THE FIRST AND LAST CANADIAN GOVERNOR.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3096, 20 January 1879, Page 4

THE FIRST AND LAST CANADIAN GOVERNOR.

The Globe says:—-"It is now more than a century and a decade since General Sir Hugh Carleton carried the Bristish flag triumphantly in North America, and drove the French out of Canada. He was the first governor of that splendid dependency of the Crown, and, like the last, was an Irishman. Born at Strabano, in the County of Tyrone, he brought to the government of Canada not only the courage and science of the soldier but the fagacity and strength of purpose of the statesman. But for the Dominion, which now rejoices in its attachment and loyalty to the Crown of Great Britain, would have added other stars to the banner of the United States. For the great services he was rewarded with a peerage. The work which he commenced has been continued by his successors, but by none more skilfully than by Lord Dufferin, who was also born in the northern province of the sister country. The administration of Lord Dufferin has been singularly felicitous. Had he hearkened to the voice of the political party who a few years ago clamoured for separation from the Colonies, as they now do for leaving India to her fate, the feeling in Canada towards the mother country would have been very different from what it is. Canada is happy and prosperous, because .it has enjoyed the rare good fortune of having had a succession of able governors. It was their aim to draw more closely the ties which bound the colony to the mother country, and to show the reciprocal advantages to be derived from a close and cordial union. British statesmen of the Whig school did not hesitate a few years ago to express an opiaion that on the whole it would be better to cast the colonies adrift, and leave them to defend themselves against the enemies of England. Experience shows how fatal such a policy would nave been, and the latest Canadian offer to equip regiments for India is a proof not only of the fealty of the Do- j minion to the Crown, but of the strength and resources of our far extended empire. No public man is likely now to commit himself to the silly declaration—" Perish the colonies."

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