Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-02-16

THE REcIrRoCrTY TRRATT.-The Montreal
Tr0nscript thinks Canada is gradually get
ting an insight into the views of its neigh
bors on this question, especially since the
publication of the report on the Revenue
Commission, and the report of tho Treaty
prepared by E. II. Derby CT Boston. After
specifying the principal points Of these docu-
ments, the Transcript says:
"we 10 not know if the Americans mean to
treat US in this business after the fashion Of the
lover class Of shopkeepers, who demand from
. their country customers double the price for
their goods that they intend to accept for them
in the end, siter come higgling. But if they
are in earnest in enactIng the proposed condi-
tons as the price Of Reciprocity, We must re-
gard them both as injurious and insulting 10
Us. These terms mean thst We are 10 wage a
! fiscal war against all other countries, but espe-
cially against England, in favor of American
1 products and manufactures. as respects every
article We purchase, except those with winch
they cannot supply us We are TO suffer sll
, the evils inflicted on them by the enormous debt
they have incurred, as the result OF the recent
war with the South we are TO stIfe many Of
our growing manufactures in their infancy, by
taxation which our own necessities do not re-
quire, and which, did we require the sacrifice,
would be the greatest misfortune that could
overtake us, as it is theirs. The American Fox
has lost hrs tail, and be would persuade his |
neighbor that he ought TO reduce himself u the I
same condition. They are laden win debt, and /
they must submit to grievous imp0sts to meet 1
their liabilities /; We, whose Indebtedness IS con-
paratiyely trifing, must be forced 20 impose the /
same burtheus on ourselves. But Why continue /
the subject? The Canadian, be he statesman or
private person, who would recommend a course
so suicidal, IS only fit for a lunatic asylum.
Our true policy is competition with the United
States, not the commercial union they offer Us.
The position which We occupy, in contrast with
theirs, is one which, some years ago, We would
not dare to anticipate and If We cast away the
great advantages to be derived from the lower
price which our products cost Us. We deserve the
worst punishment that may fall 70 cur lot as
the due penalty Of our folly.
There are two redeemiBg points to be found
N the Reports. Both the Commissioners and
Mr. Derby recommend that a new Treaty Of some
sort should be made and Mr. Derby proposes
besides that in the meantime the present Treaty
should be continued for twelve months, to give
time for new arrangements. But he aocompa-
MES the concession with conditions which cannot
by any possibility be accepted by US. II the
Government Of the United States could be ad-
yised to adopt the suggestion Of the continuance
Of the Treaty, without the Questionable condi-
tions, or with a Jew provisions necessary for
working il satisfactorily 10 the two countries,
we suspect they would discover before long that
thev had done what vas best for the true inter-
est Of al parties interested IN this matter
In another article the Transcript, crying
up the principles Of free trade, declares that
"the whole commercial legislation Of the
UnitedS;ates is a disgrace to its intelligence"
and on economical questions, it says sour
cousins across the lines seem TO be as mad
as a March hare" No doubt.-whoever
wants to close a contract OF which John
Bull or his Provincial sonny holds the best
end, always seems to them dcmented.
The Provincial Trade returns for lS64-5
show that almost 81 per cent Of all Cana
iian exports went to the United States
During the long winter Canada only prac-
ucable outlet Is through the United States.
If under sach circumstances Canada can
lGord to do without reciprocity, the United
States certainly ear. and make something by
he stoppage. To suppose that the present
.reaty can bo renewed, or that any treaty
viii be made until Canada makes it 'UOrth ,
,ur rhils to grant one, is utter folly.