Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-12-21
THE FIRST STEP TAKEN.
A Resolution Authorizing the Presi-
dent to Negotiate With Canada.
Full Text ofths Resolution.

Mr. Butterworth has introduced in the
house Joint resolution authorizing the
president 10 negotiate with reference 10
unity and assimilation with the United
States of the Dominion OF Canada. or one
more provinces thereof We give the full
text Of the resolution.
Whereas, The citizens Of the Dominion
OF Canada are one with us in race, lineage,
history and tradition, and
Whereas, The resources OF the two
countries supplement each other, and the
arteries Of commerce, both natural and ar
tihclal, are so interlocked AMI mutually
dependent upon each other that they ought
to constitute single system, 10 be one aud
inseparable; and
Whereas. The commercial relations be
tween the United States and the Dominion
of Canada are and have been strained and
unnaturally cramped, and in "a measure
paralyzed, owing to the inability Of the
two governments TO establish such sys-
TEN Of international trade and commerce
between them as is essential to meet the
requirements of the situation, and
Whereas, The conditions before referred
10, also the geography of the two countries,
suggest the impossiblity OF a Just and per-
hnaDent settlement of the controversies
pertaining 10 the fisheries. boundaries and
trans continental trade, except by blending
Of efforts and interests under one govern
mental system, and point logically 70 the
necessity and probability of unity and
assimilation between the TWO nations under
one government, and
Whereas, The bonds Of friendship re-
sulting from kinship, race, language, tradi-
tion and substantial identity of govern
ment systems, together with a community
of interests, based upon commerce and its
aids and agencies, are OF such character
that such union and assimilation is being
discussed and favorably considered by
the citizens of both nations;
a I'M nnh 20 hnlt
that its early contamination would
be of great advantage to all the citizens
and subjects Of the two countries, provided
the same can be attained in a manner con-
sistent alike with the honor and dignity OF
the United States and Great Britain and
the Dominion of Canada. Therefore, with
view 10 aid in the contamination Of wha.
is hereinbefore suggested:
BE il resolved by the senate and house OF
representatives of the United States in
congress assembled, That the president be
and is hereby authorized and empowered 20
invite negotiations looking TO the assimils-
ton and unity of the people OF the Domin-
ion Of Canada and the United States under
one government, such unity and assimila-
tion 10 be based upon the admission of the
several provinces Of the Dominion, or any
one Of them. into the union of states upon
the same terms end equality with the sew
eral states composing the Union, and the
assumption by the United States Of the in
debtedness of the Dominion of Canada, or
a just proportion thereof, and such other
equitable terms and conditions as justice To
the high contracting parties may demand.
Resolved further, with a view to such ne
gotiations, the president invite the appoint
ment OF commissioners by the government
of Great Britain ana the Dominion of Cana
da TO consider the wisdom and expediency
OF settling and adjusting all controversies
and differences which now exist between
fisheries and otherwise, by such a union
and assimilation as is hereinbefore suggest
ed, either as 10 the whole or any province
or several provinces of said Dominion, such
negotiations TO be conducted with due re-
gard TO the amicable relations which obtain
between Great Britain and the United
States, and the obligations imposed there
by.
The resolution was referred to the COM
mittee on foreign affairs.