Year: 1862

CANADA DECLINING To DEFEND ITsELF.-The politi-
cal which have followed the rejection of the
Militia bill in Cauadl-the declarations of the new
ministers, the speeches made in the colonial parlia-
ment. and the outlines Of the be proposed
in substitution of that which lost-enabIe US to
apprehend with considerable certainty the true sig
nihcance of that startling resolution, and under
stand in what sense it is correct to say that the
Canadians have declined TO undertake their own
defense. Colonel Rankin says :-'' There is no
ilI-feeling against in the United States and We
shall be attacked otherwise than in character
cf British subjects. War only overtake US in
consequence OF some portion of imperial policy,
account Of which are liable any time TO have
country Oyerrun and devastated, and every town
and village reduced ashes. But If as British sub
ects, and defense Oi British rights and encroach


mtnt should be made upon our soil by any foreign
foe, from causes Jeyond our provincial control,
ought TO be- and we certainly are. much entitled
protection any portion Of England itself If
this is not the condition Of connection with the
mother country, then say (as independent m
ber Of this house, and speaking for myself aOne),
the sooner that cOnnexon the better for all
parties concerned And this language is not the
expression of individual opinion Ii exhibits the
principle which the Canadians have been acting
through their legislature. The Canadian parliament
in this case, il has done in many others


that its constituents have interests distinct from,
and indeed capable Of being opposed TO. British in


terests and that II IS bound to look TO them first
and chief. We not going to blame them for this
Tire Canadians a nation, and they know it.
They also know that If their anomalous and irdescib
ADie cOnuecUOu WIN TINS country exposes them TO
some danger, the other hand every British soldier
on their soil is hostage given by this country Of
assistance to be rendered the OF the forces
Of the empire, whatever may be the colonial policy


We have at present Is 900 Of these hostages in
Canada, pledging to do a thing which il is admtt-
ed IL beyond our power. And for what To be told
by the Canadians that i Is much that they hold
themselves continually ready to be sacrificed for our
glory and greatness without burdenng their strait
ened finances and drawing their young men from the
fields 10 become the advance guard in conflict which
they Save not provoked. Surely this conjunc;ure
should make Us pause and look round. There is not
the least prospect that the imperial view Of the duty
Of the colony will be adopted in Canada. For hnan-
cal reason, If for no other, the attempt to burden
Canada with n military establishment, such as has
been thought ofn England requisite for the colony


must break down. Mr.. Gait, the finance minister Of
the late Canadian cabinet, actually proposed to bor


row the money TO pay for the militia clothing When
the most conservative newspapers in the colony
argue that its defensive force be organized and
limited c0nformably with the circumstances, and
habits, and feelings CT the people, they take up
position which we cannot assail But what Of the
GircuEisances Of the population Of the united king


uon Does our honor interest require that we
should maintain frontier for the privilege Of
deendng IT. at the risk Of being told that pres
enee has caused war between good friends This is
question which We should all lay TO heart