representation it sought, the French feeling for nationality would probably once more produce rebellion. {314} So Confederation came--to satisfy George Brown, because in the Dominion Assembly his province would receive adequate representation--to satisfy, on the other hand, a loyal Frenchman like Joseph Cauchon, because, as he said, "La confederation des deux Canadas, ou de toutes les provinces, en nous donnant une constitution locale, qui sauverait, cependant, les privileges, les droits acquis et les institutions des minorites, nous offrirait certainement une mesure de protection, comme Catholiques et comme Francais, autrement grand que l'Union actuelle, puisque de minorite nous deviendrons et resterons, a toujours, la majorite nationale et la majorite religieuse."[17] That was the second, and perhaps the greatest of all the results of self-government. Before passing to inquire into the influence of autonomy on Canadian loyalty, it may prove interesting to note the political manners and morals of the statesmen who worked the system in its earlier stages. In passing judgment, however, one must bear in mind the newness of the country and the novelty of the experiment; the fact that a democratic constitution far more daring than {315} Britain allowed herself at home, was being tested; and the severity of the struggle for existence, which left Canadians little time and money to devote to disinterested service of their country. In view of all these facts, and in spite of some ugly defects, the verdict must be on the whole favourable to the colony.