Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-07-15
UNITED STATES AND CANADA.

posed reciprocity treaty with Canada,
would like to create the impression in this
country that the treaty is the work OF the
Dominion authorities. and that its effect
would be to separate the Canadas entirely
from the British government and connect
them with the United States. An article
from the London Standard containing this
idea is passing through our papers in or
der to disseminate it among the people.
1t asserts that the effect OF the treaty will
be to establish North American zoll-
yerein and something more. that 1t Is
aimed at the commercial and political
welfare of the British Empire, and the
final result will be the annexation of the
Canadas to this government. Doubtless
the Standard and its hackers believe that
the treaty would be more popular in the
United States, and consequently more GER
tain of ratification, were the assertions
which they make to obtain credence here.
Apparently opposed to the treaty, they
are working for its adoption by as nice a
piece of artiice rs ever a gambler en-
ployed.
But they presume too much upon the
ignorance of our people. Our reputation
for smartness would suffer were we to be
caught by the trick laid for us. Through
the Indifference or dislike manifested to
the treaty in such utterances as those OF
the Standard we are able to read the real
design of those who send them out, or we
are not worthy children of those who have
often baffled and beaten the British Free
Traders in their attempts to control our
markets.
All that is necessary to give the quieuts
to this London scheme, is to follow it up
with the statement Of the tact that 1t is
with the British government that the rece-
procity treaty has been negotiated. The
Dominion government has had no.more
hand in it than the State of Maine has. 1t
is the work of the British government. 1t
is made for British interests, to secure free
traffic in our markets through Canada for
the cheap labor productions of England.
1t is not to detach Canada from Great
Britain and permit her to join her fortunes
with us, but to bind her more securely to
the mother country by Joint schemes to
prey upon powerful and generous neigh
Dor. England alone is responsible for it
on the one side, the United States on the
other. To say that it is hostile TO the in
terests of Great Britain is to say that she
does not know how to take care of them.
To assert that it is the work of the Domin-
ion is to assert that the subject is greater
than the sovereign. To pretend as the
London paper does that the treaty is a
bait cast cut by the Dominion in the d.
rection of annexation, that it is a step
towards cutting the ''painter" and casting
loose from Great Britain, is as absurd as
to say that the cabin-boy rules on the
quarterback and controls the course of
the ship.
The recent speech of the Prime Minister
of the Dominion, Mr.. Mackenzie, at Que
bee, had nothing in it about separation
from England, but considerable against
the idea of annexation to the United
States. Still he is charged by the decep-
tive Londoners with having bargained the
country away, government, British inter-
ests and all, to the yankees. He pictured
Quebec as the rival of New York. strip
ping the latter Of its trade, and making
the United States tributary through the
treaty to British and Canadian interests.
His speech was for Canadian market,
not speech to bamboozle Americans into
the support of sham reciprocity, but an
honest speech to a con6ding and intelli-
gent people, whom he desired to have u
plain understanding of existing facts and
reasonable probabilities.
The anxiety of the Britishers about the
treaty must be great when they will re-
sort to artifce like that we have exposed
in the London Standard. The effect of it
however will be contrary to their expecta-
tions. 1t will lead TO more careful ex-
animation OF the treaty on the part Of our
people, and probably create feeling of
criticism that will not be favorable to
British interests. We shall inquire more
particularly where the reciprocity comes
10 in the new arrangement, and consider
whether we are under obligation to build
up our neighbors and promote British
commerce and industries at the expense
OF our own people. Democratic conven-
tions may resolve for Free Trade and Re-
ciproeity. but the endorsement of these by
the voters if fairly presented will not be
very encouraging to Mr.. Mackenzie orthe
London schemers plottingto steal into our
markets.
village shopkeeper, on entering his shop
l. Z. n