The necessity for action

We believe that were a vigorous, determined demonstration in favour of adding this colony to the new Dominion made by our people, that it would meet with success; and that before a twelvemonth had flown over our heads, we should be in the full enjoyment of even greater political privileges than those surrendered at the time of union.

We apprehend no danger from speedy Confederation, provided we are admitted upon the same footing as other colonies before us.

We could in reason ask no greater privileges than they enjoy — we could in justice to ourselves accept no less.

We are aware that there are a class of politicians who go from door to door holding up to public gaze the picture of desolation and misery that unconditional union has painted for us, and predicting that Confederation will bring quite as many ills in its train.

This puerile stuff and nonsense is not even believed by those who vend it in allopathic doses.

There is not the slightest analogy between the two schemes. Unconditional union deprived us of certain privileges that under the Island government were secured to us by Imperial statute.

Confederation (not unconditional, but upon the same basis and conditions that other colonies have found it advantageous to accept) will not only restore the privileges we bartered for union, but will add to them.

Our liberty will be even greater than before. We shall be enabled through a responsible ministry to govern ourselves — to make what disposition we deem proper of the money raised by taxation.

There will be no expensive civil list forced down our throats. There will be no “official element” in the council to outvote and render nugatory the efforts of the people’s representatives toward an economical and honest administration of public affairs.

We shall possess a constitution precisely similar to that of England. If the government oppose the people, the government must go to the wall and make way for a popular ministry.

Do the people of this colony desire to secure privileges such as these? Or are they content with their present condition of political degradation and misery — a condition only equalled under the British flag by that of the blacks of Jamaica. The answer rests entirely with the colonists. They can have Confederation if they want it.

Liberty is within their grasp. They have but to stretch out their hands and it is theirs.

They have but to endorse the unanimous resolution of the legislative council and they will be sure of being heard. But the time for expressing feelings and opinions on the subject is slipping rapidly away, and delays, we all know, are dangerous.

One of the foremost men of the Dominion has written that he will support our immediate Confederation but he wishes to learn the views of the people before taking action.

We are satisfied that a large — a very large — majority of the colonists are in favour of uniting their destinies with those of their Eastern brethren. They are heartily tired of the expensive one-man form of government with which they are saddled.

They are tired of seeing the public money foolishly and recklessly expended. They are tired of the rule of officials, the chief ambition of whose life appears to be to eat a certain number of good dinners and drink a certain number of baskets of Veuve Cliquot at colonial expense, and then go home and receive promotion for “distinguished service.” This vile system of government need not last. All the colonists are called upon to do is to speak, and their voice will be heard and listened to at Ottawa, where soon will be assembled scores of statesmen who in their own colonies combated for years with evils precisely similar to those of which we complain.

Nothing but vigorous action saved them from utter ruin; nothing but vigorous action will save us. Shall we have it? The Parliament is largely Confederation in its complexion, scarcely a baker’s dozen of Antis having secured seats in either branch.

Newfoundland through its legislature is preparing to follow the wise example of her sisters by entering the union. Prince Edward’s Island cannot long remain “out alone in the wet.” Red River will be incorporated with the Confederacy before the 1st of February, and there is nothing to prevent British Columbia joining at the same time if her sons will but move immediately in the matter.

Shall we have an expression of sentiment to telegraph to the East before the meeting of the Confederated Parliament, so that our addition to the confederacy may be included in the ministerial program?

Or shall we allow the few precious days that remain to pass unimproved, and by our inaction neglect the most excellent opportunity we may have for years of ridding ourselves of the governmental incubus that now bears with such crushing weight upon the country? The Daily British Colonist and Victoria Chronicle

Oct. 19, 1867