Page:The New England Magazine 1891, 5.1.djvu/110

or offend their susceptibilities on such questions.

The ill-feeling and strained relations for some time existing between the French and British in Quebec and Ontario are a relic of the old troubles mainly arising from national and religious prejudice, from which the country has greatly suffered at times, ever since the conquest. Fanatics have always been numerous enough in each rival camp to supply subjects for quarrels, as well as disputants at short notice, to the danger of the public peace. In this way the growth of mutual confidence between Protestants and Catholics, and English and French is slower than it ought to be. At election times such prejudices are often found ready and effective weapons by either party, with mischievous results felt long afterwards. The terrifying pictures the French Canadian opponent will often draw of the British candidate, and of the woful consequences of his election, to the French and Catholic element, the shocking descriptions given of the past iniquities and probable future persecutions of the British tyrant, would be amusing, if not so liable to prove hurtful. On the other hand, to their honor be it said, even agricultural constituencies containing a French Canadian majority, have returned British or Protestant representatives mainly influenced by political or party motives, and sometimes despite the vigorous efforts of French fanatics. The appeals of liberal, broad-minded leaders, of either race, at critical seasons, fortunately prevail to overthrow prejudice, procure concessions, and avert disasters to the constitutional fabric.

One often hears portions of the British element in the province of Quebec complain that they are not fairly treated by the majority. In reply to this accusation a recent Quebec paper, L'Electeur, says that the British have, in reality, a larger representation in parliament than they are entitled to according to! population. It fixes the Protestant population at 188,309 out of a total of 1,859,027, and states that the Protestants are in a majority only in six out of the sixty-five electoral districts of the province; viz., Compton, Stanstead, Brome, Missisquoi, Huntington, and Argenteuil. And yet there are ten Protestant members in the local house. In the legislative council, where Protestants have a right to only three seats, they have five; and in the five districts they represent the Catholics are in a majority of 123,127. And the article concludes with the further statement that the Protestants are equally well treated in other directions. The Toronto Globe, a newspaper not by any means friendly to the French Canadians, says on this subject:

The annexation party is composed of both French and British Canadians, and although not large in numbers, is influential in the principal centres of business and population. It has been quietly working for a good many years to leaven the surrounding community with its principles and its objects. Ina young country with a tentative constitution like Canada, such an organization can hardly fail to spread its opinions rapidly and gain in numbers fast. Most of the members possess the advantages conferred by travel, the comparison of the business conditions of the rival nations, with that useful and practical experience of the working of their respective institutions. The annexationists have not sought strength, much less mere notoriety, by idle boasting or vainglorious predictions of early success. Their policy is to avoid ridiculous bombast and childish display which might be turned to the disadvantage of either of the great parties with which any of their members are connected. In that way they secure the sympathy of intelligent, sensible critics. In some directions they have to contend against prejudice, owing to the unfriendly attitude of the United States toward Canada; but in the main this feeling is being rapidly replaced by esteem and