Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-06-16
The Talk of Annexation.

If the people of Nova Scotia really de-
sire to Join the United States, it is not
probable that Great Britain could afford
to interpose any strenuous objection. The
day has gone by tor coercion in such mat
tiers, and the will of the people would
doubtless prevail with any British admin
istration. In one sense, the political con-
nection between Great Britain and the
province is to British trade an advantage.
But a more thriving and prosperous peo-
pie on the same territory, even though a
little more restrained in their purchases OF
English goods. would in the aggregate
contribute more to England's prosperity.
Just ~ Massachusetts and New York ben
eft Great Britain more than Canada does.
There is good ground for the belief that
Nova Scotia, if by the desire of her own
people united with the United States,
would grow far more rapidly in popula-
ton and trade than it has grown. Its
mines would find open markets for coal
and iron, and abundant American capital
to aid their development, and its fisheries
would thrive beyond all precedent
Though such population might buy less
from England of certain kinds of goods
than the people of the province now buy
under Canadian protective tariff, the
growth of population and of all industries
would result in larger purchases in the
aggregate, and so it is not improbable that
the political separation might prove an
advantage. both to the people of Nova
Scotia and to the people of Great Britain.
The United States has no occasion TO
cast longing eyes in that direction, al.
though it would be of much advantage to
several of the States to enjoy entirely un
restrained intercourse with the province.
Cheaper fuel for many manufacturing es-
Establishments in New England would be a
benefit of increasing Importance, as the
competition which those manufactures
have to meet becomes more severe. The
half million people now in the province. if
united with this country, would develop a
prosperous fishing business without the
embarrassments which are inevitable I'M
der any conceivable treaty. as long as the
interests of two distinct powers have to be
considered and guarded. OF course, it is
obvious that these advantages would bring
with them some disadvantages. To
American coal producers the loss of any
part. even though small part. of the
market they now supply would be an in.
convenience. But the demand for coal of
all kinds is growing so fast at the West
and South, and in the Central States. that
even complete loss of New England
trade, were that possible. would be CON-
pensated in short time. So the fisher
men of our own coast would find unre-
strained competition with those of Nova
Scotia in some respects an embarrassment,
Thus this country has not been anxious,
nor have the people manifested an anxiety,
for any change of political relations with
Nova Scotia.
Ifany movement for change is proposed.
it originates with the people OF the prov
ince themselves, some of whom are con-
WINGED that the province would gain
greatly by joining the United States. But
while some public men. and one or two
influential officials in the province, have
discussed the question, there is as vet nc
evidence of general desire among the
A people for change.-N. Tribune.