Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-03-01

of battle when The subject Of the Trent came up
as were the foremost among the representatives
Of Euglaud herself They have greeted the trait
ors embraced the pirates and lauded the chiefs
If the rebellion as heartily, and they sustained
the British Ministry as freely when British-built
ships were permitted 10 90 and make piratical
war upon our commerce as the pro-coniederates
Of England Not content with the Illicit trade,
~ violation Of the blockade, in which they had
embarked with shameless greed 1t Is noiori-
)us chat their accredlte organs, while we were
ldmittlng provincial products free to our war
markets, were yocferously sustaining the policy
VI th9 British ministry in ieHiag slip the Aala-
Dama Sumpler, Georgi', and other pratical
ships, to capture and destroy our peaceful com
nerce. They have smitten US severely on both
checks and there is no Christianity that re-
quires an exposure to further blows.
| do not suppose a majority Of the people oil
the provinces sympathlsed with these British
outraqes upon justice decency, and interna-
tional law, but no remonstrance and no petit
ton has ever gone forth against those un'riend-
ly manifestations from even Canadians, who
are reported more friendly than the people of
some other provinces, where descendants OF to-
ry refugees have not yet buried the hatchets
forged by their ( retailers to stay the Reyou-
ton OF l776. They have not dared to be 9TH
erwise than dumb in presence Of what hey sup
posed might be the august public opinion OF
Great Britain.
As an American, whatever may have thought
heretofore declare that have now no dhpo-
stion to see the Canadas, with these recent evil
dences OF their temper, annexed TO the United
States They have played the part of su balterns
so long that ! am led TO doubt their capacity
Tor independent government The task of State
administration may be above their present reach.
The mother country, with an enlightened self
inserest, has often evinced disposition to be
nd Of the charge OF these provinces; it probes
ses no high regard for their mixed population,
who appear to lack the spirit to go through when
the door is pointed out To them, aud though told
often that they are Improbable servants such
people can take time to cultivate self reliance,
to develop their own statesmen, and to create
some feeling Of Independence, before their alli-
ance will be 50 esteemed as to be eagerly court
ed.t
There have been, it is said, no infractions OF the
reciprocity treaty, ard none, it is believed, haye
been or are intended. This is much the stoutest
defense OF the Canadian Minister OF Finance for
oil American complaints, ard yet It is plain that
Canadian policy has so manipulated its revenue
laws, and its system Of canals and railroads, With
the collateral support of Great Britain, as TO Sc
cure many and important advantages not dreamed
of by our negotators or by our people at the
birth OF our treaty. We propose 10 abide by il
to the end Good faith requires nothing beyond.
British subjects will have obtained for eleven
years, by virtue OF the treaty. the chief CONNER
cial advantages they must have derived as States
OF the Union withou, contributions Of service,
imposts, taxes, or good-ieilowshp. |. they are TO
retain them longer, let Us know the reason whyl
During this time, and for Inc first time 10 their
history, they have become our peers in the ratio
of increased wealth aud population, and this
a ainy 10 consequence of our unrequited COM
merciAl hospitality
The fact, If it be TACT, that such treaty may
be literally complied with, and yet in its opera
tons may present SO many subjects oil discomfort,
is strong proof OF It's fundamental policy 10
spite OF ornate preten,iob, each country, WIEN
put to the test, will seek TO promote its own in
leress regardless Of those OF the otherj and In
the case OF the provinces, colonial dependents,
the next best friend to be next served is the
mother country, to whom they owe an exhaustive
" allegiance and Affection" and TO whom they
look for military defense and protection against
all foreg1 fo=s. Among the chief OF such SIN
ners, om sorry to say, they are suspicious OF
the United States. The interests Of Canada first,
and OF Great Britain second will be. as they have
been, studied and ariiully promoted BY all the
means aud appliances Of adroit ministers oil both
countries, while the United States comes in as the
goose to be plucked and the lauded principles of
reciprocity, ike garments worn al court, will be,
as they have been, laid ASIDE upon the resumption
OF the ordinary business OF life.
THE PRINCIPLE OF THE GERMAN zoLLvERIN RE
JECrED.
The Committee on Commerce (by Mr.. Ward)
made very elaborate report to this House on
the reciprocity treaty February 5, 1862, )sherein
they argued that the grave faults already deve-
oped in the treaty should be remedied by great
er extension OF the German Z1llverin, Doubtless
they had read
"For shallow draughts inioscaie the BRAIN
But drinking largely sobers US again.
This is good poetry, Tut submit it is not sound
advice, for US, though the Canadians reprinted
aud adopted the argument, rejecring only the
conclusion. The principle OF the Zollverr, or
toll-alliance among several States, as to Imports
exports snd transit, was happy thought for the
numerous bu, small German sovereignties with
similar peoples and 50 natural geographical boun-
daries but II is not applicable TO great nation
with large terri ory, independent and determined
so to remain. There could be no rule Of division
for revenues so obtained but that Of population !;
aud il Is too obvious that the people OF The prov
inces do not aud cannot consume, per capita, any.
thing likr the amount OF merchandise charged
with duties consumed by tae CT isens of the Unued
states. They simply have not the ability to do
il.
1t is, however, idle to discuss this matter. The
proposition OF the COMMITTEE on Commerce has
been before the Canadian Government, and while
they want chance to sell ships aud further
share OF our coostng trade, their conclusion was
/, that the Zollvern is wholly nadmissabe. Mr..
Gait, "the Minister oil Finance, to whom was re-
i,rred the report of the Committee on Commerce
of the House OF Representatives on the reciprcci-
ty treaty. in his cautious report to his excellency
the Governor General in Council, March, 1852,
sums up the case rs follows:
The undersigned can have no hesitation in stating To-
your exceeney that r his opinion the project Of
ZolNenn to which the British province should become
their connection with Great britain, and opposed on
its merits to the interest of the people OF ,he.e prov
inces.n
After response 80 explicit. trus. we shall not
be so unwise ss to press Tor reconsideration Of
an offer we cannot seriously afford to make.
SUPPOSED ADVANTAGES on THE TREATr CONSIDER
. ED--PisH.
la the disp)s,l OF this question il is proper to
consider all the adva a,tages directly or remotely
r derived from the reciprocity treaty. The chief
! these, any can be found are supposed /, relate