on the hypothesis that the Colonial existence
is one with which the Colonists ought to rest satisfied,
then, I think, you are entitled to denounce, without
reserve or measure, those who propose for some
secondary object to substitute the Stars and Stripes
for the Union Jack. But if, on the contrary, you
assume that it is a provisional state, which admits
of but a stunted and partial growth, and out of
which all communities ought in the course of nature
to strive to pass, how can you refuse to permit your
Colonies here, when they have arrived at the proper
stage in their existence, to place themselves
in a condition which is at once most favourable
to their security and to their perfect national development?
What reasons can you assign for the refusal, except
such as are founded on selfishness, and are, therefore,
morally worthless? If you say that your great
lubberly boy is too big for the nursery, and that
you have no other room for him in your house, how can
you decline to allow him to lodge with his elder
brethren over the way, when the attempt to keep
up an establishment for himself would seriously
embarrass him?
* * * * *
To the Earl Grey.
Toronto: November 1, 1850.
Sir H. Bulwer spent
four days with us, and for many reasons I am glad
that he has been here.
He leaves us knowing more of Canada than he did
when he came. I think
too that both he and Sir E. Head return to their
homes re-assured on many points
of our internal policy, on which they
felt doubtful before, and
much enlightened as to the real position of
men and things in this province.
[Sidenote: Self-government not republican.]
With one important truth 1 have laboured to impress them, and I hope successfully. It is this: that the faithful carrying out of the principles of Constitutional Government is a departure from the American model, not an approximation to it, and, therefore, a departure from republicanism in its only workable shape. Of the soundness of this view of our case I entertain no doubt whatever; and though I meet with few persons to whom it seems to have occurred (for the common belief of superficial observers is that we are republicanising the colonies), I seldom fail in bringing it borne to the understanding of any intelligent person with whom I have occasion to discuss it. The fact is, that the American system is our old Colonial system with, in certain cases, the principle of popular election substituted for that of nomination by the Crown. Mr. Filmore stands to his Congress very much in the same relation in which I stood to my Assembly in Jamaica. There is the same absence of effective responsibility in the conduct of legislation, the same want of concurrent action between the parts of the political machine. The whole business of legislation in the American Congress, as well as in the State Legislatures, is conducted