The Washington herald., 1908-01-19
Rr EX-ATTACHE.


Copyright. 1905. by the Brentwood Coz
Quebec is about to celebrate her ter
centenary. which is likewise the 5o0tl
birthday Of Canada. Not only Great Brit
ain and France, but also the United
States. Will participate in the ceremonies
10 which King Edward IS sending r spe
cial representative. in the person OF hil
nephew Prince Arthur of Connaught
with a large suite Of distinguished of1ceu
OF the army and navy.
It Is an anniversary IN which England
France. and the great American RepubI,
can all afford 10 join the Canadians in
commemorating with befitting festivities
Quebec owes its foundation TO Samuel dt
ChamDlain in 1905 and its development by
his eountrymen into the metropolis Of La
Nouvells France, that is to say OF
French America During the following Isl
years England held it by right of vic
tories as glorious 10 the defeated com.
mander as 10 the successful general, the
names Of Montcalm and Of Wolfe being
forever linked together in the niche OF
fame
Quebec stiIi 81 French City.
Moreover, Quebec has now for half Of
the period Of it's existence been subject 70
the British crown, Although the British
flag floats above its citadel yet il has a
population which has remained more
French than the French, more Catholic
than Rome, which has retained its relig-
ion, its language. nay even lis own an
Client laws, 60 an extent which is al once
a tribute to the liberality of King Ed
wards rule and 10 the devout and con
servative character Of its people
Englands capture of Quebec and con
quest of New France may be said
10 have brought the United States
into existence. It was prophecied ar the
time of the battle on the Plains Of Abra-
ham, which gave Canada 10 the British
and settled tie fate Of the French empire
in America, thar the New England colo
MES would sever their allegiance 20 the
mother country within the space Of a
decade. Fifteen years later the predic-
tion was fulfilled.
As long as the New England colonies
knew their borders were threatened by
the French of Canada, they were COM
PEELED TO rely upon the military assistance
of Old England for purposes OF defense,
But when this danger was forever re-
moved 10y the substitution of British
rule for that OF France, in Canada, the
colonists Of New England found them
selves free TO fight for wider liberties
than those they had until then enjoyed,
The Revolution ensued, which culmi-
mated in the birth of the United States.
Canada's Independence.
To-day Canada, wholly loyal to the
scepter Of King Edward. possessed of an
amount of home rule and of independence
50 complete that she IS able to negotiate
treaties Of commerce with foreign na-
tons, and in the full food tide OF indus
trial and commercial development. almost
equaIiHg in size the United States. lives in
such perfect amity with the latter. that
although the contiguous frontiers extend
from the Atlantic 10 the Pacific. along "a
boundary line more than 5000 miles in
length, no troops and no stroughoIds are
considered necessary by either for pur-
poses of defense.
When one recalls the millions of dol
lars which have been spent by Austria
and Italy I'm fortifyine their frontiers
against one another, ia spite OF their be-
ing bound together by a treaty of alli-
aace, the absence Of soldiers and of for
tresses along the Northern boundary line
of the great American republic speaks
volumes for the character of the friend
snip which unltes it % Canada.
II is therefore, eminentIy appropriate
and fitting that the United States should
participate i'm the celebrating at Quebec
OF the 5elth birthday Of Canada this fall
Preparing for Celebration.
Lord Grey. the governor general Of
Canada; Sir WIfrid I.aurier, the prime
minister Of the Dominion; Mr.. Gouin.
premier of the province Of Quebec, and
mayor of the city of Quebec, are actively
engaged in the preparations for the fit
ting Observance Of the tercentenary and
King Edward has not only cabled his
warm approval Of the projects submitted
20 him in connection with the affair. but
has likewise forwarded a handsome sub
scription toward the furtherance Of the
plan for converting the battIeaelds Of the
Plains Of Abraham and Of Sainte Foye
into grand national park. which is 10
remain as lasting memorial Of the an
DivcrsaTy.
The Federal and provincial legislatures
throughout the Dominion have agreed TO
contribute toward the execution Of the
scheme, and private subscriptions are
also pouring IN. For g good deal of
money Will be required for the purpose.
since It viii be necessary not only to
acquire the land and lay out the park.
but likewise 90 remove and TO find sites
elsewhere for the buildings by which tna
battlehelds are now desecrated.
Neglected Battlefield.
Although these ancient battIedelds &C.
cupy the most picturesque point in the
immediate vicinity Of Quebec. command
Ing on one side the St Lawrence River.
and on the other the valley of the River
St Charles, yet they have been treated
until now, with such indifference and
neglect. that the spot on which Gen
Wolfe fell IS occupied by hideous and
gloonly-looldng Jail
The traveller OF Immigrant arriving for
the first time in the New World by way
of New York is welcomed by the sight Of
the Statue Of Liberty, eloquent TO him OF
the freedom and independence enjoyed by
the people OF this country
To the stranger reaching the Western
hemisphere by way of Quebec, the first
object which strikes his eve IS a par
tieularly somber prison. This must at
all costs be removed.
Lord Grey proposes that at the most
prominent point q monument represent
ing the Angel OF Peace shall be set up.
rivaling in proportions the Statue of Lib
erty in New York, and welcoming. with
outstretehed arms, the immigrant to what
IS 20 him the Land Of Promise. This
question Of the statue is not entirely de-
cided.
Monuments VIII BE Erected.