yi =

-_ . ines -

tt 2 MOLD SR eh Be

1

or oO Ren

einem

se Oot OO eR Ae mew

noamnevenitane

a . ~ oy ~ “ee Wes CES e- Ate 4 we Sains (o’ SMe es ‘j . fa: Gh oSeb wes Sh) YC AA WEEE BE) “$0

MONDAY, JUNE 12, 1848.

wre -- ———— ~ : — -— Iv would not be difficult to show, even by a reference’ to particular facts and instances, that the dominant) Faction in this Island, has succeeded in controling the administration of the Government to the furtherance of their own selfish views. This is no rash or unadvised assertion : it is a truth that has indelibly impressed itself upon our minds during the entire period of our residence in this Colony: it is a truth which every man of know- ledge and experience could verify—were every such man honest enough to speak exactly as he thinks—by instances numerous as they are decisive, coming within the scope of his own knowledge. We all know that the persons who compose the Faction to whom we allude, have played every part in the drama of public life in Prince Edward Island, from the loud and courageous Escheator to the falsely, meek and hy pocritically self- sacrificing Proprietor—from the thorough-faced Radical to the would-be aristocratic Tory, as their own personal interest, or the probability of getting possession for themselves of this, that, and the other property, pointed out and assigned. To be the holders and dispensers of all patronage has been the chief aim of their political lives; and no principle, however sacred—however ad- vantageous to the public weal—could be long entertained in opposition to this aim. Nor is this greedy, grasping disposition less characteristic of the smaller fry—the Overseers of Roads, the country Justices—the Sheriffs and their Deputies—the unfledged Captains of Militia, who, though they would sicken with the smell of gun- powder, or grow faint before the gleam of hostile steel, are permitted to sport a sword and a pair of epaulettes ene day out of the three hundred and sixty-five, so that the uninitiated vulgar might duly note their gentility, and pay them homage. Shakspeare tells us, “some men are born great—others have greatness thrust upon them.” If Nature has been unkind to our rulers or great men, Fortune has not, indeed, deserted them in their hour of need. It must be recorded to their praise, that they have not only submissively borne the burthen of the State--wielded and arranged the entire machinery

of Government; but have constantly prayed that every

; ; | new official employment and honour might be “ thrust! upon them,” which the progress of our institutions and

j

the advancement of society might seem to require. 1

We did, indeed, expect and anticipate, that—our late’

-—the assumption of the Government by his successor’ would have been distinguished by a commencenient of| the realization of an improved and reformed state of. or indicating any disappointment; and we certainly are’ unauthorized by any very important facts in drawing a conclusion decisive of our opinion as to the fate of those’ hopes by which the whole [sland has been swayed; and’ which no one here seeks to defeat but parties similar to! those who have elsewhere vainly endeavoured to check’ the tide o! popular opinion, and to oppose every tendency tochange; because they have a direct interest in main- taining a system which secures to them handsome! incomes from the Public Purse, and leaves them ac-| countable to no power or authority for the faithful per-|

formance of their official duties. We cannot—nor have’

Pa eae

THE EXAMINER.

may supply or their ingenuity devise; but startling as some of the exhibitions of personal i/l-feeling has been, our House of Assembly does not stand alone in that particular: for if we search the annals of the Canadian Legislature, instances of this nature will be found more numerous and flagrant than the reports of our Assembly can supply. But were it otherwise, would not a re- formed and a better system produce improvement even in this respect? Yet, those who never sleep in their vocation, and whose opportunities are frequent, while those of their adversaries are “few and far between”— the enemies of Responsible Government and the free- holders of office—do not scruple to pourtray all their fellow-subjects as an ignorant, ill-informed, ill-condi- tioned people, to whom the vontrol of their own affairs, which the Constitution designed for them, cannot with safety be entrusted. Was ever such an insult offered toa British Public? Jt would be invidious—(for in advocating a system we desire to avoid personalities)— if we were to exhibit a list of gentlemen’s names, even from those who are at present before the public, in every way as well calculated for the discharge of the duty of adininistering the Government of the country as are the doers of the existing worn-out system. They could not suffer by comparison with the present men; and they would be (which these are not) under the control of public opinion—unshackled by previous acts—open to coalesce with all loyal subjects-—independent and unin- fluenced. ‘The little petty habite of office-—too often a veil to stupidity and servility, and used to promote covert design--could soon be acquired by the meanest capacity; and we verily believe, independently of all political character, efficiency in the discharge of official duty would bevery extensively increased by a change, for at present it stands upon no remarkable eminence.

But we will just suppose, (though we well know that an Election would transfer the power into other hands), that the Government did not change, but only the sys- tem. Why then the holders of office would neverthe- less be answerable to the people for the just and impartial performance of their duties; and in this we would willingly acquiesce.

When those people to whom we allude say, “ this Island is not fit for Responsible Government,” is it not plain that they are condemning themselves? But the truth is, the long exclusive possession of office, authority | and influence has been two valuable a freehold to allow’ of the most remote chance of its forfeiture. Such a!

areas

THE BOARD OF HEALTH,

Notwithstanding the pains taken by some parties cry down the Board of Health appointed Jast year } Sir H. V. Huntley, we are glad to find that His nn lency Sir Donald Campbell and his Executive appreciate its past services,and under the new Act, haye re-appoint. ed all the gentlemen who composed the late Board, We believe the present Board to be a good one, and one that will give general satisfaction. The Town jg at present in a healthy state, and we hope it may con. tinue so.

——~.

ON DIT.

“That ‘Sir Joseph’ will ‘come out’ after hayi Douskp the present Agent for Lord Selkirk’s estate» We thought that Joseph had some object in view “i going to England.

A melancholy accident occurred on Saturday after. noon, the 20th instant, at Glenfinlas Mills, Lot 49 While Alexander M’Kenzie, a young man about 93 years of age, who had for a few years past been the principal person in charge of the said Mills, for Mr Dixon, the proprietor, was in the act of putting a little pitch to one of the pulleys, his foot slipped, and while off his guard, in the act of falling, took hold of the belty then in motion, and consequently was dragged towards the machinery, until his. arm came in contact with twe of the wheels, and was dreadfully shattered and man- gled, his body at the same time sustained other injuries, which terminated his existance, after severe suffering, on the Monday following.

News by last evening’s English Mail.

The Packet arrived last evening from Pictou, bring- ing the 4th May mail, which was brought by the Acadia to Halifax in 11 days. We have dates to the 27th May. Below will be found the most interesting items of News,

{From Willmer and Smith’s European Times, May 27.}

ENGLAND.

Commercial affairs are steady, for Indian Corn and Flour prices have an upward tendency. ‘The accounts from the Manufacturing districts are not on the whole of an encouraging character, and until the settiement of political affairs on the continent an improvement is not expected. Money is plentiful 3 to 34 per cent for the best commercial bills. ‘The Crops present generally a most encouraging appearance.

oo

IRELAND.

MORE GOVERNMENT ARRESTS AND CROWN PRO- SECUTIONS.

“ 2 Oe thing as Responsible Government must not, therefore) The Government seemed determined to crush the ) y r y ; j n> aleutenant Governor having payed the way fora change | he named. No!--sooner than that, we must stand out Tepeal agitation effectually. Some more of the leaders

amongst our neighbours an object of ridicule and just

of the Confederates are to be prosecuted. I have just

learned that a warrant has been issued for the arrest of

contemptr-to be pointed at as the only people on the Mr, Duffy, of the .Vation, and that informations charg- | bd _°* North American Continent who are unworthy to be ing Mr. T. D. Reilly, with having committed felony things. It may be that we are premature, in Expressing trusted with the management of their own affairs. This, UNder the ‘new act, were sworn yesterday. Rumour

indeed, would not have happened had there been no| corruption practised in the House of Assembly — no be-| trayal of constituencies by mean and servile representa-_ tives—had there, ina word, remained a majority in both) as in one Branch of the Legislature, prepared at all times’ to give life and energy tothe reform movement. Tiere) is now but one remedy—that is, a General Election. |

occasion to inform the public. |

As an instsnce of the exclusive power which is gene- | rated by the retention for a series of years of office in. the same hands, we would point out, that amongst the’

also states that Mr. Thomas D. M‘Gee will also be pro- ceeded against, we presume for the part he took in the Meeting on Sunday last. Up to the time [ write, none of the arrests alluded to have been made. Mr. Devin Reilly, who had been arrested on another charge, viz., fora breach of the ‘Training and Drilling Act, was brought up yesterday before the police magistrates, at the head police office, College street, and afier the case

was heanl, and informations for his committal made out, ° | How this remedy may be achieved, we shall shortly take | he was admitted to bail, himself in 100/. and two sure-

ties in S0/. each, to appear and take his trial at the next city commission, to be tried two months hence.—Dublia Letier of Wednesday.

Mr. Mitchell addresses the following epistle to the

we any rig! on is Fx oe ; ‘Dp, . ‘ . . : y right to conclude—that His Excellency Sir) Members of the Bar there is but one, and he an im-| Protestant farmers of Ulster, in the United Irishman of

Donald Campbell is an enemy to the reformed System. which has been so happily established in the other North American Colonies; but, having just taken it for granted. that—appointed to his high office by a Liberal Ministry, | and having been always a Whig, and long known to be’ a member of the Reform Club—-he can be no other than | a friend to reform,—we must stil] raise our voice, least’ he should be deceived by those who surround him, | the belief that the inhabitants of this Colony are more’ indifferent to the privileges of British subjects than! those of the neighbouring Provinces,—or by the more insidious, unjust, end wicked aspersion which is daily made, “ that this Island is not fit for Responsible Govern- ment!” We are aware that the personal wrangling | which has too much characterized the debates in the JTouse of Assembly, has been given as an argument in

portant one, who is not a strenuous advocate of the old’ irresponsible system. Now the reason of this is, that. favour ef the Official Freeholders. Lawyers are not. less alive to their own interests than other people ; and| this is the reason of there being but one reformer amongst them—a fact which distinctly points out how

placed in abeyance as things now are. Yes, in politics,

’

them. No wonder, there is but one road to promotion, of which the permanent officials keep the gate.

aepee sii

Tre Weatner.—The weather for the last week. has been such as to encourage the farmer in the hope

Saturday :—‘ For me, [ abide my fate joyfully, for I know that whatever betide ne my work is nearly done. Yes; Moral Force, and ‘ Patience and Perseverence,’ aré

there is but one channel of promotion—namely, the scatterel to the wild winds of heaven. ‘The music my

countrysen now love best to hear, is the rattle of arme and the ring of the rifle. As I sit here in my lonely cell, I hear, jist dying away, the measured trainp of 10,000 men—iny gallant confederates, unarmed and silent, but with heats like bended bow, waiting till the time comes.

into entirely the influences of the British Constitution are|! bey hav marched past my prison windows to let me

know thee are 10,000 fighting men in Dublin—felons in heart nd soul. I thank God for it. The game is

vat least, our Lawyers are all of one mind, and not a-foot at let. The liberty of Ireland will come sooner ‘scrupulous in persecuting the only one who differs from or later, bt peaceful negotiation or bloody conflict, but

it is sure; and wherever between the poles I may chance toe, [ will hear the crash of the downfall of the thrice accursed ‘ British Empire.’ ‘JOHN MITCHELL.’ On Tuedgy morning a proclamation from the Lord Lieutenantand Council was received in this city, com-

support of this assertion. It is to be lamented that this'/that he may have an abundant harvest, ° There has ™@nding al persons not duly licensed or privileged to

handle has been afforded to some few designing men. - t 7 , te : * Y : |

who know weil how to turn to their own purposes every | little circumstance or artifice which thei: experience| i

nt ; e . fallen a good dea! of warff rain, which has been fol- lowed by sunshine. We trust that the cold weather has all passed away,for this sezgon. —

surrender tizir fire-arms, or other arms or ammunition te the police iuthorities; and those in whuse possession they shall bi found on and after Saturday next, the 30tk inst., are lialle to imprisonment for two years, with hard