EN
🔍

Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island, 11 March 1868, Prince Edward Island Confederation with Canada.

PARLIAMENTARY REPORTER. 41
[...]
Mr. MACNEILL—I have just got what I wanted to get out of the hon. member; and I wish, through the Reporters, to let my constituents know that the hon. member for Charlottetown called me a "fire-brand." I am glad also to hear him say that he was sorry that Mr. Dodd was not a member of this House. Mr. Dodd was  the man who wrote this vile slander against the people of this Colony, and, therefore, I am glad that he is not here. A man who could put upon paper that which
PARLIAMENTARY REPORTER. 42
[...]
I believe that our late Conservative Government wished, if possible, to induce the Imperial Government to force us into Confederation; but of the folly of such proced ures the British Government have had enough in what has since transpired in Nova Scotia. But notwithstanding the foul libels heaped upon the people of this Colony by the late Government, the Colony has maintained her reputation and her independence.
Mr. BRECKEN.—
[...]
ber. Let him now demand such an examination and he will find that Mr. Dodd has nothing to fear. If the Tenant Union was pursuing a right and proper course, why was it that it crumpled up so suddenly, when Her Majesty's troops came here ? The men, Sir, whom I blame the most are not the body of the people who united themselves with that organization, but their leaders. Those men knew that Her Majesty's Despatch made it unlawful to resist the just claims of the proprietors. They knew that her troops did not come here to enforce obedience to unlawful demands ; and no man, who duly respected the honor and good nature of the country, would have justified the action of that organization at that time. I may be told that I am slandering the Tenant Union ; but will the hon. member (Mr. McNeill) rise here, and propose a resolution that will justify the one adopted by that body, which said they would hold no communication, except in cases of necessity, with any person who would not support their organization ? Let him bring such a resolution forward and I will call him a patriot, though a misguided one. Let the hon. member give notice of this on the Order Book, and then we will see where his political manliness rests. I do not glory in the unfortunate state of affairs, which called forth Mr. Dodd's letter ; on the contrary, I regret it as much as any man in the country, for I know there is a good deal of truth in what the hon. member has said, but at the same time, had the hon. member and the League with whom he was associated, had their own way at that time, they would have done more to have forced us into Confederation than any Government could. Before Responsible Government was granted to us, it was doubted whether we were able to work it out successfully, and to duly prize the privileges it would confer ; but the only time when any portion of the people showed that they did not appreciate it, was when a portion of them were led by that hon member. Responsible Government was granted on conditions which were binding upon us and upon the Home Government ; and at that time the Home Government might justly have said to us you have not adhered to those conditions ; you do not appear to be a low abiding people, and we will wash our hands clear of you by handing you over to Canada ! Let the hon member read the Bloody Despatch as carefully as he has Mr. Dodd's letter, and he will be convinced of the truth of what I say. It was not to support the Liberals that the hon. member was sent here by the League ; for if that was their object, why did Mr. Ross oppose the Leader of the Government, after he had accepted office?
[...]

Source:

The Parliamentary Reporter of Debates and Proceedings of the House of Assembly. Charlottetown: The Examiner, 1868. Microfilm copies provided by the Prince Edward Island Libraries and Archives.

Credits:

.

Selection of input documents and completion of metadata: Dave Lang.

Personnes participantes: