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1 ■

^^ti-eWrVV|

TO THE

i[Li(gir®a;

OF THE

■f''^- -'"^T

^-. ^A^-^~■\

MAY o

(

fO THE ELECTORS OP THE COLBORNE DISTRICT.
Gentlemen^*-

I believe the preset to be a proper time for
me to address you. In doing so I have, in the first
place, to assure you that I am influenced by no unwor-
thy motive, but solely by reasons and feelings which
should be and I trust are common to every inhabitant
of this great country, viz: a desire of public good and a
desire to preserve the people in their Constitutional
rights and liberties. If I were iofluenced by any other
motive I should be disgracing myself and insulting you.
Gentlemen, I am emphatically one of the people. I
am what our would be aristocracy would call one of the
Yeomanry of the country ; that is to say — I lay claim*
to no higher pretensions than the rest of my fellow men.
But, at the same time, being a British born subject, I
am jealous of my rights, and I claim the same free-
dom which every one is entitled to under British Laws,
and the British Constitution. I say I am jealous of my
rights, and, believe me, there is good reason for my say-
ing it. As freemen we ought at all times to be so, but
never more so than now.

The present is an important crisis. It is big with e-
vents, which men, who are not far-sighted, do not for-
see. A contest has lately, most unexpectedly, sprung
up between the Executive and the country, which in-
volves in its principles the greatest danger to the province
and which if successful will scatter to the four winds of
Heaven every vestige of Canadian liberty and trampla
under foot the dearest blessings of the people. It is a
contest which is now raging in every part of British
America and which is intended to crush and break down
every noble aspiration and every warm and generous
fioQling, in fine it is a contest by which it is meant to sub-
vert ResjsoPsible Oooernment, and substitute in its place
Uie old system of lrresp3nsibiUty and Family Compact

f- f ■ %r! ?^i -^j'^jfi-

power, and to place the necks of ilie people s^aia under
the foot of Executive tyranny. 5 ; vif .vfl- :7&l%ir

Let the people therefore beware. Let ibem be fully
alive to the importance of passing events. Let tbem not
think loo lightly of what, at first sight, may appear to be
trifling and of small moment. They may be assured
that beneath a fairexterior are at work means which they
little dream of, that beneath the apparently smooth sur'^
face runs a black, dark current which may sweep away
the last remnant of our prosperity and our liberties. Let
ihem therefore not bs deceivci. This is my solemn warn-
ing and 1 again tell you beware.

The difficulty between bis Excellency and his Coun-
cil involves the dearest principles of our Government.
If the Country stands true to itself all will yet go
well, but if through deception and misrepresentation
or by any means the people desert their friends and
support the Governor General in his present course,
they will commit an error which they may never re-
trieve.

Put before I proceed any further in my observations,
I will endeavor to give you a plain account of our pre-
sent difficulties, and when 1 have done so, I think you
will admit that this is an important crisis in our affaim.
Of course I need not tell you that formerly we had no
such thing as a proper Constitutional Administration in
the Province. That our affairs were conducted in th©
worst manner, and that consequently dissatisfaction and
diacontent among the people existed to a most alarminj^
extent — so much so that the British Government found
it necessary to send out here Lord Durham, one of h«r
best and greatest Statesmen, to inquire into, and remedy
the numberless abuses of which we complain. H«
marie and published liis celebrated Report, which doubt-
less, every one has either read o." heard of. In it be'
dearly and forcibly pointed out our grievances and the
remedy for them. He then returned to England and
AJifld. Next came Lord Sydenham. Treading us
weaily as potsible in llic footstepfi of Ljrd Durham, bit

•s

introduced a system of Governmsnt based upon just
principles and which recognised the legitimate influence
of the pecpie. In fact he established what is fondlr
called, "Responsible Government."

Now what is meant by this is that the local affairs of
the Country shall be administered in accordance with
the wishes of the people as expressed tiirough their Re-
presentatives 'n Parliament, that is to say that no mea-
sure of Government should be carried out unless sanc-
tioued by a majority of our Representatives. And that
the Governor sliould have a Council possessing the con-
fidence of the Country, whose advice he should ask in
till tho affairs of his Government.

The moment this was promulgated and acted upon,
the people became satisfied. It was all they asked. It
was a transcript of the system of Government enjoyed
ill England, and -they wanted no more. It would insure
them the utmost extent of political and religious freedom.
Lord Sydenham died lamented and he was follovred by
the just and the good, Sir Charles Bagof, who also
governed with honor to himself and happiness to the
Country. He died and his memory will ever live in the
Jiearts of a grateful people.

Then came our present Governor General, Sir Charles
T. Metcalfe, a man who by his talents and from his
success elsewhere, promised to be as popular a Gover-
nor as his two predecessors. He found the Country
tranquil and happy and he saw prosperity springing up
Aftd advancing on every side. He too professed to
carry out the same system of Responsible Government.
Occasionally, however, suspicions arose that all was not
right, but still His Excellency enjoyed the character of
sincerity. The character and popularity of his advisers
ftzve a sure guarantee to all his acts. Through his
Council his Excellency possessed the strongest adDiin-
istration that was ever enjoyed by any Governor in tbia
Prdvincb.

The meeting of the Parliament which has just passed
by was lrK)k8d forward to by the people with itroof

hope and {Tnxious expectation: The Council camtf
down to the House determined not to disappoint the just
desires of the Country. Never before in the annals of
Canada were so many just and good measures, brought
forward. Never before were the interests of all classes
and conditioDS of our fellow subjects so honestly dealt by.
Legislation was no longer to be a mockery — one sec-
tion of the people was not to be enriched at ihe expense
of all the rest— one religious denomination was not to
be built up and all others pulled down— but all were
equally to be dealt with and all were considered equal.

Just at this moment of happy confidence, the Council
rose and informed the House that they had resigned.
That circumstances had rendered it incumbent upon
them to refuse any longer to carry on the Government
of the Country — seeing that they could not do so with
honor to themselves and with profit to the people. The
announcement was received by Parliament with con-
sternation. Mr. Baldwin then stated that as he and his
colleagues entered upon CfiSce under ihe avowed prin-
ciples of Responsible Government^ and that system of
Government being the only one suited to the Country
and with which they and the people would be satisfied,
and that having been denied by His Excellencyt they had
resigned. No Council possessed of common honesty
could have done otherwise.

Immediately we see the Tories seizing upon the event
as a means by which to regain their lost power. Every
course id resorted to, every circumstance is seized upon
ibr that purpose. Meetings are called, inflammatory
harangues are addressed to the) people. A false colour-
ing is given to every act of the lato Council, and they
who were the true friends of the people, are held up as
the enemies of the Country.

Addresses are poured in upon the Governor to induce
him to persevere, and ultimately to dissolve the House,
and to throw the Country again into anarchy and confu-
■ion. There is not a doubt but His Excellency will
carry out their intentions. He hai thrown himtself

icil cKtne
nt the just
annals of
!£. brought
all classes
f dealt by.
-one &ec-
3 expense
res not lo
t all were
sd equal,
e Council

resigned.
)ent upon
)vernment
io so with
pic. The
tvith con-
lie and his
ved prin-
system of
e Country
) satisfied,
, they had
jn honesty

the event
ir. Every
iized upon
ammatorr
Ise colour-
, and they
held up as

r to induce
he House,
ind confu-
llency will
m himself

. whollT into their arms, and he must now Btand or fail by
WsowD folly. He has eagerly entered the arena of po-
rn cTwarfare-the Tories presaoiing that w.h the
w tght This character and influence to succeed m j-
X ng a Jnajority of the Constituencies of the Prov.nce.
But they will be mistaken, and His Excellency w.l
find when it is too late that he has woluUy dece.ved
jhnsdf However much the people may respect hmi
Dersonally and however strong may be their adm.rat.oa
rS ties, still they w,ll be sure to draw a broad
?ine of distinction between the man l"n;^elU»f ^'»
rt» They will undeceive His Excellency in the
on niott which he seems to entertain, that the people of
cSahave no <i==ed principles of poUical economy.
The people are not now as they were once. Jhey have
become enlightened and I will venture to afBrm iha m
no portion of the wide spread dominions of Jhe Br lish
Crown can a more intelligent population be found than
in Canada. ,

Since the fall of the Family C. -s beenjhe

unceasing sim of the Governmeni • a de^^^

for knowledge among the people, c^ u.e

in their rightful duties as British Iree.. . ^ uere

fore be a difficult matter now to persuade vuc.. .0 beueve
hat black is white and to induce them to d ve t
themselves of all their legiiimate influence, and entrust
their lives and their liberties into the bancs of the.r eue-
mies: The time has gone by when a few des.gn.ng
knaves could sport with the will of the whole countrj.

The High Church Tor> Party may strive to retaia
the present exclusive and intoUerant character of King a
Col leg^in opposition to the Royal will and to the inter-
ests and feelings of nine tenths of the people. They
may !ns«U an! stigmatise as heretics and blasphemers
Presbyterians, Methodists and Baptist, and all other re
Sbodies in the Province. They may for a shor
i^e stem the tiue of public opinion, but they w.nve^r
be allowed to perpetuate the evils of an Institution,
which in iti inception is not surpassed on the whole Lon-

tions from its ben'eiits. ^ '^"''S""" ''eaomin.-

i' »pen to oli classe. h!lh! I""""''"" and throw
«i« between the G vJ ° , S^° '""'« =''" 'he Uifllcu!.
by Bishop Cehan?h'''''n"'*^r"'="- Infl-eiced
has hastened a ,"■;;"''" "=1'"^ ""''. ''«' <"A«V.>a/_he

BaWwin, becfusfhe £r.h . *^'" ','"'>' <•«"' Mr.

Parlr from mono„o!ir4 1 .1,^"''';' '''*' "'«'' ^^"''l'
tion and to extend C J ?, ^ °^' """"^ <>f Edxca-
«<>"gl.t .0 place all oih.T i^"""^ l" ""• ""^ because h.
.i.e a..auh and in 1 ofTh''''"«"''"l'''°"' '■'y-'-'
Chnrch. I .hint io , L hat I L^'Jf'''" "'^ ""
oeotis opinion of ih^fl Za j ™'^'* * """s' erro-
p.n.on 01 their independence and Integrity.
J do no! be eve (hit ir, ti. -j &'"!•

•here is to be found Me .n/ "if" "."'"' "^ "anad.,
•well with honest Jndi/ntir T^^l '"''''"• """^ »»

«-ng his chiidr" "o'Ct: ° Viir. rthJ""!;- "' "^

«ion of hferiority to oiher/ hp.^ .u ^""'"8 P"''"
been less favored bvfo?un»'.^K "".^^ ""'-'■ ^avo

•aught to worshin .hi" k. .'""'"'^ ""^y ''ave been
Church. and^vS hit „**u " '?, " "»i»«en.i„g"
the alighis and conteran Ci !"" '»'««''»' "i'n«sing
would be arislorrtolT ''*[' "P"" "'e™ by our

butnblo Lrhonest '^Le^fr^'^^ ""' '!'* "'"l-'^en of
power and eJZeTX't%Zr^\T' "'

people themselves inHn, ""prefore rests with tho

..Ir.' d^Frencli' ^ce„7""" ""T' ^"-•' '»'"- *-
Canada bein, t.^d^r tn'-a. •o^.h:^!,'^^

bjr •or l»nt

domain for

S.Will not be

figh Church

tsdenomiAa-

I brought in
™ and throw
the (jiflicu!.
Influenced
eistical — he
ming a law.
desert Mr.
igh Church
i of Educa-
because ho
ons beyond
n and his
most erro-
jrify.

( Canada,
would not
a of ever
iHing posi-
uav have
liave been
issenting"
M^itnessing
n by our
children of
offices of
9 litng as
mllthetA
ivith tbo
igh Re*'

:h doro i>

Upper

nch, for

i-;fi-i«'

v*i^

&0 pirpofte of making tipper Canadians beJieye ihat
thejf laiereats are lacrificed to Lower Canada. But I
hope It IS not necessary for me to tell you that thii is
utterly false, and thst these aaaertions are'merely clap-
Jraps to arouse the prejudices and fears of Upper
Canada against Reformers, for the purpose of flirenVth-
enmg the Tory Party. The Tories would ej^terminate
crery person of French origin in Lower Canada
Itiey would drv^y them any panicipation in our laws or
Oovernment. But it is not so with Upper Canada Re-
rormers. They regard every subject of Queen "^ s • ',ria
as friends, and it is because the French are Rekbrmera
aodumto with the Upper Canada Reformers in thei^
just efforts after an impartial administration, and there-
fore compose a majority of niue-tenths of the people
and so keep the Tories out ." power, that all ,he crv is
ratsed about French domination and French ascen-
dancy.

The interests of Upper Canada Reformers are
liientical with the Reformers of Lower Canada, and
t^^ey aave too much justice and too n.uch re*<ard for their
own we fare to allow themselves to be thus split up and
and so place the Tories again in poxver. They know that
»uch a step would forever ruin them, and prostrate their
party. *

«K ^rr'' Ir'^* ' 'i'''^^®» ^'»'' *'''3 view of dividing
the Upper Canaua Reformers, that the Seat of Govt-rn-
raent Question was so injudiciously referred back to the
Legislature ol this Province. The authors of that step
natural y supposed that it would arouse the local inter-
ests and prejud.ces of the two sections of the Country,
and that it would place them in direct antagonism to
•ach other. If so, then they assumed that the sam.
«fl^cts would exhibit themselves powerfully in the House,
aod that as a necessary consequence ihe Minigtrv must
ftll to the ground. This was at once foreseen and ererr
man of common penetration Immediately detected tl/e
tnck. J he Reformers therefore fully alive to the im-
portance of the subject, took the only coursM |«f( ,hem

and tliey preferred ihe loss of the Seat of Government
to the destruclion of their party. But after all, gene-
rally speaking) our loss is not a great one. It is more
imaginary than otherwise. The principal difficulty is
the prejudices of the people. But prejudices must not
be allowed to stand in the way of real good and minor
cotiiiderations must give way to the higher interestn of the
Country.

Another bug-bear held up by the Tories to frighten
and influence the people of Upper Canada against Re-
formers is an Assessment Law, introduced in the last
Session of Parliament. They try to ranke out that that
measure was oppressive and inquisitorial, and that by it
Upper Canada was to be taxed for the benefit of Lower
Canada. Now 1 happen to know as much about that
measure as the Tories, and I can affirm that it was nei-
ther oppressive nor inquisitorial nor was it partial in its
operation. It is true that when the bill was first laid
upon the table of the House, it contained what was
thought by some to be one or two objectionable clauses.
But they were expu iged, and I have no hesitation in
iying that if that bill had become a law, it would havs
been a popular one among the people. It particularlif
favored the poor man and the farmer ^ and it is because
it removed the unequal burthen of taxation from them to
the great Capitalist and Landowner, that it is so hated
by them. It seems not to ho known, that this bill
laid on no taxes. But such is the fact. It merely de-
clared the species of property upon which taxes were to
be levied and the manner of doing so — and then it was
leltto the people to tax themselves to what extent they
might see fit. Heretofore all land was assessed equally,
and great complaint was made for this unjust mode of
laxetion—but by this bill it was proposed to do away
with this system, and to assess all land according to its
respective vnlue. Now, I ask, would this have been a
bad or unpopular law. I am sure a^y man will say no,
and, further that it was just such a law as was wanted.

But why should the people give heed to statements of

ernment
1, gene-
t is more
ficulty IB
must not
nd minor
stu of the

I frighten
linst Re-

tiie last
that tiiat
tiiat by it
Df Lower
bout that
was nei-
ial in its

first laid
^hat was
3 clauses,
itation ia
mid havs
rdcularlif
8 because
n them to

so hated

this bill
erely de-
'8 were to
en it was
tent they

I equally,
mode of
do away

ling to its
^e been a

II say no,
5 wanted.

ijmentB of

the Tories auout that bill, when theif must know that they
are advancing them for their own poKtieal purposes.
Why should they he carried away by misrepresentations
made by their political opponents about a measure which
they have not seen, and when they have no certain
means of knowing the truth or falsity of them. It is
because the people are ignorant of the proposed assess-
ment bill that the Tories intend to profit by it. They
know that they can easily make statements, and they
also know that it is far easier to make them, be they
ever so false, than to rebut those statemenlsafier ihey are
once made, and circulated through the Country.

It may not be amiss for me here, to remark that bo
far from the late Ministry increasing or wishing to in-
crease theliurihens of the people, f^ey did the veryre-
verse. It is well known that by the Union Act, Canada
is saddled with a most outrageously exorbitant Civil
List, far beyond the necessities or resources of the
Country. Who will not say so when I inform him that
it exceeds the annual sum of de75,000. Who will deny
it when he reflects that ail this is wrung from the hard
earnings of the people, and who will not strive for its
revision and its reduction, when he is told that over the
payment of this enormous sum the Province has no con-
trol. Influenced therefore by the most noble motives,
Mr. Baldwin and his colleagues endeavored to diminish
it, and they accordingly presented a tariff which, if it
had been accepted by the Imperial Government, would
have saved the Country more than ^l5fiOOayeaT.
But although it was rejected, the people ought, at least,
to thank the late Ministry for iheir disinterested exer-
tions. They must not forget that it is Reformers who not
only insist upon the reduction of public salaries, butuport
the right of the people of this Province to all control
over all charges upon the public revenue.

I must again refer to the difficulties between the Gov-
ernor General and his late Council. I do so because it
is a matter of the utmost importance to the people of
Canada, that they should fully understand the question

«nd (he principles involved io it. There is no doubt in
my mind that in it is involved the whole question of Res-
ponsible Government, and I would therefore enforce
upon the people a full knowledge of the case and hav«
them understand, if possible, the effects of it, and the
consequences necessarily attendant upon it.

By our Constitution and by the system of Responsible
Government introduced into this Province and sanction-
ed and established by the Resolutions of 1841, the Gor-
ernor is to have a Provincial Council, possessed of the
confidence of the people, who are to advise him upon all
the local atlairs of the country. It could not be expect-
ed, In common reason, that a Governor coming here,
necessarily a stranger to the Country, and to its want*
and feelings, could of himself 'carry out his Government
without the advice of soRiebody. To meet this he ig
required to form a Council of men resident in the Pro-
vince, who are to advise him fairly for the public good,
and (0 insure the people against any injustice in this res-
pect, the members of iUh Council are not only to hjive
.1 SPa* it) our Legislature, but they must carry a majority
in Parliament. So long therefore as their measures art
popular they will stand, when they cease to be so they
must fall.

It is in this way that the people exercise a control
over tho aflairs of the Country. It is in this way that
they secure the due administration of the Government,
and it is in this that iheir whole security lies.

This is the grand principle of Responsible Govern-
ment. If it was not sd, if the Governor were not
obliged to have snch a Council, possessing the confi-
dence of tho Country, and should apply to and be influ-
.♦nccd by persons behind the door, in whom the people
have no confidence, what security could we have that
our aflairs would be conducted honestly and according ta
public opinion. Certainly none. That would just bs
a repetition of tho old Family Compact system of Got-
ernment, and the Country would become again a pr«T
ta the worst abuses and to a faction.

doubt in
m of Reu-
! enforce
and hav«

t, and the

(sponsible
sancllon-
the Gor-
ed of tbe
> upon a!l
e expect-
ing here,
its want*
v^ernment
his he ii
the Fro-
lic good,
this res-
y tohfive
majority
sures are
e so the/

I control
way tfiat
ernment,

Govern-
t^ere not
le confi-
be inflii-
e peopI«
ave that
ording to

just be
of GoT-

prey

Had Sir Charles Metcalfe followed up the policy of
Lord Sydenham and Sir Charles Bagot, there wouW
have been no difficulty with his Council, and the public
business would not now be interrupted. He coniemjlcd
that he was not bound to adviie with His Council, more
especially in making appointments to Offices in the
Country.

This he says is a prerogative of the Crown, with
which the people have nothing to do. Why all his acte
as Governor are prerogative, if he choose so to call it,
and he might iherefore with just as much reason or ju»^
lice affirm, that in no case ought he to advise with His
Council, because the matters about which he would
have to take their advice belonged to the prerogative of
the Crown.

But lot me tell you that in no part of our Colonial
-Administration, are the people more deeply interesied
than in the select ion of fit and proper persons to fill
offices of trust in tho Province. That duty is paramount
to all others. If therefore the Governor is not bound t<.
ask the advice of His Council, in matters of such deep
moment to the people, he may well say that he is not
bound to do it at all.

The fact is he is determined to break up Responsible
Government, and this is the grand beginning. He could
not have taken a better means of doing so. If th»
people are to have no voice in appointnnenis to Offica
among themselves, the time will very soon arrive when
they will have no voice at all. Mr. Baldwin and his col-
leagues saw this and they therefore resigned.

Now this is the true issue between the Governor and
the Country. It is responsibility or no responsibilitv.
It is whether ;he Government of the Country is to be
♦•arriedon in accordance with tho wishes and interests of
the people, or for the benefit of the Family Compact.
It is whether the people aro to be any thipg or nothing,
whether their jLegislature is to be respected or trcfiied
with coniemjjt. It is whether wo aro to bo chained
donfo to tbe wheel of Executive tyranny, without aDy

voice or influence in tl»e Government of the Country, or
whether we shall enjoy the British Constitution.

A REFORMER.

Peterboro, January Ist, 1844.

i 'i

ountry, or

ER.