196 
the worst point of view, is not altogether 
a false one, and it is the comparative 
meanness of many of the members which 
mingles a feeling as of offended dignity 
with the irritation frequently occasion- 
ed by their proceedings: not only is 
faction to be repressed ; disorganizing 
principle (we know the magic of the 
word) tu he put down, but an insult is 
to be revenged. Hence another fa- 
vourite topic—an energetic government 
—meaning prosecutions for libels, fines, 
imprisonments, in a word, the gagging 
the house, if (which would be still bet- 
ter) the ministry cannot be induced to 
do it away altogether. It cannot be 
supposed that with this temper the 
English are extremely candid, or very 
much to be trusted iu their representa- 
tion of obnoxious individuals. If the 
tenour of their lives presents no specific 
misdoing with which to blast their 
characters, they must at least be fac- 
tious misanthropes, men of dangerous 
principles, jacobins, or philosophers, 
words of nearly the same import in the 
minds of their commercial judges. The 
Roman Catholic religion here is an- 
other source of incorrect feeling. No 
people on earth are soberer in their 
i zeal, than the Canadian Eng- 
ish, who have never found means to 
finish the only two churches they have 
in the province ; none, however, make 
a greater point of suspecting, and fidget- 
ting, and apprehending, whenever the 
Catholic religion is concerned. Some 
yes to have inherited and cherished 
this feeling since the time of the con- 
quest of the province, when some pre- 
caution might be necessary. One can- 
not help fancying these politicians 
have slept ever since that event took 
place. These apprehensions, however, 
countenance sagacious precautions, 
which have never failed of their effect, 
and have given occasion for solemn ca- 
binet councils, and sometimes energetic 
measures, which could never have ex- 
isted had ideas moved on with the 
times. Mr. R dis at the head of 
these alarmists, and contrived during 
Sir J. Craig’s administration, to keep 
his suspicions in comfortable activity. 
I believe the majority of the party would 
feel easy enough about the catholics, 
were they called by any name which 
had a less hereditary claim to the ap- 
prehension of politicians. Another fa- 
vourite doctrine of the English party is, 
that the Canadians are not only unfit for 
the blessing of a free constitution, but 
are wholly indifferent to it, and if not 
Politics of Lower Canada. 
[April 1, 
worked upon by factious demagogues, 
would sigh for the returu of the good 
old times, when they knew no law but 
the will of the governor and his coun- 
cils, and consequently that nothing but 
energetic measures against their leaders 
is required to put every thing into 
peaceable order. 
Such are the sentiments carefully in- 
stilled into each new governor; the 
pene of the Lower House are set 
efore him in a proper light; the lead- 
ers of the opposition described in their 
true colours. If le isa man of a very 
cautious mind, he may indeed suspect 
that truth seldom lies altogether on one 
side; but from whom is he to derive in- 
formation? He is as completely shut 
out from the body of the people as they 
are from him; he has not grown up in 
the country; he has no experience to 
oppose to fallacious representations. It 
is not to be expected he has previously 
studied the disputes and politics of a 
distant colony, with which he could 
anticipate no connexion. As a mili- 
tary man his habits dispose him to be 
little indulgent to opposition, or to view 
it in any other light than a criminal 
struggle against lawful authority ; he 
is besides persuaded (for it is difficult 
to imagine a man long unpersuaded 
when all about him are of one opinion) 
that neither the inclinations nor happi- 
ness of people are interested in the dis- 
utes of their leaders: how then can 
e view them but as disturbers of the 
public peace, vulgar men struggling 
for place and power? and much of this 
is true. He prepares to renew the com- 
bat of his predecessors, and the idea 
gains ground that, as no change pro- 
uces tranquillity, the constitution is 
unfit for the country and should be 
changed. 
I think this statement of the question 
presents the following topics of con- 
sideration. 
1. That the Canadians are unfit fora 
free constitution. 
2. That they are indifferent about it. 
3. That the parliament is wretchedly 
composed. 
4. That the leaders of the opposition 
are actuated by factious motives. 
1. The first point is one of those 
abstract questions upon which volumes 
might be written without affording a 
decision. It is not easy to shew why a 
mild, moral and patient people must 
necessarily be governed by the bayonet. 
They need instruction it is said: per- 
haps so; but political instruction is the 
consequence 
