New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-18
SIR JOHNS MONUMENT.
RAISING FUNDS IN NETWORK FOR IT.
ERAsTUs wIMAS POINTS OUT SEVERAL GREAT
MISTAKES WHICH WILL KEEP THE
DEAD CANADIAN PREsuER's
MEMORY GREEN.

DEAD CANADIAN PREMTERS
MEMORY GREEN.
Toronto, July II CspeciaD-In response to re-
quest for cooperation in New-YOrk for promoting q
national monument to be erected IN Canada TO Sir
John Macdonald. Erastus Wiman has written TO =
friend in Toronto IN the following terms:
There Is no monument needed TO perpetuate the
memory Of Sir John Macdonald long as the great
barrier exists which his National policy has created
between the English speaking people Of this continent
for so long will he be remembered BY the people OF
both countries
This barrier the work of man. as completely sep
arates the two sections Of the AngoSaxon race In this
great field Of opportunity IL by the hand OF God
they were divided by high mountain wide desert, or
deep morass, 1000 miles long. so far trade and
commerce are concerned the existence Of prosperity in
Canada occupying Onehalf Of the continent, Is more
dependent upon free 70 the other half than upon
all other circumstances combined yet the chief result
of'the policy OF the departed statesman has been the
creation of a WALL which many Of the cOmmonest
necessities Of life can only be exchanged by paying
tribute 10 either Government, often beyond the cost
of production.
The psult IS that millions Of acres of timber are
burning and rottng for the want OF market in the
United states, where the standing timber to-day Is
less. per head. than In Germany thousands OF miles
Of fishing coasts unoccuped and wasting, because
of the need Of free nearby market: mineral wealth
Unequalled In the world Is buried and dormant and
dead because Of he want Of to the great coun
try next door agricultural ar,as Of the broadcast ard
richest character remain untouched and unproductvo,
Willie even in the Urlted states with an mmgTa-
ton and Increase Of population unparalleled, land
hunger exists Of the keenest character which cannot
be appeased under existing conditions.
sixty millions Of dollars expended In Canadian
canals with less than sixty craft 10 navigate them aud
dcpeGdng upon United states Tonnage for maintenance
even In the face ii a discrimination against American
craft is an indication Of the policy pursued. Even
the greatest OF achievements dnrng Sir Johns life the
Canadian Pa c Railway, while 1t IS the compre
hensive transportation agency in the wide world, con
trolling il docs, the means Of communication across
an eutro Continent. could not earn profit equal to its
axle grease unless 1t had fee access to the traffic Of
the United states, which, strange to say, it is sought
to deny 90 ii .ther interests.
THAT these monuments 70 Sir John win be Of enduring
character is a. certain as the permanence of the great
national debt which this policy has created-a debt
nearly equal per capita, to the Canadians in time OF
profound peace that which resulted TO each inhabiant
of the United states in the greatest Of wars Not only
has this money tribute been exacted but her loss OF flesh
ana blood has been greater than that caused by
the German Franco War; for by exodus into the United
states Canada has lost greater proportion OF her IN
habants than has emlgrated from any other country.
Ireland alone excepted
The anticipation Of the growth Of the urgent desire
that this barrier between the two countries should be
obIterated and that these unnatural conditions should
be changed, vas the origin Of the last parliamentary
campaign, which, ending In Sir Johns death n inc
most disastrous event that could have befalen his
party was carried forward the Keynote given In his
own words and suggested inscription upon MS
monumental British subject was born and British
subject | will die
" This boast implied that all others who opposed
him, in their desire for better relation with the
United stats were dsloyal to British connection,
which most unjust and most untrue. II was,
moreover an Implication which at one fell swOop
placed fully Onehalf Of the Canadian people IN an al
tud. d.slOyal to British ctiOn. position there
was ve-tge Of evidence that they either desired
or intended to occupy.
"These events all serve 10 keep in mind the great
statesman 10 whom monument is now proposed; but
for his personal qualities. and his great ability such
tribute Is entirely proper. and on that ground have
already been glad TO cooperate with group OF his
friends and mine In NewYOrk who are promoting that
project