[173] 



APPENDIX J. 



MR. Howe's speech on the organization op the empire. 



{From Howe's Speeches and Public Letters). 



On the 11th of March, [1S54] on a motion 'brought for.wlard by the leader of 

 the Opposition, to promote a union of the Provinces of British North America, 

 Mr. Howe delivered a speech on the organization of the Empire which has 

 been justly regarded as veiry able. It was extensively circulated and much 

 adonired on tihis side of the Atlantic at tlie timie of its delivery ; and, when 

 republished in England in 1855, attracted a great deal of attention from the 

 metropolitan and provincial press of the mother country : — 



Mr. Chairman, — Had the Government brouglit this question here, my hon- 

 ourable friend from Londonderry might have charged upon us the selection 

 of an inappropriate season, or disregard of the pressure and strain of public 

 businesis already tasking the industry of this Assemibly. But, sir, the resolu- 

 tion has been brought here by the leader of the Opposition, and we- are chal- 

 lenged to dis'ouss it. Perhaps if wie had introduced the measure, it migiht not 

 have been met in the spirit which I trust we shall display. One half of the 

 House might have fancied that some sinister design lurked within the resolu- 

 tion, and the supposed interest of parties might have combined them againsit 

 it ; but I desire to treat the gentleman with more courtesy — the resolution 

 wiith the consideration it deserves, and I trust that the day is yet far distant 

 in Nova Scotia when questions of transcendent impo^rtance will be entangled 

 in the meshes of party, or fail to challenge, no matter whence they emanate, 

 earnest and thoughtful investigation in this Assembly. Sir, I differ from my 

 honourable friend from Londonderry, and from all those who are disposed to 

 treat this subject lightly. Come from whose hand it may, the resolution before 

 the Committee opens up for discussion the broadest field, the noblest subjects 

 ever presented to the consideration of the Legislature. A day, or even a week, 

 may be well spent upon such a theme. If, sir, such topics were oftener pre- 

 sented here, our ideas would expand beyond the charmed, it may be but the 

 contracted circle of party disputations ; our debates would assume a higher 

 tone ; and the hopes and aspirations of our people, clustering around their 

 firesides, would point to interests more enduring than even the result of half 

 our controversies — some poorly paid office, of paltry provincial distinction. 



Sir, I regret not the time which this question will engross, but my inability 

 to do it justice. When the prophets and orators of old were about to discourse 

 oif the destinies of nations, they retired to the mountains or by the streams, 

 to meditate ;• they co'mmuned, in the abundance of the leisure with G-od above, 

 and caught their inspiration alike from the tranquillity which enabled him 

 to penetrate the dispensations of His Providence, as some phenomena of 

 nature all around them ; and which tingied with beauty the " thoughts that 

 breathe, and words that burn " which have come streaming down like lines 

 of light, even to the present hour. They were often untrammelled by daily 

 duties and human obligations borne down by official labour and responsi- 



