[...] obtainment of the opinion of this House in reference to the
important matters to be dealt with by the approaching International
Commission. The Hon. Premier was soon to leave for Washington.
No discussion of the fishery or other questions, to come before the
Commission, would be of the slightest advantage if it were to
follow the departure of the leader of the Government. He thought it
was their bounden duty to strengthen the hands of their
representative on that Commission by every means in their power.
He proposed to do so by a resolution. If the Government promised
him an early opportunity of doing so—say Monday or Tuesday, he
would not stand in the way of the immediate passage of the address.
The matter then dropped.
THE DEBATE ON THE ADDRESS
Mr. LACERTE rose to propose the address in reply to His
Excellency's Speech from the Throne. Taking up the various
paragraphs, he spoke briefly on each, as usual, expressing
concurrence in the different views therein set forth, and
complimenting the Government on its administrative policy. He
referred particularly to the Fenian enterprise of last spring, and the
wise and vigorous efforts put forth for its overthrow. He hoped the
House would fully sustain the Administration in this matter by
voting the additional expenditure it was compelled to incur. He was
glad at the prospect of the settlement of the fishery dispute, and
believed everything would be done to protect Canada's interests.
Fortunately the Red River trouble was ended, thanks to the
judicious and conciliatory action of the Government, and to the
exertions and bravery of the Volunteers. The Dominion was in a
prosperous condition, largely owing to the wisdom of Ministers,
who deserved the confidence of Parliament and the people. He had
much pleasure in moving the Address.
Mr. KIRKPATRICK rose to second the motion. The topics of
the speech well deserved the compliments paid them. Scarcely had
the Parliament been prorogued last summer when hordes of
miscreants from the United States suddenly assembled on our
frontier to pillage and ravage our land. To add to the infamy and
offensiveness of this outrage, those marauders chose for the time of
their unwarranted operations, the day above all, dear to loyal British
subjects, the Queen's birthday. The hostile movement was, thanks
to the bravery and loyalty of our volunteers and the troops of the
Queen, hurled back in disgrace from our border. He hoped and
doubted not the House would cheerfully vote the extra expenses
entailed by this attempted Fenian invasion.
The next subject of the Speech was the Fisheries, and it was but
truth to say that the action of the Canadian Government in regard to
them had met with the approbation of the whole country. The
reference of General Grant to the action of Canada exhibited both
ignorance and prejudice. The Dominion had but acted within its
right, and it was certain The next subject in the speech was that of
Manitoba. No better Governor could have been chosen than him
who is now de facto, if not de jure in power. The improvements
already witnessed in Manitoba prove the judiciousness of the efforts
made to suppress disorder and rebellion, and set up the authority of
Canada. The brave Volunteers who had been instrumental in
securing those happy results, deserved the thanks of the country.
When disbanded he believed they were entitled to grants of land in
Manitoba. No better settlers could be chosen, and in justice to them,
and in the interests of the Province, everything should be done to
retain them in the North West.
The proposed admission of British Columbia and Vancouver
Island was a subject of satisfaction to us all. The great scheme of
Confederation was being rapidly consummated. Those great
territories, so rich in natural resources, would be a great acquisition
to Canada, and everything possible should be done to unite them to
her by a Pacific Railway, grants of land, and, if possible, pecuniary
contributions, should be made in aid of such enterprises.
There is little doubt that in this way they could be achieved.
Immigrants were necessary to development of the great resources of
the Pacific colonies, and good, rapid communications were
indispensable to the attraction of immigration. The next subject of
the Speech was the Fisheries, and it was but truth to say that the
action of the Canadian Government in regard to them had met with
the approbation of the whole country. The reference of General
Grant to the action of Canada exhibited both ignorance and
prejudice. The Dominion had but acted within its right, and it was
certain that action was justified by the approval of the Government
of England also. However, a Joint Commission had been appointed
to consider the Fishery question and that relating to events
connected with the last war, and from it he thought Canada had
nothing to fear. He hoped, however, that the injury done to Canada
by repeated Fenian raids would form one of the subjects discussed,
and that indemnity for our losses thereby would be as rigorously
required as was indemnity for the losses from the Alabama.
The improvement of our coinage system and other proposals of
the speech would be cordially received. The interests of the country
demanded such ameliorations. The general administration of the
affairs of the Dominion had been beneficial, as its progress and
prosperity amply testified. He could but concur in the closing
aspiration of the Speech from the Throne, upon which the future
happiness and advancement of Canada would largely depend.
Mr. MACKENZIE said that it was important in opening the
grant inquest of the nation, that they should review the
administration of affairs and foreign events, while abstaining from
unusual criticism. Tremendous events had taken place since the last
session, including those of a gigantic and disastrous war. It was but
right he should express his sympathy with the sacrifices and
sufferings of that great nation, being the friend and ally of England.
He did hope that France would not suffer much either in feeling or
February 16, 1871 COMMONS DEBATES 11
fight in our own quarrels. In our present position the feeling in
favour of independence was spreading.
Mr. MASSON (Terrebonne): Yes, yes. The feeling was
spreading. He appealed to the Government if they wished to
continue the connection with England, as he did to enlighten the
House on the intention of the Imperial Government, for Mr.
Cardwell, a member of that Government; had recently delivered a
speech the argument of which was that the colonies should in future
act for the defence of England, or be feeders and not suckers.
Mr. MILLS said the Federal system made it necessary that each
Province should have an independent governmental existence. Such
could not be given to any Province by this Parliament. He had
called attention to this fact last year, and was glad the Minister of
Justice had changed his views in this respect. (
Hear, hear.) As to
the murder of Scott it was still competent for the Government of
Canada to authorize the trial and punishment of Riel. The Minister
of Justice had said that this Government had no power to cause the
arrest of the murderers of Scott. This was not so. The Hudson's Bay
Company were bound by the Imperial Government to transfer to
Canada, for trial and punishment, persons guilty of higher crimes
than rnisdemeanour. It was still competent for the Government of
Canada to authorize the trial and punishment of Riel, and it was
also competent for the Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba to ask for
extradition.
The second paragraph of the address was agreed to.
Hon. Mr. DORION on the proposal of the adoption of the
paragraph relating to the admission of British Columbia, protested
that he knew nothing of the merits of the terms of this admission,
and declared his unwillingness to express blindfold any concurrence
in the Govemment's Pacific Railway scheme. If it was to be one of
the character of the Intercolonial Railway, he would give it his
strenuous opposition. He could not approve of the wording of the
paragraph.
Hon. Sir JOHN A. MACDONALD consented to a verbal
alteration to meet the objection of the last speaker. The change was
of a non-committal character, and thus modified, the clause was
adopted.
The remaining paragraphs were read and concurred in without
debate, and the address, being read a second time, was agreed to.
After the usual formal resolutions in regard to the address and its
presentation,
Hon. Sir JOHN A. MACDONALD gave notice of an
address of congratulation to Lord Lisgar on the distinguished
honour recently conferred upon him by Her Majesty.
The House adjourned at a quarter past nine.
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