The Portland daily press., 1890-01-13
TWENTY-FIVE VOTES IN 25 YEARS.
Erastus Wiman's Estimate of the
Canadian SeparatIst Party.
Trade Relations with Uncle Sam and
Political With England.
Sir John Macdonald Still In Public
Life at Seventy-five.

LONDON, Ont, January 11.-Erastus Wi
man addressed a meeting here this evening
under the auspices of the Young Liberal
Club. His subject was: "The Three Fu-
lures for Canada" These he defined as con-
tinued colonialism, annexation, or an inde-
pendent republic. Mr.. Wiman quoted Rt
Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, who said that
"the arrangement between the colonies and
Great Britain was essentially a temporary
one;" nevertheless, the speaker believed, in
view OF the great growth of the material in
terests between Great Britain and the
United States, and the consequent certainty
that harmony would continue to exist be.
tween them. that if an arrangement could be
made between the United States and Canada
Tor commercial freedom, Great Britain
might continue to hold 40 per cent of her en-
pire In the North American continent. If,
however, annexation were deemed desirable
IL could be sooner brought about by a CON-
mercial arrangement between the two coun-
tries than by policy of pressure, isolation
ana lndifferentism In relation to annexa-
tion, Mr.: Wiman said that If, in the future,
the people of Canada desired to join the great
constellation Of commonwealth that so IL
lustrate the greatness of this continent, what
possible objection could there be, provided
the interests of Great Britain, the interests
OF Canada and the interests of the United
States and those Of humanity at large were
advanced thereby Annexation in Canada
had been made disloyal bugbear which
mock sentimentality had clothed with feat
ures unattracttye, but which upon examina-
tlOn would be found to be of the most desir-
able character. 1t was one of the noblest
heritages to be an American citizen, and the
child born in the United States tv succeed to
the achievements of the present generation
mad possibilities OF happier future than
the child born in any other land under the
sun. Generous In their instincts, unstinted
In their welcome, progressive, intelligent
and successful, there Is no people with
whom it would be more desirable to be asso-
ciated, no nation to whom 1t would be more
honorable to be joined. But annexation was
not question for US to decide, but for our
children and their children, and it is folly
for us to think at this time we can either
materially prevent or promote an event so
stupendous. We certainly can begin by
breaking down the commercial barrier be-
tween the two countries, learning to under
stand each other better, and if the harmon
lZlng influence OF commerce and the attrac-
tive institutions of the United States result
In making the great continent of North
America one nation, then God will bless the
Union, for it is only by the good will of both
people, through constitutional means, that it
can be ACCOMPLISHED, and under such circum-
stances the will of the people should be su-
preme.
Mr.. Wiman maintained that the growth of
the annexation sentiment in Canada has
been promoted by discussion of the practi
cability of commercial union, but that as
practical force in politics it would take %
years to elect % members of a Parliament of
25O In favor of sepa from Great Brit
ain, from which the greatest liberality of
treatment had been received.
SirJohn MacDonaId's Birthday.