Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-07-13
THE NOVA SCOTIA SECESSION

4 good deal is being said about "the Sc
cession" of Nova Scotia In the recent
election Premier Fielding led party that
had for its motto complete separation OF
the maritime countries of Nova Scotia,
New Brunswick and Prince Edwards
Island from the Dominion. 1t must not
be assumed, however, that the vote for
separation meant, as a matter of course,
request to the United States to annex these
provinces. On the contrary, it meant a
demand for an independent government,
free from any domination from the main
land. 1t meant closer bond of union be-
tween the outlying sea provinces. The
Halifax Chronicle, an admitted exponent
of the opinion of the Liberal party, de-
clares that the trade relations of the mari
time provinces with the upper or main
land provinces are artificial, strained and
one-sided 1t adds that for every dollars
worth of goods sent to the upper provinces
(the Canadas), a hundred dollars worth Of
goods come the other way. 1t favors
purpose of setting up housekeeping for
themselves" The same journal adds that
if New Brunswick and Prince Edwards
Island decline to unite with Nova Scotia
the latter must paddle its own canoe" 1t
winds up with the statement that "the
confederation has been curse to the PROV
iuce' The Quebec Chronicle, Conserya-
tive, scouts the idea Of secession amount
ing to anything. Repeal has prevailed at
the polls, but repeal will not ensue" The
Ottawa Free Press, Liberal, says separation
pure and simple was the issue in the late
election, and was decided in the afirma-
tive, and this, il takes it, is chargeable
solely to the bungling administration of
Sir John Macdonald, and adds that there
is no halfway house between the disinteg-
ration Of confederation and continued in
dorsation Of the Macdonald Govern
ment by the people of Canada. The
HaaitoJa, Conservative, says the hostility
OF the people of Nova Scotia was stirred
up by designing Grit demagogues, and
that it viii end as it begins, in Grit mouth
ings i, however, it shows signs of devel-
opment into something more dangerous, it
must be put an end to summarily. Nova
Scotia must stay in the union, though
every Grit in Canada should swear the OPP
posite.' The Manitoba Free Press, Lib
eral, on the other hand, says the people of
Nova Scotia were cajoled and deceived
into the confederation. 1t adds that ''there
are Understanding idiots abroad in the
land who viii make this an occasion for
rending heaven with shrieks about disloy-
atty, forgetting that loyalty to justice and
right is supreme, and that loyalty to de-
ceivers and tyrants and corruplionists is
unquestloning, spaniel-like oSsequiousness
of the most detestable shape" A portion
of the seceders of the new Nova
Scotia members of the Parliament boldly
favor and preach union with the United
states, but the people are not pronounced
for that as yet, though discussing it. The
most of the Eastern press rather favor an
nexation, but there has been no means as
vet of ascertaining what the views of our
people are upon the subject. New Eng
land viii certainly favor annexation as the
most satisfactory settlement of the fisher
les question. Probably the conservative
sentiment is that it will be time enoagh to
talk of that after the sea provinces have
tried and tired of the lesser union and
which England must, in good conscience,
concede to such as ask for it. 1t may be
well doubted if we want these provinces
on any terms. We cannot expect to get
them without purchase or trouble with
England. Much more likely the latter.
The mere recognition of the independence
of TIE provinces, if it is asked. is the small
est part in a plan of annexation. The
injection of three maritime provinces into
our political economy, bringing with them
a people wholly unused to our system, and !
utter strangers to the practical in our
would be a disturbing act that
cannot be entered upon without the pro-
roundest consideration. What we would
yain by the addition is not clear.
We have territory enough at present, and
lifficulty sufficient to manage it. Addi-
ions to it ready populated would not of
necessity be profitable. Thus far we can
ee as gam only certain fishing grounds
md privileges. some iron and some coal
mines, both of which staples We have J