ment, because "in dismissing a judge, in compliance with addresses from a local legislature and in conformity with law, the Queen is not performing a mere ministerial act, but adopting a grave responsibility, which her Majesty cannot be advised to incur without satisfactory evidence that the dismissal is proper." " 1 We have now briefly reviewed the most important phases in the development of the constitutional system of the dominion of Canada. We have seen how the autocratic, illiberal government of New France, so repressive of all individual energy and ambition, gave place, after the conquest, to representative institutions well calculated to stimulate human endeavour and develop national character. Step by step we have followed the progress of those free institutions which are now in thorough unison with the expansion of the provinces in wealth and population. At last we see all the provinces politically united in a confederation, on the whole carefully conceived and matured; enjoying responsible government in the completest sense, and carrying out at the same time, as far as possible, those British constitutional principles which give the best guarantee for the liberties of a people. With a federal system which combines at once central strength and local freedom of action; with a permanent executive independent of popular caprice and passion; with a judiciary on whose integrity there is no blemish, and in whose learning there is every confidence; with a civil service resting 1 Todd II., 744, 763. Corresp. relative to Judge Boothby, Eng. Com. P., 1862, vol. xxxvii, pp. 180-184. on the firm basis of freedom from politics and of security of tenure; with a people who respect the law and fully understand the workings of parliamentary institutions, the dominion of Canada need not fear comparison with any other country in those things which make a community truly happy and prosperous.1 1 The words of the Marquis of Lorne, in reply to the farewell address of the parliament of Canada, 25th May, 1883, may be appropriately cited here as the impartial testimony of a governorgeneral after some years experience of the working of Canadian institutions: "A judicature above suspicion; self-governing communities entrusting to a strong central government all national interests; the toleration of all faiths, with favour to none; a franchise recognizing the rights of labour, by the exclusion only of the idler; the maintenance of a government not privileged to exist for any fixed term, but ever susceptible to the change of public opinion, and ever open, through a responsible ministry, to the scrutiny of the people;-these are the features of your rising power." APPENDIX. A. British North America Act, 1867........... ...... B. An Act respecting the establishment of Provinces in the C. An Act to remove certain doubts with respect to the 179. 228. 231. APPENDIX A. THE BRITISH NORTH AMERICA ACT, 1867. ANNO TRICESIMO ET TRICESIMO-PRIMO VICTORIÆ REGINÆ, CAP. III. An Act for the Union of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and the Government thereof, and for Purposes connected therewith. WHE [29th March, 1867.] WHEREAS the Provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have expressed their Desire to be federally united into One Dominion under the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, with a Constitution similar in Principle to that of the United Kingdom: And whereas such a Union would conduce to the Welfare of the Provinces and promote the Interests of the British Empire : And whereas on the Establishment of the Union by Authority of Parliament, it is expedient, not only that the Constitution of the Legislative Authority in the Dominion be provided for, but also that the Nature of the Executive Government therein be declared: And whereas it is expedient that Provision be made for the eventual Admission into the Union of other Parts of British North America: |