The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-25
, CHAPTER OF AMERICAN HISTORY.
The Fart Played by . Departed Canadian
Afeeesr~.n

Statesman.
To TEE EDITOR or Tut RuN-. SIR. The lion,
Sir Alexander Tilloch Ualt, q. c, NJ. IL a. u,
whose death 10 announced. was many yen ~ ago
avery prominent and striking figure In Cam.
dian politics In 1870 he aligned tho Montreal
manifesto In favor OF tho political reunion Of
the United Statos and Canada and took an ac-
tive part In tho movement. It was nlRo nlgncd
by the late Sir George Cartier SIr John J. @.
Abbott ex-Premior OF Canada: Sir Leonard
Tilley. Lieutenant Governor OF Now Bruins
wick, and Sir David McPhcrson. appointed by
the Crown q Senator for lfo OF the Dominion.
The fact that her Majesty conferred knight
hood upon these gentlemen. and appointed
them to important and controlling posts
In the Government OF Canada. clearly indi-
Gates that their active participation in
tho annexation movement OF 1S4o was
not offensive to tho imperial nuthori-
ties, or at loast not an objectionable crime.
Political union would hnvc undoubtedly boon
contaminated prior to 1852 had It not been for
the opposition OF tho leaders OF tho pro. slavery
party In this country. That It's prevention
was most serious blunder if not crimo) in
statesmanship. the cost OF the civil war Of
1851. In treasure and human life. Ia unmls-
taxable evidence. Had the political union OF
these two great Notwithstanding communi-
ties been accomplished when proposed by Sir
Alexander and his associates, the pro-slavery
party in this country would not hnve attempts
ed dissolution OF the republic by an appeal
to arms. and tho terrible destruction Of life
and property would have been avoided, and
the enormous cost Of the war. estimated by
THE Sun at over $4,000. 100000 would have
been expended in productive development
rather than in the destruction Of accumulated
wealth.
Imagine the internal improvements which
might have been constructed and permanently
secured with $4,000 600. 600 and their benea.
cent effect upon the comfort. happiness. ma
terial welfare. md productive power OF the
Inhabitants Of this continent for generations
to come as we'll as the loss OF the creative
power Of one million OF active. earnest am
bilious. unselflsh patriotic men who gave
their lives q willing sacrifice to preserve our
free institutions to ourselves and our pos
terity. The inhabitants OF North America
sooner or later to be united under ono gov
eminent of the people. by the people for tho
people. owe to these men their perpetual
the PROVINCES Of Ontario. Quebec, New Bruns-
ana II N9Sa seGta TpdeE general Coy
the Dominion Of Canada. For his services in
this respect he was rendered knighthood BY
her Majesty. but declined It until she was in
United states as the destiny OF British North
America. His deciension, OF knirhthood at the
creased his popularty. power and Influence as
q political Leader IN the Dominion; Sir John
He was too powerful to be crushed. and. there
fore must be won. The pathway OF Sir John |
is strewn with the wrecks Of his political asso-
nearly all men Of power and influence in pub |
lie affairs who came In contact with his plans. |
do him harm If he doubted their devotion to |
his persoSal ambition and success, He
cept knighthood and afterward the High Com
to Engand at his hands. and.
rssn Iast he h. practically retired 70 private
Ing Canadian affairs He was man OF marked
ability, and had he maintained his independ-
emphasized very much for Canada and for
North America. Ho quietly consented to the
medo wtR the cSnaSan sif Psse
hallway syndicate for the construction. Of 4
-tCgntinsntaI line through the Dominion
,iic. KniEhthood reklndled his desire to
maintain u British connection. and the High
DOT Of the throne, transformed the aggressive
Continental Unionist into an ardent Impe-
When anthracite coal was discovered at the
eastern base OF the Rocky Mountains In Al.
oertf ne secured control Of large, tract Of
zed the Alberta Hallway and Coal f COMPANY Snn
md d, BECAME ga it's President. This company has
he s ranadae sf Pseie f'en'S and interests to
owing e6isdy to b is admiration for Amerl.
IAN institutions. when the Atlantic and st.
. ss. Hallway was, constructed tabout
argely in real estate in Portland. and as re-
'ult. amassed handsome fortune.
Sir Alexander early in his career had ample
MEANS good ability. influence. a commanding
presence. a largo personal following and the
confidence Of his countrymen. and might have
Won high place in the, history. OF this CONT
lent; His failure is due to his surrender to
'ir John A. Macdonald land his imperial
,ollcy) who sooner or later DESTROYED the in
luence Of nearly every public man who came
lnder his power. His brother Sir Thomas
ialt Chief Justice Of Ontario. survives him.
FRANCIS MAINLAND GLEN.