Speech of the Governor-General of Canada.
The local authorities of
Montreal gave a public reception to Lord Monck, the
Governor General of the Provinces, on the occasion of his arrival in that city, on Thursday of last week.
Lord Monck made a speech on the occasion, and after referring to the protection which the Provinces have enjoyed erto from the mother country, without expense to themselves, he said:
‘
Gentlemen, I am bound, as a friend, to tell you that I do not think that this state of things can longer exist.
[Applause.] Gentlemen, this tion of affairs has continued in consequence of the peculiar condition of the external relations of
Canada.
There is no use, in my opinion at least, in acting the part of an ostrich, hiding our head in the sand, and expecting that no one will see us.--The plain truth had better be told and at once recognized, that there is
but one quarter from which Canada can apprehend any serious attack; that quarter is the great Republic which lies along our attended frontier. Now, gentlemen, consider for one moment what changes have taken place in the internal condition of that great nation within the last year.
[Hear, hear.] Until last year you would hardly, within the borders of that great Most any sound more angry than the emulous bonds of commercial transactions; the whole land was one busy hive of industry, but what is it now?
I regret to say the whole nation has been turned vast camp, within which resound the of armor and the preparation of instruments of destruction.
Gentlemen. I cannot allude to this without stopping for one moment to express what I believe is the feeling of every British subject on this matter.
We have heard of the change that has taken place in the internal condition of that great country with a feeling of unmingled pain and regret.
[Applause.] And that we shall welcome with joy the day which shall tranquility within her borders [applause] and her citizens to the paths of peaceful industry.
[Renewed applause.]
Gentlemen, it would be madness in us if we did not recognize the grave fact of the existence of a numerous army in that country which, up to this moment, has been the abode of peaceful industry.
Do not suppose that I am an alarmist, and that I entertain any expectation that we shall be immediately attacked.
I entertain no such idea.
But I shall now read you some words that express my sentiments fully, and better than I can do myself; they come, I may inform you, from one who has long held the front rank among English statesmen.
Here they are: 'But if you want to be upon terms of perfect friendship with a great neighboring Power--a Power of great military and of great naval resources — if you want to preserve your independence and at the same time your friendship with that Power, you can only accomplish that object by being perfectly prepared to defend yourself from attack.
It is not necessary that you should anticipate attack.
It is not at all a part of your policy that you should say, ‘"I will only prepare myself for defence when I see an attack coming."’ It ought to be the constant position of a country that wants to maintain friendly relations with its neighbors, and to hold that position in the world which its importance and dignity require, not to be prepared for aggression, but to be constantly in a state of sufficient defence." These are the words of the oldest, the most sagacious, the most popular of British statesmen — a man under whom I served my apprenticeship in politics — the ablest statesman in
England, I may call him. I mean the present noble Prime Minister.
[Applause.] Now, gentlemen, I believe I have cleared one difficulty out of my way. Well, then, I may remark that in case of aggression on any part of the
British dominions the whole resources of the
Empire will be put forth to defend the part attacked [loud applause], no matter from what quarter the attack may come, or in what possession of the extensive dominions of
Great Britain the assault may be delivered.
[Renewed applause] But, gentlemen, when I say ‘"whole resources of the
Empire,"’ you must remember that the colonies form part, and that, in my mind, colonial resources are, for the purpose of defence, imperial resources.
[Applause.] Though I am not empowered to tell you what
England will do precisely, I can give a fair account of what she cannot do. She cannot, alone, in the face of
England, supply men to defend
Canada, and to save the Province; the strong armies which must be arrayed against the enemy must come from the people of
Canada themselves.
’
