Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-08-28
THE CANADIAN BUGBEAR

Two-thirds OF the Canadians, whose
brains are in the front part of their
skulls, know that were Canada a part
Of this union she would be more pros
porous, and her people freer and hap
pier than they are today. The most
liberal and dissatisfied of them are
out-spoken in favor Of independence
and alliance with us; the most con-
servative acknowledge that the
change would be beneficial; but the
bugbear Of annexation" paralyzes
both classes.
They could stand federation, for
that would seem like preservation Of
their dignity and an acknowledgment
Of their Importance; the idea Of being
annexed seems to imply pettiness and
undesirability. They might join, but
they would never be annexed.
Canada should be an integral part
Of this union. She has available and
profitable territory enough to cut up
into a good many states, as the popu-
lation increased, and the wonderful
great Northwest territories are de-
yeloped. For through world travel
her Hudson's bay steamer route and
Peace river to Port Simpson railroad
route would shorten the distance be-
tween London and Hong Kong by
1851 miles, and something over five
days in time, as compared to the most
frequcnted route now, by San Fran
cisco. The imaginary boundary lines
would be wiped out, and both coun-
tries relieved Of the swarms OF customs
and police officers requisite TO guard
the border line. Trade and commerce
would be free and untrammeled, both
be strengthened for offense and de-
Tense, and the greatest nation on
earth be established.
Yet in the face Of these acknowl-
edged facts the bugbear intrudes itself
and the degrading nature Of annexa-
ton is recognized. If Canada takes
the initiative, as she must if the union
is ever accomplished, she will come
nearer annexing us; for she is greater
in area, and her people more self-im-
portant than ours. 1t is extremely
doubtful IL the United States
would want or take Canada, as at
present constituted into the sis
terhood. We do not want the
province OF Quebec, unless It
should become Anglicized. The idea
OF a state in which the majority Of
the people could not speak English,
and in which the laws have TO be
printed in a foreign language, would
never go down with our people. True,
Lower Canada might be set apart as
territory, in the hope that, some time.
it would grow into Americanism; but
under its present religious, race and
social rule, we are better off with
out it.
Our neighbors in Ontario, Manitoba
and British Columbia, are so near us
now that union would be no severe
strain on nerves on either side OF the
line. A little friction might be ex-
perienced with the maritime prov
inces, for they are a stubborn, slow,
and intensely British lot in New
Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince
Edwards Island, notwithstanding
their contiguity to the states and the
longtime intercourse with them.
Since the lamented death of Sir
John A. Macdonald this anticipation
Of federation has become something
more than a dream. That great man
was the embodiment OF British con-
nection, and, as long as he lived, the
most ultra-whig Of Lambton, could
not be persuaded to acknowledge the
Of Goodwin Smiths logic
or the good sense Of Erastus Wiman's
arguments. But Sir John has gone.
and there is no Tory TO take his place.
Sir John Thompson and Sir Charles
Upper are boys in statecraft, com
pared with him, and the first indica-
ton of the breaking up Of that politi-
cal structure Sir John labored so long,
so brilliantly, and so persistently 10
build, comes In the early suggestion OF |
a Tory journal Of Ontario, that pos