PREFACE.
The design of the following pages is to oppose and protest against the efforts now being made by the Roman Catholic Hierarchy of Quebec, to impose upon those belonging to their communion the extreme doctrines of the Italian ecclesiastical school. Considering the solidarity of interest which necessarily exists between Protestant and Catholic in Canada, living together in the same country, owning a common allegiance, and enjoying equal rights, it follows that nothing can occur affecting the welfare of one without materially influencing the future fortunes of all.
In reference to my previous Pamphlet, I wish to make one remark on the opinion therein expressed,—that a possible agitation might be predicted for the dismemberment of Quebec. At the time of Confederation, it was very strongly urged upon me to provide for such dismemberment, and it was from my recollection of these efforts that I expressed the opinion that an agitation of this question might now be looked for. My conviction then was not favorable to this idea, and I may here add that it has not been since changed. As suggested in these pages, safety will be more certainly attained by greater consolidation, rather than further subdivision of the Dominion.
