New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-10
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
PRACTICAL POLITICS IN CANADA.
PROFESSOR GOODWIN SMITHS CONSISTENCY
IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS.


against Erastus Wman, esq., Of staten Island, as an
authority on the practical effect Of commercial union
upon the annexation Of Canada to the United states
The remark called forth from Professor Smith re-
JolndcF, which you also published remark in his
letter IS clearly intended to convey the impression
that am consorng with and aiding the anti-Amercan
party In Canada The only letter of mine which has
been published in Canada by the Tory press is one
addressed by me to the Editor OF "Thc Toronto En-
pre- the personal organ OF Sir John a. Macdonald,
ana published in its issue Of the 31st nit The senti
meh'S expressed in it cannot fairly be characterized
as anti-Amcrican. l an open advocate OF the
consolidation OF AngloSaxon power this continent
as being In the best interests of the AngloSaxon
throughout the world. | am a citizen Of this state
by birth Ny ancestors came t. this country from
Paisley. Scotland 1875 years ago. one Of my great
grandiathcrs served in tho Revolutionary War under
Lafayette My patcrnal grandfather served in the
war OF lsl2 My father Of the first advocates
OF the abolition Of slavery in thi, state demanding
inc Immediate and unconditional emancipation OF the
slaves rs early as 1888. lie was member of the
celebrated Utica Convention. which was driven from
tHat city by mob. and adjourned to Petcrb0rO on
the invitation Of the Hon Gcrrlt Smith, sang anti
slavery songs at my fathers anti slavery meetings a.
early as 1912. ! have been n constant reader Of
Inc Tribune for more than forty years, and Pro
'e''l"h'st from carly life have been persistent
advocate OF the principles and policy which now in
splre and control the Republican party from boyhood.
Wy political colleagues in the Canadian Parliament as
wei a. my opponents. were well aware that my
Nmpatllos were with the Republican party in this
country. that desired the nomination Of Mr. Blaine
as the Republican candidate for the Presidency and
that believed that the annexation Of Canada 20 the
United states was inevitable. I challenge Mr. Smith
10 Polh' ONT single sentiment written spolcn by
me IN Canada or in this country which can be called
anu american or anti Republican. have been u
persistent and consistent advocate OF the political
union Of the United states and Canada since first
visited Canada In 1858, both while living in Canada
ana the United States. make these statements as TO
my personal history because l have been charged
10y anu American editors In Canada with being
deserter from my native land and maniicstng the
zcal q" new convert 70 rcpubcanism and the policy
Of protection 10 home industries. ] agree with Mr..
Wiman that unless Canada secure free access to
our market for her surplus productions annexation
Is inevitable. have made the same statements on
both SIDES Of the boundary line.
But feel it Incumbent upon me to give my reasons
FOR expressing surprise that well Informed Canadian
journalist should quote Professor Smith a. an author
iiy upon any practical public question. Prior to
about the year 1870 Professor Goodwin Smith was a
Radical Of the Radicals in England. Lord Bcacons-
field painted his portrait II a terrible picture.
AID yet his political colleagues q the Liberal party
compelled to admit that it was a faithful like
his political friends refused to dcnouncc and con
denim Lord Bcaconsncd's art work. that he rent
his garments, shook the dust from his feet. and cm.
grated 20 Thu, country where he became professor
for q short time IN Cornell University. lie after
removed 20 Toronto. where he has since resided He
entered public lie In Canada free trade Liberal.
and when sir John Macdonald found guilty Of
pledcug charter for the construction % the Canada
Pacific Railway. with subsidy Of S25.OoO.OOO and
- 100000 acres Of land 10 Sir Hugh Allan, for
SOC 600 which he used In corruptug the electors at
tie General Election Ia l-72, ana other gross political
ml deeds. Nr smith denounced him In most severe
tcrm-. and the advocates 81 purcr government for
Canada looked forward 10 Mr.. smiths support with
satisfaction. he soon ancfwarl became offended with
George Brown. the virtual leader OF the Liberal party
t,nc II the greatest statesmen ever developed In
Canadian public aHa.~l. and attempted to organize
Canada FIRST Party. 10 70 failure. lie was an
..ral because t'e leaders ~ tie Liberal party id no;
support him. and. although sir John \. Macdonald was
rccl.n- bribery and corruption and STEPPED 10 the
llp, iu political crimes against hts country Professor
Goodwin smith embraced h.m ln l-7- and aided in h,
restoration 10 ne Premiership and the control q lcs'-
Ltln in Canada. >.r John Macdonald Ike Professor
smith. bad been n!o long advocate ~ tariff for
frtcu. ONLY -ir John advocated 100 l-1- rct1latory
iar.F AGAINST the nted >tatcs means ~ forcing
u, o. admit the products 81 Canada free INTO our
markets. Mr. smith Was one 81 Dr. most ardent sup
port. rs. Str John, opponent at tic time was the
Hon Alex. Mackenzie the leader Of the Government.
and tr most able. cou-crnuou- industrious and idth
ml Premier Who ha, ever controlled legislation n
Canada. lie abolished property qualification for
member ~ Parliament. and reduced the property
qualification e., basis for the exercise of the franchise
lie abolished open voting and adopted the secret ballot
the Australian system and Ias-ci stringent law ios
Tire prevention 81 bribery "a elections. Through
George Brown De Underworld Ia negotiate a very l3.
cial commercial treaty with thi- country. ne ItH
Canada laciNc RAILWAY. Iir Hu,'tf" H"'h't "
cIr.c In tie controllaDe expenditure OF the Govern.
ncut. lie raised the credit of O4nain rs borrower
~ tie English money market. III oppohchb N'Fc
unable to make 7Ing" chhrSe oi ini,cogd.S %9ai;
ha admin ,irltion IT, was friend % tn l,, nls
states during the Rebellion ana III hearty ~y'tlrS
with Nj Gladstone IN his endearor 10 secure Home
Rulc for Ireland and yet llr. Goodwin Smit milne. Ge
nounccd hia administration, advocated NJ o'i'de"'
ton by the electorate ana urScl IL nc
restoration 70 power OF sir John Macdonald rag
~ir John Macdonald piior 10 the cec'icn d., -,
frrrymaudcrcd the constituencies In ontario m Hn
manner that map # them might be- vel tfhei Tor ~
Indians who ucr' supported by the Government ana
were paid uicir quarterly allowance by an "t,eF tp
Parliament cscicd With Professor smith aid 10 ap.
point revising bnrister in every con s.tucnc co,ne
with authority g. fix the qualification ior inc I,t
csc Of tho franchise. There f. properly P ua,n'
rr John Macdonads oplohrht ~ l,lpcr v r, ~. ,,e
cral party IN lS52 was the Hon. Inward hl'n', Wv
greatest living pcsonality In the Dominion a man r ~
cmlncnty the greatest lnr,t in canada friend oil
The United states. And yet for Mr. hihhe irolo,,"di
smith had only snccrs ana unJu>' "'.'
unecncrors criticism: Just PRIOR, to ton, ny
leaving Canada Professor smith 'ilr'i'nn
upon i cru sadie In the interest 81 the rum power Wu
e. an annex In Canada Of the Anti American p'l1,
a. 10 T. here Of tho Democratic party. lie d,h3'V"
All legislation tending Ia restrain the aaie ol ''' "a
eating liquor, a a violation Of personal hpcrIf; I've
made several attempts 70 establish Journals, III
Canada through which 10 advocate ana Md
his opinions public questions: all al 'l'I 49,
I'm failure with command Of the fhEl1 o.'-,t
perhaps not cNccllrd hy any living "rl,'', - -,
wealth ard q world wide acquaintance VITA s sun
Intellectual culture he has had little or u" "H,h.r
for good in directing lcgi 'laton In Canada .'', ~
party has ever .oIpf hi support aud uccNr , nt
leaders % both parties. while resided tcre P, ~
hi. opposition. lie Is ungcncrouS ana uIgu9' "p,
poncnf 0f Mr. Gladstone and a malignant ueI",'' t
he Irish people chiefly because his colichEu.' -, nv,
Liberal party in England did not put on deep hou,uN
when he left The country. As political ctIrr ~ 1
a- unstable rs water ard as Tickle; var.ani|, ","
ohaugcah!c rs March weather For fh''c ~" m'r'
other reason, which might give cNpr~fcI SUI p,.t,S
tI,at Can1di,n Journalist should quote Nr. H.iiul
~ an authority upon practical ponies. ~ =, A..
referred 10 Mr.. Blstc, privat" life In lu,l ~ '
smith should add that his private he anu - "
spotted before the world ,..o .b,t