New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-15
CANADIAN ANNEXATION.
COMMERCIAL UNION A FATAL BLUNDER.
A LETTER FROM AN EX.MEMBER OF THE DO
MINIoN PARLIAMENT.

1ot Edtrcr or The Tribune.
Sir: with the policy proposed hy you for govern
ing our future dealings with Canada I'm your editorials
ON "Godwin Smiths Speech" and Another Canadian
scares in The Tribune of the esd ard 24th OF NoVem
ber / heartily agree. Erastus Wiman OF staten
Island still persists in advocating his 'oh'mc'c''
Union fad. Mr. wimsn, as a business man. has
prov cd an undoubed success as POLITICIAN thefo
IS a freshness a youthfuness. a hopefulness an
arior about him. that, to one who carried an anu
slavery flag for James q. Birney in lei4' ana ior
Van Buren, and Free Soil in 1S4S Hale In 1897 fie
mont I'm 1856, Lincoln in 1900 ana for every hepuo
lean candidate since that time, IS decidedly inter
esting Although he has crossed tho twoSeoie-ahu-
ten meridian he has entered the political arena
with all the sangulneness Of youth OF twenty lie
nroposes TO rcvolutionizc the fiscal policy OF THIS
country towards the chief dependency OF the BRUSH
Crown. He desires to have the incoming Republican
Administration enter into treaty OF commercial
union with Canada
lie seems to forget or ignore the fact that in 1854
a democratic Admins tratlon made treaty with Eng
land for the free Interchange Of natural products
between Canada and the United States, rcserving the
right TO ahrocate the treaty after ten years mat IN
1868 the Republican party promptly exercised the
right so reserved. and put an end to The treaty anu
that the same party for twenty-five wears has refused
10 renew the treaty terms; that 10 secure 'he
settlement OF all questions in dispute between H"eian"
and this country including the Alabama claims tho
San Juan boundary and the fishery dispute' kepuo-
lican Administration sanctioned a treaty aohi'uiis
free fish only into markets, again fcsei'i"s 'o
fight TO abrogae the treaty after len years. All" cA
ercscd IL as It had the power 10 90 So tna'
within the wear Republican Senate has refused 10
ratify a treaty admitting free from Canada fish Only
into our markets Mr. Wiman overlooks the fact
,ba, upon the issue of free lumber salt and wool the
Republican majority in Michigan this wear was H.
creased 10000 over Mr. Blane's majority In the Same
state in 1884: that State interested In lumber
uhcIv 10 be affected by the free admission of Canadian
lumber with the exception of Connecticut ana New
,o,s.r which are controlled by the over
eovr OF the importing and shipping interests oil
New-York City, gave maioriues Tor MT liar
rlson: that every State and Territory In the Union
adjoining the boundary of Canada also gave Rcpuo-
ucan maiorities; that every STATE to whose markets
Canadians desire free access voted TO condemn even
a per cent reduction in the tarin.
These facts would to deter an experienced poll
tclan from undertaking TO secure the policy Mr..
vtman desires 10 see adopted If the verdict Of the
electors has any meaning at ALL the Administration
will not attempt any reduction in the tariff affecting
the product Of foreign manufactures. Therefore 10
secure the ratification Of treaty OF commercial union,
Canada must adopt tariff OF ~ IL per cent as
against English manufactures, and admit American
manufactures free.
Mr. Wiman assures his Canadian friends that the
incoming Administration VIII propose to the Govern
roent OF Canada TO appoint joint commission for the
pnrpose of negotiating a treaty whenever Canada IS
ready to cooperate hardly conceive that PreSi-
dent Harrisons Administration will make any PROPOSE
ton whatever to any dependency Of the British Crown
so long as our relations with England continue friendly
which would transfer England's trade with such de-
tendency 10 this country.
We can have no dealings whatever directly with
Canada without Justly offending Great Britain. our
10 adn In
perial Government Imagine Mr.. Blaine or Senator
sherman as Secretary of State directing the American
Minister 10 suggest to Lord Salisbury the desire Of
the United States to make treaty with England
which would adTlt the product OF Amencah manu-
factories into Canada free while the product OK her
own factories would be taxed az 1-2 per cent Eng
land 10 remain responsible TO the world for the de-
fence Of Canada. and for any act or acts committed
by the Canadian Government. Tbs proposition Is
too absurd to be considered seriously.
1t Is useless to consider tho question OF treaty
NJ commercial union with Canada until Canada has Sc
cured the consent Of England 10 negotiate such
treaty. Toe Canadian Government must approach the
foot OF tie Throne humbly expressing the love AMI de-
votion of the Canadian people for the Crown also
expressing the desire for a continuance OF BLUSH
connection and the protection Of the British flag
and in tie breath asking for permission 10
make a treaty with the United States which would
transfer TO this country Engands trade with Cana
6a which is the only financial return which England
receives directly or indirectly for the responsibility
Of protecting Carada / cannot D"lcV" that
the Canadian people will entlust the administration
OF their affairs to men who would make such pIopo
sition to the Imperial Government. can readily
conceive OF the Canadian people properly approaching
the Imperial Government and frankly and affection
ately informing the parent State of their Willingness
TO relieve the home Government of all responsibility
of every kind. name and nature growing out OF the
relation which exists between England and
Canada: Of their willingness 10 assume the re
sponsIbty of Independent National existence and OF
their desire to unfur before the world flag of
their own: and that II England refuses TO
grant their requests that they might then be just
fed, but not until them in demanding the power TO
into treaty with this country destructive Of
Engands trade with Canada. Therefore, until
Canada either her independence or the right
10 make commercial treaties Independent OF the I'M
perial Government, It would be an unffendly act
on the part of our Government toward England to
take any steps whatever toward entering into
treaty of commercial union with her.
MI. Wiman is not naturalIzed citizen Of the United
states, although he has lived here for nearly
twenty-five years and has accumulated large
fortune. He believes that the Government
Of England is infinitely superior to ours
His admiration for the Imperial system Is great
that he prefers 10 accept the disabilities of an alien
.such having no power 10 transfer real property
rather than become American citizen. Ic advocated
the election Of Mr. Cleveland although Proectonst
Until the dismissal Of Lord Sackville, when he imme-
ustey transferred his affections to Mr. Harrison and
sent handsome contribution TO the Republican Cam
palgn Committee. Mr.. Wiman was offended because
Her Maiestys representative was dismissed for hav-
ing in the palnest possible terms insued the Presi
Gent and Senate Of The United States No who
knows Mr. Wiman would for moment charge him
with having deserted Mr.. Cleveland because the Demo
cratic ship rapidly sinking.
1t rather because his English sympahies are
strong that 1t has been impossible them
after twenty-five years residence combined
with great financial success in this country 1t would
seem, from an American standpoint that Mr.. Wiman
Is not disInterested adviser OF the American people
To give the Canadians free access TO our markets would