The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-08-29
THE w HEN
ABOUT RETALIATION.

The Leader or the Canadian Opposition Dis
cnsses the Question.
TORONTO, Ont, Aug. 2a-hon. Mr.. Laurier
leader of the Opposition in the Dominion Par
lament closed series Of addresses to the elect
ors of Ontario, at ST Thomas, las. night. r.
ferrirg to President Clevelands message, Mr..
Laurier said:
President Cleveland, acting upon what he
conceived tn he the duty imposed upon him by
the American Senate. asks power to retaliate by
suspendinR the bonding system. This would be
very serious event. and, il it came, would
strike the city of St. Thomas as much, perhaps
more, than any other portion Of the Dominion,
because it is made what it is, largely, by the
lines of railways which come here from the
United States. But, after oil, We are men, and
British men. We shall not whine even If the
American people deem IL advisable, do not say
their duty, TO take such an uufrlendy course.
No doubt some parties will suffer In Canada,
but no doubt, like British men, it is our
duty to find elsewhere what we would
lose. IL we are met with the state OF things
with which we are threatened IL IS due 10 the
vicious policy of the Canadian government in
the administration OF the rights secured to US
by the treaty of 1918. lf the Canadian govern
ment had followed moro friendly course there
would not have been any unfriendly feeling to-
day. We are threatened with the possibility OF
losing our carrying trade. If the carrying trade
potent argNment that the most unrestricted
reciprocity of trade would be of very great ad
vantage TO the countryl ssy this, and this IL
fact to which | call the attention OF my fellow
countrymen to-day: 1t is high time we should
reverse the policy we have been following toward
the United States for the past twenty five years.
For the past twenty-five years it has not been
altogether hostile TO the United States, but il
has never been altogether friendly. Ii has not
been such as TO bind us to those on the other
sids Of the line, who speak the same language
and have the same ability with u.s."
After referring to the war between the North
and the South and the unfrienelIness shown by
Canada to the North during the great struggle.
Mr. Laurier said:
IL remind you that again, 10 the days OF 1878,
We sdopted another policy, the braggadocio pol
10y. We we're told by Sir Charles Tupper that
the government would hnd = way TO compel the
Yankees TO grant reciprocity. What did Sir
Charles Upper say in Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick. and in the House of Commons2 He
said we would compel the United States to give
Us reciprocity. Canada is the land of my birth,
of my love; Canada Is the land of my heart and
it is enough for me; but IL Is not equal to the
United States In extent; it has not even five
milious, and the Americans have population
of sixty millions; and to say, was said by the
Conservative leaders at that time, that We could
compel that great Nation To come down to their
knees ard could force them to give us what they
have not been willing to give Us so far. was
simply the greatest braggadocio that has been
enacted in my lifetime. Let Us remain We
are politically. but let Us agree that it would be
for their benefit and for our benefit that there
should be no customs laws. but that We should
exchange our products from one side of the line
to the other. This is the policy OF the Liberal
party. For my part, believe that We look no
longer on them with jealousy; that We glad
OF their success: that are sincere friends and
brothers, and that we would nave DO difficulty
in arriving at the object we have in view"