New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-14
CANADIAN RELATIONS.

The debates in the United States Senate
and in the Dominion Parliament on questions
Of annexation or commercial union do not
greatly enlighten public opinion in either coun-
try. Senator Sherman, 1t is true, said with
good sense that the people Of this country would
seek no change unless il was desired by the
Canadians after full and mature consideration.
All the arguments for closer commercial rela
tons on this side of the border turn upon their
supposed influence in rendering the Canadian
people moro disposed toward political union.
On the other side, the question has taken
partisan form, and the advocates of commercial
union ara denounced as If they were in fact
striving for annexation, or on the ground that
closer commercial relations would tend to
undermine the loyalty of Canada to the British
Crown.
II is desirable for people on both sides of
the border TO face the recorded fact, that reci-
procity in trade with Canada did not con-
tribute in the slightest degree so far as any
body has ever been able to discover, to pro-
mote political union or TO remove feelings Of
antagonism between the two countries. The
assumption that any commercial union that is
now possible would have different tendency,
or would tend to produce the results which
reciprocity did not produce seems to be quite
without support in experience. Whether Ca
nadians would gain more by any commercial
union than they formerly gained by reci-
procity is OF little consequence. The fact APP
pears to be that they resented the more rapid
and vigorous growth Of the United States, just
as they resent it now. and refused then 10 be-
Ia NJ thavF tn kniio hat
ences in political organization explained that
difference in growth and prosperity.
The American citizen has learned, as the
Canadian has not, that monarchical institu-
tons have repressive influence. They tend
to turn away immigration. They tend TO re-
press enterprise and individual aspirations
They offer less stimulating prizes to those who
climb to wealth. honor or influence by personal
merit. The fact that more than one million
Canadians are now living In the United States
is more largely due TO differences in political
institutions than the Canadian people are will
ing to believe. The fact that lands and mines
factories and railroads, timber and cattle, and
even the labor of the laborers, are all worth
more on the southern side of the dividing line.
Is one which speaks eloquently TO Americans
Of the difference in political institutions. But
the Canadian does rot yet read that lesson or
prefer the methods Of government adopted here.
The people Of this country have no reason to
find fault With their decision. We have still
vast tracts OF territory to settle and develop.
which would wait long time II American en-
terprise and the tide OF immigration were TO
be turned into nearer and richer regions Of
Canada. The growth Of this country goes on
all the more rapidly because q colonial state
and dependence upon monarchical form Of
government retard development in Canada.
There viii be no indispoSiion here to welcome
Canadians whenever they want TO become citi-
xens Of the fI5e Republic. But there is not
the shadow of n reason why this country should
wish to have them become citizens one hour
earlier than they desire.