Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-08-30

and the duty of Congress in coRt01n-
plating legislative action - construe the
terms OF any treaty stipulation which might
upon any pos -ible consideration OF good faith
limit such action, and likewise the peculiar
propriety in the case here presented OF its in
depreciation OF its own language "a contained
in the laws OF 1879, putting Into operation said
treaty, and OF 1888, directing the termination
thereof, and IL in the deliberate judgment OF
Congress any restraint TO the proposed legisia-
tion exists it is 10 be hoped that the expediency
of its early removal wnl be recognized.
desire also 10 call the attention of the Con-
gress to another subject involving such wrongs
and unfair treatment 10 our citizens as in my
opinion require prompt action sThe navigation
of the great lakes and the immense business
and carrying trade growing ont o: the same
have been treated broadly and literally by the
United States Government and made free
TO all mankind while Canadian rail
roads and navigation companies share
in our countrys transportation upon
terms as favorable are accorded TO our
citizens The canals and other public works
built and maintained by the Government along
the line OF the lakes are made free TO all. In
contrast 10 this condition and evincing narrow
and ungenerous commercial spirit, every lock
and every canal which is pubic work OF the
charges. BY article %. of the treaty
OF 1871, provision was made 10
secure 70 the citizens OF the United
States, the use OF the Welland- St. Lawrence
itv with the inhabitants OF the Dominion and
TO also secure 10 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 Dominion which E0
were promised in the use OF the canals OF
Canada, did not secure 10 US freedom from
tolls in their navigation but we had right 70
expect that we. being Americans ana inter
ested in American commerce, would be no more
Dnr0lned CanAdfAnG
engaged in their own trade: and the whole
spirit of the concession made wSS, or 0hould
have been. that merchandise and properly
transported TO American market THROUGH
these canals should not be enhanced in the COST
by tolls many times higher than such - were
carried to an adjoining Canadian market.
All our citizens, producers and consumers -
well as vessel owners, were TO enjoy the ECU Al.
ity 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 Instance
are the same to all such vessels aad cargoes as
are destined to certain Canadian ports
allowed a refund OF nearly the entire tolls,
while those bound for American ports are
not allowed any such advantage. To
promise equality and then in practice
make it conditional upon our vessels doing
Canadian business instead OF their own is TO
fulfill q promise with the shadow Of perform
ance. recommend that such legislation be
had as will give Canadian vessels navigating
our Canals anu tHClT CdTROcS pEcClScly Inc
same advantages granted to vessels and
cargoes upon Canadian canals, and that the
same be measured by exactly the same rule Of
discrimination.
The course 1 have outlined ana the recon-
mendations made relate TO the honor and dig
nifty OF our country and the protection and
preservation OF the rights and interests OF all
our people. A government does but half its
duty when II protects its citizens at home and
permits them to be imposed upon and hun1fli-
ated by the unfair and overTeachinR DISPOSE
ton OF other nations. II we invite our people
to rely upon arrangements made for their ben
eft abroad we should see to 1t that they are
not deceived, and If are generous and
liberal TO a neighboring country our peo-
pie should reap the advantage OF It by a return
Of the hberallty and generosity. These are
subjects which partisanship should not disturb
or confuse. Let survey the ground calmly
and moderately, and having put aside other
means OF settlement, II we enter upon the pol
icy OF retaliation. let US pursue 10 firmly. with
determination only 10 subserve the interests
OF our people and maintain the high standard
ana becoming pride OF American citizenship.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion Auuust23