Government of Canada, shewing them
that the foundation of our Government was too narrow, like an inverted
pyramid, conferring the appointments to all offices, civil, military,
judicial, to one party--excluding all others, however respectable and
competent, as if they were enemies, and even aliens. I mentioned that
not one member of the Reform party, (which had commanded for years a
majority in the House of Assembly) had ever been appointed to the Bench,
though there were several of them able lawyers, such as Bidwell, Rolph,
etc. (Page 169.)

Lord Glenelg, in a despatch, directed Sir F. B. Head to appoint Mr.
Bidwell to a judgeship on the first vacancy. Sir F. Head refused to do
so, for which he was recalled, and Sir George Arthur was appointed in
his place. In the meantime the House of Assembly was dissolved by Sir
Francis, and a general election ordered. I had warned the public against
Mr. Mackenzie's doings in converting constitutional reform into
republican revolution, in consequence of which he attacked me furiously.
Peter Perry, in the parliamentary session of 1836, attacked me also, and
defended Mr. Mackenzie in a long speech. This speech reached me in
England. I sat down and wrote a letter in reply, which reached Canada,
and was published there on the eve of the elections, of which I then
knew nothing. The constitutional party in Lennox and Addington had my
letter printed by thousands, in the form of a large hand-bill headed:
"Peter Perry Picked to Pieces by Egerton Ryerson." Although Mr. Bidwell
took no part in the controversy, he was on the same electoral ticket
with Mr. Perry, and both were defeated.[62]

The Radical party being defeated at the polls, its leaders: Mr. Wm. L.
Mackenzie, Dr. Charles Duncombe, and many others, sought to accomplish
by force of arms what they had failed to accomplish by popular
elections; the rebellion of 1836-7 was the result. As Mr. Bidwell was
known to be the intimate friend of Dr. Rolph, and as Dr. Rolph was
thought to be implicated in the rebellion, it was assumed by Sir F. Head
that Mr. Bidwell was concerned in it also. But this was perfectly
untrue. Besides, Mr. Bidwell entertained the strongest views that not a
drop of blood should be shed to obtain the civil freedom of a
country--that only moral suasion and public opinion should be employed
for such purposes.

Sir F. Head thought that now was the opportunity to revenge himself
alike upon Lord Glenelg and the Whig Gover