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but through an appeal to the good sense of all. It would be perfectly idle to expect that the Lower Canada Liberals would, as a party, take the same ground I do, when we see that the very opening of the question arrays one of their most distinguished leaders, and a Protestant, in the same ranks with his life-long opponents.
There is scarcely a subject that can be named that does not fall more or less directly within the scope of the Local Legislature; and, as citizens of Quebec, the Protestants have, therefore, good reason for jealous apprehension at the encroachments of the Hierarchy. It is not sufficient for their re-assurance to be told these measures concern Roman Catholics only, and that they may repose in security upon the guarantees obtained at the completion of Confederation.
These guarantees were obtained under a totally different state of public affairs from that which exists now; and, being intended as a protection for the faith and liberties of the minority against possible wrong to be sustained at the hands of the Roman Catholics, it becomes of essential importance to recognize the serious change that has been wrought in the Church of Rome through the publication of the Syllabus and the promulgation of the Vatican Decrees. Responsible as I was, in a great measure, for the sufficiency of these guarantees, I claim that no blame can fairly attach to me for not foreseeing the attitude the Church of Rome was in a few years to assume, and the consequent extent to which the precautionary measures might prove inadequate. But this responsibility surely entails upon me the duty of raising my voice as soon as there is evidence of danger, and of doing what may, in my judgment, still appear possible to preserve the harmony and good-will we must all desire to maintain in a com-
