Huntsville gazette., 1888-09-01
~A,en hsxs been rec,ted constitute proyok.

ing insistance upon rights neither mtigated
by the amenities of National intercourse, nor
modified by the recognition OF our liberality
and generous consideration. The history Of
.vents connected with this subject makes It
manifest that the Canadian Government can.
n so disposed, administer its laws and protect
the interests OF its people without manifestation
of unfriendliness, and without the unneighbor-
ly treatment of our fishing vessels Of which we
have Justly complained, and whatever Is 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 addi-
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
that 1t could not be more effectively inagurated
than under the power Of suspension recon-
mended.
While have expressed my clear conviction
upon the question Of the continuance Of Section
90 of the treaty Of 1871, /, of course fully con-
cede the power and the duty OF the Congress in
contemplating legislative action to construe
the term Of any treaty stipulation which might
upon any possible consideration Of good faith
limit such action; and likewise the peculiar
propriety in the case here presented of its in
depreciation Of its own language as contained
in the laws Of 1878 putting in operation said
treaty, and Of 1883 in directing the termination
thereof and II in the deliberate judgment OF
Congress any restraint to the proposed legisla-
ton exists, 1t Is to be hoped that the expo
diency OF its early removal will be recognized.
a DESIRE also, to call the attention of the Con.
gress to another subject involving such wrongs
and unfair treatment to our citizens, as In my
opinion, requires prompt action.
The navigation Of the great lckes 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 to all mankind while Canadian rail.
roads and navigation companies share in eur
country's transportation upon terms as favora-
BILE as are accorded to our own citizens. The
! canals and other public works built and main
tanned by the Government along the great
lakes are made free TO all. In contrast to this
condition. and evincing narrow asi ungener-
Gus commercial spirit, every lock and canal
which is q public work of the Dominion of Can.
ada is subjected to tolls and charges.
BY Article % of the treaty Of 1871 provision
was made to secure to the citizens OF the
United States the use Of the Welland ST.
Lawrence and other canals in the Dominion OF
Canada on terms of equality with the inhabi!
tants of the Dominion, and to also secure to the
subjects of Great Britain the use of the St!
inhabitants OF the United States.
The equality with the inhabitants OF the Do
minion which we were promised IN the use OF
the canals of Canada did not secure to US free
dom from tolls In their navigation, but we b ad
o right to expect that we, being Americans
and interested in American commerce. would
be no more burdened In regard to the same
than Canadians engaged in their own trade,
and the whole spirit OF the concession made
was, or should have been, that merchandise
and property should not be enhanced in its
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 Treasury, showing
that while the tolls charged in the first in
stance are the same TO all, such vessels and car
goes as are destined to certain Canadian ports
are allowed refund OF nearly the entire tolls,
while those bound for American ports are not
allowed any such advantage To promise
equality and then in practice make 1t condi-
tional upon our vessels doing Canadian busi-
ness instead OF their own business is to fulfil
promise with the shadow OF performance.
I recommend that such legislative action be
taken as will give Canadian vessels navigating
our canals, and their cargoes precisely the ad-
vantages granted to our vessels and cargoes
upon Canadian canaeJ, and that the same be
measured by exaosy the same rule OF discrimt
nation.
The course which have outlined and tie
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-
tea by the unfair and overreaching disposition
of other Nations. five invite our people 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
neighborng country, our people should
reap the advantage OF 1t by return
of lberalitv 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, II we enter upon the policy OF
retaliation, let US pursue It firmly, with de.
termination only to subserve the interests OF
our people and maintain the high standard and
becoming pride Of American citizenship.
tSignedl GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, Aug. %, 1888.