The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-24
schser,pt,ou By Mat, POSTPAID.
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publication irish 10 hare r0ect'd dr'c'es rehrned
het must in all cases se.d stamp for that purpose
Imperial Federation.

All exceedingly interesting feature OF the
discussion going on in Canada In regard To
the political union OF that country with the
United States Is a renewed effort by tire
Tory Government and party to populn"ize
tho idea OF Imperial Federation. which
has FORTS object tho establishment OF more
intimate relations between the United
Kingdom and Its colonial dependencies.
Hitherto those dependencies Lave had
no representation in the British Parliament.
have paid no taxes into She British Treas
ury. and have taken but little part. II any.
in the wars in which the mother country
has been engaged. The idea of imperial
federation received its grentest impulse
from the Trent AFFAIR. anu its greatest
development In the establishment Of the
Dominion OF Canada. Ii is well known that
this measure was carried through in hostil-
ity to the United States. and that the re-
vival Of the discussion at this time in favor
OF applying tho principle to all the de-
tendencies Of Great Britain Is due to n de-
sire on tho part Of British md Canadian
statesmen to neutralize. 50 far as 1t is pos
sible. the discussion in favor ~ annexation.
1t Is apparent 20 close observers that Mr..
GLADSTONE and Lord ROSEBERl, while Civ
ing their support to tho i'ea OF imp"ra!
federation for the purpose ur minimizing
the opposition To their policy of home rule
for Ireland. are also DESTROYS Of discour-
aging the growing sentiment in Canada in
favor Of annexation to the Unit ed States.
Only few days ago the Hon. CHARLES
TUpPEE, son Of Sir CHARLES. and himself
Minister OF Marine and Fisheries in the
Dominion Cabinet. declared to n reporter
for u Canadian newspaper that Canada oc-
cupes in England to-day an unprecedented
position in the feelings of Tho governing
classes and the masses Of the people. and
there is tho liveiest interest III the welfare
and progress of our Dominion on all sides. "
Lord ROsFBFRY also spoke in the same
strain at u recent dinner OF the Nationa.
Liberal Club in London. Mr.. BRYCE. the
author of The American Commonwealth"
is an ardent imperial tedcrationist. and is
doing al! he can to promota federation. Mr..
PAnKIN, the chief lecturer ~ tho fedora
tionists is now making 1our OF the Do
Ininion. and is speaking wherever he can
get n hearing.
OF course our country is great and strong.
and does not need to notice the small rip
pies OF sentiment which show themselves
ON the surface OF political affairs in neigh
boring countries. but discussions which in
dictate change Of government. such as
might seriously affect our own affairs.
should not only claim hut receive tho
closest attention OF our statesmen as well
as OF our Government.
Commercial reciprocity. free trade, CO.
lonial dependency. imperial federation. and
political union or annexation arc all Uues-
80 10, ptor, t>t h, ',,if Il
States. They are peculiarly American qncs
tions. and every aspect and phase Of them
is worthy OF tho most serious consilera
ton. on tho broad ground that there is nc
security for the permanent peace and pros
perty Of this continent unless 1t has abso
Lutte immunity from interference in it:
affairs by European powers. and this is i'm
possible unless all the English-speakini
people Of the United States and British
possessions are united in one government
under our Constitution and laws
The attainment OF this end ought to be
the aim OF all patriotic statesmen on bott
sides OF the line. and especially on our side
without regard to party associations o.
temporary party interests. The acquisi
ton OF territory for the republic has alwnyl
proven profitable and popular. and it cal
hardly be regarded as an exaggcration t.
say that any honorable arrangement which
detaches Canada from the British empr,
and brings it into the Federal Union vii
not only justify itself in the end bnt vii
shed more glory on the Administration
which makes IL than have all the coniolne'
purchases and annexatlons OF our histor,
upon tho various statesmen and Presi
dents by whom they were effected.