nt upon no party,
endeavoured to check these party excesses, and oppressions, sometimes to
the offence of one party, and sometimes to the offence of another, just
as one or the other might be the transgressor. I was, of course, much
assailed by the parties rebuked; but no consideration of that kind
should prevent the public instructor--whether educator or preacher--from
... teaching what he believes to be true and essential to the
advancement of society, please or offend whom it may, or however it may
affect him personally.

I have rejoiced to observe, that many who have heretofore been men of
party and of party government have resolved to inaugurate the new system
of government, not upon the acute angle of party, but, upon the broad
base of equal and impartial justice to all parties, the only moral and
patriotic principle of government, according to my convictions, and the
only principle of government to make good and great men, and make a
progressive and happy country....

Thankful to find that the new system of civil government was to be
established upon the same principles as those on which our school system
has been founded and developed to the satisfaction of the country, and
to the admiration of all foreign visitors; and believing that the
present was the juncture of time for commencing a new and brighter era
in the history of Canada--I have felt that it had a claim to the
result, in epitome at least, of my fifty years reading and meditation,
and more than forty years occasional discussion, respecting these first
principles of government, for the freedom, unity, happiness, advancement
and prosperity of a people....

I believe there is a judgment, a conscience, a heart in the bosom of a
people, as well as in that of an individual, not wholly corrupted--at
least, so I have in time past found it in the people of Upper
Canada--and to that judgment, and conscience, and heart, I appeal. If
what I have written is true, and if what I have suggested is wise, just,
and patriotic, I am not concerned as to what any deceptive or dishonest
art can do to the contrary; for, as Robert Hall beautifully said, on a
similar occasion, "Wisdom and truth, the offspring of the sky, are
immortal; but cunning and deception, the meteors of the earth, after
glittering for a moment, must pass away."

After devoting several pages to illustrate the evils of partyism in
government, Dr. Ryerson proceeds:--This partyism in government is
contr