New-York tribune., 1889-12-18
THE FUTURE OF CANADA.


The address of Attorney General Longey, Of
Nova Scotia, before large audience at Quebec
proves TO have been strong argument for Ca
madam independence or annexation to the
United States, but with a visible leaning toward
separate nationality. re appealed to a rapid
" growing public sentiment in declaring that
permanence of the dependent colonial condition
was impossible. Canada must inevitably sepa-
rate from Great Britain, either to form an inde-
pendent nation or to join with the great Re
public. He reasoned that the air of this con-
tinent did not seem to be salubriOuS for mon
arches, and therefore some republican form Of
government would be preferred, though the fire.
ouent recurrence of Presidential elections in this
country seemed to him an evil, and he would
prefer to see a President elected only once in
fifteen years Political union with the United
States, he argued, would have its advantages,
because Canadians were so closely allied with
Americans in race, language, institutions and
trade relations To the establishment Of a
separate government it might be objected that
the United States would presently absorb it,
but Mexico and the United States had existed
side by side for many years without absorption.
This bit of reasoning was certainly rather
sly. \ less convincing argument could hardly
have been offered. For the United States did
first absorb large and most valuable part Of
the territory claimed by Mexico when Texas
was annexed. Then it engaged in war with
Mexico, which resulted in the cesSOn of a vast
territory. much as if the whole of the Dominion
west of the settled portion of Ontario should be
annexed to the United States. TO this day the
intense apprehension Of aggression by the
United States affects Mexican opinion and
action in the most embarrassing manner, how
ever groundless it may be, and the behavior
of President Cleyeland's Administration in at
least one notable case went far to arouse fear
Of aggressive intention on this side of the boI-
der Yet Mexico is separated from this coun-
try by differences of race, of climate, Of Ian
guage of institutions and customs and religion,
which are at least as conspicuous and powerful
as the cor esponding ties which connect this
country with Canada. Had Mexico been occu-
pied by Canadians-by people one with us in
race and sreech and trade nterests-t is eX-
ceedingy likely that the Mexican War would
never have occurred, or if it had occurred at
all, would have been followed by the abSorp-
ton of the whole country.
The illustration is really deceptive. For the
people of this country have not the aggressive
disposition nor the land-hunger which the treat
ment of Mexico indicated Certain politicians,
particularly Of the intense pro-slavery sort,
wanted more territory as a means of extending
the peculiar institution. Bm the great body
Of the people were not then anxious for terri
tOrial acquisition, and have far less desire for
it now. Toward Canada, at all events. there
has been no such greediness. ii might even he
seriously questioned whether a majority Of the
people if the matter could be submitted TO them.
would at present vote for the annexation of
Canada on any terms that would be practicabie.
Beyond doubt there would be an Overwhelm-
ing disposition to deal justly and amicably with
Canadian Republic, if one should be estab-
ished. But another question, which Attorney