north america-1-第25章
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grievance。 As we all know； a very large increase of force was sent when we were still in doubt as to the termination of the Trent affair； and imagined that war was imminent。 But the sending of that large force did not anger the Americans as the first dispatch of troops to Canada had angered them。 Things had so turned out that measures of military precaution were acknowledged by them to be necessary。 I cannot； however； but think that Mr。 Seward might have spared that offer to send British troops across Maine； and so also have all his countrymen thought by whom I have heard the matter discussed。 As to any attempt at invasion of Canada by the Americans； or idea of punishing the alleged injuries suffered by the States from Great Britain by the annexation of those provinces； I do not believe that any sane…minded citizens of the States believe in the possibility of such retaliation。 Some years since the Americans thought that Canada might shine in the Union firmament as a new star； but that delusion is； I think； over。 Such annexation； if ever made； must have been made not only against the arms of England； but must also have been made in accordance with the wishes of the people so annexed。 It was then believed that the Canadians were not averse to such a change； and there may possibly have then been among them the remnant of such a wish。 There is certainly no such desire now； not even a remnant of such a desire； and the truth on this matter is； I think； generally acknowledged。 The feeling in Canada is one of strong aversion to the United States government and of predilection for self…government under the English Crown。 A faineant governor and the prestige of British power is now the political aspiration of the Canadians in general； and I think that this is understood in the States。 Moreover； the States have a job of work on hand which； as they themselves are well aware； is taxing all their energies。 Such being the case； I do not think that England needs to fear any invasion of Canada authorized by the States government。 This feeling of a grievance on the part of the States was a manifest absurdity。 The new reinforcement of the garrisons in Canada did not； when I was in Canada； amount； as I believe； to more than 2000 men。 But had it amounted to 20；000； the States would have had no just ground for complaint。 Of all nationalities that in modern days have risen to power； they； above all others； have shown that they would do what they liked with their own； indifferent to foreign counsels and deaf to foreign remonstrance。 〃Do you go your way； and let us go ours。 We will trouble you with no question； nor do you trouble us。〃 Such has been their national policy； and it has obtained for them great respect。 They have resisted the temptation of putting their fingers into the caldron of foreign policy； and foreign politicians； acknowledging their reserve in this respect； have not been offended at the bristles with which their Noli me tangere has been proclaimed。 Their intelligence has been appreciated； and their conduct has been respected。 But if this has been their line of policy； they must be entirely out of court in raising any question as to the position of British troops on British soil。 〃It shows us that you doubt us；〃 an American says； with an air of injured honoror did say； before that Trent affair。 〃And it is done to express sympathy with the South。 The Southerners understand it； and we understand it also。 We know where your hearts arenay； your very souls。 They are among the slave… begotten cotton bales of the rebel South。〃 Then comes the whole of the long argument in which it seems so easy to an Englishman to prove that England； in the whole of this sad matter； has been true and loyal to her friend。 She could not interfere when the husband and wife would quarrel。 She could only grieve； and wish that things might come right and smooth for both parties。 But the argument； though so easy； is never effectual。 It seems to me foolish in an American to quarrel with England for sending soldiers to Canada； but I cannot say that I thought it was well done to send them at the beginning of the war。 The English government did not； I presume； take this step with reference to any possible invasion of Canada by the government of the States。 We are fortifying Portsmouth； and Portland； and Plymouth； because we would fain be safe against the French army acting under a French Emperor。 But we sent 2000 troops to Canada； if I understand the matter rightly； to guard our provinces against the filibustering energies of a mass of unemployed American soldiers； when those soldiers should come to be disbanded。 When this war shall be over a war during which not much； if any； under a million of American citizens will have been under armsit will not be easy for all who survive to return to their old homes and old occupations。 Nor does a disbanded soldier always make a good husbandman； notwithstanding the great examples of Cincinnatus and Bird…o'…freedom Sawin。 It may be that a considerable amount of filibustering energy will be afloat； and that the then government of those who neighbor us in Canada will have other matters in hand more important to them than the controlling of these unruly spirits。 That； as I take it； was the evil against which we of Great Britain and of Canada desired to guard ourselves。 But I doubt whether 2000 or 10；000 British soldiers would be any effective guard against such inroads； and I doubt more strongly whether any such external guarding will be necessary。 If the Canadians were prepared to fraternize with filibusters from the States； neither three nor ten thousand soldiers would avail against such a feeling over a frontier stretching from the State of Maine to the shores of Lake Huron and Lake Erie。 If such a feeling did existif the Canadians wished the changein God's name let them go。 It is for their sakes； and not for our own； that we would have them bound to us。 But the Canadians are averse to such a change with a degree of feeling that amounts to national intensity。 Their sympathies are with the Southern States； not because they care for cotton； not because they are anti…abolitionists； not because they admire the hearty pluck of those who are endeavoring to work out for themselves a new revolution。 They sympathize with the South from strong dislike to the aggression； the braggadocio； and the insolence they have felt upon their own borders。 They dislike Mr。 Seward's weak and vulgar joke with the Duke of Newcastle。 They dislike Mr。 Everett's flattering hints to his countrymen as to the one nation that is to occupy the whole continent。 They dislike the Monroe doctrine。 They wonder at the meekness with which England has endured the vauntings of the Northern States； and are endued with no such meekness of their own。 They would； I believe； be well prepared to meet and give an account of any filibusters who might visit them； and I am not sure that it is wisely done on our part to show any intention of taking the work out of their hands。 But I am led to this opinion in no degree by a feeling that Great Britain ought to grudge the cost of the soldiers。 If Canada will be safer with them； in Heaven's name let her have them。 It has been argued in many places； not only with regard to Canada； but as to all our self…governed colonies； that military service should not be given at British expense and with British men to any colony which has its own representative government and which levies its own taxes。 〃While Great Britain absolutely held the reins of government； and did as it pleased with the affairs of its dependencies；〃 such politicians say； 〃it was just and right that she should pay the bill。 As long as her government of a colony was paternal； so long was it right that the mother country should put herself in the place of a father； and enjoy a father's undoubted prerogative of putting his hand into his breeches pocket to provide for all the wants of his child。 But when the adult son set up for himself in businesshaving received education from the parent； and having had his apprentice fees duly paidthen that son should settle his own bills； and look no longer to the paternal pocket。〃 Such is the law of the
