New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-18
the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: 7 have read with considerable inter
est J. Casteel Hopkins's article on Cansdas
war troubles with the French habitant,"
and take much pleasure in saying that find
it by far the best, most passionless and SEN
sible essay written on the subject since the
war; but it is not complete, and some Of the
conclusions TO be drawn from it arc likely
10 cause false Interpretation of the whole
subject.
With your kind permission, the writer
will endeayor to supply the missing informa-
ton cor misinformaton), and, as he was
born and has lived in French Canada for
over forty years, he trusts II will not be
taken as a boast when he says he viii try
TO make corrections, rational, truthful and
unbiased
First lot it be said that it has been the
Intelligent" pastime of the gentlemen from
Ontario to look down on everything not
Unitarian and 10 find special pleasure in
calling names to the world at large. Wit
ness the bowl of contempt from their news
papers against President Wilson in particu-
,qr and the American people in genera! be-
fore the United States crossed the Rubcon
at the declaration OF war, and bear in mind
that the French Canadian came in for his
full share Of insults simply because he i'
rot from the God-chosen province Of Ontario.
"Habitant" City Dwellers
These ccntlemen's most famous invective
for years has been TO call the QuebecEer
"habitant." because. in their ignorance,
"habitant" means Frcrche. Now. the 1T
cral translation Of that word is "inhabitant,'
viz. "Ihabitant dun pays'-"the inhabitant
Of a country; but in their thoughts they at
tach the same loathing significance to 1t as
the city-brcd United States to their own
"haysee1l." Yet, however. ! will grant that
the old French colonists called a farmer
"habitant," and it stands to this day as
synonyme TO farmer with no frills attached
to it.
1t is granted that the total French popu-
alton Of Canada is in the neighborhood Of
100000 souls, with about 100000 in the
province of Quebec from which a good
million live in cities, as follows: Montreal,
about 100000 il is the fourth largest French
city in the world; Quebec City, 100000;
Ottawa, Ontario, $4,000, and about twenty
other cities and towns agglomerating an
other 100000, not counting villages with less
than 5000 people It is thus easily gath-
cred that more than half Of the total French
Canadian population are city dwelers, and
cannot be called "habitants"- nearing
farmer or haysocd, and much less in the
sense that the Prussian gentleman from On
carlo wishes to convey. As proof, let any
one call city man anywhere In Quebec
"habitant,' if he wishes, but let him first
call either a squad Of policemen or an aTbu-
,ance The Ontario superman, however, only
calls names from distance, experience hay-
ing taught him that it is safer for his hide.
Are French Canadians Slackers?
It mus, unfortunately, be granted that
good many too many, aas-country peo-
pic, and even city folks, are ignorant. or at
least iliterates; but they must not be held
responsible for that, the reason benz so
we'll known clerical control Of all schools
that II does not ucccsstatc rcitora.ion.
Mr.. Uopkins's information goes amss
when he gives voice 90 the report that the
French Canadians are slackers. IL must be
tario-madc information, which under all the
circumstances cannot be but misleading and
unjust, Tho "Prussian' gentlemen from On
tario losnecally Toroutol are fond Of blow
ing their own horns. and their only con-
ccivablc way Of doing 10 is undertaking
others, which is symptomatc Of their prov
ince, especially when, IN This case, they
hiii two birds with one stone. Figures have
been published which prove that more
French Canadians have voluntarily enlisted
than EaS.ish-bon Canadians. but tho To
-onto superman is mute on that aspect Of
the question, his claim being that a ruch
smaller number Of Trenches than other in
habitants of Canada have enlisted, which is
true only when one figures that Quebec, hav-
ing a French population OF less than 1900
200. and tho rest Of Canada being over
100000, out Of which more than 100000
are emicrants from the British Isles have
never become Canadians, but remain English
on Canadian soil, and, if figures are SEEM
irgly against the "habtant," the honesty
and patriotism Of those who have enlisted
and OF the French people at large ought 10
be recognized.
The Ontario Boche voluntarily forgets 10
say that the loathed "habitant" was the
first TO 60 cover the top at Courcelette. and
moro recently AZ Nimy. Tie is mute on the
TACT that a greater number Of anti-conscrip-
tion meetings were held land many times
over) DO every English province than in Que
bee. "The Sydney Post" Nova SCOTIA, in
au editorial ten days ago, blames the Trades
ard Labor Council Of that province for Lav-
ing adopted a resolution against conscrip-
lion. The affiliated societies of Brantford.
Ontario; Winnipeg, Vancouver and score Of
other Enciish-Canad.a cities have been put
on record on the same objectionary lines as
the Sydney organization. Toronto sanity