The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-11-19
Reciprocity with Canada.

| Since spoke upon this subject, few weeks
since, we have heard of new project which has
| been started by one Of the leading men OF Cana
da-a gentleman of great wealth and still greater
ability-which exactly meets our views. 1t is, that
Canada shall place the same duty upon all Euro
pean productions that we do, and that the produc-
tons of Canada and the United States shall be free
| in the ports of each. In other words, to make q
| protective league between the two governments
against the cheap labor and the surplus productions
of Europe. Some of the objections made against
reciprocity in former article will also lie against
this arrangement, but we think they are out
weighed by the manifest benefits of union of the
North American States for mutual protection. The
| raw productions of Canada-her wheat and her
| lumber-would enter into our markets into compe-
tition with the same articles produced by us; but
on the other hand, the greatly increased demand
for our manufac lures to supply the Canadian con
sumption, would increase the consumption of those
raw materials in our manufacturing States to an
extent fully equal to the additional supply.
[Boston Journal.
The project referred to is vast improve
ment upon the wooden-nutmeg schemes with
which Canada has hoped to tempt Brother JON
athan; it evinces desire to consult the views OF
| the two parties who are necessary to a bargain,
and will no doubt meet with favor at Montreal
where American predictions most prevail; but
there can be no probability of its success until
material change takes place in the position
of parties, and the character of the leaders, in
and out of Parliament. Any other supposition
is at direct variance with the tenor and result
of the numerous debates upon this subject which
occurred during the late session of that body.
In the first place, what is called free trade
is devoutly worshipped by majority of the
Canadian representatives. Mr.. HINcKs, their
financial oracle, is free trader. Their press
is enraptured with the same notions; and their
declared desire is rather TO abolish all duties
than to Increase them, whether against Euro
pean or any other productions. The abolition of
every customs duty has been urged again and
again as the most efIectual method Of retaliat-
ing upon this country for its refusal to accept
the wOoden-nutmeg bribe
In the next place, the Canadian majority are
too deeply impressed with a sense Of their own
greatness to entertain any such plan as that
described by the Journal. Mr.. IIINcKs as
sures them that the wooden nutmeg will 90
vented its acceptance last session of Congress
and that he has so completely succeeded in
frightening the Federal Administration. and
the great men of the Wing and Democratic
parties, that his Overtures are sure to be
jumped at during the approaching session
He and the party with whom he acts be-
lieve, or pretend to believe, that the nav
l0atIOn of the 81 Tawrenca yyb;oh ,,.o
can dispense with for the presents quite
sufficient to offer in exchange for our surrender
Of duties on articles that enter into competition
with products of our own soil; and, with this as
their faith, it is exceedingly unlikely that they
will consent to overtures based upon a policy
so comprehensive as that under notice. 1t is
altogether irreconcilable with their peddIng
notions, with the party purposes of those who
now control the helm of State.