The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1897-07-03
THE DOMINION OF CANADA.


honor of the Dominion of Canada was
given at which Sir Donald Smith, the
Canadian high commissioner presided
He resides in London at salary of $1O,-
900 a year, and besides his title of Sir,
he has Bart. G. c. M. G." tagged to
his name. The principal speaker at the
banquet was the premier of Canada,
Wilfred Laurier, who received the title
of Sir" during the Queens jubilee, and
has $4,000 salary per annum to maintain
his knighthooi with dignity. In the
course of his address he declared that
Canada did not choose to assume inde-
pendence, because she was already Writ
ualy Independent land could not have
more power and freedom. happiness
and prosperity, If Ashe were separated
from the smother country. Perhaps Sir
Wilfred is right. The country is gov
erned as follows: The senate Is COM
posed Of 80 members appointed for life
by the Grown on the nomination of the
Governor in Council. and the House of
ed under a Federal Act by which 81 per
cent of the male ID population over 81
years Of age have votes. The Governor
General Is Invariably from across the
Atlantic and is generally acceptable to
Canadian citizens. The present func-
tionary is the Earl of Aberdeen and his
predecessors in recent years have been
| the Marquis OF Lansdowne (whom WILL
| liam O'Brien exposed for landlord afro
cities In lreland) the Marquis OF Lorne
and Lord Dufrerin. We think the Can
| adams are thoroughly competent in
every respects have one Of themselves
| I'LL the high Office of Governor-General
of the Dominion instead of having an
outsider appointed by the Queen whose
| salary is patu by the Dominion govern
| ment. and neither do we fancy the ap-
pointment by the Grown for life Of the
members of the upper house of parlia-
ment.
Canada is magnificent country hav-
ing an area of 3,457,OOO square miles,
and is the largest of all British possess
sions. The population is not much larg-
err than that of Ireland though the latter
country is one hundred times smaller In
| size Its Inhabitants are crossing the
border and becoming American citizens
quite rapidly. Something Is wrong with
Canada, Notwithstanding the assertions
| of Sir Wilfred Laurier, and whatever is
| wrong comes from hanging to the apron
strings of Her Britannia Majesty, in
stead of going on her own hook, free
and independent of all British connec-
ton. A republic is what Canada wants
il 1t desires to grow In population,
wealth and Importance among the ma
tons of the earth.
Tho national debt of Canada cannot
be national blessing. On June 30,
1895, (two years ago. it amounted to 3lS
million dollars. of which 21S millions
was payable in London and the remain
der in Canada. Its total imports for
home consumption the same year was
40 millions, while its exports were only
lib millions. She sent England more
than half her exports while she received
in return more than one-third of her
imports. England is pretty sure to get
the lions share of everything produced
by Industrious Canadians; and we are
greatly mistaken if our fair neighbor
will always remain contented with her
present lot. Her patriotic sons must
beware of the state smen who accept
British titles, 10 matter who they may
be. What Canada ought to do is to set
up for herself, and pay less attention to
British loyalty and royalty The Irish
Standard heartily wishes y. her grand
future Of happihtsSss' 4 prosperity and free