The daily republic., 1853-08-25
Reciprocal Trade with the Colonies

Reciprocal Trade with the Colonies.
course and exchange Of products than there is
at present between the United States and the
British North American colonies, is much de-
sired by the colonists and by the mother coun-
try, and is one of the chief, if not the chief
subject of the present negotiations between the
two countries. If the advantages, immediate
and prospective, are to be reciprocal; and
if to settle the perplexing question of the
fisheries and to promote the interest of
our fishermen, we are not TequiredtO sac
rifce greater interests and more import
ant objects, we shall be glad to meet our colo
NAL neighbors on equitable terms in establish
ing more freedom of communication and trade.
Frequently the advocates Of free trade, car
ried away by the cosmopolitan and lberalizing
spirit of the age, lose sight Of special circum-
stances and patriotism, and push their doctrines
to an extreme both unreasonable and destruc
tive. On the other hand, rigid conservatives
and protectionists, not comprehending the
march and necessities Of events and true well
fare Of the country too often remain fixed
while all is change, and life, and activity
around them. They too often injure or destroy
one interest or more for another and less i'm
portant one. In the present case Of our rela-
tions with the colonies no abstract principles of
free trade or protection are applicable. The
question is simply one Of expediency, to be cal
culateI, taking all the circumstances into ac-
count, as matter of profit or loss. Is it better
to have unrestricted free trade with the colo
nies or not II not, to what extent should we
relax our present system And what should we
insist upon as fair equivalent for what we
give? Here is the whole question.
But, to take this subject in all its bearings,
to examine all the circumstances, and to de-
eide wisely, will call forth all the craftsmanship
of the Secretary of State. The proposition is
simple enough; but to produce facts and argu-
ments to determine it is difficult. A rapidly
growing empire, under the supreme govern
ment of our great commercial rival, t1anks our
Eastern States, divides the interior seas with
us, and stretches its territory parallel with our
own from the Atlantic to the Pacific. and there
rests upon one Of the richest and most magni-
ficent islands in the world, projecting into the
latitude of the United States, and commanding
the entrance to that network of splendid har-
bors within the strait of Juan de Fuca, where
will shortly be the commercial emporium of
the Pacific and the Eastern world. This en-
bryo empire holds the great natural outlet of
the Lakes, the noble river ST. Lawrence, and
the nearest harbors in America to the Euro
pean continent. In the productions and quality
of the soil it is not surpassed by the border
States Of this Union; while in the productions
of the forest and of the sea it is unequaIed-
at least on the eastern side Of the continent.
The people are to great extent of the same
race as ourselves and speak the same language
Immigration, amalgamatIon of races, and ma
terial developments keep pace relatively with
our own astonishing progress. Hardy, indus
trious, and enterprlsing, the coonisis imltat'
and rival us in the way of progress; while
along the immediate border of British Nortf
America and the United States the people un
der each government mix and trade, and change
their residence from one side to the other Il
such degree that it would be difficult to say
to which nation they belong. Their sympa
thies are, however, with the superior instllu-
tons and people Of this great Republic. When
we look at these things, and at the rapid con
centra'ion of population on such vast extent