The national Republican., 1869-02-13
Recipreeitx \. An..r..inn.

4
The treaty OF 1884 Tor reciprocity with the
British Provinces was carried by variety
Of Influences, but the controlling consldera-
tlon with the men who then controlled this
Government was 70 stave of the annexation
Of the British Provinces 10 this country,
Fr4nklin Picrce wss nominaily President,
but he was the merest TOOL OF Toombs.
Hunter, elidell, Jeff Davts, aud their assol
ctatcd dave oiigarchs Of the scsth. Thsy
saw that annexation was inevitable without
reciprocity. The people Of the adjoining
Provinces, cut of from our markets, con-
,rasted our prosperity with the sluggishncss
Of their own development. They were dis
satisfied, uneasy, and fast becoming disloyal
10 the British Crown. Their situation
touched TINT most sensitive Of oil nerves, the
pocket nerve. Relief In some form was q
necessity to them, and In come form they
would have obtained Il. But annexation
was not acceptable to Toombs, slidell and
Davis. To be sure, 1t Would have given us
the 81. Lawrence and rid us Of British power
In the only quarter where Il menaced US.
But Toombs and slidell aud Davis were not
American statesmen. They were nothing
but the representatives OF a miserable Sec
tional and very peculiar Institution. They
dreaded any annexation which would turn
tho balance Of power In favor Of the free
States. To prevent annexation they con.
triyed reciprocity, and the result proved
their sagaolty. No sooner did the British
Provinces begin to enjoy the prosperity
I. which access 10 our markets gave them than
I discomfort ceased, annexation was no Longer
! talked Of, and the old feeling Of colonial
! loyalty returned In Its full force.
From the nature Of the case the politician,
1 Of the provinces, Of whatever shade Of party
4 must be opposed to annexation. They enjo,
I now a local Importance, which would b,
. dwarfcd and swallowed up in the greatness
4 Of the American Union. Nothing will fore,
9 them to Il but an overwhelming current o
' popular feeling, and that eau only result
from tho pressure Of the business wants oi
the provinces. With a free access to oui
{ markets for the products Of their untaxed In
a dustry, the people Of the provinces will be a.
0 intensely loyal, British and anti-American
Il as they were during the late civil war. Bul
y as soon as they understand that Congress
l. cannot be shaken in It's adherence to tina
sound policy which abrogated the reclprocit!
q treaty of Toombs and slidell and JEFF. Davis
/. they will seek relief In that only other mod
ct which will remain for them, viz; annexation
l. to the United States. And they will seek
d with an energy aud uuanimity which will no
v only overawe and coerce their politician
o Into acqulescence, but which win compel th
/" assent Of the British Grown. Then and thu
|, will be consummated that conquest q
ie Canada to which the arms Of our revolt
ID tlonary fathers were not equal. The citad,
" which deaed the yalor Of Montgomery wi
IN no longer dominate under foreign Gag, oy,
Of the outlet by which the waters Of the grea
lakes 1ow to the sea. The standing mena'
r. Of our northern frontiers will no longer pre-
nr woke our indignation or alarm our fears.