The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-05
Prejudice of the Natives Against
Railroads. e
FATE OF An ENTERPRls.Re PREMIER.
The Trips 10 Ottawa and the Final
Best Terms"
THE ISLAND AS IT IS.
CnARlo1TnrowN, Prince Edward Island, /,

tunes 81 the new DOMINION. signed, sealed ana
delivered, the document Of annexation only awaits
the approval Of the Queen OF England to render this
charming little country part and parcel OF the
great confederation. Although temporarily left
out in the cold, where it remains for considerable
portion Of the year, Newfoundland will follow suit,
thus making the union OF the British provinces
complete, without flaw. The successful carrying
out OF the scheme will be the GROWING effort OF the
Canadian government, and, whether annexation to
the United States or entire independence be the
final result England will doubtless be soon re-
lieved OF all responsibility. This may perhaps he
considered q bold assertion in view OF the
seeming reluctance Of some OF the provinces to
join the confederation and the well known loyalty
OF the cOlonists to the British government. 1t ID
plain however that the people are beginning to
appreciate their position, and, awakening to the
fact that they far behind the age in enterprise,
must ere long, shake of patronizing and calous
friend that has heedessly marred their progress.
The confederation Of oil the British provinces is
now foregone conclusion, and what will follow
requires no extraordinary foresight to predict.
THE CONFEDERATION SCHEME.
Since the Conference OF delegates from the sew
eral British provinces, held nearly ten years ago,
when Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island re-
fused to accept the terms offered, the Dominion
authorities have kept watchful eye on these
fertile plains Tempting inducements were
constantly thrown in the way, Ministers
exhausted all their ingenuity and splendid promises
were made to bring about Q union, but with
out effect Confederation was dreaded by nearly
the entire population OF the island, for many re-
garded the act as equivalent to q surrender Of
their rights. No confederate candidate Ii such
existcd-would present himself for election to the
Parliament here, and it may be said without ex-
aggeration that the feeling against annexation to
the Dominion was very strong and decided. Among
the agricultural classes, who by the way, held their
land for song, no idea Of any change could not
be entertained. Increased taxation and the inva-
sion OF railroads., which, some years ago. many had
never seen heard OF, loomed up as the destroy
ing angels OF their household goods. Despite, how
ever, these discouraging symptoms, the willy Cana
dian Ministers never abandoned hope or relaxed
their efforts. In 1859 overtures were again made
by the government at ottawa. Better terms
than before were offered with winning
grace. No spider ever coquetted with timid
fly with more bewitching fondness or
sung his wnolesouled invitation in more
welcoming and neodious strains. But the Con-
ference failed, and Prince Edward Island, proud OF
its British nag, and mapping its little wings with
dignity, shrunk back from the proposition into the
red mud OF the native SOIL Bissful in their igno-
IduCct yCs bi0sPiuS la oHCH uOohcs, VIC seuiuy
islanders declined the terms and bade adieu to
Ottawa.
THE IRON CIvILIzER.
Still undismayed by so many disheartening Is
Sues the Dominion Chiefs fully aware OF the i'm
portance Of the Union, were not to be banked by
people who scarcely realized the peculiar benefits
to be reaped by confederation Twice had they failed
in bringing their neighbors to any sort OF terms.
though lavish inducements had been held out
to them. And 1t may be here noted that even at
this time the out-of-the-way farmers were just Is
resoiute as ever in their opposition to the linking
OF any chain OF progress that might connect them
with the Dominion government. But the time
had arrived when the more intelligent portion OF
the community were beginning to wake up from
It's lethargy, and az l0comotion from one part Of
the island to the other was as diflcult it is In
newly plouehed field, the idea Of railroad dashed
like phantom before the vision Of some more
civilized than their fellows. Doubtless the terrible
invader was at first only talked about in trembling
Whispers for the faithful iron horse was generally
regarded as the common enemy, only 1T
Tor breakneck countries and demoraized com.
munities. Evil rumors however. spread
noised abroad. There was no Immediate
revolution but the fate Of the protector was some
the Spring OF 1911 Premier Pope with a heroism to
be recalled with pride and gratitude by his coun-
trymen, introduced bill into the Legislature to
build grand trunk railway from Charl0ttetown to
Albertown the immeasurable distance OF thirty
miles. The storm that ensued is indescrbable.
deathly stiffness, wherein the fate Of the country
was suspended from single fish hook, the bill
passed. The Premier's doom was sealed.
THE HUE AND CRY.
cannot call to mind just now any startling cpl
sode for which the present startling century Is
shock which this anticipated advent OF the iron
horse created. The news spread like wildfre,
and the excitement that succeeded marks an event
unparalleled In the previous history or this fertile
spot. Countrymen were aroused and citizens
brooded in silence. And here was developed a
Opposition party to make political capital and step
into the progressive shoes OF those who had dared
to inlet upon the country the whisting grievance
made against the party in power; little 'Jobs''
were hintea at by their enemies In such strain as
scheme were Influenced by mercenary motives;
that youthful "Cl edit Mobilieru was born on the
island that +, there Were too many curves on the
and fostered the enterprise with q view to con-
iederation that the prominent ofaclals OF The
at all hazards, mad used bad material
in the construction OF the road in order that their
a wt 70 70 Gok
taxes would be increased hundred per cent, with
gaunt starvation in the background grinninR, with
once happy and prosperous island named after
Prince Edward, Duke Of Kent, the father OF Her
Majesty for kindness
ever went over precipice.
THE PREhIER's FATE
IL will be seen that even in this comparatively
high latitude politicians freeze to ONCE. The gov
eminent party was denounced In unmeasured
terms, and In looking over the files OF an old news
paper wherein reference was made to the
question at issue i was amazed to find
TO be four d In any dictionary, could have made
their way 70 this quiet and secluded place. AS al
ready intinated the opposition party, or In other
efforts to inform the people OF their rapidly ap-
preaching bankruptcy and ruin. The rxse was sue