Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-04-27
The PolltIral Future of Canada,

Prof, Goodwin Smith, whose residence il
both the United States and Canada ha'
given him a familiarity with the situation
characteristics and commercial interests o.
the two countries such as few Englishmen
possess, contributes noticeable article on the
above subject to the Fortnightly Rerienr.
lie believes it to be impossible for Canada to
maintain an independent Government. And
after going over the whole ground he OK
presses the firm conviction that, sooner or
later, the Dominion of Canada must become
part of the United States.
The Professor tells the Dominion leaders
that it is useless to fight geography. Eng
land and Canada are too far apart, both in
distance and interest, to be one nation.
Canada's interests are American, and mate
rial interests in time will break down
the artificial barriers which politics may
oppose, as has been proved in the case
of England and Scotland, the Ger
man confederation, and many other
instances. The natural market of Canada is
the United States. Her most natural route
to the ocean lies through the territory of
that nation. England and Canada have no
common commercial interests, which is de-
monstrated by the fact that every treaty
which Great Britain has made with the
nited States has been to the detriment of
some Canadian interest. Her manufacturer
finds rival in England, and by attempting
to protect him by tariffs the Canadian gov
eminent practically shuts his products out
Of the adjacent States. From an industrial
and commercial point of view, the Dominion
is placed under great and growing disad-
vantage by its determination to make itself
IN independent nation.
The Professor asserts that the present con-
lection between Canada and England is
by strong elements. but they are
mostly of a secondary order and are gradual |
y weakening. The Canadians have all that
bride in the British name which properly
belongs to that race. They are proud Of be-
ng the subjects of the British throne and
hey love British institutions. And there is
ood cause for it. England has always been
enerous to Canada, so that there has been
% occasion for ill-feeling or jealousy. These
les are strong and will hold long but as
ears pass and the people of the Dominion
ONE more and more to realize the great dis
dyantage in which this distant alliance
laces them, the question will come between
entiment and interest. Already English
atesmen have asked if it pays for the home
government to pay so high a price for the
rtficial possession of Canada. The
ominion Parliament is discussing the
riff and considering their financial
,oblcm. Already their scheme has raised
e expenditures of the Government over its
ceipts. Its imports greatly exceed its ex-
'rts. The business stagnation rests upon
at country with crushing weight. Its
are crowded out of their own
arket by the competition of England and the
nited States. 1t will not be long ere some
&c will anxiOusly inquire if these disadvan-
ses are always to be endured and constant
to increase. When this comes to be an
JURY, the Professor is confident that it will
d no satisfactory solution but in the an
xatiOn of Canada to the United States. .
ere is obvious force in these considera-
ms but revolution in the feeling of the
madam people, such as would be necessary
such result, is hardly to be expected in
$ generation. They must work out, to "
cess or failure, their experiment of Do II
MON; and only after trial of independ-
re will they try annexation. d