The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-23
DOMINION DAY.
French Canadians Protest That There La
Really No Nationality in Canada.


QUEBEC. July 2l.-The recent celebration
here Of Dominion Day and the publication in
Canada Of the report OF the Dominion Day cell
ebratioI, in London and elsewhere have given
rise to energetic protests throughout French
Canada against the significance likely to be
attached to such celebrations. The purpose Of
the protests is TO make 1t clear to all the world
that French Canada has neither part nor parcel
in the desire for a unite Canada and no perma-
nent abiding place in the present fabric OF the
Canadian Confederation. Those who utter
these protests make it clear that they are OPP
posed to merging their French Canadianism
in a common Canadian nationality. Here is an
extract from the I'erite of Quebec. ono of the
leading papers OF its class, edited by Mr.. J. 2.
Tardivel, who has spent many years OF his life
in the United States He says:
The LIST of July is a purely statutory holi-
day. 1t is not national holiday The banks
and public offices close on that day; there are
cheap excursions. OF which u great many take
advantage. and business is more or less sus-
pended. But no patriotic fibre is thrilled
marraso ccnvenisncs or rather
heh was then Sssyed tad pc Rsea
doubt some Of the authors OF, the Confedera-
ton imagined that they were laying the foun-
OF the different provinces would fuse so thor
ouGhly as to become one people-a Canadian
people Some Of our people feared this ,fn-
nationality would disappear Hanrily our
people have not yet been seriously affected by
it. The st. Jean Baptiste is always their ma
tonal holiday it is not the st Of July.
selves to be carried away lar from the French.
Canadian ideal. They proclaim themselves
partiSans OF great Canadian whole and of the
imperial idea But, thank God the masses OF
our population So lar have not followed them.
Taken as q whole they have remained faithful
TO their old national idea. They want to keep
their relative autonomy. their distinct char
aGtGr. their language and their traditons,
therefore, thank heaven. that the Confedera-
ton OF 1867 has not yet prod uced the effects
h0ped for from 1t on the one hand and feared
on the other"
This is certainly very plain talk. but some Of
the French Canadian separatistS go further
still! One Of them declares:
We have certain business relations with the
English speaking populations of the other
the slightest hrothcrly lccinE. So are they
perfectly Indifferent toward Us from tho ma
t0na STANDPOINT. The English of Canada do
not regard the French tanhhiuns as their fel-
low nationalists, and on orlr side It Is tho same
sentiment that predOminatrs as far as they arc
concerned. Patriot cuily speaking. we are no
more linked to the English Of Ontario and New
EruhsNIcS than We are to the people OF New
The waiting Tor better days" so significantly
set forth by the editor Of the WRITE bears out
the views Of those who believe that tho openly
expressed discomfort OF n large element Of the
French Canadian population Of Cauada with
the existing order OF things IN the Dominion.
Is dictated by lingering desire for that
French republic upon the banks Of the ST.
Lawrence, Of which the late Premier MERCER
cRdc ago. Thcs" may be- the better days" Tor
which the IerHe and its friends are waiting.