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36 ready to declare want of confidence in the Government that ventures to do it, and what else could the nine-tenths do in their position?

I might extend this argument much more, and support it by a variety of facts drawn from the legislation and administration of affairs in Quebec, since 1870,—but I prefer to take only those striking points with which we are in a great measure familiar, and comparing the position of Quebec now, with what it was, prior to the Syllabus and Vatican Decrees, I unhesitatingly affirm that "Such change has affected the general rights of Protestants, as citizens of the Province of Quebec, and especially, has weakened their guarantees obtained at Confederation."

3

Is the Issue thus raised Political or Religious?

It now only remains for me to consider, whether, the affirmative answers necessarily given to the two questions propounded, form a Political or a Religious issue, and may be discussed without trespassing upon theological ground.

My own conviction is clear that the discussion belongs wholly to the Civil or Political phase of human society, and in the foregoing remarks, while necessarily holding my views as a Protestant on the dogmas of the Vatican Council, I have tried to avoid any reference to them, which could be interpreted as in any way disputing their claim to entire acceptance by Roman Catholics. Should it prove, as many gloomily predict, that these Decrees have left no common standing ground, as fellow citizens, for those who are in, and those who are out of the pale of the Roman Church, it will soon be painfully manifest, and each must act as his conscience dictates.