The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-06-02

Fnte Of the Treaty in Canada.
We can put NO confidence in the rumor
that "Lord Lisear," as the Canadian papers
now call Sir John Young, the Governor Cen
eral, will assume to ratify those parts OF the
treaty requiring the consent of the Domin-
i'm TO give them validity, without awaiting
the action of the Provincial Parliament. 1t
would be most suspicious circumstance ii
he possessed this power, for then there would
be an end of the matter. But Parliament
will grant The necessary legislation only after
much delay, ii at all, and then with the
greatest possible reluctance. Though the re-
port of Baron Lisgar's intention to usurp the
prerogatiye of the Queen by making a treaty
without reference 10 the legislative power
Comes frOmi an authoritative source, it be-
comes absolutely incredible when we remem-
Der that the treaty itself expressly provides
that the articles touching the fisheries shall
not take effect till the necessary laws are
passed by the Parliament of Canada as well
as other legislative bodies. Whatever strange
authority may be vested in the Queens vice.
roy to perform the most important acts that
are done by royalty itself-authority, we are
bound to say, never heard of or imagined be-
fore-the explicit language of the treaty must
OF course rule in this case.
There are some queer rumors as to what
will be doue in the Canadian Parliament
when the treaty is under consideration. The
opposition to the present ministry of course
makes party question Of the treaty nego-
tiated by commission of which the leader
OF that ministry, Sir John A. Macdonald,
was member. OF course nearly all the OPP
position members OF Parliament will vote
against any legislation to give it effect.
The opportunity TO fire the Canadian heart
on the invasion of the sanctity of their fish
ing grounds and the rape OF the Goldfish IS
not one to be lost by the wide-awake Liberal
leaders and their able organ, the Toronto
Globe. All this is to be expected, human ma
ture being what it is. But it is rumored that
the, crafty premier is not to be caught
in this way and that, rather than face
the danger of hostile majority and the con-
sequent enforced REIMBURSEMENT Of Office, he
will boldly turn his back on bis own work. In
other words, Sir John A. Macdonald, instead
of making the Alabama treaty ministerial
measure, will not only allow it to be ian open
question" but will himselfoppose it. The oppo-
sitilion papers are making it easier for him 10
do this by quoting from many speeches made
by him just before his appointment on the
Joint Commission in which he took ground
in favor of the extreme doctrines relative to
the inalienable rights OF Canada in the fish
cries. II the ministry should take this ex-
traordinary course the prospect Of the settle
ment OF the fishery question would appear to
be poorer than ever. The members of the
Dominion Cabinet are now in consultation at
Ottawa, and 1t is thought likely that special
session Of Parliament for the consideration
OF the treaty will be called in September.
But ii the Canadians do finally refuse to
become parties to the establishment Of peace
between the two nations-if they will moi
sacrifice even their whims for the purpose Of
avoiding the danger of war that Impends
every hour while the dispute continues-will
England consent 10 sustain the responsibility ?
In case Of trouble Canada would rely almost
wholly on the mother country for aid and
succor. Unprotected by the power OF the
Empire, the whole country would be at the
mercy Of the American invader. Unsubsi.
died by the imperial treasury the already
disordered finances would not staud he
great strain of war for week. Will Great
Britain unselfshly humor the criminal obsti-
nancy and caprice Of its dependencyP Will
it sacrifice blood and money in quarrel
that can be settled on honorable terms
which it is eager to accept? We are decided
ly of the opinion that, 1t Canadian contuma-
cy does not give way, the English will say to
"Lord Lisgar's" subjects,-"Go 10, this is moi
our quarrel, but yours. We wash our hands
of it. Settle it with the States as best you
can, since our terms do not suit your pioud
stomachs. But don't look for money or men
from this side Of the Atlantic. In short, We
disown you, cast you off ard leave you to
follow your own devices till your stout neigh
bors shall in due time marry you. Mean
while we will reach an amicable settlement
OF our quarrel with the United States and
will all live happily ever AFTER"