New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-23
Cly4DrS R1CE QUESTION.

Canada. too, has "A race problem. Like our
own il refuses TO stay settled, and in degree
far greater than our own it menaceS the tran
o,Ijliity of the STATE. The gentle good -natured
negro of the south suffers patiently and yields
without rcsor-:ng to force, but the high->pirtcd
Trcnchman of Quebec. proud Of his race and
devoted TO his church, presents to the ntoleiant
saxon an opposition trclcSS stubborn and con
Gdent The growth Of the Canadian North
West during the last SIX years has had an az
grayating effect upon racial differences through
out the Dominion. 1t has given to the Ca
nadianS new hopes of empire which the Eng
liSh have 70 intention of sharing with the
French. II has demonstrated that the Canada
of the future is likely 10 lie not along the
Il. Lawrence. but north and west OF the Red
River in the valley of the Mackenzie and its
tributaries, where already large and cner-
gctic population has accumulated, among which
the English element is supreme. Between
English Ontario and French Quebec a keenly
Jealous feeling existed before Manitoba and the
Northwest were released from the control of
the Hudson's Bay Company and opened to set
Element Succeeding events nave greatly
heightened it.
Mr.. McCarthy's resolution introduced in the
Dominion Parliament two weeks ago, abolish
ing tho use Of the French language in the
Legislatures and courts of the northwest. was
undoubtedly intended TO bring about debate
IN which the whole question Of racial differ
cncos should be gone over Political parties
in Canada are not yet ready 10 divide on that
question Their condition is similar to that of
the ante -bclum parties in the nltcd states.
As the Wing, under Henry Clay contained the
bulk Of the anti-Slavcry people with Southern
man and Shareholder for their leader, and the
Democrats under Martin Van Buren, contained
the bulk Of the pro-Slavery men with North
crn man for their leader, 50 in Canada the Lib
erals. though led by a Frcnchman. arc sup
ported hy the anti-Frcnch voters and the Con
.cryati,cs though led hy Her Maie,ty'S most
devoted servant. sir John Macdonald, an Eng
T,hluou 10 the core. a Churchman and Tory
secure the major part of the vote of Quebec
TO the politicians Of both partic, the race ques-
ton i, most unNclcomc. They have dreaded IT,
avoided il. COMPROMISED with it for years, and
now shat n ha, come. they meet II with a
counter proposition which only means, aS they
well know. q temporary rest from is ycNationS.
Their, WAS "a reasonable excuse for imposing
dual language upon the Northwest II such -
policy j, eyer wise The only inhabitants OF
,hc country who could claim 10 lc az all civil
izod were the Half breeds and the greater part
of these were French. This was the excuse
but behind il lay a more powerful motive. IL
was done 10 satisfy Quebec. Il was one of that
lorg train Of acts hy which the rulers Of Canada,
whether m Westminster or AT Ottawa. have
purchased peace along the -. Lawrence. 1t Is
10 thu, policy that Mr.. Mccarthy, Mr. Charl-
ton and their followers object. They don't
want peace AZ the expense of AugO-NaNon in
,ti,u'ionS. and in this debate they have SAID 80
with bold aud disturbing candor. They do not
allow their position 10 be- misunderstood. They
intend the abolition of tithoS the withdrawal of
public fund, from the treasury of the parochlal
schools and the destruction OF F.cnch inStltu-
tions generally. In the same breath with which
they declare that their present proposition Is not
an infringement of vested rights under the
Confederation. they significantly suggest that
CANADIANS Il British colony with an Anglo saxon
future. After Il debate protractcd through two
weeks. always exciting and often bitter, they
have been beaten. The Government has car
uod it,, condensation fastening the dual
language upon Territorial courts bat leaving
H., Use i'm the Legislature 10 the Legislature IL
self. As the Legislature has already declared
unanimously against it, short work will be made
of all things French. 50 far aS the people OF the
Northwest can follow their own will. Mean
while, the broader question rc,tlc>,ly sleeps.
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