The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-02-20
COMMUNICATIONS.
Reciprocity and our National Defense..

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To the Editors Of the Press:
While Maine is deeply interested in the
question of national defenses on her frontier,
and in her own development as essential to
these defenses, may we not be In danger of
overlooking the bearings of Reciprocity as an
element In our defenses, safety and prosperity?
The position and the industries OF Maine are,
and must be, such, that her people are sure TO
share largely in the injuries or benefits of that
system of Reciprocity inaugurated in 1854. A
border State, almost surrounded by the Brit
ish provinces and the open sea. with the Grand
Trunk Railway traversing that part of her.
territory nearest to her sister States, and her
industries thus brought in contact with the
workings of Reciprocity, no other State has
deeper interest than Maine in understanding
the whole question. But is there not danger
Of hssty action, that shall prevent the necessa-
ry Investigation? May we not act unwisely
from the impulse of irritation produced by ev-
idence OF hostility TO us on the part of Eng
land and her colonies? May we not be led to
hasty conclusions, because some of our inter-
ests and industries have been injured by the
treaty? May we not overlook many forms of
benefit, less obvious TO hasty examination,
because Of the more palpable injuries appear
ing on the surface? sam
The question is too vital to be decided with
out careful examination. We should not con-
slider the question foreclosed, because the Lee
gislature last year passed the following reso-
lntion:
Resolped, As the sentiment Of this Legisla-
ture, that il Is the duty of the national Gov
ernment of the United States TO give notice to
the British Government, that the Reciprocity
treaty, so called, will be rescinded on the part
of the United States at the expiration of the
time to which its operation is limited by its
terms, to the end that, II any, new arrange
ment may be made with the British Govern
ment which shall be more just and equal, and
properly guard and protect the great interests
OF this State which are injuriousiy affected BY
the present treaty.
1t should be remembered, that the treaty
does not expire by limitation till September
IL, 1884, and not then till after one year from
the time that such notice Is given. The trea-
ty then continues as Il Is, till Sept. IL, 1865,
unless terminated by war with England, or by
breach of treaty by one OF the parties. Ii
then, a. the resolution affirms, the great inter
ests OF Maine are injuriously affected by the
present treaty, why should we wait till 1865,
before we give thorough examination TO the
whole question, in order 10 determine what
changes are required to protect the interests
now injured? Can we not better examine and
settle these questions before the expiration of
the treaty, aud while its action Is still in
force?
trust the Legislature and people of Maine
will not deem Ii a matter unworthy of earnest
and Immediate enquiry.
1t cannot be donbted that system of Just
and equal Reciprocity, beneftting both par
ties, is bond Of Union, and one Of the best
forms of national defense upon national boun-
daries. Ii we have now, or can have such
system between the United States and the
British Provinces, It must be a perpetual mo-
tive for peace between us and England and her
Colonies. Men may, under sudden excitement,
say and do things foolish and injurious 10 them
selves; but it is not in human nature that men
should quarrel deliberately and persistently
with their bread and butter. In the late war of
words between us and England and her colo
nies, IL was perfectly apparent that Reciproci-
ty was one of the strongest safe guards against
still worse forms of hostility. Is it not better
for US, better for all parties, to examine the
question In all It's bearings, and TO decide, af-
ter such examination, what changes are need
ed to preserve equal and reciprocal benefits that
shall bind us to keep the peace, by the strong
bonds of mutual interest and good will?
There Is an additional reason for this inves-
tigation. In the excellent message of Cover
nor Coburn stands this language:
Elaborate Investigation, made within t,co
years, under the direction of Congress, clear
" estdbish the fact that the spirit of recip-
rocdl trade, ,chich uds the basis Of the treaty.
has not only been ignored by our Provincial
neighbors, but oppressive duties, tcith strin-
gent and hurtfui determinations, hare been
laid upon the products Of our industry. In
deed the treaty seems precisely adapted to the
free admissionlof all the products Of the Prov
inces which come into injurious competition
with similar products of our own; while all
the articles, which we might profitably export
are met at the Provincial line with customs
charges, which strip us of all possible adyant
age In their markets.
Ihave italicized the first part of this pass
age in which occurs the charge of bad faith OIL
the part OF our provincial neighbors. The
Governors views were apparently based upof
the report In Congress- TO which he refers
known as Mr. Wards Report from the Com
mittee on Commerce, based upon Joint resou
tions of the New York Legislature. In tha
report are found the following statements:
Heavy duties are now imposed upon man,
OF those articles which the United States hay,
to sell, ,cith the intention of excluding tn
United States from the Canadian markets, a
aoo,ced by the Minister Of Finance, and sim
liar legislation icith the same official aroma
has been adopted by the imposition Of dis
eliminating tolls and duties in fdrOr df al
isotdting and exclusive policy against on
merchants and forcurders, meant and in
tending to destroy the natural effects Of III
treaty and contrary to its spirit"
These are grave charges. II true, the
should be established by valid evidence-no
assumed or received on ernorfe tast;,ropx