The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1881-11-10
CANADA.
RumOred Agitation for Her In
dependence.

ucpenuences
OTTAWA, November 2.-The Free Press
states that it is intimated by a member
of Parliament that during the approach
ing session a move will be made in the
direction of Canadian independence, on
the ground that it is desirable that we
should elect our own Chief Magistrate
or President. The proposition is that
his salary shall not exceed $4,000 per
annum; that the Executive Council be
reduced from Ia members to seven, the
salary of each to be $1,000. In reference
to this subject, the same member of par
Lament writes: 81 believe that indie
pendence will be granted to Canada by
the mother country when asked for in
the proper spirit"
Alpheus Todd, C. NJ. G., Librarian of
Parliament and leading constitutional
authority, states with reference to the
cOnStltutiOnality Of the question of
Canadian independence and the pro-
prlety of Parliament moving in the
matter, that the body has undeniable
right to give any expression of opinion
THAT IT chooses upon any question affect
ing the country. If it was thought by
them that independence would be for
the welfare of the country an address to
the crown, respectfully stating that
opinion would be quite constitutional.
The wisdom and expediency of the move
Is OF course quite different matter.
| We have numerous precedents for this
in the British Parliament, where vari-
GUS motions have been made from time
to time calling for the indepen-
dence of Ireland, and such motions
are In no way irregular OF unjustif-
| able. What Is wrong in the matter
is the endeavor to obtain such a state of
things by force. With regard to Canada,
1t is a matter of public nOtOriety that
British Ministers have repeated from
time to time that the Imperial Govern
ment would never desire to retain Can
ada moment longer than she ceases to
wish to form portion of the Empire, and
that the moment that the request for
separation was cOnstitutionally made it
would be granted. While the expression
of an opinion on the subject by Parlia-
ment would be quite constitutional, the
same opinion expressed through an
other channel, for instance by public
meetings, would be a very different
matter and would be highly Objectiona-
BILE. l know that this contrary to gen.
eral impression, but | am convinced
that Parliament is the only channel
| through which such an expression of
opinion can be made. That is the only
way l regard the question from consti-
tutiOnal point of view. AS for my own
private opinion, that is quite another
matter. believe the. great mass
of the people of Canada are
opposed to independence, and that
Canada at heart is sound on
the question, and that agitation is only
started by politicians who have no other
matter to occupy their attention and
who really have little or no stake in
the country. have just written pa
per on the question, which will be pub
lished in the number of the Canadian
. | inh mil hn 1aH 10
row. l have entitled it, els Canadian
Loyalty Sentiment or a Principlep"
That is to say, is the loyalty of the Ca
madam people something evanescent,
something merely the effect of certain
passing sentiments, or is it something
which Is based upon certain firm con-
victions-in short, is it a principle ]
treat the subject historically, and after
pointing out and examining GER
themselves 1 come to the conelu
sion that Canadian loyalty is something
: more than Sentiment-that it is IL
every sense of the word a principle.
consider the question a weighty one
and one which should be well consid
/, cred by the people of Canada.
, La Patrie and LIE Courier, of Mont
real, have lately been discussing thu
question of the commercial independ
q ence of Canada. La Patrie is strOngl,
! in favor of independence, while l.
! Courier, although not absolutely Op
posed to it, is rather inclined to be o
the opinion that commercial independ
ence is not compatible with our position
as British colony. La Verite, on tn
other hand, believes that Canadian
s should make up their minds to such al
Independence, as the rapid change o
/, events in Europe might compel us t
u u choose between that and annexation.