Stranica 56 [56]
42
-— Arvin Stoddard, Chantry.
John Johnston, Delta.
William Wiltse, Delta.
Amos Wood, Delta.
William Brown, Elgin. No return.
Ebenezer Halladay, Elgin.
Ira Mitchell, Elgin.
David Stevens, Elgin.
William Moore, Elgin.
Abraham Elliot, Escott.
James Thomas, Escott. |
Joseph Derbyshire, Farmersville.
Joel Parish, Farmersville.
Henry Humphrey, Frankville. Services not proven.
John G. Lloyd, Gananoque.
Nicholas Roseback, Gananoque.
Harry Chipman, Harlem.
John Griffin, Lansdowne.
Benjamin Chase, Lyndhurst.
William Gilfillan, Lyndhurst.
William F. Bush, Newboro.
John Kilborn, Newboro.
Horace F. Sheldon, Portland.
Thompson Brown, Phillipsville.
Alvin T. Halladay, Phillipsville.
Boswell Edgley, Rockport.
Peter McCue, Rockport.
Smith Seamen, Rockport.
William Wright, Rockport.
John Stoliker, South Lake.
Hiel Sliter, Sweet’s Corners.
David Sliter, Warburton.
Robert T. Rorison, Westport.
No return
CHAPTER XIII
THE RISE or RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT, AND THE
REBELLION OF 1837.
AT an early date after the war of 1812, the two
antagonistic principles—peisonal and popular Gov¬
ernment—came_ into collision, terminating in a
victory for the latter. A review of the struggle
belongs to the domain of general history, but, to
understand subsequent events, it is necessary to
take up the thread, as told in the lives of the great
men of that eventful period. The foundation-stone
of Canadian greatness is Responsible Government,
to secure which, the Rebellion of 1837 was but an
incident, bringing, in its train of evils, results preg¬
nant with blessings to all classes of citizens. The
victory was won with difficulty, the strife was
bitter, and the contest full of passion and fanaticism.
Yet, to the careful student, the lesson conveyed is
one of profound instruction. An analysis of the
|
motives that held sway, discloses the fact that the
colonial policy of England was, for many years,
governed by no set principles, and in no wise cal¬
culated to favor the enjoyment of constitutional
liberty. The rebellion of the American Colonies,
in 1776, failed to impress the authorities of
Downing Street with the knowledge that the Anglo¬
Saxons are by nature fitted for self-government,
and will not long brook arbitrary measures. A
recognition of this all-important fact would have
saved Canada from years of confusion and the
Stain of a rebellion. The object of the constitu¬
tional party was excellent, though individuals, from
the end, driven to adopt a course, not only suicidal
to themselves, but to the common country. Theirs
was a laudable desire to develop and improve the
country—to take power from the hands of the few,
and place it in the franchise of the many—to destroy
the rigid circle of exclusiveness which hedged in
the representative of Imperial power, and build up
a constitution in unison with the spirit of the age.
In Upper Canada, the Crown and Clergy Reserves
interfered with the settlement, and cast many
additional burdens upon the struggling pioneers.
Kemonstrances, which were presented to the Gov¬
ernor, received the most contemptuous treatment,
aggravating the
popular desire
discontent and increasing the
for rights held inalienable by
citizens of the mother country, but withheld from
the colonists.
The appearance of Gourlay, about 1817, was the
signal for an united effort, in the end, destined to
overthrow the “Family Compact,” which, for so
many years, held the administration of public affairs
in the hollow of its hand. Gourlay could not be
silenced—his brain was full of schemes, which led
to discussion and the fostering of a public spirit.
He addressed inquiries to the various municipalities
respecting the condition of the roads, number of
population, and general wants of the people, which
led Sir Peregrine Maitland to adopt severe measures
to crush the spirit of inquiry. Meetings were held,
and delegates appointed to draft an address and
send a commission to England, for the purpose of
laying the condition of Upper Canada before His
Royal Highness the Prince Regent. Gourlay was
eccentric, but animated by a desire to advance the
best interests of the Province, and paid the penalty
for his patriotism by being persecuted in a variety
of ways, Even the meetings of delegates were
prohibited, and parties who attended denounced
as traitors.
Neither Gourlay nor William Lyon Mackenzie
appear to have conceived the idea of Responsible
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