The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-27

IN IL u
stability and prosperity to the new semi-inde-
pendent State fairly launched, and 1t only remains
for him to guide the work, task not altogether
free nom difficulties, to the expected successful
end.
TREATY OF WASHINGTON.
The Washington Treaty was an event fraught
with momentous consequences to Canada. It pro-
vided for the establishment OF entirely new rels-
lions with the United States, and was intended to
place the Dominion In position where 1t might
proceed In its without reasonable fear OF in
reference OF any kind The union Of the provinces
we hoped would add to their prosperity, and we
have regarded with satisfaction the measures
taken to add to the internal improvements Of the
colonies and development Of the vast resources Of
the country. The advent Of Lord Duferin marks Q
new era in the history Of the Dominion and per-
haps affords o suitable occasion to refer at some
length TO what our neighbors have been doing
since 1857, and what they propose doing In the I'M
mediate future. Although the Alabama dispute
almost exclusively engrosses our thoughts 1t was
in reality the least urgent and least dangerous Of
our differences with Great Britain Our differ
ences with Canada were much more likely to
involve us in difficulties, II not In actual h0stilites
The capture of the James Bliss and Enola G. are
cases in point. These differences were Of four
kinds. There Is the dispute OF old standing about
the boundary Of San Juan there was a claim OF
Canada for Naturalization on account OF Fenian
raids; there quarrel about the right of fishing
In Canadian waters, and the right claimed by the
provinces to exclude citizens of the United States
from the navigation Of the st. Lawrence. All the
others might keep, but the fishery dispute, as
recent events prove, was full OF peril to the con-
tinuance OF peace 1t Is an acknowledged prin-
cir,la fhat try hau iuriod itu
coasts to the extent Of three miles from low water
marx. We maintained that the coast line followed
the indentatlons. The Canadians insisted that it
was to be measured from headland to headland.
II the latter Interpretation prevailed fishermen
might be excluded from the Canadian bays-that
is, from the only valuable flsheries-and this our
fishermen refused to submit to- An indiscreet
naval officer on either side might bring on col
lsion at any time, for the United States took care
to be represented on the fishing grounds by vessels
Of war, with instructions to resist illegal seizures.
This matter has been settled by the washington
Treaty.
DIFFICULTIES OF THE DOMINION
The Dominion was proclaimed in May, 1867. The
measure originated partly in the political necessi-
ties OF the Canadian Provinces, and partly no
doubt in view of creating a new kingdom or inde-
pendent State to be ruled by one of the English
princes to meet some contingency at future time.
1t is even believed now that Lord Dunern will be
the last Governor General The Dominion being
the creation OF circumstances 1t was subjected to
early and probably hostile criticisms, and it re-
qured skful guidance, at least at the start So
far 1t may be said to be advancing in strength ex-
tent and national Importance. Its difficulties with
the maritime provinces remain practically I'M
settled. Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island
continue opposed to being swallowed up in
the new confederacy, holding that their interests
and those of the other maritime provinces are not
IN common with Canada, and that union would
bring to them only ruin and decay; Every effort
induce the hardy Atlantic c0l0nists to become part
OF the Dominion, but they have proved unavailng.
The attempt, which has succeeded to absorb Mani
toba caused civil war, and that province is, even
now, In very unsatisfactory condition. British
Columbia was induced to pass an act of union, but
country had not guaranteed a large. loan to
assist in the building Of Pacific Railroad;
only for the Treaty Of Washington. There
are chronic dissensions growing out Of DIFF
has been added the semidsloyal attitude of the
maritime provinces. The subject OF education is
one surrounded with many perils, and the Protes-
tant minority In Quebec, not being able to carry
their measures In the local Legislature, threaten
to appeal to the home government for change in
the constitution, to force their ideas of public
instruction on the large French and Catholic ma
jority. Mach of the time OF the session Of Para-
of a school law Tor New Brunswick, where ii is ad-
mitted by Protestant journals that there exists
undoubtedly ill.used minority of Catholics.
MATERIAL AND POLITICAL CONDITION.
Notwithstanding all this, the Dominion, socially
and materially, may be said to be prosperous
country. Its finances are In excellent condition.
Public works OF the greatest Importance have been
completed. New railroads and telegraph lines
cation with Europe is carried on on an extensive
scale. The Dominion is gaining in population by
immigration and military system has been called
avowedy intended to be equal to the task Of repell
ing invasion. The canals are to be Immediately
widened and deepened, and high anticipations are
from the Washington Treaty in respect
to trade with the United States 1t is to be hoped
that under the administration OF Lord Dufferin the
country will continue to prosper but 1t win be ne
cessary that the mahgn spirit Of religious intol.
that this spirit is kept alive by publications and
speeches emanatng from one section, who, in the
name Of religious liberty never cease denouncing
stitute over one half of the population
Lord Lsgar, labored faithfully to mend this cond-
tion OF things. The latter nobleman twho entered
to- the taxing Ills Title nos sh
estates, has also done much to check sectarian an
mosties by dealing impartially with all classes
that the ascendancy sought to be established by
one portion Of the inhabitants over another re-
- = - ''' Policy OF LORD ELerN
The late Lord Elgn while acting as Governor
General accomplished results that led In great
measure to the extinction OF the euds that existed
between the inhabitants of Upper and Lower
Canada. The principal object OF his policy was to
unite the people OF the provinces and show them
how much was to be gained by living. as neighbors
and fellow citizens should, in harmony. He en-
countered the bitter enmty OF the so-called loyal
party, which on several occasions manifested Itself
In riots and attempts at personal violence. He
spoke French fuently, and delivered his
speech when Parliament met In that language
and In English. This aroused the Indignation
OF the socalled oyasts, nor was their indignation
lessened when the new Ministry brought In bill to
provide for the decentralization Of parties in Lower
Canada, whose property was destroyed during the
rebellion OF 1887 and 1883. This was the measure
that soon became notorious as the "RebelliOn
Losses BILL" The tories petitoned and spoke and
agitated against 1t, and complained that loyalty
was going to the dogs when rebels were to be COM
pensated for losses sustained in the struggle which
they had provoked. He refused to dissolve Parlia-
ment, and ultimately the bill was passed and re-
ceived the royal assent Then ensued those
DIsGRACEFUL MONTREAL RIOTS
in April 1S49, which were as disgraceful to the
old Canadian tory party as the result was
honorable to Lord Elgin and his policy. He
was hooted and pelted on leaving the Paria-