The sun., 1891-02-10
Do We Want Reciprocity with Canada2

Tho announcement Of the Brazilian treaty
following close upon tho dissolution OF the
Dominion Parliament by Sir JOHN MAO
DONALD and his appeal to the constltuen-
cies upon the real or pretended policy OF
reciprocity negotiations with tho United
States, has naturally stimulated to new ex-
ertions the friends Of moro intimate COM
mercial relations with Canada. Major BEN
BurrHRwoRTH, who seems still . little sore
over the defeat OF his reciprocity bill, does
not believe that "the success attending the
negotiations with Brazil inspires any hope of
attaining the benefit which would result
from liberal and just trade arrangement
between our people and our neighbor on the
north" and yet he expresses the opinion
that "the next Congress will pass bill to
remove the barriers which restrict our trade
with Canada"
Perhaps Major BurrRRwoRrH Is going
Ittls too fast Tho question Of reciprocity
With Canada involves great political Ques-
tions such as will not be raised by further
negotiations for reciprocity treaties with
the countries to the south. Commercial
reciprocity between the United States and
Canada would. II Its workings were success
full nom the Canadian point OF view. tend to
decrease the general dissatisfaction and
discontent with the present form OF govern
ment which exist among the Canadians.
II the Canadians get the best Of the bargain.
the United States would be dissatisfied. and
the causes Of friction between the two coun-
tsaes would be enlarged.
But whatever might be the event Of q par
ticular treaty OF reciprocity, 10 the United
States In favor Of postponing unnecessarily
the settlement of the greater political ques-
tion2 Commercial union would not be Q pre-
hminary to political union: on tho contrary,
itwould bel elikely to delay close political con-
nection. II tho Canadians can get access to
our markets and thus enjoy fair degree of
growth and prosperity, they may continue
20 acQuiesce In the present state Of things,
and tho time Of separation from Great
Britain, time which probably the majority
OF them regard as sure to come. will be post
poned. Yet as long as'the connection with
Great Britain is kept up. Canada will be only
pawn In the game between London and
Warrington. She will be liable to be In
volved In disputes In which she has little or
no interest: and her advantage will be sacri-
iced at any moment to the exigencies Of Inn
perid policy. It is for the ultimate good Of
Canada a we'll as Of the United states that
their future relations shall not be inter-
fered with by power to which the United
States Is not over friendly. and to which
Canada is no longer bound by any strong
sentiment Of loyalty.
Canada can have absolute free trade with
the United States By becoming part OF the
United States. Can she be as prosperous In,
the leading strings of Great Britain or ss
IN independent nation7 That Is her busi-I
ness. Meanwhile II the people Of this coun-,
Try believe that the future admission OF
Canada into the Union Is desirable and FEAST
ble they have to consider whether more
prohibitive and exclusive policy is not moro
likely to contribute to that end than pol,
Icy Of commercial union. The MCKIHLEY'
blu, Whatever its merits or demerits. pinches
the Canadians. The amending Of the In
ter.State Commerce law. so as to shut out
the Canadian railroads. would also pinch the
Canadians and protect ourselves. II We
Really want Canada to come into the Union
at some future time. We may as well show
her what she misses by staying out.