Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1869-03-15
Should Cdnadd join the Untfcd
States?

This matter is being quite generally
discusse q in the | nited States and the
British Provinces. We have already de-
voted considerable space to " Reciproc-
tiles" and "Ship Canals which I'M
derli, this question, and have come to
the conclusion that neither project can
be profitably contemplated, and that
nothing short of annexation can cure
the political evils, AMI Commercial in
conveniences of the people in the two
countries. The following able article
upon the subject of annexation, is copied
from the New York Sun:
England can hold her American Col
onies but for brief period at best. 1t
Is not i'm the nature of things. In the
first place, she cannot defend them in
case of a war with this country. The
fact of contiguity settles that. This is
lust as plain to England az TO the rest of
mankind. The London Times has over
and over admitted the fact. AZ nations
do not keep at peace always, especially
when there is a tempting object to go to
war for, we may conclude that some day
England would, if the pressure were up
Ou ucl, MlilDSiy SCNtiN wv JuepNiOh Va
actual or threatened war, by ceding the
colonies. This is one reason, but not
the only one.
The British Provinces can never en-
Joy anything approaching the prosperi-
ty to watch their territorial situation
entities them, until they enjoy, without
restriction, the benefit of the United
States markets. Unless tnis country adj
mits their products free of duty, there
is long actual list of them, and a still
longer possible list, that can have no
market at all. They may sell glain and
provisions, and fish, to England and
other European countries, but the arti-
c!es that won't bear 1000 miles of trans
portation, must go without sale SO long
as the United States keeps up a high
rate of import duty. Thus they are
not masters of their own destiny. They
cannot send cabages, or pumpkins, nor
turkeys and chickens, and fresh meats,
nor working cattle and horses, nor any
manufactures of cotton or wool. or iron,
neither their coal, nor lime, nor gyp-
sum, nor building stone, across The
broad Atlantic, for n market. All these
and thousand other nameless articles,
the product of farm and dairy, and
household industries, can find no mar
ket except in the contiguous territory of
,
they are confined to glutted and re-
stricted home market, where compe-
titiOn results in stagnatiOn and substan-
tial repression of production.
This brief, naked statement disclOSeS
Mt glance the political necessity which
now presses, and will always press, upon
the British American Colonies to desire
and seek change of their condition. 1t
does not now exist tor the first time. 1t
has always existed. 1t assumed alarm
ing dimensions only few years ago.
The feeling that relief must be mad at
all events from this suffocating state OF
most industrial interests in the Provin-
ces was the moving spring ana cOntrC l.
ling motive of the late reciprocity treaty
which expired a short time ago. AT the
time that treaty was negotiated, under
the double inspiration of British money
AID certain selfish trading interests OF
New England, stimulated and aided by
Southern jealousy which saw with
alarm the rapid strides the sentiment in
favor of annexation was making. the
pressure upon colonial industry had SEN
sibly lOosened the loyal sentiments of the
population. The feeling spread III favor
of annexation. 1t was thought to be
better to live Americans than die Brit
ons. Our Congress was seduced and
lIltO tIlc RECIPROCITY treaty
by the persistent efforts OF British and
Colonial agents, who left no stone I'M
turned at Washington to secure their
object. That treaty carried the Provin-
ces over 10 years. The good effects we
were promised in conciliating colonial
favor were fully illustrated during the
war. We got their undivided enmity
instead. This we make small account
of, now that we have triumphed over all
our enemies, and have almost forgotten
1t. Only, we have not yet forgotten our
experience so completely as to want to
make another treaty. The colonists are
already after it, however, hot foot. II
we have sense enough and firmness
enough to resOlutely and peIsistently
decline their soft suggestions, we shall
in a very short time see what we saw
Just before the former treaty was nego.
tiated that is, restless determination
for change which will give the colo,
NAL population the American markets
We have already said enough to show
the imperiOus necessity to them of our
market. 1t does not admit of controver-
sy that they must have it. 1t is an mex
Orable demand CT the time and the stu
alton. One way or another it must
come. If they can't get treaty, they
must ask for annexation. The people
can't stand, and will not stand a steady
prolonged pressure, such as our restric-
tive system intlects.
Thus it is, and we submit to the peo-
pie of the British Provinces that they
had better set about the work of annex
alton without delay. The sooner it is
accomplished the better for them and
for all of us. 1t will clear the sky OF all
portending clouds. 1t will settle all oul
difficulties with England. Removing
all danger of conflict of the old country
with the new, it will give az immense
impulse to the activities of the British
race on our northern frontier. Every
consideration prompts us to aid i'm this