lf of the obligation to impose
its will upon the Colonists, in the matter, for instance, of a Church
Establishment, can it not attain the same end by declaring that, as
respects such local questions, the Colonists are free to judge for
themselves? How can it be justifiable to adopt the former of these
expedients, and sacrilegious to act upon the latter?

The true policy, in my humble judgment, is to throw the whole weight
of responsibility on those who exercise the real power, for, after
all, the sense of responsibility is the best security against the
abuse of power; and, as respects the connection, to act and speak on
this hypothesis--that there is nothing in it to check the development
of healthy national life in these young communities. I believe that
this policy will be found to be not only the safest, but also (an
important consideration in these days) the most economical.

* * * * *

_To the Earl Grey._

Toronto: December 17, 1850.

Although, as you observe, it seems to be rather idle in us to
correspond on what may be termed speculative questions, when we have
so much pressing business on hand, I venture to say a few words in
reply to your letter of the 23rd ult., firstly, because I presume to
dissent from some of the opinions which you advance in it; and,
secondly, because I have a practical object of no small importance in
view in calling your attention to the contrasts which present
themselves in the working of our institutions, and those of our
neighbours in the States. My practical object is this: when you
concede to the Colonists Constitutional Government in its integrity,
you are reproached with leading them to Republicanism and the American
Union. The same reproach is hurled with anathemas against your humble
servant. Lord Stanley, if I rightly remember, in the debate on
Ryland's case last year, stated amid cheers, that if you were in the
habit of consulting the Ministers of the Crown in the Colony before
you placed persons on the colonial pension List, he had no hesitation
in saying you had already established a republic in Canada! Now I
believe, on the contrary, that it may be demonstrated that the
concession of Constitutional Government has a tendency to draw the
Colonists the other way; firstly, because it slakes that thirst for