Document Information

Date: 1864-08-19
By: Perth Courier
Citation: “British Connection Endangered by a Confederation”, Perth Courier (19 August, 1864)
Other formats: TBA

BRITISH CONNECTION ENDANGERED BY A CONFEDERATION.

If the scheme of a Confederation of the British Provinces, proposed by Messrs. Brown and McDonald, can be successfully carried out, and the vast American territories over which the flag of Great Britain now floats, be consolidated under a strong federal government, it might be well to enquire what effect that consolidation will have on the future connection between this country and Great Britain. Leaving out of consideration, in this connection, the aerial idea of making laws and political institutions on the banks of the Ottawa or St. Lawrence, that would apply with equal justice to the people of Red River and Cape Breton, and considering only the more probable scheme of a federal union between the Canadas and the Lower Provinces, we are led to conclude that the tendency of that union is final political separation from the mother country. It is scarcely in the nature of the circumstances to be otherwise; and a few considerations on those circumstances will help to point out the danger, which now threatens the overthrow, in this country, of the institutions rendered dear to the heart of every true Canadian by the glory and stability they have acquired under the wise training of British statesmen.

The six Provinces of which it is proposed to make one country, stretch along a water frontier of nearly two thousand miles, and embrace an area of about five hundred thousand square miles. Their products are capable of supporting a population much greater than that of Great Britain, and, supposing it possible to fuse their population into a homogenous American Nationality, they would have within themselves the resources of a nation, and material of wealth to an extent, that as yet, is comparatively unknown. Possessing spacious harbors, splendid railways, and a means of inland navigation unsurpassed in the world, to assist in the development of the mineral and agricultural resources of the soil, it would be strange indeed if such a mighty nation remained content with the status of a colony. The lessons of the past proves that a people possessing the resources and capacity of a nation, cannot be governed by any other means than those pertaining to a national government. But, besides the obvious conclusions drawn from a principle established by experience, we have in the capacity of the British Provinces for a national union, proof of the fact that they cannot thus remain a colony of Great Britain. Nations are always governed by a policy according with their interests, and it would be folly to suppose that the Brown and McDonald nation would prove any exception to the rule. Being established on this principle, where would be the bond to connect us with Great Britain? What interests would we possess in common with a country nearly three thousand miles away, when we could produce within ourselves everything we wanted, or procure, by direct trade with other nations, what we now get through England?—The customs laws of the different Provinces established by the varying interests of each section, have heretofore kept us apart, and caused each colony to look to the Mother Country for the supply of its own needs, entirely independent of any considerations of favoring intercourse with its neighbours. When all these barriers are swept away, and the opposing inter ests of all are united, what can its effect be but to render us independent of England? and, if really independent, why should we remain in a position of dependence? It is evident that we would not, and for this reason alone, if none other could be adduced, that ambitious young nations are like ambitious young men, and are anxious to “set up on their own hook” whenever a favorable opportunity presents itself for so doing. We would want our army, and our navy, and our own ships carrying our own commerce to all parts of the world; and we should have our own ambassadors at all the European and American Courts, and take our stand among the nations of the earth, instead of being shoved into a corner and treated as a mere colony. It is true that these fine things would cost a considerable sum of money every year, and as the arrangement from which they are to arise, was entered into solely to avoid paying as much for the government of the country as we have hitherto paid, it now becomes a question as to how much money we would save by the improvement in our political status which, it is supposed, this change would effect. Leaving this question to be dealt with at some future day by the financial genius of Galt, we may, in the meantime, look at another phase of the nationality scheme which seriously threatens the British connection of the Confederation. It is well known that democratic ideas prevail to a great extent in this country, and as we are too young, and everything around us too new, to create an aristocratic element, it is evident that the tendency of our institutions is towards Republicanism, which tendency is increased by our close intercourse with the people of the United States. In the Lower Provinces the democratic tendency of the people is even stronger than in Canada, for in New Brunswick the Legislature is even now elected by universal suffrage, every man twenty-one years of age having as much voice in the government of the country as the wisest and wealthiest. With a nationality founded on this democratic element, it is but natural to expect republicanism as the consequence of its developement, although Mr. McGee says that when the machinery of the government is started, he will bring over a little Prince to keep it in order, and establish a titled aristocracy in the country to drive all fanciful ideas of republican equality out of the minds of the people.—With due respect to the poetical judgment of the hon. gentleman, we think the facts of the case entirely disprove his theory, for when the democratic element is already so strong, what can be expected when it swells to the dimensions of a national existence but that the British element will be swamped, the connection with Britain severed, and a new Republic established on the northern banks of the Lakes and St. Lawrence.