The Portland daily press., 1889-04-01

----~---~- -----~O-OO PtcCfoCtJ OPstOoavO
character operates in Canada against annex
alton, and that is the large and influential
body known as Orangemen. This IS a secret
organization, only slightly known in the
United States, which has for its purpose in
Ireland and in Canada resistance to the en-
croachments Of the Roman Catholic church.
1t Is far more widespread and influential
among the country people In Canada than
any Other secret society, now existing al
most anywhere else in the world. Whole
districts are permeated by its influence; the
schoolhouse and the Orange hall are
in many localities, side by side. An
Orangeman is nothing unless loyal. Some
aroused, his hostility can be excited Just as
readily against Americanism as against
Catholicism. 1t Is impossible TO conceive Of
two forces more diametrically opposed to
each other than the Roman Catholic church
in Quebec and the Orangemen in Ontario and
in the maritime provinces. Yet, while they
are bitterly opposed to each other, they glad
ly unite in antagonism to a withdrawal OF
British supremacy.
Again, another influence opposed to annex
alton to the United States Is the official class
which, at Ottawa, has grown to large pro-
portions. In furtherance of the liberality of
treatment by Great Britain toward Canada,
she has freely bestowed titles. honors, which
in their turn have an influence for their per-
petuation. A mimic court Is established at
Ottawa. over which has presided once real
live princess. and always live lord. This,
and all that 1t implies Of patronage and So
cial distinction, would disappear like snow
In summer with the spread OF republican in
| stitutions following union with this coun-
| try, and IL Is no wonder that all who are
| concerned or affected thereby look upon any
movement toward annexation with horror
| and dismay. In addition to this, 1t must al
| ways be borne in mind that the monetary In
| fiuence OF Great Britain Is felt TO an extra
| ordinary degree In Canada. Over $3.50, ,000,-
| 900 of British capital Is invested In the
indebtedness Of the government, rail-
/ road stocks and bonds, and the Obliga-
tions of the Canadian farmer In
/ certain sense this investment would be rem
dered safer and more profitable by the break
ing down Of the barrier between the two
countries but in the meantime 1t is largely
arrayed against political change. Then
| the commercial tie which binds the Canadian
| merchant to the British merchant must be
| considered. The liberal credits, large bank
ing facilities, loans and promotions Of un-
dertakings between the two countries would,
in certain sense, be disturbed by political
i change. The social element in Canada has
always been more or less influenced by Eng
lish fashions and English consider
| ations; while the average Amer
can who has gone to Canada has not reflect
ed the greatest possible credit upon those he
| left behind. In exchange for the steady
stream Of stalwart Canadians that have come
in this direction In the last 10 years, num-
Il
Canada largely colony Of boodlers, default
| ers, embezzlers and, as rule, even where
men who went from here were honest, they
have not infreQuently exhausted their Op-
portunities In this country before going TO
Canada. There are numerous notable ex-
ceptions to this generalization. and there are
not few prominent and most successful
business men and politicians In Canada who
were born on this side Of the line: But, In
proportion to the number that have gone
from the United States to Canada, those
that have been successful are comparatively
few.
Now. all the influences that have been
named to you as against political change in
Canada. and an application for admission
into the United States-all these have been
grouped into shape and form, and find their
which now rules Canada and which, in
other words, is the manufacturers party.
| The Catholic chnrch, the Orangemen, the
social, financial and political forces, are all
bent to sustain the national policy, which
means the domination Of the party that con-
trols taxation-the party that fears the
breaking down Of the barrier, either politi-
cally or commercially, for that would imply
the free entrance Of the American manufac-
turer to competition. OF course there Is an
apparent sentiment of repugnance to dis
elimination against English manufacturers
by the exactiOn of duties, while goods from
the United States were admitted free. AT
the same time, his keen sense OF loyalty has
not prevented the Canadian manufacturer
from discriminating against British goods In
favor of those manufactured by himself.
But, In the meantime, the cry OF loyalty Is
raised by this powerful interest, and urged
with great force against any change which
would imply an open Canadian market for
American manufactures.
| OBSTACLES To ANNEXATION IN ENGLAND.
However numerous and important may be
In Canada the obstacles to a change In pOliti-
cal condition, they may still be considered
even greater in England. Americans hard
| ly realize, when they talk glibly of annexing
Canada, what that means TO Great Britain.
The struggle TO maintain the allegiance Of
the United States was vain one, even after
a sacrifice Of millions of money and thOus.
L r..1..r rr.r.u. o..r