discussion, and one which I am not prepared to hold.  It may be that a dependent country, let the feeling of dependence be ever so much modified by powers of self-governance, cannot hold its own against countries which are in all respects their own masters.  Few, I believe, would now maintain that the Northern States of America would have risen in commerce as they have risen, had they still remained attached to England as colonies.  If this be so, that privilege of self-rule which they have acquired has been the cause of their success.  It does not follow as a consequence that the Canadas, fighting their battle alone in the world, could do as the States have done.  Climate, or size, or geographical position might stand in their way.  But I fear that it does follow, if not as a logical conclusion, at least as a natural result, that they never will do so well unless some day they shall so fight their battle.  It may be argued that Canada has in fact the power of self-governance; that she rules herself and makes her own laws as England does; that the Sovereign of England has but a veto on those laws, and stands in regard to Canada exactly as she does in regard to England.  This is so, I believe, by the letter of the Constitution, but is not so in reality, and cannot in truth be so in any colony even of Great Britain.  In England the political power of the Crown is nothing.  The Crown has no such power, and now-a-days makes no attempt at having any.  But the political power of the Crown as it is felt in Canada is everything.  The Crown has no such power in England, because it must change its ministers whenever called upon to do so by the House of Commons.  But the Colonial Minister in Downing Street is the Crown’s Prime Minister as regards the colonies, and he is changed not as any colonial House of Assembly may wish, but in accordance with the will of the British Commons.  Both the houses in Canada—­that, namely, of the Representatives, or Lower Houses and of the Legislative Council, or Upper House—­are now elective, and are filled without direct influence from the Crown.  The power of self-government is as thoroughly developed as perhaps may be possible in a colony.  But, after all, it is a dependent form of government, and as such may perhaps not conduce to so thorough a development of the resources of the country as might be achieve under a ruling power of its own, to which the welfare of Canada itself would be the chief if not the only object.

I beg that it may not be considered from this that I would propose to Canada to set up for itself at once and declare itself independent.  In the first place I do not wish to throw over Canada; and in the next place I do not wish to throw over England.  If such a separation shall ever take place, I trust that it may be caused, not by Canadian violence, but by British generosity.  Such a separation, however, never can be good till Canada herself shall wish it.  That she does not wish it yet, is certain.  If Canada ever should wish it, and should ever press for the accomplishment of such a wish, she must do so in connection with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.  If at any future time there be formed such a separate political power, it must include the whole of British North America.