Here is their complaint: "Canada, more securely chained, will be thrown
into the defensive and offensive politics of Great Britain. We will be
called upon to contribute toward the military and naval forces of that
country. We will have to give our money and our blood to defend the
interests of the noble lords who scorn us, the London merchants who
exploit us, and the deserts of Africa or the plains of India will be our
funeral pyres, where many of our people will sleep."

These fears were aroused when, in the latter part of September, it was
announced that the Canadian Government was about to make large purchases
of guns and cannon for the defence of Montreal.

These Canadians became afraid that they were to be drawn into some war
in which they had neither interest nor concern, and they are now anxious
to throw off the English yoke, and be free to make peace or war as they
will.

* * * * *

As the winter approaches, the cry of famine is once more being raised in
Ireland.

The potato crop appears to have failed entirely, and the grain, beaten
down by storms and rain, has not ripened, but lays rotting in the fields
where it was planted.

The cry of famine is heard from Ireland with more or less regularity
every year, and therefore some people are inclined to doubt whether this
is a genuine complaint, but from all one hears it would appear to be