168 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



weig-ht proportioned to their rlglits In the Councils of the Empire, and in the 

 deliberations of foreign States. I would see it raised to the dignity and poa- 

 sessed of the ability of conlributing toutards expenditures incurred for its 

 benefit. I attempt not to conceal the fact that tihe United Colonies would be 

 cial'ea to a.'-sume burtlens and resiponsibllitles greater than tlhey have yet been 

 accustomed to. No. Enlarged privileges must bring increased obligations, and 

 no man worthy of the name would evade the privileges of manhood that he 

 might escape its duties. 



It may be objected that interests prized by some Coloniea would be lightly 

 esteemed by others : — Canada, for instance, may be supposed to care little fO'r 

 ooir fisheries. The answer is that what promoted the common welfan-e can- 

 not be presumed to be disregarded by any of the members of the Union ; and 

 that Tvhat is valuable to one is an accession to the general stock, not likely 

 to be inconsiderately sacrificed by their united government. 



But, however this may be, if any surrender should be made after du« 

 del beraii n by ih^ Supreme Colonial Government, none — dissatisfied though 

 they might be with the act of their own Government — could complain that 

 their rigfhts had been disregarded, without having enjoyed the privilege of 

 constitutionally vindicating their claims ; and tlhey would be relieved froon 

 the humiliating consideration so often forced upon them in their present con- 

 dition. 



No part of this subject is in my mind more important than the bearing it 

 has on the systems of government and administration of justice, especially in 

 the smaller Colonies. The consequences affect society in its vital interest — 

 the moral sentiment of a people. 



How far the artificial system of administration, through a parliamentary 

 majority, as in England, is well adapted to any country free from the com- 

 plications of an Imperial State, and ancient institutions it is not necessary 

 to enquire — as I assume the Government of the United Colonies, if a Legis- 

 lative Union should be effected, would be modelled after the British form. 

 But quite sure I am that for a Colony with a small population, scattered 

 thinly over its surface — a large proportion of them scantily educated — having 

 no men of leisure — comparatively few of much wealth, and still fewer dis- 

 tinguished by literary attainments, such a system of administration is un- 

 suited alike to the moral elevation and to the material progneiss of the people. 

 That it is British proves nothing, unless to prepare us to expect that what 

 suits a country circumstanced as England would not be fitted for com- 

 munities such Sua ours. There exist the opposite principles of monarchy, 

 aristocracy and democracy, and there, too, are large c'.iasses of landholders, 

 and men of property whose interest is alive to preserve the balance necessary 

 for the security of the State ; while learning, refinement and leisure abound 

 to assist the interests of property in creating, fostering and preserving those 

 sentiments of public virtue, essential for the well-being of society, and in 

 guarding against and checking the abuses and corruptions to which govern- 

 ments are prone. 



Hence a public opinion, which through the medium of a free press, is able 

 alike to control the Crown, nobles, Parliament, statesimen and the people, 

 "Wihen strong occasion calls it forth. In suoh a country confiicting elements 

 require to be combined, harmonized and kept in check, and the means exist 

 to effect that object. But here we have not and cannot have the presence 

 of the influence of monarchy or nobility, and all attempts at imitation will 

 but produce spurious and incongruous results. We have and can have but 

 one element of Government — the democratic, and that it is our interest so to 

 regulate and check as to create and preserve a simple, an incorrupt and an 

 economic system of government. 



The grea' w«nt in a small community such as Nova Scotia_ under tJhe 

 system of government Instituted among us. is the free working of a healthy 



