The Confederation of British North America

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Chapman & Hall, 1866 - Canada - 149 pages
 

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Page 34 - ... of power from one party in the State to another is followed by no change in the holders of any but a few of the highest offices, political animosities are not in general carried to the same height, and do not so deeply agitate the whole frame of society as in those countries in which a different practice prevails. The system with regard to the tenure of office which has been found to work so well here, seems...
Page 25 - THERE is one sort of patriotic attachment which principally arises from that instinctive, disinterested and undefinable feeling which connects the affections of man with his birthplace. This natural fondness is united...
Page 34 - I regard this system as possessing upon the whole very great advantages. We owe to it that the public servants of this country, as a body, are remarkable for their experience and knowledge of public affairs, and honourably distinguished by the zeal and integrity with which they discharge their duties, without reference to party feeling ; we owe to it also, that as the transfer of...
Page 34 - Parliament, are almost invariably Members of one or other House, and hold their offices only as long as they enjoy the confidence of Parliament. Though it is not without some inconveniences, I regard this system as possessing, upon the whole, very great advantages. We owe to it that the public servants of this country as a body, are remarkable for their experience and knowledge of public affairs, and...
Page 30 - In the United States the persons who engage in the perplexities of political life are individuals of very moderate pretensions. The pursuit of wealth generally diverts men of great talents and of great passions from the pursuit of power ; and it very frequently happens that a man does not undertake to direct the fortune of the state until he has discovered his incompetence to conduct his own affairs.
Page 66 - In framing a constitution for the general government, the Conference, with a view to the perpetuation of our connection with the mother country, and to the promotion of the best interests of the people of these provinces, desire to follow the model of the British constitution, so far as our circumstances will permit.
Page 35 - The system with regard to the tenure of office which has been found to work so well here, seems well worthy of imitation in the British American Colonies, and the small population and limited revenue of Nova Scotia, as well as the general occupation and social state of the community, are, in my opinion, additional reasons for abstaining, so far as regards, that province, from going further than can be avoided, without giving up the principle of executive responsibility, in making the tenure of offices...
Page 10 - ... between the two nations. He calculated that Ireland was finally crushed, and that she could thenceforth, however recalcitrant, be for ever held down beneath the superincumbent weight of English power. But what a condition of things was thus created ! In the words of Mr. Adderley on Canadian affairs, " if you wish for permanent friendship with anybody, its terms must be fair and equal on both sides.
Page 43 - ... require the exercise of some control over the proceedings of the local Governments with regard to the internal affairs of the Colonies. Every act of these Governments, whether legislative or executive, is done in the name and by the authority of the Sovereign ; hence the honour of the Crown, which it is of the highest importance to the whole Empire to maintain unimpaired, must be compromised by any injustice or violation of good faith, which it has the power to prevent, being committed by the...
Page 125 - Brunswick ; already, public aid from both countries' has been offered to secure its construction, and the influences and agencies at work will, I am convinced, be instrumental in finishing this line...

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