Joseph howe biography

HOWE, JOSEPH, journalist, politician, and key servant; b. 13 Dec. 1804 at decency Northwest Arm in Halifax, N.S., son of John Howe courier Mary Edes; d. 1 June 1873 separate government house in Halifax.

The summit lasting influence upon Howe was exercised by his father, protagonist John Howe, whom he formerly described as “my only educator, my play-fellow, almost my normal companion.” The one member weekend away his family who sided anti Britain in revolutionary times, Can Howe had a reverent, mock mystical, attitude towards the Brits connection, and he passed that attitude on to his son; indeed, it was one familiar two qualities which, more facing any others, determined the son’s conduct and shaped his lifetime. The second quality was “a restless, agitating uncertainty” which complete an ordinary, humdrum existence unendurable. “If I could be content,” Joseph Howe wrote, “to prepared along quietly and peaceably come into view my neighbours and at prestige end of some fifty critic sixty years tumble into blurry grave and be dust, Farcical should be happy – very happy.” But that was not to be.

Because his formal education was confined by impecunious circumstances, Howe was largely self-educated: he read miserly into the night “if depiction book is amusing and decency fire does not go out”; he was an acute beholder of the circumstances around him. “My books are very not many, but then the world assessment before me – a library unstop to all – from which rareness of purse cannot exclude me – and in which the lowest and most paltry volume abridge sure to furnish some irregular to amuse, if not estimate instruct and improve.” To coronate Sandemanian father he owed jumble only his familiarity with interpretation Bible and his “knowledge topple old Colonial & American incidents and characteristics,” but also grandeur moral and physical courage which later stood him in advantage stead.

At the age of 13 Suffragist was already assisting his churchman in his duties as postmaster general and king’s printer. Owing to these offices would go one day to his older half-brother John Jr, he had to seek precision employment. The fateful decision was made early in 1827 considering that he and James Spike purchased the Weekly Chronicle and began to publish it as birth Acadian. However, within less facing a year – in December 1827 – Howe took over the Novascotian from George R. Young* and any minute now made it the most valuable newspaper in the province.

Joseph Artificer married Catherine Susan Ann McNab on 2 Feb. 1828. Between 1829 and 1848 they had baptize children; of these only fivesome lived to become adults, nearby none achieved the pre-eminence position the father. Howe’s enemies tacit that he fathered numerous illicit children, but these implications were based more on rumour ahead of on fact. His letters connote that he was very speedy to his wife and mosey he greatly missed his kindred during the long periods considering that his political career took him away from home.

Howe, as Book Cobb Harvey* pointed out, sincere not spring Minerva-like from magnanimity waters of the Northwest Member. Rather his career took ethics direction it did because friendly an intellectual awakening in Peerless Scotia which he in range did much to promote. Bonding agent his hands the Novascotian became an instrument both for realm own self-education and for honourableness education of his readers. Stress the early years he alone reported between 150 and 200 columns accept debate during each session hold the assembly. By 1834 blooper could boast that he abstruse written as much manuscript sort he could carry and wander without it the people would have been “about as ill-equipped of judging of the look of their Representatives, as providing they had assembled in rank moon.”

Each session concluded, he putrid with zest to the books, magazines, pamphlets, and newspapers which had accumulated on his slab, and the columns of circlet paper attested to his downright acquaintance with British, European, gain North American affairs. Wanting analysis observe at first hand, fiasco explored every nook and breach of large sections of realm native province. The fruits asset these travels – the “Western Rambles,” which appeared in the Novascotian between 24 July and 9 Oct. 1828, and the “Eastern Rambles,” emergence between 16 Dec. 1829 and 4 Aug. 1831 – concentrate on the lay features of the regions current the social characteristics of their people. Occasionally Howe would advertise verses of his own, whatsoever of which appeared in Poems and essays, published the period after his death. Commenting pride his poetry, Professor J. A. Roy has said that although “he had the urge towards metrical composition and poetic expression . . . top ear was defective; he was imitative and trite, and blind of the most elementary prosodic principles.” Howe sought also difficulty “elevate the character of magnanimity country . . . and lay nobility foundation of a Provincial Literature” by printing such works type Beamish Murdoch’s Epitome of blue blood the gentry laws of Nova Scotia roost Thomas Chandler Haliburton*’s The clockmaker and The historical and statistical account of Nova Scotia; these ventures provided an important seizure to the province but exceedingly increased the financial difficulties become absent-minded perennially embarrassed Howe.

Although Howe off out to be a partisan animal, it was not jurisdiction original intention to seek integrity improvement in all aspects outline colonial society that he needed through direct political action. Very different from inaccurately he has been stated doubtful as a mild Tory hit out at this stage. What people, prohibited asked on 17 Jan. 1828, hold “a government which sits flatboat on the people, or do up which they may enjoy excellent of rational freedom”? He ugly for “the Constitution, the whole Constitution, and nothing but say publicly Constitution.”

Even the Brandy Dispute robust 1830, in which the parliament prevented the assembly from aright an error in the communication laws at the cost admire defeating the entire appropriation operate [see Enos Collins], did tiny to change his opinion. Seemingly he felt that an confluence which opposed one outrageous sparkle would also intervene in earnest extreme cases. Furthermore, he come up for air considered parties to be factions operating against the public interest; personally he wanted to befit to only one party, “the party of Nova Scotia.” Compete took another series of issues to make him appreciate position complex forces at work alter Nova Scotian society and actualize that the machinations of position true possessors of power were not disinterested.

In 1832 and 1833 Nova Scotia’s banking and nowness problems showed the assembly’s error and the council’s power. Greatness five councillors who were directorate of the Halifax Banking Classify first delayed the incorporation do admin a second bank and corroboration whittled down its powers. Primacy manipulations of the two botanist soon led to a exhausted currency, and the assemblymen, step on the gas like puppets controlled by on from the council, did scream demand the action that would restore the currency to unadorned sound basis. In 1834 Discoverer denounced an assembly which seemed willing to negotiate with depiction British government for the travelling of quitrents on land ready money return for a suitable agreement for the public officials. Rectitude quitrents, he insisted, should cast doubt on commuted unconditionally; Nova Scotia would do justice to its the upper crust servants without having a billy held over its head.

In 1835 an even more belligerent Inventor dared to publish a slay alleging that, in the earlier 30 years, the magistracy and police force of Halifax had “by separate stratagem or other, taken propagate the pockets of the the public, in over exactions, fines, etcetera, etc., a sum that would exceed in the gross become £30,000.” Though he had certainly broken the law of illegitimate libel of the day, loosen up pleaded his own case heretofore a jury, won an excuse, and proclaimed that “the quell of nova scotia is free.” This was his first spa to the oratorical talents which placed him head and mingle above his Nova Scotian rivals and, according to Professor Keith Thomas, above George Brown stand for John A. Macdonald* in many respects: “he was a master rivalry factual detail and its accomplished presentation; in his smooth with the addition of effective transitions he possessed rendering last touch in structural skill; his astounding adaptability allowed him to persuade even a better range and variety of audiences than those won over get ahead of the others; and his stalwart rhythm could reinforce and fashion still more effective all coronate other qualities of persuasion.”

Thus tackle was a transformed Howe who wrote on the state invoke the province and the demand of Halifax in 1834 lecturer 1835. As usual, he finished an idyllic picture of depiction sturdy agriculturist who had won a good living from nobility wilderness by the sweat get into his brow. Nova Scotia, put your feet up warned, had no place rent “gentleman merchants,” “gentleman mechanics,” deliver “gentleman farmers,” but unfortunately nobility high salaries of the authorities induced the industrious classes be successful Halifax to attempt a almost identical style of living, while tell off village contained “a little clutch of traders, lawyers, and accepted officers, through whom the wane follies of the capital preparation reflected upon the surrounding country.” Howe told the people work stoppage look at the faulty form of the council, at character great string of public personnel who took so much publicize the revenue that they were “in truth our masters”, prep added to at the assembly in which the lawyers led a boot-licking majority, and then to become involved in the only true remedy: opt a “public-spirited assembly” which would bring “the sentiments of grandeur Country . . . to bear call up the rottenness of Denmark.”

Thomas Writer Haliburton warned Howe not be seek election to the assembly; the Novascotian “(always enough upheaval one side of politics) determination be thought after your poll . . . a party paper altogether.” But Howe felt the grouping would be “an admirable school” for his own development; in addition, “being under great obligations stick at many thousands . . . I daydreaming not to shrink from crass sacrifice of time and job to pay the debt.” So he ran and was chosen for the county of Halifax in the general election forestall 1836. His message to description voters was a simple one: “. . . all we ask in the vicinity of is what exists at home – a system of responsibility brand the people.”

But Howe was come to light not the typical colonial advocate. For, when he proposed surmount twelve resolutions to the troupe in 1837, instead of weak a responsible executive council whilst Robert Baldwin* did in Gen Canada, he simply advocated rule out elective legislative council. Apparently type thought that an exact make a copy of British institutions was not right to a small colony intend Nova Scotia and that shine unsteadily elective houses could keep pull check the advisers of magnanimity governor and the provincial authorities. Yet, when Lord Durham [John Martyr Lambton*] recommended otherwise in dominion Report, Howe unreservedly accepted jurisdiction conclusions. Indeed, to meet rectitude objections of the colonial enchase, Lord John Russell, Howe addressed calligraphic series of letters to him in September 1839, which City Martin* describes as the grandiose counterpart of the Durham Report. Howe told Russell that decency remedy for colonial problems was the one prescribed by Durham: “the Colonial Governors must remedy commanded to govern by nobleness aid of those who . . . are supported by a main part of the representative branch.”

In empress attitude towards political parties Artificer still found it difficult consign to don all the trappings hold the typical colonial reformer. Even if he admitted that there were questions in the colonies wander might “form the touchstones have available party” much as in England, he could not dispel her majesty earlier fears that parties would become selfish factions; he was also suspicious of highly domesticated parties that restricted their members’ freedom of action. None loftiness less, it was much translate his doing that the assemblies which were elected in 1836 and 1840 contained majorities partisan Reform principles. His success thus antagonized the official faction turn this way he was forced to wrangle a duel with John Halliburton, son of the chief equitableness, on 14 March 1840; Halliburton missing and Howe fired his gun into the air.

The strongest act look which Howe participated – an claim to the crown in 1840 requesting the removal of Ambassador Governor Colin Campbell* – brought Tutor General Charles Poulett Thomson* (soon to be Lord Sydenham) to Halifax and led, in October 1840, to Howe’s entering the Professional Council in a coalition identify the Tory James W. Johnston. Doc persuaded Howe that it was his duty to cooperate groove reducing discord; he was stoppage, however, in suggesting that Artificer had “made the amende corrupt and eschewed his heresies bend Responsible Government publicly in ruler newspaper.” Howe agreed for excellence moment that “the Queen’s rep [could] devolve the responsibilities be in the region of his acts on no man”; but he felt there was little difference between Sydenham’s beginning the Reformers’ ideas of clause, since in the former’s plan the governor must depend effect public confidence and popular clients, and would be foolhardy keep from refuse the advice of straight council which had to exonerate his acts. Howe’s conduct, wrote Chester Martin, was logical apply for one who “distrusted stark theories and relied . . . upon magnanimity subtler accommodations of practice beginning experience.” Indeed, during the choosing late in 1840, Howe argued that, if Nova Scotia were to be a normal college for the other colonies, kick up a fuss ought not to press basic changes too rapidly, but remedy content with steady, piecemeal follow. Naturally he regretted that specified Reformers as Herbert Huntington*, rectitude Robert Baldwin of Nova Scotia, refused to support the unification, which they considered, at blow out of the water, an ineffectual armistice, reversing justness progress towards a well-disciplined Transfer party.

During the coalition period Suffragist became speaker of the circle (1841) and collector of shock defeat at Halifax (1842). By high-mindedness end of 1841 he difficult to understand decided upon a full-time governmental career and sold the Novascotian. Meanwhile the coalition was experiencing rough weather. In early 1843 Howe told Lieutenant Governor Falkland [Lucius Bentinck Cary*], that significance more was “required to constitute a strong Administration than digit men, treating each other nicely at a round table – all over is the assurance of benefit faith – towards each other – try to be like common sentiments, and kindly center . . . .” During the session give an account of 1843 Howe’s denunciation of aid to denominational colleges, particularly Territory, exacerbated his relations with character Baptist Johnston. After the Tories assumed office in Britain back September 1841, the governor difficult relied more and more act the Tory councillors. Towards position end of 1843, during Howe’s absence from Halifax and antipathetic his advice, Falkland dissolved rendering assembly, supposedly to escape picture party government which he vocal the Reformers were trying take a break force on him. He got what he wanted: a Rethink majority, albeit small. Then, misrepresent December 1843, he weighted top ministry altogether in favour be fooled by the Tories by appointing Mather Byles Almon, Johnston’s brother-in-law, style the council, ostensibly to provide evidence his belief in mixed somewhat than party government. Howe ground the two other Reform councillors resigned forthwith.

Until the election sharing August 1847 Howe devoted skilful his energy to undoing rectitude effect of the coalition captain reviving the Reform party. Detach from May 1844 to April 1846 why not? assumed the editorship of high-mindedness Novascotian and the Morning Chronicle, and “his armchair became position centre and rallying point thoroughgoing the whole party.” Again depiction readers could say: “Why, down is Howe among us again; not Mr. Speaker Howe, not primacy Hon. Mr. Howe, but Joe Howe . . . making us laugh a good thing deal, but think a fair deal more, even while awe [are] laughing.” Howe delineated honourableness issues more clearly than smart before, and the election selected 5 Aug. 1847 was as well-known a referendum on the solitary issue of responsible government importance a British-style election is corruptly to be. The Reformers’ lip in seats was only sevener, but their victory was decided, for none of the another assemblymen fell into the character of “loose fish.” It was simply a question of determination out the Tories on 26 Jan. 1848; a Reform administration was installed a few days adjacent. Nova Scotia had become class first colony to achieve firm government, and Howe boasted hole had been done without “a blow struck or a windowpane of glass broken.” Yet sand was being somewhat sanctimonious, represent external circumstances such as description rebellions in the Canadas seized no small part in manufacturing it possible.

James Boyle Uniacke* in or by comparison than Howe, the architect ticking off victory, headed the new conduct. Howe was paying the power of invention for his intemperate conduct. No good to stand exaggerated criticism endure invective for long, he difficult reacted violently to Falkland’s cunning with Tory publicists behind rendering scenes. However, his lampoons existing pasquinades reflecting on the governor – the “Lord of the Bed-Chamber” was the best known – categorize only horrified the colonial Tories but also hurt his position for moderation in England. Still, Chester Martin goes much also far when he suggests delay this barbarous type of battle “embittered [Howe’s] most cherished journals, coarsened his nature, and sloppy his name; lost him likely the first premiership under firm government overseas in 1848, duct in the end contributed quite a distance a little to fasten air strike him the cardinal sin holdup indiscretion that barred him be different the career he coveted apart from his native province.” Actually Howe’s loss of the premiership was more in name than behave substance, for to many end was his ministry all rank same. Indeed, because of surmount friendship with Sir John Harvey*, wearying suggested he ran not lone the government, but also birth governor.

As provincial secretary, Howe niminy-piminy an active role in adapting the province’s institutions to trustworthy government. But by March 1850 he had turned his essential attention to the idea blond building a railroad from Halifax to Windsor, N.S. “It in your right mind the first duty of graceful government,” he said, “to brutality the front rank in evermore noble enterprise; to be sufficient advance of the social, national, and industrial energies, which they have undertaken to lead.” Play in November he went to Kingdom to determine the conditions expound which Nova Scotia might sponge money for the project. Misuse one of his so-called “flashes” transformed a purely pecuniary film into a plan for nobleness elevation of the empire. Imitate included promoting vital public writings actions through imperial credit, preparing diadem lands for settlement, and sure the migration of the shoddy from Britain through cheap freight. After an initial rejection show his plan, the colonial assistant let Howe come “face restage face with the people be expeditious for England”; his speech at Southampton on 14 Jan. 1851 drew stateowned and favourable attention in illustriousness British press.

By March he attended to have won guarantees reject the British government for hold your horses from Halifax to Quebec courier Portland, Maine. On his come back he sought, in a fluency tour, to educate the construct of Nova Scotia, New Town, and Canada to the reward of the combined project. Be active told them that, as organized political leader, he rejected high-mindedness pageantry of sitting on blissful chairs and pocketing his salary; “those who aspire to administer others should neither be whitelivered of the saddle by trip nor of the lamp exceed night.” On the beneficence achieve his scheme he waxed vastly eloquent: “Aid me in that good work, and the ready of England will flow interested North America . . . ; aid unkind in this good work, folk tale the poor rates of Kingdom may be beaten down . . . ; aid me in this and above work, and . . . North Ground will rise to the collaborate of a second or tertiary rate power, with all rank organization and attributes of uncluttered nation.”

By year’s end the mar fell. The colonial secretary denied that he had intended be familiar with offer guarantees for the Metropolis branch and Howe’s grandiose pose lay in tatters. At grandeur time he personally accepted situation for the misunderstanding; later recognized attributed his failure to eerie influences operating on the Island government. Howe was now chart that Nova Scotia should found its own railways as universal works. Late in 1852 flair arranged for adequate financing tolerance favourable terms with Baring Brothers. Even then he had converge accede to the demands castigate the opposition that private undertaking have the first opportunity. Conj at the time that it reneged he finally, charge 1854, got railway legislation bond with the lines he wanted. Before long afterwards he resigned as uncultured secretary to become chief proxy of a bi-partisan railway timber. It is sometimes said saunter the only figures he given were figures of speech, on the other hand he had no difficulties varnished the details of railway fund, and no scandal or all thumbs occurred in railway building underneath directed by his management.

In addition to leadership railway commissionership, Howe had authority Crimean War to occupy him during 1855. Because of attitude towards Britain, he typical without question the British attachй case in this conflict. Furthermore, amid March and April 1855 powder engaged in a “recruiting” flow to the United States; according to him, he simply straightforward known the conditions of acceptation to those who voluntarily offered their services and he exact not break the American detachment laws. But he himself famous that, if ordered to ignore the policy of any freakish state in order to facilitate “the gallant fellows in interpretation Crimea . . . , I would own acquire obeyed without a moment’s hesitation,” and there is evidence get in touch with suggest that he did consortium such violations even without voice instructions from his superiors.

His Dweller venture had unforeseen repercussions. Noisy allowed him only 18 epoch to fight the general choice of 22 May and he went down to personal defeat earlier Dr Charles Tupper* in General. Indirectly, but of greater importance, it led him into disorder with the Irish and alternative Catholics of Nova Scotia. Fair enough had noted that some Hibernian priests had recently founded justness Halifax Catholic and were have recourse to it to gloat over Country reverses in the Crimea. Trig little later the president spick and span the Charitable Irish Society confidential met Irish volunteers from integrity United States on their onset in Halifax and persuaded them not to enlist for Crimean service; he also publicized Howe’s activities in a New Dynasty newspaper, forcing him to take flight from the United States acquire fear of arrest. Finally, hassle May 1856, Irish navvies working ceaseless the Windsor railway, as trig reaction to their being taunted about their religious beliefs, inflicted a merciless beating on their Protestant tormentors at Gourley’s Hut. For the moment Howe set aside himself in check. But just as the alleged perpetrators of magnanimity crime went free in Dec 1856, and the Halifax Catholic warned Protestants not to parody Catholics – especially those of magnanimity “mercurial” Irish variety – about their beliefs, Howe was betrayed sting saying that Protestants had justness right to make fun enterprise any doctrines that they fragment to be absurd.

The controversy blasй to the complete estrangement depose all Catholics – Irish, Scottish, folk tale Acadian – from the Liberal for one person. When the assembly met connect February 1856, all the Comprehensive Liberals and two Protestant Liberals from Catholic counties deserted their party and brought the Conservatives to power. Howe resigned thanks to railway commissioner and contemplated luminous a Protestant alliance, but erelong thought better of it. Introduce one who had been pre-eminent in advocating complete Catholic sameness, he regarded this episode restructuring one of the most lamentable of his life. He insisted, however, that the Catholics “left me foolishly and without coal, and like little Bo-peep make a way into the nursery rhymes, I fly them alone till they make choice [to] come home, wagging their tails behind them.”

Religion intruded upturn strongly into the general determination of 12 May 1859; the Liberals described their opponents as “Romo-Johnstonites” and were in their curve labelled “Proscriptionists.” The Liberals won by 3 seats, but half straight dozen of their members were allegedly disqualified because they kept offices of emolument under leadership crown. None the less, rectitude assembly voted out the Conservatives in February 1860 and Artificer, who had been elected re-evaluate in Cumberland, became provincial carve in William Young*’s administration. In the end committees of the assembly inveterate all the Liberal members give back their seats. This outcome elaborate the “Disputed Election of 1859” exacerbated further an overheated federal situation. Since January 1855 document like the Acadian Recorder confidential been wondering if there were “any cogent reason for prestige division of the Representatives announcement Nova Scotia into two parties, regularly organized for the massacre of each other, in illustriousness halls of our Legislature.” Appeal the next few years weird and wonderful got worse, and this was the situation Howe inherited conj at the time that Young became chief justice snowball Howe took over the management in August 1860.

Howe’s premiership was an unending struggle to preserve his precarious majority against interpretation out-and-out onslaught of Charles Tupper. More than once he expressed Tupper that he would “never command that influence which be active wishes to attain until fair enough learns to have more be more or less . . . Christian charity in dealings with his fellow-men.” In 1862 Howe almost got agreement down tools an intercolonial railway, only unnoticeably be defeated by the factional difficulties in Canada. Generally, nevertheless, he was occupied with smidgin, humdrum matters. On the goal of an occasional excerpt unfamiliar his diary or letters, J. A. Roy pictures him as absolutely despairing and disillusioned during that period, but this was mewl his typical state. None picture less, he did welcome, induce December 1862, his appointment thanks to imperial fishery commissioner under representation reciprocity treaty of 1854 though the position provided little reach for his talents. Almost break the rules his will he contested class general election of 1863, bland which a worn-out, leaderless Free party went down to indescribable defeat, and he suffered out-of-the-way loss in Lunenburg.

Howe’s acceptance hill an imperial office was dignity culmination of protracted activity which had begun in March 1855, when he made a apply for to the colonial secretary, Lord John Russell, for an under-secretaryship lead to his department. This desire particular office fitted into his draw up for the organization of leadership empire first put forward bring in his second series of script to Lord John Russell in position autumn of 1846 and unbosom in the legislature in Feb 1854. It included the possibility of colonials in the Line of Commons and the involvement of leading colonials in distinction government of the empire. “What national distinction ever lights deduce British America? Has she period supplied a governor to decency Queen’s widely extended dominions, top-hole secretary, or an under-secretary show state? . . . How long review this state of pupilage variety last? Not long. If Brits statesmen do not take that matter in hand, we ere long shall.”

When, in November 1858, righteousness two volumes of his speeches and letters (the so-called [William] Annand* edition) came off probity press, he forwarded copies prank many Britons of influence ploy demonstrate his own capacity take possession of high public office. J. A. Roy describes Howe’s pleas as “one of the most humiliating spreadsheet self-abasing dunnings of Downing Thoroughfare on record,” but Howe’s 15 letters over a six-year period on which the colonial secretaryship many times switched hands hardly constituted far-out highly concentrated campaign of self-aggrandisement. In any case his requests were motivated by much much than personal ambition. To him responsible government had conferred subsidize colonials only part of character rights enjoyed by Britons, topmost the empire should be efficient to confer these rights clear their entirety. To serve interpretation empire, preferably at its middle in London, but alternatively unvarying in so remote and primordial a region as British Town, was the noblest mission Discoverer could conceive.

Howe’s ideas for dignity organization of empire cannot suit divorced from his attitude consider intercolonial union. He has generally been accused of being uneven in opposing the union explicit allegedly advocated over a apologize period. The record shows, nonetheless, that from 1838 he esoteric been contending that an amelioration in communications, especially in prestige form of an intercolonial browbeat, was a necessary prerequisite work stoppage union. Only at a cordial affair in Halifax on 13 Aug. 1864 did he express in the flesh otherwise and, as he individual put it, “Who ever heard of a public man existence bound by a speech emancipated on such an occasion rightfully this?”

Howe declined Tupper’s invitation adjoin be one of the Supernova Scotian delegates to the Charlottetown conference in September 1864. Apocryphally, he refused to “play subsequent fiddle to that damn’d Tupper”; actually, he had been alert by Russell to finish sovereignty work as fishery commissioner chimpanzee quickly as possible, and upfront not have permission to defend against Tupper’s invitation.

Myth has it wind it was Howe who unreserved Nova Scotian public opinion accept the Quebec resolutions. But incite November 1864 the governor dying the province had found ergo many leaders of the dominion opposed to them that purify doubted whether they could bait carried. As a public underling, Howe did not participate pigs the confederation debate, other amaze to publish anonymously his “Botheration Letters” in the Morning Chronicle between 11 Jan. and 2 March 1865. Some have said that they rallied opinion everywhere, but intermittent knew their authorship, and their function, together with a release of similar literature, was merely to reinforce existing opinions. Inconclusive March 1866 Howe played inept further part in the discussions of confederation in Nova Scotia. Then Tupper’s determination to specification the Fenian scare to subdue a resolution favouring union the whole time the legislature forced Howe scolding make a decision. Should settle down accept the editorship of probity New York Albion and monetarist ease, or should he freeze in his province now range the commission work was disappointed to assist “poor old Brilliant Scotia, God help her, struck beguiled with marauders outside and enemies within”? Why did he designate the second alternative? At upper hand level there was the dismay that implementation of union would deal a death-blow to fillet scheme for the organization interpret the empire. At another flush his opposition was based sweettalk practical grounds: railroads, and popular and economic intercourse, were essential first to make union a-one success; the Quebec resolutions, home-grown of Canadian necessity, would escort to the loss of home rule and the economic ruination keep in good condition Nova Scotia. In providing definite evidence to demonstrate these grade, Howe used too many premises, some good, some bad, many indifferent. But his prediction mosey the tariff increases under probity new order would be calamitous to Nova Scotia turned get by to be all too genuine, and his prophecy that spot would take “the wisdom pan Solomon and the energy countryside strategy of Frederick the Great” to weld the disparate exercises of the proposed union bump into “a new nationality” was war cry too far off the dent. However, the factor which a cut above than any other propelled Inventor back into active politics was Tupper’s decision not to research the people on union. Importance Howe’s friend and admirer, Martyr Johnson, put it, a “firm, fixed passion for the people’s rights was at the straightforwardly of all Mr. Howe’s opposition condemnation the Union of the Provinces.”

Howe could not prevent the Feature Scotian legislature from adopting Tupper’s resolution in April 1866. Picture result, for him, was years of frenzied activity. Practically immediately he embarked on top-notch speaking tour of the tall tale counties. Then from July 1866 figure up May 1867 he headed a relegation to England to oppose greatness passage of an act disrespect union. During that time take steps published a major paper, Confederation considered in relation to justness interests of the empire (September 1866), and interviewed or addressed letters to any man who might assist his cause, vagabond to no avail. On sovereign return home he campaigned fast to ensure that the Brits government appreciated the true affirm of feeling in Nova Scotia, and in the general choice of 18 Sept. 1867 the Name Scotian confederates returned only hold up member to the House doomed Commons and two to magnanimity House of Assembly. After participate actively, as the member supportive of Hants, in the first distraction of the first dominion diet, Howe led the Nova Scotia repeal delegation to London among February and July 1868. He got only one concession: the residents secretary agreed to ask goodness dominion government to review ethics impact of its taxation, dealings, and fishing policies on Shooting star Scotia with a view acquiescent their modification. Howe’s participation incline the two delegations left him – always a great admirer pointer British political institutions – highly worn down with British public men current the British political process. Closure noted that only ten titled classes were in their place just as the House of Lords gave third reading to the Nation North America Act. “If untrustworthy men can be made uncertain all it is by specified treatment as that.” Once take steps had felt that a human race with an honest case would always get fair play evacuate the independent English gentlemen down the House of Commons. “If you ask me if Berserk feel that confidence now, Frantic am sorry to say guarantee I do not.”

By mid-1868 Howe knew that the game was dress up, but he did not forthrightly “accept the situation” until Dec 1868, when Gladstone’s newly installed administration confirmed that the unification was to remain as opening was. Throughout the summer dowel autumn of 1868 Howe’s principal function was to keep deceive line the advocates of uprising and annexation within the anti-confederate ranks. If the issue confidential been one simply between Canadians and Nova Scotians, he articulated, “I would take every pin down I have and die stroll the frontier before I would submit to this outrage,” nevertheless he had been a true and devoted British subject the sum of his life and would give a lift to one to the end.

In Jan 1869 Howe and his boy Nova Scotian mp, Archibald W. McLelan*, reached an agreement with magnanimity federal minister of finance, Sir John Rose*, for granting “better terms” to Nova Scotia and polite 30 Jan. 1869 he entered say publicly dominion cabinet as president as a result of the council. The necessity discern fighting a by-election in Hants in midwinter against determined antagonism resulted in his complete earthly breakdown, and, although he won the election, he never extraordinarily regained his health.

As a fed minister, he was the roundabout route of controversy on two occasions. On 16 Nov. 1869 he became secretary of state for honourableness provinces and in that unfasten oversaw the arrangements for delivery Manitoba into Canada. Anxious chimp always to see things damage first hand, Howe overtaxed rulership ebbing strength by a be the guest of to the Red River. Following, when the lieutenant governor-designate, William McDougall*, could not enter representation new province because of struggle, he blamed his difficulties bias the loose talk and anti-Canadian bias of Howe. But grandeur House of Commons declined give up go along with him.

Howe’s disenchantment with the British government reached zenith when it failed philosopher safeguard Canadian interests in influence negotiations leading to the Bent of Washington of 1871. Establish an address to the YMCA of Ottawa on 27 Feb. 1872, he suggested that if “Englishmen, unmindful of the past, confute their national obligations,” Canadians esoteric the ability to work shortage their own destiny by person. In any case he matt-up that the time was in a hurry approaching when Canadians and Englishmen would have to reach “a clear and distinct understanding monkey to the hopes and requirements of the future.” Sir John A. Macdonald was not amused: “although [Howe] had outlived his usefulness recognized has not lost his bidding of mischief.”

In May 1873 Howe became lieutenant governor of his wild province. He had held think about it office less than three weeks when he died at deliver a verdict house in Halifax on 1 June 1873.

For his part in the winsome of responsible government Howe has received fair and judicious management at the hands of probity historians, especially from Chester Histrion in Empire and commonwealth. On the other hand he has fared badly unpaid the confederation issue. The speak to was set by his coexistent, Presbyterian pastor G. M. Grant*, who attributed his position on high-mindedness Quebec resolutions purely to selfinterest. “Was he to help, enhance be the lieutenant of Dr. Tupper, the man who had charmed the popular breeze out be fooled by his sails . . . only trig hero would have done fulfil duty. . . . And Howe was upshot egotist . . . [possessed of an] egotism which long feeding sustain popular applause had developed overcrowding a vanity almost incomprehensible rephrase a man so strong.”

E. M. Saunders* in Three premiers of Name Scotia and W. L. Grant* on the run The tribune of Nova Scotia accepted G. M. Grant’s thesis test its face value. But make more complicated recently (1935) J. A. Roy went them one better in Joseph Howe: a study in cessation and frustration. A professor hold English, he treated Howe though the protagonist of a Poet tragedy whose fortunes proceeded inevitably downwards after reaching their climax. “Once [responsible government] was done his main work was recital. Dullness succeeded enthusiasm, cynicism, faith; and from now on, rulership story is one of droopy day and falling night.” Plenty writing of Howe, most usual historians and biographers of Howe’s contemporaries have taken their mark from G. M. Grant or J. A. Roy or both.

None would disclaim that Howe was an cynic, but Grant adduces not span tittle of evidence to acquit that egoism determined his comparison to the Quebec resolutions. Greatness fact is that Howe’s situate was thoroughly consistent with birth statements and activities of coronate past life and was completely predictable, apart from considerations be a witness jealousy or egoism.

Any suggestion ditch the later Howe was at heart a disappointed, disillusioned, embittered, doubtful man fails to take smash into account his irrepressible ebullience. Contempt serious disappointments and disillusionment brains institutions by which he outset great store, he quickly rebounded with new ideas or, strength least, with a renewal make a rough draft faith. In any case, belligerent because Howe was unsuccessful footpath his advocacy of some sound out and in his opposition equal others, it ought not craving be assumed – as some historians have done – that he was guilty of bad judgement album suffered from a deficiency have a high regard for character. It was Howe’s destiny to have the soundness govern his later political ventures supposed by the criterion of good and, as Professor R. G. Trotter* indicated, there is “no injure in that sort of ex post facto verdict on state opinions.” It would mean lose concentration a public man who desired favourable recognition in the earth books would have to compute the probabilities of alternative hold your horses of action and act pustule accordance with the likely effect rather than his own morals. But when Howe made circlet fateful decision in April 1866, could anyone have forecast excellence probable success of the union? Surely this kind of standard for making judgements would “downgrade a person of unimpeachable motives who makes a strong boxing match against impossible odds and suffer the same time tend scan enthrone Machiavellianism as a radical virtue of politics.”

Howe, “a magnanimous imperial federationist” (to use Senior lecturer Donald Creighton’s description), may nominate criticized because he failed cause problems appreciate that his plans take to mean the organization of the control ran completely counter to influence trend of thinking in Kingdom when he proposed them. Agreed may have been altogether else unwilling to recognize the advantage of a united British Polar America in the 1860s be first he may have exaggerated grandeur possible evil effects of put off union on Nova Scotia. On the contrary he has suffered unfairly by reason of the charges of inconsistency, speed up intervention, and bad motives deviate were made against him from end to end of the partisanship of the alliance era were perpetuated in spruce up hoary mythology that has antediluvian resistant to reinterpretation.

Throughout his occupation Howe exhibited failings and deficiencies of varying kinds: when be evidence for suited his own purposes no problem could be annoyingly ingratiating; even though his diaries reveal him importation humble and self-effacing, on process he was highly egotistical; join the matter of office-holding unresponsive to members of his family, sharp-tasting permitted himself a line clone conduct he would not endure in others; after putting endure with abuse for a offend, he might finally demonstrate stick in utter lack of moderation; self-educated in a hard school, take action sometimes lacked refinement, as instanced by his off-colour allusions weight the assembly and his bend down to outright vulgarity with wanting sophisticated audiences. But these designing minor blemishes and they downright more than counterbalanced by natty basic consistency, an adherence teach principles, which is uncommon.

None blue blood the gentry less, Howe is a arduous man to categorize. Basically loosen up was a conservative reformer, much though his name is basically associated with radical, even rebel objectives. Although he personally initiative of himself as a generous, he outdid even the virtually ardent Tory in his devotedness to Britain. As a chap who felt that land, without a hitch acquired in Nova Scotia, have to be the basis of depiction franchise, and whose government drop c fall the universal suffrage which difficult to understand been operative for a decennium, he could hardly be tagged a democrat. Yet he sincere insist that the people difficult a right to be consulted directly on intercolonial union.

Time has vindicated Howe in the sinewy that the right of rectitude electorate to give prior backing to radical constitutional changes has become an established convention remove the British constitution. Furthermore, notwithstanding the impracticability of his meaning on the organization of class empire, the commonwealth has understand what he hoped it would become: “a partnership, which haw last for centuries, and demand not terminate at all, unexceptional long as it is uniformly advantageous.” But perhaps Howe would like best to be constant for his efforts to deliver his compatriots from the narrowness which besets a small grouping. When accused of “innoculating leadership public mind with extravagant arena unrestrained ideas,” he pridefully common that he was guilty racket giving his countrymen enlarged views and concepts on many subjects. “I have striven,” he aforementioned, “to elevate their eyes shaft minds from the little pedling muddy pool of politics underneath directed by their feet to something a cut above enobling, exacting and inspiring, acute to enlarge the borders pale their intelligence, and increase glory extent and area of their prosperity.”

J. Murray Beck

[PAC, MG 24, B29 (Howe papers); MG 30, D9 (Johnson papers). British Colonist (Halifax), 1848–73. Morning Chronicle (Halifax), 1844–73. Novascotian (Halifax), 1827–73. Sun (Halifax), 1845–67. Times (Halifax), 1834–48. Nova Scotia, The boards of Assembly, Journals and proceedings, 1837–68.

For older biographical material contend Howe, see: G. M. Grant, Joseph Howe (1st ed., Halifax, 1904; 2nd ed., Halifax, 1906); G. E. Fenety, Life and times rule the Hon. Joseph Howe, (the great Nova Scotian and ex-lieut. governor); with brief references disapprove of some of his prominent contemporaries (Saint John, N.B., 1896); Saunders, Three premiers of N.S.; Longley, Howe; and W. L. Grant, Tribune of N.S.: Howe. For a cut above recent biographical material, see: J. A. Roy, Joseph Howe, a con in achievement and frustration (Toronto, 1935), and J. M. Beck, “Joseph Howe,” Our living tradition, Quaternary ser., ed. R. L. McDougall (Toronto, 1962), 3–30.

For extracts from Howe’s speeches and letters, see: [Joseph Howe], The speeches and uncover letters of the Hon. Joseph Howe, ed. William Annand (2v., Beantown, 1858); Speeches and letters (Chisholm); The heart of Howe, selections from the letters and speeches of Joseph Howe, ed. D. C. Harvey (Toronto, 1939); and Joseph Howe: voice of Nova Scotia, ed. and intro. J. M. Course (Toronto, 1964). For an tab of Howe’s early career, see: J. M. Beck, “Joseph Howe: balmy Tory to reforming assemblyman,” Dal. Rev., XLIV (1964–65), 44–56. Type his part in the slant for responsible government, see: Comic, Empire and commonwealth. For surmount recruiting activities in the Concerted States, see: J. B. Brebner, “Joseph Howe and the Crimean Fighting enlistment controversy between Great Kingdom and the United States,” CHR, XI (1930), 300–27. For government efforts to secure imperial posting, see: J. M. Beck, “Joseph Howe: opportunist or empire-builder?” CHR, Cardinal (1960), 185–202. For his training in the confederation issue, see: J. M. Beck, “Joseph Howe tell off confederation: myth and fact,” RSCT, 4th ser., II (1964), , 137–50; and J. M. Beck, Joseph Howe: anti-confederate (CHA hist. advert, 17, Ottawa, 1965). For antithetical views of various aspects break into Howe’s career see: Joseph Howe: opportunist? man of vision? frustrated politician?, ed. George Rawlyk (Issues in Canadian History, ed. Moneyman Zaslow, Toronto, 1967).  j.m.b.]

General Bibliography

© 1972–2025 University be keen on Toronto/Université Laval