The Worthington advance., 1888-11-29
7Hg ANNEXATION or, CANADA.

1HN AN ~ G-AAllON OH CIaNADn.
a rumur starts from Washington
that many friends of the incoming ad-
ministration intend to seriously urge
that steps be taken for the annexation
of as many of the provinces Of Cana
da as may desire to become States of
this Uaion. How the Imperial govern
ment may regard this movement is not
predicted. For many years the most
cnterpr!sing and progressive citizens of
the provinces adjoining the States have
been anxiously awaiting such a move
ment. The wide awake people there
are, almost without exception, eager
for annexation, if that is the proper
word. The politics Of the United States
command almost as much attention in
Canada AS if they were already sllarers
of our heritage and destiny. Their
people divide iuto parties, and debate
with each other as Republicans or Dem
ocrats, just as though votes Were to be
made or lost by the discussion. IL fact
their affections and interests are al
ready with us
The opposition to becoming States of
the Union will mainly come from the
sluggish and snobbish dependents on
British pensions or appointments, and
those fond of the trappiEgs and titles
now little respected anywhere on the
western side of the Atlantic.
Hitherto our country has not been
permitted to talk Of acquiring northern
possessions. The Southern policies
which held sway for 80 long time in
our country looked with covetous eyes
southwark, but never allowed 4 glance
northward. AS long ago as 1872 Sec.
retary of War contrived to thwart a
brilliant and feasible plan of campaign
proposed by Gen. VIM. H. Harrison
The surrender of Gen. Hull at Detroit
was believed by many to have been par,
of the plan of how not to get Canada
The South was determined not to have
Canada. Gen. Hull was called trai-
tor and made a scape goat to bear the
scandal, but he was saved from pun
ishment through the influence of thu
southern management whose design:
had been subserved by the uncalled TO
surrender. In subsequent treaties will
England our northeastern and north
western boundaries were both pared of
and thrown to Great Britain, almost a
a free gift, to prevent the forming o
free states.
Happily, the day Of subserviency t<
a :tional iI,t .rest is ended. The slim
serpent of southern sectionalism ha
its back broken 10y the fall of slavery
but the tail will wiggle until the clos
of Grover Cleveland s term of office.
We are no advocate Of any form O
Gingoism We want no Draggart decla
nations of our right to rule the cont
nent, nor foolish talk about ''manifes
d-stimy." We want no reckless scheme
of acquisition, nor war engehdtrin
policies. Such schemes once mad
our government 4 pest and scourge t
the nations OF this continent. Th
great north needs and asks 10 sue
proceedings to advance her projects O
interests. What cannot be done b
honorable and praceable diplomacy "
do not desire to haye done.
In regard to Canadian annexation
we adopt somewhat memorable phras
of letter of Henry Clay in regard t
the annexation Of Texas $50 far frol
being opposed to it. we would be gla
tn see it, when it can be had withou
war, without national dishonor, an
with the common consent of til
Union.'
Let the discussion 60 on. The inter
csts' OF the people Of the States and tn
Dominion are identical In race histt
ry their blood has run in the same ri
through the centuries of modern civil
zation. They use the same languag
and have been developed by similar n
ligious, political, and educational il
stitutions. Our commercial interes
are almost imperative in demand fl
the proposed union. One flag is suf
cient for the people of this continen
and for all who cross the great waite
to dwell with them.