The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-18

In what position does the question Of reci-
procity stand What is the policy demanded
by due regard TO the revenue the capital, and
the industry of the United States What
answer shall be given to the wandering diplo-
matists whom the provinces have sent to renew
a bargain for their advantage
Despite the chronic bitterness of our party
conflicts, it is satisfactory to know that upon
one vital point connected with this question
our leading public men, and our leading journals
Of both parties, are in the main agreed. Union
and Democrat, all concede that the existing
one-sided Arrangement snail be brought TO an
end. There may not be entire harmony touch.
ing the course pursued in bringing about its
termination, but upon the fact that its operation
was partial and unjust, and that les continuance
should not be permitted, there Is little or no
difference of opinion.
TIE provincial papers, we see would fain per-
suade themselves that the feeling against the
treaty is the product of some transient cause,
and is in part the result of lobby influence.
They will discover their mistake in due season.
For we are persuaded that upon few subjects
outside of the great constitutional issues raised
by the Rebellion, has public opinion pronounced
a more emphatic verdict than upon this question
of so.called reciprocity. Here and there may be
found an individual directly or indirectly inte
rested In some branch of provincial trade, who
demurs to the judgment and pleads for its post
ponement, if not its reversal. But the exceD-
lions are so rare that they serve to indicate the
strength of the rule.
Let us briefly recapitulate. The treaty was
originally accepted by this country quite as
much because ofwhat it was supposed to imply as
because OF what 1t actually expressed. Its spirit
was deemed more important than its letter. 1t
was held to foreshadow a steady growth of COM
mercial intercourse, and an Overwhelming area
OF commercial enterprise. n these respects
our people have been provokingly disappointed.
The trade fostered by the treaty inclted
Canada to the adoption of projects designed 10
deprive our carriers OF the traffic on which they
calculated. Financial difficulties thence arising
were made preteXt tor series ottarltf charges,
each more inimical to our manufacturing IN
dustry than the onewhich preceded 1t.
This was bad enough, but it was only the be-
ginning of the end. The imposition of higher
duties upon our exports was folio we'd by
change in the mode of levying duties which
amounted to virtual discrimination against our
importers and in favor of the British trader. The
same unjust principle was brought into play
against our lake shipowners. in favor of English
and Canadian interests. In reality, then, Canada
herself abroeated the treaty years ago; her poll
ucans t1ampled on its spirit and dlsre garded
the principle which gave it life; and therefore
for its continuance to the present time her people
have been indebted to the generosity, the mag
unanimous torbearanCe of the United States.
Apart from the principle involved, it has be-
come apparent that in almost every sense, the
treaty, viewed from the American standpoint,
has been an unmitgated failure. Under its in
fluence one of The best features of our trade
with Canada has declined steadily, until it has
almost ceased to be worth mentioning; and Eng
lish trade thrves in its stead. We send little that
would not be sent, with or without a treaty; we
receive little that would not be received we're
the treaty in or out OF existence; the chef differ
ence visible consisting in the fact, that whereas
our exports enter the provincial market loaded
with heavy customs duties, our imports from the
province come into competition with the pro-
ducts of our farmers and lumbermen upon terms
peculiarly favorable to the foreign producer. In
other words, we give great deal for nothing.
Even, the yearly aggregate OF trade looks much
larger than it is, because Canada calculates our
exports in greenbacks, while our customs valua-
ton has gold for its basis. Sllted and tried, the
whole thing carries upon its face so much that
looks like humbug that the wonder is how we
have been induced 10 submit to il until now
The first point to be noted is, then, that the
action OF Congress in reference to the treaty
ought to be and is irTevocable., There should be
no misunderstanding here. The action was
entered upon deliberately, in full view of conse-
quences, and by that action we are prepared to
abide. The moCRery OF reciprocity will termi-
nate ON the 18th of March, all prayers from
Canada to the contrary notwithstanding. The
idea of a temporary extension should be secuted
as unworthy of notice. We have craved ad-
herence to the spirit of the contract through
tiresOme wears; now we stand upon the letter OF
the notice.
The course hereafter to be pursued by this
country will no doubt be governed by two con-
siderations, always important, but more import
ant now than at any former time. We are re.
qured to protect our revenue, and incidentally
to protect our industry. We do not use the
term IN a controversial sense, or in any relation
to the abstract merit OF protection free trade
rs a principle We mean simply that nasmuch
as the necessities of the nation have given birth
to a system of taxation which permeates every
where. and makes itself felt alike on the farm
in the forest ana in the workshop, we are bound
to take care that the products OF American labor
shall not be exposed 70 unrestrained competition
with foreign articles IN no way tributary to the
national trt asury. To this extent, probably, free
trader and DrOteCtiOnisJ coincide.
The burdens borne by our own people must be
shared, in some degree and some manner, by
any other people who would come as sellers into
our market. So long as the existing system o
internal revenue shall last, so long we SHOULD
guard American labor howsoever employed
from unequal competition with the products q
ether countries.
Moreover, it win be the duty of Congress tc
see that the doctrine of equivalents is more farl,
applied than in 1854. There must be a qtid pTJ
quo for everything. And there must be a more
correct valuation OF some OF the things pre-
senteG by Crnada under the guise Of considera
tion. The navigation OF the st. Lawrence, TO
instance. may properly be treated as OF onl
triiing value, partly ON account OF natural and
therefore, everlasting causes, partly on accoun
of that foreign flag which for tue time control
the commerce OF the river.
Tie bonding system, too is a lever iu on
hands, no longer TO remain idle. II is systen
which, in its relation to Canada, Yields us bare
nominal property. Our carriers have lost thei
share of the traffic the bulk OF the goods passin
through this country to Canada, in bond enter
ing at Portland, and beng carried over a foreig
railway thence to Montreal. In truth the bono
ing system, as at this moment used by Canada
is contIiyauce for introducing into the pre-
vince goods which are afterwards smuggled int
The United States. We furnish an instTumeI
which is used to our detrment The bondn
system and reciprocity should, therefore, stan
or fall together, so far as either applies to Il
neighboring province.
II ia not our business now to discuss in deta