Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-05-24
The Washington Treaty i'm Canada

The Washington Treaty i'm Canada.
1t is curious to observe the manner in
which the Treaty of Washington has been re-
ceived by the Canadian journals, and the in
fluences under which their opinions are
formed So far as we have observed, the
journals which support tie Dominion govern
ment are unanimous in commencing the
treaty, while the opposition journals almost
as unanimously denounce 1t. The part OF the
treaty which e1cites the greatest opposition
is that which relates to the fisheries.
The Toronto Leader, who represents the
government and is supposed to be the voice
of Sir John A. Macdonald, gives an able ex-
position and defense of the treaty. 1t main
| tains that although concessions are made by
| Canada, the treaty is much more favorable
in every respect than Canada could have pro-
cured as an independent nation this, In It's
view, disarms the opposition party, and
proves the advantages of the confederation
and of loyalty to Great Britain. 1t asserts
that tue bonded system adopted as part OF
the treaty will amply repay Canada for any
| concessions on her part, and that free trade
10 fish will be sufficient recompense fer the
rights supposed to be surrendered by the
maritime provinces The Montreal Witness,
which supports the government, and the
Montreal Herald, an independent journal,
expresses similar views.
The opposition press differ among them
selves in the grounds of the objection. The
Toronto Globe, which is the leading journal
opposed to the Dominion government, says
that the plan for settling the fishery question
requires - capitulation . of every material
point in the dispute To this it objects, not
so much on the account of the fisheries them
selves, as that it destroys all hope ofever OBJ
tanning fair and just reciprocity of trade
in general &" HitheI to-" it says, "the
questions of free fisheries and of reciprocity
in all natural products have been regarded
as inseparable."
The Globe errs in this conclusion, as well
as in the supposition that any " capItula-
ton - is demanded. This question OF the
fisheries Will have no effect upon free trade
with Canada and We believe that at the
next session of Congress notifications will be
made in our tariff which will prove this
| The necessities of the United State demand
them regardless of any other question
While the Toronto Globe opposes the
treaty violently, it does so upon the implied
pretence that it would be Injurious to th'
/ Dominion. In other words, It's criticism
seems TO be that of partisan, who desires
to support the union of the provinces, but t
oppose every measure of the party IN power
It's ,iCNhlOl lc tltAN ~ ~ ~ tN'-'''iN---
to the treaty.
on the contrary, the Halifax Chronicle
which represents the opposition IN the mari
time provinces, opposes the treaty because Il
is u measure intended to give strength TO th'
Canadian union at the expense Of those pro
yinces which have the least sympathy witt
it. 1t writes
=. Protest in advance, undertaking repu
diation by this province of Its consent to s
iniqutious bargain, Is incumbent upon tn
press of Nova Scotia. The danger was fore
seen by the House OF Assembly, but its season
able warning appears to have been disregard
ed bv Sir John 4 Macdonald 1t Is tn
heaviest and most burdensome evil whic
confederation has imposed upon US that v
are debarred from an influential or declslv
voice in the consideration of interests Pecu
liarily our own Our circumstances mus
reach the home government at second han
through Ottawa. Our independent legisa
ture has been destroyed and our impotenc
in the Dominion House Of Commons Is by
word In this matter of the sale Of our nsh
cries. we shall reap the worst fruits OF con
federation. Our fishermen will suffer mos
, heavily but the disastrous effects OF the pro
posed treaty will reach every door IN Nov
: scotia
Ostensiby this is an argument against th
= treaty itself, but the motive Is not expressed
- hen the treaty was published the people {
2 Nova Scotia were preparing for an electlo
which should decide their opinion OF tn
question of confederation OF independence
: and this was an excellent opportunity I
! feed their prejudice. The fact is that ia
} reciprocal character OF the treaty will re
move in part the causes of complaint whIc
have increased the desire for annexation t
/ the United States, and this is Just what
81, 4.
D they want relief in a change of government
aud they are determined to oppose ever
e measure which serves to delay the change
The St. John Telegraph, which eIpresse
e the independent sentiment of New Bruins
c wick hopes that - unless the treaty admit
, DC some more favorable construction tina
e that which appears to be its obvious mean
: ing, the parliament OF Canada will not scceT
e 1t, nor the legislature of Prince Edward Is
E land. Ii recommends the local legislature
- now happily IN session. to pass res0ll
D tions upon the subject The recOmmcnda
: ton seems 10 have been accepted for dis
d patch from =. John reports that the lowe
c branch Of til. legislature took up the subiec
{ and the treaty meets with great opposition.
i In New Brunswick, as in Nova Scotia, Il
n annexation party is large, and VIII oppo.
? the treaty.
- We believe, however, that the opposite
will have little effect upon the canada
Parliament Sir John Macdonald
strong IN the government, and is helping
make the treaty, he no doubt, knew wul
i would be acceptable To his party. They ma
have desired 10 avoid some of the concessjo,
which it makes to Us, but the treaty as
whole viii be welcomed = a means of esta
fishing more cordial trade relations betwet
u the United States and the British province
" J. Post.
q
p ENCIRsTJN oF NEW FNcrANu Entr.vS