[boukinot] builders of NOVA SCOTIA 169 



public opinion. The party divisions wihich will exist under this system, and 

 which, indeed, may he deemed necessajry for its effective operation, leaves 

 no middle class to adjust the scale and check the violation of public faith 

 and personal honour in public men, and the circumstances of the country 

 furnish not men of education and leisuT'e adequate to oon'trol and direct the 

 public sentiment. 



We have but to examine the system in its operation— to trace the influences 

 of the Executive on the Legislature, and of the Legislature on the Executive, 

 and of both on the people to perceive that its tendencies are to imbecility of 

 executive action, to defective Legislation, and albove all to corruption; and that 

 there exists no influence to stay the evils. 



It was my intention to have gone into this brancih of the soibject more 

 largely, but I pass over my notes on this topic— tbecause I shall, without fur- 

 ther enlargement, more than sufficienitly occupy the time of the House and 

 tax its patience, and because I might awaken feelings opposed to the calm- 

 ness essential to the proper consideration of the question before us. 



The evils to wihioh I have alluded must reach the administration of justice, 

 and gradually, but inevitably deteriorate the intelligence and professional 

 knowledge a.nd the indiependence of the Judges, not only because the system 

 makes to a considerable extent political position the path to the Bench, but 

 because the causes that led to tlie toleration of corruption in private and 

 public men, will be fruitful of evil thro'Ughout society in all its relations. 



The Union of the Provinces, with one general government, would at liea,st 

 diminish the evil consequences inevitable in fcoimmunities too small — too poor 

 — too little advanced for the advantageous exercise of the system. 



A wider field would give greater scope to the aspiring and larger, and 

 perhaps more generous, influences would be required for success. Party action 

 operating in an extended circle, would become less personal in its nature, and 

 be consequently mitigated in its acrimony and less powerful in suppressing 

 a wTiolesoime public opinion. 



There is another consideration not yet touched, but which lies deep in 

 the foundations of the subject, and pervades it in all its relations, awakening 

 emotions too powerful not to make themselves practically operative — the 

 anomalous position of a Colonist. 



The Eniglishman, Scotchman and Irishiman has a country by whicti he 

 calls himself, and claims a nationaLity that commands respect. 



The United States citizen has a national character that is a passport over 

 the world. The eagle of his country followfs Tiim in the remotest regions, and 

 he is sure of the vindication of his violated rights at all hazards and any 

 expenditure. 



The Colonial subject of Great Britain may, indeed, find a similar protec- 

 tion and redress in the caise of flagrant wrong. But his national standing 

 as he realizes it in the ordinary occurrences of life, Ig dubioius and unsatis- 

 faotory. 



Let him go to England and he perhaps discovers his cherished home to 

 be there an unknown land, or in some strange geographical confusion con- 

 founded with distant and unconnected places ; and when his countrymen 

 have clearly ascertained the fact that he is indeed a Colonist, he perceives 

 that he has sunk in estimation, and that he occupies in their consideration a 

 standing of inferior order to that accorded to the citizens of the United States, 

 or other subjects of a foreign State. It fares not much better with him 

 anywhere else. He carries nowhere a recognized name or acknowledged 

 national character. 



It is true communities as well as individuals may be virtuous and happy 

 in secluded and infeirior stations ; but in this age of progress and of change, 

 those who are pressing on our footsteps, and will presently occupy our places, 

 and for whom it is our duty to think and act, will not be contented to hold 



