This year marks the 150th anniversary of Canada, so every Sunday we are looking back at editorials from our predecessor newspaper, The Daily British 91原创 and Victoria Chronicle, in 1867.
The editors were clear: Confederation yes, annexation by the United States no.
The more closely we examine the proposition to annex this colony to the United States, the more impractical and absurd it appears. There is not the slightest room for the hope, however 鈥渉umble鈥� the petition to the home government may be, or unanimous the sentiment of the people in its favour, that it will receive even respectful consideration at the hands of Her Majesty鈥檚 ministers.
If annexation is ever accomplished, it will be through the united action of British North America 鈥� not through the petition of one colony to be suffered to cut loose from the parent stock and place itself under the banner of a foreign power.
Even were England disposed to part with British Columbia and its islands, the Kingdom of Canada would strenuously oppose the cession, and its opposition could not but prove successful, because it could show that to part with this colony would be to close the highroad across the continent, the opening of which was one of the main objects of Confederation.
Deprive the Confederacy of a front on the 91原创 and the whole scheme would be defeated.
Confederation has been the aim of 91原创 statesmen for a quarter of a century, but it has never been spoken of save in connection with the ultimate construction of a railway across the continent, over which would pass the rich products of China and Japan and the more substantial resources of the British provinces.
Canada would, therefore, never consent to the alienation of British Columbia, even if England should; and if the mother country persisted in parting with this colony, Canada, finding herself confined to her present borders, would quickly follow the example set by us and throw herself into the arms of Uncle Sam.
Besides, of late years a 鈥渘ational feeling鈥� has grown and gained strength in the eastern provinces, and if separation from the mother country were to take place, it would be to the end that an independent dominion, kingdom or republic might spring from the present provinces of British North America.
Such a result could only be brought about through Confederation, for in no other way can a united opinion be obtained on the question.
The same may be said with regard to annexation. The annexationist who today opposes Confederation is really defeating the very object he has in view.
We do not wish to be understood as saying that Confederation will result in annexation, but we want to point out that nothing short of the voice of all the provinces could effect a change so sweeping; that except there be a concert of action, no such expression could be obtained 鈥� and that no concert of action can be had without a union of the provinces.
One of the objections 鈥� in fact, the only objection we have heard urged against Confederation 鈥� is that we shall have to wait some time before we can be included in the Confederacy because we are so isolated from the eastern provinces.
Well, we are isolated, but what of that? So was California in 1849, yet she was admitted as a state in 1851, and today 鈥� only 16 years after admission to the union 鈥� a railroad is being pushed eastward over the Sierra Nevada Mountains to connect with another line which is being pushed westward from Omaha.
The Confederacy is modelled in some respects after the plan of the republic. The people have perfect freedom of action. Self-government is guaranteed, and representation according to population secured.
It has no gigantic war debt hanging like a millstone about its neck which five generations of heavy taxation will scarcely clear off, and it has resources within itself which, if properly developed, will render it one of the most prosperous aggregation of states under the sun.
We have no apology to urge in behalf of the miserable blunder called a government with which we are cursed; nor have we any excuse to offer for the illiberal and contemptuous treatment we have received at the hands of the home government.
Neither can ever be condoned 鈥� the injury they have inflicted has been too severe.
But it is a fortunate thing for us that great evils sometimes correct themselves 鈥� that powerful poisons, when taken in overdose, sometimes furnish their own antidote.
Unreasonable as the statement may appear, we believe the bankrupt state of our treasury, and the cession of the Russian possessions to the United States, will do more to induce England to adopt a liberal and enlightened policy toward us than all our petitions or threats of Annexation can do.
The former will open the eyes of the mother country to our true condition and the necessity of helping us through our difficulties, while the latter will only produce a smile of contempt and find their way into the waste basket of the Colonial Office as unworthy of a second thought.
The Daily British 91原创 and Victoria Chronicle, May 21, 1867
