The New York herald., 1879-12-27
Startling Growth of the
Separatist Feeling.
A LIV E l S S U E.
Tied Down and Impoverished by
the English Connection.
NO FUTURE BUT A FREE ONE.


perature. and a walk out of the Windsor Hotel with
the thermometer at Is degrees quickens the idea
very much and gets the thinker into sharp walk.
1t is d complete metamorphosis of Montreal. From
the pretty green of Mount Royal Park and the many
Streets with verdure clad of the summer visit, the
scene has changed much that. were it
not Tor the American style and mannerisms
of the people. 1 should fancy myself
again among the Russians at st. Petersburg.
There is whiteness all-the still air sends the
smoke from thousands of chimneys straight into
the upper strata, and the frosty atmosphere makes
the troting pedestrians to resemble steam engines
OH the 'go-as-you-p please principle steam issuing
from nostrs and mouth as if each were at high
pressure. Sunday morning it is, and very STILL
quiet misunderstanding air has seized upon every
thing. Montreal looks If she too peaceful for
any action reaction of any kind and yet there is
going on here a of change that will. doubtless
long give to the political aspect fthe Dominion
more marked transformation than anything that
has yet occurred.
ANTI-MoNAncHIcAL SENTIMENT.
found on my last visit here. rather more than
year ago, considerable sentiment of o republican
cast. Sneers at royalty made publicly enough,
the more especially when Colonel Lyttleton blum
dered into his famous order that all Montreal Ia
dies must wear low-necked dresses at the Princess
Louise and Lorne's reception. 1 then heard more
treason talked than would consign a score Of nihl
lists to Siberia the changed to St. Peters
burg. Making up my mind that this would de-
veop itself in time am surprised to learn that
scores of public men have gone bones and body
to, not annexation exactly. but something very
much akin to it-Canadian independence. Prepared
as was for this feature, am surprised that it has
grown so fast and become SO general. In converse
ton with gentleman In the Windsor Hotel this
morning. one who has held very high position in
the Parliament Of the Dominion. learn that the
feeling is growing every day in strength Of members
who favor independence and in depth of conviction
among those who at first looked upon the idea as
chmerical Should what he tells me prove true
and subsequent conversation with others leads me
to believe that it is-the country and Parliament
will long be startled with having the question of
Independence openly broached political issue.
He said -
INDEPENDENCE A LIVE QUESTION.
"The parties. conservative and liberal, have had
no real issue upon which to divide for nearly
of years. confederation having been very little op
posed. The seigniorial tenure abolished and the
separate school question disposed Of protection was
the basis of the next great party struggle. The
servatives took up the cry. and the voice of the
people overwhelmed the liberals who fitted on the
free trade boot. These questions decided the next
will be independence"
''But there must be soms reason for this WISH" I
remarked.
"The very best of all reasons" he replied. sYou
are aware that Canada has at length commenced to
feel that she must have a market for manufactures
If she can manufacture at all. The government has
adopted policy favorable to manufactures but has
been stopped just there
THE FATAL ENGLISH coNNEcrIoN.
'"But you have the advantage of trade with other
countries. Tho Intercolonial and Halifax Harbor
makes you free of the old hndrance. which COM
PEELED you in winter to send your goods to Portland.
At Montreal You have the nearest point you can get
while Quebec is among the best harbors."
But. my dear fellow. you do not understand the
question. 1t is not avenues Of outlet we want We
have enough of them. 1t is avenues of commerce
with other countries-the right to make treaties or
participate in British treaties made with foreign
countries"
''But have you not The rights Of British citizen
ship? thought that Great Britain rights extended
to you Canadians"
Eyes; so did 1. But we Canadians are COM
mencing to feel that we are merely colonists. We
have found that have not the same rights AZ
British subjects in England; and only when we at
tempted to trade with foreign nations did we find 1t
put. Great Britain makes all the treaties; we pull
the chestnuts out of the fire should occasion re-
thought to Great Britain for all that. But will
give you an example of how placed at disad-
vantage. l was in Franco in common with many Of
our Canadians and learned many things hitherto
nov to me. Take our ship building trade.
COMMERCIAL DISADVANTAGES.
ave have done good deal in that line, as your
Secretary of the Navy knows very WELL We can
make all the vessels like. but we cannot sell in
France. and it is the in other OF the foreign
ports in treaty with England. without paying duty
Of SS aton while England may sell the very best Of
her iron steamers at the rate of forty cents ton.
Now am loyal man. but that is q very test
to my loyalty. And colonist am not per-
mitted to make any treaties with foreign countries
TO better my condition. Take agricultural imple.
ments. and the duties three to against us in
France. cheese ve to one aud according to tho
French tariff. the rate is high low, while in many
Instances met with prohibition itself for ex-
ample we cannot sell woollen, cotton or leather
goods. England on the other hand aud does ex
port these very goods TO France at ten per cent
duty. Coming home, we will take the United
States. Since reciprocity we forced to pay say
twenty-five per cent all around on horses, butter,
cheese. poultry. grain. &c.
CANADA MINORITY
"well. how do you propose to get over these
dlfficutiesY'
.'By taxing the position of older son who has
some of age and asks his father to let him start for
himself. Gieat Britain made great mistake when
she tried to keep your nation over the border
think she will hardly try to restrain us should we
want to 20. have talked to you briefly upon the
trade question Now look at ehc national question.
We have no voice in our most important Canadian
ifrairs. From an imperial standpoint they must be
regulated. or free to mako local laws,
regulate people and the internal affairs Of tho
puntry. We can go no further.
EMPIRE
"wc have no voice In the Imperial Parliament, and
are ruled altogether from Downing street. II there
is question Of imperial policy we not con-
suited. oven IL 1t concerns very nearly. Should
Great Britain 80 to war tomorrow she drags us in
with her. and we run the risk of hard knocks
without reaping any of the advantages or hav-
ing anything to say in the struggle. Just
laal "a nm In linl Lsa