Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-10-12
Senator Sumner on Annexation.
The following are Senator Summers

The following are Senator Summers
remarks, at the Worcester Conven-
ton. on the relations of Canada to
the United States:
Sometimes there are whispers of
territorial compensation, and Canada
is named as the consideration. But
he knows England little, and also lit
tie of that great English liberty from
Magma Charta to the Somerset case,
who suppose that this nation could
undertake any such transfer. On
each side there is impossibility. |
allude to this suggestion only because
it has been made in the public press
and been answered from England.
But the United States can never be
Indifferent to Canada, nor to the 9TH
er British Provinces, near neighbors
aud kindred. 1t is well known his
torically that, even before the Declar-
alton of Independence, our fathers
hoped that Canada would take part
with them. Washington was strong
in this hope; so was Franklin.
The Continental Congress, by sol
emn resolution, invited Canada, aud
appointed a commission, with Ben
.jamin Franklin at its head, to form a
Union between the Colonies and the
people of Canada. In the careful in
structions, which were signed in be-
half of Congress by John Hancock,
President, the Commissioners are,
among other things, enjoined to re-
mind the Canadians that it is our
earnest desire to adopt them into the
Union as a sister colony, and to Sc
cure the same general system of mild
and equable law for them and our
selves, with only such local differen
ees as may be agreeable to each colo
ny respectively and further that in
the opinion of the Continental Con-
gress, their interests and ours are in
separately united (Am. Archires,
VoI. z. P. 412, 4M Series Long
ago the Continental Congress passed
away. Long ago the great Commits
sioner rested from his labors. But
the invitation survives not only in the
archives Of our history, but in all
American hearts, constant and contin'
uing as when first issued, believing, as
we do, that such a Union, in the full
ness of time, with the good will of the
mother country, and the accord of
both parties, must be the harbingeI
of infinite good. Nor do | doubt
that this will be accomplished. Sucl
union was clearly foreseen by thu
; late Mr.. Richard Golden, who, in {
letter to myself, dated London It'll
November, 1S49, wrote: Il agree
with you that nature has decided tina
Canada and the United States mus
become one for all purposes of inter
communication. Whether they ais,
: shall be united in the same Fedora
o Government must depend upon tn
two parties to the union. | can as
i sure you that there will be no repe
! tition of the policy of l776 on gu
# part to prevent our North America
:. Colonies from pursuing their interest
/ in their own way. If the people 0
h Canada are tolerably unanimous !
+ wishing to sever the very slight threa
s which now binds them to this country
+ l see no reason why, if good faith an
/ ordinary temper be observed, it sho'
lie not be done amicably.' Nearly tweI
n ty years have passed since these pre-
d phetic words, and enough has alread
z, taken place to give assurance Of tn
rest. Reciprocity, which is SO ofte
desired on both sides, will be tran.
,e figured Oh both sides, will be transfs
$ ured in union, while our Plural I'm
lie is strengthened and extended.
es The end is certain; nor shall "
lie wait long for its mighty fulflment.-
of It's beginning is the establishment Q
l. peace at home, through which the nj
ce tional unity shall become manifest
d, This is the first step. The rest wi
is follow. In the procession of even
es it is now at hand, and be is blind WI
en- does not discern it. From the frozt
n sea to the tepid waters of the Me1
ng can Gulf, from the Atlantic to the P
d, cific, the whole vast continent-sn
We ling with outstretched prairies whel
Is the coal fields below vie with the i
la finite corn fields aboye-teeming wi
IN iron, copper, silver and gold-flliI
Gu fast with free people, to whom t
rs telegraph and steam are constant sc
wants, breathing already with schoo
We colleges and libraries-studded wi
81 inland seas where fleets are sailing
r the whole interlaced by rivers viii
:. are highways, and poured round 4;
- old oceans food, all this will
If the Great Republic, one and indivi
- bic, with a common constitution,
ed common liberty, and common glory
ed
ID E-ll