New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-14
THE DOMINION OF CANADA.
ITS RELATIONS TO GREAT BRITAIN AND ~
THE UNITED STATES
Mr. JOSEPH NIMMo, JR, REVIEWS RKcoRD OF
CANADIAN TREsPAss WHICH THE STATE DE-
PARTMESr AT WASHINGTON IS IN


10 the Editor Of The Trf0une.
Sir: Three important questions have srlseu
during the last eighteen months, touching the re-
latons existing between the United States ana ths
Dominion Of Canada, viz: the Fishery question,
the subject of Commercial Union and the I'M
proper interference Of the Canadian Pacific Rail-
way Company with the course Of the developments
of our internal and foreign commerce on the Pa
cifc Coast. The International aspects OF the lat
ter question arise from the fact that the railway
mentioned was constructed for political rather
than commercial purposes, mainly from funds sup
piled by the Dominion Government or through 10
credit and that it is now openly carrying out its
political designs. The consideration OF these thres
international questions in connection with certain
important collateral issues, has prompted the In
auiry-what is the Dominion Of Canada and what
are the relations which 1t sustans to Great Britain
and to the United States This inquiry is In terms
expressed in o resolution OF the Senate OF ths
United States of January 80 1883.
Besides, other circumstances and events havd
awakened curiosity and prompted inquiry, w.:
(a) The progress of Canada toward Independents
nationality; (b) the constant and earnest profes-
sion by the Canadian people and Government OF
devotion to British institutions and of fealty TO
the British Crown, while persistently pursuing the
policy Of throwing Off every form Of interference
by the British Government in Canadian affairs.
even to tha matter Of treaty making; c) the move
ment in favor of British Imperial Confedera-
tion, which evidently has the sympathy and ac-
tive cooperation Of the chief political rulers Of the
Dominion, and which expresses itself in military
preparations and in the establishment of steamer
lines subsidized by the British Government and
operated in connection with the political rail-
roads, of Canada and (d) the recent rebellion Of
the Province Of Manitoba against the National ~
authority, the denouement Of which appears to be
q complete surrender at discretion, by the Domin-
ion Government involving virtual payment Of
damages for having asserted its authority. These
things together with other manifestations Of the
condition of political affairs in Canada, embracing
acts apparently hostile to or in bad faith toward
the United States, constitute at once q combina-
tion Of paradoxes and menace to this country.
They also emphasize the pertinency Of the Con.
gressional inquiry-what is the Dominion OF Can.
ada and what are the relations which 1t sustaina
to the United States?
HISTORY OF THE CASE
During the progress Of the events which cul.
minated in ths independence Of the United States,
loyalty to the British Crown came in conflict with
q stronger British trait, the love Of liberty, and
out Of the conflict a great nation sprung into
existence with affections, purposes
and aspirations In that struggle the people Of
Canada, New-Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Ed
wards Island and Newfoundland did not join.
Thousands on this side of the boundary line also
maintained their allegiance to the British Crown,
and forsaking earthly possessions and attachments
here, at great sacrifice went and d,sct with their
brethren beyond the border with whom they were
politically in syml,athy. These events have only
historical significance in the United States, but
they still constitute traditional forces in the poti
cal life of the people of British North America,
who are yet unable to entertain any clear concep-
tion Of governmental sovereignty which, at least
in some remote or sentimental manner, is not SYM
bolized by crown. They also cling to the in
fatuation Of titles Of nobility with ardor which
is almost pathetic. And yetaa peaceful but radi.
cal change has taken place in the political affairs
of British North America. To extent
monarchcal forms have been preserved but, as
Professor Goldwin Smith observes, in a way which
shows /" that monarchy IS an exotic incapable Of
transportation to the soil of the New World"
The Canadian Government listens always with
profound obeisance to any suggestion from the
Crown" and then proceeds to pass upon the mat.
ter under consideration though there were no
Crown. The great Canadian Prime Minister, Sir
John Macdonald, never loses opportunity to ex.
press his devotion to British connection, but he
also declares that he is for Home Rule to the
hilt.o The whole course of the social and politi-
cal development of the Provinces now compris-
ing the Dominion of Canada has been toward in,
dependent nationality and toward democratic
institutions. The British Government has in one
or two instances aided the local authorities In
suppressing political revolt, but it has never
serted its authority against any popular move
ment toward that independence which
the American Colonies won by the
sword. The people of the Dominion of Canada
have never declared that politically they hold
the people of Great Britain they hold the rest
of mankind" bat practically they do so, and the
mother country stands ready to sever the nominal
connection whenever the Canadian people shall
indicate that they no longer desire to continue tho
The Dominion Government, whose existence
dates from July /, 1867, is already o political
autonomy, closely allied to Great Britain In the
bonds Of affection, but absolutely independent Of
her, and differing from her in organic character
istics and in the objects of national policy Mill
tary occupation by the mother country ceased long
ago the Governor-Genera Of Canada, sent out by
the Queen has been stripped Of all real authority;
even the power to make her own commercial
treaties is asserted and practically exercised By
the Dominion Government, and in the absolute
control of her fiscal affairs Canada has adopted
tariff under which the products Of Great Britain
are taxed to the same extent that imports from
other countries are taxed. But in spite of tho
apparent separation, there is devotion TO British
which appears to illustrate the senti.
ment, " Let me make nations songs, and care
not who makes her laws" The philosophy Of the
political situation in Canada, il there be any phi
losophy about it, is riddle to the American mind.
GEOGRAPHICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
The Dominion Of Canada consists Of four blecn
Of inhabited territory with wide inter,
yening irreclaimable spaces These i'm
habited areas are bounded on the
north by region Of eternal FROST a vast American
Siberia, and on the south by the United States.
They have natural commercial relations to each