PARLIAMENTARY REPORTER.
156
[...]
An appeal was
made by the Nova Scotians for a repeal of the
Union, but it was refused. If the British Government had not been in favor of the
Union of Nova
Scotia with Canada, would not the people of the
latter country have had a hearing? The British
Government had the constitutionality of the mea
sure, of course, in favor of their action but if they
know it was not in accordance with the principles
of Responsible Government and the well-understood wishes of the people would they
have been
justified in acting as they did? They were cognizant of this, but it was to their
interest to do as
they did. And we stand pretty much in the same
position as Nova Soctia; for we have asked for
what they have no interest in giving us. If the
poor among them were not burdened by the tax
for the payment of this salary, the Home Government would let us along; but they are
burdened.
If we insist, therefore, upon their paying this salary, they will say to us 'You must
go into Confederation and get it paid,' The Leader of the
Government, in taking his present course, had his
supporters, and I believe they were all convinced
that the only safe course to pursue was for us to
pay the salary. After we are prepared to do this,
we can state our grievances to the Imperial Government.
[...]
As to the character of the despatches from the
Colonial Office in reference to Nova Scotia, we
know that they were as foreign to the strict honest facts of the case, morally or
politically, as any
statements could possibly be. Notwithstanding
the fact that the hon. Joseph Howe went hom
and stated the case, backed up by a petition from
13,000 of the loyal inhabitants of Nova Scotia—
because the Imperial Government had the fact
that the Legislature of Nova Scotia had consented,
by the moat foul and unjustifiable means, to the
union of that country with Canada—they needed
not the petition, nor the representation of that
gentleman, although they knew they were acting
against the well understood wishes of the people.
Then assuming that the address of this House, or
of any portion of it, were presented to the House
of Commons, and then that the Colonial Minister backed up by his predecessor, got
up and made a statement contrary to the prayer of our appeal, what
would be the effect upon the House of Commons?
It would scatter to the winds any impression made
by the Address upon that body, and the result
would be that there would be no chance for little
Prince Edward Island to obtain her wishes. There
seems now to be no alternative for us, but of two
evils to choose the least. When I consider that
Newfoundland is about being legislated into Confederation, that a ring is being formed
around us,
and that the British Government have reduced
our defences as far as they have done. I cannot
but come to the conclusion that it would be unsafe
PARLIAMENTARY REPORTER.
157
to risk the result of relishing to accede to this demand. I am as desirous that the
people should
be relieved from every burden as any hon. member of this House, but I think it necessary
to submit to this demand, for I believe that the British
Government would not be particularly scrupulous
in regard to forcing us into the Confederation
against our wishes, if they had what they thought
a slight pretext for so doing. I would not favor
any movement on the part of this House which
might call for reflection in future. I shall, therefore, support the Resolution introduced
by the
hon. Leader of the Government.
[...]
