LORD LORNE AS GOVERNOR OF CANADA.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1419, 2 September 1878, Page 3

LORD LORNE AS GOVERNOR OF CANADA.

The appointment of the Marquis of Lome to the (Gtovernor-Q-eneralship of Canada introduces (says an exchange) probably a new era in colonial relations with the mother country. Hitherto, as a rule, these important positions have been given as a reward of political services of a rather obsequious kind, or in order to enable decayed branches of the aristocracy to be vivified by financial sap supplied by the pioneers of colonisation. As a result there has been a growing tendency with the more advanced of colonials to regard the incumbents of such offices in rather a contemptuous fashion, and the known cheese-parings to which some of these high officials have been acciiHtomed to resort, iu order to carry 0$ as much plunder as possible, has not JtesdecS to allay the feeling. aa a rule, have no particular obiectipoa 00 aobility of birth, provided it is not >j*a?red by ignobility of character or action, however democratic (lie community or its institutions may be. But for the shoddy article, or the article that comes to wear out its old clothes, and generally repair the ill consequences of riotous living, the colonial form of Anglo-Saxonism lias a great and growing distaste. Tho advent to colonial administration of a scion of the noble Ilouse of Argyle, and with him as a consort a

princess of the blood, is a now departure j and though the great dominion of Canada is hardly on a level with ordinary colonies, it may be that this is the inauguration of a new state of things, that will tend to remove the prevalent feeling " that anything is good enough for the colonies." But why may there not be an advance even on this, in the Princes of the Royal family themselves assuming the position of representatives of our Gracious Queen in the government of her great and growing dependencies. Providence has been pleased to bless the the Royal House with gratifying and extraordinary prolificness—a blessing promising to descend apparently to to the third and fourth generation. Why not utilise the numerous members of the Royal family in cementing the bonds of loyalty by showing to distant colonies that they are not regarded as too remote to be the homes, though temporary, of Her Majesty's children, who themselves would be all the better fitted to grace their high station by a little', of the rough-and-tumble of colonial life, and by gettingjan insight into the arcana of government and the growth of popular institutions. If anything is sought to stay the progress of a desire in the colonics for elective Governors, and for virtually severing the connection with the Empire, it may be found in giving to us Governors from the Queen's own family, who, in addition to their official and representative character, would bring the far mora potent influence of the best-beloved Queen that ever sat on royal throne, instead of palming off on the colonies penniless lords and worn-out political " whips. ' 111 1111. 11111111.1 l i Mil Ml—if' II lIIIMMIIIIIIIIW MIH