INTERNATIONAL TKEATIES. 1S3 



.L'atctl tlicir riglils as t'lveiiu'ii liy iiiakiiiL;' kuoun tlicii' grit-vauces 

 ami wi-DiiL^s, ami tlii-v liavi' won the synqiatliy of England ami 

 the iT'spcct of her leading statesmen of both injlitieal j'lU'ties. 

 'They may vest assured, tlierefore, that as soon a- opportunity 

 presents itsidf theii- wi-ongs will he righteih But England ean- 

 mjt aeeoni])lish ini])nssil)ilities. She cannot disreganl her treaty 

 .obligations, and sjie has no jiower to (■onipe] France to forego her 

 treaty rights. England is in ]ion(.iin- 1)ound to t-nlorce observance 

 in Xewi'onndland of her treaty engagements, whatever they may 

 l)e. The despatch received from Lord Ripon, Seci'etary of State 

 for the Colonies, in March last, indicates an earnest desire to 

 .adopt conciliatory measures, and to make such conces.sioUH in 

 regard to the provisions of an Act to be submitted to the local 

 Legislature, as will smooth the way i'or it.s acce])tanee. Under 

 such circumstances, it will be evident to most thinking men tliat 

 the duty and interest of the colony lie in co-operation with the 

 Imperial authorities, lioth in sccui-ing a 2)roper nu^asure for the 

 .enfoi'cement of the treaties and also in the settlement of the 

 whole (.juestiou in the future. Tlie jiresent time calls for mode- 

 I'ation, .self-conti'ol, and the exercise of that gooil sense which 

 will look facts in the face calndy, and not indulge in ]iy.-;terical 

 .demands for the immediate alirogation of all Frencli rights, re- 

 ifusing ever\ coni))romise which falls short of this. Xothing can 

 be gained by shrieking for such extreme measures as tearing u[> 

 the treatie'?, and the immeiliate withdrawal of the French. 



SKLF-EESTKAINT AND PATIKNCK. 



Whatever may have been the conduct of the Imperial Mother 

 towards the lirst-born of her colonies, in tiie rough da\'s of the 

 past, she has now notlung but the kindest intentions and the 

 most sincere good will. She has every desire to at(_)ne for the 

 harshnesses and negligence of the past, and to help us in our 

 hour of need. We may learn a lesson from the conduct of Ca- 

 nada in dealing with the Beliring Sea trouble. She trusted the 

 Imperial Authorities and coulially co-o]ierated with tlieni, in a 

 .spirit of " sweet reasonableness ;" and tlie result has liecu au 



