I Take For Granted That The Rejection Of Montreal
Was Regarded As A Sine Qua Non In The Decision.
To me it appears
grievous that this should have been so.
It is a great thing for
any country to have a large, leading, world-known city, and I think
that the government should combine with the commerce of the country
in carrying out this object. But commerce can do a great deal more
for government than government can do for commerce. Government has
selected Ottawa as the capital of Canada; but commerce has already
made Montreal the capital, and Montreal will be the chief city of
Canada, let government do what it may to foster the other town.
The idea of spiting a town because there has been a row in it seems
to me to be preposterous. The row was not the work of those who
have made Montreal rich and respectable. Montreal is more
centrical than Ottawa - nay, it is as nearly centrical as any town
can be. It is easier to get to Montreal from Toronto than to
Ottawa; and if from Toronto, then from all that distant portion of
Upper Canada back of Toronto. To all Lower Canada Montreal is, as
a matter of course, much easier of access than Ottawa. But having
said so much in favor of Montreal, I will again admit that, putting
aside Montreal, the best possible selection has been made.
When Ottawa was named, no time was lost in setting to work to
prepare for the new migration.
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