terms which would be injurious to his
country or to the government party of which
he is the leader. For the very reason, how
ever, that Sir John is leader of that party,
and has assented to that treaty, it is op-
posed by the opposition. But that tue
advantages of the arrangements pro-
posed are not all upon one side is evident
from a careful study of the document, and it
is to be hoped that no serious opposition will
be finally shown in Canada, for the sake of
good feeling hereafter. If the concession of
the mutual freedom of the fisheries, and of
the free trade in fish and fsh-oil, should ap-
pear to be onerous upon Canada, the United
States will pay difference, to be deter
mined, and the money so paid will, of course,
be left with Canada by the British Govern
NEXT. But there are general reasons why
Canada should view the treaty as kindly as
possible.
The policy of the British Government is
colonial freedom. The troops have been
wholly withdrawn from Canada, and the
country is recommended to form an army
for itself The feeling of the British Cabinet
is unmistakable, and it has probably the sym
pathy of the country. The Marquis of
Normandy, indeed, lately made a speech
upon his departure for Queensland as
Governor, in which he said that he hoped
the links between the colony and the mother
country would be more closely drawn than
ever. The Spectator says that Lord Kimberly,
the Secretaryfor the Colonies, who was present,
| must have been rather astonished because, it
adds, this has not lately been the wish of the
| Foreign Office. The Spectator, however,
thinks that it is the sentiment of Great Bri-
tain, but it differs from authorities quite as
| competent to measure that sentiment. What
the Tories might do, should they come into
! power, is not certain, but it is very evident
that separation is the policy of Mr.. Glad
| stones Government. ''lhe solitary link that
now binds us to the mother-land," says the
Hamilton Times, sis the appointment by
England of our Governor General" And it
| is rumored that Lord Lisgar, the present
Governor-General, will be succeeded by
Canadian appointed by the home Govern
ment; if, indeed, the Canadians should not
be authorized to elect Governor.
The independence of Canada, therefore,
| must be considered imminent; and perhaps
the only serious perplexity in conceding it at
| once arises from doubts as to it's subsequent
relations with the United States. There is no
general desire in the country for annexation
to us. The Canadian is an extreme En- glish-
man in feeling. The traditions of the mother
land and race are very powerful with him.
Besides, every thoughtful Canadian sees with
apprehenEion the ferocity of our politics.