Examiner -- 1862-04-21 -- Page 02

eno so ,

On the 42nd clawae being read, Hon. Mr. Ding
Mayistra

her ay

Ww otiected to tt ett acer ene te

i
}

ety legislation, will, at the same time, enjoy the

aud be profitable to, the country at

m

contidence of,

- q 2 By oe 2 ee through private property ferthes Hon. Mr. BINGW bt, — i yong itt
purpose of dratutug at od, after some desultory introdaced, i. Was sue owt Me 4 ue - ‘th wel
ale “* ‘ wae amegded by tus he word “iw@® the peraple vrentet pry vile rest at, } anh
fiowse resuuted, anid prurress re porte one-third of the p prtiario Dic pa ss Sate
he Bill to ineerporate the Minister and Trosees privilege of voting, l » re Ne r hey Bg i
he Presbyterian ¢ _ Elaee Biv Lot Bo, ) wriments enn bé made to ay \ : He KN . €
pro ‘ over this Board: but when a

muy
;

was then committed and agreed te without

anendment

Che tious then wen » coreg rent te 1 , ; es a 7
" porate the Victor Lanige of Free Masons.) commupaty, witisth saw tat the peo} le in the
A on. Mr RAMSAY—-Frou Py at Lhave seen and) country regard theit owths, and they wi | not swear
mt yy og vane du vw imaiv ito a Quetifiertion nuless their property is worth
A ee? in ‘ iv fi we ‘ aa LY a ‘ ‘ ‘ }
mates Cheeee eee: ha pot tr pitine an Act more than £100 1 do not suppose that it is the m
wo pure ged perfect tial bey ah ftention of your Honors to dy an injustice to the |
or tis batere +} i } ae ast re tg a sha ae i, ae
Hou. the PRESIDENT.1 am glad to hear tl people ; and [am happy te hear that his Honor Mr
> % ome exalted op ni} Palme ieves that this Coaneil, us at present
| fatten hus such an ‘ ’ “
hix Herer Mr. Ra iv bus su y agg ' e | coustit enjoes the evalidence of the people.
. ; vii We @ ! ‘ i . / :
of Freee Mason ; ee Be Now, we are on the eve of x general election, and
this acti ” the man S wigh —— , ey ‘ se avreat dead of exeitement to lmve an
t we have sone us eat : ' i age ‘ a
¥ se ft v or with unbelie ve bie ou th Hoyses im one ver Which will be
vith men ol tlue W ; . ae . an ot ot | the - ‘a Bill paswes: nor do 1 think our Re
a t » at t ‘ , a 4 z
may use that tern ‘ ~~ ‘ a huppy ¢ ey ec isita fit «s e tu bear the expense i be
thes nature i me amuary iL. a ee si : ok a ce oan
~@ } nor to the my ~ is ;
eee ni er hianve e money laid out im improve
ee let him rick vi thre or git on i i‘ '
e } rthy S mile Ww sand break-waters. I[ de not
pg beeen a eee nm rted Bil! ree e why we should interfere with wha 4s already
theuse Peau tue “ wane wall. sucel © ae o objection to the power
te Wihucul auy ane tusehy p Hye ay weet
Weostspay, Mh Apr Hon. Mr. JAMSAY—When the Bill was before
4 | n ter he Ke
Ril! to incorporacé the Minister and Ti evs of | Us last year, ¢ Lelieve L was he vower of the Re
; ” ae a Chireh Fltiot River, Lot 65, ane solution to have the Member « plaice of residenee or
ey a oles Vi i Lad of Bre # property « wiitiention in the District for which
he Ao hal u tt i sed » was elect it ough 1 am sill of the same
Masons were reud the third tine and passed | t -”
"7 f the Fxeeut Yon. y your Hono -s think at it would be
Hon. Mr. Palmer, a Member of the xe% ve i iat sonte bs
Counell, by commuted of His Exeelleney the Lieu mrrewerny wr the py eg : ! oe beds
tenant Geverper, lsid on the tuble eopies of two! not conteud rit, forl ema e | i

Jespatehes from His Grace the uke of x weastle ;
one Pélating to the expenses of the Land Couns
sion, the other to the Appewdix to the Land Com
juissioher’s Report.

Hon. Mr. PALYWER--I regret, Mr

that we have not obtained a copy of the Appendix, Counc

to the Report of the Land Commissione rs, wii
supposed to coptuin a great di al useful
tereatiug information; but t!
pleasiag one. His hxce/lency ’
to the Celovial Odice for it, and the reply was tha
only one copy had been received at that Otce
it hud wot been printed. His Excelleney ti:
nude an application to the Conuntssigne
wig egugdent will be more surcessf id

is

t '
‘ ot and in

ie reaeon is a Ve ry
rade all ap) auton

i
at ita

S sitice

liperial Ggvernment in co

the Gonuniesioners fu addition to that whic
were formerly promised
now, when cack, ef the. Comnuss
LW in pla ce of £ WO) that they are ove rpaid
weet
spen

e they

onems receives
When

the basiftess connected with the Commission, we

canes say that they have received tuo mach. With | ceruction of the constitution of this Houre.
respeeb ty the requesi of His Gruce to remitthe £201) pon,

promised to our Commissioner, | have to say that
nimount has already beeu rewmitted,
Mr. Howe when he was eu the Island Jast sumiwer

The Hume Goverdineut wil! return to this Island) yo more of them.

} «pfre
»on the Bill] will certainly

i

President, nnel

rs, which 1! of St
le fore I sit) wl
down LT cannot but acknowledge the hberality et the! Pycellen
itr Hing aM BAMOUNE LO | hog

1 do not think that even tive to a

Jt was paid 104 serncted

yp he tapeter qtr! re
"100 is

unvehise it lange portion of the

se es } :
Veet mh ot required ef the electors, it
aist

I weuld rather extend th an comutraet their privileges

Hen. the PRESIDENT—My opinion upen this
he sae as that which bexpressed

last year, and Pmay add that it has always been
fanwed with regard to the constitution of this
|. Theretore I do not look upon this Bill

v more favor than | looked upon the Bill of

with at

last ye Lust year we admitted the principle ef
i ll. reserving to ourselves the right to offer

such amendmentsas we thought proper We ollered

thease amendments, but they we not earried We

sulnitted protests

rvatlone

been calied fe

ainst this Bill, and T be
of His Grace the Secretary
ria by Those }
i no doubt but His
Lientenant Governor forwarded
ttention to

then a

live that the

obse
te have rrotests
ich we } red; f have

ats to His Grace, calling his a
t weing to stand here as an obstrac
e for the geod of the country. 1
J papority of the Llouse of

sit
the pring iple of this bill;

La

HY hhewusty!

cmbly have acceded tot

pues. ¥ that they left their own business, andd par Tam not pr pared to say that a large majority
week after week iu this Island, and afterWardss of the inhabitants of the Colony have asked for the
ju Nova Seotia and New Brunswick, attending to) easure

1 would ask vour Honors to point to one
expression of public opinion demanding a recon
it is

" +e} '
there is a little po!

tewn which says that this Conneil shall be recon
it was organized for special purposes, and
when those parposes ave accomplished we will hear

It was through this clique that

the anvaut paid to Me. Waitwan, aad will alse pay | this Bill came before your Honors, and surely your

ull the other expenses of the Coumissign, will ibe) pf nors are not |
exception, I suppose, of the Coansel ou behalé of But for my hon

the Tenatttry Puis shows that they are not theughi
joss of. as; taey have exten,

very praiseworthy.

prepared to yield to stich ‘a cliqne
te

friend to say that this measure has
been asked for by the ccantry is most ¢ Xtraordinary .

led a liberality which is) | jaye not seen ove single petition asking for it

Then his Honor Mr. Simpson appears before your

How, Mr. PALMER, on rising to move the order) Honors nud tells ns that this House shall be inde

of the day for the yecoud reading of the * Bill to
chanye the constitution of the Leyislutive Council,
bv rendering the same élective,” said — This Bill,
Mr. Péesideitt, as you are aware, is a copy of the
Bill passed hast year, exeept that it adopts the modi
ficatiqns saggested by His Grace the Dake of New
castle. Your Honors are well aware of what is con

tained fh fis Grace’s despatch — that he aecedes to} wi

thre principle of an elective Levislative Council;
aad the Bibl having pissed this House last your with

such lagge majority, L hardly expect to find any | '
yeeat dis uce of apinion how as to the elective they give ;
priueiple being appheable to this Chamber.

hurdly mecessary

has Bet any change.

before | came to the conclusion that the elective | peop
principle would be applicable to the careumstances |

of this Colony; but my experience in both nnepchas war
i

of the Eégishitare bias Couvineed me that tis. |
Lelie ve thete are apy persons who entertain a dif
ferent opiniog ; but if phey were expericaced in
practical legislation, I think they would be iuduced
to vive Way to the principle of this Dill.

upeu it tha: the Colory way do well enoug

ways be liable to a collision as parties change inthe
other branch of the Legislature. As this Council

js constituted at preseut, J think Lmay sufely say | to make it now!

that it étfjogs the contidence of the country, aud we

are C:sposed ve deweun ourselves so as to prevent a) be

collision with the other brauch; but this is a desi
rable suste of umutors whiel cunnot al wavs be cul-

culated upon; for as loog as uuiversal sutirage isin | If vou do so you will find that it
be | to the best interests of this Colony. j
to the details of the Bill, 1 will say nothing at pre- |
Now, ] think it | sent—we will have an opportunity when the House |
bat [ wish to say a word with re-

operation we canuot tell what changes tay
broaght aboat. There taay then be an urgent de
nutnd for w ehange in this Coeneil.

is better, whale we have tke Colonial Minixter with | ix in committee ;
F i L think this Bill is | ference to thé Despatch. \ is
I was one of those who| serves credit for the amplification which he has}
' j has his own ideas on the |

us, to take him. at bis oller.
framed oy safe principles,
voted fast year for uuiversal suffrage, or more pro
verly
we to elect mewbers for the House of Assem-
bly. That epanien was notoriginally my own; bat
I yave wag de thoge with whom Lam associated.
I see very clearly the torce of His Grace's sugges:
tious ta nurse a qnalitieation in the electors, and also
that ic wouldnot ve advisable to require a property

lt is| to bear on Members of the other |
mé t may that my own mind! often have to give votes contrary to their conscien-

h for a) ors will say that it was ne
- *4 . "vr e+! 7.
time with & nonnative Council; but we will al-| tageous to the country.

, te have no qualificition but whatis | subj

pendent both of the Crown and of the People tor a
Do net your Honors fee! as indepen
lives? Where is
he Crown or the
For my part,

limited time.
dent now as you ever did in your
the slightest ‘pressure of either t
People as we are now constituted
I have never felt the slizhtest.
this House being dependent now, or to say that it
li be independent of the people w hen it will have
to be elected every four
When the Members of this Honse are elected, they
will have to account to the people for every Vote
and some of us know the pressure made

They

e
’

yeurs, is shere nonsense.

louse.

It was a longtime | ces; therefore, to talk of being independent of the

le, when you ure elected by the people, is shere
nonsense. Then his'Honor Dr. Jolson comes for-
land says that this measure is best adapted to
the circumstances of the. country.
agree with his Honor; and I think if he had more
experience, he would be of a different opinion. And
if this Biil go into operation, 1 am coutident, that

J jook | before three or foar years elapse, each of your hon- |

t calenlated to be advan-
What! Do we not ylory
in our constitution being assimilated to the glorions
constitation of Britain! Whatare you endeavoring
You are endeavoring to nssimi-
late it te the constitution of a neighboring Repub
lic; and what is that Republic now? Itis shivered

ulmost to atoms; and why sheuld we assimilate

onr constitution to it even in the slightest degree ? |

will be injurious
With regard

I think His Grace de-

given the subject. He
ect; and the language of the Despatch is wor-
thy of a Statesman. I would ask if the Honse of
Assembly has curried out the sugyestions of that
Despateli, oue of which is—*1 would enforce a
tolerebly high qualification with regard to the elect-
ors.

13s. 4d. sterling will be considered a tolersh!; Ligh

jinen fe eome

I ly: eut off from the |melnbers for this Howse, | could
|

tical elique in Charlotte. |

To talk then about |

And do yon suppose that the sum of £66)

qualifieajop with reference to the elected. Now, it | qualification? If you think His G.ave will be sa-
is true thatthe warch of progress has induced a great | tistied with it, I think you will fiud that you ure
change Ta “e miuds of the British people us to do-| mistaken, If I thought that the country really de
ing away with property qualifications. Thirty sired this measure, I would break down everv bar-
‘ 6 tid wan would have thought that they | rier iu order that they might obtain it; but I do not

would have geceded to such a fandamental change | think they desire it. Nor do I think it is necessary
iu the aueu. And if we look at it fairly | in order to facilitate the business of the country. 1

and i ite We wust see that if the electors are | think the public business has always been carried
well q lifted” pew, they will be likely to exercise | on in this House—I say in this House, with as much
their privilege’ tu sacha way as to return men of | despatch as necessary. IT have always been of
sound and safe primeiples, whether the elected have | opinion that the Members of this Honse should not
any property qualilication or uot. Property alone, | be paid: but while [ adwit the principle of the Bill
as general rule, does not constitute sound judy- | 1 am confident that the details will not be satistac-
ment, thoagh men who possess real estate are not factory, should it ever become Jaw in its present
that meVing transitory «et of persons who would be | shape. ? are ;

objectionahie as electors for meimbers for the wpper Hon. Mr. HUTCHINSON—I am really surprised
Chamber, whieh in tle words of the Duke of New- | to sce the chanye that has come over the minds of
castle, should represent the staid and settled senti-| hou. Meubers since last year. Last year they were
meuts of the people rather than their transitory im-| for haying the peepee y, of candidates to an enor-
pulses. Tam quite prepared to adopt his Grace's | mous height i done all I could te have their a
Views in this respect... Phe Bill fixes th. qnalitica- | perty qualitication as low as possible. Again they
tion of the electors at £100. I do not know whe-| were determined to bave the Members confined to
ther there were epy division in the other House | their own counties. New, all are gone from that.
with respect to this amount; nor ata I quite certain | If we are to be governed by the Duke of Newcastle
what opinions the members of this House may have | in this way, I think he might just as well have
ou that point. Is is not « vital principle, however, | written the law for us; but I think there are people
as long as there isa tolerably high qualification the | here who know just as well as the Duke what suits
‘end is gained. There is another point on which | the circumstances of the country. Are we to sub-
this Bill differs from the one which was passed last | uit to the dictation of the Secretary of State for the
year. By the Bill of lust year the member was re-| time being, whi is in office for a few years, a few
quired te bave his place o! residence or his property | mouths, or, it may be, only a few weeks, and pass
qualifiegyion iu the distzic. Jor which he was eleci-| any law which he thinks desirable!) In wy opinion
ed; and there was aconsiderable ditference of opin-| this Board has already consented to the elective
jon on this point. Ide not thinkthe member should/ franchise. When the Liberal party were in power

be confined to* the county er district. I consider | they ugreed te have what I may eall universal suf
I ve, and they Jost power by it. When this Bill
s brotight forward, the present party adopted the
sulfrave. The Bill came up here
And now, to turn round all at
» obedience to the dictates of the Dnke of

-
fication is more than [ can consent to. I
gpinion that the candidates should have
a pretty high qualification, but not too high. His
e says no, we must have the qualification in
? Now, | think we have a right to
und Lhope the

that it is a privilege to allow the electors to choose | tra
No stranger can | Wa

a man in the county or out of it.
be elected without their consetit and sanction. They
have the

be prod pin not, and that is sufficient. On the

other hand, if there ve a majority who clearly see | Neweastie, and say that we must have # high pre
that theré is 4 certain vezth wan who lives beyond | petty quali
the bounds of the district, whose principles ‘they | am still of
thighly approve of, and whose ability and integrity |
can rely upon, it would surely be a privilege | Grae
allowed to select him. I think it would be a} the electors.

luny
to be
very impolitic law that would prohibit his election.
ye know that Englishmen are frequently returned
rom constituencies in Ireland, and there are some
instauces Of men from Ireland being returned from
ecoustityencies in England and in Seotland. Why
is it so? Simply because they think those men can
serve them better, It is therefore a privilege to the

ower toxay whether Mr. So-and So shall | aud we adopted it.

}
|

|
|

sume universal

once,

judge for ourselves in this matter ;

Members of thix Board will not be swayed by the |

dictates of His Grace. :

Hon. Mr. DINGWELL—I would like to hear
the opinions of the country members. For my part
I do not think the people in the country desire an
elective Council.

Hon. Mr. ANDERSON—I think the people in

electors. aud I would allow them to exercise i. 1|
am not partieyJarly wedded to the details of the | the country do desire it. [ supported the measure
BM. Oi parties wish to modify the details witout) Jast year, and I intend to do so again.

endangering the Jill, J slyall uot oppose them; but} Hon. Mr. WALKER—My opinion is that if the
I hope that, for the suke of the eyuntry, the Bill| mnajority of the people in the country desired an
will be passed throngh both branches,with as little | efective Council, they would have petitioned for it.
change ws possible, because J am assured, from what) There ure some very great objections to this meas
1 hear and know, that this Bill is as nearly adapted | ure; one of which is that it will be attended with
io the circumstances and state of the cougtry as itis) @ great deal of expense; and I do not
possible for us to frame a Bill. It will put an end! Rewenue js in a fit state to warrant the expenditure.
ly very serious questions which have risen, an | But if the country will be benefitted by it, they
may rise in With regurd to the constitution of! will have to pay for it. However, | admitted the
this pani a If the constitution of this Council is) principle of the Bill last year, and I have no par-
changed im the mapner coutemplated by this Bill, | ticular objection to do the same this year.

we may take it for granted that we will mever hear; Hon. Mr. PALMER-—I rise, Mr. President, to
such questions again as have arisen heretofore. 1) make a few obeervations in reply to what bas fallen
need ouly add that { have no doubt but if this Bill) from two or three hon. members. And first to his
become law, ia }13 present shape, it will give sutis-| Jlonor Mr. Dingwell, whose principal objection is,
faction tothe people of this Colony ; and I trust; that this Bill linits the privileges of the people, be-
that it will give proof of its utility. This Council) cause it does not ex.end to universal suffrage. The
will thew earn the gratitude of the country at large +] privileges of the pec vile, it is true, will not be so
for whey geptlemen are se j

think our |

of sueb pere and didvterestod patrivtism they will
reestve the pruise and esteem of their fellow coun-
try menu,

ton. Mr. SIMPSON, on rising to second the mo-
tion for the séeund ng of the Bill, said—It ix

eu actiug from motives; extensive as Was con. ¢mplated by the Bill of last

vear; but surely his Monor willadmit that it will
be @ vast increase to their privileges when compared
with what they now enjoy. I believe in the old
saying that it is better to 1 ike justice by instalments
than not get it at all. Mow ure the Members of

unnecesssry for we, Mr. President, after the remarks | this Board appointed at present? When a vacancy
made, aud explanuion given by his Honor, the | oecurs,it js made known to His Excellency, who,

jender of the Government, to enter into any parti-
eulars. The principle of the, Bill, as you are aware,
has beeu weeeded to by His Grace the Duke of
Neweaslée. Hix Grace has also condescended to
uke certain soggestions respecting the details of
the ipill, gud by wujeb, if they are adopted, it will!
be slixhiuy wetted, jam disposed to adopt those
sigyestivus. I think the principle laid down by
His Grace is a very sound one. Sle wishes to have
the qualification jn the elvetors, not in the elected.
There is gue ¢lanse, however, ju this Bill, which
was not ig the Hill of last year, which has uot been
s.iguested by His Grace the Secretary of Stute, and
Lo whieh Jaw not iaclined to accede. That is to
tue eect that Mewbers of this House, accepting of-
fiee shal) forfeit their seats. J do not think there is
guy precedent in the British Constitution for, or an
analogy tothe House of Lords, in this chuse. tt
18 the vpition of Wis Grace that this Hyase should
hyld an independent position in any emergency that
might arise. Lt is adiuitied that there is a necessity fur
an Upper Chamber ; and, if we look at that Branch
of the British Parliament which we are supposed Lo
reseimble, We see that it is indepeudent of any con-
stitueney. “The principle of haviug wu Levislgtiye
Coaneil elveted for life, has been discussed, the ob
ject beiuy W have that Braneh independent both of
tue Crown and of the peo le. Now, if this Bill wo
ito opersiion with that clause ju its present shape,
= gortlotnas who should be elected to a seat in
tis House, aad should be afterwards led to acces
Hu dilice, would be rendered doubly respousible vo

ut the next meeting of the k¥eeutive Council, in-
forms that body that Mr. So-acd-So has vacated his
seat, and asks if amy member has any person to
suggest. Well, I way please io nominate Mr. A.
B.; another member will nomin: te Mr. C.D. His
Excellency considers the watter, «nd tinds that they
are both suityble persons; le hus uo objection to
either. He then puts the question —which sball be
the man? and when a division is t’ ken, fonr mem-
bers appear for A. B., and five for 0. 1). His Ex-
eellency must then decide in favor of C.D. The
appointment is they made by His E:eelleney, and
five members of hie Government. Surely there is
a wide comparison between the privileges of the
people in this cause apd that which it is contemplat-
ed to give them by the provisions of this Bill, when
every man in the Colony whose property is worth
£100 currency, will have a voice in appoimting hia.
There is a very murked distinction. ‘This is the
way it restriets the liberties of the people. Jt has
been urged us an objection by his Honor the Presi
dent, that this measure has not been asked for by
the country; but I think his Monor’s memory does
not serve him, or mine dees not serve me; for it
strikes me that petitions have been received from
the country asking for the change. But it is imma-
terial whether petitions haye been received or not,
for the feelings of the country are known and ex-
wessed through their representatives. It is well
‘nown that they have been urged to pass this mea
sure. and when we find a large majority in the

uw : t le Wo | Hey-e of Assembly contending for it, we may take
pede sa ty Kf epurse would destroy the in. | it for granted that it is desived by the people. If it
oy De JOHNAO of the Legislature. only emanated frou a clique ig Charlottetown, we

: NSON— After nature retleetion on | woud make very little progress with the measare

the Lill pumed last year, iny judginent is confirpaec
with relerence to tue elo ee! le, as aed
Lo the Upper Chomber, being eatin the r, 4 oa
Ju ity present mate. I have yot only made ap uv
mind with regard to the prineiple of the Bill, but
J copsider that the alteratious which layy been
suguestet by His Grace the Duke of Newcastle,are
good ; gud we should be thankfal to His Gree tor
48 well as for weeeding

making bose stions
the Bill, so that we tay have ap

bo tie principle a
Lyyer Chgmber which, wile it is a chess upow

threugh this House ; and bthink vou will find that
the # spporters of the Bill in the Honse of Assembly
are Hol Composed of u Charloteiown cliqne

Hop. the PRESIDENT—I did not say that the
— clique represenved the inhabitants of Char-
OLLela Wi.

tioy, Mr. PALMER—I fee} assured that if the
matter rested with the people and with the influence
ot Charloitetowa, this mensure would not be asked
for, Aud if this Council were to coutinge as it is at
present coustityied, it would be induc

eaced Lo iw’

extent by Charlottetown’ than it is at

for it is u very onerous burden for gentle
here and attend to the public business |
ln fact, they are conferring |

grenter
present 4

at their own expense ’
a fayour upon the Government of the \
they It J were called upon to nominate
soon fll it up wath
Ipergons trom Charlottetown. But we know the
lregult ; there would soon be an oulery rused from
both parties in the qvuntry. So then this measure
lig asked by the eguntry, not by ¢ harloftetown,
fhe Political Allinuce is composed of mcmbers in
Charlottetown whe endeavour 1 yet nequainted
iwith the feelings pf the country, and thatis the
lxeeret of their success. [anust say that his Honor,
Mr. Hutedinson, has commented “yery severely on
the members of this House tor following too ¢ losely
the dictates of the Colonial Minister. Now, 1 must
suy that Lam not anxious to follow subserviently
the dictates of the Seeretary of State merely because
they enuiate trom that source ; but [ never despise
good counsel, espe cially when it is olfered by
friends, and -L believe the Dake is a true frend
Phat Despateh is not written lia dictatorial tone,
but breaths a warm feeling which shows that he
hus the interest of the Colony at heart. He may be
wrong, and T may be wrong in advocating this
Bill; but take what 1 believe to be the eXpression
of opinion of a large portion ot the inhabitants. : 1
think Lam perfeetly justitied in voting for this Bill
and seizing the suggestions thrown out by that
Statesman, even though he happensto be the Duke
lof Neweustle. Again, the Bill is objected to on
account of the expense which will attend its opera
tion, and perhaps this is one of the strongest
objections to it. It will add very materially to our
expenses, Which already exceed our ineome ; not
that any of our Public Oticers are over paid; bat I
I believe we have too large a number of Kepresenta
tives. Por that reason the expenses of the Legisla
ture are largely swelled. But though it does add
expense, if the principle is a sound one, und is
really necessary, then the expense should not be
lyruuibled at. It will have to be paid by the people
who demand the measnre. They cannot turn round
jund suy here is un item Which should not be in-
curred. J] think, however, t
amendment, or additional clause, when the House is
lin committee, it is with regard to the mode of
holding serautinies. L have seen that the present
system wogks With great disadvantage to all parties
who are honestly inclined, I have seen a serutiny
held by a Sheriff when party feeling was not
attempted to be disguised, and where perjury was
altuoxt commended. Men were induced to swear
tulsely, and the Shereff had no power to control the
Court. If there be an election fora member for
this House, and it is considered that bad votes have
turned it against him, he should have a fair trial
l whether they are good or bad. If the power were
jiavested in one of the Judges of the = Court
jin place of the Sheritf, 1 think it wou d be an im-
| provenic ne.
Hon. Mr. HUTCHINSON— Adopt the same mode
with the House of Assembly too. 5
Hon. Mr. PALMER—Yes, with the House of
Assembly too. And I would say that the Juilges’
decision should be final. It depends upon deeds
and titles--it is purely a question of law —the

do so

, value of the property must be determined by living |

witnesses. The Judges are not over worked. |

‘would give the Judge the same power tomaintain
order as he holds in the Supreme Court.
we might expect to sce justice prevailing ; for the
Judges are sworn to act impartially, and they
would act without political bias in holding a seru-
tiny equally as ia trying a political libel in the Su-
preme Court,

Hon. Mr. GARDINER—I have heard a great
deal both for and against the Bill, and Iam pre-
pared to support the principle, but I do not pro-
inise to support all the details. [ beheve this Bill

}

is carrying out the wishes of the people; but at}

the same time I scarcely agree with one of your
‘}lonors Who have spoken as to the qualitication of
the electors. I think tke qualification should be
higher; aud when the House go into Comimittee,
I will move that it be £150. 1 do not think that
| will be tee high, if you want to secure intelligent
electors, for tue poor are generally the iguorant.
_A wan who comes here, and gets hold of a small
| piece of land, and who is ou the Island tor twelve

Now, I cannot inonths, has just as much to say as one Who has | 1839, p 108.)

been here all his life. 1 therefore contend that
‘the qualification should be higher than it is. Ido
uot exactly know what His Grace means by a

that he will cousider £100 currency tolerably
high.
House adjourned.

t
i

SPRING.

A flash of green is on the boughs,
A warm breath pauteth in the air,
Aud in the earth a heart-pulse there
Throbs underneath her breast of snows.

Life is astir among the woods,
And by the moor, aid by the stream,
‘The year, as from a torpid dream,
Wakes in the suushine vv the buds.

'
Wakes up iu musie as the song
Of wood bird wild aud loosen’d rill
More frequent from the windy hill,
Comes grecuing forest aisles along.

|

|

Wakes up in beanty as the sheen

Of woodland pool the gleams receives
Through bright tlowers o'er bruided leaves,
Of broken suniights, golden green.
| She sees the outlaw’d winter stay
} Awhile, together after hin
| Suew robes, frost-crystulled Giadem,

j And then iu soft siowers pass away.

|

She could not love rongh winter well,
Yet cunnet choose but mourn hina vow ;
Se wears awhile on her young brow

His gifi—u gleaming icicle.

|
|
}
+
Then turns her, loving, to the sun,
Upheaves her bosoms swell to his,
And, in the joy of his first kiss,
Forgets for aye that sterner oue.

}
j

|

Old winter’s pledge from her he reaves—
That icy-cold, thengh glittering spar—
And zoues her with a green cymar,

And girdles round her brow with leaves.

|

The primrose and wor xl-violet
He tangles in her shining hair,
And teaches elfin breezes fair

To sing her some sweet cunzonet.

All promising long summer hours,
When she in bis embrace shall lie,
Under the broad dowe of bright sky,

Ou mossy couches sturr'd with flowers,

Till she smiles back again to him

The Leanty beaniing irom his face,

Aud, robed ia light, giows with tue grace
Of Eden-palaced cherubim.

O earth, thy glowing loveliness
Around our very hearts has thrown
Au undimmed joyance all its own,

And sunned us o'er with happiness.

CORRESPONDENCE,

MORAL DEGRADATION IN SWEDEN.
No. ll.
To tHE Eptron or turk EXamIner.
Dean Str—As certain parties are leaving no ef-

i=
|
|

| fort untried to excite the prejudices of the Protestants
| of this Island againat their Catholic fellow-colonists,
| by representing the people of Catholie countries as
| naturally more ignorant and more iramoral than
‘those of Protestant ones, I may be permitted to
prove to our Protestant friends that sueh is not the
‘case. “In my last letter I showed too clearly the
state of deplorable ignorance in which millions of
the inhabitants of Great Britain live; in the present
jcommunication I purpose to show, from the most
| respectable Protestant source, the deplorable state
of morals in Sweden, the most Protestant country
in the world; buat before dojng so I shall make a
few observations on Lower Canada, which Mr.
Laird and other writers of the same class cease not
to stigmatize as being ignorant and superstitious.
| You are aware, Sir, that Lower Canada is chiefly
Catholic,and Upper Canada chiefly Protestant. Now,
I doubt whether there is a more yoral people ini
Christendom than the French Canadjans of Lower
Canada; they are at least very, very dar superior
in this respect to the Protestants of Upper Canada.
That this is the case, I shall very clearly show by
the most satisfactory of proofs, viz., figures.

From the “ Annual Report of the Board of In
spectors for Asylums, Prisons, &c. for 1861,’’ pub-
lished by order of the Government of Canada, we
jearn, that on the 3lst Dee., 1860, there were in the
Kingston Penitentiary —‘ the common receptacle of
the moral guilt of both sections of the Province’ —
529 Protestant convicts, and 254 Catholic convicts.
During 1860, 255 convicts were discharged ; of this
number 161 were Protestants and 94 Catholics. Of
the 784 conviets in the Penitentiary, Upper Canada
furnished 586 and Lower Canada 198, If the upper
section of Canada is not duly represented in the
Provincial Parliament, it certainly is in the Kings-
ton Penitentiary. The following is a table of the
number of ‘‘ Convicts received in the Provipcial
Penitentiary," from 1856 to 1860, published at
page 7:

Year. Upper Canada. Lower Canada.
1X56 194 so
1857 ly 49
1858 238 67
pS59 226 30
1s60 lor 6a
Total 1004 Qs9

From these official siatistics we learn that Protes-
tant Upper Canada, the population gf which very
little exceeds that of Lower Canada, retarns yearly
to the Provincial Penitentiary more than two bun-
dred representatives, whereas the latter returns not
quite fifty-eight. I think it is quite evident from
this that the people of Lower Canada are not more

|explain the ethical puradox of enlightened Upper

day when! mutes for the Penitentiary as

hat I shall offer one |

Then |

tolerably high qualification, bat I do not suppose |

ers with the above statistics and labored under the delusion that Protestant countries
ure superior to others in every respect, and will pro-
Canada, farnishing nearly four times as many in-| bably have the effect of shaming Mr. Laird and bis
j “benighted”’ Lower | assistants into silence regarding the “ ignorance and

| superstition of Romish countries, andthe results of

Laird favor his read

| Canada!
fod those who speak so sneeringly of the igno- | Catholic education, It would be well for evange
rance of the French Canadians aware that there are | Heal witnesses te cast the beam out of their own
in Lower Canada a great number of edycational es- | eyes before they volunteer their services to pluck
tablishments among which ave no fewer than at} the mote ont of those of their neighbours.

1 have the honor to be, &c.,

A. McDONALD.

St. Dunstan's College, April Lith, 1862.



To THE Eprrok OF THE EXAMINER,

Sm—In a commupication ever my signature in
hundred atlending the Seminary of Quebec. At! the «Examiner’ of the 17th ult. I gave currency
this College, as well as ut others, the students go! to a “report” in circulation, that the Rev. George
through a complete course of humanities and philo | Sutherland, when lecturing op the Whim Jtoad,
| had uttered expressions not now to be named.
: slid ; Feeney | Mr. Sutherland, in the ‘Islander’ of the 21st alt.,
in Quebee the Laval University, an institution of las denied the “ report” in “ strong language.’”
the very first class, everything in connection with Lnow beg to corroborate that denial,and also to
which is on the mostmaguificentseale. Its library, | say, upon the testimony of several parties volun-
cabinet of physics and cabinet of mineralogy, are, jtarily given, that it wasa Rev. Mr. Sutherland
. who visited the Island fast fall, and who is a per-
' % {son who has “distinguished” himself on former
mention the numerous excellent schools kept by the | occasions in the Island.
| YT shall leave the Rey. G. Sutherland to reconcile
| his “strong language” with a “couscience void of
| offence” as best he can.
Respectfully,

MANOATL ROWE.
ge, April 4, Isuz.
Ile would learn at —
least that some of the editors of P. E. Island would | UNLICENSED BOOK PEDLARS A GREAT
cut but a very sorry figure in Canada, and that if NUISANCE.

Mr. WHELAN—DEAR Str—t believe that you
tirades with which they disgrace the press of this| and the other journalists of Charlottetown have
hey would be made to understand eyen by | warned the public aguinst being further imposed
" |) 0n by Yankee pedlars selling worthless trash of
books for four times their value. But, Sir, has it
}occurred to you and your confreres that others
besides Yankess can go about imposing on the
| public by selling worthless books at an enormous
impunity to outrage the most sacred feelings of their | price? It is certain that impostors of this kind,
ee | Whether they are Yankees, Islanders or Nova

.. | Seotians, are an intolerable nuisance to any com-
In conelading | 7

least thirteen Catholic Colleges, viz;— St Anns, |
Quebee, Nicolet, St. Hyacinth, Terrebonne, St.
Therese, St. Sulpice. Montreal, St. Mary’s, Sher
brooke, Point Levi, Three Rivers, Chambly, As- |

suniption. ‘The number of stadents attending these

colleges is great; for example, there gre about four

sophy which occupies aboutten years. ‘There is also

perhaps, unequalled on this continent. I need pot
| Ladies of the Congregation of Notre Dame, of the
| Providence, by the Ursulines, the Christian Bro
thers, &c. think if Mr. Laird made atour through
Lower Canada he would entertain, regarding it,
opinions quite different from those which he at pre- Montague Brid

sent shares with many others, if -

| “illiterate agitators” indalped there in the violent

| colony, t

| neiner dispensed from the observanc e of the com-

|

|
1

their co-religionists that there public writers are

mandment which says “thou shalt not bear false

witness against thy neighbour,” nor permitted with

icighbours who may choose to worship (

manner different from themselves.

|
}
|
may apply to themselves as} for three shillings!
much of the above as will suit them.

Mr. Laing, the

| I shall now pass to Sweden.
Seotch Presbyterian traveller, from one of whose |

| works I before quoted, says :—

“Tt is a singular and embarrassing fact that the
| Swedish nation, isolated from the mass of the Euro-
pean people, and almost entirely agricaltaral or pas-
toral, having in about 3,000,000 of individuals only
14,925 employed in manufactories, and these not con-
gregated in one or two places, but scattered among
2037 factories; having no great standing anny or
| havy; no extended commerce; no afllux of stran-
lyers; no considerable city bat one; and having
| schools and universities in a Suir proportion, and a
powerful aud complete church establishment undis-
| turbed in its labors by sect or schism; is, notwith-

attention to the followiug extract from the Quebec | by a seat in the Legislature, I may be pardoned
as tolerant in their tone, and as considerate in their of Assembly. It is new pretty well known that
as the Catholie majority of Lower Canada have} Board of Education, has been for some time
have traded upon religious et and meanu-| TJand. If the beok was well written and con-
lof it that it might be worth sixpence or ninepence,
i when Mr. 8. goes inte a school, he praises up his |
teacher, to get clear of the importunities of the
| copies to sell for him. ‘The latter remonstrates
y.
| that Mr. Arbuekle has given a helping hand in
i

j munity, and I think the matter demands immedi-

* Morning Chronicle’ (Protestant) :— | should J sugyest the propriety of your bringing the
regard for the rights of their Catholic neighbours,| the Rev. George Sutherland, a member of the
shewn themselves to be m their relations to the| hawking about the town and country a book
tucture capital tron: sectioual jealousies, would have | tained useful matter, I should think from the size
Vur Island * demagozues whehave traded on re-| hut the Rev. gentleman imposes it ou the public

| book, and descants on the necessity ot being well

Rev. pedlar, buys a copy of the work. Mr. 8.

that the book is too dear, and that he has no

| proposing to take an order on the teacher’s salary

| this wretched peddling business; for I have been

\told the young men there that at the Board of

these remarks on Canada, I woulddirect Mr Laird’s| ate legislative interference. As you are honored

“Were the Protestant majority of Upper Canada | matter forward for the consideration of the House

Protestant population, the western demagogues who} which he calls a geography and history of this
starved eut long ayo.” |

ligious antipathies,”’ I use the word impose, for

acquainted with the history of the Island. The

i then asks the teacher to take three orfour ormore

j}money. Mr. 8. soon solves the latter difficulty by

tor the amount of the books! I have been told

| informed that he went to the Normal School and

Education they would be examined on the con-

| standing, ina more demoralized state than any nation | ;* . 375 | ;
in Europe—more demoralised even than any equal | tents of Mr. . h mane ieee as bave ~ cage
| portion of the dense manufacturing population of | ing they shou uy a copy of the sai

of
took. The way being thus prepared, the Rev.

| Great Britain.’ (Tour in Sweden—Laing, London, /
| gentleman came to the school with an armful of

Che Examiner.

—

Charlottetown, April 2st, 1862.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Tue Speech with which His Excellency the
Lieut. Governor closed the late Session has one
good quality—it is very short. Feeling that he
had nothing to say in praise of the proceedings of
the Legislature, he has said that nothing in the
fewest possible words. But notwithstanding its
general brevity, there are two short passages in
the Speech that cannot fail to attract some at-
tention. The first has reference to the Land
Commission; the second alludes to the Legisla-
tive Couneil Bill.

1. His Excellency says :—

“A copy of the Report of the Land Commision
has been forwarded to me by Her Majesty's Se-
cretary of State for the Colonies, and has been
laid before you.”

The Legislature did not certainly require the
information that His Excellency had received the
noted document, which had been laying on the
tables of both Houses for nearly two moaths.
But the reader will observe that His Excellency
was cautious in saying that it was only “a copy”
of the thing he had reeeived—not the original—
not the real Simon Pure. Now, if “a copy” of
one particular thing is as good as the original ot
that thing—the copy of any thing else ought to
be equally good; as, for example, the copy of a
Promissory Note, a Bank Bill, a Bond, Mortgage,
Deed or Lease. His Excellency knows right
well, or ought to know, from the tenor of the
Duke of Neweastle’s Despatch of the 7th Febru-
ary, in which His Grace uses the phrase “ a copy”
in reference to the printed paper which was for-
warded to Mr. Dundas, that that printed paper
was never intended to be made the basis of legis-
Jation in this Island; and the Duke will most
likely use such language towards His Excellency
as will enable him to to understand that fact, as
syon as he will have an opportunity of examining
the two worthless Dills that were passed during
the late Session in reference te the so-called
Award,

2. Alluding to the Elective Council Bill, His
Excellency says :—

“I trust that the Act, to which I have just giv-
en my assent, may be the means of establishing a
popular and effective Upper Chamber.”

Now, the Government have been three years
engaged in patching up a good working majority
for themselves in the “U pper Chamber,” and yet
they inform the country, through the lips of the
Lieut. Governor, that it is neither “ effective ’>
nor “popular.” Surely, “ The M‘Nad,” or “The
other M*Nab” could not have very carefully re-
vised this portion of the Speech. It conveys a
poor compliment to Mr. Palmer, who sacrificed
his position in the Lower House to make things
comfortable for the Administration in the Upper
Chamber, and to secare popularity and efficiency
there. Besides, how mortifying it must have beea

Mr. Laing then proceeds to prove hisassertion by ns Peete. net ay ee pe _ ory
eae ate inant “i ; ~,, Suip were literally shamed and frightened into |

; 43 Hip? — 2 carats ore. sans page | buying them. If there is anything in the world

ie demoralising etlec administration 0 ; . aye . :

| law, and of religious and political discord and ex: | It - nut long = I saw a list of the licensed |
| citement to outrage, the Irish nation stands very far | pediars, and I don't remember to have seen tue|
| above the Swedish inthe moral scale. Lu the nearly | bane of the Rev, Mr. Sutherland among the rest.
eight millions of the Irish there are 5644 fewercom-| L may be wistaken. I would net wish to do the
| mitals for criminal oifences, and 8039 fewer conyie-| Rev. gentleman the injustice to say positively that |
| tions, Within one year, than in the scarcely three ' }
millions of the Swedish nation. These are singular
| results, and very unexpected, when we consider the i
| cuckoo-cry repeated duu nothing else can be heard |
lof the crime, vice, aud socind disurganization of lre- }
ltand, which by coniwon Consent is placed at the
j very bottom of the hist of em iuzed nations; while
| Sweden is ax generally held up to be acountry emi-
nently moral The proportion also of illegitiuate
| te legitimate births in this country lends to the same
jconelnsion, It is asd t9.3-10 (yin Stockholm. In
| no other Christian conmiygnity is there a staie of fe-
| male morals approaching to this.”
j

he has adopted the occupation of a pedlar with-
out the license required by law. If the Rev. gen-
tleman has no lieense like other pedlars, will you
be Kind enough to inform us country people why
he is privileged to hawk books about without a |
license 7 Ls it because he is a clergyman, or be-|
cause le is a inember of the Board of Education,
or because he was of inestimable value te the |
Tories at the last election? If the privilege to |
hawk books about the country without a license |
is the only boon which Mr. Sutherland bas m-,
evived from the Government for fighting their |
battles, he has beeu treated by them in a imost |
ungrateful manner. It is, indeed, very discredi-
table to the Government thus totreat a gentleman |
of Mr. Sutherland’s inestimable and rare abititios |

When Mr. Laing made this fearful revelation,the |
| Swedish legation in Loudon attempted to refate it; |
| but our Presbyterian traveller in a rejoinder proved

to the Simpsons, the Haszards, the Gardiners and
the McLarens, to be told to their very beards,
that, notwithstanding the impression of their new
and superior blood, the Council was still non-
effective and unpopular! Of course, all those
gentlemen will wrap themselves up in their offend-
ed dignity, and never make their appearance in
public life again. We are morally certain that
under the elective system the people will not
solicit their services, Although opposed to the
principle of the Elective Council Bill, we were
not displeased to see the gentlemen whose names
we have mentioned committing political suicide
so patiently as they did. That very measure—
the Elective Council Bill—is destined, we believe,
to be a most painful thorn in the side of the Tory
ent. But on this point we shall enlarge
on a future occasion.

— ~
i

Govern

who might then safely count upon a
turn for his labour and industry, at his
without seeking for it in a distant land ;
would grow rich by the rapid sale of their
produce—their potatoes, grain, butter, ps
bacon, which wonld be eagerly betralt wp Pee
the ctews of the Freneh fishing tessels . me
shipyards, vastty inereased im onan 4
strengthened by great material faa
exchange forthe solitude of the rest the glad
sic of the hammer, the maul, and the adge Pa
ply the demands of French commerce wton,
off sunny waters of La Belle France, And ali
these golden advantages might be gained for our
own people, without leaving them one fish the Leas
to eat or sell; or without interfering, in the
slightest degree, with their privileges as Rew:
subjects. But the blight of party-spirj

ness, and religious bigotry, aut Seman,
brought to darken this bright picture, 28 it dey
whenever a beam of hope sheds its cheering Tight
over the prospects of this unhappy Island, Mr
Coles proposed the liberal ‘concessions to the
French,—the proposal from him was sufficient to
condemn them iu the eyes of the Tory party
the selfish Tories are incapable of entertaining
views so broad aud generous—therefore they must
be condemned. But there Was another objection,
which they bad not the manliness openly to urge,
but which, we feel assured, swayed. their ‘minds
more than anything else >—the Prenelyare Cathe.
lies ; it would not be safe, in the eyes of the Bi-
gots, to permit the French to amalgamate With
our own people—to settle here, buy land, marry,
rear up families, and augment the power of the
Catholic Church. If, however, we had
“German Protestants” to deal with, in the mat-
ter of ships, fisheries, and general commerce, the
Protestant Leader of the Opposition would have
had the wind taken out of Ats sails by some honor-
able member on the Government side of the
House,

te
own door,

ne Lilenphaiiiagabnitliilet
Wues the School Visiter’s Report for 196f
was laid before the House of Assembly, only ong:
day before the prorogation, astatement was madg
by the Hon. Mr. Coles, which produced a very
strong feeling of surprise and indignation amongst
members unconnected with the Geverament. He:
stated that he had been informed, on undeniably:
authority, that the Government had paid to the
Rey. George Sutheriand—on the recommendation
of the Board ef Education. of which the Rey,
George is a member—the sum of seventy pounds
out of the public money, receiving in exchange a
certain number of copies of the trashy little book
which Mr. Sutherland lately published, under the
title of “a Manual of the Geegraphy and Natural
and Civil History of Prince Edward Islacd.”
These books, we are informed, were sent to the
Depository, to be sold, from time te time, with
the authorized school beoks, and the Board had
schools, as a class book in Geography and History.
But even sapposing the thing te be a desirable
class book—which we cam easily show it is not—
the imtention of the Govermment—if they had any
matter—has been entirely frustrated by Mr. 8u-
therland himself, for be bas forestalled the Go
vermment sale of bis worthless “ Manual” by pre
vately forcing it into nearly ali the public seh
in the Island. We have reeeived several accoauts
—all agreeing one with another—of the manner.
in which Mr. Sutherland has hawked this book
through the Colony. He goes himself te a public
schoo), with an armful of the trash—he is known
to be a member of the Board of Education—he
tells the simple minded master that the thing is
recommended by “the Board,” — that all the
scholars who are so far advanced as to be able
to read Geography and History are expected to
have a copy—and that persons whe are candidates
for the office of Teacher are required to under-
stand its contents theroughly, otherwise they wih

| by unanswerable statistics all his assertions. He
! showed that in 1838, “the divorces were 147, the

suicides 172. Of the 2,714 children born in Stock- |
holin, 1,577. were legitimate, 1,157 illegitimate ;
} making only a balance of 440 chaste mothers out of
2814; and the proportion of illegitimate to legitimate
| shiltewe, not us one 10 two and three tenths, but}
}us ONE TONE AND A HALE’ !! Mr. Laing says :—
i Figures do not bring home to our imaginations tlhe
| moral condition of a population so depraved as that
}of Stockholm. In such a seciety the offspring of
lsecret adultery, ond the births werely saved trom
| illegitimacy by the tardy marriage of the parenis,
} must be nuinerous in proportion to the general pro
i tligaey. If it were pussible to deduct these from the
| oue side of the account aud add them to the other, |

j to which morally they belong, what a singular pie

ture of depravity on a great scale this city presents. |
Suppose a traveller standing in the strects of Edin- |
j burgh, and able to say from undeniable public re- |
| turns, ‘one out of every tirce persons passing me is, |
onan average, the ollspring of illicit intercourse ; |
} and one out of every forty-uine has been convicted |
within these twelve gnonths of some criminal |
| offence’! The remarkably low moral feeling in tis |
| community appears froin the following fact. In all
| lurge cities in the present age, houses of ill fame— |
brothels where they doexist—are silently tolerated
by the local authorities....But to openly establish
such where they did not exist before, under antho- |
rity of government, and as one of its public institu
| tions, for the health or morals of the people ; to hire
lun hotel for such a purpose in a principal street;
leollect unfortunate females to live in it, and give
out a code of regulations for their conduct tow ards |
che public, appears a trait rather from the history of |
the twelfth thau of the uineteenth century (am |
not aware that an abomination like this existed in |
the twelfth century). It is searcely credible, yet
this was done within these three years here ; und |
the establishment was only abandoned because the |
wretched inmates fell victims to the barbarity of the |
regulations. It would be diffieult vo find perhaps |
in any town in Europe, at the prssent day, such |
another instance of low moral Socline in the govern- |
ing and governed.”” (p. 116.)

Mr. Laing further on says:—‘* The clergy are |
fairly endowed, well lodged, andin general on good |
terms with their flocks, they are also well educated |
men, and form a body of great power in the state,
the chamber of clergy being one of the constituent
parts of the diet. Yet with all these exterior sigus
of a religious state of the public mind, and with all
the means of a powerful church establishment, un- }
opposed by sect or schism, to make it religions, it is
evident from the official returns of crime, that in no |
Christian community bas religion less influence on
the state of public morals, ‘The justinference is. ...
that the Reformation, as fur us regards the moral |
condition of the Swedish people, has done hann
rather than good....Rude and ignorant as the Lrish
Catholic population are, their priesthood keeps them
free from such a list of heavy crimes as Litheran
Sweden presents from ber rural population alone.”
(p. 126). ‘* For propriety of dress and demeanour
the town (Stockholin) night be peopled by vestals,
vet one third of the infants are bastards. I confess
{do not like this either in a people or in an indivi-
dual....'The man is much nearer to virtne who ap-
years worse than he is, than the man who appears

tter.”’

Mr. Laird tells his readers that with Catholics
“Tynorance is the mother of devotion.” Will he
inform us what is the mother of devotion for the
Swedes? Is it base hypocrisy, or the practice of
the doctrine — ‘‘ Si nolit domina, veniat ancilla”’ ?
He will probably say that it is a very large admix-
ture of both. Our Presbyterian author gives the
Swedes an exceedin;ly low character in every res-
pect. “The people,” says he, “are in fact, as su-
perstitious and priest-ridden asin the darkest ages”!
“The Lutheran Church, in fact, is in the present
age, as far behind the religious wants of mankind
as the Catholic Church was in the days of Luther.
I am aware that such an opinion must shock many
pious and good men, who believe that religion gain-
ed by the Reformation everything that could be de
sired; but Jet them Jook at this country, in which
the pure Luthern chureh, filled with men unques-
tionably more highly educated, as a body, than the
Scotch; or perhaps any other body of clergy in En-
rope, flourishes withoat dissent, and with great civil
and politica) power as a part of the state; and look
at the moral condition of the Swedish people.” (p.
249), “It is a discouraging and humiliating retlec-
tion that the general diffasion of education and reli-
gious knowledge, which so many good and enlight-
ened men are so anxiously wivhing and striving
among us, has been attamed, perhaps, to the very
utmost practicable extent in this country, in which
all can read, almost all write, and no individual is
without religious instruction, and a competent know-
ledge of Christianity—and yet with such unsatis-
factory results on the moral and civil condition of
the people.”’ (p. 279).

Mr. Laing, towards the end of his ‘Tour in Swe-
den,” writes: —‘ Notwithstanding this powerful,
effective, and complete church establishment, and
notwithstanding this very wide diffusion of educa-
tion and religious instruction by parenta) and cleri-
eal tuition, and by an extensive and efficient national
estublishment of public schools suitable to all classes,
the Swedish nation stands amongs. the lowest in
the scale of morality ;—no other tnree millions of
moral beings in Europe appear to commit, within a
given time, so large an amount of Gime and moral
iransgressions.’’ (p. 426.)

The above extracts from the work of a Scotch
Presbyterian gentleman Jrequire ng, comment ; they,
of themselves. speak volumes. My Laing’s account
of the abominably low state of morals in Latheran

i

immoral than those of Upper Canady. will Mr.

Swedey will, without doybt, startle shore whohave

| say in this Provinee, its president.

as a politician at election times, L feel indiguant
at the thought that u Rev. geatleman, whe has
displayed such persevering energy and indomitable
zeul tor the governiug party, sheuld not only not
receive a handsome pension for his mvyalaable

services, but should be so totally neglected as to |

be compelled, in order to keep soul and body to-
gether, to adopt the life of a pedlar—a mode ot life

Which some imagine is net the best calculated to |
increase that respect which is due to the clerical |

character. I think there is not a member in the

Legisiature who would make the least objection |

to giving the Rev. gentleman a handsome grant

for charity’s sake rather than see him peddling |

about the country. 1 deeply sympathise with him
jor the unteecling manner in which he has been
treated by those who should be his warmest
tricids.
Yours respectfully,
A COUNTRY TEACHER,

CANADA.

At the opening of the Canadian Parliament last
week, the Legislative Council for the first time
exercised its right of electing its speaker, or as we
The Council
did honour to itself’ by choosing as its presiding |
officer, the Hon, Sir Allan MacNab, Baronet, who |
was proposed by Sir E. P. ache, seconded by Mr.
Maleolu: Cameron.

The Lower House selected as its speaker, Jo-
seph Edward Turcotte, Esq., member tor Three
Rivers.

The opposition availed themselves of the election
of a speaker to make it a party question, and thus
test the relative strength of parties in the Assembly.
The vote for the Governmeat Candidate was 66,
and for the opposition 53, thus showing a majority
for the Government of 13, in addition to three or
four of its supporters who had net arrived at
Quebec. It is stated also, that the members for
Upper Canada are divided exactly equal between
the Govermmeut and the opposition,the Government
majority being Lower Canadian members,

Sir John Beverley Robinson, Bart, Chiet Justice
of Upper Canada, has retired trom the Court ot
Queen’s Bench, and Mr. Justice McLean has been
promoted to the Chief Justiceship. Mr. Justice
Hagarty has been promoted from the Common
Pleas to the vacant Judgeship on the Queen’s Beneh
and the late Seliciter General, Mr. Merrisen, is
Justice Hagarty’s successor in the Common Pleas.

The Hon. Mr. Vankoughnet, Commissioner of
Crowu Lands, has accepted the Chacellorship of
the Court of Chancery of Upper Canada, vacant
by the retirement of Chancellor Blake.

It is believed that Mr. Merwood, at present Re-
ceiver General of Canada, will succeed Mr. Van-
koughnet in the Crown Land Department.

CANADIAN SHIPPING IN FRANCE,

The Baron Buillean, Consu) General of France
in Canada, has addressed a letter to the Terouto
Globe, in which he states that the Globe was in
error in stating that Canadian built vessls were to
be admitted to registry in France, on terms less
favourable than to those built in the United King-
dom. The Baron says that the terms are iden-
tical with those which are required of vessels con-
structed in the United Kingdom, or in Belgium,
the only countries which at present possess, with
Canada, the advantage of being able to sell tneir
ships in the French Empire.

The Consul General avails himself of the oppor-
tunity to state, that the decree of the 5th of Feb.
only completes a series of custom modifications
which have been accomplished in France during
the last three years, alltending to relieve from
duties the products of Canada, which are now ad-
mitted into all the ports of the Empire, either
free, or at nominal rates,

It appears that these valuable concessions ex-
tend only to Canada, and not to the other North
American Colonies, and that these privileges are
granted because Canada by its tariff has wisely
provided for the admission of the light wines otf
France, and some other of its products, at low
rates of duty.

The Baron Boilleau visited this province last
summer, with a view, as is said, of inducing the
Government of New Brunswick to enter into a
similar arrangement with France, as bad been ef-
fected in Canada, but had no success.

It will be a proper subject for enquiry in the
House, and we trust the Executive will be called
apon to state, if any, and what, negociations or
correspondence took place with the Baron on this
very important subject.

So far from following the discreet course of Can-
ada, which has already set the principal shipyards
of Quebec in active motion, our Provincial Secre-
tary proposes duties on French wines which will
amount to an almost total prohibition. “ Let our
Shipbuilders look to it!”—Col. Empire.

ee ane

A Union man in Hardin Valley, Tennessee,
writes to his son that the rebels recently hung
three Unionists in Knoxville and two in Green-
ville; that scores of others were sent South to
work during the war, and a large number were
in jail and iroved.

THE PROPOSED TRADE WITILT FRANCE.

i

Tur ‘Islander’ animadverts, with its accustomed
acrimony and misrepresentation, ou the proposal
made by the Hon. Mr. Coles in the House of As-
sembly to give the French the same privileges as
are enjoyed by the Americans, with respect to a
free fishery ou our coasts, and a reciprocal free
trade in agricultural products, in exchange for
the privilege of having our Island built ships ad-
witted to French registry.
organ states that Mr. Coles proposed to legislate
| away rights which do not belong to him or the
Colony—that if a right of fishery were given to
the French it would involve a violation of the
| treaty between Great Britain and the United
States, and that “ very serious injury” to our own
fisheries “ would be the result of granting to the
French the liberty” proposed by Mr. Coles.

The ‘Islander’ says:—

“This right, which Mr. Coles proposed to offer
to the French, is one over which we have no cen-
trol whatever. The Reciprocity treaty with the
United States was signed while Mr. Coles was in
power with his Liberal majority; but neither Mr.
Coles nor his friends were parties to it. It was a
treaty between the United States of America and
Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain; and the
rights of fishery, granted to American subjects,
were imperial rights, conferred by the exercise ot
the Sovereign power which is vested in the Crown.
They were rights over which the Legislative As-
semblies of this Island Lad no control.”

The editor of the ‘ Islander’ has borrowed this
novel view of the question from one or two mem-
bers of the House of Assembly, who propounded
it when the matter was discussed there, to the
surprise and amusement of nearly the whole
House. The Reciprocity treaty with the United
States contains no article or provision to the ef-
feet that the Colonies shall be debarred from an
interchange of commercial relations with other
foreign countries—whether with regard to fishery
rights or anything else — on principles similar to
those which apply to the neighbouring Republic.
A treaty containing a provision to the contrary
would rot be entertained for one hour by either
of the contracting parties. We might as well
suppose that when the U. States entered into re-
ciprocal free trade with the British American
Provinces, the Washington Government denuded
itself of the power to conclude free trade treaties
with other countries ; and vice ve.sa with regard
to the Provinces, If the Legislative Assembly of
this Island have no control over our fisheries, will
the ‘ Islander’ inform us what local interests are
subject te our control? Is the Government do-
main, commenly called the Crown Lands, subject
to legislative control in this Island? What was
meant by the Civil List Bill passed in 1851, when
all the Imperial interests in the Island were freely
yielded to the control of the local Legislature ?
What was meant by our action in 1854, when the
Legislature of this Island were desired by the Im-
perial Government to pass a Bill to give effect to
the Reciprocity treaty, so far as this Colony was
concerned? It is quite true that “ Mr. Coles
was'in power with his Liberal majority ” at that
time; if they had “ no control whatever” in the
disposal of our fisheries, why were they asked to
legislate upon the subject? That legislation shews
conclusively that “ Mr. Coles” and “ his friends
were parties” to the treaty to the fullest extent.

We apprehend no injury to the interests of our
fishermen from the daily and hourly visits of
French fishing smacks. We lost nothing by the
Americans, but have had hundreds of thousands
of dollars spent amongst us; and yet we never
received a boon from the Americans so valuable
as that which we are seeking from the French
—a registry for our ships, in addition to a new
and extensive market for our agricultural pro-
ducts. We should be glad to see every harbour
belonging to the Colony whitened with the canvas
of French vessels ;—a new impulse would be given
to every branch of trade ;—fishing establishments
would spring up in every direction ; lands would
increase in value, and the forest would rapidly
regede befoye the axe of the stalwart sou of toil,

}

The Government

have no chance of passing the Board. The school
master may say, aad has said, in many instanees,
that his pupils ar too poor to give three shillings
ter each copy of the “ Manual,” or that they have
not the money at present. Mr. Sutherland is
ready with an answer: “Never mind; I will
| sive you credit to the extent of one dozen copies,
| which will amount to thirty six shillings—get the
meney when yeu can out of your seholan—] will
allow you six shillings for your trouble; and I will
take a draft on your Treasury Warrant for thirty
shillings.” The poor sebvolmaster has no chance
of escape. There is a member of “the Board”
forcing upon him & book which he says the whole
“ Board” requires to be used in the publieschools—
iis miserable allowance is taxed to the amount of
thirty shillings, or perhaps twice thirty, if he has
a very large school — and he must do his best to
wring this sum in very small change fro the
pockets of the poor parents, whose children are
compelied to waste their time in stadying a book,
which, if they can recollect anything ot it in after
years, can only serve to give them a poor and
contemptible opinion of their Islandhome. What
Mr. Sutherland cannot do himself in the way of
peddling his book he entrusts to the ageney of
others ; and we have not been surprised to hear
that the School Visitor has been doing an exten-
sive business in this line. We have been told that
Mr. Arbuckle spends far more time in imposing
Mr. Sutherland’s book upon the poor schoolmas-
ters than he does in examining the publie schools,
for which he is so well paid; and thie accounts
for the fact, that instead of examining ail the
schools in the Island twice a year, as the law re-
quires, he does not examine any thing Vike the
whole of them even once a year ; and he withholds
his report from the Legislature until nearly the
very last day of the Session, when half the mem-
bers have gone home — when there is no time to
examine his proceedings, and comment on the pet
formance of his duties.
As regards the seventy pounds given to
Sutherland, it is a shameful misappropriation #
the public money. If any number of copies
his book were worth that sum, he should notbare
been allowed to forestall the sale of them in the
way he has done; but we believe that the whole
edition, if it were numerons enough to freight
a ship, is not worth seventy pence, unless as waste
paper for lighting fires, d&e., &e. ‘The thing #®
blot on the honoured names of History and Geo-
graphy, and a positive disgrace to the Island. If
the Rev. gentleman was so badly in want of
seventy pounds, we might be content to give bile
even that large sum out of the Charity Fund, i
the hope that he would spend a portion of it
amongst his indigent fellow creatures; but togiv?
it to him as a reward of literary merit, we look
upon it as an insult to the taste, intelligence, and
common sense of the community. Mr. Sutherland
has been, we believe, in a small way,
to the party in power, asa political agitator. We
may assume that the seventy pounds were givet
to him as a compensation for his serviees in that
capacity; and whenever we see or bear hii
shouting, lecturing, preaching. or scribisling a
praise of the existing Goverument, we shall be Fe
minded of the seventy pounds sep; aod we will
understand that to be the price of his services 1
wards ANY Government.
Ui Stila oo Sule
We are indebted to D. Laird, Esqr., Editor of

the ‘Protestant,’ for a copy of the * Abstract of
the Proceedings before the Land Commi
Court.” Although the Commission bas ended, #*
we expected, without any practical and

result to the country, the “ Abstract” may me
very useful book for reference, a6 detailing -
history, in a great measure, of the land tenures 6
this Island—showing the exactions and —_
tions ef the Proprietary bedy ; and coutainng
opinions of the proprietors and the delegates from
the tenantry as regards the value of laud ue
Colony. The Report of the Royal Comme
given as an Appendix to the book, and the whl?
volume cepsisis of 36d pages.