The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-30

ed! Our contemporaries are very virtuous in
their censure Of the Boston riots they hate
violence, and call for calm reason. They would
play more useful part if they said straight
out that men like theodore Parker, Horace
Greeley and William Lloyd Garrison, are ten
times as honest as William Fl. Seward, for they
stand to their principles in earnest, while the
latter sculks behind phantom ofwhiggery. 1t
matters little, however, which of such dema-
the astutest hypocrisy the only question of
real moment is, which is the most responsible
Can we fairly and Justly lay at the door of Will
liam II. Seward the blood of James Batchelder?
We believe that we can.
The New Projet OF n Treaty with the Brit
ish Provinces.
The visit of Lord Elgin to Washington, con-
nected as it is with the Canadian reciprocity
scheme, and an adjustment of the fishery diff
culties, has very naturally revived the discus
sion Of these subjects. It is difficult to under
stand the precise object of his lordship's extra
diplomatic journey, because i is understood
treaty, or rather q projft, embracing an ad-
justment of the matters referred to, had already
been drawn up between Mr.. Marcy and Mr..
Champion, the English Minister, and had re-
ceived the sanction of the British government,
provided it also met the views of the colonial
authorities interested. Mr.. Champion having
thus succeeded, it is not quite clear that Lord
Elgin can be of mnch service in the matter un-
less, indeed, it is supposed the fact of his being
q nobleman may induce Senators to regard the
embryo treaty more favorably than they would
otherwise do.
The profit in question throws open the North
American fisheries to the citizens of this coun-
try, according to the understanding which ex-
listed previous to the convention Of 1918, and
in fact, giving to that latter convention the
Interpretation which the United States have
always contended for. 1t abandons the English
claim to the exclusive navigation of the rivers
st. Lawrence and st. John. 1t provides for
free interchange of such natural products as
are common to each country-breadstuffs lum-
Der, cattle, hides, and dairy produce. Such, in
brief, with the addition of coal, which is to be
inserted, are the terms Of the convention which
it is now sought to complete
We are advocates of free trade, and there
fore approve of every step properly taken
in that direction. The beneficial effects
of the perfect free trade which exists
between the several States of this confederacy
is manifested in our unexampled prosperity.
1t is no wonder that our provincial neighbors
should be awakened to the advantages of a sys-
tenn which has placed the United States at the
head of commercial nations, and that they
should endeavor to derive some benefits from
their position on our frontiers, so as to take ad-
vantage of our markets. We do not blame
them for it. But it is worth our while to look
at the proposition which they offer for our ae-
ceptance, and see how far it approaches the
system of free trade which exists between the
several States.
Our revenue is Of course derived from duties
upon imports. Upon an inspection of the
tariff, it is found that large proportion of this
revenue arises from the Importation of English
manufactures The provinces do not propose
to bear any portion of this burthen; but whilst
we have to pay duties upon these goods for the
support of the general government, they are to
get them free Of all duty. Then again the Ca
madam tariff imposes heavy duty upon all
tobacco, sugar and tea exported from the United
States into that province. The two first named
articles are the natural products of our soil,
and, therefore, there can be no valid argument
urged against their being included in the recip-
rocal arrangement;-th last mentioned article
is imported in large quantities here, and the
only reason it is excluded in the profit is to
give the trade entirely into English hands. The
argument urged against inserting the arti-
cles of tobacco and sugar in the list is
that the provinces do not raise either,
and, therefore, it would not be a fair
reciprocal arrangement. There is nothing
in this argument which is deserving of any
consideration on our part. If we are only
to interchange such articles as our neigh
bors have surplus of, it is quite transparent
that there can be no advantage to us in the ar
rangement. When, some years ago-for this
reciprocity scheme is no chicken-it was
urged that it was due to the Southern States
that their interests should be attended to in
any arrangement which might be entered into
with Canada for reciprocal trade, the Canadian
authorities set up the plea that sugar and to-
bacco could not possibly be admitted free Of
duty, because large portion of their revenue
was derived from the duties on those very ar
ticles. We cannot imagine q stronger argu.
ment in favor Of the justice Of having them by
Ill means enter a. . portion Of reciprocal
rec trade arrangement. The duty on sugar