The New York herald., 1879-12-29
OPPOSED TO ANNEXATION.
The Canadian People Not Desirous Of En-
tering the American Union.
PERFECTLY CONTENT WITH ENGLAND.
Views OF Sir Francis Hincks on
Dominion Politics.

News Of the growing excitement In Canadian polit
ica circles the mooted question OF establishing
an independent Canadian governments or annexing
the Dominion to the United States created sensa-
tion in this city yesterday. Merchants whose trade
lies mainly in Canada pronounced emphstically in
favor any change tending to the abolition les.
scning of customs dues articles imported from
that region The feeling among Canadians that such
a change is prevented by Euglands assumption Of
the right OF shapiug tho Dominions foreign treaties
seemed to be fully participated in by all who have
any interest in the affairs of Canada. The rumors
that prominent Canadian was at Washington en-
deavoring to influence the government to take steps
to secure a better commercial understanding between
the two countries was accepted proof that the
question of annexation will be made IN issue IN the
next Parliament. HERALD reporter interviewed
Sir Francis Hincks at the Windsor Hotel yesterday
In reference to the subject
..There is no question: said he (which would cause
so much deep feeling in Canada as that Of annexa-
ton il the real political leaders in favor of it.
At present the country Ia absorbed In its internal
affairs and the feeling In favor Of separation from
ENGLAND Ia very limited. The true way to get al
public opinion in Canada is by watching how ths
Dominion Parliament receives public questions.
represent the people moro thoroughly than in Can.
ada. And yet will venture to assert that not
single member Of Parliament would dare to raise
the question of annexation at next session. Tho
feeling is strong that such member would be
politically ruined. The general government is in
tensely loyal and to broach proposition while their
relations to the mother country are happy would
be looked upon rank treason. The member Of
Parliament who first lends his seat to the side OF an
nexation will simply make himself butt for ridi-
cule and contempt" .
.'was there not member Of Parliament present q
the annexation meeting in Montreal whom the Polt-
ical Economy Club was formed?"
Eyes. there was young lawyer named McMaster,
who has just been elected TO represent the extreme
eastern constituency Of tho Province of Ontario. He
is an active. intelligent but too young to
plish anything. Whatever may be his political
victons outside he will hardly attempt to raise the
issue In Parliament. He will take his seat at the
next session. but will fpd SO much opposition to
discussion of such Queation that he will. doubt
not, quietly drop all thoughts Of it. II he takes
radical he will certainly m.srepresent his
stitueuts. who are just loyal As in any other
ton of the country. The other people VINO wers
present at tho annexation meeting were not at all
persons of influence standing. Mr.. Goldwin ia an
ceoding as an agitator. He is about to start .
newspaper in Ontario to be known as the Ayxtandsr,
the object Of which is to advocate the OF the
sunexationists. Another gentleman who attended
tho meeting was Mr.. Joseph Perrault He was sent
to the Paris Exposition Us 2 commissioners. and re-
turned radical apncxationist. His ideas based
upon the supposition that Canada cannot secure
satisfactory foreign relations under the present
system OF government. He declares that England
prevents the Canadians from negotiating their own
treaties, aud thereby hampers their efforts for COM
sctions Of the Canadian Parliament are always taken
into consideration when any important diplomatic
step Is being taken: and i seriously doubt whoshsr
sions than foreign Powers are granting to
her ut present. Mr.. Perrault is entirely in error
In his calculations. have been told that
occupied himself in creating the impression there
that Canada was burning for her liberty. He viii
get little sympathy among those who understand
how prosperous Cansda is a. part OF the British
Empire Another participant in the meeting was :.
Zion Church aud owner OF the Canadian Spectator.
Journal which has proved financial failure. Be-
note who lent their names to the annexation demon
stration.".
els not British Columbia considered drag upon
Canada by reason Of Its isolated positionY'
elm some respects It Is. The Dominion govern
ment is spending enormous sums of money on
British Columbian improvements, among which IL
the Canada Pacific Hallway. will not deny that
there q widespread dissatisfaction consequence
of these expenditures. The government has con.
tracted immense loans but II solvent beyond oil
ms a srSo po u
this o good reason for independence of England's
political connections am In favor of finishing the
Canada Pacinc Railway It would terminate near
to the American boundary that there would be con-
siderable inducements for Americans to build road
connecting it with san Francisco. This would be
highly desirable for Canada. The leaders Of both
the liberal and conservative parties arc satisfied with
the Canada Pacific scheme although there was st
FIRST y serious objection made to 1t.
"ls not Canadian legislation limited too muchs
and should not her laws be moulded to suit her
II do not think so. Canada is absolutely free to
alter her present laws or make new ones n neces-
sary She possesses all the liberties of republic
without many Of It's disadvantages. Besides. she
has tho support OF the entire British realm. Il 10
ouiy in such case as the compulsory interment Of
the remains OF Guibord that the English govern.
ment interferes in the affairs OF Canada. In that
the Privy Council had the powers invested in
the United States Supreme Court. All matters are
carefully considered. and its decision IL Anal.
Another instance of the possible difficulties which
may arise between Canada aud the home government
was the removal of Lieutenant Governor Letelief
by the Governor General That the last political
that Mr.. Lctellier had done nothing which he
had not constitutional right 70 do. HIS
removal was an unjust and unwarranted act,
This s one OF tho reasons for the anti-British
sentiment. but beyond tho desertion Of q few mem.
bcrs from the liberal party I do not think IL will
have any further effect TheCsasdian government
will see TO It that there will bo no ipjustco done
without q vigorous and substantial protest. Eng
land wanted to reduce the customs taxes on her ex
abolition. And yet the dominion Parliament passed
Tariff oct without any hesitation. That IL to say
English exporters from paying taxes. TheN
has been much talk about sending reprssont tsttou
tn the English Parliament There II really no need
for such representation. Canada governs herself
aud of vho general laws regulating foreign com
merce have been complained Of. II there was any
necessity for Canadian members Of the English Par
lament the feeling in favor OF sending representa-
tives would be stronger and more widsspread than
it's"
THE CHANCE wan. fl fI q
"what IL England should engage In war with the
United States question not affecting Canadsf"
s.In that case Canada would bo tho theatre of
But IL is . contingency which 10 not likely to arise
The settlement OF tho Alabama clams has ended all
disputes between the two great English speaking
tons and their relations are perfectly harmonious.
or courae. it ia within tho limit Of possibility. II