Summerside Journal -- 1867-04-18 -- Page 2

eer oncn ioe eeeeattldthan tines teansemnendceeineetaneimmmameien dabei iaheieneinateaina iment aneaielial aenmnnnnaemnen nena

SUMMERSH

aaa ae

IE JOU

RNAL,

and sunshine al mild breath
upon the waitlag gardens.

ni
Bat

i dace become juteiaperate and desolation

spring

jet the

follows, The cali wantiness that sat up-!
on his brow was gone—the mother’s eve

fils with tears of sorrow—and loving chil-

dren stare with amazement. The olen ot

home i. changed to a gloomy wild.

' . ¢ ;
@elonial and other Stems,
_ Phe transfer of the Russian possessions |
on this Continent to the Government of}
the United States is a transaction of very |
peeat importance. ‘The yalue of Qye terri-!
tory is of course trifling, but its Want of
value venders the transfer all the more)
signifi » The acquisition of this region
hy tha ted States is the most avert de-}
monstration of an aggressive purpose |
towards Great Britain and her possessions |
un this continent that has yet been made. |
It is the plainest possible indication of al
hostile poliey, and of a settled purpose to
sequire possession of the northera part of
the centinent. There has been ne eon-
ceument indeed of this purpose on the

if re Americans, It is only their
ans in England who deny its
existence, as Mr. Bright did the other week
iu the House of Commons, when he told
the people of England that it wasan entire
delusion to suppose that the Americans
entertained any hostile intentions towards
the British Provinces. Mv. Bright's an-
thority showld not have much weight in
face of the announcement that has now
been made. What very much adds to the
seriousness of this transaction, is the cir
eumstance that it Russia that is the
other party to it. That the friendship he-
tween the two governments has been re-
ecntly taking a practical direction has been
well understood; and several months ago
the tendeney was ailuded to by the Em-
peror Napoleon as a new threat to the
Western Powers of Europe. This aggres-
sive demonstratior inst British Ainerica
is equally significant as an indication of
Zussian policy in Asia and Europe, and in
this double light cannot faif to be seriously
regarded by the governments of other
countyi With such an unmistakeable
preol of ree for aggressive purposes
avand the United States the

yee ion by the French Emperor
ofa Union of the European Powersaequires

great practical weight. It just wanted
a transaction as that which has come
to ight to prove the urgent necessity of
Buc union, It is now made manifest
that the idea of Russin and the United States
establishing their sway throughout both
hemispheres is no longer a vague dream,
hut is being entertained as a definite pur-
pose, and is being realized ns fast as cir
eumstiunces will permit. If the civilized
Lowers of Europe ave awakened, as they
should be, it may turn out that the purpose
of the two despots has been ripened and
revealed a little too soon,—Quebee Mor.
Chron April 5,

The ‘Toronto Globe congratulates the
county on the fact of Confederation receiv-
ing the Royal Assent, and thus proceeds :—

“Tt opens up a new era in the historyot
British America—and whether or not. it
shail be an era of progress and happiness
aud honour, depends entirely upon our-
selves. ‘The Act of Union contains many
blemishes, but ithas been earried amidst
im intinitude of difliculties; and, take it as
n whole, there were few mon in Canada
three short yc eo, who bieved that

sO Si retery aAmeasure could possibly be
necomplished during the present genera-

tion. It clothes the people of the Domin-
ion with unrestricted self-government, Ii
establishes no privileged classes—it eon-
fers equal rights on all—and it leaves the
tie that binds it to the mother country, one,
not of coercion or constraint, but of kindly
sympathy with our follow subjects across:
the Atlantic, loyal devotion to Queen Vic
toria, and earnest zeal for the honour and
advancement ot the British Empire.”

Maxttrtan Revorrep Carternp.—The
Washingtoa correspondent of the Boston
Post telegraphs that—

** Senor Romero, M

xican Minister, re

ceived adviess on the 6th not fying him
1

faliy of the reported capture of My
qniliin in the course of the siege of Quere-
ture. Subsequently Romero and the Aus-
1 Minister repaired to the State De-
ment and held along consultation with
retary.Seward, whieh resulted in’ an.
ue telegram to Minister Campbell,
ying him that there was every reason
to believe the (ruth! the reported capture.
and atlyisiny him to take immediate mea
for protesting to the captors that
» must be no repetition of the Zacate-
massacre, and no treatment of Maxi
an not warranted by the rules of wa

Vrotation oF Britisu Ternrrory.— \
despatch to the New York Jerald dated
Quebee, April 2nd, says:
“An outrage of no small importance
nnd inagnitude, occurred at Tenningford
tuis morning. eno men, armed to the
teeth with bowie knives and revolvers,
cyossed the border there and abducted one
Kennedy, for an alleged murderous assault
in Jowa years ago. Tn the search thes
forced open the house of a citizen named
Armstrong and robbed him of 362. The
abductors paid a guide who piloted them
to Kennedy's house $50 for his services
Uhe affair causes much excitement and
uneasiness, ‘The parties are said to be
Jnown, Tho Afercury to-night calls for
geoverument interference and action in the
premises.”
Newsrarrns.—I never desire more benefit
or see more pleasure for the time than read-
ing a newspaper which has lately issued from
the press, I do really believe that nothing
ndds so much to the glory of ny country as
tie newspaper. Liberty is stumped legibly
upon its pages, and even the fold is marked
by HAReebIA: To you want to know how your
country thhives? I point you to the press.
{here you will find a piece under the head of
legislative. Ave you fond of miscellany?
Lok there! Whit, book can furnish such
good accounts. Under all consideration. .who
is there in all this land of freedom that will not
attend to an object so worthy of his r gird +
[ Dr. Jonston.
Queen Vieronta’s Boor.—The Queen of
Sngland's book. announced soine time ago.
lias been published for private distribution
only. Itis entitled * Leaves from my Journal
in the Highlands,” and consists of about forty
papers descriptive of her life at Balmorral,
and is illustrated by herself. In one of the
papers she gives an nccount of the preaching
of Dr. Norman McLeod, of Glasgow, and
nfter stating how astonished she was that any
one could preach ‘80 eloquently and touch—
ingly without notes,” she adds, ‘‘and then he
prayed so kindly for me and the prince in
vue after prayer that I was dceply touched;
Tut when he invoked God's blessing on the
children I felt n great.Jump come in my
throat.” She had not expectéd to be prayed
for so kindly by a Presbytetian, ani least of
nil did she expect him to remember the chil-
dren. Since that tine Dr. MeLeod hag been
made one of her Majesty's chaplains. The
hooks have been distributed among her special
frionds and favorites, with an inscription in
the following form:

To dear Jeannie G , in remembrance
of many, many happy hours—never never to
return again, from Vidt

Sy

@orrespondence,

To ray Epiron or tug Jounnan,
Siti

1 find that I have got myself into busiaess. indulgence of your numerous readers for)

I nist say L was struck all of a heap when I! having allowed so long a time to elapse |
saw that tremendous long letter of a * A/ since the date of my lust, until the present)
| Fisherman” in last week’s Jowrnatl,

reading thought I, must ceotain a great deal
of salid sense and sound argument. llow in

and read, fearing to find myself knocked into
a cocked hat, but tomy surprise for half a
column I could find nothing but explanations
and compliments to my humble self, If there
is one thing L hate more than another it is
these tiresotne explanations.
did'nt sey that, You took me up wrong. You
ared qnibbler and a blockhead,’ This may be
Very nice writing for * A Fisherman,” but it
is very dreary reading for the patrons of the
Journal. * Written words stand,’ and if I mis-
represent or misunderstand ‘*A Fisherman,”
most of those who read the controversy be-
tween us will be able to see that I do so with-
out the help of ** A Fisherman's” long-winded
explanations. The part of my opponent's
letter devoted to his subject is very sinall in-
deed. Life in great part abandons his old
ground as untenable and takes up new. He
says that as farmers have received encourage-
ment from the state, so ought fishermen.
Betore L say yes to this, I must_be convinced
oftwothings. The first is, is the fishing inter-
est as importanta one as the farming in this
country, and the second is, would a propor:
tionate amount of encouragement effect a pro-
portionate amount of good? It strikes me that
neither of these questions cun be answered in
the affirmative, * A Fisherman” will not say
that the fisheries of the Island are as impor-
tant as its agriculture. The great bulk of the
people derive their subsistence either directly
or indirectly from the soil. ‘Those who make
a living by fishing are but a very small min-
ority of the population, In giving enconrage-
ment to farmers the state benefited nine out of
every ten of the inhabitants of the Island. It
was not very unfair that an almost infinitesi-
mal part of the taxes paid by the tenth man
should be spent forthe benefit of the nine.
But it appears to me very unreasonable that
a considerable portion of the taxes paid by the
nine furniers should be expended for the sole
use and benefit of the one fisherman, This
is hardly consistent with the doctrine of the
greatest good to the greatest number which is
now nkeknowledged to be the fundamental
principle of all sound legislation, ‘The money
too, spent by government for the encourage-
ment of agriculture has been very small in-
deed in proportion to those who are engaged
in farming. ‘The expenditure, taking one
year with another, lam pretty sure does not
exceed five hundred pounds currency annual-
ly. This spread over the whole agricultural
population gives but avery small share to
each individual, Yet I am quite willing to
confess that the amount of good done has been
very great, If A Fisherman" will be con-
tent with a similar annual grant to fishermen
proportionate to their numbers, Tam sure
that he will meet with very litle opposi-
tion from the farming population. Let us
suppose for the argument sake that there are
five furmers for every one who makes a living
entirely by fishing on the Island, The fisher-
men then would be entitled to a grant of one
hundred pounds a year; nobody grudges them
that goodness knows. But would such a
grant do them any good. As it conld not be
spent in improving the breed of mackerel and
codiish, or even in putting a litthe brains into
our Island shipbuilder’s heads, I cannot see
that the fishing interest would be tremendous-
ly benefitted by a grant of even five times
that sum named. Buta dollar a barrel on
the mackerel caught by Island fishermen
would in a few years amount to some thou
sands of pounds more than have been spent by
the state in aid of agriculture since the settle-
ment of the Island.

‘(A Fisherman’s” second argument is very
little better than his first. It amounts to this,
thatas the Yankees have imposed a duty of
two dollars a barrel on our mackerel we must
vive the fishermen a bounty of one dollar a
barrel to make up thtloss. This is a new
kind of reasoniig altogether, and if the prin-
ciple were extended our whole revenue would
soon be expended in giving bounties to the
farmers and manufactures the product of
whose industry the Americans attempt to ex-
clude by their protective tariff There is a
duty of ten cents per bushel on oats, poca-
toes, and barley, # duty of twenty per cent, on
horses and other liye stock, so much per pound
on wool and so forth. Would it not be a
pretty thing to see the farmers sending in pe-
s by the cartload this spring to the House
ssembly praying for a legislative grant to
inake up the deficiency caused by Yankee
Legislation. Selfishness blinds people wonder-
fully. If the markets of the United States are
closed to our fish dealers, they, like our mer-
chants who deal in firm produce, must look
out fora new market. I should not at all
wonder if the Canadians like good well-cured
ackerel as well as the Americans, and there

ys a market for codfish in the West
nd South Europe. The United S
of Ainerica, though a very big place, a

not
the whole world by a long chalk. 44 A Fish-
erman” makes « terrible lament about our

young men leaving the Island, But does not
the same thing tuke place everywhere? [, for
my jar., would be very sorry to see many of
our smart young men poking about home for
tho best part of their lives seeing nothing, and
vo nz nextto nothing. Ifour Parliament can
by legislative enactment increase the length
and breadth of the Island, or could we pole it
over to some convenient part of the Mainland,
then perhaps there might he some sense in
uilking of keeping all our young men at home;
‘utas long asitis the little out-of-the-way
lice itis, *¢A Visherman may depend upon
it that even offering thein a bounty to catch
imackerel will not keep thom trom seeking
their fortune in the wide and busy world out-

d:otus. Letthem gol say, and God speed
tiom. Why should they not strive for the
world’s big prizes as well as other people, I
should like to know?) But + A Fisherman’s”
lctrer contains the most beautiful instance of
arersoner cutting his own throat—metaphori-
caily I mean—that I have ever seen. He
advocates a Lounty to fishermen. Ie con-
fosses that a lounty is only required when an
industry is in an infant state—where it is not
sure whether it will pay or not. Of course if
it ean be shown that fishing is a paying busi-
—if the quantity of fish caught and the
ver of persons employed in the lusiness
hsve teen steadily increasing—if more and
better ships have been fitted out, and if these
ships are furnished with better outfits than
formerly, then itis proved that the fisheries
are ina healthy, thriving state, and are in no
need of legislative props to keep them from
falling. Now all this ‘A Fisherman” has
done in the last paragraph of his letter. I
don’t want to see a better argument against
bounties than that same paragraph. Let the
fishermen acquire skill. Let our shipbuilders
lesrn as fast as they can the art and mystery
of building the proper kind of craft, and let
those engaged in the business by some means
or other procure as good outfits as are provi-
ded by their Yankee cousins—none of which
things, as furas [can see, are impossible to
men blessed with an average share of com-
mon sense—and in a few years those of our
population who find it their interest to goa
fishing, will have oll the reqnisites which “A
Fisherman” himself considers that first rate
fishermen ought to possess. The wisest thing
our rulers can do in this matter, evidently is
to let well ulone.

Hoping that you will not be obliged to issue
adouble extra to publish ‘A Fisherman's”
reply to this, I remain,

Yours ke.,
April 2, 1867. A FARMER.

So tauch | without writing.
| engrossed of late about other matters, that T
| was unable to find time to collect my scattered
| the world am I to answer it? Well sir, Lread | thoughts sufficiently to attempt it with any de-
i gree of success.

*T said this and)

Prom our Chart

Cuanvorrerows, April 15th, 1867.
Mx. Eviron:
Tn resuming my pen, I have to ask the

My time has been so much

Since my last a great ona has been ef-
fected in the public affairs of the Colony, It
has since passed through all the excitement
and commotion peculiar to an Election, and
the result was that our Conservative Govern-
ment, which was thought by many of its ad-
mirers to be as immutable as the laws of the
Medes and Persians, has had to yield the palm
of victory to its more ariful, if not more hon-
orable, antagonists, As your readers are
already aware, our own good city, which
hitherto was allowed to remain in almost un-
disturbed possession of the late Government,
and which was thought to be invulnerable to
the attempts of Liberals to batter down the
strong hold of Toryism, has been approached
this time with more than usual caution, and
pardly overcome,

The excitement is now fast dying a natural
death, and the majority of our citizens now
pursue their various avyocations, without al-
lowing their equanamity to be in the least
disturbed by rival politicians trying to secure
their vote and influence in their own behalf;
and it is nothing now to see friends meet on
the street, or other places where they were
wont to congregate, without their usual chat
on political prospects and men, ‘lhe vanquish-
ed party who have so long contended success-
fully, and with a zeal well worthy of a better
cause, for the supremacy of their party, are
now becoming reconciled te the position in
which they find themselves placed with as good
ag as might be expected trom persons in
their situation, and evidently consoling them-
selves with the comforting thought that. their
recent defeat was more their misfortune than
their fault.

The nomination for a member to fill the va-
cancy occasioned by the appointment of Mr.
| Coles to the office of Colonial Secretary, was
| held here on last Wednesd the llth inst.
The attendance from the ¢ ct was not large.
The two candidates who have been nominated
to run their Election are the Hon, Mr, Coles
and Jolin Ross, [sq.

In accordance with the intimation which
you gave in the Journal, a public meeting of
the citizens was convened in the Temperance
Hall on last Monday evening the 8th inst., to
give an opportunity of expressing the senti-
ments entertained by them in reference to the
treatment which Major J. B. Pollard received
at the hands of the Commander-in-Chief, in
dismissing him from the position which he
held in the Volunteer Militia service of the
Colony. The Hall was crowded, there being
about 800 persons present, while a large num-
ber were unable to gain admittance, ‘The
meeting was opened by appointing P. W.
Hyndman, Esq.. to the Chair, Eloquent
speeches were delivered by several speakers,
in which the supposed breach of military law
alleged to have been the cause of the Major's
dismissal, was fully discussed. Each speaker
spoke in condemimation of the course pursued
by His Excellency, and expressed their regret
that when the Major asked for a Court of En-
quiry to investigate the charge preferred
against him, His Exeellency should have re-
fused to grant if, and allowed himself to be in-
fiuenced by interested parties to dispense with
his services. ‘The sperkers were frequently
loudly applauded, and the large meeting were
unanimous in their sympathy for Major Pol-
lard, who has for so longa time talken so much
interest in the Volunteer movement, and who
has bestowed so much money, graduttously,
to the movement. ‘Che chairman then invited
any person holding opposite views to express
themselves before the meeting, but no one
responded, 4
A resolution expressing the opinion of the
meeting was submitted and unanimously car-
ried. A Committee was appointed to present
a complimentary address to Major Pollard.
The Cominittee having reported the address,
it was unanimonsly agreed to, and a Commit-
tee appointed to present the same to the Ma-
jor, both of which you will no doubt transfer
to your columns. Betore the meeting broke
up, three cheers were given for the Queen,
and three tremendous cheers for Major Pol-
lard. The meeting then dismissed and went
in a body to the residence of Major Pollard,
rand gave him three more cheers. Tt is difiicult
to say where this may end. T would not be
surprised if the Major is not recalled, to see
the whole Volunteer force of the Colony dis-
band on account of the treatment endured by
an ofliger whom they had learned to highly res-
peet. The Artillery company,to which he be-
onged, meton last Friday, together to the
number of eighty, and marched in a body to
the Captain's residence and handed in their
arms.

Times in the city are rather dull, very little
discounting being done in the banks. The
burnt district is in some places being rebuilt.
The streets in Town this spring are in such a
ta'e us to almost win for it the right to be
alled Muddy Hollor.” Charlottetown has
+t last decided to have a good Hotel, and a
company is formed for the purpose of erecting
one. ‘There isa great stir ia the boarding
houses and around the big building. Ivery-
thing is undergoing a thorough cleaning, to
receive all the new honorables and esquires
that are coming from the country, and on
Thursday His Excellency and staf? will be
‘opening up the ball,” alter which you will
again hear from

TYPO.

PUBLIC ME
Monday evening last. 8th inst., a
large and respectable ineeting of the citi-
zens of Charlottetown—numbering over
seven hundred persons—was held in. the
Temperance Hall, for the purpose of taking
into consideration the recent dismissal of
Major Pollard from the position which he
held in the Volunteer Militia, On motion
of Ion, George Be seconded by Mr,
Archd. MeNeiil, P. W. Hyndman, Esq.,
was called to the Chain, and P.S, MeGow-
an having been appointed Secretary, the
meeting proceeded to the consideration of
the manner in which Major Pollard had
been treated in having his services so sum-
marily dispensed with by the Commander-
in-Chief, without being granted the prive-
lege of a fair and impartial trial, and
without ever having his offence properly
stated to him. Several gentlemen addres-
sed the meeting onthe part of Mr, Pollard,
and though the Chairman called upon any
person taking the opposite side to expr
his views, no one came forward to justify
the action of the military anthorities to-
wards the Major. Alter a discussion of
the subject, the following Resolution was
moved by Geo. Alley, Esq., seconded by
Mr. J. Williams, and unanimously adopt-
ed—

Whereas, J. B. Pollard, Esq..
in the Volunteer Militia Service. has been
connceted wiih that organization for the
past twenty years, and hae, in the various
ities held by him therein, largely
contributed to place that \ervice on its
present footing of efficiency@in drill, dis-
cipline, and military kndiyledge,— and
whi reas the Command Mhief has dis-
pensed with Mr. Pollard’ hout
an investigation of th a charges
preferred against him,
Be it therefore Resolv
hereby records its disa

YLINC

Or

late Major

That this meeting
rval of the course
ard in thus sum-

adopted towards Mr.

ttetown Correspondent. |
|

Tia,

marily dixpensing with lus A
lis regret taat the Commander-in-t..
| nat exercised his legal prerogative 0!
tuting a Court of Enquiry to investigate
the supposed breaches of discipline and
military regulations alleged to have been
committed by him,

An address to Mr. Pollard, which had
been prepared by a Committee appointed
for that purpose, was then submitted to
the meeting tor its approval. and it havin
been unanimously are, it was moved
that it be presented to that gentleman as
an expression of the feelings of the meet-
ing. The motion having been carried,
three cheers were given tor the Queen,
and three for Mr. Pollard, and the meeting
dispersed.—Herail.

Londoa & Lancashire Office,
LP. E.Isuanp, April 9, 1867.

To the Editor of the Journal. A

Sir:—Yon will oblige by publishingin your
next issue the subjoined letter, addressed to
me, in October last, and which I would not
have inserted in the newspaper, had it not
been necessary for the interests of the Com-
pany I represent.

The Company commenced its Ageney in
this Island, through me, in November, 13863.
Since that time I have issued a large number
of policies, and have paid for losses the enor-
mous sum of six thousand two hundred and
twentyfive pounds, currency (£6225), and
which far exceeds the amount of premiums
received here.

The Company has a paid-up eapital, in the
Fire Department, of £1,000,000 sterling, and
in the Life Department of £100,000 sterling.
In the year 1865, the fire premiums alone am-
ounted, at the Home Office, and throughout the
different Agencys, to the sum of one hundred
and twenty-two thousand four hundred and
sixteen pounds, sterling, (£122,416), and last
year there was a large increase.

I have no hesitation in recommending the
Company to the Insuring public as a first class
office, being most generous and punctual in
the payment of losses, where neither neglect
nor fraud can be detected.

J am your obedient servant,
CHARLES YOUNG.

COPY.
Cuantotretown, Oct, 15, 1866.
Dear Sirn:—We the undersigned Insurers,
in the London and Lancashire Fire Insurance
Company, of London, England, beg leave to
return to you, as the indefatigable Agent of
that Company, our sincere thanks for the
prompt and liveral manner in which you have
paid our claims for losses, occasioned by the
recent culamitous fires in this city. We also
take this opportunity of exppessing our undi-
minished confidence in the Company, and of
cordially reecomending the same to our fellow
citizens who may desire to insure their pro-
periy against fire,
We are sincerely yonrs,
(Signed) ‘
D. Iodgson, Jos. Hensley, R.W. Breck-
en, A. Mitchell, Peake, Bros. & Co.,
Michael McQuaid, Patrick Blake, Martip
Hogan, Charles Welsh, Hugh Monaghan,
Win. R. Watson, IL, BE. Starbird & Co.
George L. Dogherty, for wife & M. 38.
Ramsay, Lowden & Richardson, McKin-
non ser, H. J. P. Terlizzick, W.G.
Sutherland, M. D., James Dunn, Francis
McKenna, William C. Harris,
To the lon. C. Young, LL.D.

Summerside GHournal,

THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1867.

bo No notice can be taken of anonymous
communications. We must know the names
and addresses of our correspondents as a gua-
ranty of their good faith. We cannot unc
tale to return communications thatare not used

OUR MIDTIARY BSTAB-
LISHMENT.

For many years Prince Edward Island
has been, in all matters connected with
war, a modern Arcadia. ‘The Islanders
have for a very long time looked upona
soldier merely in the light of a consumer
of beef, pork, butter, egys, and other
farm produce. Tor these, and for other
commodities, the red or green coated so-
journers have paid liberally in hard cas}
which cash our farmers handled and pock-
eted with very great complacency. ‘The
principal object of the soldier's profession
was almost completely lost sight of. ‘To
hint that the main business of our hand-
some, well-dressed, jovial visitors was to
kill and maim their fellow mortals, would
be considered flat blasphemy by many of
our simple-minded fellow countrymen.
‘The definition that most of our people,
previous to the late ‘Tenant League ex-
pericnces, would have given of ‘ A British
Soldier, would have been something like
this:—** A capital customer for farm
produce of different kinds, a consumer of
whiskey and other strong drinks, and an
arch-deluder of servant girls and_ silly
females gencrally, but withal a very good
sort of fellow. ‘The experiences above
hinted at, opened the eyes of many of the
Islanders to some of the unpleasant uses
to which a soldier could be put on occa-
sion, but the knowledge so acquired
would soon have been forgotten, and the
inmates of the Brighton Barracks, should
no untoward circumstances occur, would,
in a short time, be regarded in the same
light as were their predecessors, who, in
the good old times long ago, took up
their quarters in the old barracks,

When Volunteering became the fash-
ion, like wearing hoops and waterfalls,
it was followed by most for no better
reason than can be given by those who
adopt these and other whimsicalities and
absurdities of the prevailing mode. Some
among us liked the fuss and fun of drill-
ing and shooting, and others were grati-
fied by being enabled to strut about in a
fine uniform, with a real gun having a
bona fide bayonet at the end of it, on his
shoulder. As to the use of our Volun-
teers, there was hardly any anyone, out
of the Lunatic Asylum, who scriously
imagined that men drilled, disciplined
and officered as nine-tenths of our Volun-
teers were and are, could be of the slight-
est possible use in the face of a hostile
foree. Not that there were not good
men among them, both officers and pri-
vates, for we venture to say that a finer
set of fellows than our Volunteers never
shouldered a musket; but their drill for
the most part was so imperfect, their offi-
cers so ignorant of the mérest elements
of the military art, and their organization
on the whole so loose and in other res-
pects defective, that it would be litie
other than a miracle if they did not prove
utterly worthless when most required.
There have been altogether too much play-
ing at soldiers, and by far too little earn-
est soldierly work among them to make

coi

ive of ate,

sanything like an ©
quity almu.

fective body «

that was an anti-

inhabitant, wheii*e, i tha ab
were warmed by an extra no cart
would relate to the wondering yoOu,,
—some of whose heads showed symptoms }
of having been touched by the deadening |
fingers of old Father Time—how folks
used in his day to turn out to master once
a year, and the wonderful doings that
took place on those occasions, who got
drunk and who fought, what practical
jokes were played,and on whom ; in short
the old gentleman would fight his battles
o’er again, aiid the ancient youths, laugh-
ing heartily at the reminiscences, would
conclude that their fathers and grand-
fathers had a jolly time of it on those
muster days; but as to their obtaining
any knowledge of the art military, that
was altogether out of the question. And
this ignorance was never felt. Whatever
wars and commotions agitated the great
world beyond us, the P. EE, Island farmer
smoked his pipe in peace and quiet. No
nation thought it worth while to send an
army to invade this remote corner of the
world. We owed our safety to our in-
significance; and we firmly believe that
soit will be to the end of time. The
fate of this Island is completely involved
in the fate of the adjacent Provinces on
the Mainland. If these falla prey toa
foreign invader, we fall too, though an
enemy should not set his foot on our soil.
As long as Great Britain holds these
Provinces, we are safe under her power-
ful protection ; but whenever they sepa-
rate from the Parent Country, we must
share their tate, whether for weal or for
woe.

As this Island from its size and situa-
tinn must ever remain in a dependent
position, it is folly to expect the people
to raise from their own resources a mili-
tary foree at all adequate for its defence.
It would require more money and more
men than we could, from our scanty rev;
enue and small population, at all afford.
Any force that we could support would
be only valuable as a contingent—and a
small one too of the Nationalforce. We
are now paying fully as much as we can
afford for military purposes, and what. is
the result? What have the people of the
Island to show for all that has been spent
on volunteers and militia during the past
eight years? Can the Island produce to-
day one thousand well drilled men ? Can
it produce even one half of that number ?
What is there to show for the money ex-
pended? Very little, very little indeed.
Yet that money amounts to by no means
an insignificant sum. And is the matter
going to be mended by resuscitating the
old muster humbug? What knowledge
of a solilier’s duty can our farming popu-
lation gain by ten days’ drillin each year.
Will not the militia man forget this year
all that was attempted to be taught him
in the preceding one. He loses his time,
the money of the country is spentand no-
thing is gained, either to the individual
or to the community. ‘The attempt to
drill the able-bodied population en was
must, avcording to the nature of things,
prove a failure, The soldicr’s trade is
an art requiringa long apprenticeship and
much patient attention on the part of
both learner and teacher—more attention
and more time must necessarily be devo-
ted to it than can be given by men who
take no interest in the matter, whose at-
tendance is compulsory, and who grudge
every moment spentin what appears to
them an irksome and unprofitable exer-
cise. ‘This drill is a humbuy,”’ is the
almost universal verdict of those who are
summoned from their usual avocations to
perform what to the experienced eye must
Appear the most grotesque caricature of
military exercises, ‘Che men themselves
feel that no useful end will ever be ac-
complisted by the few drills they are
called upon to perform, and they almost
unanimously vote the whole thing a nui-
sance. And in its present form we have
no hesitation in saying that our militia
system is a nuisance. Under it our young
men will never acquire any knowledge of
the use of arms, while their time and the
public funds will be wasted to no useful
purpose. Our militia will bea mere rab-
ble of undrilled, undisciplined men, whom
it would be an abuse of language to call
a force. We do not pretend to be an au-
thority on military matters, but we confi-
dently predict that as long as we depend
for our defence, on the services of un-
paid, unprofessional men, so long will we
have no reliable means of meeting an in-
vader when he comes, Our volunteers or
our militia should fora time at least make
soldiering their sole busines They
should be fairly paid for their services,
they should be subject to strict military
discipline, and should be compelled to
perform their duty in a soldier-like man-
ner. In fact they should be a proper-
ly armed, disciplined, and paid military
force. A body of five hundred trained
men would be of more real service than
ten times that number of untrained, un-
disciplined, unofficered militia. We hope
that whatever scheme may hereafter be
adopted for the defence of these Colonies,
it may be an effective one. We do not
like to sce the people's money wasted on
ineffectual attempts to raise a military
force on the Island, Let us have some-
thing for our moncy.

,

ENGLISH MAIL.

Tire news from Nurope is rather scan-
ty. ‘There is likely to be trouble between
Vrance and Prussia. ‘This was predicted
long ago by the knowing ones, France
is jealous of Prussia and envious of the
laurels and conquests won by her in the
Austrian campaign. Bismarck has been
quietly strengthening himself by alliances
with the minor German powers, and has
made himself 50 formidable that Napole-
on-—so report says—has formed a counter
confederation. He has prevailed on Hol-
land, Belgium, and Switzerland, to assist
him in resisting the ecneroaehments of
Prussia, and to lend him their aid in ap-
propriating that slice of Prussia lying be-
tween Trance and the Rhine, which he has
so long desired to possess. ‘The Paris Ex-
hibition is to be a very grand affair, All
the world and his wife are going to see

of it.
are upon a stupe
| Ministry are busy
sat bill
gen \ " :
of the English aristoct

parations to receive | visitors
ndous seale. The Tory
getting their reform
ament—not a very con-
for the high and mighty
acy we should think,
lriven to it by a stern neces-

«+ they are ¢ ‘
inec! ele that the
Princeste ace by a late telegram
eyed point of death.

This is sad ticles is on the pol ‘|
ancholy to see a your. Itis most . a
in any station cut off in the "a, a1
youth, ‘The elevated position oecupiea
by the Princess of Wales will cause her
loss to be more generally noticed and de-
plored; but the death ofa gentle, loving;
true-hearted” woman will always cause
deep and lasting sorrow to those over
whom her influence extends. Let us
hope that the report magnifics the danger
and that the amiable Princes will yet live
many years to adorn the elevated station
she has hitherto so worthily and graceful-
ly filled.

The pre

J through Parl
jal occupation

OUR STREETS.

Tur want of proper drainage on the
sides of our streets is, at this season of the
year, very much felt, Aftera heavy thaw
or rain, it is almost impossible to get along
without getting stuck in the mud. The-
water, instead of running off, remains on
the centre and sides of the streets, and
formsa muck that is barely possible to
wade through, Now very little expense
and tine would help much to remedy this
eyil. If drains were made on each side of
the street, and the centre made ao little
rounding, it would allow the water to run
off, and the streets would dry up much
sooner than they now do, Last summer
a piece of road on each end of water street
was laid with shore stone, and it has stood
well, for while other parts of the streets are
almost impassable, this portion of it is.
quite hard and dry. It would cost but lit-
tle to have all our principal streets dune in:
this way, as we have the material on our
shores. :

We would also recommend the laying
down of a narrow side walk, with plank,
tor toot passengers, especially for the ladies

NOMINATION DAY.

Wednesday |i st being the day for the
nomination of Candidates to fill the vacant
seats oeensioned by members taking office,
the following gentlemen were putin nomi-
nation :—

First District of Queen's County—Hon.
George Coles, and John Ross, Esq.

First District of King’s County—Hon.
Joseph Hensley, No opposition,

Second District-—Hon. E. Whelan, Mr.
Kd. Riell W. HL. McEwen and Mr.
A. Me

Fe We have reccived a fyle of late
American papers from James Greenough,
Esq., for which he will reecive our thanks

tev In another column will be found a
correspondence trom the fon, Charles
Young, Agent for the London & Lanean-
shire Fire Jnsurance Company. ‘The tes-
timony given speaks well tor the company
and its agent. I ons in Summerside
wishing to insure in this Company, can do
so by calling at our ollice,

te The last Royal Gazelle contains a
number of appointnents. M. Jas. John-
ston is Controller of Customs for Crapaud ;
John Clark, Esq., lov Cascumpec ; Charles
Green, Esq., for Bedeque; Mr, Harry S$,
MeNutt, for Malpeque; and Mr. Willian
MeNeill, jun., for Rustico. Mr, Alex.
Howat, is a Commissioner tor the recovery
of Small Debts at ‘Tryon River. Nicholas
J, Brown, Esq., is Postinaster at Saint
Lleanor’s.

The following gentlemen have been ap-
poiuted Trustees and Governors of Prince
of Wales College, viz:—The Hons. Joseph
Hensley, Robt, P. Haythorne, Alex. Laird,
Benj. Davies, Geo. W. Howlan, A. A. Me-
Donald, James Il. Peters, John Longworth,
and J. ‘tT. Jenkins and James Reddin,
squirt

ta The Mail Carrier, Mr. Sampson,
brought a waggon on Monday last, tor the
first time this season,

iw By referrence to our advertising
columns it will be scen that the Summer-
side Fishing Company intend offering the
Sehr. Summerside and effects, for sale.
She is a very neat ecratt, nicely fitted
up, a very fast siiler, and offers a good
inducement to any person wanting a yes-
sel for the fisheries or a trader,

ba A correspondent from Charlottetown
writes us thatthe steamer © Princess of Wales”
will leave tor Pictou on Monday next, and that
she goes on the slip there for a short time.
We may expect her here the latter part of next
week, :

‘The steamer “ Alhambra” leaves Boston on
the 16th, and the Commerce” on the 23rd
instant.

bea Tue Quebee Morning Chronicle says:
“The population of the British Provinces. at
the starting point of the proposed Contedera-
tion, will be almost four millions.

a ‘Tne income of the Adantic Telegraph
Company has averaged over £800 per day
since the line was established. Froim the 24th
of February to the 19; of March the income
averaged £1,000 per day.

kay" George Peanony gave a banquet on
the 22d ult, in New York, to the trustees of
his Southern Education Fund. It is said the
schools will be taught by females chiefly.

ha Tue Islander, in speaking of the state
of the streets in Charlottetown, says:—“ In
no place under the sun are the streets and
sidewalks in a more disgusting state than in
this city inthe Halland Spring.” We thought
there was no place worse than Summerside for
muddy streets, and we believe we are about
right.

_ ka Tue coronation of Francis Joseph as
King of Hungary, will take place in July next,

From the report of Mr. Stewart Campbell's
speech in the Halifax House of Assembly, as
given in the semi-weekly Patriot of the 28th
ult., that gentleman seems to know but little
of the Parliamentary usages of Great Britain.
“To show the utter disregard of Colonial
feeling in England,” Mr. Campbell mentions
the remarkable tact that the Bill for confedera-
ting the British North American Provinces
wis not even read in the House of Lords.
Mr, C. ought to know that it is not customary
in either House of Parliament to read any
Bill tn extenso, either on its first or second
reading. On a Billbeing introduced and read
the first time.it is printed,and« copy plucedin
the hands of each Peer or Member, as the
ease may be; a day is then fixed for the second
reading. Every one has thus an opportunity
of previously acquainting himself with its pro-
visions, ‘The second reading is generally con-
sidered as decisive only of the principle of the
Bill, but sot of its details, and, if no Opposi-
tion be offered, the reading is merely formal,
It is referred to a committee, cither select or
otherwise, in which the clauses are discussed
seriatin, blanks filled up, and material altera-
tions often made. On the bringing up the
Report, discussion may arise, and also on thé
third reading. Of course, far better consider-
ation can be given to any prepared Bill by the
perusal of a printed copy, than by merely
padi sl it read over hy the Clerk of the House.
—Com.