CANADIAN INDEPENDENCE DEMANDED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 202, 27 August 1870, Page 4

CANADIAN INDEPENDENCE DEMANDED

{From the Montreal Star, \2lli June ) It has become evident to all that not only is Canada, under the circumstances of her present relatious with Great Britain, exposed to continual annoyance from the enemies of the mother country, hut she will have for the future to accept these quarrels as though they were strictly her own, and to defend herself against the attack as much alone unsupported as though she were a Supreme State. Do the Feuians desire to evince their undyiug hatred to Britain ? — straightway they endeavour to injure Canada. Should England engage in war with the United States, upon whom would the worst evils of invasion fall ? — upon ourselves, to whom the dispute would in all probability he a matter of no moment, such for instance as the Alabama claims question. And though we cau expect to gain no possible advantage by the success of the Imperial Government, but whether England wins or loses, must inevitably suffer most, materially in commerce injured, taxes increased, and valuable life sacrificed, we are forced to provide entireiy for our own defence. The few troops which have been left to us for garrison will be removed in a few days more — though it is well known "at home " that Canada has seldom, if ever, been in more need of assistauce, with her forces required in one direction to act against Riel, aud in another to protect the frontier against the possibility of a recurrence of Fenian incursions — and we are pretty plainly assured that this withdrawal of the regulars is in pursuance of a settled policy which the Home Government has decided upon finally, not to render any more assistance whatever to Canada. And now that the crisis has really come, and we are left alone in the midst of difficulties, our rulers aud organs have at last awakened to a sense of the situation. The Government of Ottowa have at least been impelled, under the overwhelming pressure of public opinion, to place what is practically an ultimatum before the Imperial Parliament. They demand compensation for bygone injuries, and guarantee against invasion for the future. These claims are, it is said, to be argued by some emissary who speaks with authority. And should England, as will most likely be the case, decline to place matters upon a just and responsible footing, the time will have to come to pack our trunk and start in the world on our own account, like a grown man leaving the parental roof without rancor or ill-feeling, but to form new ties, make fresh associations, and establish separate interests without the family circle. This is a course which Britain evidently has for some time past desired that, we should take. We have been siugularly slow to learn, but this last sharp lesson — the Fenian raid — has opened our eyes at last, and there seems every probability that we shall, with one accord, meet England half-way, aud establishing ourselves as an independent aud self-reliant State, r ceive rhe kindly alliance and protection both of Great Britain and of the United States.