New-York tribune., 1891-12-27
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL
FRENCH CANADIANS AND THE REPUBLIC.

FRENCH CANADIANS AND THE REPUBLIC.
THEIR FITNESS FOR CITIZENSHIP NOT TO Be
TESTED BY RELIGIOUS HATREDs.
TO the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir There appeared in The Tribune Of December
4 correspondence, signed by Calvin E. Amaron,
grossly unjust TO the French Canadians Of the United
States and those Of Canada well. AS a French
Canadian by BIRTH and for nearly twenty years an
American citizen, with extensive acquaintance
among the Franoo-Canadian population OF New-fork
and the New gland States claim to be rs competent
TO judge the feelings of our people toward republican
institutions Mr. Amaron, and do not hesitate 70
repudate every Of his itimed accusations against
our race. fail in his entire analysis OF tho
French elements qualifications TO become American
citizens anything else than religious arguments, and in
this great Republic, whose Constitution recognizes
neither sect creed is 1t not dangerous ground TO
tread upcnf While there may exist In the Province OF
Quebec the remnants Of certain obnoxious laws dls'
eliminating, perhaps, IN favor of Catholic they arc
the exception and disappearing with each legisla
tive session. Francis wayland Glen, from his Anglo
Saxon origin, becomes a far more impartial Judge OF
this question than French Protestant college pres
dent The former gentleman treats the matter under
discussion In a logical way, while the other takes an
entirely sectarian view OF the
Is not every country realizing, as time progresses
that It's old laws not adapted to modern ideas and
case with the Province Of QueDec and Mt every session
OF the LEGISLATURE laws enacted entirely In
accord with advancing civilization. The statement OF
our college president that the French monarchca
In their ideas and altogether out OF sympathy with our
American way OF thinking political, ecclesiastical
and educational matters" is nothing more than joke
ut best and were 1t not for the fact that he signs
himself a college president, would suggest his look
Ing over the legislative proceedings OF the Province OF
Quebec since 1867, to become more accurately
Informed in this matter What does the Liberal party
stand for I'm Canada Reform OF all the abuses cfeated
by the long and unscrupulOus administrator OF sir
John Macdonald reciprocity and closer tsace relations
with the United States, and In fact for everything Ila
will tend TO bring Canada on par Win other PIosres
sve nations. And not Quebec the only Province
I'm the whole Dominion that elected majority OF ltS
representatives from the ranks OF the Liberal parry ID
last springs elections7 Yet Mr.. Amaron would have
your readers believe that this came province Is q.
least a century behind the Others In the way Oh
progress and Liberalism. AS regards tather nam
mond's book on the Dangers Of Assimilation
am afraid IL is very much in the state as Your
tensive advertising tO become popular; but protest
against the good name OF the Franco CaIadlnn- Aer
leans being used to accomplish this result however,
have one interest In common with Mr.. Amaron, ana
that Is the success Of the Republican party though
we are not agreed on the method Of accomplishing
our purpose. He would have all French Catholics
repudlaed from the ranks OF the Republican parry G
and / would have every one OF them vote the re
publican ticket. 1 have In my possession statistc3
that will prove to Mr.. Amaron that rs per cent OF
the French voters Of this state, and they VIII number
pubHcans, and challenge any one to contradict my
Troy n. Y, Dec 4, 1891.