The Portland daily press., 1888-10-09
Canada and the unIted states,

A movement either in the United States
or Canada looking toward the annexation of
the latter to the former exists probably only
In the exuberant fancy of few newspaper
editors animated perhaps by desire, not
altogether unpraiseworthy, to vary the
monotony Of the Presidential campaign.
Any actual movement in either country
would undoubtedly be sought for in vain.
That the United States would willingly
receive our northern neighbors into the
union OF the States is altogether probable.
That there are some people in Canada who
would look favorably upon such PROPOSE
sion is altogether probable also, but that
they number any considerable per cent of
the population of the Dominion there is no
satisfactory evidence. The PEOPLE of the
Dominion from the Atlantic to the Pacific
are as a rule loyal to the crown Of England,
and pretty well satisfied with their form Of
government. England's interference in their
local affairs is practically nothing; and they
are at liberty to govern themselves pretty
nearly as they see dt. At any rate the inter-
ference Of England is not serious enough
to amount to a grievance, and whatever
complaints there have been from the Eastern
provinces have not been based on any dis
like Of the mother county or any objection to
the amount or manner Of control she has
exercised, but have proceeded entirely from
disputes about local matters. Nova Scotia
has been somewhat FESTIVE over the Domin-
ion tariff which some Of her citizens have
thought benefited the Western provinces at
their expense, and has been!inclined to think
also that she did not get from the railroads
she has been taxed to build her share Of the
advantages. Yet there is no proof that
she has ever sought or been willing to re-
lieve herself Of negotiable burdens by
annexation to the United States. On the
contrary the evidence is quite to the con-
trary. Sometime ago the Liberal party
committed itself to commercial union with
the United States. As business PROPOSE
ton 1t is easy to see that such an arrange
ment would be advantageous to Nova
Scotians. They would get much larger
market for their products, especially their
fsh. and they would reap the benefit Of the
competition Of our manufacturers with the
manufacturers Of the Western provinces, In
cheaper goods. Yet In almost every
parliamentary election in this province since
sAS AAbSAoAo SOmultbtu themselves 10 tuc
commercial union policy the Conservatives
have been successful. 1t is difficult TO ac-
count for this except on the assumption that
the argument Of the Conservatives that conn.,
mercial union meant political union was be-
lieved, and that 1t was to annexation rather
than to closer business relations that the
Nova Scotians expressed opposition. And not
only in Nova Scotia, but throughout the Do
minion, the Liberals nave lost generally on
the commercial union issue. Yet in the ma
ture Of things II can hardly be possible that
the Canadians are opposed TO a closer bust
ness relationship with the United States
The great mass Of the Dominion population
has much to gain, and very little, If anything.
to lose by such closer relationship. The
conclusion is inevitable therefore that
great many of the Dominion people have
been Influenced by the Tory cry that COM
mercial union means political union, and
that they opposed a closer business relation
ship which would be to their advantage for
fear that vote for it would be regarded