Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-29
COMING TO A CRISIS.
French Canadians Excited Over Sec
retary Chapleau's Withdrawal.
A LOUD CRY FOR INDEPENDENCE.
They Consider This Another Hard Blow
Dealt at Their Race.
ANGRY TERMS USED BY THEIR PRESS

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPATcH.1
MONTREAL, Oct. 28-The French-Cana
dians are greatly excited over the with
drawal of Secretary of State Chapleau
from the Dominion Government. Since
the retirement of Sir Hector Langeyin.
Chapleau has been regarded as the French
Canadian leader, and his forced retirement
from the Cabinet is resented by many
prominent French Canadians as blow at
the race.
Chapleau still remains in Montreal, in
conference with his friends, but has not yet
decided upon what line of action to take,
should Premier Abbott refuse to accede to
his demand. Many of his friends are urging
him to withdraw with his following from
the Government ranks and form a party of
his own. Chapleau has following of about
dozen nFrench-Canadians, and as the Gov
ernment majority in Parliament is 25, the
detection of so many of the French Cana
dian members would place the Government
In very critical position.
CONSERVATIVES WANT A COMPROMISE.
The Conservative leaders realize that the
situation is very serious, and are therefore
endeavoring to effect compromise. Nego-
tions to this end were commenced to-day,
and 1t is said that some decision Will be
reached tomorrow. There is very bitter
feeling amongst the French Canadians at
the action of Ontario in opposing
Chapleau's demands and the French
Canadian press is denouncing' in
very angry terms the interference
of Ontario, in Quebec affairs. Chapleau's
personal organ in this city, La PreSSe, to-
night says: "We have no objection to the
Prime Minister choosing in Ontario the
colleagues that he pleases; with his guaran-
tee we accept them, whoever they may be,
but we do not want the Province of On
tario to choose the Ministers from the
Province of Quebec. 1t would be confeder-
alton no longer, but legislative union"
Some of the French Canadian papers go
as far as to openly advocate independence.
Le National, one of the organs of the Quebec
Government tonight says: "Since we are
nothing else but feeced people, and have
right to cease to be so, why do we not lift
up our heads and ask to become free; instead
of being slaves as we are? To have a right to
the proceeds of our labor, instead of pour
the whole into the purse of the operators of
Great Britain, and the Canadian monopo-
lists?"
AN APPEAL FOR LIBERTY.
Let US, then, be free, once Tor all. There
would be very little to change in the present
state of things. Instead of an English
Governor we would have Governor or
President of Confederation, elected by the
people for a fixed term, and, who coming
from the people, would have their interest
and their dignity at heart. Instead of Lieu
tenant Governors appointed by a political
party, we would have in each province
Lieutenant General named by the
people in the first or second degree.
Instead of Senate where all
the vanquished and the disgrace of
politicians go and dishonor the title of
Honorable" that is conferred upon them,
we would have body composed of superior
men, appointed by the different Legislatures,
truly representing the people, and not
political degradation. We would have the
right to make our own treaties, and would
become true citizens, enjoying that liberty
to which everyone is entitled. To obtain
this result less effort is needed than is gen.
orally believed. Let few courageous men
stand up, and the people will follow them"
The general opinion is that Canadian
politics are rapidly approaching crisis.