PROVINCIAL
Present Condition of Canada
As a proof of the misgovernment of the country, the Globe furnishes us with the following facts.
In Canada we have passed through a year of commercial prosperity unexampled in the history of the province. For some years after the great financial crisis of 1817, Canada languished in dullness and stagnation. Slowly she began to awaken from lethargy, and to recommence the race of progress. The population continued to increase, new settlers, attracted by her cheap lands and provisions flowed in, capital accumulated, new enterprises were undertaken; the completion of British Railways and influx of Austratlian gold caused a plethora of money in England,—and much was attracted to Canada by the promise of a remunerative return; from 1850 a continuous improvement has been observable, which advanced in a double ratio during 1853. It may safely be said that no branch of business has been unprofitable during the year. The farmer has been blest with an abundant harvest, and a high price for produce–the merchant has had his shelves plentifully filled only to be cleared immediately – the lumberer has realized large profits – the mechanic has had more work than he could do, and more wages than he could spend, — the labourer’s means has been nearly doubled within a short space of time.\it is in te seasons of prosperity, that the greatest danger of reverses is to be apprehended, it is when the wind is highest and the ship is sailing fastest on her course, that the gust oversets her. \it is impossible, however, to discover on a review of the year any sympotms of danger. It did appear at one time that a speculative mania, directed peculiarly to real estates had seized our usually quiet people; but the good sense and prudence of the community, and the expected alteration in affairs consequent on a European War, checked in time the unhealthy symptoms. Those who believed that in 1853, we had not reached the climax of our commercial prosperity, and the height of speculative progress, but that 1854 would have witnessed a still greater inflation, have probably found reasoon to rejoice that war stepped in to prevent that increased excitement which would necessarily have ended in a crisis, and a season of depression. The activity of 1853 was natural and healthy, founded on a solid basis and productive of real wealth and progress; that of 1854, but for an event which appears so hurtful in other portions of the world, might have been feverish and fitful, productive only of evil.
1853 will be remembered as peculiarly a railway year. It has witnessed the entire completion of two great lines, one at the east and the other at the western end of the province, the Great Western and the St. Lawrence and Altlantic, to say nothing of the line from Montreal to Plattsburgh. It has also seen the opening of large sections of the Ontario, Simcoe and Huron, and of the Bufflao, Brantford, and Goderich, and the rapid progress of many others towards completion. Shortly before it began, the Grand Trunk road was chartered and put under contract, but little has been done besides towards its construction. We must not forget to mention among the Railway enterprises of the year, the Bytown and Prescott, the Cobourg and Peterboro, and the Niagra and Chippewa lines which are in progress; nor the Galt line of the Great Western, nearly completed, nor the Woodstock and Simcoe, placed under cotnract. Neither must we omit the Whitby and Sturgeon Bay, the London and Port Stanley, the Port Hope and Lindsay, the Bytown and Montreal, by the north shore, all of which have reached stages more or less advanced. 1853 has had an immense influence upon all these enterprises. Those which were advanced it has completed, those just begun it has carried on, to those which were in the minds of their projectors, it has given Parliamentary sanction. The railway progress of Canada during the last twelve months, not only on paper, but in the expenditure of cash, is, we believe greater, in proportion to wealth and population, than has taken place in the United States. That it will have an extraordinary effect on the condition of the country, is what every one repeats to his neighbour. 1853 will also be remembered for bridging the North Atlantic by the first line of Canadian ocean steamers. It is true that the enterprise has not been commenced on the scale which was reasonably to be anticipated from the action of the Government, but there is every cause to hope that this year will witness a great improvement.