, 1880-04-19
Annexation Of Canada.

4
Archbishop Lynch, Of Toronto, in a
public lecture, advises the Canadians
to avoid annexation with the United
States. The advice is good-for the
! United States. II the Canadians pre-
fer to live in the kitchen in preference
to walking into the American parlor,
the present inmates Of the latter part Of
the domicils can endure it. But it is
barely possible the good and loyal
bishop does not reflect the sentiments
of the Canadians. So far as we know,
the best of feeling exists between the
people of the United States and Canada,
and if the union of the two countries
is ever effected, it will be likely to prove
to be congenial one 1t is really o
question that involves commercial
rather than political considerations. As
General Grant sagacious!y remarked IN
his conversations with John Russell
Young during his trip around the
world, the acquisition OF the possessions
of the British on the North American
continent would really be of no ad-
vantage to the United States. We are
getting all the benefit now we could
possibly have after they were annexed.
This country does not need territorial
enlargement. We have now all that we
want and more than we have SO far
been able to utilize or govern discreet
ly. The annexation of Mexico upon the
south or Canada upon the north would
not give us any commercial advantages
in particular, and would increase the
burdens of government; especially in
the case of Mexico. The benefits
would mainly be on the other side.
Take, for instance, Canada and the
provinces of the dominion. Out of
that territory two or three good sized
states could be formed, each with its
two senators, and one or more repre-
sentatives in Congress. Each state
would be free within its own sphere
like any other state of the Union. The
| new states would become homogeneous
with the rest. The national laws would
prevail over all. The national currency
would circulate the custom houses
would be abolished the fisheries ques-
ton would be settled, and all cause for
irritation would be ended. We would
buy their lumber and sell them our
products, such as they now import
from US. Our railroad, telegraph, ex-
press and postal systems would spread
over their country, ana thus their in
terests and ours would become mutual,
and undoubtedly both sides would be
benefited, but the Canadians to far
greater extent than the people of the
United States.
1t may or it may not be manifest
destiny" as many patriotic and Jealous
American citizens have been fond of
imagining, that Canada will become alb
sorbed into our system OF federated
states, but the idea is undoubtedly
popular upon both sides. of the line,
and there are many reasons for bellev-
ing it will be consummated. CONNER
cial considerations will be the chief in
citement to such movement. What
ever pays best commercial people are
apt to do. If the Canadians can benefit
themselves by annexation, and Improve
| their material as we'll as their social
condition, they will be quite likely to
bring it about despite Bishop Lynch's
appeal to their love of country. The
country would be theirs after annexa-
| ton as much as it is now. Annexation
does not mean conquest or subjugation,
but simply change of form of govern
ment. Instead of a governor general
sent over from the old country they
would elect their own governors, as
we'll as maintain their local state gov
ernments in even greater freedom than
theyinow enjoy. Annexation, the more
it is studied by the Canadians, will
lose much OF its repugnance to the
lovers of country and will appeal to the
better judgment of every good citizen
! of the Dominion Hawkeye.