The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-04-12
Canadian annexatson.

A Canadian contributes to the April num-
Gle upon the forces which he sees In his own
country tending toward its annexation TO the
United States. He does not find there that
the sentiment has crystallized into anything
like party creed, but he points out condi-
tons which are liable at any time to assume
that shape, with strong probability
30 say certainty--of its ultimate predom-
nance It is not improbable indeed that an
actual test of popular preference would dis
cover that already the majority, after search
ing their own minds, would declare in favor
of union. It is admitted that the splace-
holders, Ministers and aspirants to office
and imperial favor" are opposed to the idea,
az are also the " odd fogies' of British birth
and the Orangemen Of Ontario To these
may be added "a number of English and
Scotch merchants, above middle life, many
Of the clergy, together with a body of timid
Conservatives, who naturally shrink from
the idea of radical change" Doubtless the
greater number Of those who are in the hab-
Al VI lAdhitiS tltSiA WINS pUO4tI anu NuO OC-
cupy the most prominent positions in socie-
ty, steadfastly adhere to the existing order
Of things.
The influences which mainly act in the di-
restion of annexation are economic. The
more driving class of business men, espec-
tally those under 40, are not so held by the
sentiment of loyalty and the power of tradi-
tion that they can not sweep them aside in
behalf of their material interests. They see
in a political union an increase OF trade in
all directions. They can not remain unim
pressed by the wonderful prosperity of the
United States and the all but fmperceptible
growth of Canada. The contrast is too pain
fully and truly suggestive not to exert a con-
slant pressure on their minds. The trade of
Nova Scotia and Nes Brunswick is natural
British Columbia with California and Ore
gon, while tie interests of Manitoba and the
adjacent territory are inseparably connected
with our own Northwest 1t has been the
effort of the statesmen of Ontario and Que
bee to bind these distant provinces together
in commercial and social unity by very ex-
pensive lines of railway traversing hundreds
OF miles of intervening wilderness and
mountains; but it is being ascertained that
men are too dependent upon geographical
facts to permit project of this kind to sue
cessfully prevail. The members of the Can
adam Dominion are bound together in an
Enthusiastically artificial manner, and the
truth of the situation is becoming more and
more patent.
There has been some emigration from On
tario and Quebec to Manitoba, but the bulk
of 1t comes to the United States, and the re-
viewer asserts that there is scarcely family
in the provinces which is not represented in
this country, and which does not possess one
OF more other members who fully intend to
become American citizens at some time in
the future. No amount Of mere traditional
patriotic sentiment can stand weight of
this kind long. The philosophers contend
that selfinterest lies at the root of patriot
ism, and as the idea of coming to the
Estates is directly connected with that of
a betterment of condition, the inference that
a greater prosperity would result from an
nexation is irresistible. Then again the
public expenditures in Canada are discour-
aging. The population of the whole Do
minion is less than that of the State of New
York. Taxation is at The rate of 81 02 per
head, and the public debt has grown from
COS, 046, 051 in 1867 to S191 ,S61 ,537 in 1881.
Besides this each Of the provinces has its
local debt. In the meantime the United
States, notwithstanding the occurrence of
the widespread financial panic of 1878, has
reduced its Indebtedness by some $500, 0o0,
O00 Well might practical men in Canada
believe that it would be profitable to tie to
such nation. All these things are talked
about in family, business and social circles,
and though the time may not be ripe for the
advocacy Of definite agitation, it must be
seen that the way is being prepared for it by
the stern logic of facts.
The writer of the Review article states
that about one fourth of the population of
Canada are of Irish birth or descent, and de-
lire separation from England for sentiment
tai considerations if for no other. In addi-
ton to these there are the Freuch Canadians
who have no affection for Great Britain.
They are a peculiarly prolific people, an
within twenty years quarter of milliou
of them have "settled ia the New England
and other States, with crowds weekly leaving
the province to join them, notwithstanding
The pathetic appeals of the clergy" Alto
zether a wonderful aggregate of energy,
which'under favorable political circumstan-
res would be devoted to the development of
the abundant Canadian possibilities, lends
itself to swell the growth of the United
states. It is drain to which no such coun-
inv can tamely submit, when the remedy
a being constantly, If quietly, pointed out.
The fact is alluded to by the reviewer that
"a there has been growth on general prin-
:iples in the English mind toward republic
;anism of late years, so there has been ev-
n greater disposition to repudiate royalty
.mone the Canadians. This is certainly
rue In measure, though to what extent is
,ot to be easily determined. However this
nav be, as stated above the main influence
oward annexation is an economic one, and
necessarily of persistent type.