Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-03-23
8ailr gtlr'1tbtf JOnrnal.
Augusta. Friday Morning, March 23.
Annexation.

Our Canadian neighbors are having a
little furry OF excitement in regard to the
question of commercial reciprocity with
the United States. The recent election of
members in the province of Ontario turned
upon this matter. the candidates in favor
of reciprocity being elected. 1t is evident
that the feeling is widespread and earn
est, and is causing the conservatives a
good deal of uneasiness.
But it takes two to make bargain.
There must be party in the United
States as well as in Canada in favor of
reciprocity, else no treaty of that kind can
be effected. There is no sign that such
party exists here. The former reciprocity
treaty was terminated by almost universal
assent on this side of the line. And so
far as appears upon the surface our peo-
pie are well satisfied that it came 70 an
end and have no desire to renew that or
any similar treaty. 1t was go ID thing
for Canada but not for the United States.
They got the free run of our markets with
but little compensation to us. The Cana
dams pretended to be satisfied when it was
abrogated, but if they were they have not
remained so, though they have enacted
q tariff against us and endeavored to make
themselves as happy and comfortable and
the United States as unhappy and as un-
comfortable under the new conditions as
they possibly could. But in spite OF all
they have done this government takes but
little notice of their attempts to cause it
to relent, and there is no party in this
country to advocate renewal Of recipro-
city.
There is one way by which the Cana
dams can secure reciprocal commercial
relations with this country, that is, by an
nexation, and towards the adoption of this
they are tending. The United States does
not seek to annex them. 1t employs no
compulsion. 1t only seeks to take. care
of its own interests in friendly. legiti-
mate, honorable way. as they stand al
fected by the political and commercial
affairs Of our neighbors. An artical in
the last North American Review, by DR..
Bender, takes this view OF the matter
He thinks there is a million of Irish
Canadians who secretly favor annexation,
also that the French Canadians are
not influenced by any special feeling of
loyalty towards the Canadian govern
ment and are leaning more and more
towards republication and annexation
with the United States. He regards
the prosperity of Canada as depending
upon its annexation to this country. The
large immigration OF Canadians into the
States is an important factor to promote
the union of the two countries. The
greater portion of these immigrants will
make their homes here, and their efforts
will aid powerfully to bring their Canadian
relatives and friends to embrace the privi-
leges and advantages of the governmental
and commercial concerns of the United
States.
Annexation is only question of time.
It will come naturally. easily, on condi-
tions just to all concerned. That is the way
through the difficulties that beset the states
manship of Canada in dealing with the re-
lations existing between that coun-
try and the United States. The peo-
pie of this country have tried reciprocity
and rejected it. but they will not oppose
the voluntary annexation of our neigh
bors when the latter feel inclined to try
it.