Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-02-18
Reciprocity.


We have lately received from the Hon,
J. s. Morrill, copy of his "speech in
fa~or of terminating the Reciprocity
Treaty with Great Britain, delivered in
the House of Representatives, Jan. q,
1884" .....
1t is well known that treaty of this
kind was concluded in 1854, the main
ouject of which was to facilitate inter
course between the United States and
the British Provinces. The Treaty was
to continue in force ten years, and fur
Their until the expiration of twelv.
months after either of the high contract
ing parties should give notice to the
other of its wish to discontinue the
same. Mr.. Morrill, shows conclusively
that this so-called reciprocity treaty il
not reciprocal at all, but wholly one,
sided.
He says, "In 1856, the articles receiv-
ed from Canada, and made free by the
treaty amounted to sl7Sl0.6S4; and
had it been subject to duty, the revenue
would have been not less than three OF
four million dollars, and to that extent
was bonus to the provinces" Our do
nestle exports to Canada previous tc
the treaty were about double the value
of our imports, but the relative position
is now reversed 1t is shown that the
amount of duty paid to them exceeds
the amount paid to us by nearly nine
million dollars.
Those articles which by the treaty are
to be admitted free of duty to Canada, are
as a general thing precisely the ones
that are not wanted there. Whose
axe" says Mr.. NJ, els ground by max.
ing grindstones free to Canada from the
United States, when the United States
are mainly dependent upon the British
Provinces for their own supply"
One of the privileges stipulated to be
granted in the treaty was that of using
the Welland and all the st. Lawrence
canals upon the payment Of the same
tolls as are, or may be exacted of her
majesty's subjects Except in time OF
war when of course the canals would
not be exempt from the law of the
strongest, the Canadian Government
from sheer interest would seek such pat
ronage upon such conditions. Tolls
would not be refused while the grist
came to mill. But notwithstanding this
provision, vessels of the United States
have practically been made to pay ten
times as much toll as Canadian vessels.
This has been brought about by legisla
ton, which provides that vessels pro-
ducing certificates that they have land
ed and discharged their cargoes at Ca
madam ports shall have ninety per cent
OF the tolls refunded. Provincial YES
sells, of course, naturally do this, but
American vessels naturally do not We
use their Welland canal, and for that we
are taxed as much as we should be, if
we used all their canals going to Que
bee. What we want, they tax heavily,
but what we do not want, they tax light
ly. Here is discrimination dexter
ously made which strikes a heavy blow
against American shipping interests. +"
If there existed the utmost cordially
and good fellowship between the two
countries, we might perhaps feel called
upon to make some sacrifices on that
score; "but among their Government
organs we search almost in vain for any
words Of good cheer in our present
struggle though we go to Montreal,
St. Johns or Halifax" Their sympa-
thies are with our enemies. Exhibiting
no affection for us; but clntching at
the commercial advantage of the treaty,
they have become truculent in proper
ton as the rebellion seemed to prosper
Let us consult our own welfare, and,
without lingering regret, request the
President to give the requisite notice for
the termination Of this treaty I"