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 ^>JUB1LEE ESSAY<- 
 
 -ON- 
 
 Imperial Qonfederation 
 
 AS AlKECTINO 
 
 ODjANirpOBA AND riiHE I?,OI^aiHWBBTi. 
 
 BY COL. P. H. ATTWOOD. 
 
 ^'-A.iaT I. 
 OUR PROVINCIAL AtrrONOMY. 
 
 THE QUESTION OF RACE, 
 
 :^.a.:rt III. 
 
 THE FINAL DISPOSITION OF THE 
 
 C. P. AND H. B, RAILWAYS. 
 
 WINNIPEG : 
 IVIniiitoltn Frcp Press Print. 
 
 JUNE, 1887. 
 
 
PART 1ST. 
 
 Ill (lc9iLMiii»Lr a permanent V)uil(Hn<r, tlui "killed aroliitent 
 stiivt^s todisiilay, not only tlic fcM'tility of his iina<^in;uion Ity 
 |»n)dii(;ino; liannony of outline, Itnt he also blonds tin.' ]»ractieal 
 wiili tlio beautiful in liis (iudeavorn to produce on tlie mind 
 of the casual ol 'server tlic most pleasint;^ eli'ect. Ho also sees 
 to it, tbaf the structural adaptation from foundation to finish 
 is such as to be bo^^ond tlie criticism of his prv>lossional com- 
 peers : he leaves notinng to chance, he tal;es uotbinj}^ for 
 i^rantcd ; but all his details are worked out so perfectly 
 that, should the final construction fail to tlie lot of another, no 
 member, however minute, will have to be supplied by his suc- 
 cessor. 
 
 In like manner, and witli the oamosoli.'itude, should those 
 who arc charged with the responsibility of crcatinjf and 
 securing our national being seidc to lay its foundation in right- 
 ousness, i)erpetuity and peace; no that when the keystone of 
 our destiny, now so near completion, shall have crowned our 
 hopes and thoroui;h I}- fused us with national life; when all 
 props and extei'ioi inliuences shall have been withdrawn, our 
 Empire will be a thing of beauty and a joy forever. 
 
 The indcv iinsjer of public sentiment throuu'hout Great 
 Britain and her dependencies ovid' ntly indicates a change in 
 the relations which they liave hitlierto borne towards each 
 other, tlie tendency fieing to link themselves together by an 
 insoluble bond of mutual <lependency. They are moved to .say 
 with one of old, "For whither thou goest I will go, and where, 
 thou lodgest I will lodufc; thy peoj)le shall be my peo[>le, and 
 thy (Jod my (Jod " a iidelity which being chastened by time, 
 and ripened by experience, will (jualify them to stand through- 
 out all time, side by side and shoulder to shoul lor, not as 
 [lareut and otfspring, as foi'mi}rly, but as equals in power, 
 ])rowess and eouncil. 
 
 The coming change, though still ia the inceptive sta,to, is 
 engaging the attention of y.'nno of the best minds in both lic- 
 misphere.s. Men of liigh attainments, both political and social, 
 arc api)roaching its consideration with honesty of purpose and 
 
hiL,'h resolve, and it bjconics the <ltity of all patriotic men to 
 contribute thoii" luoiety of thoiij^'ht, and to .sui)niit for conside- 
 ration suoli subjeotH as will constitute the basis of such settlo- 
 mcnt. 
 
 The religious and social future of our people liavin^i,' Ixien 
 vv'orked out on tacitly ackno\vledi,'ed lines suitabUi to their 
 times and circunistanees, and beiiiLT fairly well established, will 
 riHjuirc hut little attention but to accftrd l)y Imperial dt^cree, to 
 all :iect'ons and communities their political rights without 
 causinij undue friction or ostracism, will indeed be a hercidean 
 task, worthy th«i most })rofound efforts of our national archi- 
 tects. 
 
 It wouM be presumptuous for any man or set of men from 
 any given locality to foraiulatf a system ]»y which such a granfl 
 conception can \k'- materili/cd, or to attempt to solve so difticult 
 a ]iroblen) as that of Imperial Federation. Such a solution 
 can only be the result of wise counsel by many men, from 
 different standpoints; l)ut in view of what may be, it will be 
 well to lake time by the forelock, and discuss to some extent, 
 liow, with our present autonomy, such a change would be like- 
 ly to effect the future of the Northwest generally, but more 
 especially the Province of Manitoba, 
 
 It having bec(jme an axiom in politics that large corpora- 
 tions move slowly, and that constitutional changes are only 
 amongst the ]>ossibilitics, it will be well to consider, whether 
 or no, hi case of such consolidati')n, our Manitoban autonomy 
 possesses such sovereign i)0wers, such buoyancy and freedom of 
 action, as will enable us to accomnujdate ourselves to our altered 
 circumstances in 'elation to either federal or Imperial jtowcr, 
 and if complications of any kind are within the range of the 
 possibilities, to look them scjuarcly in the face and piovidc for 
 their prevention. In doing so, it will be well to remember 
 that Manitoba has never been constitutionally admitted to 
 confederation, inasmuch as the fourteen thousand loyal resident 
 British subjects who at the time of its admission to tlie unit)n 
 were practically a sovereign power exercising constitutional 
 rights both political and judicial, un.ler the name of the 
 goverumenD of Assinib.tia, were never considted or recognized 
 in respect to it, as provided by the Jlritisli North America 
 Act; but instead, the now twice notoiious Louis Riel, wlio had 
 uidawf'ully overthrown the local government, and taken po- 
 session of its seat, was by virtue of his usurpation and 
 
men to 
 
 coTisidc- 
 
 •h settlo- 
 
 nng be on 
 t() their 
 shod, will ■ 
 (li'.creo, to 
 ; without 
 hovculoan 
 lal archi- 
 
 ■ men fvoui 
 uh a i^'i'and 
 sodiftit'iilt 
 a s()h\lion 
 \w\\, ivoni 
 .^ it v'ill be 
 )nie e stent, 
 mill be like- 
 Init move 
 
 M-c corpora- 
 are only 
 
 o 
 
 er, whether 
 ,n autonomy 
 d freedom of 
 ;0 our altered 
 )erial \K)VVcr, 
 -ange of the 
 provide for 
 to remember 
 
 admitted to 
 loyal resident 
 , to the union 
 conBtitutional 
 
 name of the 
 
 ov reco!j;nized 
 orth Aineriea 
 
 tliel, who had 
 ,i,.d taken po- 
 aurpatiou and 
 
 through the influence of Ins abettors— of whom ii\ore here- 
 after — pcrmitti^.d to ])res(!ribe tin; tei'ins of a<hni.s.sioii;' and, to 
 use the words of the Hon. John Noi(|uay, in liis nianterly 
 and patriotic budget speech of April HJth, 18SV, "if tlie truth 
 imist 1)0 told, Manitoba was forced into confederation, figura- 
 tively speaking, at the point, of the bayonet." The baneful 
 effect of such a method has ever since been f(jlt asahiudrnnoe 
 to the full and healthy development of the country, and not- 
 withstanding the marvelous growth which has charaoterized 
 the a<xc, there is a canker at the heart which sooner or later 
 will have to be removed, and which it becomes our duty ncjw 
 to lay bare and to iK)int out. 
 
 As ajxuido to our conclusions, and in duo coursi' of seek- 
 ing the prompt recognition of our claims to free agency, we 
 have only to review the history of the ])oininion since Con- 
 federation to realize the necessitv of so socuriur aivl a-linstiii" 
 our thoovotical,as well as our practical rights, that the volition 
 of any other will than our own cannot disturb the peace and 
 haruKmy of the Province. Instances are not wanting, both 
 east and west, where certain foreign and anti-Jhitish clementH 
 have become restive under l''ed<;ral rule; and because of their 
 holding a sot of exclusive ])reconcei\ed opinions, have clam- 
 oured for privileges and considerations of various kinds, to the 
 prejudice of their fellow subjects — privileges which have 
 neither been sought nov accorded to other portions of tiie ])eo- 
 plo. These demands have had to be ap])eased by th<» luhiicat- 
 ing process of grants and subsidies, and these, not ixi proj)oition 
 to the numerical or elective strength of the disatfeeted ones, 
 but in pro[)ortion to their ability to clog the governmental 
 machinery at the point of their political intluence. 
 
 Taking it for granted that in their porha})s pardonable 
 haste to condone a troa.sonable offense, the Dominion Govcnn- 
 mont, directly under the inspiration of the same power that pre- 
 cipitated the rebellion of 180!*, overlooked or forgot the re- 
 cognized government of Assiniboia, and by so doing sowed 
 the seeds of discontent, whicli have never since been eradica- 
 ted, and that they intlicted a serious wrong against the exer- 
 cise of British constitutional rights, as established by the 
 primitive government of tfiat day, it is not too late yet for the 
 people of Manitoba, through their Legislature, to fall back on 
 first: }>rinciplos and declare that it will be undigniliod in them, 
 and unjust to future generations, to bo negatively carried along 
 by the current of events, and by a guilty indilierence, tacitly 
 
cousont to fix for all time the cotuMiin;at powers of Manitoba 
 as at prusont c >nstitutt;'l, in coiiip.uison with those of the 
 other Province.^ of the Dominion. 
 
 To sccuro to this Pr^»vince all the riu-'hts exercised by the 
 ori'^inal <'i)vornin(mt, niul which ha^ e nevei- been forfeitfj.l or 
 barten'.ilaway, but only lU'erHhadoweil for the time bein;^ i»y 
 a. superior power, it will be necessary to lefer to them, aii<l the 
 Jisoovcuy \!i male that voars before the rebellion i>f 18()!> it es- 
 tabiislieii and eoiititdled the law relative <.o lands in the Pro- 
 vince; that it prescrib.Ml tile aiuDunt of duties ti> be paid by 
 forei^^n ountrie.s, and matie provisidn ^i)V tiie colbnition of the 
 same ; that it exercised sovereign jurisdiction over all oourta, 
 civil anil criminal; that it created all ollices, and appoiiitijd all 
 ofUecrs ; that it provided the means and niiinnei' by which all 
 revenue sliould be levied, collected and disbursed ; that it rc- 
 coLjni/ied the flag of the IjUipire, and that in all ways the peo- 
 ple lived in respect to the laws of Great Uritain, and that by 
 no a.;t of theirs, nor of tlie D>)minion or Frnpiiriai (.tovci'iiment, 
 has that of Assitiiboia been eKtinguished »<r ab(ilislied,«»n!y over- 
 sliadowod. Tluse are strong grounds to tak(;, bnt they are 
 <'onstitutional, and if projjerly represented to tlie Privy Conn- 
 cii of" Great Britain, wonhJ, witliont doubt, be sustained. As- 
 suming then that such is the fact, and that the u,mn of i'ro- 
 vineial sovereignty lies hidden somewhere beneath the accu- 
 nmlated histt)r} of a few short 3'eavs, will it b(; wi.se to allows 
 such a precious presence to lay dishonoured at a time wiien its 
 assertion would give fresh ini])etus and direction to our nation- 
 al life ? Manitoba has a. grand iuture in stoic, but it is >.tair- 
 goring under it.s load of disabilities, ami, notwithstanding all the 
 ■whij)[»ing and s|)urring, Haunting of llags,jingo speeches, and 
 sputtt'r, yet like an iiibtinctive race hoi'se, who feels himself 
 ]iandica]>]>ed, it refuses to take tlie bit, but :«ta.ndH chninping 
 and pawing, watching the time when it can rush to its destiny 
 on equal terms with its sister provinces. 
 
 If the foregoing premi.ses are coirect, the rcnK.'dy is a|»- 
 pareiit, and we must lead up to it without hesitation. We 
 must have : 
 
 1st — The right t(» enjoy the constitutional pri\ileges and 
 attributes of a sovereign power so ftir as having absolute juris- 
 diction over our own revenue ; the ap])oin»nK>nt of all public 
 servants of whatever kind, and the control of a,ll our internal 
 affa^r^. the same as was enji)yed by the original government of 
 Asbiniboia. 
 
2rKl — That liaviuL,' boon (lcj)riviMl cil" oiir lake front l)y tlu; 
 lU'cision of U(M- Mnjcsty award'mt,' tin* (lis|«!ite(l territory to 
 Oiitaiio, wi! should .seek an equivalent hy an extension of 
 boinnlary northward to the shoivs of Hudson's liay. 
 
 3rd— The al»s-»lnte control of all the undisposed of land 
 within the boundaries ho extended. 
 
 4th — A fair and ('(juitable conijtensatum, in money or 
 otherwise, A)r all the lands disposed of within the said bound- 
 aries by the J)(»uiinion (Jovernniont, save that given for home- 
 steads iind pre-emptions to actnal settlers. 
 
 5th — Representation in the Senate ami Conimons of the 
 Dominion in proportion to the material interests of the Pro- 
 vince as compared with the other I'rovinoes, till such time as 
 it can enter on terms of eipiality njum the basts of representa- 
 tion by population. 
 
 (jth — The unconditional rijfht to charter railways in any 
 direction within the boundaries f>f the Province. 
 
 7th — And lastly, the settlement of all accounts current on 
 bu.sines.s principles, dating from the unlawful overthrow of the 
 Government of Assiniboia to the present time. 
 
 These rights re-established, an<l the suspended life of the 
 Oovfrnment of Assiniboia reeogni/ed, it will then bein(»rder 
 to deetare that the link of legisjativ*.' succession is restored, and 
 that whilst heartily favoiable to a union with both Federal 
 and Imj'orial powers for all purposes of offence, defence and 
 cf)nnnere(;, yet it nmst be on a le-adjusted basis, having the 
 full consent of the loyal inhabitants of th(> Province to eenuint 
 the terms. We shall then have an in<lividmi.lity of our own ; 
 our allegience will not rie a subsidary one, obtained undeigau- 
 zey pretenses, but it will bo the free-will obligation of ]mtrif>tic 
 ])eopI(r. We shall then pifsent rlie grand s]HH;taclc of one of a 
 connnunity of dependencies, each on its <twn Iteliaif, ebi.steri»ig 
 our hopes and aspirations around the magnetic pole of t])e 
 Krnpire, not fis fragmentary, un}»olislied parts of tlie national 
 structure, but "fitly joined together as evory part supplieth." 
 
 As the natural result of this change of relations, the 
 Federal |)o\vers will be restrained to a largo extent, each l-*ro- 
 vince will contiibute a fixed sum per capita for Federal pur- 
 poses, instead of as at present emptying it.s eotfei's, and ])our- 
 ing its w^ealth into the general treasury, and then, instead of 
 our having to humiliate ourselves and our public men in en- 
 
i 
 
 ofnijin!,' in |toi'io(lieal l)fittl('s with the Rutiioiitits, luot to foot, 
 and knco to knw, i'ov .Ik; pniposc of wni.stiriLj a fragnn'nt of 
 our own contriltiiLion from tlio coniirion purse, w(> sliall l.»o in 
 tlu; liaf>|)y |)()>sition of (li},pL'nsorH inatead of reeciverH. This 
 is the only position wliich comports with the dignity of a frco 
 poo])l(\ All otlior (ujnditions tend to Huliscrvit-nc}', and later 
 on to servility, and Hnally to difseontont anti anarchy. 
 
 To make the ease cleni', and to realize tlie future* position 
 of the Province, it will l>e necessary to look at the (inancial as 
 well as thf political nisult of such a change. Frnin n 
 state of inert dr]i(Miden(,'e, without resounjcs, a conditi'iu iti- 
 concoivnliiy intolei'uhle to an enterjirl;ing pcoj)ie who are sur- 
 round"d hy the material woulfh of this i^reat heritag*', an<i 
 from heino^ the recii)ients of a subsidy of $i5O,(K)0 per annum 
 from all sources, with the po.ssihility of an inereaHc in the far 
 off future to Sf'.OO.OOO, the Province would then expajid into 
 a sovereif^nty, assuming to hear all its own burdens, besides 
 bearing its share in the expense of the Feileral Government. 
 
 Out of the 0<i,()0(>,0()0 acres of land within the present 
 boundaries of Manitoba, it has recently been shown that after 
 conceding all the deuuinds and deducti(»ns of the I^Y'deral (Jov- 
 venmirnt, there would still be (i,000,(>00 acres of first-class ara- 
 ble laud left to the Provinee, which, sold at SI. 50 per acre and 
 the pro('eeds caj)italized at five per cent., would yield a per- 
 petual income of >51<.')(),00(). The proceeds of tunber sales at a 
 low estimate would be $120,000. 
 
 Fotimating the ])opidation as at present, 05,000, and mak- 
 ing an approximate com])utation upon the amount of duty jmid 
 on goods that enter the Province, t^]ie custom.^- d<'i)artment 
 would yield a revenue of not less than ?!S0O,OOO. The excise 
 dej artmonts, estimated on the above basis, would net Ji?'22r),000. 
 Those sources of income would foot up the very creditable 
 sum of i?l,r.0ri,OO(). Add to that the various rev(:nues deriva- 
 ble from the taxation of permissible enterprises of various 
 kinds, and we realize in prospect a very handsome balance 
 every year to be exjjcnded in local improvements, such sum 
 amounting in all, to not less than $2,000,000. 
 
 To give etleet to the foregoing outline, and in order to capi- 
 talize the value! of our [uiblic lands, active measures would 
 have to be instituted with the view to emigi-ation, and whereas 
 at present tht^re is no incentive to our Government to increase 
 our population, in fact it has been shown to be rather the other 
 
way. tlien the object w<>ul«l be two-fold — the realization ut' 
 casli, ari'l iiiten!st-ln'ann^ snniritieR— and thn introduction of 
 pcrluiiKS .several million tax [>roiiucers, whoso iiulii.stry would 
 still further suell the provincial exclietjuor, fiy a furtlier re- 
 ference to the justly I'anious and patriotic budget s))coeh ot our 
 prcniior, the Hon John Norquay, of 1884, the contrast is 
 vividly shown. When Kpoaking t»f the Federal iiunn..';ratioii 
 policy, and its etieets on this eountry, ho «<ay,s : 'Their ininii- 
 <;rjitioa poli(!y. while tr-ndingto build tip tlu; Dominion, do»s 
 so in. an eMpeciul uianuor at. the expiMiwe of this l'r<ivinec, Kach 
 new Hottlor within our limits becomes at rnce a revenue pro- 
 dueor for Oaruida, and a tax on the re-nurces ot Manitoba, 
 which has not been enabled to carry out th(! objects of govern- 
 ment, as the I'tlx'r provinces are enabled, b}' th(( assistanee of 
 the Federal authorities to earry oiit. (Hoar, hear.) Who gets 
 the foes for the sale of our land ? The Fedeial UovernuKmt. 
 Who pockets the excise and customs duties raise<l by the Pro- 
 vince, ihities largely incre<i.sed, as I hav(> said, by (>very addi- 
 tional settler ' The Federal Government. We bear the bur- 
 don, they draw the r* v'onuo, an anangement altogether too 
 one-sidoil for us. (Hear, hear.; There should surely be some 
 sort of proporti(jn between oin* lovenue and oui iv'sponsibjlities, 
 as oui' population inrivaso."' so should be oui' power of provid- 
 ing for the wants of that ])oi»ulation. (Cheer.s. ) " 
 
 The abo\e noble and patriotic utterances, coming as they 
 do from the highest ropiesentativc of this people, and lieing 
 doubtless, the result of much earetul and well-digestetl tho--ght, 
 may fairly })e said to comprehend, in an exceclingly condensed 
 form, the whole contention of this I'n -'ince. They imj)ly 
 what every one of the Anglo-Saxon race should claim, tliat 
 revenue from land, timber, and minerals legitimately belongs 
 to the community in which they are placed, and that any di- 
 version from such purpose produces stmined reiaticns, creative 
 of di.scontent and paralysis. 
 
 That this view ol the ease as presented by the Hon- 
 John Noiquay, met with universal approval, and was accepted 
 as an earnest of future legislation on that fiuestion, is atti sted 
 by its electric effect upon tin; people, and by the entire subsi- 
 dence of an unseendy agitat)on which at that time swept 
 aero.ss the surface of this otherwi.se trancpiil and peace-lovin<^ 
 Province, 
 
PART 2ND. 
 
 i 
 i' • 
 
 However reluctantly the task of tliscvissiiui; tiie ([lu^stioti 
 oC'llaee" may bo ajM^roached, yet candor and jtistico, to tliis 
 suliject, seem r.o dcniand that it be discuHsod in thisconiiocti'^n. 
 
 It iy therotoie out of no factious .spirit that it i^( broiiglit 
 before the pul^lio, but o)ily as one of the many undi-'rlying 
 eau.s«\s of stagnation ett'rcting this country which party poli- 
 ticiau.s cannot en^^age, with safely to tlieniselvesor the interests 
 thev advocate, but wliich nevertlieless enters largely into and 
 gives complexion to our system of rt^presentation. 
 
 It must be borne in mind, that the true ]K»litician, like the 
 faithful historian, is constrained to deal honestly with things 
 as he linds tlu!m, and as he is not sup[)oscd to have conti'ibu- 
 tedmal' rially to their existence, so he cannot be responsible to 
 an}' great extent for their conse(|uen('es ; this being admitted, 
 it becomes his dut}^ ni due course to exi)ose any lurking evil 
 wliich impedes or disturbs the natural functions of the body 
 politic. 
 
 Tills is tin? only a]iology ibr referring to and bringing to 
 notice that invidious and vexed (question of "Race," which will 
 form the subject of the next few paragraj^hs. 
 
 Theoretically, according to British constitutional law, 
 wherever the Hag of our country is unfurled, it dlfrries with it 
 liberty and more especially equality of rights to the citizen, 
 and whether its folds encircle the overflow of other nationali- 
 ties or that of the mother countiy only, we extend to all the 
 light luuiil of fellowship and in the fullness of our heart, 
 those who are aliens by birth are quickly transformo<i into 
 subjects of Her Britannic Majesty, and invited without coer- 
 cion to blend tludr ettbrts with ours according to their re- 
 spective lights for the public weal. But])ractically, and whilst 
 it is true that a very large proportion of those of foi-eign ex- 
 traction loyallj' ^'ie with us and with each other in ujtholding 
 our coHunon langiuige, modes and habits, to the extir.guish- 
 ment of their own, and all}'' themselves honestly with one or 
 other of the political parties for the good of the whole, yet the 
 French people, k)th here and in Quebec, still maintain their 
 
national exclusiveness, and foi purposes of ilicir own are as 
 e.NMcntially the same poo])lc now as w lien they left tluiir fatlier- 
 luml, eentinie.s aij^o, and thoiit]i;li tliev have been so Ion*; with 
 * US, yet they arc not of us. Tlie thoiiu:ht of "Iniperial France" 
 with its historic nieniovios is, with thcni still cherished and 
 carefully cultivati-d, and whilst outwardly they confonu in 
 s( iiu- measure to our customs, and for I'easons join with us in 
 sini;ini: our National Anthem, yet tlio burden of their song is 
 "Vive La France." Their veannngs remind us to some extent 
 of the Jewish sentiment so pathetically expi-essed during tlieir 
 Baltylonish captivity, when the}' exclaimed : "If Ifoi-get thee, 
 O dcrusalem, let my right hand forg(^t her cunning. If 1 do 
 Jiot remember thee let my tongue cleave- to the roof ol my 
 mouth, if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief j(»y," 
 
 Cold indeed nnjst be the heart that refuses to pay homage 
 to the land of its foiefathers, and un worth}' his race the man 
 \vho dishonors his kindred by ingratitude or desertion. All 
 trn(^ men spurn such an one as he deserves. »St» far we may 
 w.jH hi nor the devotion of the French people ; but they shftuld 
 bear in mind that theirs is a voluntary, unsolicited surrend(>r, 
 and has its counterpart in every individual new settler who 
 joins this grand confederacy, and like as the blushing maiih^n 
 who plights her troth at the matriuKmial altar is permitted to 
 love none tlie less those of kin because of her vow, yet must 
 she love her husband more than all the wo"ld beside, so they 
 like her can l<\vally cheiish childhood's dearest memories, and 
 as the changeful realities of daily life meet them at every turn 
 they can have sweet solace to sanctify the heart like the in- 
 lluence of exjuring chimes from some distant Sal)bath bell. 
 
 Thus far Imt no farthm- can they go ; the home of theii- 
 adoption must liave ]>i'iority over all f)thers if they claim pro- 
 tection from the British Hag. This the French people have 
 not done. Theirs has been a continuous struggle for supre- 
 macy ; a cool, cahndating, insidious metliod of cairying out 
 their selfish pur[)oses ; a mixture of complaint, defiance, exul- 
 tation and intrigue far beyond the jiractice of Knglish speak- 
 ing people. They endeavor to compass ends b}' strategy and 
 united effort which others accomplish by labor and persistant 
 industry. Not satisfied M'ith enjoying rights secured by trea- 
 ty to tli(^ Province of Quebec, they an; n^jii'ating (heir histoiy 
 in this Province b}'^ ngidly drawing the dividing line of "Kace," 
 meanwhile, and without any cause, com}>laiuing that they arc 
 
!! 
 
 coiii|)eUc<l to force the ri<jlit of ordinary citizenship, when it 
 is clear that their very .system from centre to circunifereiice, 
 Itofch civil ami eeelcHiastical, isolates tiieni froiu the oidinary 
 advance of our couiuion civilization. Tliey have secured, for 
 the time being, at a very lar^^^e cost to tiie people of this Pro- 
 vince, the use of their language in the covirts and in the legis- 
 lature. The have secured a control of the electorati' entirely 
 out of [)ro|»ortion to their uunu.'rical strength, and they are 
 seizing the most availuhle points throughout this Province 
 and the Northwest as bases of operation, sucb as will in their 
 view hold the balance of power, both legi^ilative and municipal, 
 with any govennjient which, by pitjarrangenient, Nvill grant 
 their demands. In {'act, they live and move iu an atu\os[)here 
 biistlins with fancies of a distinct nationalitv, which, though 
 supiiressed, yet ever and anon come to the su!-face thiough the 
 utterances of the more incautious amongst them, as, for in- 
 stance, the following, presumably from the pun of 1 ion. A.A. La- 
 Hiviere, a member of the Provincial Govei-nment. Writin'' in his 
 l)Si\)CY,Le ManUolM, the French organ, he says: "Manitob(0 was • 
 orvjinally inUmdcd for a French Province, and H must and 
 shall he one.'' Could national di.sloyalty go farther, except to 
 appear in open revolt, wbich it did a ^(.)Vf weeks later at Fish 
 Creek and Batoehe, and j'et this organ, instead of being ques- 
 tioned for complicity, was, because of the exigence of ''Race," 
 and behest of party, quietly condoned. 
 
 In dealing with this question of "Race" from a purely 
 Provincial .standpoint, it do(3S seem like ungentnously begging 
 the <(Uestion to link in all tliB French i>f the Dominion, when 
 it is known that they of Quebec were long ago ceded certain 
 rights, the importauce of which were at the time not realized, 
 nor were their far-reaching eHorts even obscurely anticipated, 
 but which must nevertheless be respected and endured. It is, 
 however, from this very direction that danger is to be appre- 
 hended, for being a distinct people, without civil guidance of 
 their own, they have become in the truest sen.se, a vast hie- 
 rarchy, whose methods it is not for us to criticise, only in so 
 far as they effect them in their jelation to us, 
 
 This hierarclial foi'm of government as exercised by the 
 French is, practically speaking, an alternative one which, by 
 its concentration on the one hand, and by its subtlety and 
 thoroughly diffusive character on. the other hand, is more in 
 accord with their natural instincts as a peo^jle, and hence,, 
 though nominally subordinate to the Federal power, it is by 
 
13 
 
 far the stronger of the two; and without reference to their 
 intclligonco, it moves n[)on thinr social and political, as well as 
 upon their religious sympathies, and hence the great danger to 
 the State, for there can be no patriotism in the suffrage of" a 
 people who are swayed in their elective choice by the selfish 
 will of an exclusive ecclesiasticisni. 
 
 ft will now be in order to show that the attitude assigned 
 to the French 's tht; correct one. and not fanciful or given in a 
 spirit of petulent fault-finding, as may be alleged. 
 
 To do this it will only be necessary to refer the well- 
 informed reader to the various means by wh'ch they have 
 endeavored to enforce their pretentions ; how they have beert 
 as a thorn in the flesh of the Dominion (iovernment, and how 
 they have endeavored to accomplish tlicir ])ur))oses in this 
 country by chat peculiar system, the mere m(;fition of which 
 is considered a crime and an insult, but which honesty de- 
 )nands should be brouijht to notice. It is that of iustlfvino; 
 and condoning the deflections of their people through the in- 
 fluence and pleading of their prelacy. It will be remembei-ed 
 how, in I8G9, al'. the diplomatic and (jther correspondence in 
 relation to the rebel Kiel was conducted through that chan- 
 nel ; it will be remembered, too, that the constituted govern- 
 ment of Assiniboia was completely ignored, and that Kiel was 
 championed by the Fiench prelacy, even to tlie extent of be- 
 ing sent, througli their influence, to represent this people in 
 Parliament, instead of beino: made to atone on the gallow.M at 
 the time for his crimes against the State. 
 
 It is still fresh in the min^ls of all how, in the autumn of 
 1SS5, His Grace the Archbishoj) of St. IJoniface wrote one of 
 the most dee[)ly emotional, eloquent and effective a])i)eals on be- 
 half of this man and his j)eo[)le evei- written,aud which proved to 
 be the cidminating effort of his life in that direction. It did 
 honor to his great learning and ability as a s])ecial [>leadei-, 
 and wouhl, if written in defence of con.-titutional authoiity, 
 have immortalized his nauie. In reference to it, it is safe to 
 jay, that whilst we may be . disposed to pay a high tribute, 
 both to his head and h«mrt in the production of so splendid and 
 brilliatit an effort, yet docs it not striK'e the reader that this 
 supreme piece of idealism was pointed in the direction which 
 is here sought to be indicated ? 
 
 This and sinular writings and speeches througliout the Do- 
 minion created at the close of the rebellion a feeling of intense 
 
14 
 
 a^-itation amongst tlio Freiicli, and wliilsf- in this country noth- 
 ing hut the uio.st dogged silence and ajiatlietic intiiirercncK 
 seemed to prevail, yet their true nivvardncss manifested itself 
 at tiKiir indignation meetings on the " Ohanip Do Mars " at 
 Montreal and throughout the French Press of Quebec. It was 
 then that "Race and llevenge" and many other sanguinary 
 cries wore uttered, which sent a thrill of enthusiasm ainong^t 
 them. It was about then that a French armedivessel cast an- 
 chor in Quebec harbor, and they emphasized the hope that the 
 day was not far distant wIkmi not only would the "Tri Coloi'" 
 of France wave from the masthead below, but that it Avould 
 also iloat from the tlagstati' above the citadel. 
 
 The following from the pen of the Hon. Mr. Justice Lor- 
 an;.jer in his letters on the Federal Constitution is iriven with- 
 out comment as mdicatnig the extent to which they feel in- 
 debted to ns for British fair play, and certainly justifi-'s the 
 position taken in these j>ages. His opening sentences ai'o : — 
 
 *' During the past century cf British rnle, the French race 
 in Canada has Itecn through man}' political crises and has 
 fought many constitutional battles. It has, however, come out 
 iriamplumt and averted the dangers that threatened it. The 
 antagonism resulting from different institutions, traditions, 
 languages and religious l)eliefs — irresistible where people of va- 
 rious origins dwell in the same territory — which influences 
 them sometimes without their knowledge, and often against 
 their will, has niale the position of this race an exceptional 
 one in the nddst o'i the Anglo-Saxon population of the C(jii- 
 federation. The rivalry of races is the same as that which 
 existed under former regimes but on a lorger scale. Though 
 tempered by the good feeling existing between the Provinces 
 and dii^guwc.d by the apjxiroit cordlalii;/ of their relations, 
 none the less exists, and wdienever special circumstances give 
 rise to a conriict between interest and friendly feeling, vvill 
 certainly bi-eak out. That which occurred in the past may 
 occur in the future, the multiplicity of political incidents and 
 the complication of interests thereby occasioned render it 
 morally certain. Frejich-Canadians shoidd, under the now 
 ri^gime as they did under the old, see \\'ith j^'cdoivs care to the 
 maintenaiice of their national rights, the preservation of their 
 political autonomy, combat and prevent any aggression that 
 may disturb thes ) guarantees. The anomaly of our situation 
 with respect to us even changed the signification of the terms 
 of public law. Political union which for other nations means 
 
 -?v^ 
 
16 > 
 
 increased force, natural dovolopnient and concentration of au- 
 thorit}, means for iis feel>lene.ss, isolation and menace, and 
 icgi.slative union, political absorption." 
 
 EnouLi'li has now been said on this point to show how im- 
 possible it Is to dovetail two distinct nationahties together, 
 each havini; an individuality to maintain; at best such an 
 union must produce a liydra-headed monster of government 
 such as can never command the respect and devotion of the 
 several i-aces to whom this country is open as a lefuge from 
 the evils and, in some cases, the oppressions of the older States. 
 
 It is inconceivable that we should make any exceptiim on 
 beiialf of those who are ever ready, according to their own 
 showing, to ])lace, as* it were, a magazine under our national 
 jtructure and explode it on the slightest pretext. 
 
 There is but one remedy, and that is apparent. We must 
 be one peo|)le, with one sentiment and one language. .\ny 
 other than our own n\ust be abolished from our legislature, 
 from our courts, from our statutes, and fr(.»m our ])ublic schools. 
 
 We must have re])resentation by population, pure and 
 simple, and if we wouhl be a hapi>y, prosjKjrous, contented, 
 and a cheaply govei-ned people, all national lines must be foi'- 
 evor extinfruished. 
 
PART 3RD. 
 
 f! 
 
 ■Jl 
 
 II 
 
 One 'tf the lmrniMg<[iK'.st.ions at present agitating tin; peo- 
 ple ol' this Province is di.sallowanco. so called. . • 
 
 It eousists in the ritrht of the Dominion CovenunrTit to an- 
 
 I'll • 
 
 nul lailway eharters grantcl hy the legislature, 'runninL,' in a 
 .southerly liirectirtn tw (umneet with American reads at tin; 
 boundary, and thus bring them into direct competition with 
 the C'anadian Pacific Railway, which, by its charter, has se- 
 cured within certain bounds a monopoly of the carrying trailo 
 of this Country for twenty years from the date of its issue. 
 
 It is not relevant here to stop and C()n.sider the various 
 contentions which are advancci either for or against disallow 
 ance. It is enough for us to know that a condition of things 
 exist winch arc undesirable and s cry generally regretted, and 
 if the truth must be tuid, veiy badly \niderstood by our ])eo- 
 ple, wIkj, in their frantic etibrts to secure an opening to the 
 south, seem to have forgotten t,he infinitely greater necessity 
 of railway communication to the north via Hudson's Bay. The 
 early construction of this road would render the present con- 
 tention a ni^'th ; it wouLi result in a " change of fi-ont, " and 
 iin[)art a vigor to this country that caiuiot now be estimated. 
 
 Different men may and do ascribe different causes as con- 
 tributing to oui- present inertia, and disalh'wance is doubtless 
 one of then), because if it means nothhig else it implies inabili- 
 ty to exercise the will power, which is the life stream of a fi'ee 
 people. But on en(iuiry it will be seen that the great draw- 
 back does not arise from that, because even an inci'cased num- 
 ber of railways does not always mean competition for freights; 
 for they, like all large corporations, have their methods even in 
 their dilferences, and com})ine against the public by pooling 
 their earnings. More especially will this probably be the case 
 if but one other line is ailmitted to the country. 
 
 It does not seem to be because the Province has not a 
 sufficiency of railway service, as we have already nine hundred 
 miles of iirst-elass road, capaltle of doing twenty times the 
 carrying trade we are able to offer ; and until tlie land on 
 
 I. ! 
 
17 — 
 
 oitlior side is settled and partially cultivnlcd for a distance of 
 at liiast twenty miles, it cannot he (jonsidi'icd ,,s beinj^ inac- 
 cessible to the {leople, or to iiavc failed in rciidcrinf^ eltlcicnt 
 service to the extent c<»nt(!nded for — that of requiring the in- 
 troduction of either foreign lines or an increased number of 
 «nn own. 
 
 It does not seem to he on account of the rigorous climate, 
 or the length of our winti^rs. Ab-n fr<)in all ])arts of the world 
 are conijreijated here, and he is \et to bo f<Mind who does not 
 pi'efer the dear l)i"aeing atmosphere of our m mter, and the 
 uniform temperature of our summer, to that either to the east, 
 west or south of us. 
 
 Jt do»'s ui t seem to be because of the scarcity of timber 
 and find, not fi'igctting our inexhaustilile peat beds, or miner- 
 als of all kinds, including petroleum. These are ail around us 
 u) immense .'supply. 
 
 It does not seem to be because of the lack of fertility in 
 the soil, for nature seems to have excelled hei-self in this last 
 great effort at production, as has now been clearly demonstra- 
 ted to the world. 
 
 It is fjot because, food, clothing, implements, machinery 
 and the like are inaccessible, and beyond the purchasing [)0wer 
 of ordinary men. 
 
 Then what is it ? 
 
 It is manifestly because we have mistaken and refused 
 our destiny, and have attempted to revei-se the order of things 
 b}'' becoming a commercial people instead of })rodueing wealth 
 from the resources around us. We have attempted the status 
 of mature life, and have depended on a continuous influx of 
 capital for all purposes, when we ought to have created it by 
 cultivating the soil, by producing the reriuirements and even 
 luxuries of life from t!ie invitini: elements around us. We 
 should long since iiave ceased to Jeai on the older Pi'ovinces 
 for many things w'hich W(; can produce at less cost, and in far 
 greater abundance, than they. In other words, we should have 
 developed our own powers fofall purposes, instead of depend- 
 ing on that with capital obtained. We have prcwi led all tlie 
 appliances of a great people without the necessary reserve force 
 to keep up the strain. 
 
 The reactionary absorption arising out of the cost of trans- 
 portation has naturally produced the intermediate services of 
 
 
18 
 
 a host of merchants and traders, whost; numljors are tar in 
 excess of (jiir powc.T to .siistnin. This drain iipoiiotir re.soiirces 
 is consequent upon our gn^it distance tV(»in thb markets of the 
 world, but it ncvertheh^.ss obstructAS tlio free action of the pio- 
 (Uicer by largely reducing the value of his slender output, and 
 adding materially to the value of those vast supplies so neces- 
 sary to e({uip ev(>n in a moderatti way the artizan or agricul- 
 tinist wh(j, up to the present, have been the only producers of 
 wealth. 
 
 This absorption of tlie earnings of the people has given un- 
 due ])rominenc,e to our commercial interests at the expense of 
 the indtisti-ial, and has odered, apparently, a more rapid 
 and attractive avenue to the acquisition of wealth. We have 
 by our own haml refused our liestiuy, and thereby delayed 
 indefinitely the more permanent develo{)ment of our vast re- 
 sources, and produced the present paralysis. 
 
 Adopting the above tijeory, and with(jut adverting to the 
 various opinions in respect to this country, many of which are 
 advanced at a venture by those who know nothing at .all about 
 it, the reader is asked whether it has ever occurred to him that 
 the Canadian Paeitic and the fludson's [5ay Railwa3's — one 
 having been and the other about to be built principally either 
 by the direct contribution or upon the credit of the people — 
 should not be like our rivers and inland waters, owned and 
 operated as a public liighway at the cheapest rate for the con- 
 venience and enrichment of the people. 
 
 If this idea is fully grasped, it will be seen how little 
 there is to be either lost or gained by the retention or extin- 
 guishment of the uiono))oly clauses of the C.P.R, charter, more 
 especially after th'> attitude of non-intercourse assumed by the 
 the Americans on the iishery dispute, 
 
 The adopt ion of these roads by the people would change the 
 whole future aspect of this Province and the Northwest, inas- 
 much as, if the freight rates were divested of their glamour and 
 uncertainty, and j)roperl} adjusted by experts on ascertaine<l 
 principles, the existence or non-existence of tlu; monopoly 
 clauses, and protection or non-protection in the way of tai-itf, 
 would be very uniaqiortant factors in estimating recij)rocity 
 with the States, oi* railway connection with their lines We 
 would be in a position to defy eonij^etion. We should tJien 
 be a people b}' ourselves, and could say in the truest sense of 
 the woi-d, 'Canada for Canadians. 
 
tn order to Icail up to tlui loopusal at issuo, it may bo 
 oliservcnl that Great lU'itairi in times gotto liy, antici|iatin'^ a 
 UuHsian ailvancc u|>.>ri her Kast Indian jMis.se.s.sioii.s, and fuar- 
 iii!^ that lier route in their deienee, by way of the Sue/, canal, 
 mi^lit, through some unlort'een comphcatioitby the (K)\vors, })o 
 di>[)uted at such an inconvenient time, expoided large sums 
 of money in searching for a Noithvvtjst Passage, as a means of 
 reaclung the east by the v/est more diicctly and fsuruly than 
 round by the (Jai»o. Her efforts in that tlirection failed, and 
 it was not till Canadian enterprise eame to her rescue by con- 
 btruetlng tlie C IMl. fi'oin ocean to ocean that she has secured 
 the long sought for Northwest . assugr, or a direct route to 
 India and the east through her own possessions. 
 
 The mother e<juntrv has not failed to reco:x?iiw the im- 
 portanco of the service.- thus rendered, and acting on her ti'a- 
 ditional doctrine that ' the gods lielj) those who help them- 
 selvt;s, " she is about to const rut^t frontier deletices <jn the 
 iJrltish Columbian coast for the jiurpose of securing for all time 
 the militaiy highway {\\\\> loyally opened \\\) to her by a de- 
 voted and patriotic; ])eo])le. 
 
 Taking it foj* granted that the C. P. R. is the long souglit 
 for Northwest passage, and that its acquisition is of })aramount 
 inii)ortanco to (Jieat Britain, not only as a means of gaining 
 easy access to, and of defending her e;istern [lossessions, but 
 also of bindin<v us in the truest sense of the word to the jjreat 
 codl'ederacy, is it visionaiy to pnjpose that she, in the abund- 
 ance of hei wealth, should contribute ot hei means to attain 
 full possession of tins road, and place it undei* efficient govern- 
 ment control — the H. B, H. following in Jue course — for the 
 benefit of the peojile. 
 
 It is nothing new in eiviliz(Hl jurisjirudence to reverse the 
 vested rights of the individual for the benefit of society as a 
 whole — or, to accept the dogma, "the greatest got)d tor the 
 greatest number" — when such is shown to be a necessity. Tliis 
 idea is ra))idly gaining ground, and when judiciously exercis- 
 ed, is pu>ductive of the very best vesidts. It applies ((jually 
 to large as well as to small corporations. The following are 
 cases in point : 
 
 Great Britain, recognizing the great importance of tele- 
 graphy, and realising tin.' friction and extortion arising from 
 excessive charges inflicted by private companies, determined 
 
/ 
 
 at ono swoop to i»l>litorat<' tlunj, uml to assume the wliolo .sys- 
 tem ill tlio naiiio of tlic jn'oplo. To do this it hocairM' lucossa- 
 rv to |»av pii\ ate i.>ntDi"|irisr one, htinilre<] and (sifjhty-tivti ndl- 
 lion dolhirs as tho imrciiase [)ii(*«.' ; l>tit inst \id i>iLuniiiig mon- 
 opolist and di'ivin^ tlie people to the wall, she reduced tho 
 price ot'tratismissioa from 25 ets for ten words to 12! cts for 
 twont}' wor<l;, or (jxactly oxw. (juaitor the; fonnor eost, and al'- 
 ter ti.akint^ tlie late uniform throni^dioiit tiie eountry, they aio 
 enahled to pay 5 per cent, per ainium on capital and to cioato 
 a ninkinj^ fund which, in thirty years, will pay off th(! princi- 
 pal and leave tiftee.n n)illion dollars in reserve. But the direct 
 iinaneial results to the nation are Inita small part of the bene- 
 tit deiived, when convenience, cheapness and tmiforniity arc 
 considered, in ad<liti(m to the enoinioiisly increased volume of 
 business and the many happy manifestations of contidencc in 
 that inimitable government. 
 
 Another instance, equally striking, is found in the city of 
 Birniini^ham, Kii£(land. One diificulty after another arose 1h;- 
 tween tlie corporation and the gas and waterworks company, 
 till it was deteiuiincd under what is knov/n as the borough 
 improvement scheme, to buy cnit the i)rivate corporation and 
 assume control. To efi'ect this responsibility, the city paid 
 thirty millions of dollars in order to test the now exploded 
 idea that none but private corporations can succeed Hnaneially 
 with public work^. The tirst act of thi; city council was to 
 reduce the price of that great essential, water, to a mei'e nt)mi- 
 nal figure, and to reduce the ))rice of gas fn^m S7 cts. ))cr thou- 
 sand to bo cts. The best results have ^'(dlowed. The income 
 })ay.s a good interest on capital. The city owns and controls 
 thisgn^at enterprise, the people are satislied because they are 
 well served, and it is conceded that Birmingham is the clean- 
 est, best lightetl and l)est governed manufacturing town in 
 England. Time would fail if it were undertaken to .show that 
 co-oi'cration is the only just and finally .safe method of con- 
 ducting the above and such like enterprises, for be it remem- 
 bered that all the.5e and such like arc but co-oj)eration on a 
 large scale. 
 
 It has been ascertained from official sources that the avoi'- 
 age cost of freight from all points on Canadian railways does 
 not e.Kceod Sl.3o per ton, and taking this astou nding .state- 
 ment, if true, as the next starting point, what is it that sug- 
 gests itself to the thoughtful mind ? Simply this : that upon 
 
tliis piiiuM|»lf of avcraiT.' c«».st, if the C. P, R and tho pvoposod 
 II. !Ml. woiT owirmI l.y tlu.' poojtU' ail. I some uniform paviTig 
 rato based upon tlir uverai:*! eariiliijjfs, hotli for passen- 
 gers and frci^^ht, from all points on a sonu'wliat similar 
 |)riiiciplo as our post offirt', or the Englisli telegraph system, it 
 would make but little ditferenci* what j)art of tht» Dominion 
 people ehosf, fcr a home, as i^oographieal space would hv. prae- 
 (ically annildlated, and all would le ecpii-distant from the 
 markets of the wond, both for sales and ptitchascjH. There 
 would then ho no such thinj;- as congestion of society at cen- 
 tral points, for people woidd he no longer afraid to distribute 
 themselves anywhere in the Dominion, aecordin;^ to their 
 convenience or choice, knowing; that the central advantages 
 now enjoyed in our larg*^ cities would all be dissolved untle»" 
 the vi\ ifying etl'ects of a uniform rate of transportation. The 
 ])Pople of this Province would then be as near the coal tields 
 of Lethbridge, Saskatchewan and elsewhere, as those at Medi- 
 cine Pat ; the manufacturers of Montreal, Toronto or London 
 would be as near the farmers and merchants at (.'algary tus 
 they are those of Winnipeg or lirandon ; aiid vice oerm, the 
 farmers and producers of this ciiuntry would be as near the 
 markets of the wo)ld as their brethien of the Eastern Pro- 
 vinces. Under the imjietus thus given to agricultural and 
 other industries, the efieet would be almost electrical. 
 
 This would no longer be the (Jrcat Lone Land of the 
 idealist and poet, but one teeming with life and business ac- 
 tivity, . , 
 
 There is no doubt but the above proposition — viewed 
 from that finely pointed connnercial idea which prevails, and 
 which has built up immense eorjioratiojib and has caused a 
 centralization of capital and placed it at the control of a coui- 
 parative few to the exclusion of the producers and toilers, who 
 by reason of theii- arduous occupation have iii ither time nor 
 ability to resist the overwhelming inlluence of accunndative 
 wealth — may siem Utopian and, to some, very absurd ; but 
 unless we admit the dangerous doctrine an<l say that there is 
 no advancement to be made on the present established meth- 
 ods of life, unless we believe that the people, through their 
 skilled representatives, are incompetent to administer their 
 affairs intelligently and }.>rofitably, unless we believe that the 
 ])eople have no right to deal with their own public works, for 
 their own protit and convenience, and that in view of this ef- 
 
'I 
 
 22 
 
 fcminaoy, for it can bo oallod uotliui'jf olso, it U hotter to en- 
 dow juivato cor[»()ration.s vvitli our niatorial oiitcrpriscs uinl 
 give them the «)j)))ortiimty of not only beconiin^ the niont-y 
 centres of the country, but of turnini^ this very ]>ower a^'aiusl 
 the people, their beni-'factois, anrl of menacing rijufhts and lil.>er- 
 ties which (.'onuuon gratitude sliouid prouxpt them tc» uphold, 
 then it will be well to (sxamino ajul hoc whether our na- 
 tional wellbeing and the better distribution of wealth docs 
 not requiie the expropriation «)f the C.P.U. and the II. B. li. to 
 the people as their lawful heritage. 
 
 Having taken a sali«.'nt glance at the several (piestions 
 effecting the future of this country, in a manner suited to the 
 comj)aJ^s of this essay, the iuipression becomes irrcsist'blo that, 
 unlikf; ordinar\ iierspective, it seen)-* in its lengthened vie." 
 to widen and deejiou as we i)roeeed ; but it is hoped tliat 
 enough has been said to awaken some attention to the Tolly of 
 drifting listlessly along with th(; current of events, no one 
 knows where or whither,— leaving the unknown fufuie to 
 take care of itself. We should remember that Great Britain 
 has bolted the earth with her ))OSHessions, that the Uomiiiion 
 of Canada is the last Lcreat nation which will be founded west- 
 ward with British antecedents. To the people of this country 
 is eonnnitted the distinguished and important task of estaldish- 
 ing the most advanced form of government, and one whieh can 
 only expire with time itself. We have all past history to 
 guide us in our choice ; we have the glorious traditional and 
 written history of our forefathers to urge us on our way and 
 inspire us with btrength and vigorof purj cxse. Ilowessential then 
 that we rise al)ove our narrow prejudices and conce})tions and 
 allign ourselves loyally with all true men and be pre|)ared 
 with them to seize on circumstances as tJiey ]jass and assist in 
 overcoming the exceptional conditions wliich are incident to 
 this as to all new cimntries. It is useless to waste time in 
 morbid rcpinings over the ])ast,and to mingle our bitter dir<ap- 
 pointments with our hopes and aspirations. This is to throw 
 away present opportunities and to strangle our eneigiesin 
 vain regrets over jiast issues. 
 
 The intangible intiuences which for a tiine appeared to 
 sway our destiny, and which to some extent still vibrates in 
 every texture of the body ]>olitie, will sooner or later, accord- 
 ing as we are faithful citizens, disappear on the distant wave- 
 lets of time. Our national equilibrium will be permanently 
 
psfnlillshoil (»ii tlio Imsis of an actual |)io|iri(.,s,s, aiitl not upon 
 I'nni'icd lines of iin iiinuitural or illusivf jL^rftutli. I'o •'Xpcef 
 tliat till' cxpoi'ioni'os fjainod l»y the accumulative fort'en whlclj 
 l.'iid til'' t'oundafioii »»l Toruirr (lyuu.stics and nations would iiavo 
 ••iiablcd tliis vii'f.^in fountiy, witli its c'oiimiinu;l«'(l racfs and 
 instincts, to lit* nurtiiicd into liff, to I »•.• },m a It. ■< I upon iJu' con- 
 iVdcrnt'! sto(!K and to [n- ovcrsluKlowcd by Imjioiiid authoilty 
 witlKuitan appeal or stru<;gl«j, would imply u pt.rltM'tness of 
 .idinirdstfation almost mon' than Ininian. 
 
 Happily loi-tho future of this rounti} puhlic attention ha?» 
 ai^aiji hi'on turned to it, not as foiniiily in the spirit of ^^rccd 
 and >|nrulation, l>ut with the desire to learn its trin; capalnli- 
 ties as an inteii;er of the Dominion ; num seejn disposiid to lay 
 aside their political contor-tions and to rake rea-onable coun- 
 cil to(r('ther. In the hope that such may bo the case, this con- 
 tribution is made, not in the spirit of |)resuTnption or dictation, 
 but in the ho]>e that at least some thoiipjht will be found 
 worthy ot" kindly connneiit by those who know how earnestly 
 the writer has hibored au'-nt ii;ross misrepresentation for a bet- 
 ter .stnte of public sentiment in t!»is country Till such is 
 arrived jit, we never can, as Ihitish subjects, i-eali/e the full 
 
 value of IMPKUIAL b'r.DKKATION.