The west Tennessee star. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1888, 1888-08-31

in the laws OF 1873 putting IN operation eafd
treaty. and OF 1883 in directing the termination
thereof: and If In the deliberate judgment OF
Congress any restraint to the proposed legisla-
ton exists, it Is TO be hoped that the expo-
dieucy of its early removal will be recognized.
Idesire, also, 70 call the attention Of the Con-
gress to another subject involving such wrongs
and unfair treatment to our citizens as In my
opinion, requires prompt action
The navigation of the great lakes and the
immense business and carrying trade growing
out of the same, have been treated broadly and
libt ally by the United States Government and
made free to all mankind, while Canadian rail-
roads ana navigation companies share in our
country's transportation upon teRgns as favora-
BILE as are accorded TO our own citizens. The
canals and other public works built and main
tanned by the Government along the great,
lakes are made free 10 all. In contrast TO this
condition, and evincing narrow and ungsner-
Gus commercial spirit, every lock and canal
which is public work of the Dominion OF Can
ada is subjected ts tolls and charges.
BY Article % of the treaty OF 1871 provision
was made to secure to the citizens OF the
United States the use Of the Wenand, ST.
Lawrence and other canals in the Dominion OF
Canada on terms of equality with the inhabi4
'tants of the Dominion, and to also secure to the
subjects of Great Britain the use OF the ST.
Clair Flats canal on terms of equality with the
inhabitants of the United States.
The equality with the inhabitants Of the Do
minion which we were promised in the use OF
the canals of Canada did not secure to us free
dom from tolls in their navigation, but we ad
right to expect that we, being Americans
and interested in American commerce, would
be no more burdened in regard TO the same
than Canadians engaged in their own trade.
and the whole spirit of the concession made
was, or should have been. that merchandise
and property should not be enhanced in its
cost by tolls many times higher than such az
were carried to an adjoining Canadian market!
All our citizens, producers and consumers, 40
well as vessel owners, were to enjoy the
equality promised; and yet evidence has for
some time been before the Congress, furnished
by the Secretary of the Treasury, showing
that while the tolls charged in the first fn-
stance are the same to all, such vessels and car
goes are destined to certain Canadian ports
are allowed a refund OF nearly the entire tolls,
while those bound for American ports not
allowed any such advantage. To promise
equality and then in practice make it condi-
tional upon our vessels doing Canadian busf'
ness, instead of their own business, is to fulfil
promise with the shadow OF performance.
recommend that such legislative action be
taken as will give Canadian vessels navigating
our canals, and their cargoes precisely the ad-
vantages granted to our vessels and eaFgQes
upon Canadian canals, and that the same be
measured by exactly the same rule OF dtscrimt-
nation.
The course which have outlined. and the
recommendations made, relate to the honor
and dignity of our country and tho protection
and preservation OF the rights and interests OF
all our people. A government does but half lts
duty when it protects its citizens at home and
permits them to be imposed upon and humilias
TED by the unfair and overreaching disposition
of other Nations. II We invite our people TO
rely upon arrangements made for their benefit
abroad, we should see to it that they are not
deceived, and if we are generous and liberal to
9 neighboring country, cur people should
reap the advantage of It by q return
of hberalitY and generosity. These are sub
iects which partisanship should not disturb or
confuse. Let US survey the ground calmly and
moderately, and having put aside other means
Of settlement, If we enter upon the policy Of
retaliation, let us pursue it firmly, with a de-
termination only to subserve the interests Of
our people and maintain the high standard and
becoming pride OF American citizenship.
ESignedl GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion. Aug. %, 1888.