National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1869-02-05

IN THE U. s. SENATE, JANUARY
Ia, 1869.
On motion of Mr.. Morrill,, the Sen
ate then took up the resolution of
the Legislature Of Vermont, pre-
sented by him some days since,
which was Iead, as follows:
Res0loed, That having an intelli-
gent regard for the best interests OF
Vermont, it is the duty Of our Sen
ators and Representatives in Con
gress to use their influence against
the consummation Of any treaty
relating to reciprocity of trade with
the Dominion Of Canada, and to in
sist that the subject of our trade and
personal intercourse with Canada,
as well as with all other foreign
countries, is not proper matter of
treaty stipulation, but belongs to
Congress, and should be wisely reg
ulated by a judiciOus tariff.
Mr.. Morrill, said Mr.. President
The resolutions of the Legislature
of the State of Vermont, | believe,
only express the opinions of some OF
the iipest statesmen of the country
in times past, and the present sen.
timents of the agriculturists of
nearly the whole nation. | have
sought the opportunity to submit
some remarks upon the reference of
these resolutions, for the same reas-
on that most likely induced the ac-
ton OF the Legislature of Vermont,
because Of Il disposition manifested
in some quarter--I hope it may be
limtcd--to revive an unfortunate
example in our history or negotiat-
ing more Ct that class of treaties
whereby our foreign trade is regu
lated by treaty instead of being
regulated by the usual and accus.
toned laws of Congress--believing,
as | do, that such treaties are con
trary to the practice of the Govern.
ment, contrary to the constitution,
aud contrary to the lit t.rests of the
whole country. The exclusive poll
cy so long maintained by the British
Government and other nations rela,
tive to trade with their colonies hav.
ing now been greatly modified, tho
not wholly abandoned, and the poll
cy of granting equal tavors to all
nations with whom commercial in
tercourse is maintained having he.
come almost universal among civil.
ized nations, there is no longer in.
duccnent to seek Ivy treaties special
favorS, or 10 attempt to overreach
less entcrprising nations by the arts
of diplomacy. Secret treaties or
partial treaties find little favor, and
whatever is granted to one party is
practically open at once to al, others
to accept OF like terms. If Eng
land negotiatcs treaty with China
it is at once duplicated with the
United States. If the United
States make u treaty with Japan
equal favors are promptly obtained
by England and other nations. 1t
/ is even rcckoned, if not discredita
clc, somewhat beneath the dignity
of Independent nations to grasp at
any exclusive privileges By means
of treaties, and Il sure mark of i'm
bccility for any nation to grant them
1t has also been growing more and
more politically unsafe to lampcl
the trade of colonies with Sucl
badges OF inicriority ds make then
tributary and subScrVicnt to the i'm
perial selfislncss of the mothc
country ever since the succcssfn
resistance OF the United States t.
the policy of taxation without rep
rescutation attempted by Georg
III. When Il Spanish Embassado
represented to Cromwell that tn
inQuisition aud colonial trade wer
his masters two eyes, Cromwell II
piled "rhen | must trouble you
master to put out his two eyes,
The inquisiton has been blotte
. out, and, while the language {
Cromwell might not he accepted b
modern diplomacy, it is questionable
whether the world will long quietl
tolerate any monopoly Of colonis
trade. The first real negotiation i
the way of a treaty of reciprocit
was made by Mr.. Wheaton, at Be
lin. He had been instructed BY NJ
. Forsyth in 1889, then Secretary ,
!; State, to obtain a relaxation of til
t duties on tobacco-that was all
anf after seven years of effort, {
ut least lapse of years, he col
cluded what is known as the XOllv
rein Treaty. Prussia and her &c
man associates would consent
nothing without an equivalent.
Prussian duties on tobacco were
be relaxed, then the United Stat
must render q relaxation of Il
duties on certain other articles
the growth Or produce of the 20
verein, and these articles seem
have become cO.extensivc with u
:. number of the principalities el
~ braced in the associated crowd
Each appears to have rushed
with some pet to be favored, and Q
would seem to have been gratiiie
The workers In hardware, and
: wool, worsted, silk, cotton, aud lin.
n m were no sooner appeased than u
" lubricants of fish ks,snufI b0xe
!, and toys presented their budget
h. and at last the proposed trea
m contained an assortment Of stapl
n. and bVoMterie such aa ! venture
say, were never before asscmbl