The Republican journal., 1886-09-02

their rights of occupation. To use Marble
head phrase, they shall be protected hook and
line, bob and sinker."
Mr.. Webster fell ill very soon after these
vigorous expressions and the negotiations
passed into other hands and were adjusted
finally by the Reciprocity Treaty of 1854.
The operation of that treaty was highly in
furious to American fishermen. Before its
termination in 1866, our government refused
to renew it and our fishing interest immedi-
ately be- an to revive, and Immediately the
Canadians began to agitate for another treaty
by which they could reach the markets of the
United States. Their wishes were gratifed
and by tine strangest Of all diploma c iuggles
the United States paid five and half millions
of dollars for treaty which it did not want
and which the other party earnestly desired
lime has passed and the treaty of 1871 has
expired. The Canadians again come back to
their old tactics to harrass and very az out
rage AEaei lean fishermen until by sheer weari-
ness, after the manner of the unjust Judge
in Scripture our government may give them
what they want, even to the injury of our
own people.
The humiliation of our situation has been
gratuitously increased by the vote of a
majority of the Democratic party in the House
of Representatives to throw open the markets
OF the United States to British and Canadian
fishermen, without duty or charge and with
out securing to American fishermen the right
to fish in British and Canadian waters. This
Is an act OF such unaccountable, rancorous
hostility to the fishing interest of New Eng
land that it is difficult even to comprehend its
motive. John Randolph so hated the wool
tariff that he felt like walking mile to kick
a sheep. Do the northern Democrats feel
such determined hostility to the fishermen of
New England that they would sacrifice
great national interest in order to infict
blow upon them?
1t would certainly be refreshing if we could
hear Mr.. Webster's words repeated from Off
cial sources to-day. 1t would be refreshing
If it could once more be asserted with the
strength and dignity of Webster that stthe
United States will not submit their rights to
be adJudlcated in the petty tribunals of the
Provinces, that American fishermen shall
be protected in all their rights of property
and in all their rights OF occupation" Mr.
Webster did not expect and did net intend
that his position would lead to war. He
simply expected that a firm, decided tone
would bring English officials to their senses
and make them feel the responsibility and
danger of transgressing the rights and touch
ing the sensibilitles of proud and powerful
people. Mr.. Webster knew, as those who
learned from him have since known, that
England could even less than the United
States afford to go to war about the fisheries
Mr.. Webster knew las those who have learned
in his school have since known, that England
and the United States can never go to war
except on some point that touches the imperial
integrity of the one or the other-and even an
offense of that magnitude we agreed in 1871 to
settle by arbitration and not by gage
of battle. But the country is weary
OF hearing in Mr.. Webster's phrase