Arizona weekly citizen. [volume] (Tucson, Ariz) 1880-1901, 1891-06-20
CANADIAN AFFAIRS.

A radical change is about to take place
throughout Canada since SIR John Mac
donald has gone. While he lived, Mac
donald held the Conservative reins
with firm grasp, ard by sheer force OF
character. He allowed no moral niceities
to interfere with his ideas OF Conserva-
tive supremacy; he stemmed the strong
current of Liberal opposition with such
indomitable energy and success, that
he earned for himseif-eyen from his
political enemies-the name OF Chief
tan," and during a lifelong political
career, was regarded as the ablest man
in the Dominion OF Canada. To him
alone is due the credit of saving the Con
federation from dissolution. He bound
each province together with railroad
iron, developed his financial as well as
political resources in every hamlet and
town, and maintained until death, de-
spite the formidable opposition OF the
Liberal element, the iron hand Of I'm
perialism throughout his broad domain.
He was a son of Britain through and
through, aud his sole aim was the fur
therance OF his queens interests
throughout her Canadian realms. He
was q practical politician in the strong
est sense, his influence on all questions
was purely mechanical and he allowed
nothing to hamper the sway of his
Conservative rule that was in his power
to meet. AS Premier of Canada he fill
ed his post as dutiful soldier Of Eng
land; he fought for her against the ris-
ing power of Canadian Independence,
and, by brilliant political strategies, kept
the So called Annexationists well with
in ms reach. To rule Canada with the
firm hand that he did, Macdonald
thought it best to assume a belligerert
attitude towards these states, and he
never let an opportunity pass whereby
he could show his proud defiance OF
us. He was grand statesmen, a true
patriot of his country, snd for these
reasons alone the United States felt |
proud of him as an opponent.
Now that his name is all that remains,
it will not be able to stem the tide OF |
public opinion as did the man who bore |
it. With the fall of the Conservative |
psrty, there will be radical changes in
the government of Canada. The Liberal |
element is a unit in favor of abolishing |
tariff and trade restrictions with this |
country; it is the rising and progressive
element Of that country, and more, 1t is
purely American ia sentiment. There
fore unless the mother country steps in
at once, and with dire threats, forbids
more intimate acquaintance with the
American eagle, the stone monuments
indicating the 49th parallel may shortly
be surmounted with the Stars and
Stripes, under the shadow of which
Canuck and Yanx may possibly be found
handshaking.
For years and years the murmur OF
annexation has been heard throughout
Canada, until the threat has assumed a
menaclng tone, and something which
the Conservatives are unable to sup
press. Besides this, the French Can
adams are pushing an issue of race and
religion. To keep this class in check
kept Sir John Macdonald very busy in
deed.
On the whole, the political cloud
hanging over Canada's future looks
dark and gloomy for a continuation Of
the late Premier's system of government,
the abolishment of which can mean
nothing less sthan dissolution Of the
Canadian provinces.