County of Perth Herald (Stratford), 9 Mar 1864, p. 2

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7" y SJ A THE COUNTY OF PERTH HERALD, STRATFORD, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1864. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1864. It appears self-evident that the pub- lic mind begins to look upon the party in power as no longer worthy of the position they occupy. It is possible to deceive men for @ time on'y. The organs of the Grit pariy talked so long and loud about the cor- rupt acts of the coalition Ministry that at last people began to think their must be something in it, and that it would be better, perhaps, if some change were made. In March, 1862, the coalition Ministry fell in endeavoring to pass a measure which would have placed the defences of the country ona proper footing. The Grits at once assumed power with promises that wonders would be worked. An opportunity bas been afforded them to perform those won- ders they prom'sed--no factious op- position was offered--even the lead- ing opposition papers bespoke for them a fair trial. No men, had they been honest in purpose or guided by that sense of honor which should govern the acts of every public man, ever were afforded a better oppor- tunity of doing good. Honor, how- ever, and uprightness had buat little to do with their public conduct. They obtained power through fraud and they have since retained it by bribery. The champions of Representation by Population, they have denounced it as a humbug ; the opponents of sec- tarian schools, they forced an extention uf that system upon the people; the de- nouncers of nunneries, and religious societies of that kind, they have passed acts, incorporating these institutions ; the pretended guardians of public morality, they have unblushingly be- come the patrons of vice ; the friends of progress, they have stopped every public work ; the preachers of purity, they practice corruption ; the enemies of extravagance, they are now extrava- gant themselves. They condemned what was called the ** double shuffle" of the coalition Ministry and have they not been guilty of an agt infin- itely more disgra eful and™ uncen- stitutional. They have openly and anblashingly admitted that they pre- tended to be in favor of certain re forms merely for the purpose of ob taining office. Their conduct since they obtained office shows how nt- terly. unfit they are for such a respon- sible position, Whathave they done for the country? They have injured her credit and by their acts of bad faith have iowered her and made _ her to appear contemptible in the eyes of the mother country and oj the sister colonies. From year to year they promised measures which they never intended to pass. The only thing they claim credit for now is on ac- count of their economical management of the Finances. For this they are not entitled toany praise. They have mot retrenched so as to benefit the country. [f they have saved in one thing they have wasted in another as will be seen very shortly when their Financial Statements come up for dis- eussion before the House. The pre- sent Ministry are guided by no higher principle than self and consequently are regardless of the effects of their acts so long as they can maintain themselves in power. The people begin to fee] and understand this, and, we think, willsoon demand achange. There is little doubt that a party will tome up who will be guided by the principles of that constitation under which we live, and who, leaving self aside, will legislate for the Province as a whole. We think the day is about past when the religious rav- ings of a Brown, and the vaporings of the unprincipled demagogue, will be disregarded by an enlightened a and frowned down by a peace ving people. The cry of Priestly _ aggression, and French domination and the rule of the Hierarchy will no longer serve unprincipled demagogues fo any purpose. The people now well understand the men who use them and the utter worthlessness of _ their promises, Mr. Brown's Repre- sentation humbug will no longer be -- - fistened to when spoken of by a _man who has proved by his conduct 'that he is only a humbug himself. ©The country will seek to elevite men f. tu power who are and will be guided by principle not expediency--men who will not have one set of princi- ples while in opposition and another when in office. They will have learned by late experience to value men by what they do, not by what they say or promixe. We believe a new party--a constitutional party-- will soon come up in Canada, who will endeavor to make Canada united in spirit as well as in name--who will frown down sectiunal cries and sectional legislation. This is much 10 be desired. It is now self-evident that the men who would arouse religious discord among the people-- keep up a spirit of sectional hatred-- talk of one part of the Province domineering over another part, are not the friends of Canada. Let us have men who will endeavor to legislate for Canada--not for Upper or for Lower Canada. Let us have men who will legislate for the people as a whole, for Canada asa whole, and not for this part or that part, this section or that section, this religion or that religion, Every one knows that the cries to which the Grits have resorted were merely for a selfish and dishonorable purpose. Heretofore Mr. Brown declared that the only salva- tion for Upper Canada was Rep. by Pop. Does he now mention it? He called upon the people to vote against every candidate who would not pledge himself to oppose. any and every ministry who would refuse to make it a cabinet measure--he now supports men who have not only refused to make a cabinet measure but who aave denounced it asa humbug and im- practicable! He called upon others to introduce some measure for the re- adjusiment of the Representation--he has an opportunity, his own friends and party being in power, of introdu- cing such a measure, yet he does not doit. The avowed champion of Up- per Cansda_ rights--he supports a government who have to the direct in- jury of Upper Canada--the Upper Canada farmer particularly-- re-im- posed the canal tolls--who haye transferred the public funds from an Upper Canada Banking institution to a Lower Canada one without any reason for so doing. Yet he supports these transactions! The pretended admirer of the British Constitution and the enemy of bribery and cor- ruplion, he supporis men who have trampled the constitution under their feet and who have been guilty of the Sicotte purchase together with all the other minor acts of corruption which lave been proven against them. The} bitter opponent of Separate Schools, be supported and = supports. men who extended that system. But what is it. that he and his his party ever advocated that they have not abandoned--that they ever condemned that they have not done? They openly boast that they were not sincere when they agitated the country about Separate Schools, Represen- tation by Population, French Domi- nition and all the rest. Are these the men to be trusted? or will the people support those who respect the con- stitution and endeavor to carry out their pledges. Let the people bear this fact in mind--if ever Canada is to become great, and bappy, and wealthy she must be united--her people must be one. A Contrast. In the days when the present Minis- terial party were in Opposition, weeks were wasted in bunkum motions and bunkum amendments to the address. The object was to make political capi- tal. On the present occasion the ad- dress has been passed without any amendments being offered at all; and the debate upon it lasted only about five days. The Opposition of to-day have no desire to oppose the Ministry merely for the sake of opposing them. 'They are desirous of forwarding the interests of the country: in order to that end they do not believe in the Premier's doctrine '* of opposing their opponent's measures whether they are good or bad" Had the Opposition exhibited a factious spirit during the discussion on the address, they would have had the excuse to offer that the Ministry do not possess the confidence of a majority of the House--the two parties are, at least, about evenly bal- anced. When the Browns and McDongalls, the McKellars and the Mowats offered their bunkum amend- ments night after night for weeks to- gether, the Ministry had from ten to fifteen of a majority in the House. Yet, in the face of these facts the cor- ruptionists have the impudence to speak of the conduct of the present Opposition as * factious," "* disgrace- ful," &c. The Opposition have no intention of bringing on a test vote till ihe Ministry have brought down their measures and opened the budget. "he country will then have an oppor- tunity of judging. So far it has been impossible to ascertain what the policy of the Ministry really is. It is very desirable the policy of the gen- tlemen should be fully known before they ave relieved of the trust they have so unblushingly abused. Facts. So long as the corruptionists are permitted to sound their own praises the trumpet blast will be long and loud. Through the intervention of interested parties, two or three articles were published in the London Times, shewing that the effect of * the Militia *¢ Bill passed last session wouid be to "clothe, equip and drill a corps of ** 35,000 volunteers, and organize and "partly drill an available Militia ** 100,000 strong. 'The Ministry and their able (?) apologists, Mr. Macfar- lane included, parade these articles in the face of their opponents as a complete refutation of the asser- tion that their Militia law has proved a failure. We are unable to see what the articles in the Lon on Times have to do with the matter. The question is not what the London Times may say but what are the facts? Are there 35,000 Volunteers in that efficient condition of which the T"mes speaks? And are there 100,000 Militia drilled and ready to.take the field? If sach be the casc then, no matter whether the Tinv-s speaks well or ill of the Bili, the Ministry deserve credit. Qn the other hand if itis a fact that the Volunteer system has becn entirely neglected, and that there is not a single Militia man _ either drilled or enrolled, then the Times' praise becomes the keenest satire. As regards the Volunteers, the Premiers own remarks shew that arm of the defence to be in any thing but a pros- perous condition. It was promised that the men would be paid fifty cents a day for every day they drilled. Has that promise been kept? Is it not a fact that in many parts of the Province Volunteer companies have dwindled away to almost nothing. Why has this been the case? And if it is a fac, and the corruptionists dare not dispute it, that the Volun'eer movement has almost died out, and is now utterly unfit for active service in the event of a sudden disruption of the amicable relations which now obtain between the mother country and the United States--a thing which may occur at any time as may be gathered from the general feeling which pervades the American mind towards Great Bri'ain--then, let us ask, where are the Militia men? Is there in any part of the Province one single battalion even partially drilled, disciplined and 'well offic red? If there is we would be glad to learn of its whereabouts. Mr. Macfarlane, when he repeated the words of h's masters--when he uttered what he had previously been instract- ed to say---when he congratulated the country on the fact "that fore- most in the list stood the ques- tion of our Militia organization ani our c:lonial defence," he must have borrowed for the occasion the brazen face of Pluto How could he congratulate either his mas- ters or the country on account of that which has no existence? Itis not necessary for him or any one else to tell us that the Canadian people are loyal. We know that. Weare not certainly indebted tothe loyalty of the look-to-Washington Ministry for this loyal feeling which obtains among the people. What matter whether the important question of our coun- try's defence is placed first or last in the speech from the throne so long as that is all that will be abcut it. The question of placing the defences of the country ona proper footing held a prominent place in the speech from the throne delivered at the opening of Parliament last session and yet we find that we are in no better position to-day than we were then a: regards having an organized Militia! That matter is treated inthe same way that allothers are--it is inserted in the speech and in the address in order. to deceive the people--nothing more. How many other things were spoken of in the speech last year of which we never afterwards heard one word. We presume 'the mention of the or- ganization of the Militia will share the fate of its predecessors. We think it is high time that bombast and bunkum were denounced--It is high time that facts and not promises were regarded as proofs of the efli- ciency of ourrulers. What confidence is to be placed in men who will dare, in the face of probable danger, tell the people that the defences of the Province are in a very efficient state when itis a fact that there is not one single battalion of Militia in exist- ence, and when it is a fact also that the volunteers are falling off instead of gaining ! One of the astounding revelations which the notorious " Financial Commission" has brought to light, after being at work for nearly two years at the " price' of $10 a day for each individual of the Commission, not to speak of the extras, is that P. R. Jarvis, Esq., Census Commissioner for this County, overcharged the Government $106, and that the Government paid the amount in full; The words of the report are these : "On the account of the Commissioner for Perth, I find the following remarks in a letter dated 6th April, 1861, to Mr. Com- missioner Jarvis :--'the charge you make of $136 for printing handbills is altogether out of the question, $30 being the amount generally charged and paid.' Yet, on the 2nd May, the whole sum was paid to Mr. Daly, M. P. P." Mr. Jarvis' reply to the letter here spoken of will be found in another column. His explanations, it appears, were consid- ered satisfactory and the account was paid accordingly. He, it will be seen, says he has vouchers for every dollar expended and is prepared, at any time, to show that every cent of the $136 was necessarily expended in the taking of the census in this County. This " Financial Commission"? was ap- pointed by the Ministry for the express pur- pose of blacking the characters of their op- ponents and also the character of every man in any way connected with them, Our readers will understand of what value these reports are when they learn that the several astounding revelations contained therein are of equal weight and imrortance with the as- tounding revelation regarding the Census Commissioner for this Couaty. Mr. Daly may well feel proud and so may his friends. The labors of this Financial Inquisition have been brought to a close, and the only charge made against him is that the Goy- ernment at one time handed him a cheque for $136 to be forwarded to Mr. Commis sioner Jarvis. Really this is an astounding revelation! We imagine we see the pious Grits of this County raise their hands in holy horror and exclaim " isn't it awfu' ! isn't it awfu'!!" It is indeed awfu' that $100,000 have been worse than wasted in order that such astounding revelations might be made public. Cases such as that of Peter Eby and the Grit newspapers he es- tablished, which should have been investi- gated, were passed over--not a word said about them. But then Mr. Peter Eby was a Grit, appointed by a Grit Government, and like a Grit robbed the Country out of thousands of dollars, and, consequently, it was allright. The commissioners were not employed and paid for such a purpose! We have carefully looked over the # second re- port' in order to learn the amount of the Mercury jobs, &c., but find that they have been passed over. There is a future, how- ever, coming when the weapons which the Corruptionists have used with so little effect will be used against themsclves with damag- ingforee. The very least that this " Finan- cial Commission"? must have cost the Coun- try is $100,000, and what has the country been benefitted by it? It has been told that Mr. Daly, M. P. P., iectived a cheque from the Government for the amount of the costs of taking the census of this County to be forward to Commissioner Jarvis--and that the account was not accepted till Commis- sioner Jarvis explained what it was for ! We believe the other astounding revelations are equally important with that regarding Commissioner Jarvis and the expenses in- curred in taking the census of this County | The Government and the Work Roads. We learn from the Leader, that on Saturday the Court of Queen's Bench unanimously decided in favor of the York Roads Company, to refer to a jury the affairs of that company unfairly decided on by a packed jury under the writ of extent. This unmistakably demonstrates the in- justice and illegality of the partial proceed- ings of the goverement partizans under the writ of extent. The American War. There has been no fighting of importance since the battle in Florida Gen. Kilpatrick has made a raid down through Virginia, going within a short distance of Richmond, but has been forced to retreat hastily, and join Gen. Butler for safety. Gen. Sher- man has returned to Vicksburg with his army, having failed to penetrate through Georgia as easily,as he expected. The cavalry expedition under Grierson and Smith having been forced to retreat. Sherman's communications were so endan- gered that he has come back to the place whenc he started. Admiral Farragut has com- 'menced a naval attack on Mobile, but as Sherman is not. able to help him on the' serve for execution purposes. to much. 'Thus far the whole success has been on the side of the South. While the North has been wasting the winter in idle- ness they have been filling up their armies with new levies, and are now better pre- pared to resist attack than ever. It is true that A. Lincoln has ordered a dratt for 500,000 men to take place on the 10th of the present month, but if it is no more productive than the last, he might as well not order a draft at all. Every thing looks well for the South. Late :t from the Seat of War. Battimore, March, 6.--There are excitin rumors in the streets of an extensive Confederatg raid on the Chesapeake. That the Louisianae ot the Norfolk line, had been captured by @ party of Confederates while on her downward trip to Fort Monroe and taken into one of the rivers of the western shore of Virginia. It was stated that the Confederates were in armed tugs. As far as can be ascertained this rumor is false, but three other small boats have been captured. One of them is the 'side wheel steamer between Fort Monroe and Cherry Stone inlet; the other two were tugs employed in running between the same points. The World has a rumor via New Orleans that Sherman was defeated on the 13th ult., at Chunkey river, near Meridian, with a loss of 15,000 men, and his army totally broken up: The Confederate cavalry, under Lee, Adams, and Forrest, are reported in his rear. This is doubtless a canard. ; It is rumored that the 2nd Louisiana cavalry have been captured by Confederates, By i The naval attack on Mobile is said by the same correspondent to be a mere demonstration against Fort gaines to prevent many men from going to help Polk. Rumor says that one or two vessels were crippled, and the fleet put back out of range. The Calhoun is said to have been sunk, Ciyctnnatr, March 7.--A special despatch to the Gazette from Chattanooga indicates that the Confederates are passing our lines Our advance has been withdrawn from Tunnel! hill to Ringgold. New York, March 7.--Rumors are afloat here of the capture of Newbern by the Confederates. Portianp, March 7th, 9 p. a.--The Bohemian has gone to pieces, and her goods strew the coust for miles. Collector Washburne has placed a strong guard on the shore to prevent stealing. Arrival of the Canada. INVASION OF JUTLAND. WARLIKE SPEECH OF THE PREMIER, CHANNEL FLEET RECALLED TO ENGLAND. GERMANS REPULSED IN A GENERAL ATTACK. Haurrax, March 3.--The royal mail steamship Canada from Liverpool on the 20th ult, via Queenstown on the 21st has arrived. The Confederate steamer Georgia has left Brest. ee There was a vague rumor that France in- tended soon to recognize the Southern Con- federacy. The channel squadron, now in the Tagus, is ordered to return to Mngland end to as- semble in Portland Roads to await further orders. A Cabinet Council was held at London on Saturday. It had been hastily summoned the previous night. The French policy appears to be setting in favor of Denmark, and some of the jour- nals utter warnings to Prussia. Lonpon, Feb. 20.--The Paris correspon- dent of the Yimes says that Napoleon will not fail any opportunity given him to march French troops to the Rhine. Little credence attaches to the reported intention of France to recognize the Confederates. : All was quiet at Duppel on the 19th ult. In consequence of the circuitous move- ments of the German troops the Danes were compelled to evacuate Kalding, in Jutland. A eavalry engagement subsequently took place, without decisive result. Thirteen Austrian men-of-war are ordered to sea to protcet German merchantmen, The Danish frigate in the English Chan- nel had overhauled numerous vessels, Lord Palmerston on Friday night spoke strongly as to the Austro-Prussian invasion and was loudly cheered. He declined say- ing what the government would do if the Germans entered Jutland. The steamer Great Kastern has been chartered by Glass, Elliot & Co. to lay the Atlantic Telegraph in the summer of 1865. A Copenhagen telegram says the German troops have entered Jutland in considerable force. The Germans attacked the Danish outposts along the whole line on the 18th; but after severe engagements they were re- pulsed though they occupied all their former positions. A Danish iron clad monitor at- tempted to destroy the bridge thrown over to Kgernsund but was unsuccessful. It is asserted that the Danes have with- side behind their entrenchments at Dup- pel. ; A Danish frigate in the British Channel had overhauled numerous vessels including an American. : The Frankfort Diet had resolved that an embargo should be placed on Danish ship- ping in all German ports in consequence of the Danes having !aid an embargo on all German shipping. The Austro-Prussian note by the Minor German States declares that they do not recognize the necessity of a Federal reserve being stationed in Holstein. Should such{a want arise the Great Powers would place at the disposal of the district a sufficient re- It is expected land side, wedon't think it will amount | that this notice will aggravate the prevail- ' Se Por peg een, cae

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