St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-02-08
The Liberals Want a Closer
Bond of Union With the
United States.
The Conservatives Anti-COn-
tinental and Close Com
munion.
Their Leader and Renowned
Chief Is Sir John Mac
donald.

ly those who are interested ia trade re-
lations, may wish to know the meaning
of the election contest in Canada, to uI-
derstand the conditions under which it
takes place and to be prepared for esti-
mating the Significance of the result.
am so far qualified to inform them that
| have never belonged to either of the
party organizations, and am thus I'M
biased by the mere struggle for power.
The immediate issue is that of trade
with the United States. But be-
meath this lies the broader issue
between a continental and anti-con-
tinental policy. The Liberals of Can
ada, whether they look for the ultimate
entrance of Canada into the American
Union OF not, are now men of this con-
tinent, regard the inhabitants of the
rest of it as partners, and desire to
cultivate the closest relations with
them. The Conservatives are anti-con-
tinental; they desire to keep Canada in
all things divided from her continent
and attached to Great Britain, where
the social center of their party lies.
Practically they seek to make Canada
the engine of the conservative ariS-
tocracy of Great Britain for averting
the
Triumph of Democracy
in the new world, and keeping part of
the American continent under ariSto-
cratic institutions or influence. Of the
Authenticated party and that which
seeks to strengthen the connection with
aristocratic England Sir John MacdOn-
AID is the renowned chief. He wears
the insignia of British aristocracy on
his breast as civil knight of tile Grand
Cross OF the Bath. His whole policy
has been directed against closer rela
Canadian Pacific railway was Its des
tined instrument, though the course of
events by which his nation
al' railway has been converted
into a half-American road seems
to prove the hOpelessneSS of
the fight against nature. For the
commercial question by itself he may
be said to care comparatively little. He
has never been on commercial principle
protectionist. He embraces protec-
tionism because it sewers Canada eco
nomically from the United States, and at
the same time gives him the support of
the protected manufacturers, who have
contributed largely to his election fund.
Among the people, whatever may be
their political bearing toward the
United States, the desire for free trade
with their own continent grows apace.
The signs of its progress are visible on
every side. In another year, Sir John
Macdonald thinks, and with good reason,
it may be too strong for him. He ac-
cordingly
DissOIVes Parliament
1t.o Il 10
the regular time. making strong APP
peal personally and through all his
organs to anti-American sentiment.
Still. if the people were let alone there
can be no doubt that the verdict would
be in favor of reciprocity and against
the protectiOniSt government. But the
people will not be let alone. The
country has been governed for twenty
five years largely by corruption, carried
on by means of the federal subsidies to
provinces, which Our constitution I'M
Fortunately permits, federal grants to
local public works, concessions
to contractors and bribery of
all kinds; appointments to the
senate. which is nominative, and
the prospects of baronetcies and knight
hoods, to which the Canadian prime
minister recommends, being treated as
II DdrJ VI tH6 luliu. HIST SHSlilcS Will
all be piled land piled Oh people whose
long subsection to their influence.
When in the affair called the Pacific
railway scandal, Sir John Macdonald
and two of his colleagues were clearly
convicted of having bartered the con
struction of
The National Railway
L.. - I>r i.,& IA al
tons, the moral sense Of the people re-
eminent was oVerthroWn. But tn
was about the last effort of the public
conscience, The other day one of Sir
Johns parliamentary followers, man
designated by him for the senate, was
found guilty after vain attempt of the
government to shield him, of corrup-
ton OF the very foulest kind. Upon
being cenSured by the house, he boldly
resigned his seat, appealed to his con-
stituents Oh the plea that he was no
worse than others, and on that plea was
reelected.
The government majority in the late
parliament was over fifty on division
in house of 215 members, so that the
Liberals have considerable leeway to
make up. On the other hand, many of
the government seats were won at the
last election by small majorities, which,
if the people were to vote freely, ac-
cording to their conviction Oh the COLI
mercial question, would, without doubt,
be reversed. Such, If | do not mistake,
is the general outline of the situation.
and such are the main data on which a
forecast, if any forecast is possible,
must be based. My own impression is
that in this part of Canada, lat all events,
there will be good fight for continental
free trade and pure government.
KINGSTON, Ont, Feb. Alexander
Gum has consented to be the reform
candidate for Kingston in opposition to
Sir John Macdonald.
SOUND PRINCIPLES.