The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-01-01

more distant ones they have since sought
the active trade between their people and
ours was far more effective stimulus to i'm
migration than that which has measurably
taken the place of it. In fact, not only has
immigration fallen off immensely, but an
emigration to the States has begun,
the effect of which in drawing off
large numbers OF the productive popula-
ton OF the country, must be disastrous.
In fine the experiment of repeal has not been
attended with single beneficial result, and
if we have been, as we deserved to be, the
first sufferers, they are likely to have sustain
ed the more lasting injury.
In view of these facts the general apathy
in relation to the subject on both sides of the
line, is much to be regretted. That the Ca
nadians show disposition to adopt the Chi
nese policy of fetters and restrictions we re-
gard as the most discourasing feature of their
case. Their new tariff, which has just gone
into effect, strikes deadly blow at the profit
able West India trade which has been grow
ing up in the Maritime Provinces. Their
legislators are evidently partial to those fossil
ideas which impel men to squeeze to death
the goose that would lay them golden eggs;
and portion at least of their constituents
are no wiser. Not long since the Coal Own
ers' Association OF Nova Scotia sent memo
rial to the Dominion Parliament, in which
they set forth that the rich coal fields OF that
Province would afford the natural source of
supply to the New England States, and form
the basis of a mutually profitable trade were
it not "that these peculiar facilities for inter
national trade are rendered of little avail by
the almost prohibitory tariff of the United
States.' They further say:
r the policy adopted towards us by the
United States were necessary for the purpose
OF raising revenue, your memOrialists would
at least have the satisfaction OF knowing that
they are contributing indirectly to assist a
friendly power in its praiseworthy efforts to
sustain its financial credit by reducing its
heavy national debr; but your meu.orialists
have watched with surprise and regret poll
cy on the part OF the United States, which
when an increased revenue and the develop
ment OF domestic industry are urgently re-
quired, aims at cutting Off most important
source OF revenue, and at deprivlng the man
ufacturers OF the East of the most essential
element of their prosperity.
These Coal wOners think that the time has
come when Canada should adopt retaliato-
ry policy, partly for the purpose of rendering
herself independent of our "hostile legisla-
tion," and partly for the purpose Of bringing
his the sooner to sense of our folly. In 9TH
er words they would repeat the foolish fore
iy,n NJ ,io1,x od into to
ward them in the abrogation of the treaty.
Wereay think they ought to have learned
more from the warning of our example.
There is also small class who. oppose Re-
ciprocity from the dread lest more intimate
commercial relations should induce closer po-
litical union, in fact, result in annexation.
The Halifax Sun and Advertiser, not long
since, had leading article on this subject in
which it thus lifted up the voice of warning:
If friendship be engendered through the
influence of some few commodities-will not
more friendship be engeEdered through more
commodities, If partial trade accomplish
beneficial results, will free Trade be thought TO
be less desirable? And ii not, what next?
The answer to the last fearful question, ac-
cordlng to the Sun and Advertiser, Is plainly
annexation.
However, the general sentiment of our
northern neishbors is plainly favorable to a
renewal of the commercial treaty in some just
form. They are not likely to make the first
advances, indeed in the present state of af-
fair, the initiative properly lies with us, but
they would, we are sure, be found all ready
on proper solicitation, to enter into negotia-
tions for a new treaty and to consider dispas-
sionately some equitable basis of agreement.
There can be no doubt that suitable ar
rangement of the kind would be an immense
advantage to both countries, and it is to be
hoped that this matter may soon be taken up
in proper spirit by the leading men on both
sides, and settled in manner mutually salts
factory.