New-York tribune., 1891-03-05
TIE Crisis " CANADI.

THE CRISIS ~ CdNADI'
In the transcendent importance oi the issues
i,roIvod rs well as in the profound interest
nvcited here and in England, the CANADIAN eiec-
tion to-day eclipses any other ever peIorc heiu
- Tho Dominion. Undoubtedly, whatever the
nosrl+ sip Jobn Macdonald did a Shrewd thing
,,nor nuroly pcrsonal and partisan consldera-
,;orc N suddenly dissolviug Parliament. IT IS
ouo of tho owls of the British system that 1t
norm,ts the Government TO spring e.ectlohS upon
tho ncople at moments deemed favorable 1or us
;n,orpsts without any sufficient cause Wl'hout
r,oIi;ninary notice to the voters ana WITHOUT
a;v;nc them time to deliberate calmly upon the
noI;ccs nreSented. We doubt if there Is a con-
sncuous politcian in any Self-governlng country
,,hoso racard for constitutional usage and meth
nd is less scrupulous than Sir John MacdonaldS s.
~. ;ust Such games as the one he is now playing
be has we'll earned the reputation he enjoys OF
q daring adroit and cOnscenceless political man
ager. IT.,
Or n,blic grounds there existed not the slight
ost justification for dissolving Parliament at this
timo No public crisis of any kind had arisen
or was in sight No new question had been
suddenly developed upon which the two parties
NODDED 10 take positions, and concerning which
sunport. On the contrary, the issue to-day i
precisely what it has been for the last thiee
wears. and the Government in entering upon the
final wear of it's constitutional lie had al lis
back A secure majority ol liity, body OF sup
portcrS as numerous and aS Trustworthy as II
has had at any time since 1t took oillce Many
recent occurrences, however had 1urnIShcd
alarming evidence of the growing popularity OF
the Liberal cause, and it was the hope OF obtain
juc a new lease of power before THIS movement
had been iOincd by clear majority oi the
electors tha, induced the Tory Minister TO make
thi, sudden and confusing appeal 10 the coun-
try.
His campaign has been entirely harmonious
with the sharp practice by which 1t was brought
about. The issue, honestly expressed was ~
Main As it was great and consequential. Pr-
marilv matter of tariff and trade, 1t was also
a matter of national destiny, and II ever mere
vas 4 question that needed 10 he approached
calmly and judicay this was it. The Go'ern-
mout advocated high tariff and an industrial
system which presumed and required the con
,inucd existence Of Canada as political division
of America distinct from the nIted 9lucN'
The Liberal, advocated absolute Free Trade
between the Dominion and the mon, win
whatever that might involve as to tariff
against Europe the obvious effect OF snch an
arrangement being a close Polhcal lhuhlhy
with the United states. But instead oi deba'lhg
which Of these schemes was the wiser ana Del
fer the Governments beginning with Slr John
Macdonald and >ir Charles Upper and descend
inc 10 the least of its supporters, engaged IN
deliberate and shameless effort to mlSrpfe>ent
and Scandalizc its opponents, 10 place them IL
! falls. positions and TO excite social ana religious
q. we'll rs political prejudice against them. In
= word. il did all it could by ln,ncerc ana as
homes. devices to bcfoc the minds OF voters ana
| tn i al thcr suilIagcS from reason ana dcII'ei
them over t. passion and prejudice
The conduct Of the Liberals in this situation
ha, been immensely to their credit. Ihcy have
pjtlo,,ly exposed the inconsistencies ana 4!poc-
u,ieS OF the Government. but they have kept
| TO tn. real issue, and nave sought by facts ana
figures 10 persuade and convince. II they WIN
they will be in a position to carr! ont their pol
lev successfully for the people OF the United
states have admired their courage and frank
ness. and million, oi Americans who have
hitherto looked with di>jrus: upon any kind OF
alliance with Canada will bc wiling 20 meet q
Government whose existence Is the pIclSe %
| Canadas fair and ju,t disposition. II th"y
! lose they Cln but bc ObstrC,ed, not permanent
| is PIT down. For their cause" 50 far ~ tanatI
| is concerned, is the cauS" of progrc ;, safety
and wealth. The Government on the other
hand, winning, can enjoy but hu", ana IN
| glorious triumph. lis success can be construed
only a, u declaration of industrial war against
the nitcd States It, leaders, with droIl au-
dacity have lcft us no option but TO Nhn' ON
doors against them. and to hold them hostile il
not dangerous ncghborS. There can be only
ono result of method, so unnatural and policies
50 scif-hmtill. The resources Of Canlda, vast
and rich a. they arc. can only postpone the de-
struction Of Il Government welded to proilIGacy.
monopoly, debt and disorder.