New-York tribune., 1880-01-10
cAyADT4y INDEPENDENCE.

1t ia announced that journals advocating
Canadian independence will soon appear SIM
ultaneously in Toronto, London and Montreal
From this news it would seem that the inde-
pendence movement, which began in the talk
of few people III Montreal, is gaining so
much popular strength that its advocates have
resolved upon an active public propaganda.
The chief basis of the movement is no doubt
the dissatisfaction which prevails throughout
the Dominion with the present indus
trial and commercial condition of the
country. Population increases slowly. Eu-
ropCan immigration is hard 70 get, ana VIVA, Is
obtained is nearly offset by the stream ol
native Canadians which constantly p0ufs
over the border INTO the United states. Man
ufac,urcs do not flourish, trade is dull ANA the
sense of dependence on Great Britain Is iatal
to enterprise. In such a state OF affairs II Is
no wonder that many intelligent Canadians
should hope to find in separate national NE
q spur to progress which is now lacking.
Others who believe that incorporation with ihe
American Union is the true cure for CanIulan
lethargy Join with them, because they see IN
ipdcpendencc a short road to annexation.
Now that the word separation is frankly
and openly spoken and need 30 longer be
whispered in private to avoid the stigma OF
disloyalty, the movement for independence
may be expected 10 grow into formidable dl-
mensons. 1t appeals to the good sense and
maniiness of the Canadian people, and will
make It's way in spite OF the traditional rev.
orcnce for the British connection. The Cana
dams derive DO advantage from their colonial
position, save the purely imaginary one OF
being protected from aggression on thc part OF
the United States. They do not even
have the pleasure now Of gazing upon
the red coats of British soldiers and
listening to the music OF British Tceimcniai
bands for England maintains 10 gaWlsons IN
the Provinces, save handful Of men at Hall
fax. The disadvantages of their situation are
serious. They cannot make their own COM
mercial treaties; they must bear the brunt of
any quarrel that may arise between England
and the United States; they cannot develop
the patriotism which charactcrizes the people
of even the smallest nations, and which cncour-
AGES dignity. sturdiucss and seli-Telancc; they
have no national art or literature, and can hope
for none so long as they are attachments to
sovereignty across the sea.
The feeling in the United States toward
movement for Canadian independence would
lac. we are convinced, one Of cordial sympathy,
In every respect If is better for Us that the
neople uoon our northern border should con-
stitute a nation capable OF treating with IL
directly on all matters concerning both them
and Us than that they should continue in the
relation Of subjects 10 . transatlantic monarch
Such a feeling could not be construed into
nnfIicndlincss toward Great Britain, because
the English newspapers have been assuring
the Canadians for the last twenty years that
they are perfectly free t. sever their cOnuec-
tion with the mother country whenever they
desire TO do 80. Nor would 1t have any
relation to future annexation which, ii
il should ever come, would come rs The re-
suit Of the freely expressed wish Of our neigh
hors. and not through any comDulson on
our part. 1t would mean nothing more than
that We shOuld be glad 10 see the good pcO-
ple across our northern frontier recognize the
fact that they are old enough to 60 alone and
capable Of managing for themselves their
heritage of a portion OF tins magnificent
American Continent. Nothing has been said
"a vet about the sort of a Government the
Separatists want to set up. A Federal Republic
would be natural outgrowth from their present
system. but if they should have a fancy for
the useless and costly gauds and uappings of
ROYALTY, and should want to crown the Marquis
of Lo1ne and his excellent wife, 1t would be
none of orr affair." Whether they establish
republic OF a monarchy, they may feel assured
of n cordial welcome from the United States