New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-11-03
think that Mr.. wiman is moro talked about by the
Canadians than any other man.

".
No one can be found who seriously believes mat
things can continue very much longer in their present
shape Tho entirely agreed-upon proposition Is thst
there must soon be change In Canadas status Is q
country. The generally -agrced-upon proposition is
that the change, whatever It may be. VIII foho"
shortly upon the death Of Sir John Macdonald NO
event that is az all likely could break the British "o
while the old Premier lives Those who would most
like TO break his berest enemies. The curious
thing about Sir Johns personality Is that it ATTRACTS
and repes man in about equal proportions. Inat
Is, as general statement, those who differ win MN
most radically, admire him most cordially, SO mo.
his btterest enemies are the very ones VINO "ouia
hesitate the longest while he lives 10 cut the pohu
no has faithfully and brilliantly labored TO MAINTAIN
lest in tender TRUTH the blow that snapped It snouu
snap cord far more fondy treasured. Sir Johh no
ture Is not regarded as the most profoundly sInoP
that ever blessed the earth and yet he could not
probably survive the parting from Great Br'sii'
He has been known say light things Of the mo'nor
country, TO ridicue its efete arisOcracy and even
to concede that the sdieu must day be spohch'
But when he touches that point he Is said to Close
bis eyes IN dreamy way, while look OF ssnnosS
comes upon his face They love the old man !"
Canada. II anything hard Is 10 be said about hin'
they want to say It themselves. They won't aiio
you to say It. The curious situation is preseh'ed
hePe OF country. every province within when Is
Liberal and sustains Liberal government, humDH
following this old Tory ohieftan whittier he haHs'
The ultra English leader supported by ultra trohcn
parttsans The manstay Of Professionalism heu III
Office by Catholics Everybody attacks his sincerity
Everybody admits his wisdom. Certainly among
the leaders Of men occupies more unique place.
and few moro lofty and honorable one.
But Sir John IS in his seventy-f year. and the
State IS eternal 1t must go on, and the people must
be ready to make their decision. There IS Wlne
spread feeling OF affection for the mother country anu
II has been much deepened by the course England mas
pursued in the last twenty years. Had there come
word Of rebuke OF angry protest from Downing
Street had single threatening look been directed 10
Canada by English Premier had England sought
by the slightest action to restrain coerce Canaha
at any time would have thrown sentiment 30 the
winds and have declared herself free OF political
relation which cannot be argued into anything
else than q yoke But Englands rulers have proved
themselves far-sighted men. They have learned the
lessons Of a bitter experience. They have made ihe
yoke as light possible and II is universally under
stood in Canada that Great Britain will place no
obstacle in the way Of any steps the Canadians may
choose to take except to that Of common tariff law
with the United states. That would be annexation
for all commercial purposes would involve me
siernes discrimination against English interests Wills
continuing the connections which call for British
political support OF course nothing exists TO as
sure Englands consenting disposition excepting the
the tone in which the British press discusses Canadian
questions These. however, taken 70 be con-
elusive and It IS the received doctrine In Cauada
that the mother country Will accept the inevitable, IN
whatever shape it comes, with graceful manner and
a gracious bencdlciteS
This circumstance adds most strongly to the
naturally and genuine regard which the vast
majority of the Canadians, including many French
Catholics, entertain toward Great Britain. Coupled
with # is another feeling also deep and sincere
Hosts of Canadians consider the English connection
be in a large pledge of their security
They feel its effect in financial matters and they be-
lieve, If should ever worst, that Eng
land would fight to support Canada They seldom
put this idea into cold words for It involves notion
which serious Canadian likes TO entertain. But the
fisheries affair, stl unad ted. and the Behrng sea
dispute have kept II more or less distinctly In view
that their natural friend may yet in some circum-
stances become Their natural enemy and those cir
cumstances In the event of anything but annexation
are ever possible. The Canadians less
like the little man who feels that his Indifferent size
renders Il necessary for min 10 keep a large amount
dignity continually exposed TO the view of his big
neghbOr ! feel quito justified IN saying that they
do not have a fair conception Of the American dis.
position toward them. Many seem to think that
America hungers for their land that CONGRESSES sturdy
deemination TO protect American fishery
rights covered an ugly disposition 10 bull
doze Canada ana to show her thai
she would better into the Union voluntarily lest
she be taken In whether no. There is a distinctly
trao able feeling of animosity toward the United
states cngendercd by the spread Of such curiously
mistaken ideas these. and 1t Will happily surprs,
many Canadians when they come to understand that
the American Nation takes nothing more selfish than
afectlonate interest in their welfare and regards
annexation with little else than the feeling Of pride
which is the natural accompaniment Of the manifest
destiny idea.