Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-06-17
Speech of Hon. Portus Baxter.
THE RECIPROCITY TREATY,

subject, not to occupy beyond fifteen min
utes. Of course, the remarks cannot be
very, yell considered or put into the
shape of speech. That l am not able
to do, but will refer to one or two mat
ters connected with this subject. The
question before this House as now pre-
septed rs whether a notiCa to terminate
thls treaty, called reciprocity treaty, shall
be siv. en- pure and simple, or whether it
-.1all be diluted to a milk and water con
sistency. This reciprocity treaty, so
called, 8 misnomer entirely. Alter
the people Of Great Britain became dis
satisfied with taxing themselves for the
benefit OF the colonies, and after the corn
laws were repealed, it became necessary
that that Government should be supplied
with bread stuffs from some other quar-
ter. Immediately the question was agi-
tated in Canada. and men were sent here
to make profers to our Government,
pretending that they had something to
give for what they asked in return.
General Taylor's Cabinet, with Mr. Pres
ton, of Virginia, in it, gave it no heed
whatever, beyond proper examination,
declaring that they had no constitutional
right to make such treaty or compact /;
and ia the next place, to do it would be
impoItic and destructive Of American
policy. The next move made in Canada
was TO send some Of the ablest aud most
distinguished men under that Govern
ment here, to press upon this Govern
ment the absolute necessity of carrying
that measure through.
neutrality-suspicious. honestly or
dishonesty does not become me to say
the question was raised by tue party, the
head of which is now the head OF the
Canadian Government, Of Canadian an
nexation. Annexation was the cry ;
they could not live without being annexed
to this country. They came here with
that cry. On one side they said, ~ on
give US this reciprocity treaty, give US
closer commercial connection with you,
and our people will become so complete
ly fascinated with your institutions that
the fruit will soon become ripe and will
drop into your lap On the other side
10 the men Of the South, Give US what
we want let US have your rich markets
tor our products without taxation, and
our people will have no desire for annex
alton :" and those men Of the South,
always skiful legislators, understood and
were willing to concede to them the
treaty, Notwithstanding the influence oI
Colonel Preston to the contrary, when
he was in tno Cabinet of General Tay.
lor.
Ay, Mr.. Speaker, but that is not all
They undertook to intimidate our oily
whalebone friends-alwa little slip
perry. They said to them, IF you dc
not let US into your rich markets, not q
mothers son of you shall ever catcl
another cod or another mackerel in the
waters of Newfoundland. They were
a little frightened by that, and began tt
think they were 'gone, hook and line ;
but then these Canadians said again, 81
you do not give this treaty we will break
these nurseries of your seamen, anC
then bow will you cope on the water
with Great Britain, so long claiming tt
be mistress of the seas p They ther
said to til c great West, TO Chicago
"Give US this treaty and you can have
direct communication with Europe, anC
you can come direct importers and wher
a vessel is hailed on the ocean, 'Wher'
are you bound?' the answer will b'
Chicago" Laughter. Well, sii
the treaty was granted, and how many
vessels on the ocean were ever haile'
"Where are you bound? ?" that answered
+" Chicago?" The tracks h rave beef
very few and all in one direction.
There is another question, Mr.. Speak
er, of vital Importance, which should b
considered in this connection; it is tn
question of immigration. We are a
this moment losing brave men at the rat
of thousand every day, and how ar
we to make up the loss except from tn
men of Europe? Every port Of Eu
rope is now swarmiug with men fron
Canada, offering them lands free of cos
These Canadian free lands, however
have never prevented he immigrar
from coming to this country. But thes
agents have now to add 20 their plausi
BILE stories that this country is engaged !
p death.struggle. and that the taxation {
this people is so enormous under whic
we groan that they will be ground
powder if they come here, and they as
the emigranls, viii you GO to lh