NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE addresses of the House of Assembly and of the Legislative Council of Lower Canada, in reply to Lord GOSFORD S Cpecelt, have been received since our last publication. The former is very long, consisting of thirty-two distinct paragraphs, in which the various subjects touched upon in the speech are noticed. Its tone is conciliatory though firm, and respectful though uncom- promising. Lord GOSFORD is treated with courtesy, and even with kindness; and full credit is given to him for a desire to put an end to the difficulties which embarrass the Canadian Govern- ment. At the same time, the Assembly vindicate their past pro- ceedings, and assert their perreet right, " in conformity to the ancient custom of Parliament, and in the spirit of the Constitution itself," to obtain redress of grievances by " constitutional means," --meaning thereby, a stoppage of the Supplies. They insist upon having the control of the expenditure of all the public money, Which they declare to be essential for the purposes. of good govern- ment; and inform Lord Goii•ortn with sufficient plainness, that the "application of any sums of money subject to their control, without the consent of the Representatives of the People, would tend to create an obstacle in the arrangements contemplated by his Majesty's Government." They do not flinch from the demand of a reform of the Upper House, but state their conviction of the necessity of extending " the elective principle to the Legislative Council ; ' and they add, that "no arrangement of a merely ad- ministrative and temporary nature could produce that harmony, which, in common with his Excellency, they have so much at heart, with a view to the full and effective representation in the Legislature of the country, of the rights, interests, desires, and wants of the people. thereof." These are the more prominent topics of the address; and the manner in which they are treated proves beyond doubt that the Canadians will not be satisfied with what Lord GOSFORD is em- powered to offer. Minor reforms they will thankfully except : but they will never rest until the "elective principle is extended to the Legislative Council "—until , their House of Lords is re- formed. There is a clashing of two principles of -govarnment in Canada, as in England ; and there will be no respite from political agitation; at home or in the ebony, until one of them is recognized and established. The Times says- " The demand, of the Canadian malecontents are so extensive, and the spirit which pervades their party so encroaching and 'implacable, as to put it wholly out of the power of the King's Government to satisfy or soften them, but by concessions which will amount to a total surrender of the sovereign supremacy ofaiGreat Britain."
If this is true, then the sooner the connexion is dissolved the better. The possession of Canada is not desirable to England on the condition of being maintained by force. The time is not far distant when hostile retention of that country will be impossible, even if it.were advantageous. But we differ with the Times as to the spirit which actuates the Canadians. We have no. right to presume that the men who raise their voices against misgo- vernment, would not be conciliated by a wiser and ,luster policy Op the .part of England. They will not take half-measures or palliatives. They see where the root of the evil lies, and are re- solved to pull it up; In this they evince sound judgment, not implacable enmity ; and we wish them success, for their own
sakes and for ours. • Lord Gosvoan's reply to the address of the House of Assembly
was brief, but courteous. While tloe Speaker, M. PainsteAui was reading it,.his Lordship intimated hisapprobation of several passages, and at the conclusion shook M. PAPINEAU heartily by the baad. Nothing will be lost by this indication of a desire to be op good terms with all parties. The'atddress of the Legislative Council was more brief and &Meal: The Only point worth notice in it is the allusion to the INOPpage of the Supplies; which is made in such a manner as to theeirebation of the preceeding. They dealt what the Times calls " a backhanded blow " on the House of Assembly ; which, in the circumstances, was spiteful and foolish, bat power- less.
Lord GOSFORD has given satisfaction by the unconditional pay- ment of what are called the " contingencies " of the Assembly ; and which we take to be. certain sums voted by that body, which do not appear in the Government Estimates: among them were included the salaries and expenses of Messrs. VIGER and Roe- BUCK, as agents of the Colony in England.
