The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-24

ecutive power now sought through legislative
action. | am satisfied that upon the
principles which should govern retaliation
our intercourse and relation with the dominion
or Canada furnish no better opportunity for its
application than is suggested by the conditions
herein pres Anted, and that it could not be more
effectively inaugurated than under the power
of suspension recommended While have ex
pressed my clear conviction upon the question
of the continuance OF section 80 of the treaty of
1871, l, of course, fully concede the power aud
duty OF congress in contemplating Legislative
action TO construe the terms of any treaty Stipu-
lation which might, upon any possible consid-
Grafton OF Rool faith, limit such action; aud
likewise the peculiar propriety in the case here
presented of its Interpretation of its own
language, as contained in the laws of 1873,
putting in operation said treaty, and OF
1883 directing the termination thereof
and if, in the deliberate judgment of Congress,
any restraint TO the proposed legislation exists.
1t is to be hoped that the expediency of its early
removal will be recognized.
desire also to call The attention of congress to
another subject involving such wrongs and un-
fair treatment TO our citizens as, in my opinion
require prompt action. The navigation or the
great lakes, and immense business and carry
ing trade growing out of the same, have been
treated broadly and literally by the United
States government, and made free to all. While
the Canadian railroad and navigation compa-
nieS share in our couutry's transportation upon
terms as favorable as are accorded to our own
citizens the canals and other public works built
and maintained by the government along
the line OF the lakes are made free 10 all. IN
contrast TO this condition and evinc1ng narrow
and ungenerous commercial spirit, every loc&
and canal which is public work OF the
dominion of Canada is subject to tolls aud
charges. By article q OF the treaty OF 1871
provision was made to secure to the citizens
of the United States the use of the Welland,
81. Lawrence and other canals In the Dominion
of Canada, on terms Of equality with the inha6-
itantS of the dominion. and to also secure to the
subjects of Great Britain the use of the st.
Claire fats canal on terms of equality with the
inhabitants Of the United States. The equality
with the inhabitants OF the dominion, which
we vera promised in the use of the canals Of
Canada did not secure to us freedom from tolls
in their navigation. but we had right to expect
that we, being Americans and interested III
American commerce. would be no more bur
dened Ia regard to the same than Canadians
engaged in their own trade; and the
whole spirit of concession made wos
or should have been, that merchandise and
property transported to an American market
through these canals should not be enhanced
in its cost by tolls many times higher than
on such as were carried to an adjoining Caoa-
dian 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 congress, fur
nished by the Secretary of the Treasury, show
ing that while the tolls charged in the first in
stance are the same to all such vessels and
cargoes as are destined to certain Canadian
ports are allowed refund OF nearly the entire
toll, while those bound for American ports are
not allowed any such advantage. To promise
equality and then in practice make it condition
al upon our vessels doing Canadian business in
stead of their own, is to fulf1n the promise with
the shadow of performance recommend that
such legislative action be taken will give
Canadian vessels navigating our canals, and
their cargoes, precisely the advantages granted
to our vessels and cargoes upon Canadian
canals and that the same be measured by ex-
actly line same rule of discrimination.
The course which l 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 The government does but half
its duty when it protects its citizens at home
and permits them to be imposed upon and
humiliated by the unfair and over-reaching dis
position of other nations II we invite our peo-
pie to rely upon arrangements made for their
benefit abroad we should see to it that they
are not deceived; and if we are generous and
liberal TO a neighboring country our people
should reap the advantage of it by return Of
the liberahty and generosity.
These are subjects 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 it
firmly with determination only to subserve
the interests Of our people and maintain the
high standard and becoming pride of Ameri-
can citizenship. GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, Auo. %, 1888.