Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-06-27
VOL. Xiv. NO. ss---wHoLE NO. $3.50. :

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The first I recollect of seeing or hearing
of this Canadian movement was in our Lee
gislature, at its last ression. The member
from Somerset, very quietly introduced a
set of resolutions, instructing our Senators
and requesting our Representatives in Con-
gress to vote fos measures as like this ere
ciprocity bilp as ever were twins, advoca-
ting it as a measure 10 accommodate neigh
borhoods on the line. But when it was un-
masked, and the House understood the ef
feet, and that doubtless the intention was to
enable the Canadians topour into our home
markets, the whole Of the surplus products
of the Great Valley of the ST. Lawrence.
it was thrown out, fifty to one. a .s r.
At the opening of the present Congress,
an agent of the Canadian government was
sent to Washington to urge this matter
soon after his arrival. the British Minister
addressed letter to the Secretary of State
telling him if this and some other things
were not passed, " it would have very dis
agreeable effect on public opinion in Eng
land" Verify, this is new era in legisla-
ton, if the DIcrArIoN Of a British Minis
ter is to govern Congress. But this Reci-
procity bill was Immediately introduced, and
the last have teard Of it is, that the Blue
Noses have walked up, and they have sent
an agent Oh to Washington to tell their
Minister that THEY, too, must have slice
at Brother Jonathan.
This unwearied effort Of theirs shows
conclusively that our markets for agricultu-
raj products are better thar theirs. Cash
on our part, and produce on theirs. is the
gist Of the Reciprocity. During the sum-
mer Of lS49, thousands and thousands Of
bushels of oats were brought into the lum-
Der and iron districts of Essex and Clinton
Counties, purchased in Canada at from IF
teen to twenty cents per bushel of 40 qts.,
and sold even with our present tariff, at pri-
ces so low that no Vermont farmer could
compete with them,-and admitting their
produce FREE, they certainly could not, I'M
less they are willing to take place in soci-
ETY. as low as the Canadian iaborer-our
children brought up in ignorance, ourselves
but little better than slaves, aud our labor
ing men willing to work for four and five
dollars per month. M
Free Trade, Reciprocity-O yes. Free
Trade is it mott but this was
too barefaced even for British impudeuce,
without something To sweeten it, and SO the
free navigation Of the St. Lawrence is
thrown in, TO catch Western votes, and
what is ii Why some sixty or eighty miles
of navigation above Montreal TO where the
river strikes our territory, and of the Well
land Canal. Now the law of Nations gives
/ 81 ,rxht al h. f,t al
But if there is a difficulty about it and our
Western folks think they must have this
outlet, then pay in kind the waters of our
beautiful lake are daily covered with Cana
dian steamers, canal boats, and vessels Of
every description, loaded with lumber grain,
and all the various production of Canada,
seeking southern market, and this to the
entire exclusion of our own shipping. Dur
ing the past summer these Canadian vessels
have been constantly employed, while por-
ton of the time ours lay idle in port. Here
is an inland navigation of two or three hun
dred miles within our borders, part Of it
lake, and part of it canal, accorded TO them
without let or hindrance. Let one balance
the other.
Why are we to be offered up as the sac
rifice to make Canada content with her vas
salage? Have we not always stood FORE
most in support Of the great American sys-
TEN, since the time Henry Clay frs, laid its
foundations, sustaining without stint or wa
vering the interest of the cotton and WOOL
len manufacturer of Massachusetts,, the
manufacturer OF notions in Connecticut,
the iron interests of New York and Penu-
sylyanla, the sugar planter Of Louisiana,
and, SO long as they needed it, the cotton
growers of Mississippi Have we failed,
that our friends should now give US the cold
shoulders No, sir, not a whit. Petitions
are being circulated throughout our borders
for the repeal of the obnoxious tariff Of
'46, and every MAN appends his name to it.
Madam Rumor says, that Webster has
engaged to aid in carrying through this
" Reciprocity bill" believe she lies, as
usual, at least hope so. If the time has
come when the interests of the farmer and
manufacturer are antagonistical, or one
preferred before the other, then the black
flag of free trade will wave over us, and
European pauperism, in all its loalhsome-
ness, will be our own. Are we ready for
this ! no sir, we are not The friends of
Protection stand shoulder to shoulder. Our
star has never set, and trust it never will.
A FARMER.
Chimney Point, June 5, 1850