The Rise of Canada, from Barbarism to Wealth and Civilisation. Volume 1Roger, Charles
History
The Rise of Canada, from Barbarism to Wealth and Civilisation. Volume 1
Roger, Charles
Canada -- History
The Canadians had, during the administration of Governor Craig,
earnestly pursued Junius' advice to the English nation. They had never,
under the most trying circumstances, suffered any invasion of their
political constitution to pass by, without a determined and persevering
resistance. They practically exhibited their belief in the doctrine
that, one precedent creates another; that precedents soon accumulate
and constitute law; that what was yesterday fact becomes to-day
doctrine; that examples are supposed to justify the most dangerous
measures, and that where they do not suit exactly, the defect is
supplied by analogy. They felt confident that the laws which were to
protect their civil rights were to grow out of their constitution, and
that with it the country was to fall or flourish. They believed in the
right of the people to choose their own representatives. They were
sensibly impressed with the idea that the liberty of the press is the
palladium of the civil, political, and religious rights of a British
subject, and that the right of juries to return a general verdict, in
all cases whatsoever, is an essential part of the British constitution,
not to be controlled, or limited, by the judges, nor in any shape to be
questionable by the legislature. And they believed that the power of
the King, Lords, and Commons, was not an arbitrary power, but one which
they themselves could regulate. In a word, they believed that, whatever
form of government might be necessary for the maintenance of order, and
for putting all men on an equality in the eye of the law, the people
themselves were the source of all power, and they acted accordingly.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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