Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1870-08-10
Canadian Annexa ton.

Now that the smoke and dust of the great
conflict at Pigeon Fill have died awty, and
the United States have shown by vigorous
prosecution of the offending Fenians that it
is strictly mindful of it's duties as a member
Of the family of nations, the old discussion
of annexation or independence is being re-
vived. Our neighbors realize more fully the
peculiar position in which they stand with
the mother country, and some change in the
relationship is certain to be the result.
Heretofore the movement has to some extent
been confined to disappointed politicians and
TO sundry sections aggrieved by legislation
affecting local prosperity, and have not been
aggravated by any general feeling of wrong
done by England. Now the complete with
drawal of the army leaves the Canadians
with many of the perplexities and cares and
hardly any of the benefits of an independent
state. They have no navy, no flag, are al
lowed no diplomatic intercourse save through
circuitous and unsympathetic channel, and
are liable at any time to be threatened or
attacked as an integral part of the empire.
Their commerce must be carried on not to
suit their own needs or interests all is sub
ordinate to policy created and managed far
away. Naturally they grumble, and natural
", like all who have dealings with John Bull
they get no redress. The most far-sghted
among them see the necessity of manfully
preparing for independence, at least, and very
many would prefer to take the initiative in
preference to being kicked off as they feel
they will be at some not distant date.
Of course we do not expect independence
and annexation to be synchronous by imme
diate annexation Canada might be involved
IN too many of the consequences of our civil
war, though considering all things it may
not be long before the comparative equaliza-
ton of the debts of the two countries would
render the money question no obstacle she
would have at present little knowledge of and
no interest in our leading political questions,
but that barrier threatens soon to be dis
solved. New parties must arise divided by
theories of tariff and trade, and the Canadi-
ans would find no difficulty in understanding
such questions and arraying themselves with
the side TO which their interests or prejudices
might direct them.
For long time their coin and all measures
of value have been made to conform with our
own. geography declares for some sort of
confederation, and the interests of commerce
demand that the imaginary line, which offers
50 little obstacle to the dishonest, shall not
long stand in the way of legitimate business
All the institutions of the Dominion are az
- L.,
of the old seigniories has destroyed the last
chance of the growth of an aristocracy
With our example before their eyes, the Can.
adams would not endure for day the costly
pomp of imperialism, and they care little for
it's spectacles even when the expense is de-
such people can always remain an append.
age to aristocratic England. especially when
the attachment is not desired BY the stronger
party?
There are many Canadians of wealth and
shrewdness who, having firm and just faith
in the immense resources of the province,
are amazed that their natural advantages are
not better improved; they appreciate the
immense strides our people are making in
every direction, and contrast them with the
slow growth of their own country. They
know that the difference is not to be account
ed for by difference of race, and cannot but
feel that there is something in our polity and
institutions il would be for their interest to
share. 1t is not unreasonable to believe that
. union of some kind, of the kindred commu-
mites on this continent, is not very far distant.