The morning call., 1891-08-29
TIE CANADIAN CENSUS.


British North American people to the
doubtful service which was rendered to the
colony by the late Sir John A. Macdonald in
subordinating the real interests Of Canada
TO the fancied advantage of the British con-
nection. The growth of population during
the past decade is less than the natural in
crease, without immigration, and less than
the increase from immigration without
natural increase In the two great provinces,
Ontario and Quebec, the increase is n trifie
over 9 per cent in the ten years. There is
no increase in the maritime provinces The
only colonies which have made substantial
gains are Manitoba and other territories
carved out of the late Hudson Bay Com
pany's country, which were desert a few
years ago. and have lately enjoyed mush-
room growth in consequence of their adapt
ability to wheat culture.
The census shows that the emigration
from Canada overbalances the immigration.
In 1881 the population of the Dominion was
4,324,S SO. Between 1881 aud 1SS9 $50, III
immigrants arrived. Add this supply from
abroad TO the population of 1881 and the
census of 1891 should show population of
5,210,9S1, without allowing anything for
natural increase. But, in fact, the census
shows an actual population of only 4,S23,-
OH. IulS plUNGS tHdl Hdll Tue iUltlll-
grants from abroad left Canada as soon as
they found what it was like, and that
sufficient number of natives followed their
example to offset the natural increase.
When this happens to country it is on the
downward path, and unless decay is arrested
its decline may be confidently predicted.
And yet the Canadian Dominion is full Of
resources and possibilities. There is no
State in the Union. except perhaps Cali
fornia, which possesses finer natural advan-
tages than Ontario. Its soil is fertile, its
climate genial and healthy. its situation
central. Its range Of products is wide. 1t is
inhabited by a sturdy, intelligent race of
men. Under more favorable conditions
Ontario should be progressing as rapidly as
Ohio or Illinois. And yet it only gains
per cent in population in ten years. The
other provinces have not been so blessed by
nature, but none OF them are destitute of re-
sources. The soil of Quebec is largely
sterile, but it has one Of the finest rivers in
the world and water-power enough to drive
any possible number of factories. The
maritime provinces have splendid resources
in the shape of lumber, coal and fish. Why
should a tract of country so advantaged as
this lapse into decline, when on the other
side Of an imaginary line other tracts of
country, not more highly favored by nature,
should be steadily growing into mighty
commonwealth?
The reason has been given by one of the
most intelligent public men of the day,
Erastus Wiman. formerly of Canada, now
OF New ork Canada is declining because
it persists in remaining an appendage of a
foreign power 5000 miles away, and be-
cause II cramps the vigOr Of its native in
teIlect by aping foreign ways, foreign Gus
toms and foreign standards Instead of
striking out for itself, and asserting an in
dependent rank among nations, Canada
aims at being pinchbeck England, where
the people are more loyal than the Queen,
and laws are enacted, not because they are
good for Canada, but because they are
agreeable to a Government sitting in
Downing street. No nation can thrive in
such abject seryility to foreigners. 1t kills
the intellect of a people to remain in pupil
age forever.
.. 1t was the fate of the late Sir John Mac
donald to typfy colonial Toryism. lie
spent long lifetime in persuading Canadi-
ans that they should not look out for them
selves, but should concentrate their ener-
gieS on maintaining the British connection.
W hich was to be panacea for all evils. 1t
does not seem 10 have been potent enough
10 make the Dominion grow. By what
methods he succeeded in maintaining his
control of the Canadian mind, the pending
investigations at Ottawa are there to show;
what was the real fruit of his policy the
census returns reveal The mischief which
he did will live after him. The evil seed he
soWed has taken deep root. IL may be
plowed under by and by, but it will lake
time. His successors in the Dominion Par
lament console the people of Quebec and
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick by point
Ing to the growth of Manitoba; while az
the very moment these consultations are
tendered, the farmers around Winnipeg are
pulling up stakes and crossing the line,
having discovered what they ought to have
foreseen from the first, that it does not pay
to grow wheat too far from a distributing
market, especially if it has to be carried On
bankrupt railroads.