Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-08-11
Over the Border.
[oonRrsroNpENcn OF THE srr.l
A Two wccISs' Trip through fIue DOmin-
ion-Itm Resources and Prod ucts-Hm-
migration from Britain - Washington
TreuIy-A mex alton.

Before our present trip, we had twice been in
Canada in the past few years. Since it is SC
near to the more popuous portions of the states
Americans generally must feel an interest in the
Dominion, and DESTROYS to learn more and more
of its people, institutions, feelings and sent
ments as regards international affairs; to know
and to learn, not merely to crafty an idle curios
ity, or satisfy laudable craving for knowledge
but as duty they owe TO themselves and their
| Canadian neighbors. South and north went to
war because each was ignorant of the others
character, ways, purpose, opinions, and power
How well we remember a remark delegate to
| the loyal convention of southern men held in
Philadelphia in 1866, made, as he wandered gaz-
ing and meditating along the avenues. He said
struck with the size and thrift of the place. II
the southern people had known how great and
powerful the north was, they never would have
opened battle-never sought war as a court Of
differences. We were ignorant, unreasoning,
headlong; and, therefore, warlike; thought we
could whip the free states with ease"
True and weighty sentences. Their meaning
| is indelible in memory, and ought to be craven
| on the hearts of every people. Nations live
mostly within their own egg shells. Each viii
lage, town, city, state, section, and country
swollen, arrogant and defiant from its conceit
and isolation; on the slightest provocaton, able
and ready to whip the world. This may seem
little too highly colored, but after all it must be
put in such way to convey the truth.
Said prominent official in the largest cor
poration in Canada, to us, the other day, ave
will fight you rather than join you" This was
his sentiment as to annexation. He was intell-
gent and sincere, and intended no joke or satire
And yet, how absurd and pettyl We smiled,
| and made no answer, but let him dream his
day-dream, trusting that he might gradually
awake to the recognition of two great staring,
glaring, self-evident facts, viz: America does
not want Canada unless Canada wants to come;
| and, second, forty millions of Americans, we
venture to conclude, might conquer 100000 of
Canadians, who were frightened out of their
boots and wits at the report that few hundred
rag-tag and bob-tail Fenians were on the drunken
war-path. We have no anxiety if they are fool
ish enough to fight,
There is not a little of evidence that either ma
ton wishes it, though there is considerable loud
talk and bristling when Canadians are talking
about the treaty and the fisheries. Earl de
Grey CHANGED to be at the same hotel with us at
Montreal, and also on the train to Ottawa He
has recently received a higher title, viz: The
| Marquis of Ripon." But these provncials are
| so displeased with his sensible and just con-
| duct as joint high commissioner. that they re-
| fuse him any attention, and decline to recognize
his titular promotion. After time they will
get bravely over it, and then see and say, " How
puerile is such conductp We meet many
now, that agree with us, and only wait in this
particular, the sentiments of the majority.
The confederation or union Of the several prov
inces has proven an immense beneft-aye,
more the salvation of their prosperity and
may be, complete, ultimate independence. 1t
has been as valuable to them as confederation
was to the colonies of '76. Resources are being
developed; harmonious cooperation secured ;
unseen powers are coming into play; steam
ships and railways are multiplying; reduced
expenses of government Tightening taxation
in fine, it is exemplifying the old maxim" In
union there is strength" Omitted we stand,
divided we fall" The bundle of sticks is hard
to break, but single sprouts are as brittle as
pipe stems.
1t has been an educator, taught new ideas
improved the manners, augmented trade, paved
the way for annexation by showing them the
advantages of union on a small scale. Success
full in few things, they are acquiring faith in
the application of the same principles and laws
TO great things.
Nations are dull pupils, unless stunned into
thought, observation and conclusion by the
rude shocks of war. This is as true of Canada
as it was of the United States prior to 1861
The two provinces Of Quebec and Ontario differ
much in geography and inhabitants The
former has most of the hills and mountains of
the Canadas-the latter the prairie plains and
the more fertile soil, and on the average a mder
and more propitious climate. The great draw
back Of Quebec province is climate-t is too
cold for various productions. Potatoes, beans,
peas grasses and oats are the staples; fruits are
wanting, save few apples. Whether more
scientific cultivation would produce them may
be question. Each has magnificent forests of
the finest timber.
1 The lumber interest ranks next in wealth and
importance to agriculture. Coursing down the
st. Lawrence, the traveller sees continuously
very large RATS going down to the mills to be
prepared for the markets of the globe. Graphic
| is the life of these woodsmen and lumbermen-
immortal already in song and story. The
I,achne rapids were the scene that inspired the
melodious and expressive Canadian boat song,
familiar wherever the English tongue is spoken.
There is little natural difference of any sort
between Canada West and some of the western
states, and yet going over it, or by reading the
| otot tha hot fhaxyr
veal the causes plainly. In previous letters l
have intimated what they are. Space does not
permit elaboration. The government is learn
ing rapidly, copying some of our American
ways All over the Dominion are the flaming post
ers announcing the free grants of crown lands
of 200 acres to the head of every family who
will locate on them, and 100 acres to each male
or female member of the family. The Quebec
province offers less land than this but pays
transportation of immigrants from landing to
place of settlement. 1t is more generous and
considerable than even congress, as no cash is
required, only an actual residence for short
term of years. They are proposing to add gifts
of farming implements to the present gratuities.
This policy is producing excellent results
already. This year 10000 immigrants have az
rived, and all of superior character and quaif-
cations, mostly English, some Scotch, but few
from Ireland.
They land at Quebec and 20 westward by rail.
Yesterday 800 arrived on the Persian, large
vessel of the Allan line, which is all owned in
Montreal. Some of their vessels are the finest
that float on any water-built in Scotland. On
this vessel were 800 children-orphans from
Eugland-for whom Miss Mcpherson and Miss
Rye had provided homes in Ontario. A more
healthy and sprightly collection of children we
never saw in the states, all having that peculiar
English ruddiness so marked contrast to the
American pallor.
While the French are leaving for the states, a
better population is filling their places This
process suits the governing classes, here who
are English and Protestant, while those who
leave the country are French and Catholic, and
entirely under the dominion Of the priesthood
They own large portion Of the improved prop.
erty. When they sell they take mortgage for
the unpaid balance. conditioned so that the