Page:The New England Magazine 1891, 5.1.djvu/107

HE cession of Canada in 1760, in ending the long duel between the two great colonies of the two leading European powers, is an ever memorable event, from which the greatest blessings have already sprung, with a broad horizon of hope for the future. The French Canadians, by their manly and philosophic resignation to the decree of destiny, asserted the best title to the confidence of their conquerors, which they have since generally enjoyed. For years they had reason to complain of the exactions of their new masters; but the Quebec Act of 1774, recognizing the official use of the French language and granting French civil laws, proclaiming free religious and civil rights, removed many of their grievances and gradually led to their becoming attached to British rule. After 1812, political and constitutional differences, which had lain dormant during the struggle with the American colonies, revived between the Lower Canada (Quebec) elective Legislative Assembly, mainly French, and the Governor-General of the Executive Council, appointed by the Crown, and they soon took menacing form. The Assembly had not the coveted power over the public expenditures and public appointments, both sides struggling bitterly for the success of their respective views. Race and religious prejudices imported into the country aggravated the dispute, and excited, on the part of extremists, radical views, with revolutionary object. At length after a good deal of local disturbance and political agitation among the French Canadians, stimulated by Louis Papineau, a clever lawyer, who declared for a Canadian Republic, the rebellion of 1837 broke out under his leadership. The revolutionary party being imperfectly armed, led by politicians instead of military men, and seriously opposed by the Roman Catholic clergy, was soon suppressed.

The union of Upper and Lower Canada in 1840, under a system of responsible government, based upon that of Great Britain, was accepted enthusiastically by the English of Upper Canada (Ontario); but with distrust by many of the French Canadians of Lower Canada. The latter, however, guided by sagacious statesmen and the clergy, decided to give it a fair trial. The relations between the two elements continued somewhat strained until 1849, when full and final acknowledgment of the principles of ministerial authority and related responsibility was granted. Those rights and privileges the French Canadians fully appreciated. They naturally desired the full benefits of the British system, despite the fossil notions and prejudices of some of the arbitrary bureaucrats sent to represent Royalty in Canada, and administer their affairs. On receiving the full measure of responsible government, the political troubles of the French and other Canadians speedily died out, and their loyalty to Great Britain is decidedly gratifying to English statesmen of whatever party, who are proud of the sentiment of French Canadians, happily expressed by the late Sir George Cartier: "We are Englishmen speaking French." None more keenly appreciate the feeling voiced by the late Sir Etienne Taché, that "the last gun fired for British supremacy in Canada would be fired by a French Canadian."

In 1861, Upper Canada had an excess of population over Lower Canada of 285,427, and the increase of the surplus excess continued till it reached nearly half a million in 1866. This was made the basis of a demand by the Liberals (the bulk of them Western men) for representation by population ; but it was resisted successfully by the Conservatives, chiefly French, till 1867, when a crisis ensued. The leaders of neither party could com-