Coming yet nearer to our own day, we meet a familiar name, now
consecrated by death,--Richard Cobden, born 3d June, 1804, and died 2d
April, 1865. In proportion as truth prevails among men, his character
will shine with increasing glory until he is recognized as the first
Englishman of his time. Though thoroughly English, he was not insular.
He served mankind as well as England.
His masterly faculties and his real goodness made him a prophet
always. He saw the future, and strove to hasten its promises. The
elevation and happiness of the human family were his daily thought.
He knew how to build as well as to destroy. Through him disabilities
upon trade and oppressive taxes were overturned; also a new treaty
was negotiated with France, quickening commerce and intercourse. He
was never so truly eminent as when bringing his practical sense
and enlarged experience to commend the cause of Permanent Peace in
the world by the establishment of a refined system of International
Justice, and the disarming of the nations. To this great consummation
all his later labors tended. I have before me a long letter, dated
at London, 7th November, 1849, where he says much on this absorbing
question, from which, by an easy transition, he passes to speak of the
proposed annexation of Canada to the United States. As what he says on
the latter topic concerns America, and is a prophetic voice, I have
obtained permission to copy it for this collection.
“Race, religion, language, traditions, are becoming bonds
of union, and not the parchment title-deeds of sovereigns.
These instincts may be thwarted for the day, but they are too
deeply rooted in Nature and in usefulness not to prevail in
the end. I look with less interest to these struggles of races
to live apart for what they want to undo than for what they
will prevent being done in future. _They will warn rulers that
henceforth the acquisition of fresh territory by force of arms
will only bring embarrassments and civil war_, instead of that
increased strength which in ancient times, when people were
passed, like flocks of sheep, from one king to another, always
accompanied the incorporation of new territorial conquests.
“This is the secret of the admitted doctrine, that we shall
have no more wars of conquest or ambition. In this respect
_you_ are differently situated, having vast tracts of unpeopled
territory to tempt that cupidity which, in respect of landed
property, always disposes individuals and nations, however rich
in acres, to desire more. This brings me to the subject of
Canada, to which you refer in your letters.
“I agree with you, that _Nature has decided that Canada and
the United States must become one, for all purposes of free
intercommunication_. Whether they also shall be united in the
same federal government must depend upon the two parties to the
union. I can assure you that there will be no repetition of
the policy of 1776, on our part, to prevent our North American
colonies from pursuing their interest in their own way. If the
people of Canada are tolerably unanimous in wishing to sever
the very slight thread which now binds them to this country,
I see no reason why, if good faith and ordinary temper be
observed, it should not be done amicably. I think it would be
far more likely to be accomplished peaceably, _if the subject
of annexation were left as a distinct question_. I am quite
sure that _we_ should be gainers, to the amount of about a
million sterling annually, if our North American colonists
would set up in life for themselves and maintain their own
establishments; and I see no reason to doubt that they also
might be gainers by being thrown upon their own resources.
“The less your countrymen mingle in the controversy, the
better. It will only be an additional obstacle in the path
of those in this country who see the ultimate necessity of a
separation, but who have still some ignorance and prejudice
to contend against, which, if used as political capital
by designing politicians, may complicate seriously a very
difficult piece of statesmanship. It is for you and such as
you, who love peace, to guide your countrymen aright in this
matter. You have made the most noble contributions of any
modern writer to the cause of Peace; and as a public man I hope
you will exert all your influence to induce Americans to hold a
dignified attitude and observe a ‘masterly inactivity’ in the
controversy which is rapidly advancing to a solution between
the mother country and her American colonies.”
A prudent patriotism among us will appreciate the wisdom of this
counsel, more needed now than when written. The controversy which
Cobden foresaw “between the mother country and her American colonies”
is yet undetermined. The recent creation of what is somewhat grandly
called “The Dominion of Canada” marks one stage in its progress.