The Westport Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1872.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1003, 10 September 1872, Page 2

The Westport Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1872.

In tlio present aspect of affairs political it may be assumed, that little probability exists of the Separation movemenr, as supported and pleaded for by the West Coast communities, being brought to a present satisfactory consummation. The humble petitiouors, howsoever anxious, must bide their time, watching meanwhile, now that their own little craft has so nearly run aground; the success of larger ventures tossed to and fro upon the troubled political waters. It may be by some fortuitous chain of events some auspicious chance occurring even in the darkest hour, that there will omoi-go frnm fcko ppojont, ruck of COUtending political factious, a party slroi.g in combination as iu power and as adverse to the programme of the Ultra Provincialists as ever the Fox Vogel government. It is not likely that the present opposition, even if permitted to grasp the helm of state and hold office for a brief interval, will be able to make headway against the feeling in the House so strong and so decidedly expressed against the Ultra Provincialist demands. Gaining a small victory by a narrow majority upon one particular series of resolutions by no means proves the power of the winning party to command success on other points of even equal importance, and it seems certain that the very first rock upon which the opposition party is likely to split is the question of separation. Not as confined to the petty demands of provinces or districts, pleading for severance or disintegration ; but on the broad basis of insular separation. In the case of dissolution and an appeal to the country " Insular Separation " would become a formidably popular election cry that no candidate would dare disregard ; and it is very evident from the tone of the debates iu the House that, notwithstanding the adverse feeling against the Fox Ministry, there" 1 is a strong under current of opinion in favor of separation, the strength of which has never been fairly tested ; backed up also by a wide spread and earnest sympathy outside. The demands of the Superintendents to obtain a greater delegation of powers is not the demand of the people, and is totally out of consonance with the opinions of any calm unprejudiced thinkers who see in the conferring upon each Island the power to manage its own affairs and expend its own revenues, a method whereby extravagance may be shorn of its dimensions and good rule made to prevail.