In this 150th anniversary of the creation of Canada, we looked back at editorials published in our predecessor newspaper in 1867.
Through the year, some arguments appeared more than once. Victoria, the editors said, should be the colonial capital, not New Westminster. The colony was being run by corrupt fools, they said.
But one argument was made over and over: British Columbia should become part of the new Dominion of Canada. The editors closed the year by stressing their belief again and again.
It took three and a half more years, but on July 20, 1871, British Columbia became a province in Canada.
When the proposition to unite the British North American provinces under one federal head was proposed, some three years ago, there arose in each of the several provinces a vigorous and determined opposition, which for a brief period seemed almost to threaten the defeat of the scheme; but the calm and almost sublime faith of these men who foresaw so clearly the national future of the British portion of this continent could not be shaken, nor could such men, whose political instincts and inspirations were above the contingencies of local influences and prejudices, be deterred from moving steadily forward in the development and maturity of that nationality which they saw so clearly to be the destiny of their native land, and today the Dominion of Canada, sitting in council under its own flag, ranks among the nations of the earth.
The rapidity and the pacific manner in which this great work has been accomplished may well excite the wonder and admiration of the world.
We need hardly now repeat what we have heretofore asserted, that it is the destiny of this colony to become a part and parcel of the dominion. Already has the great Northwest territory, hitherto governed only by the Hudson Bay Company, been accepted by the Canadian Parliament as a member of the dominion, and the next step by way of western extension will be the incorporation of British Columbia, the opposition to the measure having dwindled down to naught save the obstruction and delay caused by the local government of this colony.
This, however, cannot long obstruct the outspoken will of intelligent freemen — a power in the present day which overshadows that of the Caesars and the Napoleons.
The most important direct benefits accruing to this colony by Confederation — in addition to a change of government — would be overland emigration, and reciprocal free navigation and commercial laws with the United States.
The parliaments of Canada and the United States have already taken steps to effect a treaty of reciprocity, the benefits of which can never extend to us, except under Confederation.
The building of an overland road would be simultaneous with Confederation, and by offering inducements by way of grants of land for settlement to emigrants and labourers, in less than two years a road would be completed which would mark a perpetual highway from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, and would be but the prelude to that road, which would immediately follow, over which the iron horse would speed past hamlets, towns and cities, vocal with the hum of industry, prospering and enjoying the liberties of the freest and best government in the world.
To some, the anticipation of a speedy undertaking and completion of a railway across the British American continent may seem chimerical, but we live in an age of wondrous enterprise, as well as discoveries.
The fictions of the Arabian Nights are being surpassed at the present day by facts, the Rip Van Winkle of 20 years hence will scarcely recognize the planet on which he lay down to sleep.
The Daily British Colonist and Victoria Chronicle
Dec. 30, 1867
