Year: 1871

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The Canadian Provinces-McssaGe OF tho


Lieutenant Governor Of Canada West.


The Message of the Lieutenant Governor of
Canada West, or Ontario, to the Provincial
Legislature, shows that the old strifes and
jealousies existing for a number of years
Canada have not been set at rest by the scheme
of confederation. The original union between
the two provinces was based upon the princi-
pie of balance Of power, SO as to prevent
either section from gaining preponderance in
the united legislation. At the time the union
was formed this was regarded as necessary
precaution by Canada West, in order to guard
against any encroachment on the part of the
Eastern province, then the most numerously
populated of the two. It was provided
that no increase in the representation
of either province should take place without q
corresponding addition on the other side.
Upper Canada was English and Protestant,
Lower Canada was French and Catholic.
Thus, if the population of any portion of the
lower province increased so as to entitle the
district to an additional member of the Union
Parliament, it was forced to hold its right in
allegiance until q new member should be added
to some district in the upper province. In the
course of time this restriction worked injur-
ously for the upper province, or Canada West,
whose population increased rapidly by immi-
grafton, while Canada East remained stationary
or actually lost ground. The former, therefore,
demanded representation on the basis of popu-
lation-a reform rendered the more imperative
from the fact that the lower province managed
to monopolize the power OF the government,
although minority Of the people Of the union.
The reason of this was that the Catholic
representatives Of Lower Canada held solidly
together, while they could always manage to
win over some Of the members from the West,
and thus command . majority In the Parlia-
ment. The Western province was thus
forced to see objectionable school laws
enacted; the legislation of the country and
the Court proceedings conducted IN foreign
language, and the interests of Upper Canada
generally made subservient to those of Lower
Canada.


The scheme of confederation Was concocted
to get rid Of this sectional strife, and was con-
summated none too soon. The upper province
agreed to 1t in the belief that 1t would be the
means Of overthrowing the increasing and en-
croachng power Of the lower province. The
latter, after much opposition, was induced to
consent to the Dominion plan, partly in the
belief that they might yet retain their superb
ority and partly because they feared that
longer continuance of the old condition of af-
fairs would lead to serious results. 1t appears
now, however, that one of the earliest acts of
the new confederation, the adjustment of the
liabilities and assets of the two provinces, Is
likely to lead to strife and may be the
means Of overthrowing the new order of things.
Lower Canada objects to the award made
by the arbitrators appointed by the govern
@ent, and fasts all possible technical obsta-
eles In the way to prevent settlement. The
Lieutenant Governor of the upper province,
In alluding to these facts, declares that the
action Of the lower province will revive
those political and sectional conflicts which
for years prior to the confederation endan-
gered the peace of the country. He declares
that the people Of Canada West agreed to the
policy of confederation mainly in the hope of
escaping these critical issues, and casts upon
Lower Canada the responsibility Of reopen
ing them and of the momentous conse-
quences likely to result therefrom. 1t
Is evident that the natural enmities and
jealousies between the two great sections In
the new confederation are left unhealed, and
must assurredly lead at last to serious con-
1ict. Lower Canada is resolved to maintain
her preponderance or TO leave the government.
Montreal and other portions, whose interests
are closely identified with the United States,
are at any moment prepared for annexation,
and would prefer o union with the republic to
a secondary position in the New Dominion.
1t appears probable that the confederation
brought about at such cost and exertion by
the Home government, may, after all, be only
che preparatory step to the severance of
Canada from Its British connection. and the