The New York herald., 1872-12-16
THE FRENCH CANADIANS.

Dfscontent Of Jean BaPtiste Farmer.
Why Lower Canada Wants Annexa-,
tion-Fatal Dry Rot I'm the Dominion-
Minister With Hard Row to Hoe.
QUEBEC, Dec. IL, 1872.
In my last letter related on the authority OF
gentleman (Mr. Marchand), who holds, according
to the political economy OF the Dominion two pop.
ular representative oiices-namely, member Of the
State or Provincial Legislature and member Of the
federal or Dominion Parliament-the statement
that the French farmers OF Lower Canada wero
discontented and spoke openly in favor OF annexa-
tion-in favor OF anything that would bring .
change. This deserves a little more extended
notice than gave 1t in my last. The mainstay OF
British power In the Canadas has al
ways been the conservative French ele-
ment, not that the French loved either
British connection or the Britishers, but they
viewed the levelling, goddess and revolutionary
Yankees with the same horror as their fathers
viewed the disciples of voltaire and the r0yalists
OF 80 viewed the red-handed followers Of Robes
pierre. With wisdom not commonly credited to
English craftsmanship, the French on the surren.
der OF the provinces to England were guaranteed
the full and free exercise OF their religion, and thia
guarantee has been observed down to tile present
time, through all the mutations OF parties and
politics. The French were grateful for this. Eng
tended, as In return the French declined to take
advantage OF her difficulties when they might have
done SO with success Had Jean Bapiiste assisted
Montgomery out OF his peril0us poke at Quebec
the English flag would have no foothold
on any port s, Of i this Con Continent M today In
land, though O time came when this loyalty was
severely tested by the English party in Canada
Even then Jean Baptste remained impassive. He
showed philosophlc contempt for office and
learned to be happy on very limited resources.
WHY JEAN BAPrIsTE is UNoUIET.
But the spirit OF the age is abroad among the
French Canadians, the spirit Of unrest and of
yearning Tor larger actveness and fuller comforts.
They no longer dump loads of valuable manure
into the St Lawrence. but use It on the land. They
have learned much OF the United States-that the
Catholic religion is free as the air OF heaven
there that the rouge ogre il nowhere to
Prices pT and IS well pad Numbers 81
them have been across the border and brought back
to village ears wondrous tales Of the Republic-of
Its wealth and liberation, its grand churches, its
comely farms, its comfortably clad people, and
TINS the awakening which has occurred. Set
feeling OF this kind once In motion and there Is no
earthly power can stop it. Discomfort multi
plies itself ast mustard seed, and this is OF that
happy cure The s Confederation Of rt tie provnees
has had something to do with this state OF affairs.
boxed up now with four other provinces, inciud-
ing that with which 1t was ever heretofore in an
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE PROVINCES.
Upper Canada is distnctively English and
Protestant; Lower Canada is essentially French
other parts OF Upper Canada reside that abnormal
class OF Christians called Orangemen-a bigotcd
fanatlcism. With them the French have OF
course. no sympathy. It is hardly to be expected
they could eve ever reach CHI, ,y arendiy understanding
ITO hell with the Pope" No doubt what
ever but this confederation scheme has in.
an nsS esposoa ssani that wiz SIew Il t. 1ae pieces
fails to take place, before many years II will
in Toronto except solitary barber or coniectioner
here and there. Same way In most OF the towns of
Upper Canada, OTTAWA . Prescott Kingston in Ham;
from England and its general features would re-
main as they are. It's population is English.
have no standing In Upper Canada, and conse-
quenty appear TO have no interest In It, ! wonder
cusiveIy English-speaking population, linked to
Mexico, would care to stand Itf
From all 1 have here said, derived from inter.
views with Fronchmen who knew whereof they
spoke, It is evident the Dominion contains within
itself the germs OF dissolution omit to speak Of
know there is serious discomfort. Hthe manhood
OF Nova Scotia spoke its voice Il would be four
The task Minister has to perform In harmonizing
the
CONFLICTING INTERESTS
OF confederacy Just formed in face OF the United
States cannot be lightly estimated. Were there no
United States for a neighbor, but say Mexico In
stead, the Dominion would be an assured success
speculative statesmen in thisregion Of the world,
arguing from the anarchcal condition OF the SOUTH
say the American Republic must sooner or later 60
to pieces. In that event Lower Canada would be
perfectly willing to cast In her lot with the New
England states ana New York, which they think
altogether would make compact confederacy or
admirable compounds: BE that as It may, there 10
food for rejection In the discomfort OF the French
Canadian farmers
DELIGHTS OF THE DOMINION.
In opposition to those who delight In pointing
out the advantages OF connection with tine United
states Is q class who are never tired describing the
delights OF Canada and the ultra perfection OF tho
Dominion government. The snow and ice are
pleasant; hunting In the wild woods Ia glorious
(and so IL sl; mutton, beef, tea, sugar, beer and
whiskey are excellent and cheap; o suit OF Scotcn
tweed for $15 can be had anywhere; no taxes; q
kindly government, neither seen nor felt ml Jus,
tice before the law; strict protection lor NE anu
property; freest exercise OF religion, ana many
other attractions cannot think OF nOWs Dub W tns