National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1868-12-18
Remarks Of Mr.. Grout, Of Barton,

TIVES,
On tue JOINT Resolution, relating to
navigation and transportation be.
tween the Dominion of Canada
xad the United States, to be reg
Mated by treaty or otherwise
urging upon the general govern
ment to secure the construction,
if possible, of ship canal con-
Meeting Lake Champlain with the,
st. Lawrence, aud to offer Canada
IN exchange therefor to enlarge
the Champlain canal, aud make
the use of the two reciprocal.
Mr.. SPEAKER;-The subject Of
better facilities for the tranSrorta-
ton East of the constantly and rap.
idly increasing commerce Of the
West, TO which the Governor called
ouI attention in his late able mes-
sage, is one which, because Of its
Importance, merits our careful con-
sldeIatien and if we say or do any
thing which viii tcE,l to bring sr5at
the desired result, we shall have
performed valuable service, not
only to Vermont, but to all the
Eastern and Northwestern States.
The work which the resolution will
perform, if any, if it is adopted, will
be that of calling attention to tho
subject N those States which mani.
testify have an interest in the enter.
prise, in the hope that such an agi,
;ation and discussion Of the matter
will follow as to secure the result
aimed at. Intimately connected
with this question, and in fact, con.
stituting part of it, is that Of inter.
communication generally with Can.
ada. and the right to safe transit
by land Of the merchandise Of each
country across the territory Of tho
other; also the reciprocal right to a
free navigation of the waters, and
reciprocal use of the canals of the
two countries. AT u glance it will
be seen that this subject is broad
one, involving great variety Of in.
terests important to the people Of
both Canada and the United States.
All tkc merchandise which comes
from Chicago and points West to
Vermont and other New England
States, and all which passes thrG'
the Oswego canal 10 Albany; has Oh
its way to Lake Ontario TO pass
through the Welland canal, pub.
lie work of Canada, connecting Lake
Erie and Lake Ontario. AS un,
| UnrStan1 II ,,,.n ,x on =, hnttnn,c ho v.o
had no right to pass through that
canal since the termination Of the
late reciprocity treaty; but they
have deae SO constantly since that
time, tic Canadians being glad I
suppose to receive the tolls for such
use; besides they desire the privi.
lege Of navigating the waters Of
Lake Michigan which lie wholly
within the territory of tho United
States.
Ever since the construction of tho
Grand Trunk Railroad to Portland,
merchandise from New Brunswick,
Nova Scotia Newfoundland, Prince
Edwards Island and England, has
Oecn allowed to pass over our terri
tory from Portland and other seA-
ports to Canada under certain Treas
ury regulations in accordance with
certain acts OF Congress. And the
same courtesy has been extended
by Canada TO our commerce from
the West over the Grand Trunk
Railway from Port Huron to Port.
land, aud over the Great Western
; from Detroit to Buffalo.
There is also some question con.
ccrning the right Of our lumbermeR
in Maine to the use of the st. Johns
river in passing through New Bruins
wick, which by the late reciprocity
treaty was guaranteed. But since
the abrosatlon OF that treaty in
1864. the exercise OF these mutual
privileges is not, as can learn, Of
right, but is indulged because Of
mutual necessity, and rests solely
for its continuance upon the pleas.
, mt bat uncertain and tickle law Of
5 mutual good will and International
. comfy.
! Now all these matters are tho
. proper subject Of convention be-
+ tween the two powers and OF treaty
;. arrangement and it seems to me,
= sir, unwisc to longer leave privilcg.
E es so important to both countries to
, the mere whm or varying caprice OF
= changing administrations and gov.
ernments.
!. As the matter now stands, Cana.
/. da can any day say to Uncle Sam,
; not another spoonful Of grain shall
e pass Eaetward over our territory, |;
= not another American vessel shall
II pass through the Welland canal ;
!, hns placing practlca' embargo
e upon the immense shipment Oh
@ brcadstulls which now come py way
@ of Lake Ontario for the supply OF
r, all New England, and which We
n could not be deprived Of Il Tor only
one mcnth, without periect panic
4 in our markets, and great distress
I am jDg our people. You anu y su,
would be made to understand tho
, fuil meaning of this embargo whcn
: we bought our next barrel OF Hour
after it. And we should understand
/, It's fuller meaning when we could no
longer hnd any flour to buy.
hut says one, Canada will never
do this. Granted, If you please,
that il is not probable she will {;
that the indmcment Of tolls through