The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-12-26
CANADA'S POLITICAL ASPIRATIONS.
The Prime Minister OF Quebec Tells
What His countrynen Want.
A General Feeling Exists in Favor of
Some Political Change.
Three Schemes-lmperiaI Fedora.
tion, Annexation, Independence.


Quebec, is at the Albemarle Hotel in this
city, and will, on Sunday or Monday next,
leave here for Salem, Mass. where he is to
address an assemblage of French Canadians
on Monday evening
NJ. Mercier was little averse at first to
talking on Canadian politics, but he gradual
ly yielded to argument and finally spoke un-
reservedly. His views are important, for
there is probably no man in Canada today,
except possibly Sir John A. Macdonald, the
Dominion premier, who wields greater in
fiuence among his fellow citizens, or whose
utterances on Canadian affairs are entitled
to more respect. In the Province of Quebec,
of which he is prime minister, he is polit-
cal power of large magnitude, and through
out the British possessions in North Amer
lea he is always certain of a respectful hear
ing.
The conversation turned Oh annexation.
What is the present feeling on the subject
in Canada?" he was asked.
well, there isn't much talk of annex
alton just now, but there is a general feeling
in favor of some political change. There is,
however, a respectable portion Of the COM
munity in favor of maintaining the present
condition of atfairS-of Canada being left
colony of England, with governor general,
sent by the imperial government; general
Parliament, with Senate and House of
Commons, attending to the administrations of
general affairs such as customs, excise, post
office, federal railways, canals, &c, and local
or provincial legislatures in every province,
attending to local or provincial matters, such
as civil laws, education, charitable institu-
tiCns, interior navigation, improvement of
public roads, municipal matters, licenses,
justice and provincial railways. AS con-
cerning the proportion of Canadians in favor
Of the continuance of the present political
system, cannot say exactly, but believe
they are quite numerous and important So
cially, politically and financially.
Those who favor change are divided be-
tween three schemes-imperial federation,
annexation and independence. Very few, /
believe, outside the ultra-royalists, are in
favor OF imperial federation, and may add
that there are but few real Canadians, either
French, English, Scotch or Irish, in favor of
the scheme. The advocates of that measure
are generally Englishmen who came during
the last, say % years, from the old country
to make their fortunes in Canada, and have
the intention OF returning when they have
attained their object. These gentlemen,
though very respectable, have very few
social connections in Canada. Not being
Canadians, by birth or conviction, they keep
with great care the English traditions and
cultivate English aspirations. They dream
of nothing else than the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of
England and they honesty believe that
Canadians are incapable of being anything
else than colonists.
"Of course Sir John A. Macdonald, the
Prime Minister of Canada, who is Scotch
mau by birth, is in favor Of that scheme.
Being entirely British by education, aSpira-
tions, and may say ambition, hoping some
day to sit in the imperial parliament, and
bound to favor the idea of imperial fedora
tion. He maintains in London his friend
and, perhaps, his successor as leader of the
Tory party, Sir Charles Upper, as. High
Commissioner Of Canada, who. entirely ia
two English speaking men of great political
Importance who are actually trying TO bring
about change in that direction.
"Of the French Canadians you could not
find ten disposed to speak in favor of limpe-
rial federation. There is but one who has
already dared to do it, and he is Mr.. Tarte.
late member of the Quebec Legislature and
editor of La Cdnddien, of Quebec, French
organ OF Mr.. Chapleau, the Secretary of
State; Mr.. Tarte is very clever man and
may have considerable influence generally
on some other matters, but l don't believe
that he has any chance of making converts
on this question, except that being the con-
ductor of Mr.. Chapleau's organ his views
might have a certain Influence upon the
| need not add that l have no faith at all in
the success of the scheme, the general feel
ing among the immense majority of Canad-
ians being in the opposite direction-that is
to say. in favor of separation from England
The date of that separation is the secret of
history and will depend very much upon
questions of tariff, fisheries and others of a
general Importance concerning, perhaps,
more the relations between Canada and the
United States than the relations between
Canada and England.
After imperial federation comes the
question of annexation. There is, no doubt
a respectable number of Canadians favora-
BILE to annexation. 1t is no use denying the
fQ nj ItI.ca Il AsAh s.x.,o
hypocrites. AS to the proportion in favor of
the scheme. that question cannot be an
swered, no votes having ever been taken,
and there being no practical means of ascer
tanning public opinion on the subject. But
you may have read the other day that some
politicians from Manitoba and the western
territories said that if things were not set
tied to their satisfaction, and If oppressive
interference of the Canadian federal author
tiles in local matters were continued. they
would ask for annexation to the United
States You may also have noticed some
years ago that the political leaders Of Nova
Scotia and British Columbia made the same
remarks, and that under the pressure of
concessions from the Dominion government.
How long those threats will succeed and the
concessions be obtained at the cost of the
two large provinces of Ontario and Quebec
cannot say, but surely every Intelligent
man must admit that such an abnormal and
at the cost of others than those who make
the threats and conceptions cannot be long
maintained
Then come those who favor independence.
believe they are very numerous and that
they form the most important portion, from
certain points of view, of our population.
They are important socially, politically and
financially, and they recruit themselves in a
great part from among men who have nat
urally more liberal tendencies and a greater
disposition for independence. They don't
like the title of ''colonists,' they do not like
to be governed in certain way and to GER
tain degree by strangers, and they are quite
disposed, through their education and their
training, to carry into effect the sentimental
idea Of an independent country of which
they would be the children and become the
free citizens. They are proud to call them
selves Canadians, but would be much proud
er to call themselves SO If they were men,
bers of one of the Independent nations of
the world. This sentiment cannot bs con-
sidered as hostile to England or to the Eng
lish people Or to the Queen. Canadians are
generally satisfied with the relations they
have had with England lately, and may add
that, as rule, the English government has
sent to Canada since 1S40 clever governors,
men Of tact. who have acted with great kind
ness toward the Canadians"