The sun., 1891-11-08
Tho Political Situation Of Canada.

Tho Dominion OF Canada is now facing the
most critical political situstion IN all its hls-
hsry. The revelations Of the last census as
pepulous provinces and tho exposure OF cor
ruption In high public places have filled tho
eountry with the gloomlest misgtvings.
II Canada we're prosperous or II there
ware an outlook for prosperity N the Do
mtnion. the situation would not be 90 ser1-
saas. Corruption has appeared In other
Governments aud It's mere discovery has
a9fved to effect o cure Of the disease. When
Inblic sentiment is outraged by ies dis.
olssure society Is in condition OF moral
hsaith which throws of the morbid germs.
and It Is made the better by their expulsion.
nut ths standstill In population coincidont
With grent increase In the public debt is o.
da6erent matter. 1t is . symptom m ex-
hAustion. It indicates loss Of rocuper-
stave power. and It shows that the country
u suffering from vital disease.
II new country like Canada cannot In.
cranss Its numerical strength faster than
States Of tho Old World whose growth is
siowest. whose development Is complete. its
future is hopeless. The outlook for 1t II tho
verse because during the last ten yearsit
haeexpended It's every effort to attract i'm
migration by vast public improvements.
BY liberal incentives presented to settlers.
and by elaborate schemes to stimulate ad-
diuons to Its population. Yet the population
n au the provinces except Manitoba has
bean nearly stationary. Taxation has In.
sreased by one-half. but the number OF
aeople to pay the taxes does not increase
in the part of the Dominion which must
nay the most Of them. In the United States
shis is year OF great prosperity and abound
ing hopefulness. but in Canada there is dis
noragement and discord. The Maritime
PROVINCES are questioning whether the ex-
the practical benefit to them expected.
Nova Scotia Is restless, Quebec Is threaten
!ng trouble. and Ontario itself Is dissatisfied
With the Government policy and its own
material condition. Race, religion. and op-
,osiug commercial and business interests
.;omhine to weaken the bond of political
lnion aud to disturb still further the har-
aouy Of sentiment already more nominal
than real.
Inevitably at such time and under such
circumstances the feeling in favor Of annex
:sion grows. 4 few years ago the express
lion OF any such sentiment was denounced
:.s tantamount to treason. Even the few
who cherished 1t dared not utter their con-
Mctious publicly. especially IL they had any
plitical ambitions. The preservation OF the
Independence ot Canada was made test Of
'oyalty. Canada, developed hy magnifl-
''ent system Of improvements. by railways
md canals. was to become q great State.
which could look without envy on tho
,rogrcss and prosperity OF its republican
neighbOr. 1t was to be our confident rival,
.ot our commercial and industrial vassal
lnt oil that has changed. The Canadian
railways have brought population to us
Aore than to Canada. The schemes for tho
promotion OF immigration have Injured to
'ur advantage rather than Canada's.
md meantime a large part OF the
,lost enterprising of the Canadians
I the older provinces have themselves
tossed the border to profit by our incom-
rrablc progress. Hence the discussion OF
10 advantages aad the probabilities Of an
,xation grows loud, and the cry started
Canada Is echoed by the millions OF
.nsdians who are already In this republic.
wing annexed themselves without watt
for tia formtl and inevitable decree OF
e future.
Tint future may not be far distant. The
''1minon cannot go on as 1t is. Even pride
III yield before the demonstration OF its
ability to make headway apart from the
.odred people on whom its prosperity do
.nds. The present political situation Of
70 Dominion Is. therefore, OF extraordi-
ary interest. And Canada Is welcome.