The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-02-05
Commercial Union with Canada.


When Mr.. Erastus Wiman wrote his
article advocating commercial union be-
tseen the United States and Canada. which
was published in the January North
American ReUseir. it is hardly probable
that be thought that steps would be taken
so soon to bring about such
union. he favored agitation in be-
half of union of that kind at
once, so that the people of Canada would be
ready to express their views with regard to
1t when an election for a new parliament
should be held. He did not expect.
however, that there would be a new
parliament in less than eighteen
months, because the term Of the parliament
then in existence would not expire sooner
than that According 10 our dispatches
yesterday, however, the Dominion govern
ment has dissolved parliament and ordered
an election for a new one. The date Of the
election is March 5.
The issue of the election viii be CONNER
cial union between the United States and
Canada. The Dominion government has
made propositions to the government of
this c,untry looking TO closer trade rela-
TONS aud that government thinks that if
negotiations based upon those propositions
should be begun, Canada should have
parliament fresh from the people to act
upon any treaty that might be made.
There is undoubtedly strong feeling In
Canada in favor of freer trade with the
United States, and the people Of this coun-
try would like to have freer trade with
Canada. 1t might not be a very difficult
matter, therefore, TO negotiate a commercial
treaty that would be beneficial TO both
countries. Mr.. Wiman is confident that
Canadians are willing to make very great
concessions to get free entrance into Ameri-
can markets. They would, be believes,
sacrifice the interests of Great Britain to do
SO. He does not believe, however, there is
any probability of political union between
the two countzies in the near future The
Canadians, he says, are loyal to England
and have no complaint to make of the treat
meut they receive from her.
There are eminent Canadians, however,
who favor political union, and they are
satisfied that such a union will take place at
no very distant day. Mr.. Goodwin Smith
believes that the political destiny of Canada
is union with this country. In an address
delivered at Toronto last Monday, after
pointing out the advantages Of commercial
union, he said: "Great Britain will see at
last that she has no real interest here but
amity and trade. The unity of the race,
end the immense advantage OF a settlement
which would shut out war from this conti-
nent and make it one economical whole,
will prevail, l feel convinced, in the end
over evil memories and the malignant ef-
forts of evil men. That such a consumma-
ton will come in my time is unlikely,
though government Of monopoly and cor
ruption is driving it on apace."
AT present there is no very strong desire
in this country for political union with
Canada, the feeling being that this country
is already large enough, and in Canada
there is strong attachment to Great Brit
ain. But if commercial union between the
two countries should be brought about IL
would be long step in the direction Of POI
itical union. If the Canadians should be-
come convinced that their interests are in
the direction of political union they will
not let loyalty to Great Britain be barrier
to such union. And although the people of
this country are not now anxious that their
territory should be increased they would not
stand out against political union with Can.
ada, especially if it should appear that the
union would be advantageous to them.