Document Information

Date: 1867-03-26
By: The Montreal Herald
Citation: “The Passage of Confederation Act”, The Montreal Herald (26 March, 1867)
Other formats: TBA

PASSAGE OF THE CONFEDERATION ACT.

—Our English fyles received yesterday contain the important information that our new Constitutional Charter passed the final reading in the House of Commons on the 8th instant. The Royal assent is now alone wanting to complete a measure the effect of which will be to revolutionize the political institutions of these Provinces. Whether this revolution was really desired by the people, or is likely to fulfil all the anticipations of its promoters, are questions which it is now needless to discuss. Our own views on both points have been frequently expressed and are well-known to our readers, and we are quite willing to leave their vindication or their condemnation to the logic of events. We admit that the great change which is about to be consummated has been supported by a large majority of the Canadian Parliament, and we cannot deny that the people have to a considerable extent acquiesced in the action of their representatives. While, therefore, we hold that Imperial statesmen would have shown more wisdom if they had acted with less precipitancy, and that the measure itself would have been more likely to work satisfactorily if finally adopted after a general election held with special reference to it, we must in candour acquit them of any attempt to impose a system of government upon us which they had reason to believe would be obnoxious to us. Strongly as we deprecated the impending change in our form of government, while there was a possibility of averting it, now that it is inevitable we hold that it is the duty of all to give to the new system a fair trial, and to endeavour to secure to the country, through its instrumentality, the blessings of a stable, an efficient and economical government. This at all events will be our course, and we have reason to believe our views are shared by those who usually sympathize with us in reference to public affairs.