The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-10
THE DOMINION PARLIAMENT.
Condemnation from the Country OF
the Washington Treaty.
Speech Of Hon. Edward Blake-Canada Disgus
with the Treaty and the Abandon
ment of the Fenian Claims.

OTTAWA Canada, May Q, 1872,
Hon. Edward Blake, leader OF the opposition, spoke
four hours last night in opposition to the bill INTRO
duced by Sir John A. Macdonald to give effect to
the Treaty OF Washington lie reviewed the treaty
as affecting the commercial interests OF the coun-
try, its political relations and the constitutional
responsibility OF the Dominican government In the
matter He spoke strongly against the bill, arguing
that 1t was not for the interest of Canada conclud
Ing his speech by saying the government had taken
the right course in July, when they pointed out
TO the imperial government that the settlement
OF the Fenian claims for money consideration was
unjust and OF the greatest causes OF dissatisac
tiOnwth the Washington Treaty by the Canadian
people, but the proposal coming rom this Side, In
January, without any award, from the English gov
eminent to abandon the claims Tor "A guarantee
loan OF four millions, was n most unaccountable
action on the part OF men who held views 80 opposite
few months previously. 10 was the most huinii-
iating and disgraccful abrogation Of principle and
the severest blow at the honor and interests of the
country that had been received
TIiE PROPOSAL FOR THE GUARANTEE LOAN
was not only to be as settlement Of the Fen1an
claim but the honorable gentlemen proposed in
their oner that IT. WAS, IN their opinion, the mode by
which their hands would be strengthened, and they
would not only he enabled to abandon the Fenian
claims, but also to propose to Canada concurrence
in the fishery articles of the treaty. In TACT, il was
suggested that they could come down to Parliament
with the treaty In one hand and money in the
other, and the House would pocket their feelings
and their nonor, ana accept the apology that their
principles had been sold NJ the best market. He
did not believe that IL was in the interests OF
the empire or peace that this arrangement should
be made simply because others have set their
hearts that which was not their own, and re-
fused to discuss the question OF duty, which every
civilized nation would say they We're bound to OBJ
serve; and whether its rejection should result In
an appeal to the God Of Peace or ~ the God or Bat
ties, as long as our motto was
"GoD AND OUR RIGHT
Justice would prevail in the end. lie would there
fore, move an amendment that, before proceeding
further upon this bill, this House feels bound
to declare that Her Maicsty's loyal subjects
and the people of Canada, while at all
times chcerully making any reasonable sacrifice
in the interests Of the empire, have just
grounds for great dissatisfaction at the mode IN
which our rights have been dealt with In the nego-
tiatons resulting in the Treaty Of Washington,
and In the subsequent proposal OF our government
to England to endorse the Canadian loan, as price
for the adoption OF the treaty for the abandonment
or the claims with respect TO Fenian raids, which
affect not only our purse but our honor and our
peace.
Mr.. Blake was followed by Hon. Mr.. MacD0ugali,
who supported the bill.
The debate was adjourned until Friday.