The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-03-13
Canadian independence.

The signs multiply that in the province
Of Quebec public opinion tends TO favor the
Immediate separation OF Canada from the
British empire. and the substitution OF an
Independent republic. It is we'll known
that Mr.. MERcIER. formerly Premier Of the
provincial Government. has for some time
been urging the expediency OF such a step
on his French-speaking fellow countrymen.
Within the last few days the movement
has received powerful stimulus from a
pamphlet published by Judge ROYAL. who.
until recently. was the Governor Of the
Northwest Territories. and who is one Of
the most influential representatives OF the
French Canadian element OF the Dominion's
population. Judge ROYAL declares that IL
Canada is ever to make any progress. she
must become Independent OF Great Britain.
and thus free to make such commercial ar
rangements with other countries as her
own interests shall dictate.
In answer to the charge made by tho
loyalists that independence is advocated as
a bridge to annexation. Judge ROYAL ex-
presses the belief that II Canada sets up for
herself the United States would not seek to
absorb her. This is unquestlonably true.
II our Canadian friends should repudiste
British tutelage and assert their claim to a
place among the nations, we should regard
them with cordial sympathy. and should be
q hundred times more likely to make to
them valuable concese' ms In the way OF
reciprocity than we are now. We deem 1t
probable. indeed. that eventually the Cana
dians. as men OF sense. would prefer the
permanent and unshakable advantages
which would belong to them as citizens OF
the American Union. to any temporary and
mutable privileges obtainable under COM
mercial treaties. But 1t would be for them
to choose: not the slightest attempt would
be made on our part to coerce or to absorb
them. About that. Judge ROYAL is quite
right. In tho nature OF things. we could
not entertain any feeling but hearty friend
ship for a Canadian commonwealth. IL it
chose TO pursue an independent career we
should wish 1t COP speed in all sincerity:
while should 1t ultimately prefer incorpora-
tlon with our body polite. it could be GER
tain OF q cordial welcome. The union OF
the American and Canadian republics would
be marriage and not an act OF violence.
1t Is only the maintenance OF the present
cramping and sitting connection OF the
Canadian provinces with Great Britain.
which In the quite possible event OF war
between the latter country and the United
States might expose them to invasion.
While 1t 10 doubtless true that many nd
vocates OF Canadian independence believe.
like Judge ROYAL. that their country would
thrive as separate republic. IL is also true
that the friends OF annexation may do
wisely to favor independence. considered as
means to an end. 1t would probably be
much easier. under the existing circum-
stances. to return to the Ottawa House OF
Commons . majority committed to indie
pendence than to carry the constituencies
on an annexation programme. Moreover,
demand for independence would be- much
more likely to DO granted by British
Ministry; indeed. 1t could not be refused
consistently with the repeated declarations
OF British statesmen representing the Con-
servative as well as the Liberal party.
Good luck. then. to the earnest move
ment for independence In the province of
Quebec The open adhesion OF Judge ROYAL
will give 1t q vigorous impulsion.