The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1888-09-08
Retaliation tho Only Course Loft

status of the fishery muddle and o
the next steps to be taken in orde,
to reach conclusion of this exas
perating question.
The treaty was rejected by Re
publican Senators, by strict party
vote, which had little reference tc
the merits of the case, but was in
tended to be blow at Democratic
administration. In close cam
paign like this it was not consid.
cred good politics to allow the Dem
ocrats the honor of settling any
matter of internationl dispute. The
Republicans could not afford to
give their opponents that advant-
age. They therefore chose to run
the risks which may accrue from a
continuance of the quarrel between
this country and the Dominion OF
Canada, and having the power to
quash proceedings they used it,
thereby assuming the responsibility
for whatever may result from the
disturbed, irritating and acrimoni-
Gus relations between ourselves and
our neighbors north of the St.
Lawrence.
If they were. not pleased with
some portions of the treaty-so far
we should agree with them-it was
competent and natural and proper
to offer amendments which would
render it more satisfactory. They
refused, however, to refer it back
to the committee for such changes
as they desired, and in killing it
outright they practically declared
that they would have no treaty at
all, and preferred to still further
embroil the country, no matter to
what lengths it might lead, rather
than. allow Mr.. Cleveland, in this
political juncture, the credit of re-
lieving the people from an embar-
RAISING situation.
Now, we want no quarrels with
Canada or with any other Power.
We are peaceable folk and mind
our own business. We hate and
abominate what are called in diplo-
macy strained relations" are not
spelling for a fight, wish we'll to
all our neighbors, are not envious
of their prosperity, because we have
as much of the article as we can
take care of within our own bor-
ders; are the best natured people
in the world, do the square thing
by others and demand the same
from them.
Canada has leased and fretted us
a good deal. She has shown bad
blood toward our fishermen, cap
tured their vessels without reason
and put them to all manner of in
convenience. She is apparently
jealous of US, gets into the hyster-
les every once in a while for fear
we want to adopt her, kidnap her,
run away with her, steal her from
the scattered family of Her Majesty
the Queen. She is a sort of ner-
vous invalid in her relations to this
country, Tuning and scolding most
of the time. You can't pound it
into her head that we don't want to
annex her, that we always hope she
is having pleasant time, is making
money and will say good morning
to us with something like cheerful
ness whenever we meet.
Now, Mr.. Cleveland simply tells
the country in his message that
ne are all at sea, at skies and
sevens, at loggerheads with Canada,
and as retaliation is the only pos
sible policy of the immediate
future he asks further authority
from Congress. He proposes to
protect the fishing interests on our
coasts by annulling the railroad
Of the Canadians through
our territory unless they cease their
Tretched petty prosecutions. No
ransit for US, no transit for them
that is the rule to be adopted.
t they refuse to allow our catch of
ish to come from their ports in
'ond, then they must not hope to
un their goods to or from our
'orts free of duty.
That will force the crisis at once.
The injury Canada can do is, of
curse, small in comparison with
he injury she will receive, but if
he Republicans, by rejecting the
realty, force the Government to
arsh measures, there is no use in
aving boys play. The Senate has
aade retaliation a necessity. There
no other course to pursue, for
he treaty is killed, and the Sena-
ors refused to make another. Now
hen, since you won't allow Mr..
'leveland to settle the quarrel, gen.
lemen, and won't do it yourselves,
gu must take the responsibility of
ne occasion, and authorize the ad-
ainistration to hit back whenever
receives blow.
The President in asking for au- ,
hority to enforce retaliation SIM
~ maintains the self-respect of the
alton. That he will be wise, eau
Gus, conservative, no one doubts.
hat he will do his utmost to main
ain amicable relations is shown