Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-02-26

CANADA.
And the Ffsheries-Exciting Debate
Views of Mcdonald, the AIaba-
ma COmmfsstOner.

Views OF Mcdonald, the Alaba-
ma Commissioner.
OTTAWA, ONT. Feb. 25.-There was al
important debate in Parliament last nigh
on resolution respecting the fisheries ant
Joint high commission. Sir A. T. Gall
said the United States would rather see
US dependent on them than to receive any
money indemnity. The fisheries regula.
tons are regarded with jealousy by the
Imperial government. The Fenian raid
claims are stronger than tie Alabama
claims. The Imperial government dis
patches Ia response to the Canadian re-
quest to press her claims on the United
States are not satisfactory. The House
should express their opinion, not to let
the Imperial government assume that we
are perfectly satisfied: 1t was expected
England would have said something about
the Presidents message. The Imperial
and Canadian governments appeared to
be in accord up to period in 20, but
since then the Canadian government has
been ignored. He utterly repudiated the
subordiration of Canada to the United
States and hoped that Canada would not
be placed in a position of iDferiority to
the great republic.
Sir John A. Macdonald did not want
it to be thrown up to him that the House
of Commons of Canada are afraid our
interests would be sacrafced by the
mother country. The pledge made Can
adisn Representatives some years ago,
one of which representatives was Sir A.
t. Gait, that the whole strength Of the
Empire would be put forth to protect
Canada if necessary. England would
not be false to her pledges for fear of
war. This Government has made GER
tain concessions at the instance of the
Imperial Government which was engaged
at that time in negotiations with the Uni
ted States on which depended peace or war.
1t would not have been right for Canada
to have thrown difficulties in the way by
driving off every American fisherman and
thus adding to the already existing irrita-
ton. We bad not abandoned our rights
which we were afraid to enforce, and
therefore instructed Campbell to ask for
a mixed commi sion to settle the question.
If we vigorously excluded fishermen from
the three mile line, we would protect our
rights, making the fishing improbable
for foreigners. Great as is our desire to
defend the fisheries, and the loss if we
lost them, war would inflict far greater
loss. But the Alabama claims once settled,
we might confidently expect q long period
of peace with US. For the first time
Canadians are asked to sit on commits
sion to deal with Imperial questions. If
the resolution passed he would go to
Washington merely as delegate and have
no voice in the deliberations. Three
miles of sea from our shores is as much
ours as three miles OF sea on each side of
England. England will not yield these
three miles belonging to Canada without
the consent of Canada and the govern
ment which looked with displeasure on
the annexation of Alssce ane Lorraine
against the wishes of the people will not
consent to our land to be taken from US.
The suggestion of the High Commission
could not be made law unless ratified by
the Parliament of Canada. There was no
risk in the matter. HIS hoped Sir A. T.
Gait would feel assured that our rights
WOIS VI IuC ulsG III IdbSO d1u uOJ W
be surrendered except with our own con-
sent.
Mckenzie, a leader of the opposition,
would strenuously oppose anything tend
ing to sever our connection with the
mother country.
Mr.. Blake said nothing should be done
to hamper the government in bringing
matters to satisfactory conclusion; but
the report of the Commission would not
come before the House.
The motion on the resolution was
withdrawn, and after some remarks, in
which Foster and Robetaville testified
that American fishermen had molested
Canadian fishermen and farmers, the dis
cussion ceased.
Sir J. A. Mcdonald leaves on Tuesday
morning for Washington.
1t is rumored 1t is proposed to adjourn
Parliament till November to allow the
Premier to attend on the Commission,
but it is understood the business of the
House will go on in his absence.
The High Commission are invited to
Ottawa, where their labors have termi-
mated,