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Joseph Howe) spoke as follows : — Mr. Chairman, as some misunderstanding appears to exist with regard to the principles and objects of the present Administration — as reflections have been cast upon it on several occasions when I was in the Chair — and as one gentleman, in this Debate, has insinuated that the Go- vernment expects from the Membersof this House a cringing support, while another has declared, that, though his head be grey, he hopes to see the Country return to its old Constitution, it would appear desira. ble that the principles and conduct of Lord Falkland's Administra- tion should he frankly explained to the House and to the Country. On the first day of the Session the Hon. Member from Yarmouth complained that the policy of the Government was not more dis- tinctly indicated by His Excellency : that Hon. Gentleman, or any other, has a right to call for the most ample explanations of His Lordship's principles, but these are not to be expected in the opening Speech. Our Institutions differ, in this respect, from those of our republican neighbours. The Government of the United States is not represented in the two Houses of Legislation by those who are the advisers of the Chief Magistrate, and therefore elaborate state- ments are made in the Messages sent down to Congress. In the British Parliament, the Crown is represented by its Ministers, who not only preside over important departments, but take the lead in the business of legislation ; and therefore the opening speech is regarded as a matter of form, and a party struggle rarely takes place upon it, except, under peculiar circumstances, where, (as in a late instance,) it may be necessary to give the coup de grace to a retiring Govern- ment, worsted by protracted and successful opposition. Though His Excellency, then, may not have gone at large into the general views upon which his Administration has been conducted, we, who stand here to represent him, are 'prepared to answer any questions which gentlemen may put, and to give the mont ample information. Waiting for such inquirief, I htve not thcught it necessary to trouble v/**'V the House with a speech, but, when a gentleman rises and states his anxiety to go back to the old practices and modes of administration, which both the past House and the present House have repudiated, it is time to furnish explanations and statements of the conduct and policy of the Government, that Members may determine whether they will go on with the Administration or go back with the Member for Pictou. I need not now refer to those circumstances which led to the forma- tion of the present Government — these were fully explained at the last Session ; and, by the rejection of an ntlempt to condemn us, the House seemed, by an overwhelmini; majority, to sanction the course which had been pursued : we have therefore gone on for a year, and now gladly return to the assembled Representatives of the people, to give an account of our stewardship, and to subject every principle and act of administration to th^^ most searching and rigid inquiry. Lord Falkland's Government, like any other based on a Representa- tive system, must be judged by its acts of legislation and of admi- nistration : let us then first enquire, huw has it discharged its legislative duties ? During the last Session the Government measures introduced were, the Halifax Incorporation Act, three or four Bills, for adopting, into our Criminal Code, the modern improve- ments of the Mother Country — the Act for abolishing the Inferior Courts and establishing the Judicatory of the Province, and the Act for improving the Court of Marriage and Divorce. All these were passed by both Branches, and, so far, was the legislative action of the Government approved. It is true that one Bill, introduced by Members of Council this Session, has been rejected, or rather deferred to the next Session, but all hostility, in that instance, has been denied by most of the majority who postponed the consideration of the Bill. Three or four Bills, introduced by Government this Session, have passed — some of them praised — but one has been postponed, while every measure of the last Session met the approval of both Houses ; — it is evident, then, that if the Hon. Member from Pictou desires to go back, it cannot be because the legislation of the present Government has been hostile to the interests of the people, or contrary to the opinions of this House. Passing to the second branch of the subject, the administrative duties, I may remark, that these nre of a multifarious character, in- volving much responsibility and difficulty, particularly in a Govern- ment constituted like the present. These duties consist, chiefly, iu paying suitable respect to the wishes of the people, as expressed through the ordinary channels, and dispensing the patronage of the Country. Before touching upon the mode in which the latter has been distributed, I may be permitted to say, in reference to the form- er, that the humblest individual in Nova- Scotia, who, during the past year, has had any thing to bring to the notice of the Executive, has experienced due respect, and met a fair consideration of his claims. In every matter pressed by this House on the attention of the Go- vernment, the greatest anxiety has been manifested to meet its just expecta;ions, and carry forward its plans. In this spirit the Boards -^■M: •>:#;. ,*:.i ^ '■••.. :m m of Agriculture and Education, nuthorised by Acts of the last Session, were framed — the appointments might not be the best, but they were made with an anxiety to do what was right to the whole population, and to meet the wishes of this Assembly. The grant to the Museum, sanctioned by the Lcgislatur?, was withheld, lest a false step might he taken, and of that act this House has already approved. With the single exception of the Resolution for paying off ^5000 of the funded debt, I know of nothing brought to the notice of the Execu- tive which has not received attention : whether, in that matter, blame can fairly attach, remains to be shown — the question has not been raised. In turning to the appointments by which the Executive must be mainly judged, I may be permitted to remark, to Members who, in de- bate, have expressed dislike to a coalition Administration, and who see anomalies in carrying on the Government by a junction of two par- ties, that they may be assured that none have felt the inconvenience of the position more than those who were at the Council Board ; they have found the fact continually pressed on their minds, and the deliberations of the present hour constantly influenced by the ties, obligations, passions, and prejudices of the past. To throw our- selves upon one party, and outrage the feelings of another, would have been a comparitively simple course, but we have chosen a more difficult task: one which, however it may for a time weaken the Go- vernm^'nt in some respects, will ultimately secure for it a broad founda- tion in the confidence of this House and in the affections of the people. To do justice to all — to surround the Governor with the best talent in the Province — to elevate to posts of importance men of experience and ability only, who were entitled to public confidence — and to break down those barriers of social aud political exclusiveness, by which large classes of the community were shut out from the favor of, and driven into opposition to, the Government, has been our aim: this is the key to the dispensation of patronage — the leading principle run- ning through all the appointments made since the arrival of Lord Falkland. Whether this course be right or wrong is for this Assem- bly to decide; but 1 may be allowed to express my belief, that, in dis- charging this portion of his duties, His Lordship has been guided by a sincere desire to give satisfaction and to do justice. The first ap- pointment of any consequence was that of the Hon. Mr. Bell, to a seat in the Legislative Council. I am aware that some Members think, and I entirely agree with them, that the rural districts are not yet sufficiently represented in that branch — but Mr. Bell had been twice returned to this House by the electors of the capital, and the appointment was an indication, to a large part of the Assembly and of the population, who had been hitherto too much excluded, that the Government was anxious to do what was right, and extend fair consideration to atl. The next appointment was that of the present Master of the Rolls, and I think I may challenge any man to say, if, in selecting to preside over the Chancery Court, a gentleman who had long held tlie highest Crown Office, and who had sat at the head m St) iii:- .'imH lii«_*H#*^*-*ll%< of this House for nearly twenty years, the Governor did not do that which public opinion approved. In referring to the appointment of the Attorney General, I need not say to the House, and to the Pro> vince, that the gentleman selected stood at the head of the Bar, dis- tinguished for talents, and eloquence, and qualities of various kinds; and although, in the discussions of former times, that gentleman sometimes was opposed to a majority of the Assembly, yet, from his weight of character, no man in the House will say that the Executive could have passed him over. The Solicitor Ge- neral's was another of the new appointments, and his claims, also, were of a nature which could not be overlooked. The House had, for many years, borne testimony to his talents, information, and eloquence, and knew the value which any Government should place on his services. Theappointmentof Provincial Secretary, for the time being, was another act of the Executive. The selection of the gentle* man who performs the duty, and who preserved the confidence of all parties in this Assembly for a series of years, formed an evidence of the anxiety of His Excellency to surround himself with men of ability and experience, and gave to the House an assurance of just and equitable government. The elevation of Mr. Justice Haliburton to the Bench of the Supreme Court, was another of the more im-> portant appointments. To this some of my own friends have object- ed, because, it was said, the gentleman belonged prominently to the other side. In making this appointment, so far as politics were con* cerned, the House had tied up the hands of the Executive, by making it compulsory to select one of the Judges of the Inferior Court, and all of them had acted with the former Administration. 1 do not wish to draw invidious distinctions, or to contend that the gentleman selected was the best fitted for the situation, I am but giving the answer to some of my own friends, by whom political objections have been raised. Looking to other appointments, one was made to the Customs at Windsor, with the approbation of the late Member, although the politics of the gentleman and his own were not the same. A similar appointment at Digby was complained of on a former day, and a few words of explanation may be necessary upon that point. There had been in this Province a party Government, one side being in, and the other carefully excluded, for a series of years. Jt became necessary, at the commencement of the new Administration, to convince the party excluded, and whose good wishes it was wise to conciliate, that the middle wall of partition was broken down, that men of all parties were eligible to appointments under the Government, and that the path was open for all to aspire to and share the patronage of the Pro- vince. The appointment showed, to a large portion of the people, that Government sought active useful men, and that politics were hereafter to form no ground of exclusion from office. 1 need not re- peat the reasons given on a former evening in justification of the em- ployment of Mr. Wightman. Turning to the Executive Council— may I not claim for the Lieutenant Governor the most anxious desire to remedy, vhat,on his •MWMKmwMia assuming the Government, was felt to be the main fault in its con* atruction. A seat was offered tc the Hon. Member from Yarmouth, who, I have always regretted, felt himself constrained, by strong opinions on a particular measure, and strong feelings towards par- ticular individuals, to decline it. But his Lordship did not stop there: the recent appointment of the learned Member for Inverness, must have shown to the Menbers of the old majority, that there is no desire to retain old feelings and antipathies among the Members of the present Government, but that the wish is to act for the general tiatisfaction and benefit of the Province at large. Let me now glance over the small but necessary appointments which pervade the Coun- try. Many of these yield little or no emolument — but they confer honor and influence in the different Counties, and they may be made in a way either to wound the feelings of large classes of the people, or to convince the population that they have been distributed by a just and paternal Government. In dwol' ling for a moment on this branch of the duties of the Executive, I think I may declare at the outset, that no new Administration, com* ing into office with new principles, ever dealt more leniently with those holding high official or subordinate situations, than did the Government of Lord Falkland. Of all those who had been crowded into every post and commission during a party Government of half a century — but four or five Magistrates, and these for particular rea- sons which need not be gone into now, have been displaced, in eighteen months, by the Lieutenant Governor. Whether this con- duct were wise or unwise, looking merely to the ordinary modes of strengthening a new Administration, it ought to prove to the party whose friends Have thus been left in possession, that there has been no desire to act harshly, but a generous determination to do what was right and conciliatory, even to those whose ancient monopoly had been broken up. With respect to nppointmenis, the rights and du- ties of the Executive, andofthe House, ought to be distinctly under- stood. In receiving from Members of the Legislature suggestions and information, with respect to appointments, the Government ex- ercises but a just discretion. The utmost weight has been, and will ever be, given to the opinions of those who represent and live among the people ; but it must always be borne in mind, that all these of- fices, as also the highest in the land, arc in the giftof the Queen's Representative, and that the free exercise of the prerogative, even in the roost remote settlement uf the Colony committed to his care, in the distribution of patronage, as in the protection of the sub. ject, is a duty which Lord Falkland is determined conscientiously to discharge. In seeking suggestions and information, from those whose opinions are best entitled to respect, the advisers of His Excellency have only done their duty to the Queen's Representative in the man- ner most likely to give satisfaction — they have never asked that the prerogative should be surrendered into their hands, much less into the hands of Members of this House. But they are here to defend its exercise — to ehew that the Nobleman at the head of the Govern- k' k_ ..:W;- ■^e^asssfevSitj roent, while he has preserved the prerogative with a jealous and ten- sitive regard to the rights of tlic Crown — appointing and removing at pleasure — has used it with the utmost deference to the rights and feelings of the people. With these explanations, let me now answer the question, how has this power heen exercised in the different Counties? We are hound to give an answer to this question in the House, because, although none have made sweeping charges here, they have been made elsewhere, and reiterated by the designing and malicious from one end of the Province to the other. Jlere, on the floors of this House, is the place where charges, either against a Go- %'ernment or any of its Members, should be made, if they can be made at all. Here, if a man tells an untruth, it can be probed, his subter- fuges torn to pieces, and he made ashamed, before the assembled Re- presentatives of the people whom he seeks to mislead. Here a man can stand up and defend his conduct, and contend fairly for his princi- ples, and though I may disregard the covert slanders which are hourly cast upon the Government, it gives me pleasure to stand here in its defence, because I know that its acts and its policy are defensible. In seven Countiesof the Province', Halifax, Cape-Breton, Queen's, Lunenburg, Sydney, Shelburne, and Inverness, every appointment throughout the year has been either made in accordance with the suggestions of the gentlemen who represent them, or in such a man- ner as I have reason to know meets their approval. This is a wide departure from the old system, a substantial concession from the Crown to the People : and yet the rights of the Crown are studiously guarded, for not one of those appointments would Lord Falkland have made, unless, in his deliberate judgment, he approved of the suggestions. Let me run over the other Counties, and see how mat- ters stand. In Richmond every local appointment, but two, was made at the suggestion of the Members, and those two were recom- mended by Ihe gentleman who formerly represented th'^ County. In Hants and Colchester all that were asked were given, with others which were satisfactory. In Digby, where there has been a division of sentiment, the claims of both parties were respected. In Yar- mouth some awkward mistakes occurred in the appointment of the School Commissioners, in which, perhaps, the Government were to blame ; yet the error arose from no desire to annoy, but from the want of that minute local information, which, however desirable, cannot always be had in the capital. The Magistrates given to Yarmouth were approved, or, if there was any fault, more good ones were ap- pointed than were asked or expected. In Cumberland two parties exist, the one represented here by two Members, and the other by one, yet the aim of the Government has been to do justice to both, to se- lect men of influence and respectability from each, and to draw the population together by a course of conciliation and justice. An- napolis was a County peculiarly situated. One party, there, a small minority, had for a long time held dominant sway over the other, which embraced much of the wealth, intelligence, and productive industry of the County. Without, then, disturbing the minority in .iSSim mtmmimm Mkn mmffmimtim mmm mam the offices they enjoyed, the policy of Lord Fulkland has been (o do juctice to the majority — to sweep away the old rule of exclusion, and to let every man within the County feel, that, if possessed of cha- racter and intelligence, he was entitled to fair consideration from the Government. Ditferences of opinion existed in Guysborough, and severe charges, backed by the Members from that County, were pre- ferred against an individual there — an investigation was given, and the explanations being satisfactory, the prerogative, instead of being tamely surrendered, {or purposes of oppression, was extended for the protection of an humble individual, against popular clamour, until a Jury of his countrymen should ptonounce upon his guilt or inno- cence. Complaints have been made here respecting some appoint- ments in King's County, but the Member of Council from that County, who was regularly summoned, not having attended, the Lieutenant- Governor is scarcely to blame for errors which might have been cor- rected hiid that Gentleman been at the Board. I am well aware that a good deal of dissatisfaction is felt by one party in Pictou, but the state of that County must be taken into account. The Pictou Aca. demy has, for many years, been a source of discord in that part of the Province. The population are nearly all Presbyterians, divided by some lines of demarkation, which in the Old Country may be suf- ficiently distmct, but in this are scarcely discernable. As, however, the nearest of kin are often the most bitter opponents, so it has been with the good people of Pictou : — having had little to quarrel about, their enmity has been irreconcilable. The party represented by the Hon. Gentleman who complains of the Government, and his col- leagues, we are bound to believe is the largest, from the fact of its in- fluencing the representation, — but the other is nearly one half, com- posed of intelligent, industrious and valuable Novascotians ; and could the enlightened Nobleman at the head of the Government sur- render the Queen's prerogative to the Hon. Gentleman and his friends, that a body like this should be trodden down by its religious, rather than its political, opponents ? In distributing local patronage, justice and every courteous consideration have been given to the party who are represented here, but the minority has had justice also. Inexer<- cising the prerogative firmly, the feelings of one party may have been excited into undeserved hostility ; but His Excellency would be un- worthy to preside over the Province, and the Members of his Govern- ment would be unworthy to stand in this House, as his advisers, if, knowing the numbers, property and intelligence, of that body, they allowed their opponents to ride over them, rough shod, without any attempt made for their protection. This is the answer to the Hon. Member from Pictou. In this manner, then, has the Government of Lord Falkland been conducted: whenever His Lordship has interfered to guide the Le- gislation of this House, it has been his aim to extend popular rights — improve the criminal laws — renovate, or consolidate, existing institu- tions, and supply such machinery as may be required for an efiectiv*' and responsible AdminiBt^ation ; when he has been called on to I I 8 dispense either general or local patronage, his aim hni been to correct past errors, to allay old animosities, to call men of ability into the service of the Country, and to make every man of worth and talent feel that he has but to command the confidence of the people, to at- tract the notice of the Government. To make this intelligible to the Country, in the short space of a year, has required much labour, and patient consideration. The Government of this Province diflfers in some important particulars from that of Canada : there the Admini- stration is composed of Heads of Departments, each Member draw- ing a large Salary. Only two Members of Lord Falkland's Council receive any emoluments, — so that, if every trifling detail of Admini- stration has not been as perfect as might be desired, the laboum of those gentlemen have not as yet brought much reward, although they have spent many anxious hours in the public service. Charges have been made, and reiterated from time to time, against myself, of which I have taken little notice, but to which it may be as well now to give the answer. It has been said that, by the exer- cise of undue influence, the patronage of the Government has flowed into my family. ( here state, in presence of this Com- mittee, and of the Country, and I challenge denial from those who represent these slanderers, that Lord Falkland has never given patronage, to the amount of a single pound, to myself or to any of my family, since he assumed the Government. My Father enjoyed an office many years ago, and, accordin|T to the good old rule of in- heritance, his Son succeeded, and has held the appointment since his death. The present Deputy Poist Master General has given sub- ordinate offices, of which he possessed the patronage, under the sanction of the Post Master General in England, to members of his family. These have been bestowed independent of the Administra- tion,— one of them under the Government of Sir Colin Camp- bell. During the last year, one of these situations, after having been twice offered to young gentlemen of the town, and refused, was given to a member of ray Brother's family, who held a place un- der Government, nearly as good as that which he accepted in the Post Office Department, and which he immediately resigned. This is my answer to my personal assailants, and let any man here con- tradict my assertions if they are not correct. But, it may be said, if the Howes do not get every thing, the McNabs do. A few words of explanation will set this matter right. The seat enjoyed by one of the McNabs, in the other end of the Building, was given by Sir Pere- grine Maitland, — and the seat in the Executive Council, by Sir Colin Campbell. Mr. Huntingdon said a trifling error had been made on that point, the appointment alluded to was by Sir Colia Campbell, but it was not confirmed until subsequently. Hon. Mr. McNab. — The Mandamus was out before Lord Falk- laud's. arrival. Th% Speaker. — The Mandamus was received in the Province while the Governor General was on his vish^to New-Brunswick, and i ff'^fM^ Mr. McNab was sworn in, by Sir Colin, before lie returned ; on tb« arrival of Lord Falkland, he stood in the same situation a» other Members; and, being elected by the people, could not hava been fairly displaced. So far, then, it is clear that Lord Falkland cannot be charged with thcsu appointments, or with having done any* thing, by my advice, for the special benefit of the Howes and Mc Nabs. I have been long enough in public life to know that false. hoods may circulate through society, as the hidden thorn festers iu the flesh, the answer and the remedy being easy, when the cause of the irritation can be traced. In this House 1 am always ready to meet misrepresentations — to grapple with false- hoods, and put them down by the force of truth and candid dealing. 1 make these explanations here, because here are gentlemen from every part of the country, who can contradict me if they are untrue. Lord Falkland has given a young friend of mine an honorary situa- tion on his perflonal staff, which yields neither emolument nor influ- ence, but leads to some expense. The situation cf Provincial Aid is a household, not a political, appointment, and 'S generally given to genteel good looking young men, of respectable families in the Town. Though well aware that it would be unfair, to his Lordship, to at- tempt a: defence of such an appointment here, I may: say thus much for myi young relative, that he has bad a liberal education, has mani- fested as mucb judgment and industry as his neigihbours, and has travelled over more of Europe and America tbaa; balfrafftUoBie wJho- are SDiarling at his heels. *;-- "■ ♦ '- uV p...,,*./. .^...n ,.. . ., -.,-4 Having thus disposed of the misrepresentations aimed at myself personally — which I know have made but little impression in this As- sembly; where th^ facts are known, but which have been industriously - oir^latcd elsewhere ; let me now invite your attention to the objections urged against the Government, not for its acts, but on account of its- oomposilioi^. It has been said by many, We have no specific com- plaint to urge— we approve of the general principles announced by the Administration — its a|)pointments are satisfactory, but «ire dislike it because it is a coalition. I think 1 may say, with all sincerity, that if gentlemen out of the Government have felt any difficuhiem pressing upon them from this circumstance, those within have ha4 theif share. I believe I express but the common feeling of my colleagues, when I acknowledge that the old party ties, and leelingiB, and perhaps prejudices, which beset our path at the outset, and which are oow felt to offer almost the only obstruction to the harmonious and satififactoTy action of the Government^ have added materially to the obstacles . with which we have had to contend. I had read of coalitions, but, until recently, knew but little of their peculiarities,, or of the varied passions and suspicions they are calculated to arouse'; now, when I take up a volume of English History, 1 can enter into the spirit of auch times most intimately, and can understand how new oombtnations of psrties are attended with many difficulties, trying to the minds, and absorbing h> the feelings, of those by whom they are forjsifdw^nd whOj though they may be looking with a single eye toi B ?# 10 the public interest, and yielding to the pressure of circumstances which cannot be controlled, must yet bear, for a time, the annoy- ances incident to connexions that success may finally justify, but which are never forgiven should they fail. If, then, some of my old friends, and the friends of my colleagues, have been displeased with the anomalies presented by the. coalition, we have felt them at every step. But a coalition, particularly in a new Country like this, has its advantages as well .^s its evils; and, as the House seemed to think 80, and as it sanctioned the connexion, after a full explanation of the circumstar. 38 under which it was formed, we have felt bound to go on, giving to Lord Falkland our best assistance, whatever might be the sacrifices which public duty called on us occasionally to make of our personal feelings. It is not my intention to go again into the question of whether it was wise or necessary to form the coalition : 1 wish only to show that, being formed, it has acted fairly and honorably towards those, to whom it appealed for support. It has been said that we hold our places on sufferance — this is true, but the same may be said of any Administration. In England a Government has no lease for a term of years — it holds on until theopposition are strong enough to displace it, and until a combination of able men, acting upon an- tagonist principles, are prepared to take possession : our duty to each other, and to the Nobleman at the head of the Government, compells us to do the same — and it is to ascertain whether the oppo^ sttion which has met us here, and which we have no desire to shrink from, has either the strength or the settled principles of action likely to embarrass us, that we now make explanations, and court discus- sion. Our anxious desire has been to forget the past, and to make the coalition, into which circumstances forced us, a source of benefit and advantage to the country. Our wish is, to reflect truly to this Uouse, and to the Province at large, the enlightened views and prin- ciples upon which we are directed by Lord Falkland to conduct his Government : a man more sedulously devote/1 to the interests of this Country — possessed of a clearer head, and a better heart, and more deeply concerned in the success of the great experiment which the Mother Country is trying on this Continent, is not to b€ found in Nova-Scotia, even among those who drew their first breath on the soil. His Lordship is desirous to give to this fTouse every power and privilege which the Commons, in a British Colony, having a Repre- sentative Constitution, ought to enjoy : but, at the same time, he is determined duly to guard the prerogative committed to his charge, and the wise application of which is one of the first duties of a statesman. The txovernment of the Country, then, is not one looking to particular interests and parties, but one which regards all the people as members of a great fami!y, who should be drawn together by a system of eon* ciliation and justice. There may be times when all that is desirable cannot be accomplished, but we have endeavoured to do the best we could under the difficult circumstances in which we were placed ; and, notwithstanding the spirit of hostility evinced in certain quarters, I think I may safely appeal to the House, and ask if there are tntnjr 11 here whop upon reflection, disapprove of our principleSi or of the mode in which the Government is now conducted. The Hon. Menv her from Pictou said that he did. ■ Mr.' Holmes. — I proved the contrary. I supported the Govero* ment last Session, and assisted to keep it in its present position. The Speaker. — I am glad of it. The Hon. Gentleman, then, only disapproves of certain acts, and, I hope, when he has heard our ex- planations, he will have little occasion to do even that. I think I may appeal to others, who formerly belonged to the same party, and ask whether they have not good cause to be satisfied — they have six gentlemen in the Government who formerly acted with them, while their opponents have but three. Looking to the mere numbers in the Executive Council, my old friends would appear to have the most cause of complaint, but I am prepared to shew that both have re^ ceived justice at the hands of the Administration. The reason of this is clear : we all have acted, not upon any preconceived opinions which were entertained, or upon any party connexions which may have existed, but, on principles and views laid dovn by Lord Falkland for our guidance, and to which we are expected to ad- here so long as we are connected with bis Government. These may betaken to include the obligation, on our part, to preserve the confi- dence, and cordial co-operation, of the Legislature, and to do sub- stantial justice to the great body of the People. The scope of my argument; then, with reference to appointments, is intended to show that this has been done. If the old administration party complain, I turn to the Counties of Lunenburg and Queens, whose Members formerly stood opposed to me, but who, representing, apparently, a united constituency, have had every deference paid to their recom. mendations and suggestions. No general rule can be applied to such matters, and it would be folly to pretend that errors may not have . been committed ; but I claim for the Government, that it shall be judged by its general course of conduct, and, in the main, I am sa- tisfied that those who formerly acted with my learned friend from the County of Cape Breton, have no cause of complaint. Turning to my own friends and supporters, 1 am prepared to show that the present Administration has evinced an anxious desire to win their confidence, not by the sacrifice of their former opponents, but by a fair and just consideration. In endeavouring to reconcile those who looked to a party government — in bearing up against the absurd opinion of some, that 1 could only be useful in opposition, I have had some trials of temper, but have been amply rewarded by the returning confidence of old friends, and the cordial union of the constitutional party, every where, in support of the present Government. Mr. J. K. Dewolf. — Do you endeavour to satisfy them ? f;^ »,.';* The Speaker. — My object is to show that the Government has been such as ought to satisfy both parties. If any gentleman thinks that justice has not been done, he should state his «*harge8 to the House. It has been said, by some of my friends, the Reformers have but three RepresentJitiTes at the Council Board : this is true, if the term is m I fie \ u » %onRno(l tothoio who acted with the majority of the last House; but Ihtro aro others who, on a great variety of questions, are as liberal aa any — who are every way entitled to the respect of large bodies df th« population, and whouo wish is to do justice to all. The spirit of past conflicts is not heard in the deliberations of the Council, but the desire of its Members is to forget old feuds, and to make Lord Falkland's name the rallying point for the better feelings of the Goiui- try : in doing this, the policy and views of the Government must be regulated by the aspect of the whole Province, not by the prejudices, or unraaaonahle desires, of any particular County, if dissatisfaction has arisen, because Lord Falkland has had the firmness to disregard local importunity, and resist local faction, it will not be by the assem- bled Representatives of the whole Province that he will be oondemn-' •d. Petitions have sometimes been sent, asking for appointments, on the ){round that the Gover/iinent was pledged to act according to the well understood wishes of the People : this is absurd, if the phrase in applied to a roajority in any particular District or County ; as vn- doratood, and acted on, by the present Administration, it means the wall understood wishes of the Province at large — as represented in this House. With this the liberal party appear to be satisfied, and well they may he, when they look back and contrast their present position with what it was. Although their representation in the Go- vorunient is limited, and although they may not have accomplished all that seems necessary for a complete party triumph, they Itave won all that tho Country requires to ensure good government hereafter— British Uepresentativd Institutions, carrying with them Executive influenoe. Under the Id system, twelve gentlemen, tvho, during a quarter of tho year, discharged, in secret, the functions of a Branch of the Legislature, held during their lives a monopoly of Exeoative power ; the Governor could not turn them out, neither could the Peo- ple ; they ruled both, and acknowledged )r»ry Member of it has avowed. Mr, HttKiin^ton. — Thoy avowed, last Session, that they would con- tinue to support the minority if they were out of the Administration. • Tlkf Sftt«itt\ — If out of the Administration, gentlemen would ^jpvohably act with old friends or take any course they pleaoed — 'but while in it, they are bound by the principles upon which it is formed. Hud there is not a Member of Lord Falkland's Council who woald not bow, constitutionally, and after the deliberate opinion of the ooqb- try was fairly ascertained, to the decision of this House. That«Tery fair attempt has been made to give the majority representation at the Bf>«rd. is shown by the fact, that a seat was offered to my Hon. friend frv>m Yarmouth, and thai one has been conferred en ray learned friend from Inverness : indeed the gen*?ral conduct of the Adrnmiatra- t«on has :$hmi- try into confusion, merely for the purpose of testing or abusing the great powers which the present system includes: this Assembly un- derstands its high duties too well, — but we cannot shut our eyes to the fact that there is, beyond these walls, an unreasoning, irreciaima- 1*1 1 ; \ i i 14 ble faction, disposed to go the whole length with the Hon. Member from Pictou — to move the state coach back to the old road — to undo what the constitutional party has accomplished, and to make the name of the nresent Administration, and the principles upon which it is founded, disliked by the people of Nova-Scotia. I appeal to those who have hi'herto acted with me, both here and elsewhere — to those who have been the tried friends of the Constitution and the Country, and ask, will they, upon any small pretext, for any trifling diflference of opinion among themselves, play the enemy's game, and put it in their power to grope back to the old and exploded system ? The constituency of Nova-Scotia will never consent to that. You might as soon persuade them to adopt the costume of their great grandfa- thers, or dress their wives in the hooped petticoats their grandmothers wore. Those Political Rip Van Wrinkles have been slumbering so long in the sleepy hollows of ultraism, that they seem scarcely con- scious of what has been passing around them of late years, aiid fancy that they can get the people back to the old principles. If they do, k will be without the aid of any of those who are in the present Ad- ministration, and who are determined to move steadily on, upon the beaten paths of the Constitution , and to keep clear of the old slough of despond. Between the small faction, who wish to retrograde, and the present Government, there is a gulf, wide as the poles asunder. They cannot take my hon. and learned friend from Cape Breton, or myself, or any of the men who surround Lord Falkland, back, or prevent us from paying to the Assembly that deference and respect which the Representatives of the People have a right to claim from thoM VKho compose the Executive Council. These worthies pu.t me in mind of the old woman in Edinburgh, who lived in one of the highest flats of one of the oldest mansions, and was, to her dying day, a zealous adherent of the Pretender. She mourned over the elevation of th« House of Brunswick, and, after two or three of the line had sat on the Throne of the United Kingdom, she still toddled on, with pattens on feet, and a little dog by her side, denouncing the new principles,-— and sighing for the good old times. She and the Stuarts have gone to their final account, but some of her lineal descendants must have emigrated to this Province, and mourn here, as she did at home, over improvements they cannot retard. There was an American projector, during the last war, who invented a machine, called a tor- pedo, which was to swim under water, and blow up the British Nary. It raised great expectations, but somethirfg always went wrong, and^ except when the inventor blew himself up occasionally, no other mis- chief was done- A similar result generally attends the schemes of the small party to whom I refer — they plot befor a moment be sustained. One complaint, sometimes made against Lord Falkland, deserves to be fjc.iaed, for its novelty— it is one not often urged either against the Sovereign or those who represent her in the Colonies : it has been said that his Lordship has beeif guilty of the high offence of surrounding himself with men of ability, and of endeavouring to com- bine in his Administration as much of talent and experience as he eould get. This is certainly a strange ground of opposition. It is one rarely resorted to by public men in Elngland. Sir Robert Peel never thought of bringing such a charge again^U the Whigs. The 16 1 1; li I : /I . ( I ; I- ! s , ill \ i i 'i l1 complaint, in the late struggle, was not that they had too much talent, but that they had not enough. «>> *bich men of ability give to a Governor, do they run any risk from his be- ing so surrounded ? The Government of England, with its enor* mous patronage, extending through every ramification of diplomacy, of the Army, the Navy, and the Church, cannot purchase the Repre- sentative Branch, or prevent it from dismissing a Ministry that the people disapprove of; and} in this Province, 1 deny that the elevation of any eight or nine men, however eloquent or able, can stifle the public voice, or trammel the independent action of this A98embl7'— such an .assertion is a slander on the Legislature, and on the People of Nova-iScutia. The events of the present winter have shown that this House will always pursue )an independent course, irrespective of any Government. I knew before the House met that such a sUnder would be repudiated. On questions where the majority conscien- tiously differed with the Administration, they took their own course.^ The Members of Government thought they discovered feelings at work which were not avowed, but when convinced there was no hos^ tility, but that the votes were given from opinions on the merits of the measures, they were content to go on in the course which they had chosen, feeling (hat the House had the spirit, and the power, to sup« ply a corrective whenever the Government was wrong. The forlorn hope of the faction to which I have alluded, is th6 change of Government in England — they, a contemptible minority of our population, think that the statesmen who claim their places be" cause they are the leaders of the majority at Home, will violate their own principles, and those of common sense and sound colonial policy, for the purpose of bolstering up a fragment of a party here, who have neither the talent, the numbers nor the in^uence to conduct a Govern- ment, and who make a wretched opposition. These people forget that the new colonial system is not a party question in England. Whigs and Tories approved of Lord Durham's Report, and of Lord Sydenham's policy. The Canada Act received the cordial concur- rence of Sir Robert Peel, as well as of Lord John Russell — the only important amendment moved giving power to the colonists to ooft- •truot their own municipal councils : a concession which proves thai the Conservative party in England has no desire to fetter us in the eoa