. I speak not now of the cost
of their retention, for I have no doubt but that, if all parties
concerned were honest, expenses might be gradually reduced. I am sure
also that when free-trade is fairly in operation it will be found that
more has been gained by removing the causes of irritation which were
furnished by the constant _tinkering_ incident to a protective
system, than has been lost by severing the bonds by which it tied the
mother-country and the colonies together. What I fear is, that when
the mystification in which certain questions of self-interest were
involved by protection is removed, factions both at home and in the
colonies will be more reckless than ever in hazarding for party
objects the loss of the colonies.[4] Our system depends a great deal
more on the discretion with which it is worked than the American,
where each power in the state goes habitually the full length of its
tether: Congress, the State legislatures, Presidents, Governors, all
legislating and _vetoing_, without stint or limit, till pulled up
short by a judgment of the Supreme Court. With us factions in the
colonies are clamorous and violent, with the hope of producing effect
on the Imperial Parliament and Government, just in proportion to their
powerlessness at home. The history of Canada during the past year
furnishes ample evidence of this truth. Why was there so much violence
on the part of the opposition here last summer, particularly against
the Governor-General? Because it felt itself to be weak in the
province, and looked for success to the effect it could produce in
England alone.

And how is this tendency to bring the Imperial and Local Parliaments
into antagonism, a tendency so dangerous to the permanence of our
system, to be counteracted? By one expedient as it appears to me only;
namely, by the Governor's acting with some assumption of
responsibility, so that the shafts of the enemy, which are intended
for the Imperial Government, may fall on him. If a line of demarcation
between the questions with which the Local Parliaments can deal and
those which are reserved for the Imperial authority could be drawn,
(as was recommended last session by the Radicals), it might be
different; but, as it is, I see nothing for it but that the Governors
should be responsible for the share which the Impe