-:.> r^:K^ ."^^^"^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) i:i.o I.I 1^ 150 1^ li^ 1^ 1^ ^ as. 12.0 u •UUu u 1.8 |l.25 Iju J4 ^ 6" ► "/F (?> yl /A "^' ^ v^ V ' My Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. MSEO (716) S73-4S03 ^^ i\ ^v 4l^ ^ '-i'.; 1/ The aotaal state of affairs throughout the Dominion of Canada eeems to forebode a tempestuous future for the country. The r most populous of the Canadian Provinces, Ontario, attacks the young Province of Manitoba with violence and fury, such as to harrow the feelings of every Canadian who loves his country, and ' is desirous of her strength and probperity. As the evil is at its .outset, its prcgrcHS may be stayed; and, if judicious men will { give it their attention, they can heal the wounds which the two f last years have envenomed. It is this conviction that determines me to write the following lines, and to offer them to the considera- tion of the members of the Federal Legislature. iLA No one will venture to contest tiie entire independence of one ' Province with regard to another. This basis of our Federal pact , should be applied to the weak Provinces as weV. as to the strong, i to the poor as well as to the rich, to the ne?« as well as to the old. i This principle admitted, it is painful and, moreover, alarming to i see the Province of Ontario coming forward as queen and arbitrcss I of Manitooa. The press of Ontario aims at having Manitoba ^ treated as a subordinate, that should be directed and domineered. . Certain immigrants, from the mere fact that they come from Ontario, consider themselves entitled to everything in Manitoba, f^ and justifiable in violating the laws, and insulting the authorities, t when all does not meet their views. But '^'hat is still more de- i plorable is to see the Legislature of Ontario pass resolutions, I and contributing largely of their funds to determine the villains • who represent her in the North-west to persist in their acts of violence, and to continue the disorder and strife which they alone . were the first to provoke, and in which they have acted a niOst i* prominent part. 'i?K*- 1/ Serious disturbnnces have arisen in Red River ; but every one is well aware that the troubles took their origin from Ont::rio people. k"'chultz, Bown, Meade, Mair, and others, have, by their misrepresentations, misled public opinion in Canada, and imposed upon the first Governnjent officers sent to Red River; and, what should be considered a still more baneful result, is the impressioa that pervades the population, that all coming from Canada are to be unjustly hostile. Nothing but the falsehoods and threats of this same clan, and their habit of oflfering open resistance to the law, gave rise to the insurrectional movement of 1869, with a view to settle the conditions on which the North-west might enter the Confederation, in such a way as not to be played upon by Ontario. Riel would never have thought of offering resist- ance, and he would have failed in the effort, had not the popula- tion been unfavorably predisposed by the vile and shameful pro- ceedings of certain Canadians. The Hon. W. McDougall, Messrs. Snow and Dennis, would never have incurred the disgrace attached to the very mention of their names had they not chosen to be led by Schultz and Co. The disturbances once begun, no attention was paid to the real cause of them: provocative agents were overlooked, while their only aim was to endeavor to redeem their own faults and those of their friends, and this they thought to aciiieve by false accusations, baneful insinuations, and atrocious calumnies. The perfidious characters representing Ontario in Winnipeg are styled martyrs. It was deemed fit to call forth as deserving and loyal the greatest villain among them. Nothing has been spared to render him conspicuous: banquets, inducements and pay have been lavished on him — one thing was unheeded, his moral reform- ation. Indignation meetings have revealed hatred and provoked explo- sions, of which the few serious men brought to take part in them should blush lo-day. The capital of Ontario is ignominiously branded since it allowed one of its aldermen to become the haranguer of a mob, which in broad daylight in the public streets resolved on " lynching" men with whom they were entirely unacquainted, and who, moreover, had nothing to do, directly or indirectly, with the death i'< t) of Thomas Scott. The most savacje tribes treat delegates, even those of ene.nics, with regard; and Toronto would fain hang the delegates whom the North-west sent to Canada, and that after the Imperial Government had sent orders to receive and hear them. Witii the sole view of pleasing Ontario the Dominion defrayed the enormous expense of a military expedition. The Government of Her Majesty sanctioned this expedition only after the delegates had expressed their satisfaction at tiie arrangements made at Ottawa Ontario, heedless of the good faith guaranteed by the reprc.-^eutatives of our gracious Sovereign, continued and still continues to excite fanaticism, hatred and vengeance. The Cana- dian army, coming to Manitoba on a mission of peace and civiliza- tion, must bear the shame of having its annals sullied by the misdeec's of a certain number of its soldiers. Murder, assaults, battery, threats to set fire, forcing prison doors, such are a few of the fruits of peace and civilization of which Ontario has incurred the ignominious responsibility in Manitoba. All these shameful deeds were made known in England and at Ottawa: they were given the deaf ear and palliated. The eminent men who govern Ontario should have understood that, even in their own interest, it was advisable for them to have remained silent — far from it, they became more turbulent and intrusive than ever, and even to-day spare nothing to provoke explanations, which can be only to their own disadvantage. Once more with regard to Scott !— A resolution of the Ontario Legislature expresses its regret and its wishes on the subject. Five thousand dollars offered for the arrest and conviction of the murderers of Scott! This last measure would be ridiculous were it not so criminally dangerous. Thomas Scott, of the County of Middlesex, came to Red River during the summer of 18(59, in the service of Mr. Snow, to work at the Dawson Road. The first tiiue he got dissatisfied with his employer, Thomas Scott, who wore a pistol at hi« belt, drew his weapon and presented it at the breast of Mr. Snow, swearing that he would kill him like a dog if he uttered a single word. Towards the fall of the sime year Mr. Snow's workmen, almost all from Ontario, and headed by Scott, took it in their heads to refuse to work for five days. Mr. Snow dismissed them, but, on his refusal to pay for the time of their rebellion, Scott, with the help of his comrades, seized the agent of the Canadian Government, dragged him violently out of the house, struck him, and then hauled him to the edge of the river " La Seine," where they would have certainly drowned him had no one came to his rescue. By night, and conducted by a French Half-breed, Mr. Snow was enabled to reach Fort Garry, and lay the ca^o before the authorities of Assini- boia. Two men composed at the time the entire police force of Winnipeg; and two men were suflScient to maintain peace among the "banditti "of the country. The authorities under- stood that the same number would not sufl&ce to bring the "loyalists" of Ontario to justice. Special conbt:t,ble8 were sworn in, and sent to arrest Scott and his party. Threats to fire at the constables did not intimidate them. Scott was arrested and brought to prison. Some time after the mild authorities of Assiniboiu admitted him to bail. The political movement which immediately after changed the face of the country, saved Scott from the sentence which would necessarily have disgraced him. Without meaning to justify the sentence, which at a later period condennied him to death, it is easy to judge of the violence and irascibility of his disposition, and to infer that he was moved by something else besides a noble feeling of loyalty and devotion to his Queen and country. If ho was, and he really was, such in time of peace, one can easily form an idea ot what he must have been amidst troubles in which he took a most active part. If Ontario has a right to interfere in revenging Scott, she has the same obligation to interfere and punish the perpetrators of the death of Goulet. In the one instance it is the victim, in the other it is the murderers, that are of Ontario. The protnicted silence kept relative to Goulet's death, and the noise about Scott's grave, are clear proofs that justice Is not the main object in view with those who dwell so eagerly on this irritating question. The Imperial Government enforced arrangements which would satisfy the people of Red lliver, the Federal Government and Parliament have agreed as to the tenor of the settlement The people of Red River have accepted them, why, then, is Ontario •constantly interfering in an aflfair not under its control ? To r ^i justify such reprehensible intervention, Ontario calls forth Statutes enacted long ago, and which are said to confer on Canadian Courts, certain jurisdiction relative to crimes perpetrated in the North- west Territory, and in that of the Hon. Hudson's Bay Company. Unfortunately, while speaking of such Statutes, people lose sight of the conditions required in order to enable the Canadian Courts to proceed. For instance, the Imperial Act. 1 and 2 Geo. IV.^ oh. 66, states that local otficers should be appointed by the Impe- rial Government to take cognizance of the crimes in the said Territories, and then to submit the criminals to the jurisdiction of the Canadian Courts. Now the Impel ial Government has appointed no one whatsoever to apprehend Riel or others, conse- quently the Courts of Ontario have no right to prosecute thom in virtue of the Statute passed in 1821, and on which they establish their grounds for attempting to do so. The Act of Union 3 and 4 Vict., chap. 36, likewise enacted by the Imperial Parliament, does not confer on the United Canadas a more ample jurisdiction, than that possessed previous to their Union — far from it; practice clearly indicates that the Crown has made use of the power g'*anted by the 11th sect, of the above Act 1 and 2 Geo. IV., ch. 66, and has invested the Hon. Hudson's Bay Company with the judicial power requisite to bring to justice and punish criminals within the limits of its territory. Since 1840 the Hon. Hudson's Bay Company, to the knowledge and with the approbation of England, has organized courts of justice. A recorder was chosen, appointed, and paid by the Company. Although the first and second recordtrs had been selected in Canada, and known there, Canada West never attempted any opposition no more than Canada East. The Court presided over by this recorder judged every case brought before it. On the 7th September, 1845, a man was hanged at Fort Garry, having been sentenced to death by the same Court. Twenty-three years later, the case of two individuals, from Ontario, accused of having killed Desmarais, was tried and disposed of in virtue of the same power. No one has ever said that such cases should have been tried at Toronto. Those dissatisfied with the proceedings of the Court estiblished at Fort Garry appealed directly to England. Such was the step taken by the notorious and Rev. iMr. Corbctt. England in consenting to examine the matter, far from denyinj^' the judiciary power exercised by the Honorable Hudson's Bay Company, contirmed it ; therefore England has not submitted to the jurisdiction of Ontario the grievances of the Honorable Hudson's Bay Territory,. and, consequent. V, Ontario has no authority in the Scott affair. If this line of action during a period of njarly thirty years, known and approved of by England, does not seem a sufficient; proof for the incredulous, 1 am ready to furnish a more formab exj)licit and direct one. The 5th sect, of 31. and 32 Vict., ch. 25, reads as follows " Until otherwise enacted by the said " Parliament of Canada, all the powers, authorities, and juris- " diction of the several courts of justice now established in " Rupert's Lund, and of the several officers thereof, and of all *' magistrates and justices now acting within the same limits, " shall continue in full force and effect therein." Therefore, at least from the date of the passing of this last Act, 31 July, 18G8, the jurisdiction of the courts of justice in Rupert's Land is fully and entirely sanctioned, and shall continue until otherwise enacted by the Parliament of Canada (of course only after the transfer). Consequently, at least since the said epoch, 1868, until that of the tran.sfer, Ontario can, no more than Quebec or any other Province, claim the right of any jurisdiction whatsoever in Rupert's Land. Well every one is aware that Thomas Scott died in Rupert't} Land during the interval of the two epochs just mentioned. So it is clear that the authors of his death, who.soever they m-iy be, cannot ha tried before a Canadian Court, unless such power be given by a new Imperial Act. The Province of Ontario cannot claim jurisdiction at Fort Garry on the ground that Schultz and others from Ontario forced the prison doors and insulted the judges that found them guilty. It would not be more logical to advance that the Honor- able y^. McDougall being from Ontario, the silly proclamation by which he overthrew the Government of Assiniboia has invested tht' courts of justice in Toronto with jurisdiction relative to the criuijs perpetrated from the moment at which the same Hon. W. McDougall criminally usurped the name of his Sovereign, and the day it was Her Most Gracious Majesty's good pleasure i -.: ' k ->:. to give her Royal sanction to the transfer of tliesc countries to the Dominion of Canada. It is urged by some that Kiel shoukl be prosecuted on the ground of his having being President of the Provislo il Govern, inent at the time of the execution of Scott ; and the same parties admire and exalt Dr. John Schultz, who had likewise forni-d a government of his own, that lasted four days, and wasinstrum. iital in the death of two men, Sutherland and Parisien. Donald A. Smith, Esq., Commissioner of Canada and of the Honorable Hudson's Bay Company, reached Fort Girry during the disturbances. After much calculation and effort he convoked a mass meeting of the whole population. The same meetitjo- decided on a convention, composed of forty delegates, 20 English and 20 French. The convention deliberated for a long time at Fort Garry, and one of its last acts was the establisliment of a government with a view to maintain order in the country. Owin"" to circumstances, the late Governor, Wm. Mc Tavi'^h, Esq., who had been divested of office by the proclamation of the Hon. W". McDcugall, and who alone had a right to the government of Rupert's Land, gave his consent to the formation, or rather the consolidation, of the Provision il Government. Thirty-seven dele- gates out of forty re-elected Riel as President of t'le Government, and appointed its different officers. Delegates were selected to <«-o to Canada, public rejoicings ensued, and the community at large felt confident that a satisfactory solution had been secured, and that the Provisional Governmant so formed would have to maintain peace in the country until the arival of the Canadian authorities. The pleasing prospect was soon blighted ; two days after the convention John Schultz, on one side, Thomas Scott, on the other set to work with some of their friends to organize parties to oppose the existing government which had just been recognized. People gathered and were under arms. The head-quarters of the new insurgent army were established at Kildonan. At the moment of danger Schultz declined to take the command. Scott was one of the most zealous. Well, now, I ask any sensible man was this true loyalty ? Have these pretended heroes proved them- selves true friends of order in the country ? On what authority does the new party disturb the peace ? On what authority do they take up arms? Who authorized them to make arrests ? 8 I In this new gathering, which issuid to have numbered six hun- dred, there was so little discipline that Purisien, a deserter and opponent of Riel, was arrested as one of his spies. The pressure from both sides affected his brain, already rather weak. He once more attempted flight, and in the effort, thinking he was pursued by young Sutherland, he shot him. Scott and a few others fired after and wounded Parisien ; they then overtook him, and gave him such a cruel and barbarous pounding that he was left for dead, and, in fact, he never recovered. The opponents of the Provisional Government, not able to agree among themselves, dispersed. Forty-eight of them were arrested on the 17th February, and imprisoned in Fort Garry jail. Thomas Scott, one of the number, was tried by a court martial, sentenced to death on the 3rd of March, and executed the next day. It is the victim of this execution, it is the corpse of this unfortunate Thomas Scott, that the politicians of Ontario bring forward to nourish the excitement from which they hope to derive profit. The blind fanaticism of th.e mob is excited by some in the name of religion: by oo^^^^rs in comparing this death to the assassination of the Hon. D'Arcy M?Gee. It is said, over and over again, that the Half-breeds are a cruel and blood-thisty people. Those who make this assertion either do not believe it themselves, or they are entirely ignorant of the circumstances of the political movement which took place in Red River. Riel and his men entered Fort Garry at the beginning of No- vember, they remained till the end of August. During that period he had many enemies and difl&culties to contend with. The order issued to Col. Dennis to burn, destroy, kill, &c., &c., all that would offer resistance, was the signal for strife; and this strife, the result of the proclamation of Hon. Wm. McDougall, was abso- lutely void of any legal character. Dennis had no more right to take possession of Lower Fort Garry than Riel to occupy Upper Fort Garry. Der nis had no more right to arm the Canadians and Indians, than Kiel to arm the Half-breeds. Two rival camps met one another on an equal footing of illegality, with the exception that Riel and his men stood on the defensive, in order to secure against strangers what j1\ ■; they considered to be their rights as British subjects. Without shedding a single drop of blood, Iliel remained master of tiie situation, made prisoners of the advanced guard of Col. Dennis' arm)/ stationed in Doctor Schultz* house, proclaimed the Provi- sional Government as the only one existing, because he had over- thrown that of the *' Conservator of the Peace," and, as Mr. Mc Dougall had been careful to aflSrm, the fall of the Government of Assiniboia. This occurred in December. In the month of January following, Donald A. Smith, Esquire, opposed the Provisional Government more cunningly. He aimed at dividing the French Half-breeds, and succeeded to a certain extent. Riel had now a new party to contend with, and the country was on the brink of destruction; salutary influence pre- vented warfare. This event brought about the public meeting and the Conven- tion already mentioned ; and its final result was to secure another triumph of the Provisional Government. The Convention was concluded under the Presidency of Riel himself, elected by the same as President of the Provisional Government, with the approval of the parties who alone commanded authority. This second crisis gave rise to another attempt, on the part of Schultz, Scott and others, which would have proved a ridiculous fiasco, did it not entail the loss of three lives : Sutherland and Parisien killed in the field of the new insurgp- 's; and Scott executed in the other camp. This last death put a stop to threats and aggression, and from that moment until it had itself agreed to abdicate, the Provisional Government was untrammelled. While recalling to mind the organization that brought about the formation of the Prv, 'nee of Manitoba, it is indeed exceedingly painful to meet a cor^.se on the way ; it is nevertheless true to say, that what astonishes most during this peauliar movement is not the death of one man, but, on the contrary, that only one man was killed by the stronger party. Just fancy an armed population in its native land, and that during a period of ten months ; fancy young men twenty-five years of age, without political experience, or legal training, and withal the leaders of the population, and in reality exercising dictatorial authority, under a military regime. During four consecutive months these men are threatened day 11 10 and night. Strangers, their bitter enemies, endeavor by every means to overpower them ; and notwithstanding all this, one only was killod of those who only awaited the opportunity of killing overy one of tliem. Such a fjct will be admitted as exceptional ^n history, and is a clear proof that the Half-breeds of Red lliver are not a blood-thirsty people. We willingly r. 3mit an error of iulgment. People thought themselves invested with an authority they did not possess. Of two evils, they chose the one they con- Bidered the least. A man was condemned and executed because he was found guilty and dangerous. It is undoubtedly a deplor- able blunder on the part of a Court that had no legal standing ; but, in the meantime, it may be equally affirmed that it was no cold-blooded murder. Sitting in a Cabinet, perfectly at rest, under the protection of a regular government, it is not easy, and probably not possible, to T^roperly understand the course of events resulting from the disorganization which has necessarily characterized the movement which is the object of our remarks. Any one who is acquaintsd with the excesses resorted to during popular excitement, will not wonder at the death of one man, in such circumstances, although it is always to be greatly deplored. Without seeking for comp:irison with any other country, let us take a glance at what took place in Red River itself, even amon": the most bitter revilers of the Half-breeds. Men who come forward as the champions of loyalty, whose pretended courage and spirit ot order elicit the adi iration of others, such men gathered during four days, and two dead bodies sullied the ground where they n 't. Troops arrived at Fort Garry. They are termed the " expedition of peace " and civilization. The Union Jack is hoisted, (to replace the British flag 'sic'). (The roaring of tiie cannon proclaimed the change to the echoes of the surrounding plains, and shameful lies echoed higher and farther.) The flag of the Provisional Government was replaced by the one bearing the motto: Proppllc cutcm. Orgies, such as Winnipeg had never before witnessed, inaugurated the nev/ era ; ai.d a few days after there was another corpse — that of a man cowardly assassinated in broad daylight. Who is this new victim ? Oh ! it i- beneath our notice ; it is only •\ ) 11 Frencli Tlalf-breec! ; it is a " miscreant disposed of," added the DaUy Telegraph. And the Honorable Mr. Blake will venf ire to go so fjr as to express his surprise, that Lieutenant Governor Archibald wrote lengthily in his dispatches to the Government of Ottawa concerning this murder, committed a short distance from his residence, and only eight days after his installation ! And such men have the presumption to give lessons of justice, honor and loyalty. A few weeks after, gentlemen from Ontario take a notion to canvass for the Legislature of Manitoba. They call political meetings. Mr. Tanner, an English Half-breed, formerly a mis- sionary, dared refuse to endorse these gentlemen's views. An infamous plot is immediately organized, and the unfortunate old man is killed. But, as he is not from Ontario, the event illicits but little notice. Had he been a French Half-breed, there would have been -no hesitation in short'ing satisfiction ; being English, it was hushed up. Why not drop this cry of Thomas Scott ? or, if you insist on having justice, demand it for all parties alike? When you made mention of only one of the five victims of Red Tliver troubles, it is obvious that justice is not your aim. People of Toronto say that five thousand dollars might be voted to create trouble in Manitoba, because, in time of distress, five thousand dollars had been granted to relieve the sutterings of the Red River people. This is, indeed, an uncommon argument. Just as much as to say : " I have been kind to you ; therefore I have a right to do you harm, or even to kill you if I think fit." Another might say : "A fearful conflagration has destroyed a considerable part of Chicago; assistance has been sent from every quarter ; consequently, wlioever may take the notion can interfere with the administration of justice in Chieago; and all dissatisfied parties have a right to cause a disturbance there, by voting to this effect a sum equal to that subscribed by them for the relief of the needy. Even children would not come to such a conclusion. But what if the amount voted for the benefit of Red River suflFerers during the winter of 1868-1869 had never been given to them? It i , however, pretty clearly proved that a single cent of it never came to hand. It is also reported that the Relief Committee established at Fort Garry, having been 12 good natared enough to believe that a vote of the Legislature of Ontario could be relied upon, contracted a debt equal to the sum promised, and the same debt is still unpaid ! ! ! On hia promotion the lion. Mr. Blake put his hand into the coffer of his Honorable predecessor. The first thing he laid his hand on was a roll of five thousand dollars, addressed " Bed Biver Settle- ment." " This will just suit my purpose," said he ; " Sandfield " attracted attention by his motion to vote five thousand dollars " for Bed Kiver, and he is nothing the poorer for it as he having "kept all; why would I not do the same? Well, then, five '' thousand dollars for Bed Biver, now Manitoba, and let us add, "for the arrest and conviction of the murderers of Scott. This " will produce sensation, and it is quite sure that the sum " will never have to be paid. As there may be some ambiguity " about it we will promise a proclamation 1 A proclamation of "Mr. Blake to all and every individual in the wide world, to "arrest and convict, before competent tribunals, (not in exist- " ence), the men, whosoevvr tbey be, who m.ust be the murderers " of Scott !" Worthy Mr. Blake. Does it not seem to you that the Imperial Government of England has something to do with the British Empire, and the protection of British subjects? Well, the same Government that has the sole right to pronounce on difficulties that occurred in Bed Biver, before the transfer, is not at all of your opinion, or rather its views on the matter are quite the contrary of yours. If Manitoba and the North-west at the present time constitute a part of the Canadian Confederation, it is because the advice of Messrs. Blake & Co. has not prevailed, and because the Federal Government and Parliament agreed to what the Imperial Govern- ment proposed, arrangements that would satisfy the Colonists of litd River. I appeal to your common sense, fanatics though you be, that arc constantly raising a cry of revenge and retaliation, &c,, &c., &c., do you really believe that the Half-bieeds, to whom conditions were offered while bearing arms, would have accepted them if they had been told that their leader, his adjutant, and as many as Ontario chose, were to be hanged. Fortunately for Canada the Imperial Government commands a more extensive horizon than the narrow sphere in which Mr. Blake agitates his 13 policy. Owing to this, the people of Red River obtained from the Representutives of Her Majesty assurances that satisfied them, and which shall be carried out, although it should not be the good pleasure of our gracious Sovereign to whisper it into Mr. Blake's ears. Our neighbours of the Grand Republic, full of anxiety for the protection of the weak, refused at first the passage of St. Mary's Canal to Canadian vessels, conveying the expedition. Negotiations took place at Washington. It was again repeated that the expedition was one of " peace and civilization," and no doubt a few words mortf were added. It does not require the skill of a diplomatist to affirm that in such a case the British embassy satisfied the American Government that nothing would be attempted against the patriots of Red River. Expediency is sufficiently familiar to Mr. Blake, and he, as well as we, are pretty well satisfied that he would have done the same in similar cir- cumstmces. We have already proved pretty clearly that Ontario, more than any other Province of the Dominion, is in honor and justice bound to quell the agitation which prevails in Manitoba. Not- withstanding such an obligation,, we are sorry to assert that cer- tain resolutions of its Legislature are naturally conducive to another result. The telegraph wire had hardly conveyed to Mani- toba the painful information, when gatherings took place in all the parishes of the French Half-breeds,, English-speaking people, and not a few political enemies of Riel joined in the occasion. Every one felt the insult, and the danger resulting from the resolutions passed at Toronto relative to Manitoba. It was unanimously resolved in all these meetings to protect Riel and his friends against any tentative of their enemies. The parishes chose delegates, who assembled, numbering about two hundred, at Kiel's house, requesting the late President of the Provisional Government to rely on their energy to take efficacious means to protect him against the assassins who, very likely, would be moved to act by the reward oifered to them, and incited more and more to evil-doing by men who should direct their minds in a better way. Such apprehensions, painful as they are, seem so much the bettrr founded that Mrs. Riel and her daughters had been so 14 grossly insulted by men from Ontario, who entered her house, revolver in hand, using hideous blasphemies, and the horrible threat to kill the son and brother of these ladies. Such facts ought to convince everyone of the result in Manitoba of what is said in Ontario. The political dodges of the large Province give rise to crimes in the small one, Kiel has shown himself an abler politician and a better patriot than Mr. Blake. He refused to be a cause of excitement in the country, when it was so easy and so natural for him to allow the excitement to take place and increase. The very day after these meetings, which naturally were flattering to him and an induce- ment to remain at home, he took the resolution to exile himself. Call that man any name you like, you his enemies, but it is quite certain that, if he and his friends had been animated with the same feelings as you are, they would have made more than one victim : many would have met the same fate as Scott, during and after Provisional Government. The last session of the first Federal Parliament is now sitting ; very likely, once more the enemies of the government will endea- vor to make noise about the rfcott-Riel aftair. We beg leave to say that there is more than the question of a dead or of a living man, it is a question no less than of the Federal Union. The Canadian Confederation is just at its outset. Its friends, as well as its enemies, are aware that it is not yet on an immovable basis. Its first Parliament should be cautious not to strike a dangerous blow. Ontario versus Manitoba is nothing less than the violence of the strong used against the weak ; the inicjuitous covetousness of the rich to ruin the poor. Should the other Provinces allow such an injustice to take place, who can forsee the awful result of such an oppressive policy ? It is well known that the question of the North-west has already very nearly upset the Confederation ; such a mislbrtune is still possible. A very small stone is enough to drive out of the track the speediest and heaviest train. The oppression of a nation, though it be weak, cannot secure the pros- perity of the land it inhabits. People who strongly condemn the insurrection of the Half-breeds of Red River have succeeded in justifying it ; they have clearly proved that the poor fellows had good reason to refuso to enter the Confederation without being 15 informed as to what would be their position, and to what extent they would be protected against the oppression they so clearly foresaw. Would that the liberal and judicious proceedings of the Federal Parliament restore confidence ! The Dominion of Canada now extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Something else besides telegraphic communication is required to maint.iin order in such an extensive country. The difierent Provinces must rely on one another with confidence. The wisdom, impartiality, and equity of the Federal Legislature ouglit to be apparent to every sensible man. All th.e (rf'"-ont communities should think themselves at home where they live, and the Dominion flag should be considered as a security and protection. We need not apologize to the many'upright-minded people of Ontario for having spoken, as we have, about some of their coun- trymen. We ourselves hare heard many of Ontario, who tl ik and believe just as we do, and who deplore the ignominious acts perpetrated in Manitoba. The time is come to do away with such detestable means of excitement. Allow me to say once more that the troubles of Red River are due to men from Ontario. The same men continue the excitement. Without their undue interference the country would be calm and quiet ; the people happy, loyal and united. Previous to the arrival of those who have brought confusion into the country, the people of Red River had been satisfactorily tested. Previous to the hoisting of the flag with the word " Canada " on it, the service of two policemen was sufficient and seldom called for : now, though the increase of population has been very slight, the little Province of Manitoba has to pay yearly at least ten thousand dollars for the mainte- nance of the Police force in Winnipeg village, which hardly counts three hundred souls. For whom, and for what is such a consider- able force still very often inadequate to the requirements ? Every one in Manitoba is able to answer this question, and I myself, when visiting the Province, saw enough to satisfy my mind on this'point. Had Riel, according to the wishes of his friends, chosen to remain in the country the Government of Ontario would have run no greater risk to pay the five thousand dollars promised ; but 16 the Government of Manitoba would have to expend that amount, and perhaps more, to prevent assassination and other mischief, natural consequences of Mr. Blake's resolution and vote. When I say Mr. Blake, I cannot overlook, without pain, the unanimity which his inconsiderate proceedings have rallied round him. While admiring the conduct of the Hon. Mr. Cameron who stood alone, I have deplored the base hardihood of the Honorable Mr. Scott, of Ottawa, who dared affirm that on this question he voted last year against his convictions through party spirit. What guarantees can be expected from men who can sacrifice their convictions and conscience to party spirit ? If the Honorable Commissioner of the Crown Lands voted last year, as he himself owns, contrary to his convictions and conscience, who can say that he has not done the same this year ? Who can say that he does not always act in the same way ? Mr. Scott, probably without meaning it, has explained the whole posi- tion. Party spirit and not the spirit of justice can alone inspire what in general has been done and said in Ontario relative to Manitoba and the North-west. A Canadian v/ho has visited Manitoba TO Discover the Truth. i r my' r K" , /■ [;■; ,':'''^ ■2-' ^^. ''■J>> * . ' 'cv .'Vt. . J- ' I Jg\. J^J