Evening journal., 1889-12-14
CANADIAN COMMERCE
General Wilson and Erastus
Wiman in Debate.
ANNEXATION VS.. oUsTOMs UNION.


Oogent Arguments of Both Speakers.
III. II. Cause Presides.
The audience that crowded the Insti-
tute Hall last evening to hear the debate
on commercial relations with Canada.
between General James H. Wilson and
Erastus Wiman of New York, was repre-
sentative of the most intelligent class OF
the city.
Every seat in the hall was occupied
and not a few persons had to stand
There were mauy ladies present, and
they were apparently as much interested
in the subject as the men. No audience
ever paid closer attention to public
| speakers, which was not only a comph
ment TO the ability of the debaters, but
| denoted the interest taken in the subject
| The Owl orchestra, under the leadership
of O. II. Lauer, furnished good music
before the speaking began.
On the stage were seated the following
| well-known Wilmingtonians: Allen
| SpeGkman, S. n. Trump, Preston Lea,
( Colonel II. H. Carter, G. P. Johnson, j.
Taylor Cause. John Q. Farra, Hon
| Charles B Lore, Edward Belts, job H.
jackson, George w. Todd, Colonel Milo
w. Locke, Thomas w. Slavery, Wash
| ington Jones, Edward Challenger
Of New Castle, George G. Lobdell
! Clement b. Smyth, r. T. Warner, the
! Hon Thomas f. Bayard, Senator George
! Gray, Charles 2. Fritz, Il. Taylor Cause,
Senator Higgins, w. Il. Swift, George
w. Stone, DR. Peter Cooper, Joseph Swift
| George w. Bush, 5. NJ. Knox, Howard
w. Pyle DR.. Horace Burr, j.
is. Beetem, Elwocd G. Jack
/ ITn-. 4t,,r
ton, Fred z. Bach w G. Pennypacker
Samuel +. Smith, Bishop Coleman. Viii
liam c. Spruance, Esq, Benjamin Nields
| Esq, DR.. H. }. Stubbs E. A. Scranton,
manager for Dun's Agency, Philadelphia,
and Inspector Smith Of the New York
Office
AS Mr. Bayard and Senator Gray came
on the stage they were greeted with
warm applause, which was renewed when
| General Wilson, Mr.. Wiman and Senator
Higgins appeared.
II. T. Cause, vice-president of the
Harlan and Hollingsworth Company pre-
sided.
The formal question was "What
governmental policy of the United States
and Canada, would be best calculated to
bring about the establishment of the
fullest and most desirable relations be-
tween the two countriesY'
In few words Mr.. Cause introduced
Mr., Wiman. Few of the audience had
seen the Duke of Staten Island before.
AS he rose and bowed in acknowledgment
to the applause, they saw well-built
man, slightly below medium height. His
hair Is black and little thin on the tor
Of his head. His closely cropped mus
tache and side whiskers are dark, with q
few streaks of grey. He wore a red car.
nation on the lapel of his frock coat.
Mr.. Wiman spoke for ten minutes
giving a general outline and description
of Canada, it size and resources Ht
pointed out the characteristics of ths
country on large map, which hung OF
the stage
General Wilson was then introduced
and entered at once into his argument fo
annexation. General Wilson's stalwari
form is pretty well known in Whining
ton. He has a commanding presence
and strong face. He is very bald anC
his mustache is tinged with grey. The
dashing cavalryman spoke for fifty min
utes. Few speakers I'll the hall as he
did, with his stentorian voice. His de
livery was good and applause was fre-
quent.
After he concluded the Owl orchestri
played Hail Columbia, Columbia, the
Gem of the Ocean, 'Home, Sweet
Home, Yankee Doodle" America,
'Dixie, andthe Star Spangled Banner
The music was well played and inspired
the audience to hearty rounds Of ap-
plause.
Mr.. Wiman then delivered his argu
ment for a customs union, speaking TO
fifty minutes. He often waxed eloquent
and each time was interrupted by ap-
plsuse.
General Wilson replied briefly, anC
thanked the audience for its attention
MIR. Wiman did the same and the meet
ing adjourned.
Charles Emory Smyth Of Philadelphia
and Congressman Butterworth of Ohii
were not present. Members of tht
Young Mems Republican Club, in even
ing dress acted as ushers.
Mr.. Wiman arrived in this city lat
yesterday afternoon. He was met by G.
G. Cameron and Joseph Swift. and driver
to the latter's residence. Mr.. Wimal
was Mr.. Swift's guest during his sta,
: here. He returned to New York thi
morning. Mr.. Cameron had charge o
the arrangements last night. which wer
as perfect as possible.
An informal reception was given t
the speakers after the debate, at the
! Young Mems Republican Clubhouse.
General wilson's Arguments.
The gist OF General Wilson's speeel
2 will be found in the following extract
T from it.
! 1.-THE question 10 be decussed this even
ing is one of uranscendant Importance. |
closely affects our permanent and para
mount interests. 1t not for to-day, bu
for all time, or at least until 1t is settlel
by the fundamental laws of human
: progress.
"Mr. Wiman has clearly shown by thu
! pamphlet which he has sent to many o
! you he is thoroughly acquainted with th'
: resources of the Diminion of Canada
with the character of its population, an,
4 with the details of its system of govern
: ment
HE contends that the best possible
results can be obtained for both countries
by the establishment of a customs unior
9 or zollverine, similar to that suggested
! | by Prussia in 1918 and afterwards Joined
by all the German states except Austria
Obviously, the immediate results of thi
I measure would be to abolish all the Gus
tom houses on the frontier and to remove
. them to the seaeoast or to the maratim
cities. The tariff would be necessaril,
the same for both countries. But abov
all, and this is the principal end aimed a
by the proposition, absolute free trad
would prevail between all the province
I Of the nominfon IN the one sidp and a