Daily Republican., 1885-09-11


Tho Canadian Government will make
. great mistake II IL allows Louis Riel
70 be executed. He La no doubt rebel
in the eyes Of the law, but II Canada
intends to hang all her rebels she will
have her hands full. The United
States could not afford to hang single
rebel after the war closed, not even
JEFF Davis, the arch traitor Of all trail
tors, leader Of q rebellion compared
with which Riel's rebellion in Canada
becomes very small speck upon the
surface. Canada being contiguous to
the United States, caught our spirit OF
improvement since our great war ended
and commenced building the Canadian
Pacific Railway, in imitation of our
Union and Central Pacific Railroads,
following closely our financial methods.
Rings were formed to plumber and
cheat the government, some OF the lead
ing officials being In these rings. They
procured from the Government large
grants OF land and money, the latter
disappearing very rapidly amongst the
swindlers. The greed of the ringsters
was only whetted by the spoiis they
had secured, and their next plan to
make millions of dollars was to sell the
lands appropriated by the Government
to build the railroad, to spectators and
cattlemen. This, of course, brought the
settlers under contribution TO the land
lords 30 created, generally foreigners.
But there were already real settlers on
some of these lands. Some OF them
were Europeans, some were Hall breeds,
and some were Indians, but no matter
who they were they had right to live
there by priority Of occupancy and by
having improved their farms. These
ring men, however, were after money.
What did they care for individual
rights, or the more binding considera-
tions OF humanity They proposed to
evict these settlers-turn them out OF
the homes they had inhabited all
their lives-or TO make them pay toll TO
foreign spectators who had bought
their farms over their heads. This ac-
ton naturally produced CONSERVATION
and indignation in the minds OF the
setoerA. They protested and appealed
to uae Governor. G eneral OF Canada, but
without favor or relief. The Premier
of course had to be on the side OF the
| law and that placed him on the side oil
| the ring robbers. The hops OF help
from that quarter had to be abandoned,
| and the ministerial organs declared the
settlers squa,.ers" who would have &c
clear cut.
Then folio we'd meetings both public
| 20 n fha aatt1arG "
very easy to conceive how they resolv'
ed to defend their homes and to resist
eviction. Their firesides are dear t(
them and they determined to stand by
their affairs and defend them. In look
ing around for leader Riel was chosen
The history Of the short struggle tina
ensued Is still fresh in the minds Of ou
readers. Outnumbered and overborn,
by the superior armament OF Middle
toms forces the settlers were defeated
and Riel surrendered. Then arose {
, cry for the rebels life. A trial wa
f held at Regina and Rlel was declared
guilty o. melting to rebellion and o
D carrying on a war against her Majest
by jury, some of whom had made bet
before the trial that Riel would b
hanged. This is about the truth In
); nutshell OF Riel's rebellion. The da
q of his execution is fast approachin,
A should he suffer the sentence Impose
J, upon him
10 ! Four hundred thousand French ar
Is Irish Canadians want to know why
IT should be executed, and they o
to threatening ven geance If he Is execu te
l. They say that the ringsters who So
10 the settlers homes to the speculate
were wrong, barbarous and guilty
or provoking breach OF the peace, and
d ~ they who should be punished. q
pt their heads, they say, rest all the bloo'
IN shed and misery OF the late little II
l. beltion, and we are inclined to thin
d they tell the truth.
" No matter what can be said abor
a. Riel to ridicule or disparage him, he
az and will continue to be, whether ali
st or executed, part OF the history
a. Canada, and when the history of Rie
rebellion comes TO be written,
will rebound to the credit and hon
of Canada to have it recorded that II
- was mercifully pardoned Cana
re should hesitate aud look over the bore
US at Jefferson Davis Running at large
Oh the U nited States before she raises
We hand to strike out the life Of Lo
uo Riel