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Date: 1864-09-17
By: The Montreal Herald
Citation: “Catholic Convention in Lower Canada.”, The Montreal Herald (17 September, 1864)
Other formats: TBA

THE CATHOLIC CONVENTION IN LOWER CANADA.

We see that the Montreal True Witness demands a continuance of the existing state of things, or a repeal of the legislative union between Upper and Lower Canada, in the interest of the latter Province In this our contemporary is sustained by L’Union Nationale; and the whole of the French Opposition of Lower Canada. They are unanimous in denouncing the Federation Scheme as an attempt at the extinction of French Canadian and Catholic interests in this section of North America. We may not look upon it precisely in this way; but we are right in endeavouring to view the question in every possible phase, and in discussing it with a view to an elucidation.

Our cotemporary of the True Witness and his confrere have spoken out in public meeting, and by a document to which their names are appended. Side by side with Mederic Lanctot, in identical array with that deadly enemy of federation, the successor to La Presse, and in the midst of a most respectable body of signatures comes “G. E. Clerk, editor of the True Witness,’ showing that that distinguished writer was quite in earnest about what he was doing, and that he was determined to shirk none of the responsibility of his acts. Not only is his own name signed to this document so hostile to Federation, but he takes care, that his official title shall immediately follow.

The important points in this Lower Canadian manifesto are not to us the opinions expressed in it; but the sources whence derived and the mode in which they were elicited. Though in a more informal manner the course taken is precisely that one suggested by the preliminary meeting in London. In Upper Canada we purpose to call a delegated body for the purpose of discussing the question and coming to a conclusion. In Lower Canada our co-religionists have taken the matter up at once, and have issued a manifesto from a single meeting in a single city. We shall not say how far this course of proceeding may be palatable to the Catholics of the Lower [Province?], or how far they may be disposed to ratify the resolutions which are its result; but we think that the London proposal for a general convention of Catholics is much preferable. It has, at all events, the sanction derived from the meeting in Montreal, which was nothing more than an informal Convention of the Catholics of Lower Canada, to discuss and decide on what opinions are honestly to be held in reference to the question of Federation, We may also gather from the proceedings in Lower Canada, that the Venerable Hierarchy of the Catholic Church desire an expression of opinion in reference to the great constitutional changes which are looming in the future. The Holy Father received with satisfaction, a couple of years ago, the addresses from the laity of Europe, and America, declaring the public opinion of the Catholics with him against the spoliation of the King of Sardinia. And we feel confident that that mode of proceeding (by conventing, or petition, or both) could not but be in this case approved by our prelates who would not fail to make a good use of the deliberations and resolutions of a large and respectable body of men. There can be no reason to suspect that the editor of the Montreal True Witness took part in the Catholic meeting held in Montreal, or that he sustained their resolutions without the sanction of the highest ecclesiastical authority. Mr. Clerk is not in the habit of taking such steps without sufficient warrant from headquarters. In moving therefore, as he undoubtedly did, by aiding in a public meeting of Catholics to discuss Federation, and in passing a series of resolutions on the subject, with the sanction of our Venerable and ever-to-be-esteemed Hierarchy he has given the gentlemen who assembled in London on the 6th of September; the highest authority for the action which they have taken.—Mirror