The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-01
COMMERCIAL UNION WITH CANADA.


anus OF lives. To voluntarily yield Up an
c c9u area In Canada to the same Republic
0 uan. i1linences would be but duplicating that
sast ueleat The effect in England of the
spread OF Republican institutions over 40 per
Se IL ~ Oh the British empire, which is included
IN canada, would be feared to be very seri-
T Rr;t iinS1eed. Already the tendency Of the
n nrhelsn people is toward the Republican
pLinclple, and the aristocratic and official
Ilass must look with anxiety az the gradual
iioWerlng OF the franchise and the growth Of
IInn M OF the middle and lower ella sses.
70 voluntarily relinquish dominion and
nlonaTcny over an area so vast as Canada,
and to substitute Republican institutions,
would have serious effect upon British pos
| sessions in Asia, especially in India; while
tne loss OF military prestige by CIV
on the Atlantic s and Vancouver ''- on
the Pacific could hardly be attoned for. 1t
may we'll be conceived that all the influences
OF monarchial institutions in other lands
| would be arIayed against this concession by
Great Britain of her great American posses
sions to the United States. Again the new
born hopes in England of an informative
route to her great eastern possessions over
| British territory would all be dissapated by
annexation. 1t is difficult to apprehend any
| joyous consent on the part of Great Britain
under existing circumstances, and without
material change. which perhaps only CEN
fury can bring about.
POLITICAL UNIoNlIMPossIBLE NOW.
Mr.. Wiman said he had taken this occasion
| to clearly and plainly set forth the interior
influences that prevail behind the rampant
set up in Canada against a political union,
and the influences that strengthen that RAM
part of defence in England and elsewhere
| 1t is important that these should all be I'M
derstood, for they are potent factor in con-
sluerlng now pest to make this continent
| commercial unity as it is an economic whole.
Let us, therefore, contemplate the possibili-
ties OF policy that in the end may remove
| these obstacles to political union, if even
tually that is found desirable, but
in the mean time to achieve such
material results as will come
from union. If not on political, certainly
on commercial, basis From all that is now
must elapse before the political barrier can
be removed? Within the present generation
no complete political fusion seemed among
the possibilities. How long must elapse be-
| fore Parliament could be elected majori-
| ty of which would vote for annexation, while
a. member that should offer himself for
election on such platform today would be
accused OF the rankest treason? A change
fore that change takes the shape of practical
| politics, and becomes sufficiently effective to
bring the two countries together.
1t is universal conviction in the United
states, reached without much reflection and
| certainly with imperfect knowledge, that a
political union is desirable before even trade
| advantages can be yielded by either country.
Yet, is 1t not a fact that such determination
Will result in the postponement for 80 years
OF advantages which are of the greatest pos
| sible Importance at the present moment and
| 10 the present generation, not only to Cana
| ia, but to this country also? 1t is true that
Ine progress and prosperity of the United
States are so abundant that she can we'll
afford to do without these advantages. But
| IN the meantime, is 1t good policy, is it wise
business sagacity, contemplating all that had
been described-is it craftsmanship, even,
without political union, to ignore the oppor-
tunities OF the hour, and fail to realize, in
| orr own day and generation. all the posi-
| bllities Of a commerce that should be CONT
mental. not only In extent, but in its opportu-
| mites?
HOW TO CAPTURE CANADA.
There are three ways by which many in
THIS country conceive practical union be-
| tween the United States and Canada can be
achieved: First, by force of arms; second,
| by retaliatory and hostile legislation, and
third, by commercial union. So far as the
| first is concerned, 1t is never dreamed Of
10 the glory of the United States be it said
that, while there is well nigh universal
| desire to incorporate Canada into the Union.
| no such sentiment as the acquisition of ter
ritory by force has ever for moment been
contemplated. While it would make immor-
tai the men who achieved union perfect
and complete, no disposition to force it is
apparent without the full and free assent of
the people of Canada. Therefore the first
plan may be dismissed.
Second, as to a retaliatory policy: The
facts already quoted as to the conditions
prevailing in Canada, show how futile such
policy wonld be to bring about any better
understanding Canadians are proud and
self:reliant people, willing and capable of
making sacrifices just as great as the South
and the North did in pursuance of the prin-
cipies OF self-existence: The repeal of the
reciprocity treaty which existed until 1866
that annexation would follow. The
result was precisely the contrary, for
t9e 1Oyo,tv was rro.a,u greater expression
that treaty than eyer before. A retaiiatory
policy is not only full of danger but 10 fail-
OF delay and loss, and certainly would be
most Ineffective. -
The third way in which to achieve union
with Canada is that found in the imitation
| OF great principle that the American revo-
luton and the Declaration of Independence
taught to the world. The spectacle of
union, of independent common wealths,
pound together by commercial league and
the freest interchange of commerce. had
never prior to the American experiment been
demonstrated. The lesson thus afforded was
quickly apprehended, and one of the earliest
and most successful limitations has been
found in the German Zollverein 1t was one
Frederick List who came from Germany.
and becoming inspired by Alexander Hamil-
; IOn WIFI tne effectiveness of this plan for
principals of the Zollyerein. The influence
thus set in motion in Europe, in imitation of
Oh the American principles of internal free
trade, have been most potent and wide
spread. No greater growth, no more mar
vellous power in commerce has the world
euer seen than that which has been exempli-
ned In the German empire, and which was
the direct result OF the example of the GUS
TOMS or commercial union first established In
America,
COMMERCIAL UNION PROPOSED IN CON-
GREss.
A lesson having been taught to Europe in
relation to union of states on a commercial
basis, why is it not possible in this country
to take advantage of the experience and the
highly successful results that followed it?
This is the hope and dream of the CONNER
cial unionists. The idea is to obliterate the
customs line that now runs athwart the con-
tinent, lift it up, and, making it of uniform
height put it right around the continent
inat under such an arrangement trade shall
be as Tree between the maritime provinces
and New England as it is between New Eng
land and the Middle States. That SO far as
the outer world is concerned, uniform and
!ointly administered tariff shall prevail, but
that within the continent itself there shall
pc no custom houses, no barriers, no restric-
lions whatever. That this idea is met with
favor is shown by the unanimous pas sage at
the recent session of Congress of a resolu
ton, first suggested by Hon. BENJAMIN But-
terworth. introduced by that sagacious
statesman, Hon. Il. r. Hit of Illinois. to law |
the foundations for negotiation of this |
character The resolution, while brief. is |
exceedingly comprehensive, and is in the |
following terms:
Resolved, by the Senate and House of Repre- |
sentatiyes of the United States, etc. That when |
ever 1t shall be duly certified to the President of
the United States that the government of the Do
minion OF Canada has declared desire to estab-
lish commercial union with the United States
having uniform revenue system, like internal |
taxes, to be collected and like msort duties to be
imposed on articles brought into either country /
from other nations with no duties upon trade he
tween the United States and Canada he shall an |
point three commissioners to meet those who |
may be likewise designated to represent the gov
eminent OF Canada, to prepare plan for the as
similation of the import duties and internal reve-
nue. taxes of the two countries and an equitable /
division of receipts, In a commercial union; and Il
said commissioners shall report to the President
who shall lay the report before Congress-
1t is doubtful if in recent proceedings of |
congress- there has been compressed within
so lew lines consequences so far-reaching |
and beneficial as may flow from this move L
ment. The adoption of policy as set forth
IN TINS resolution by the people of the Unit
ed States would work wonderful revOlu-
ton In Canada; for, while it does
not interfere witn their pecu-
liar political conditions, and is not