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“THIS Is TRUE LIBERTY WHEN FRE

E-BCKN MEN—HAVING TO ADVISE THE PUBLIC—MAY SPEA4 FREE."—Mizron’

CHARLOTTETOWN, A.

STOPPAGE OF SUPPLIES. (Contsued from our last.)

Mc. Pors anid the anawer which they had reeeived co thete Address had not disappointed him; it was not the atactice of the present day to make any concession to the people with a good grace ; but the signs of the times vadieated that the reign of arbitrary and irresponsible gerernment in the Colonies was nearly at an end, and was tenacious grasp by which it was now held might asfely be taken as the expiring effort to prolong a petty ead voxations system that would soon be known only as a matter of history. Doubtless Earl Grey had been in- fermed, and believed, thatthe Executive Council en- jeyed the confidence of the people cf this Colony, when as stated that “ the Lieutenant Governor is assisted in tae performance of his duties by gentlemen selected fem those of the inhabitants of the Colony who were ceasidered to be the most capable of performing, with advantage to the public, the duties of their several efices ;” but surely His Excellency, aiter the almost vaenimous rote of wont of confidence by the Assembly w the Executive Council, could no longer entertain such sa epinion. Nor did he believe that either Lord Grey w the Lieutenant Governor would be prepared to dee- pute the constitutional right of the Representatives of

‘the people to pronounce that judgment. He (Mr. Pope)

wea giad that the Government had been afforded a fair opportunity of carrying out their own principles, which Lord Grey had so strongly recommended the House to adopt, viz. to separate the question of the Civil List ‘com that of Responsible Government—the one being faancial, and the other political; as the House of As- sembly did not now ask His Excellency to dismiss any paid officer from his situation, and had not manifested any unwillingness to meet the wishes of the Govern- ment with reepect to a Civil List, to the utmost extent that the means of the Colony would enable them to do. we thought that His Excellency had shewn a great want of judgment anc sound policy, as wel] as a mdni- feat disregard to the wishes of the people, by refusing te reconstruct his Council, who had lost the confidence of the people, until the question of the Civil List-— which they (the Government) had declared was purely financial, and had no connection with the other, which was political—should be finally approved of by Lord Grey ; particularly as the former might, under the vex- atious system pursued at the Colonia! office, be pro- tracted to an indefinite period. When His Excellency diaaolved the lust House, what was his object? Osten- aidly it was to test the opimon and wishes of the people with respect to Responsible Government, and the sepa- ration of thet questicn from the Civil List; and, if that were in reclity the object of His Excellency, it had seen fully accomplisued; for the people, by the large majority of members they had returned to the Assembly, viedged or known to be favourable to the adoption of thatays cm of government, had left His Excellency without any reason longer to entertain a doubt concern- lag their visies or opinions. At the Hustings, a majo- rity of tne Cindidates who were returned to the Asseim- ‘iy had 4 believed, pledged themselves to support any

coustitution: | easures which might be brought forward jiu the A jy ‘or the introduction of. Responsible (overnn . .mo the Colony. The several constituen-

ciea throws out the Island, with perhaps one or two exceptio required Candidates to make a full ex- position of ‘ir political principles on the nomination aava, Whita respect to himself, he had not been re- quired to pledge himself to his constituents; because us @eNtimieuis were sufficiently well known to them, and approved by them. Had ke been opposed to that measure, he would not have been returned as one of their Representatives to the Assembly. On the day of nomi- nation at St. Kieanor’s, he had, to @ very numerous as- semblage of people, explained his sentiments touching Responsible Government. He then told the Electors that, if returned to the Assembly, he would refuse to grant one farthing of their money for carrying on the Guvernment unless Responsible Government was grant- ed, and that they must be prepared for any consequences ‘eat might ensue. This determination they highly ap- raved of, and if we should be returned to them on this ‘uedtion, they would sustain us. It was indeed, they were wel] aware, urged that the people of Prince Kd- ward Island were not yet sufficiency advanced in popu- ‘ation, wealth, or intelligence, to justify their being ealrasted with the exercise ef a full measure of se}f- evvernment in theirown affairs. Many persons besides \aguch?, ar pretended te think, that ibe bree? of the

‘them agree spon s proper Civil List, ae evidence of therr

party who sought to introduce Responsible Government, was to degrade the present office holders, bring in con- fusion, and open the door to a set of needy adventurers. He believed that the introduction of any extreme mea- sure, for the bringing about and establishing a change of Government, was calculated to open the way for the operations or practices of political adventurers; but Such was the inevitable consequences of all great changes in the Government of a country, of whatsoever nature the change might be, whether for good or for evil—but it would correct itself. With respect to the objections made to the concession of Responsible Government to the Colony, on account of the sinallness of its popula- tion, its present limited resources, and the want among the people of that knowledge and information which was acquired from books or imparted by a course of educa- tional training; he would refer the objectors on that score to the history of the early settlers in North Ame- rica, who were driven from their native homes in Great Britain by the force of political and religious persecu- tion, and compelled to seek a refuge and to build their huts in the wilderness. How came these mento be the framers of the best Jaws that have ever originated in mere human wisdom, ard the founders of the irost pros- perous Government in the whole world? Was it owing to their numbers, to their wealth, or to the great extent of their erudition? No, it was not; for, in these re- spects, their advantsges and pretensions were confined and insignificant. The wisdom of their fundamental laws, which far exceeds that of the Old Constitution under which they were born, and the success which accompanied their exertions, and the present crowning prosperity of the United States, had their origin in the independent spirit, the conscientious motives, the sound heads, and sound hearts, and freedom of action of a band of bold self-exiled men, who never yielded their inherent rights to local self-government. Such an ex- ample was quite svfficient to ehcourage, in reasonable and unprejudiced minds, the belief that—freedom cf action being first conceded--the people of Prince Ea- ward Island, with all the elements of sdécial order and prtenet , would not long remain far behind the neigh- ouring rovinces, as respects general improvement and prosperity. There was nothing in the “external cir. cumstances” of Prince Edward Island to render its in- habitants inferior in any degree to their neighbours of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, who were on’y dis- tant from them some twelve or twenty miles—Par! Grey's opinion to the contrary notwithstanding; but His | Lordship’s fears were not to be taken as the measure of | the rights of the pedpie of this Island. Long experience | had shewn that no ¢oncegsions were made to the Colo-

|

nies by the British Government, unless they were abso- |

lutely wrung from it. With respect to the independence

i a or te | = rs ee a - —

PRIL 6, 1850.

LLIGENCER.

s Euripipes.

Wot. 1.—#6. : 10.

| desire to provide for the Government of the Colony, and

doing injustice to nobody, provide for the due adminis- tration of ihe Laws; and then, as certainly as they did so, would the people of England compel Barl Grey to acquiesce in the just demands of the Colony. In the meantime he would not grant one farthing to earry ona Government which opposed) with all its power a juet concession to the wishesiof thepeople. The honorab}- member then commented upon the conduct of cértain gentlemen, with reference to the popular movement. These gentlemen, said'the honorable member, ‘had re- presented themselves as leadersiof the Reform move- ment begun under a Jate reforming Lieutenant Governor, as whose residuary legatees und administrators they had heen regarded. They had accepted the trust which he bequeathed to them; and had distinguished themeelves as the most determined opponents of what was styled the Family compact policy, until they had worked them - selves into power, and so soon as they thought them- selves secure therein, they adopted the very same policy which, whilst out of power, they had most loudly decriec. They seemed to say to themselves, * We have now ai! we wish, Wehavesupplanted the old Family Compect. We must preserve what we have gained, and net.en- danger our possession of it, by urging reform by any extreme or even unugual means. We must seek it by prudent legislation. We muct proceed cattioualy to remove obstructions and repress abuses, We must

‘guard against preciptancy and the introduction of crude

and hasty measures of reform; we must patiently perse- vere in the old path of Remonstrances atk! Addreases, and Reform we shall have.” Have, indeed! exclaimed the honorable member, but God knows when! if this course were to be followed !

The system of “ Remonstrances,” * Addresses,”’ and “take my Lord Grey along with you,’ wae all quite right in theory, but in practice it was merely carrying out the fallacy of delay, and meant nothing. Reforms we shail hove, but we must “wait a little longer.” The “ good \ime,” however, was “coming,” notwithstanding the obstacles now. thrown in the way by those great reform- ers who, unfaithful fo their many professions, had in the time of need been found wanting. He was well aware that all gorts of unjust imputauons had been alleged against them. When they spoke of withholding the People’s money from a Government in whom they had

no confidence, they were said to be disloyal.” If they alluced to the public patronage, orthe conductof a public officer, it was of couree with the view of displac- ing the present officers to make way for themselves. Such might be the object of some, for aught he knew. Conscious of his own inteenty, be would disregard the imputation of sordid end unworthy motivee. He had no devire for office, although he believed bis claims would

of mind which should ever Se the chief characteristic of | not be disputed ; but he was seeking to carry out a great public functionaries, appointed as constitutional advisers | public principle, by fair, just and constitutional means.

of Her Majesty's Representative, where was it to be |

fet them, he again repeared, pars all laws requisite for

found in this Colony? Cen!d sny honorable aember | the preservation or protection of ife and property, ang a

name one such pub) ec functionary at once Independent | and responsible? There wes not one of them wo. dared to exercise on honest, a conscientious indepen

dence, without endanverin. hos situation or losing caste. In recommending the introduction of itesporsibl. Go

Government, he was not bv ary means advocating that levelling system by which J cb would be made as good as his master. On the contrary, no man was more anx- ious than he to preserve (he just-—because necessary — distinctions of society, and Cue subordination to those in authority; but he had always held that that state of society and that fora of Government were best, in and under which the mehts and privileges of all classes throuvhoct the several graces of society, were equally respecied and equally sacred. He stood alone, inde- pendent, and unconnected with any party, and offered no suggestions or advice, execpt upon the floor of the Howse; and the advice he would then give was to pro-

ceed, without fears or misgivings, # adopt the course |.

which they thought moet likely to Jead to the attainment of the legitimate object which they had inview. He hoped they would not suffer themselves to de intimidated by eithera threat of a Dissolution, or of anexation to Nova Scotia. The latter was a dodge of at least forty years standing in thig colony—whilst the former would only add another £400 to that 80 needlessly squandered by the last Election. There was no occasion to dread the displeasure of Earl Grey. Why should they fear his Lordship’s diaplensure? Let the House pursue the proper course, and appeal, if necessary, to the people of England, in Parliament, by whom alone they could be coerced ; by such an appea! they would gain more than by any application to the Colonial Officer or Petition tothe Queen, which 1s one and the same thing. Let

Civil List Bill, which—having regard io the hited means of the Cofory—sball -previce for the due and

+ ficient discharge cf the iublie Service, m all its de-

partments; ane. baying ccne this, if His Fxreeheney shall tren refuee to, re¢aghize ‘our mwherent myht ae

Brush suijects toa Respcosible Government, we will

telurn to our consuitvents; and the country will hold His Exeeliency and bis acy sers accountable (notwith- standing their irresponsible characiar) tor the loss of its revenue, and the ruinous conse ghences that must ensue; remembering that Lord Grey and the Lieutenant Goyer- nor are not the Constitution, and that loyalty to the Colonia) Office does not, in reality, mean a surrender of the well defined and constitutional rights of the Peuple, whom we reprefent. The hon member then concluded by saying: * I shall therefore, Sir, from a conviction that | am discharging a duty which I owe to the People of this Colon¥, give my support to the Keselution.”

Hon. Mr. THornton defended the views of the Lieut. Governor with respect to his reading or interpretation of Ear! Grey’s Despatch of the 27th December last. He thought with His Excellency that, by that Despatch, he was bound to one line Of action, as respected the movement in favour of Responsible Government, and had no option in the matter, With respect to the seventh and eighth paragraphs of that Despateh, it oagbt to be borne in mind, that Earl Grey was not aware, at the time it was written, of the dissolution of the forme: House. He, with other members, had very carefully perused and considered the Despatch, and they. were decidedly of opinion, that it left open to Hie Excellency no other couree then that upon which he had entered. The hon. member then read the fiftcenth paragraph of the Despatch 2@ followe : :

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