Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-07-25

QuEsKc, July 2a--Mr. Mercier, the ex
premier of this province. has left for New
England, where he will deliver . series OF
speeches to the French-CanadiAns settled
there. The object 10 to get the French
Canadians in the United States, Who. with
their Amcrican-boru children Of the nsst
generation, only number . million, 10 CO.
operate With those in Quebec in securing
the independence Of Canada - hfst step
toward its annexation.
In controlling the St. Lawrence river,
French Canada holds the key TO the situA-
ton When she makes up her mind TO
abandon confederation, the fabric must.
from the nature Of things, 60 to pieces.
There Is Widespread discomfort among the
French-Cansdisn population in Quebec.
New Brunswick. Ontario and Manitoba. IL
arises in part from the attacks that are be-
ing made upon their constitutional rights
and privileges by the English-speaking ma
jority. The proportion of French TO Eng
hsh speaking people is 50 to 20.
They have been losing political influence
for some time, and the exodus to the
United States is draining them Of their best
blood. They are prolific, marrying young,
but from issl TO 1891 the percentage OF in
crease WAS only 9.5, the exodus having ear
ried of from 20 200 TO $4,000 persons
yearly.
With q view of providing employment
for those disposed 10 emigrate the proSin-
eizi government has spent large sums OF
borrowed money in building and subsidiL-
ing local railroads, the result being that the
provincial treasury is bankrupt, the ne,
debt being greater than the net debts of
New England, New York, New Jersey and
Pennsy lvanis all put together.
There il no setimental attachment to the
British flag. The French-CanAdians are
British subjects by the mere accident of
war The only future for them lies IN the
reunion of the race under the Stars and
Stripes. For every three French-Cansdi-
ans in Canada there are nov two in the
United States. counting the fret generation
AZ before, and those in the States are much
better off than those at home.
The Mckinley act has augme enied the ex-
odus and the unrest. The habitant raises
coarse products, like hay and potatoes, for
which the United States is the only profit
able market, so that the Mckinley duties
come out Of his pocket. There is no money
in sending such commodities TO Britain.
Mr. Mercier has not gone to New Eng
land of his own motion, but on the invita-
ton of leading French Canadians in Bos-
ton, Lowell, Nashua, Fall River and other
places. His speeches will follow the lines
laid down in an important address which he
delivered in Montreal in April. There are
three futures. he saws, open to Canada /;
namely. 10 remain as she is, to become an
independent nation. snd TO join the United
States. lie puts imperial federation out
of consideration.
The French Canadians would not sub
nit 10 il and England would not attempt TO
coerce them. lie thinks the msin,ainanee
of the status quo is impossible, that oni.
a radical change can save the country from
financial disaster and secure it free access
to the American market, without which II
cannot develope its recources or retain its
population; and fayors independence as a
means of enabling the people TO obtsin
jus, and honorable terms of their own max
ing, not of EnglanIs, for political union
with the United States.
Clubs will be formed throughout New
England for the furthcrence of this plan,
each French Canadian member contribut
ing a small sun towards paying the ex-
penses of the campaign and pledging him
self TO use every lawful means fo induce
his friends and relatives in Quebec to
take hold. The bishops and clergy will
let the people here decide the question for
themselves.
II is confidently asserted that Mr.. Mer-
cier can carry good majority of the con-
stituencies for the provincial and Dominion
Legislatures The Liberals, under Mr..
Laurier, have succombed 10 the rescton-
airy el ment 10 the party of which Sir Oliver
Nov at, principal premier of Ontario is the
Spokesman and are advocating milk-and-
water measures like tariff reform. Tariff
reform would not reduce the Mckinley du-
ties. and it is the Mckinley duties that
pinch.
In Quebec the Liberals still have no
chance against the new party. The mo.f
influential Liheral., Loaamme, Robidoux.
Pspinau. Perrsult. LeDieux, etc, are be-
hind Mr. Mercier and the habitants are
with him also. The bcs, newspapers "n
the Liberal side are preaching independence
or annexation and pooh hoohing tariff re-
form as an altogether inadt4aate remedy
for the iils of French Canal Ia.
prominent, EDglisb-speaking merchant
Of Montreal said yesterday al am certain
tina, Mercier's visit TO New Eogland will be
successful. The FreLcb Canadian citizens
over there are becoming naturalized rapidly
and will soon hold the balance If power 10
Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhvie
I.lrnd Gov. Russell may thank them for
his reelection. hope they will max" it
their business to impress their Democratic
friends both in and out of Congress ith
the necessity of leaving the farm schedule