We All, With One Voice Who Are
Unionists, Declare Our Conviction That We Cannot Go On As We Have Gone;
But You, Who Are All Anti-Unionists, Say - 'Oh!
That is begging the
question; you have not yet proved that.' Well, Mr. Speaker, what proofs
do the gentlemen want?
I presume there are the influences which
determine any great change in the course of any individual or State.
First - His patron, owner, employer, protector, ally, or friend; or, in
our politics, 'Imperial connection.' Secondly - His partner, comrade, or
fellow-labourer, or near neighbour; in our case, the United States.
And, thirdly, - The man himself, or the Province itself. Now, all three
have concurred to warn and force us into a new course of conduct. What
are these warnings? We have had at least three. The first is from
England, and is a friendly warning. England has warned us by several
matters of fact, according to her custom, rather than verbiage, that
the Colonies had entered upon a new era of existence, a new phase in
their career. She has given us this warning in several different
shapes - when she gave us 'Responsible Government' - when she adopted
Free Trade - when she repealed the Navigation Laws - and when, three or
four years ago, she commenced that series of official despatches in
relation to militia and defence which she has ever since poured in on
us, in a steady stream, always bearing the same solemn burthen-
'Prepare! prepare! prepare!' These warnings gave us notice that the old
order of things between the Colonies and the Mother Country had ceased,
and that a new order must take its place.
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