The Brookhaven leader., 1888-08-30

the people Of the Dominion have enjoyed
without diminutlon the advantages of
our liberal AMI generous laws Without basing
| our complaint upon violation % treaty obli-
cations. 10 ~ nevertheless tru0 that such re-
| fusal of transit snd the other injurious acts
which have been recitsd constitute provDk-
ing insistance upon rights neither mitgatcd
by the amenities OF National intercourse, nor
modified by the recognition Of our lberality
aud generous consideration. Tho history Of
events eonuested with this subject makes 1t
manifest that the Canadian Government can,
IL so disposed, administer it, laws and protect
| the interests ofits people without manifestation
/ Of unfrendliness, and without the uuueighbor-
| ly treatment OF our fishing vessels % which We
have Justly complained, and whatever IL done
on our part should be done in the hope that the
disposition Of the Canadian Government may
remove the occasion Of resort to the addt-
tional executive power now sought through
! legislative action.
am satisfied that upon the principles which
should govern retaliation. our Intercourse and
relations with the Dominion OF Canada furnish
no better opportunity for its application than
Is suggested by the conditions presented, and
thatIt could not be more effect yey inagurated
than under the power Of suspension recon-
mended.-
While have expressed my clear conviction
upon the question OF the continuance dissection
90 Of the treaty OF 1877, I, OF course, fully con
cede the power and the duty OF the Congress in
contemplating legislative action TO coustrue
the term Of any treaty stipulation which might
upon any possible consideration Of good faith
limit such action; and likewise the peculiar
prOurety IN the case here presented OF its in
depreciation OF its own language as contained
in the laws CO 1873 putting in operation said
treaty. and Of 1888 n directing the termination
thereof; and II in the deliberate judgment OF
Congress any restraint to :he proposed legisla-
tor exists, II is to be hoped that the expo
dienry Of its early removal will be recognized.
desire, also, ~ call the attention Of the Con.
gress TO another subject involving such wrongs
sBd unfair treatment to OUv 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
literally By the United States Government and
made free 70 all mankind while Canadian rail
roads and navigation companies share in our
country's transportation upon terms as fayora-
bic as are accorded TO our own citizens. The
caEsIs and other public works built and main
tanned b7 the Government along the great
lakes are made free 20 all. In contrast 10 this
condition, and evincirg narrow and ungener-
Gus c61hmercial spirit, every lock and canal
which is plblis work Of the Dominion OF Can
ada is subjected to tolls and charges.
By Article d OF the treaty Of 1871 proyisiop
vas made TO secure to the cltizeus OF the
Cnitsd States the use of the Weiland, ST
Lawrence ard other canals in the Dominion or
Canada on terms OF equality with the inhaDt-
tants OF the Dominion, and 20 also secure to the
subjects OF Great Britain the use OF the ST
Clair Elats canal on terms Of equality with the
inhautants Of the United States.
The equality with the inhabitants OF the Do
mniOn which ne were promised in the use of
the canals OF Canals did not secure to free
dom from tolls in their navigation, but we lad
right TO expect that we, being Americans
! and Interested N American commerce. would
/ be no more burdeDed in regard to the same
/ than Canad ans engaged In their own trade,
/ ana the whole spirit OF the concession made
was. or should have been. that merchandise
and property should not be enhanced in It's
cost by tolls many times higher than such as
were carried to an adjoining Canadian market
All our citizens producers and consumers. as
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 Treasory, showing
that while the tolls charged in the first in
stance are the same to sll, such vessels and car
goes as are destined TO Certajn Canadian ports
are allowed a refund OF nearly the entire tolls
while those bound for American ports are not
allowed duy such advantage. To promise
equality and then in practice make it coRdi-
tional upon our vessels dong Canadian bust
ness instead Of their own business, is to fulfil
a promise with the shadow Of performance.
recommend that such legislative action be
taken as viii give Canadian vessels navigating
our canals, and their cargOes precisely the ad-
Tantages granted to our vessels and cargOes
upon Canadian canals, and that the same be
measured by exactly the same rule OF discrImt-
nation.
The course which have outlined, and the
recommendations made, relate to the honor
and dignity 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 il protects its citizens at home and
permits them to be imposed upon and humilia-
ted by the unfair and Overreaching disposition
Of other Nations. II we invite our people 10
rely upon arrangements made for their benefit
abroad. We should see TO IT that they are not
deceived, and if we are generous and liberalto
neighboring country, our people should
reap the advantage of it by a return
of lberaIitv and generosity. These are sub
jects 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 1t firmly, with de-
termination only to subserve the interests OF
our people and maintain the high standard and
becoming pride of American citizenship.
[Signedl GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, Aug. D, 1888