The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-02-10
SIN seHs.s TRICK.

Sir John Macdonald, the Canadian
premier. does not grow less astute as
he grows older. Whether he Is entitled
70 statesman's place In history or
not, Il must be admitted that be has
few superiors ~ q politician He al
ways plays his cards with consum-
mate skill and 10 never loses trick
which II Is possible 10 save. Ills en-.
tiro political career has been marked
By series Of victories won In spite OF
the most desperate odds. and it may
fairly be said that for years lac has
compelled rather than won the sup
port Of the Canadian people.
II Is stated that the Dominion par
lament will soon be dissolved. and
that Sir John viii appeal TO the peo-
pie on The question OF annexation to
the United States. II Is this deter
minalion which affords evidence that
his shrewdness has not deserted him.
There Is no necessity for an appeal TO
tho Canadian people on the question
81 annexation ut this juncture. There
Is scarcely an excuse for such an mp
peal. Nobody IL talking Of annexation
except In speculative manner and az
Of possibility of The future. II iscer.
tainly not practical political question
IN the United States. and there II ne
reason why 1t should be one In Can
ada.
Sir John Macdonald knows that
Canadian sensimentiss still overwholm-
ingly opposed TO annexation. though
he cannot but appreciate the fact that
the idea OF union with the United
States is becoming more popular. An
anti-annexation campaign would be
an exceedingly popular one and would
almost certainly end In victory. An
appeal 10 the people as the cham pion
OF Canadian nationality would prob
ably result In a marked personal and
party triumph which would give the
Conservatives another long lease of
power. There Is na other issue, either
present or apparent In the future. npon
which Sir John can hepc To win
similar victory. and he is accordingly
wise IN working the annexation qaes.
ton for all that Il Is worth 10 him and
Ia his party.
The weak poias in Sir Johns pro-
grasniae l. the possibility that The lib
erals will not Permit themselves TO be
drawn into hattie on The terms which
he proposes. Few, ii amy. % The lib
eral leaders are 10 iasoroi annexation.
None of them. certainly. could fail 10
see the folly OF nlcdging the party 10
an annexation programme a. this
time. Ii Is not clear. therefore. hew
Macdonald proposes 70 maneuvcr his
opponents into the position Of favor.
ing annexation. Probably he merely
intends Ia charge shesa with heissg an.
nexationists in the hope that, il the
charge is often repeated. the peo,.le
will believe 1t. In the meantime the
Conservatives will he asserting their
own devotion 10 Canadian nationality
with such vehemeaee that the voters
viii flock 10 their standard. they viii
be Triumphant at the polls and every.
body viii be happy in Che belief that a
great danger has been escaped.
The Canadian people may vote
against annexation as often ard a.
unanimously as they choose and the
American people viii aos he ossesssel.
at their doing SO, Indeed. The anes-
ton OK annexation i scarcely dis
cnssea az all Ia TIL country, and the
general opinion IL that IL will he time
enough 10 discuss il when the
Canadian provinces spysy for aalnss-
sion into the Union. Ia the sueaa.
time the United States annaaisy ~
eesves as welsaae Accession. 10 sss
citizens thousands cf tho asoSi Setlss
and snsespFisins sogrg alea Ct The
Domsnion. This Is aaae xasiaa
enough for the present. Tbs Anaers