' Jon Cire, Jotun Pparlotieto wn, ds, CORRES PVPODENC EE. OUR COMMON SCHOOLS, Ma. Eprror : — Pursuant to promise, | proceed to give you some information ree- pecting the present condition of the majority of ewe common sehools, in order, U posible, te relieve the minds of many of your readers, whe in all probability bave formed their Opinions without having given the matter mature consideration, of the exceedingly er- roneous impressive that our educational affairs are in a wery favearable and floarish. ing state. Lawing che Kepurt of the Vesitors of Schools before me, L shall avail myself of the privilege of dedacing therefrom such statistical information as will be aeeessary to corroborate my ststemeats. [ may observe, by the way, that this hagely voluminous and paper-wasting report must have occupied much more time and attention in ite com- pilacion Gea its loms-windod and industrious nuthecs fhawe giwem te Che visitation wad examination ef @ublic schoole. Uf we take the elaberate tabulac statistics, amd the amar ingly verbose and Gresome remarks whech wre contained am the domgthy capert, as a eriterion of the present esate of ear odaca- Gromal moatters, we will Be eadeoed te believe Viet ear patito echo ds ate on we etosedingly prosperous and ‘hajpy coméiten, and that education is progresing with amazing rapi- dity throughout this fortenate little colony. The most cursory ohseryatien, however, can- met desl to reveal, te aay intelligent reader, pase a ank €agdecity which have been practised by the wy visitors in making out their returos. We may perhaps, with pro- Priety, exeept the brief statements of Mr. Arbuckte, be, poor tatn, owing to his ** de- vlinimg goers” and ** protracted indisposi- Siew,” teviag been rendered unfit to sgy or de mech in regard to the matter. Me. Prockerticid has, however, more than made ‘ap for the brevity and incompleteness of his ‘~aperannaated confrere’s report; ang has ‘een infinitely more verbose in his valuable remarks and suggestions upon edycation. |t muat be amusing to the eareful reader te vbserve how indetatiggble the cautious yisi- tor is in his attempts w pateh up hia returns, by expressing his * general satisfaction,” ete., in regard to the eflicieney of the taach- ers and the improvement of the pypils. Rat, rn spite of -his futile effurts to conceal the ja ides ef Wie exureme richiess ol the luculra ) Liou. ve properly eyjoyed aud duly appreciated, Phe puuipous, sclivomeistied manner ot the writer, lips eVieoul vverweening comce|, logether will tis SUDIe UnooUseHrusuess Gl error, Cumbine tu make his lhequent Wiuuders {PPeRRlbiy comical, Lue vpetiog Worgs vt ins leter—> education | is Lite leuduaseou of clyilizadion —are a promising vegiiiiny lov & CommuUniCAleR Intended tur tue | Teerealion, delectatiou and cachinalion Gt tps jembrye ualien. |] He ey peokalious yt Lie Fun-loviiy reader UNS Paised uso aet disappointed when, j aldose shippiug ave¢ ball uw dozen oF so of nino vlduders, his ylauoe as arresivd by the tollow dig seulcnce; “4 lew Sears tee oot cars were deajened by Lue jeyous ery vt wu k ree Mducation, Owl low Uuaginew 4k was to be al the same tine jour besiuy aad our bane.’ dn tis seytence, [Sbewk was a dx, are yiveu Us Lo less than tyrve | Jeoes al asetul Knowledge, of which the present jetta, dec vue, candy Conutesses iujself to {ee seou hitherty protouudly ignorant, Ist, i ; that aeue other purt ol the human trayye js sub- deed de the iuticuaty of deatiess besides the ears ; { zed, that there exists sowewhere jy eregtion an ‘ auiwal called a Pree Education, capable of ulter- wg Joyous eres ; and Srd, Ugh a) sujal or a ery cau be at the same lime our Wlessing and vur bane. | aust contess | would like to ask a “trend” a few questjoys gbout the cry of this newly discuyered creatyre. Does it resemble the bray of a jackgss, ur the shout of a goriila, v1 is its sound anything Like what a combination of these two yujses Would be! ‘Then, again, we would like ty be honeured with the coupany ot the Majr Splitting Debating Society, in order to diseyss with hiw, ip eur usual acute aud friendly mayer, the question~—"* Can anything be at the seme time a * teem: and a bane!” We cau as- sure him thai we are a very patient, polite, and intelligent set of young men, although the names of three schowl-teachers are on the roll. He might yot fiud aweng us warriors werthy of his steel, but We ara—tue schoolnasters excepted— aware of our deficiencies and anxious to be en- lightened. But to returu to our aubject. Lathe very next sentence “ A Friend of Kducation”' shows that he is wot aware that there is any difforence vt meaning between the phrases “ the tault of a system, and a system at fault,” for he writes— “ It was free in every sense of the word, and here i# Where the syateus was at fault." Where it was that this creature of doubttul gender, which our * Friend” calls Free Education, was at fault, } and what it was that perplexed it, be has not | condescended to tell us. Why the word “system” | was thrust into the above sentence, | aw at a lose “A Friend of Education” at the next meeting of rtartling fact, he tacitly admits that oyr| te comprehend. Perhaps “A Friend" knows public schools are, in general, plunged into) himself what he weans; but L can assure him & wretehed condition. His figures show that | that “ comprehension wanders lost’ in the con- the average attendance of children is far be-| test to find out whether it is a system of agricul- low what is required by the lawa relating to | ture or the human system he wakes allusion to. Education ; and his remarks give unmistake- Here follows the astounding assertion that edu- sble evidence of the dissgtisfagtion of both | tv". Made too free, became an object of little teachers and parents, grisipg from the pre- mae” Pa Bara pen A erie na poh ye : i P heat } uJ aucabe st become in order to be ar Ca tam stuises ee tf ttt together vatueless; for if great freeness disuinishes iad rs aed en i ’ ' 7 the value of education, atill greater and greater K mpartia! and dispassionate RC- | freeness will so depreciate it that it will, by-and- count of the various sshools which they | by, be worth just nothing at all. But if, as our examined during their afficial visitation, we |“ Friend” himself says, education is the founda- would be alarmed a6 the unexpected intelli-| Gon of civilization, [ submit, that whether apes and startling revelations that would ye contained in their rotyrns I shall now give a brief exposition of the more extensive and injurjoug evils at present existing in almost aif $n domg so. { do not intend to exonerate | schoulmasters from gli the charges that may he brought against them; but simply to ehow that the primary cause of these evila is the reprehensible laws relating to education | which are now in turee. The greatest, and | probably the most comman, evil existung| wmong vur public schouls is the serious oe-| eurrence of fierce disturbances and disrup- | tions amongss the inhalutants of the greater number of the sghoal districts. These in- jurious and incessant contentions are occa-| sioned by the difficulties experienced in ob- | taining the services of » useful and efficient | teacher, and by the determined indispoe:tion oa the part af the people to make up the de- ; Whom he is se erushingly severe upon, 1 would | aur common schools. | facw?! lettered or free, it must always be a thing ot very great value. Ji “A Friend of Education” Were one of those ignorami of schoolmasters | charitably couclude that he did wet mean to say that the treeness of edveation lesseucd ils worth; but as be is a learned gentleman, a profound classic acholar, lam torced w believe that he meaue exactly whal he saye—neither mare ner fess. Que classic triewd also says that it “is a fact that whatever is difficult of aceess i always valued more highly than what we obtain with little or no exertion.” This fact, &e Shame, shame, where was your classic lore, O Fried of Education, when you penned those sentences ! De you not know that * fact” is derived fram Do you net know that a fact i one thing and truth another, and that a schular would be a8 likely to mistake the one for the other as a farmer would be to call hia cows hersea, or his horses cows!) My dear fellow, if sou have ac- quired a swattering of Latia, for gooduess sake make some use of your knowledge. Lat I must ficiency in the Government allowance to) hurry va. Leaving wiany towpting Utbits, I light teachers. | am far from intimating thar) #peu the following exceedingly euigwatical sen- there are no industrious and praise-worthy tewee. “If education has became more general, teachers in the community. Un the con-| trary, i¢ must in al! truth be admitted that) there are many cmisent | y useful and success- | jul members of the prolession, who are zeal- | ous and persevering im their endeavours to, ** wach te Yuling sdead tow to shoot? ht) must, however, with equal propriety, be conceded that the dificuity of obtaining a trusty and competent teacher is by no means of @ trivial or unimportant natare. I have already shown that aearly all of the moore useful and efficient teachers — those who the energy and talents that will enable them to fill offices much more pleasant and remunerative than selool-teaching — have jefe the woprofitable and disagreeable pro- fession ; and it is this circumstance which | aceasions the difficulties in getting good teacherr, Now, to use the sentiments ex- ly those who are at present support- jag schools, aad with whom L have coaversed upon this tapic, before the inhabitants of a district would engage a useless, inefficient teacher, and make up towards his support filteen or twenty pounds, they would lock the dears ot theic schoolhouses, and endeavor te educate their children thomseives! Here, then, is the primary canse of those serious distacbances smongst the people to which L have alluded; and which produce such as derogatory and disastrous effect upon our colonel education. Arising, a8 matters of consequence, from these extensive disruptions, there are innu- merable circumstances tending to the inevi- table disorganization and ultumate overthrow ef eer common schools. Uf these circam- stances, the most important, perhaps, is the exceeding smaliness uf tho average daily at- temdance of scholars. By the Keport of the Bekeoi Visitors, it appears that the average neater of pupils sttunding commen schools is dar short of the required number. The ecueming visitors, in attempting to palliate this great fact, ladicrously attribute the ab- somes af the children to ‘‘ gathering in the hacvest.”’ or ‘* whooping cough,’ or some ether fanciful circumstance. It is quite vlwieas, however, that harvesting does not cantinue ail the year round, nor does the whooping cough exist in every locality, al- theugh the visitors are stupid enough tu cite these as the ruling causes of inattendance in ali echouls and at all seasons. The absurdity of these huge prevarications is only paralleled the seale is lowered.”” What possible connection can there be between “ the scale” and education | | What seale does he allude to !—the scale ot prices or the musical eeale? [must countess myself at fault. ‘There is not the remotest allu- sion ty a seale of soy kind in the previous part of the ltter, aid te drag it ii here ia, to éay the least of it, very unkind. I must again remind the reader that 1 am criticising the production of a schuiar, and am net at liberty to form any con-| jeetuces us to what he may wean. ‘The wext sen-| teuee it a gem in ita way. Here itis. ** Pree education, a8 we have it, has built schools iu all parts of the Island ; so far its work is praisewor- thy ; but it has thrown broadcast over the country a swarm of teachers the majority of whom are us unqualitied tor educating the youth as they would be ior guiding the affairs of the British vation.” Eureka! This Free Education must be of the beaver species, fer not vuly dees it utter joyous eries, but it builds houses, aud school-houxes too. What an wteresting and enlightened creature it must be. The Freachman, Chailler, ia thrown completely in the shade by this discovery of * A Friend of Education.” ‘That throwing a swarm broadcast over the country must have been a wondertul feat. 1 would like tu know how it was deve. Aad then this youth, whom the majovity of thia ewarm thrown broadcast are unqualified tw teach, must be a wouderful fellow—a real pro- digy of stupidity or of cleverness. Has he been tuund so horribly thick-headed that the majority of the swarm, by their united and continuvus ef- foria, could not drive even the “ eleweutary branches” iuto his iron-beund skull! or waa he so wonderfully clover that not only the elements ot kaowledge but ita higher branches came to him come. It is very difficult, trom a tew extracts) out; byt ot the same time, whether the whole were fact, we are only tolerate d hy the SE ee eee eee ld DY WE PUny Critictam, lo yive your readers eneried into etfget, or nothing, or ouly a part, be /of che necesaary eyils of suciety. wight assure them, both for hjmaglf and on the iit must be ken as a Whole, Warder to PHF at his fellow -Cloverners, that they miuht rely | , Wpon finding jn them every dispositpop iv pespet ithem by every means that Jay jn their power They, the Governors, would sepk to vive the fullest j development tg whatever was proposed, and to further, as far as lay jy their powgr, the jnterests land happiness of those over whem, far a time, | they had beep appointed to preside.” | ‘That extract represents Sir Richard McDon- nell as speaking in his awn name and that of the other Lieutenant Gevernars of the Maritime Provinces, and expresajng theie intention, whe- ther the whole or any part of the propositions of the Delegaies were carried juto effect, te assist them ; and again—‘ that they would seek to give the tullest development to whatever was propos- ed.” The quotation uust be taken from a very inperfect report of the speee), a3 in the tall re- port of the apeech, given ia tie Montreal Gazette ol the jist Oetober, Sir Michard is represented as recaupmending great caution in dealing with the proposals of the Delegaivs, as appears by the tullowing extract: “At the same time, he might, without breaking through what wight be deemed necessary caution and reserve, express the hope, that whatever pro po they might make would be duly weighed ”v the commuauhgly at large, ly whom, pr potut ol fuct, they mast Hypally report thejr proceedings. (Laud cheering.) The moment was a very critical one, and in view of it the syzvestions of the dele ites, however framed, guyht uot to be accepted without great consideration. The whole fature ot Canada and the Maritime Peovjaces would be seri ously affected by the decision which the community at large und the differeat legislatures night sinke upou these peapasuls.”” (Applause } Again, Sir Richard very clearly expresses his views cs ta the necessity of sinple arrangements being made on 8 basis of mutual eontidence : © Gathering from the semi-official announcements which had, from time to time, been allowed to appear, they had been seeking some plan of action designed to give increased strength in matters of defence, increased economy in conducting the toa chinery of government, and increased facilitier for carrying ont mercantile arrangements. He, there fore, hoped they would find some simple as well as effective meaus to carry out those objects which we all had in common; aud that we would find it pos sible to build up such an unieu as we would all like to see — hot by endless guarantees against mutual agyression and distrust, but one in whieh the foun dations might be laid on mutual eontidence. (Loud cheers.) Lf the inhabitants of the British Proycesin of America had in themselves the staff to enable them to becouse a great people in a vreat and pros perous union, they could on y become so by being willing to make mutaal sacrifices for the benefit of one another, and by reposing in one another mutual confidence. (Cheera.) If you began to distrust one another iu the voverument of these colonics, where is ittoend? Were they to have guarantees in the local government for the protection of the English in Lower Canada, and yuarantees in the general congress for the French iu the Confederate legisla ture, er were they to be bound together by feelings of mutual respect and coutidence ! He did say this that he coved and believed there was that yood fuith—suilicient good faith and mutual confidence | amongst them all to enable them to take a simple and effective mode of action which would give them strength and economy and good government forall.’ (Lond cheers ) Finally, so far was Sir Richard MaeDonne!! from committing himself or any other of H. M.'s Representatives to any special line of action in reference to the proposals of the Delegates, which at that time were unknown, that in the portion of his apeech, which it way intended to give in the extract in the Morning Chronicle, we find him represented, inthe Montreal Gaze@te, ax saying :— “It might or might not be the ease that the views or proposuls which the delevates wonld oer would be carried out; bat, whether all they pro posed be effected, or only a portion was finally ap proved, he might say that the Delegates could rely om tindiny every disposition on bis part to co-ope rate with them—to assist them by all the means its whatever project Her Majesty's Government, in its wisdom might approve of, when submitted to them by the Colonial Leyislatares.”’ This indeed amounts to ne more than a pledge te carry out energetically any plan approved by Her Majesty’s Government—a_ determiuation, which needed scarcely to be formally announced by Her Majesty's Representative, but which per- hapa contained as much as one holding that po- sition could safely guarantee. Che Examiner. Charlottetown, December 5, 1864. _THE CALEDONIAN CLUB, | PUBLIC DINNER ON ST. ANDREW'S DAY. FIRST PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF THE UNION QUESTION IN CHARLOTTETOWN, We have inserted in another coluzn, from the Islander, a brief notice of the Public Dinner in honour of Si. Andrew's Day, given by the Cale- dyuian Club of this place. The Club is in its infancy, and the attendance was small. But that was owing wore to the bad state of the tra- velliag, which prevented country members from coming te town than even to the infancy of the Club. The Dinner was, however, very well served up, and the feeling throughout the evening was that of uamixed pleasure and gratification. What gave very great importance to the gather- ing was, that some members of the Club and their guests took occasion to discuss the question of Federal Union in the course of their responses to some of the toasts. The Hon. Col. Gray, whe is President of the Club, did this at great length, and very effectively. His speech, indeed, opened up the whole question of Union, and evidently as by wtuition | Bat when | look iato this crush- ing sentence, this literary bomt-shell, so barba-| rously cast inte the middle ot the defeuceless | “gwarm,” 1 find that se far from being filled with gunpowder, crusty uaila, wusket-ball, aud) such like th dealing materials, it coutains au. | gar and spice and all things nice, that it is, in| fact, no beowb-shell at all, but a package ot sweeties, to which, with a kind of grim bumour, the sender has given the appearance of that dead- ly projectile. He says that the teachers are aa unqualified to teach the youth as they would be to guide the affairs of the British Nation. Audl must say that he is right. I have no doubt that if our school teachers had the proper training, and if they moved in the right sphere, they would be just as well qualified to teach “A Friend of Education's” youth, or any other youth as they would be te guide the affairs of the British Nation. | Or pechape he wishes us to understand that our | made a grest impression. Maleolm MeLeod, Esqr., one of our most talented young Barristers, who seems destined to oceupy a prominent place in his profession, first entered on the discussion of the Union question, and made a masterly ad- voeacy of it. Hon. Mr. Haviland, jun., followed in the same line, and was more than usually elo- quent and impressive. The speeches were re- ported by Mr. Archibald MeNeill; aad their importance demands that we should-give them insertion, even at the risk of leaving other inte- resting reading aside for the present. We shall give the speeches in the order in which they were delivered. ‘The first toast (the 5th), in honour of the Army and Navy, was that which called 7 > | his power Ly viving the fullest development to teachers are new in their present circumstances | forth a speech. The Hon. Mr. Coles, who holds qualified to guide the atfsirs — sensu sd trifles"” though he be — will) eaconsiders @ for a iwelvementh to) views proposat by the ddeleyuies wouldibe carried Wis tebe a gquoetavion from “dt agit OF mivht wat ba the ease that the did so iw-thetullowing terms :— MR. COLES’S SPEECH, He thanked the company for the enthusias- tic manner in which the toast justdrank was received. The honourable gentleman allud- od to the different military enactments of this Island. He said that, in his opinion, the old Militia Companies of former days compared favourably with the Volanteer Movement of the present time. He alluded to the sale of the Barrack Square, aud hoped that when the money realized would be ap- propriated to the promotion of our military department, the Militia would sot be forgot- ten. We were frequently told, said he, that the Colonies must prepare for self defence. lie was, however, of opinion that if we at any time required help from the Mother Country it would be given. ‘The strong arm of Great Britain wag our defence,and as long as we continued our present relation to the purent land, that defence would always be our pro- fection. The next toast which brought forth a speech was the Fighth: “ Mrs. Dundas and the Ladies of P. EB. Island”) WILLIAM MeGILL, Esqr., was called upon to respond to it, and expressed himself in a most felicitous style, eulogising, as might be expected trom so gallant a gentleman, the beauty and virtues of the Prince Edward Is- land ladies, and paying a just tribute of respeet to the amiable lady of the Lieut. Governor. The Clergy of P. BE. Island having been honour- ably mentioned in the next toast, the succeeding oue was—" The Bench and Baty” in reference to which the Hon. Mr. Haviland was called upon to respond, and did so as follows :— HON. T. HEATH HAVILAND'S SPEECH, Mr. Chairman, | am sorry that the At- torney General, or sume other prominent were not only admired af the time, but are to this member of the profession, is not present to) respond to the toast of ** The Bench and the Bar ;"' bat observing that Mr. McLeod and myself are the only luwyers here, and that, as Danean and Dandonald, Mr. MeLood is expected to respond to another touxt during the evening, it would ill become me to refuse the Brief, and to remain silent upon this occasion. The profession to whieh IL have the honor of belonging is, ax you are aware, looked apaa with very little loge or sympathy by awany of the commauity. Io the House of Lords, The English Parliament will tax us beyond onr means, and the revenue will be expended in England. Positions of honor and emolument will be monepolized by the selfish English,” &e. We hear, said he, the very sume arguments made use of now. Belhaven anu Fletcher urged these objeetious with so mach show of reason that it was nob surprising that they ter- ified their countrymen against the Union, But we, said he, have great reasow to be astonished to hear kindred arguments reproduced atter they have been so long falsified by the logic of events. The antipathies of the two nations were notorious The English and Scoteh hated each other. I then, said he, the arguments referred to proved uufound ed, sach fallacies should not surely deter us from forming a Union with people towards whom we entertain the utmost good will, and whose progress and prosperity are identical with our own. One of the arguments used by Englishmen opposed to the Union was, that the South would be overrun by the Northern hive of poverty-stricken Scots. ‘Prue, said he, the Northern hive did go South and made their mark. How Col. Haviland has already referred to some of the yreat meu thavscotlind has produced—and it is worthy of remark that all these great men xrose since the Union ;—with the exception of Wallace and Brace, there ure few Scotchmen who devoted their talents to parety Seotch atfairs, who have left a lasting name. But after the Uuiow a wider field was opened, and Scotchmen preeminently distinguished themselves That this was the direet etfoct of the Union would appear by looking at the cureer of these men. He then spoke of the brothers Huuter, who prosecated their profeand researches in Physiologyeand An- atomy inthe South—of Mansfield, who improved, if, indeed, it way not be said that he formed the Com- wercial Law of Great Britain—the eloquence of Wedderburn found scope as an English statesiman— Campbell as an Euglixh Lawyer found his way from his fathers house to the Woolsack — Adam Smith, whose writings, it had been said, have done wore for maukind than all the writers and legislators together, he wrote with | more immediate eve to the extensive com. merce in which the Uniou enabled his country- men to participate. Brougham forsook the Bar of his mative country to achiewe in Kugland a repa- tation Which has seldom been equalled. It was in the United Parliament that Herner won his great and good name, and that Macintosh delivered seine of his addresses on the Law of Nations, whieh | day referred lo as authority on international Law. it wus in the Army of the United Kingdom that Moore, Abererombie and Lord Clyde earned their | fame; and we tind in the United Navy such names He would tire their } i ™ } tat, then, hope that what the Parent Sehooie of Seothuid, and the w ider field opened by the Uuion, have dove for the pe ople of that coyntry, will be j conferred npoy the people of this Island by our leyutem of Mree Edueqtion, and ay alljance with « lmore wealthy and exiensive Country. Ju Canada we find she MeDonalds, the McDouyalle, the Galts, gad the Browns, leading men of that country Theiraets.us public men, are discussed in the British PRavliagent, and commented on by the British Press The revenne measyres which they may recom mend excite hope or abu in Shetlicld, Manchester, and Glasgow. Inthe Convention lately held in the Colonies, the most important ever hajd in british Ameriza,a native of P. Island wats found worthy to preside over the deliberations of l that distinguished body. A native of P. EK. Tstand | was alae faund to have originated the most elec ltive scheme of public instruction ln any of the Colonies. We lure seen the proceedings of oar small Parliament presided over by a native, with an acguajntlanece with Parinunentary Law und usage, und a knowledge of coustitutional learning, that in larger countries would lead to hayor and independence, and in England would be rooarded by a Peerage. The recent Convention uf Quebec was watched by members of the press fromm ! the Mather Country, and all the Provinces ot Irjtish North Ameriea; but, said he, it has not yet been deyied that the taost brilliant deseriptions we have had of the proceedings of this Convention, aud the fetes viven the Delegates, were the prodyetions at jhe pet of one of our own publiemen. Byt, said he, jt matters little what may be the mental calibre of our publie men- who ever heard of a growl or smile from the Times newspaper because of the public nets ef financial matters et our peaple, how ever commendable or absurd; they excite nejther pleasure hor alarm abroad, because the country is too small to attract attention, and it wi always remain so while we are isolated. — Lhe opportunity is now presented to us to cast off oar paltry individuality as a Colony, and beconye 4 part of a country that in a few years will rank among the great powers of the world. W ill the disproved argumeuts and exploded theories that were urged to prevent our forefathers from effect ing a Union with England induce us te forega the advantages of a similar union with our great and powerful neighbors? If so, the lesson tanght by that part of the history of Great Britain has been in vain preserved for oar guidance and instruction. He said he would not presume upon the patience of the Clab to answer even one objection ; and, said he there has been but one objection, in his opinion, offered worthy of mneh thoaght—that was relative to the state of the Colowial finances. his, of all others, is a subject npon which wellaveaning men may reason falsely, and one ~ which political economy has searcely yet enabled its greatest pro fessors to reason soundly ; and yet we have among us wen who pretend to tell us bow a Union will affect us 20 years henee. The man who can do this mast have not only a perfect knowledge of our present sources of wealth, but au equally accurate foresight into the capacity of the sea, the earth, and the enterprise of man to develope the resources of British North America for the next 20 years. The mind equal to sueh a task is yet unborn, Far sufer for us to be guided by the experience of the mist than strive a the things of the future The period of British history to which he had ah ready alluded might texeh us the folly of directing our present conduct by speculations concerning the future. The Scotch said that taxes would increase, and the country would be ruined. ‘Trne, taxes did increase, but the country is not rnined yet, for the Union brought them wealth. We are poor, said they, and cannot pay as high taxes as Boghand True, but theiralliauce with rich England and par ticipation in her commerce made Scotland rieb wtso The people of a small poor country, if enterprising and intelligent, have everything to gain by a Cision with a large and wealthy country, When the stmallness of revenne is compared with the debt of Canada, the almost unlimited means of wealth of that great Colouy should not be forgotten. Harp ing Ou the debt of Cannda without also considering her unbounded resources, was like Biddy refusing the wealthy hand of her master becanse his debits exceeded her scanty earnings; or like a bachelor who would not marry a wealthy wife because his household expenses would be inereased after the union. If the marriage iu beth cuses would bring debts and expenses, it would also provide the | wherewith to pay them. It is left to the option of the [sland to accept or reject a similar atiiance, and, said he, 1 for one say, accept the Union. The fourteenth toast, in compliment to Miss Dunean and the other ladies who presented the Club with a beautiful Silk Banner, elicited the following remarks from Dr. Sutherland :-— DR, SUTHERLAND’S SPEECH, The learned Doctor, in a very becoming manner, spoke of the praise due to Miss Dan- can and the other ladies referred to — ‘rhe Caledonian Club owed them a debt of grati- tude, and he hoped they would be long re- membered for their kindness and generosity. He spoke of the organization of the Club, the laudable objects it had in view, ite unequalled success since its formation, the broad basis of its principles ; and the keeping up of our na- tionality was highly commendable. Ie said he always rejoiced at the success of kindred institutions, such, for instance, as the Irish Society and St. George’s Society, fe alind= ed to similar celebrations on St. Andrew's day, in his native land, Sevtland, in Cana- da, and also in the United States of America. When in New York, a few years ago, he was astonished at the enthusiasm with which the day was honored in that large city. Le felt it good to be among Scotehmen even im that foreign land. An oration was delivered on the occasion by the Rev. Dr. Thompson, a gentlewan of no ordinary ability. He ex- pressed a desire to hear orations before this Ulub—suy on the subjectot Scotland's Nation- ality, or any other subject approved of by the Committee. Ile concluded his remarks by expressing a hope on some future day to see the handsume Banner now before him, proad- ly floating in the breeze amidst the ‘ ga- thering’’ of the Clans under the auspices of the Caledonian Club. The toust to the “ Office Bearers and Members of the Irish Society,” and also the toast of ‘* The Press” —having then been drank — Mr. Whelan was called to respond to both. MR. WHELAN‘'S SPEECH. He said, that with regard to the Irish Society, he had been a member of auch an institution, which was identical in its aime aad objects with the Caledonia Club, before he came to this country, aud while in his boyhood. Such societies were links to bind us all in one universal brother- hood; and although they indicated the eemmon lot ot humanity—uamely, the sad vicissitudes of Fortune and the appeals of Poverty—they were, nevertheless, evidences of a Christian and chari- table spirit in the country which fostered them ; and shewed that whatever diflerences there were amongst us in purely secular o¢ political affairs, in works of benevolence there was none. He felt satisfied that the Benevolent Lrish Seciety would teel grateful for the honour conferred by the teast; atid as that Society restricted not its charities to emigrants from that distant land whose name it bore, but was always ready to as- sist the distressed sons and daughters of every nationality, he had no doubt that the honourable mention made of it at the Caledonia Club would stiuulate the generous lmMpulses of the Lrish So- | ciety, and prompt them always to keep their hands open as day to melting charity, without stopping tu enquire from what elime, what country, or the professers of what creed the appeal should come. With regard to the other toast—that of the Press —he thought that his triend Mr. Ross, being the junior member of the fraternity, should have been called upon tu respond to it. As he was honour- ed, however, with the attention of the audience by being required to respond to the previous toast, he would, before sitting down, make a few remarks about the Press. The very circumstance of making that institution the subject of a standing toast on nearly every public festive occasion, shewed what great importance was attached to it by free and intelligent communities. The Bar, Clergy, Judi- elary and Parliament, are iustitutions of whose claims to our’ reverence and respect we are tre- quently reminded; but these institutions could wot be maintained in their integrity and entirety —so far as anything human can be se maiutained —unlets a tee press, echoing a free and healthy public opinion, wat®hed over them and directed their movements + approving and encouraging them whea right, and cautioning and checking them when in error, It would be tolly for him to deny that the press somvetines committed grievous errors itself. It would not be a human institution if the case was different. There is no such thing as perfection in any walk or profession ; and if the couductors of the press claimed eredit tur perfection, their usefulness would be dimiuish- ed by their becoming objects of ridicule. All that he claimed ter the Press was, that if it sometines went wrong, it eftener went right, and that it was more of a blessiug than au evil to society. Mr Whelan then alluded to the present condition of the press in the United States, which, he regret- ted to see, in many instances, was put under the heel of a military despotism. ‘To be sure, he said, that in many places, in that unhappy country, the press still gave out the thrilliug toues of a tree and iadependeut people ; but if the Generals iu all the Miltary Departments hated the voice of freedom as seme of them did, and were as unseru- -| than were ever yet conferred upon any section of ~ blige pind would be kept duly informed regard- | time, not only the a Hog its peoaeedings, aad be was sure that there) North Ties Odea eo Of the Briti would be less prejudjee agninat the scheme of Britain. | ia » buty of ait ‘ ‘ . wall A é : . wonld rather have } Greg lontederation than now prevajls. ny country | ag] ids 0 crenn eh @ b living in the enjoyment of free jnstitutions will not Givibeke to ica - jection to q : med \patiently allow its public men to change or press My own opinions T from Me - = ~ lalter these institutions im any Way without ifs! oP, gentleman who may diffe knowledge. ‘The press ia the ouly medinu through | rh every respect for all who mav which the people gan he pyade ae uninted with | mat while I accord to them perfect ihe... the acts of our publie men; aod i the press ix ponly desire the right of a Citinon te . kept closed to the acts of pubjje men, the latter | my own, and in a0 doing. | woulg °x Pty will gertainly he looked gpoy with suspicion) Mr. Vioe Premdent and Gentl “sk of aud distrust. He was in favoyr of openng the | regard any observations | make + Bot doors of the Canterence Rewms, jn the Lower) from your President, or from ® Provinces gud in Canada, to the conductors of! at this moment occupy & seat ty the press; and if that had been dane, there would tive, but only as emanation 1M the Beg,” be greater chances of success attending the men- citizen among you £ from 4 Bain, sure of Contederation — those who tavoured ot re Ri or : would have less work now to do in conciliating n approaching this question I fing) public feeling in its behalf; and it was well placed in a somewhat novel PXSition ¢.™ the objections | have heard agai » for yy known that the measure cou'd not be carried tion unless the majority of the peaple approved of it. | 8° utterly untenable, and bear 0 little the question, that, as 8 gontlem, on —Mr. Whelan then alluded to the bright pros to me a few days ago, it is hhapg negative. Let me, however, tad a pects which Confederation offeged for extinguish my sectioaal and international prejudices, by means of whieh the uscfulness of such institutions | objections. First, a gentlem as the Caledonia Chib and the Benevolent. Irish tend asserts that Bate on from Sac it the Society was seriously impaired. Let the people complain they are ground down, in every section of the Colonial empire be united and therefore he argues that Pei ‘Oxatio,, . in their political reiations, as well as we are here land in the Union will suitor invert Finding out, doubtless, that he ee. against himself, as | in our secial ones, and we cannot tail to command greater respect abroad, and be prouder of each . other’s good qualities at home. Englishmen, will show by Irishmen, and Seetchmen have a common inheri-| he flies off at a tangent and exchange ty. tance in every attribute of greatness which the| Prince Edward Island remeraber the au Old Country pessesses—free institutions,more free | Cape Breton.’’ — The second obj “ forward and exclaims, ** Union will be us; we will have to pay enormous build expensiye fortifications jq ¢ » look at Quebee and all it has eet.” Me third gravely asks, ** What do we get? we get ag moch a8 we give?” — 4 ; one w g : ry ifr the globe—a history adorned by the moat illustrious Pay names and the mest brilliant achevements im arts, in science, and in arms—and a literature in reference to which Englishmen, Irishmen and Scotchmen, stand side by side, challenging the admiration of the Universe, and silently proclaim- ing by their works that the gratitude of the uni- remarks, **Oh! Prince Edward wij ever verse is theirs by right ferever and forever, | S4ve manulactories; we have no coal While the nationalities of the Old Conntry, repre And another, ** If we poor people Want sented to some sinall extent at that Banquetting | a road or a bridge, how can the Break Pay. Board, were rivals in the higher and nobler walks of hfe, let us hope that they will always be rivals, too, in the humbler ones, where the epirit of Charity appeals to their sympathies; and as the response to such appeals must always con- verge to one common centre—the relief of suffering humanity—let us all hope that the nationalities will converge, too, and blend in harmonious action when such a purpose is in view, 80 a8 to resemble “«____The rainbow s light, Whose various tints nnite; Aird form inbeaven’s sight, Que arch of pence.” liament in Canada know our want?” Mr. Vice President, the taxation in U Canada is not laid on the people by the ( yernment. ‘The taxation is dane local assessment. The people tax trom municipal boards, one district may ley ip thousand pounds for improvements, the adjoining district dees not pay Ny of thing. We all know what a count Canada has become; they have ' their noble neighbors; they area 4) people; and although the minority maygry. ble, yet they are happy and p: yond a paratiel. Now, to shew hw = » gument goes against the ebgeetor, iz dot clear to us all that if the farmers of Canada, with a population of one anda nrillions, are already heavily taxed Municipal Boards, they are nos likely, sustain any Government which will general tax, and which is the only tax whe), the Maritime Provinces, including this}, land, could ever come under. As to Breton, Lhaye made enquiries ame well informed on all regarding it. } refer you to an irtelligent and trustworthy authority with whom | lately spoke on ths The next and last toast on the list was that of “ Our Guests,” to which the Henorables Measrs. Coles and Haviland responded as follows :— Hon. Mr. COLES. He alleded to the rapid growth of the Caledunia Chub; its gathering on Government grounds hast summer was the largest and most respeetable he had ever witnessed in the place, and was eonducted on principles highly creditable to ali concerned. He said that he regretted to see 60 lew of the trends of the Clals present at the St. Andrew's Dinner. Ile expressed the hope that a St. George's Society would yet be formed here. Institutions of this nature, he suid, were calculated to promote harmony and good will among the different Nation- alities which they represented. disposed to surrender the fmancial affairs of the country wholly to other hands without an equivalent. ‘Tree, said he, | supported the first resolution of the Conference at Charlottetown, whieh states that the Union justice be done to a) wee. In the fram- ing of the Constitution, however, he regret- opinion, to P. E. Island. Bat, said he, Iam open to conviction on this sebjeet, though | do not at present see my way ele and therefore cannot give the scheme my support. HON. T. HEATH HAVILAND. — As an- other of the guests at this entertainment, 1 treat 1 shall be pardoned in elaiming the privilege of The Monor- able gentteman then spoke of the Union | - question, and said that he for one was not) least analogy of the Provinces would be derivable, provided ted to say that justice was not done, in his point, the Rev. A. McLean, of Eldon, fp will prove to you that Cape Breton bay reason to lament being the fourth pan of Nova Seotin, Bat ideny shat there is the between the tao canes, Cape Breton wnited to Nora Seotia without 5 separate Governor or Legislature, and Pringg Edward Island united im a Federal Union, retaining her Governor and both Mouses of Parliament. ‘To the seeond obpetion I would saz,“ My friend, } fear you are off your bake wheo ou di the se of military defence.’ t | turn to my honorable and learned friend on my left (Mr. Haviland) and argue sith him the ay yee merits of Coke or Blackstone ; if | attempt to shew that the ‘+ First bnstitute’’ of the former is inferior w the ** Lawyer's Parewell to his Muse” of the latter, I think be would deem me somewhat presumptuous. Suredy, then, om the other hand, I may be aliowed to form an opin making a few remarks in consequence of the Hon. Mr. Coles having spoken upou the question of the Confederation of the Provinces in bis re- i on a subject which has been to my bonsehold word all my life. Every op, sponse to the last tuast. I duly appreciate the compliment conferred upon me, by being guvited az a guest to this the first publie dinner of the | Caledonia Club, and by a singular coinettence this is the first occasion that the public men of this Colony have addressed an audienee upon the all ab8orbing topie of Confederation, ~ 1 will now give my views upon the subject in as few words as possible, for fear you myht be under the im- pression that [ aw on the fence like Mr. Coles, and have not made up my mind how to act in this great crisis of our Colonial History. I believe my political oppenents will give me credit for having supported all the important public questions which i considered would advanee the stereats of the country, irrespective of party feelings.— Free Education and Free Trade, although intre- duced inte the House of Assembly by a Govern- ment to which | was opposed, were advocated by me through every stage. The Confederation of the British North American Colonies is the greatest and most important question that has ever agitated the Colonial mind. We wust make up our minds to form a part of the Confedera- tion, or vemair: outside in the cold shade, a petty and isvlated Colony until we are swallowed up by the United States of America. The Union of Seotland with England, se elo- quently alluded te by Mr. McLeod, in his very able address this evening, was,as he alleged, an analogous case to ours; and L[ believe we would reap as great benefits by a Contederate Union with our sister Colonies as Scotland did from the union with England. Then we should have free trade amongst ourselves, from Sarnia to the shores of Newfoundland. Neo Custom House duties would be collected on goods imported from any of our sister Colonies, or exported from this island te them, ‘Then we should vet export our wool and sheepskins, ummanufactured, to the United States and other places, and be obliged to buy them back again when converted inte cloths, earpets, and other woollen fabries ; for we should have Cloth and other Factores springing up in all directions within the boundaries of the Confederacy, and our farmers would be enabled to supply themselves with the products of their Factories free of all duties. Even now, in Spite of hostile tariffs and duties, we have in our midst two Steam Tanneries, and a Boot and Shoe Factory. Abolish Custom Houses Duties, when goods are interchanged between the British Colonies, and the names of the various Factories would be legion. At present, 1 admit that the voice of public opinion in this Colony is against this vital question ; but [ beliewe in ay conscience when it is fairly put and explained to the people, they will see the benefits and advantages to be derived from a Union. The schoolmaster, thank God, is abroad; knowledge is spreading; men are reading aud thinking, and before long the clouds of ignorance and prejudice wall disappear, and the people of this Island will come to the conclusion that if they wish to advance their inutual interests—if they wish to protect and preserve their glorious rights and privileges which we have inherited from our fathers, and which we hope to hand down unimpaired to our ehild- rens’ children, they will raise their voices in favor of joming the Confederacy of British America, which will number four millions of Iree people, who, with the proteeting influences of that tune honored flag which now waves over us, will be enabled to bid defiance to any foreign power that might attempt te crush our liberties, and deprive us of our nationality. . The Monorable PATRICK WALKER, First Vice President of the Club, then rose, and in a few happy remarks, proposed the health of the Honorable Colonel Gray, whose zeal in promotiing the objects ef the Society, he felt assured, reeeived the admiration, and would continue to enlist on his behalf the gratitude of every member of it. The Hon, Mr. Walker's toast having been drunk and applauded to the echo, the Hun. Col. Gray rose and spoke as follows :— THE GREAT FEDERATION QUESTION, Mr. Vice President and Gentlemen: 1 assure you it is with the utmost gratifi- eation I thank you, not only fur the honor you have conferred upon me, but for the handsome terms in which you, Mr. Vice President, have coupled my name in propos- ing it. Whatever litcle service it has been in my power to render to the Club since its formation, has been more than repaid to me; lous in suppreasing if, such a thing as a tree press would be unknown to the United States. Phat the press has been vielently put dowa by farce of | arms, in many instances, is unquestionable; and | that circumstance shews that there is noe security tor free discussion in the country referred to. | When the press violates the law — when Society ix rendered insecure by its attacks ea all const- tuted authority, the tribunals of the law should 1 patience, he said, were he to attempt to name the many Scotsmen who owed their snceess and repr. } tation directly te the Uuion of their country with | Knylana. We find them, he suid, at the Bar, in the Houve of Cauimous, as Peers, leaders in British ‘ | bring it to correction in the same way as any | private individual would be brought. Mr. Whelan | ‘hen referred at considerable jength to the Lnter- colonial Convention at Quebee. He said that he thought it Was a great mistnke on the part of the | and wher | consider the amount of respecta- | bility and intelligence which its members represent—when | reflect upon the distin- guished post you have conferred upon me, it is an assurance that the individual who sae- rificed much which most inen would prize, to return to his native land to cast his lot among hie own people for good or for evil, would not at this moment be elevated to the seat of your President, if you did not, one and all, believe in your hearts that he is one who will never fur any tamptation in the power of man to bestow, break his stern re- Coumerein) enterprize. directing the affairs of the, public men, by whose influence the Conferediée jsolve to be true to the country and people nation at home asd. abroad; and as private indi. | | viduals prosecuting laahy callings frou which , bat | | fur the Uuiou, they would be debavred. May we | wasconvened, to decide on having its deliberations | kept secret: Had the Press, suid’ he, been ‘ad. | uutted to the discussions af the Conlerence, the so dear tohim. | have been asked by sume of oar members to suy a few words on the all engrossing subject which agitates at this ought to know that the scienee of Military and Naval Defence has changed 80 much; the last ten years. that if those old veterans, ¢ | Coborn and Vauban, with such naval heros us Nelson, Duncan and Jervis, weredo risefrom _ their graves, they would indeed beastomehed, —although if old Benbow could re-appear, & shrewdly suspect he would find somesup- porters amoung us in this Islam The Defences for the Provinces will mk gm- sist of expensive fortifications of masonry as of old. Where would such fortifications be under the fire of a few three hundred pound Armstrong guns? You ask whatde- fences will be needed, should that hoar of trial arrive, and our elder brother prove an- kind? Come with me and siew that stapen- dous work of art, and a nation’s gratitude, which strikes the eye on entering the harbour of Boston, and ask what was accomplished on the ground over which it rears ite coloseall head in one short summer's mght by raw militiamen, by the brave but wholly inex- perienced young men. the sons ofthe country; and which took an army of Britain's sterness veterans, the greater part of the next day, with a loss of half their number, to disposs- ess them of. Or let us turn to Fredericksburg. where the other day a few thousands st od the shock of one of the largest and finest armies the world has ever seen, and scattered them to the winds. Let me say, then, the defences for the Provinces will not be expensive fortifications,—the pickaxe and the shovel, in the hands of the brave sons of the soil, with stout hearts and steady arms, will be the defences we need, if Britain is to aid us with her fleeis and her armies. If you wish aathority for what I say, read the Report of the Inspector Generab of Fortifications, War Office, London, who has been for the last two years in America, by order of Her Majesty's Ministers, to re- port upon our defences. So much for the ery of being taxed to build expensive furtifi- cations. ‘o the third vbjector I would eay, if we are to regard univn in @ literal pounds, sbillings, and pence view, 1 confess i do not wish to argue the point. What would he say if he came to me and asked me to join in building a large Hotel at Stanhope, w hold the crowds who, a8 soon as we are one people, would come flocking in upon usfor a summer residence ; und I replied, **Oh, yes: I'll subscribe a thousand pounds. Now shew me how much 1am to receive.” Mr Vice Pre- sident, I look to the future; | look to our children, I look at those little ones now pleading to our hearts—how many fathers among us are slaving and striving to scrape together a few pounds to leave their children. Far better, ten times more profitable, to bequeath them the bright inheritance of a great, a rising country. Lock at our young men ; look ata Thompson, a Shaw, a Nichol- son, who have just won the race surpassing the whole of the youth of all Britich Amer- ca. Lf they now had this field, the first offices in the State would be theirs! And what chance have they now? What has any of ns to look to in our narrowed and prostrate condition? Bat if we come to the pounds, shillings and pence, | will shew you what we can get. Here are my figures—let any gentleman ask and i will shew them — let him see are they true.—llere, you will find, L take the very liberal expenditure of 1863 ; I give a sum equal to fifty thousands pounds per annum “out of which the Local Govern- ment pays thirty six thoasand, the General Government fourteen. a the same suut which sufficed our wants in 1863 will do for us till the next decade. We then have the sum of £18,999, or say nineteen thousand pounds, which, at five per cent, Tepresents & sum of three hundred and eighty thousand pounds, at the sole disposal of the Local Government of this Island. My honorable friend on my right (Mr. Coles) complains that a sum was not given by the Conference |to Prinee Edward Island, to bay out the | claims of the Proprietors. Wheo | the | question to the Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Canada, what was their reply ’ “ What would the people of the arog * and other Provinces say if they were fo “4 taxed to give a special grant to Adame Edward Isiand for two hundred thousan pounds? Why, you have already got rr the liberality of the Convention es ~ will pay for your ie over, ean you expect or desire. mg Mr. Vice President and Ganienes. the Government of the day can take = three hundred and eighty thousand pose = and buy up the Janda, and bring 1 yea grunts co cultivate them; oF #8y —, wid out, another six thousand a year } (+ 4