Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-06-09
CRISIS IN CANADA.
Political Threads In a Terrible Tangle-
Religious Rivalries.


New YORK, June S.-Dispatches state
that the removal of Sir John from the
control of the affairs of the Dominion
has created an anxiety concerning his
successor that is not confined to the
Conservative party alone. The more
thoughtful of the party are filled with
deep concern, while premonitions of
troubous times pervade the public
mind. 1t is not so much the question
of trade and tariff that are caus-
ing the public anxiety and
eager inquiry for competent
leader. There are questions coming up
upon which the religious passions, al
ways ready to be touched off into eX-
plosion, are expected to break with in
tense strife. There is also the fast de-
veloping ambition of the French race,
which has already laid plans for the es-
tablishing of another French republic
upon the northern portion of this con-
tinent. This element Sir John was al
ways able to keep in check, though it
required every effort of his resourceful
mind and many drafts upon the public
treasury.
The opinion now is stronger than ever
than a government of neither party can
much longer harmonic the different
race elements. The French people have
become prosperous, and with fine ad-
vantages for education the younger
generation are growing more restless
hoE nn
they consider confines their natural am
bition. To their strong racial preju-
dice is added the difference Of religion.
The tumult that was caused last year
by the discussion of the JesuitS
estate bill showed the fury OF
this religious passion and the intensity
of the fires smolderng under the sur
face of the events. The flame is ready
to be famed into blaze upon the
slightest provo cation, and it is doubtful
if there is in the Dominion leader with
political resources and generalship suffi-
cent to keep them in obeyance. The
efforts of the Manitoba Legislature to
abolish separate schools and the use of
the dual language is sure to continue as
q disturbing element. 1t has caused
much passionate discussion already, and
will be a serious source OF trouble for
some time to come.
The Catholic party feel their strength,
and have no hesitation in demanding
the rights that they believe to be due
them on account Of their population
and Importance. In the discussion OF
the successorship to Sir John they are
making their influence felt. Their
choice is Sir John Thompson, the Min
lister of Justice, who is Roman Catho-
lie. The Protestant element want Sir
Charles Upper, and in case that gentle
man expresses wish to remain In
England, where it is said he has hopes
of an appointment to the Peerage, the
second choice of that wing of the party
is said to be Hon. Mackenzie Bowel,
the Minister of Customs and head OF the
Orangemen in Ontario. Thus at the
very outset bitter contest is predicted.
The French element in the party seem
determined to have Thompson, while
their opponents, principally the On
tario portion of the party, are strong in
their demands for Topper. 1t is said
that Sir John expressed n wish during
the last campaign that Tap er should
he his successor, and he is said
to be the choice OF the party in
all the provinces except Quebec. If
he is willing to take up the tangled
course of affairs where Sir John has left
them, he will, in all likelihood, be the
next leader of the party. He. more
than other Conservatives, is imbued
with the methods that have so long
given his party the sway of public af-
fairs, and possesses many OF the pecu-
liarities of mind that distinguished
TIE Premier. Closely connected with
Sir John in all the affairs OF State, he is
better prepared, probably, than any
other man in the party to meet the
emergencies that must arise. Sir
Charles has strength with the party,
but the recent public discussion of his
relations with the Grand Trunk Rail-
way in the last election has not served
to establish him in the confidence OF the
people. He is power in Parliament, a
forceful debater and man of political
craft.