Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-03


The banging Of the Manitoba half
breed, R5el. appears 10 nave brought IN
TIE surface the fact that there is great
dissatisfaction in Canada with the pres
eut condition OF aIfairs there. The popu-
lstoa is made ID or people of different
national aud instead of becoming
Canadians Just as immigrants are merged
irto Americans in this country. they re-
tain O. great extent their distinctive
cAaescosrtstios for generations. The re-
suit that there is not that harmony of
thought and unity OF p rpose which are
essential 20 progress and prosperity.
aAere 4sa strong sentiment in favor OF
annexation to this country among the
Irish Catholics. They form about one
tenth OF the population, and it is not easy
u fud 8 man among them who doesn't
favor annexation. Thev talk about indie
peudeuce, and their organs are cOntinu-
ally presenting the advantages that would
accrue to the country II the people Of
Canada were allowed to manage their
own affairs, but independence is not what
they want Annexation is what they are
after.
THERE'S a strong commercial body of peo-
DleiD Cauada who won d like to have it
become part Of the United States. They
see immense trade advantages in anneXa-
ton. Not only would their field be widen
ed, but taey are confident that American
ingenuity, enterprise and capital would
be employed to utilize the many natural
advantages which Canada has.
A few years ago French Canadians
would not entertain the thought OF an
nexation. They argued that it would
cause them to lose their identity, as it
were. They would lose their separate
schools in which the French language is
taught, their language would disappear
just as the French language is disappear
ing in Louisiana, and their peculiar laws
and customs would quickly be lost sight
Of. These things caused them to reject
any suggestion of annexation. The fail
ure Of their efforts to save Reil, however,
opened their eyes to the fact that they are
no longer as powerful as they once were.
Indeed, they are inclined to think that if
they haven't sufficient influence to save
one man from the gallows, there IS no
longer use in trying to maintain their dis
tinctive characteristics-to hold them
selves apart as a separate people of the
dominion. They are, therefore, thinking
of annexation with more favor, and it
would not be surprising if in little while
they should desire it as strongly as the
Irish Catholics do.
fov DO
nexatiOn or independence would meet
with strong opposition, but owing to the
lack of sympathy among the people it
would not perhaps be very difficult to
overcome. Even among those opposed to
either annexation or independence there
is feeling that change of some kind is
pretty certain to take place at no very
distant period. The people are beginning
to think that it is an imposition to require
them to pay Governor, sent out to them
from England, $4,000 a year. They can
easily find better Governor among them
selves for much less money. And then
again, the young men are getting tired OF
being pushed aside by younger sons from
England, sent out to fill the Offices be-
Cau5e luey maven Tue means on WHICH 10
live at home.
The question whether annexation would
meet with favor in this country doesn't
seem to be discussed. 1t is probably as
sumed that the American people would
gladly welcome Canada as a State. 1t is
very doubtful, however, if it would be
de med advisable to extend the bounda-
ries of the United States. The country is
big enough now, and if annexation were
proposed it is certain that there would be
a very strong party opposed to il.