New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-04
TIE CANADIAN OUTLOOK.

OAiS
seizures in Behring Sea is one among many
signs of increasing dissatisfaction with exist
ing political conditions. The failure OF the
British Foreign Office to obtain immediate re-
dress for the losses and annoyances of the
Victorian sealers is resented by journals of
every shade Of political opinion in the Prov
inceS; and argument respecting the advantages
of the Imperial connection has been reOpened
with passionate intensity from the Pacific sea-
board to the Gut Of CansO. The petulance and
vehemence of Canadian assaults upon the Home
Government can only be explained by the as
sumption that a feeling Of discomfort pervades
the Dominion. Hostile criticism of Lord Sal
sbury's cause is manifestly unjust when the
diplomatic correspondence remains a sealed
book and nothing whatever is known respect
ing his treatment of the Black Diamond and
other seizures; and Canadians convict them
selves of ingratitude when they dSparage the
benefits Of the British connection at Il time
when the Imperial Government is heavily sub
Sliding their steamship lines and constructing
magnificent public works like the new docks
at Halifax, and when English capital is pour
ing into the Provinces. When the admission
is generally made that permanent colOnialism
is shown to be impracticable from the luke
warmness of the British Foreign Office in de-
handing reparation for the sO-called outrages
in BehIing Sea, the people of the Provinces
discredit their own political capacity and
powers of reasoning. The premise is too mar
row for so broad conclusion. The future Of
Canada may be practically bounded, as The
Week' asserts, "by the alternatives Of indie
L,,tt II 4ho
British fleet to capture the Rush this season
does not justify so comprehensive an inference.
Irritability on the part of the Provinces
Simply betolens discomfort with the conditions
of Canadian life and progress. To a super
fetal observer the confederation appears to
have been conspicuousy successful. The de-
tached Provinces were isolated communities
absolutely dependent upon the Mother State.
Confederation has bound them together and
prevented, at least temporarily, their abSOrp-
ton by the American Union. Sir John Mac
donald, who is a statesman of the first rank,
has adopted the only policy by which confed-
Grafton could have been saved from premature
dissolution. The high tariff introduced by him
has eplenished the treasury, equalized eX-
penditues and receipts, and enabled the Gov
eminent to undertake public works by which
all the Provinces have been benefited. The
railway system which now unites Victoria with
the Maritime Provinces would have been i'm
possible without confederation and the tariff.
Equally impracticable would have been the
canals. custom houses, docks, postoffices and
other public wos Ks constructed with lavish ex-
pense. Canadians regard all these results as
creditabe to their enterprise; yet they are over
whelmed with a sense Of Encouragement and
failure. With all the tremendous eff OrtS which
they have been making to develop the resources
of their country and to foster immigration, they
have not succeeded in holding their own pop
ulation. Emigration to the States steadily in
creases in the face of all these costly works.
The governing class at Ottawa prOspers with
the adventurous aid of railway contracts and
obbery Of every description; but the people
of the Provinces are not making substantial
progress, and are swarming across the borders
| into Minnie Massachusetts,, New York. Mchi-
gan and Minnesota.
! If the Canadian Provinces were prosperng
under confederation as the American States
are in the Union there would be different
temper shown in discussing the future outlook.
! The British connection would not be condemned
as disabling yoke of dependence; Imperial
federation would not be disparaged as a vagary
Of the Imagination; and the alternative of in
dependent nationality would not be cOntem-
plated with feelings of cynical indifference or
utter despair. The future seems dark, uncer-
tain and clouded with difficulty because the
present is a period Of disenchantment during
which the people have found out that confed-
Grafton is enriching a powerful ring Of Gov
eminent politicians. officeholders and corrup-
tionhts without promoting the permanent pros
perity Of the people. Nature decreed the politi-
cal and commercial unity Of the North Ame1-
can Continent. The continuance Of confedSra-
| ton is the maintenance of HOPELESS campaign