ristians, being British
subjects, should receive equal benefits from the Reserves. On this, as
on many other subjects, however, the editor of the _Advocate_
subsequently saw fit to alter his opinions. The instability of his
opinions, indeed, was one of his most dangerous characteristics, and
this alone marked him out as unfit to be trusted with the guidance of
others.

[67] _Ante_, p. 110.

CHAPTER V.

A "FREE AND UNFETTERED" PRESS.

Mr. Mackenzie's newspaper devoted much space to the advocacy of
Responsible Government, which for many years constituted the main plank
in the Liberal platform. He pointed out the injustice and absurdity of
the existing state of things, where the people were beguiled with a
mockery of representation in Parliament without having any voice in the
nomination of the persons composing the Government of the day. There was
no attempt on the part of the official body to distort the real facts of
the case. They straightforwardly avowed their independence of public
opinion, and sneered at arguments founded on the doctrine of ministerial
responsibility. They proclaimed their immunity from all outdoor
influence whatever, and smiled pleasantly when taunted across the floor
of the Assembly with repeated violations of the constitution. Rolph,
Bidwell, and other Reform members in the House were sufficiently masters
of themselves to argue this and other questions on purely public
grounds, and without gross violations of the laws of Parliamentary
discipline. This, however, Mr. Mackenzie's impetuous temperament
prevented him from doing, and as he was not in the House he felt at
liberty to give full rein to his impetuosity. He made every important
question a personal matter between himself and each individual supporter
of the Government who contradicted him. Through the columns of his paper
he poured out much bitter invective. What he said was for the most part
undeniably true, but he had such an offensive way of expressing himself
that the amenities of journalism were constantly violated. By this means
he brought down upon his head the rancorous hatred of those whom he made
the objects of attack.

The feelings entertained towards him by the members of the Government,
and by the Tory party generally, were largely personal and independent
of politics. The conflict between them may be said to have begun before
the removal from Queenston to York, and indeed almost before the ink was
dry upon the fi