The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-01-26
Nearly Ninety Dead.
OLD TIME ANNExATIoNIsTs.
Some Distinguished Canadians Who
Talked Union In i849.

OTTAWA, Jan. 25.-A recent discovery at
Ottawa has disclosed the fact that the pres
ent feeling in Canada for annexation TO the
United States has precedent as far back as
1S49. The resurrection Of some dusty files
from the vaults of the parliamentary library
the relics of by-gone days, reveal once fa-
nous memorandum, disclosing the fact that
the present movement favoring closer rela-
tions with the United States, is not the first
initiated in that direction. OF this, it may
be said that it is an unfortunate thing for
the Conservative party Of Canada that there
remains record, not only in the archives of
the Dominion but printed in the journals of
the British Parliament, document to which
is affixed the signatures of such men as Sir
David MACPHERSON, Sir John Rose, Sir
George Cartier, Sir A. t. Gait and Hon. J.
j. @. Abbott, calling upon the people Of
Canada to throw off their British connection
and join the United States. This was done
in 1S49. Since then, these annexationists
have all held important positions In the cab
met.
Sir Charles Upper said in Chicago few
days ago, that no man who had ever declared
himself an annexationist had been elected
to the Canadian Parliament. 1t was conve-
nient for him to forget the election and re-
election Of Sir John Rose, Sir George Car
tier, Sir A. t. Gait, Sir David MACPHERSON,
and Hon. Mr.. Abbott after having signed
and used in their election campaigns the an
nexation manifesto of 1S49, for having signed
which Sir David MACPHERSON was dismissed
as an officer from the Canadian militia, as
being guilty of treason. 1t is difficult to i'm,
agine how the Queen could have consented
to have allowed the appointment Of such
reasonable characters as ministers OF the
crown.
The annexation manifesto was addressed
''To the People of Canada" The document
begins by referring to the number and mag
nitude Of the evils affecting the country, and
the universal and increasing depression CT its
material interests, which called upon all
persons animated by sincere desire for its
welfare to combine for the purpose of inqui-
ry and preparation, with view to the adop-
| tfon of such remedies as mature and dis
passionate investigation may suggest After
setting forth many Of the innumerable dis
| advantages under which the country lab0red
as result of her connection with Great Bri-
| tain, in which attention was drawn to the
| fact that in event Of rupture between the
| United States and England, Canada would
become the battlefield and the sufferer, how
| ever little her interests might be involved in
| the cause of quarrel or the issue OF the con-
| test, and the impracticability Of any remedy
! being found in either "a federal union of the
British North American provinces" "the in.
| dependence of the British North American
colonies as federal republic" and ''recipro.
cal free trade" with the United States, a:
respects the farm, forest and mine, is shown
| up at length. The manifesto, after setting
| forth the impossibility of adopting any oi
the foregoing expedients, concludes with the
| following as the only solution Of the ques
| ton, and the only remedy by which tbs
| country would be saved from poverty anC
| ruin: f"Of all the remedies that have beer
| suggested for the acknowledged and insuffer
| able ills with which our country is afflicted
there remains but one to be considered. i
propounds a sweeping and important change
| in our political and social condition, involv
| ing considerations which demand our mos
serious examination. This remedy consists
| in friendly and peaceful separation from
British connection and union upon equita
BILE terms with the great North American
| confederacy of sovereign States"
| Commenting upon the foregoing important
feature Of the manifesto, the document goei
on to say that the proposed union woult
| render Canada field for American capital
into which it would flow as freely as into am
of the present States.