The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-07-18
Talks Of INDEPENDENCE.
Canada'S eX-Premier Was In tho City
This Morning.
MERCER IN FAVOR OF LIBERTY.
He says Canada has Outgrown tho Cab
inet Stage and should Now Become
Observation-Disclosures IL Favored
Next to Independence.

Hon. Honore Mercier, ex,premier OF
Quebec. arrived in this city this morning
at $50 from Boston. A large number Of
| fellow-countrymen received him and
escorted him to the boat and all went to
| the excursion at Rocky Point.
The ex-premier is distinguished look
ing man of tall and commanding pres
ence and of considerable personal mag
netism. He mas long silken moustnohe,
and he wore neat-ftting frock coat.
During the "trip down the bay tue ex-
premier chatted PLEASANTLY with the
representative Of the News.
"What is the opinion In Canada on
| annexationf he was asked.
"The general opinion in Canada, as FAR
as can judge-chiefiy In the Prov!nce
of Quebec-is in favor OF q chang
% tine the chsnre sGg% he for
or for annexation? Taat Is pretty hard
to say. Personally favor independence,
but there are many in favor OF aunexa-
tion. do not know how tho vote would
result on these two questions IL direct
vote WAS taken"
States? "My object Is TO visit my coui-
Jrymen in response TO numerous invi'a-
tions, made auring the last two year..
j desired greatly to SEQ them, aud 10
| study their situation and condition.
81 intend to visit the courts, and al . to
govern .uent, your institutions to see
your laws working, and to visit
| your charitable institutions; all vita
| view TO be able to sugR, st or make re-
forms ia my own c)uutry. This - not
| my first visit to thecountry. Ihave been
| to Washington many times, AMI receive
| steadily official records from the severa.
depari meutsn
Not Ready to Give an Opinion.
"Do you then consider the Institutions
of the United States superior to those of
| Canada ?'
"Aa, that is pretty hard to say" said
| the ex- premier with shrue and a smile.
81 don't think l am sufficiently well
posted to give an opinion. L am
Impressed that the Uaised States
Is great countr !, and OF
great interest and education to myself,
anu have the greatest adm 'ratioa r. It.
l was born near to the borders anu was
consequently brought into close relations
| will b Americans"
"Do you think that In case of Canada's
failing TO achieve Independence, that an
| nexation wou d b. next considered W
II know that many who are now in
favor Of independence would Ia that case
| De for annexation In preference to re-
naming In statu quo.'
do you believe In free trade between
Can ada AMI this country =, s,
A National Crime.
Il certainly do. IL is a national crime to
| have two eountri,s 80 closely allied as
TIA ese, separated commercially. Any
| Canadian who is against free
trade or reciprocity with the
| United States Is either a fool or
lunatic. Why not keep the money In
| Canada that we have to send to England
| In transportation and insu rancef We are
and Canada and sell our goods TO Europe
| for less than we can here. French
| Canadians cannot be Indifferent to this
| question. because they know that they
have 1,000,00U brothers in this United
| States who are prosperous"
| "What do you think OF the future OF
| Canada 20 "The future OF Canada Is in
dependence. / feel sure that it will
some Englishmen speak Of loyalty to
the queen and TO England. OF course
this isvery natural. AIN Frenchman
leans and love America. But
before they can be loyal to
England we ought 20 be loyal to Canada.
IL is not a question OF sentiment
| but Of business. Are we to live forever
AS a colonys Such thing Is absurd.
Il
| life OF a nation, aud that incident must
| not last longer than infancy. As soon as
| that country is of age it must take indie
| pendence. Canada is or aye. When we
| see the signs Of extraordinary prosperity
| in this country IL is not only u natural
| but moral and intellect ual lesson IL
we are forciDly invited to take our inde-
| pc cdence."
Fcan you tell us Of that political trouble
| in Canada?"
"Oh-you mean the Christian En-
| deavor }"
"Oh, no. the political trouble In which
| you were -
tIn which was kicked out ? Oh, yes.
I became prime minister To Quebec IN
| 1887 / kept very strong majority
| Tor 5 years, when Governor Angers
| thought it proper to dismiss me. Ait r
| that ne tried so fiud reason for 30 do
| ing-he never did. But / feel ten times
more happy now than when / was
s...O