Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-02-08
DESPERATE SIR JOHN.
How BE Expects to Defeat Reciprocity in
Canada.


New YORK, February PROF. Goodwin
smith, of Toronto, in a letter TO the Times,
thus explains the situation inCaaada;
The Immediate issue is that OF trade
with the United States, but beneath this
lies the bOarder question of a Continental
and anti-Continental policy. The Liberals
of Canada, whether they look for the ultl-
mateentrance of Canada into the Amerl-
can Union or not. are now men OF this
continent. regard the inhabitants OF the
rest of il as partners, and desire 10 cult
vate the closest relations with them. The
Conservatives are anti-COntinental; they
desire 10 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
Can3dl the engine of the Conservative
aristocracy of Great Britain for averting
the triumph of Democracy in the new
word.
"Of the anti Continental party and that
which seeks to strengthen the connection
with arist0cratic England, Sir John Mac
donald is the veteran. He wears the in
sigma of British aristocracy on his breast
as a Civil Knight of the Grand Cross of
the Bath. His whole policy has been di-
rected against closer relations with the
United States. Among the peO-
pie. whatever may be their poll deal bear
iug toward the United States, the desire
for free trade with their own continent
grows apace The signs of its pro
g-eSs are visible on every side. In an
other year. Sir john Macdonald thinks
and with good reason. il may be too
strong for him. He accordingly diss0lveS
Parliament and brings on the election a
year before the regular time, making a
strong appeal personally, and through
an his organs, 10 antI-American senti-
ment. III the people were lett alone,
there can be no doubt the verdict would be
i'm favor of reciprocity and against the pro
-ectionists government But the people
will not be let alone The country has been
governed for - years largely by corruption,
carried ON by means Of the Federal sub
sides 10 provinces. which our constitution
unfortunately permits, Federal grants 70
local public works, concessions 10 cOntrac-
tors and bribery of all kinds, appointments
90 the Senate, which is nOminative, and
the prospect of OarOuetcies and knight
hoods, 20 which the Canadian Prime Min
ister recommends, being treated as part
of the fund These engines Will all be
piled on a people whose political tone has
sadly been lowered by long subsection 70
heir influence When in the affair called
donald and two Of his colleagues were
clearly convicted of having bartered the
construction of the National Railway for a
large sum 20 be spent in the elections the
moral sense of the people revolted, and Sir
John Macdonald's government was over
thrown. But this was about the last effort
of the public conscience.
The government majority in the late
Parliament was over 80 on a division in a
House OF 2I5 members, so that the Liberals
have considerable lee wav TO make up. On
the other hand, many of the Government
seats were won at the last election by small
maiorities. which. if the people were 10
vote freely according TO their convictions
on the commercial question, would without
doubt be reversed.
such, if I do not mistake, is general
outline of the situation. and such are the
main data on which forecast, if any fore
cast is possible. must be based. My own
impression is that in this part of Canada,
at am events. there Will be good fight for
continental free trade and pure govern
ment'