[BURPEE] HOWE AND THE ANTI-CONFEDERATION LEAGUE 465 
I at first thought of addressing a public letter to my constituents, in which, after 
discussing all possible modes of proceeding, I might indicate the best line of action 
to be taken. If this were done a key note would be struck and our people be set 
thinking in the right direction before they give way to despair or commit any indis- 
cretion. But on the other hand if it were, the enemy would at once be made as wise 
as ourselves and we might lose the advantage of a fortnight’s quiet consultation and 
preparation before they know what we are at. There are various modes by which 
we may confront our difficulties. 
1. We may confess to final defeat, lay down our arms, and accept the best 
terms we can get from the Canadians. If this were done I have no doubt they would 
make large sacrifices personal and pecuniary, large enough to justify our resistance 
down to the point of surrender. We may be driven to this capitulation, and if we 
were I would lay down my arms without mental reservations and give the system 
a fair trial in good faith. But I have an invincible objection to this capitulation 
and I assume that all our friends will share the feeling if anything better can be done. 
2. The Executive Council might resign, and as the Governor could not, if our 
friends stuck together, form another, a sensation might be created by the deadlock 
and confusion. This would be a very hazardous line to take as our own people would 
suffer from the public business not being done. You could not stop the supplies 
as you have no revenue laws under your control and you might split the party and 
play into the hands of your enemies. 
3. We may commence a course of passive resistance, refusing to train or pay 
duties, and to these alternatives we may, ultimately be driven, but they are hazard- 
ous, and if they led to collisions before our people were prepared by close organization 
and other preparations, would easily be put down and make our cause ridiculous. 
4. Open insurrection or intrigues with Foreign Countries I put aside. I am 
not prepared for them nor do I think our own people are. We may be driven out of 
our accustomed lines of thought and expression by and bye, and despairing of all 
other redress may be compelled to take up arms, but this should not be done till 
all lawful modes of proceedure are exhausted and until we have laid the grounds 
of reasonable hopes of success. 
5. Now there is another mode of proceedure which if our people can keep their 
ranks unbroken for six months longer appears to me after long and anxious thought 
to offer the best chance of a solution to our difficulties. 
Last year we had no Party in England. Now though beaten two to one in a 
House of Commons which is about to expire, 87 men have voted that we have a just 
cause and nearly all the leading Daily Papers and many of the weeklies have espoused 
it. The minority includes Mill, Hughes, Fawcet, Aytoun, and many of the leading 
Scotch and Irish members. Lord Amberley,150 Earl Russell’s son voted for us, and 
Brights name, on both continents is a tower of strength. It is safe to assume that 
millions of people will hear for the first time of the grievances of Nova Scotia when 
they read his speech of Monday last.K! If our people can maintain their organization 
and with their spirit unbroken and with the sympathy and assistance of their neigh- 
bours in the other Provinces can come before a reformed Parliament six months hence 
in which the combination between Cardwell and Adderley is broken up and where 
Bright if the Liberals win, is sure of a seat in the Cabinet we may yet have a reason- 

49 John Stuart Mill, then Member of Parliament for Westminster; Thomas Hughes, author of 
Tom Brown’s Schooldays, then Member of Parliament for Lambeth; Henry Fawcett, Member of 
Parliament for Brighton, and author of the Manual of Political Economy. 
150 John Russell, Viscount Amberley (1842-1876). M.P. for Nottingham 1866-68. 
151 Tupper gives the result of the vote on Bright’s motion for an inquiry into Nova Scotia’s case 
against Confederation as 183 against to 87 for, a majority of 96 against the inquiry. Recollections, 95. 
