The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-17

consequence, the treaty so falsely named is
now matter of history. Nor will any Of our
readers who have been familiar with its prac-
tical workings regret its end. A more unjust
arrangement was never devised than thai into
which the operation Of the contract has gra-
dually degenerated. Its name was most
singular misnomer. By little technical
evaeion tie true spirit of the instrument was
violated, while the verbal agreement remained
intact. 1t is not our purpose to show how 1t
was that a discriminating tariff was forced
upon American impotations either by exces-
sive freight or enormous charge for storage.
Suffice it that the Government was deprived
of millions of Justly claimed revenue and
the Canadas enriched at the expense OF the
States In accordance, therefore, with the
demands of justice and Seli-interest, the Re-
ciprocity treaty has ceased. 1t would have
been well for our neighbors had they remem-
bered the fable of the hag who killed the
goose that laid the golden egg.
The consequence of this abrogation is, that
each nation charges what it deems proper,
and most exorbitant duties will be the result
So heavy, indeed, VIII be the new tariff, that a
considerable proportion OF the gains OF the
trader will be swallowed up by the taxes.
The result is obvious. A gigantic system of
smuggling, which has already originated, will
be continued and enlarged. 1t will cease
to be a desultory effort to hurry through
goods with the Custom House inspection, but
will become an organized plan of importation.
Unless the two Governments speedily come to
renewed understanding, much evil will re-
sult and much income will be lost.
The next question which will commence
to-day to agitate our people, will be the flshe-
ries. The motion Of Mr.. PIKE, of Maine, to
despatch naval feet to protect our fishermen
in their rights, guaranteed by the treaty Of
1888, is but reioinder to the proclamation of
the Governor Of Canada, ordering all Americans
to keep away from the fisheries after to-day.
The belligerent character Of the inhabitants
Of the pine forests Of Maine render such a
compliance as the Governor expects ex-
tremely improbable. We anticipate, as we
have before stated, before q week is past
hearing of bleody engagements on the bor-
ders. An immediate settlement, on an equi-
| llDlo DdslS, WOuuu pISNSHG any COnuICG anu
save the efTusion of blood. The contesting
Governments are responsible.
While, therefore, the Canadian public may
well feel exercised over the vast commercial
era upon which they have this day entered,
they entertain, with or without cause, a dread
of far greater danger in the shape of
Fenian invasion. To-day is St. Patrick's,
the time selected for the Feniau movement on
the Province, and if any attack is contem-
plated, now is the most likely time for it to be
made. The enthusiasm which this day will
cause among the Irish will be something
analogous to that which fired the ancient
Romans when they selected the birthday Of
CASTOR and PoLLUX as the date of the Lake
Regulas Battle. The presence of their national
saint will be sufficient to 1oreshadoW vic
tory. The combination Of all these events
have naturally had depressing and an ex-
citing effect on our neighbors over the border.
They have reached climax Of alarm. Either
by tomorrow the danger will be past, and
they Gained, or else the telegraph will inform
us of the dreaded invasion having taken place.
The time is, under any circumstances,
fraught with great events. Truly, "Who can
tell what day may bring forth?"