The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-12-17
TALK ABOUT ANNEXATION.

The New York Sun of November q con-
tains seveu-colunn article by the distn-
tinguished Canadian writer, Edward Farrar
Of Toronto. Oh the future Of Canada and the
dark destiny which awaits it If il neglects
the duly of seeking admission to the Union.
Mr. Farrar thus joins issue with Mr. Erastus
Wiman, who holds that "at present annexa-
ton Is neither desirable nor possible, and
that much better service can be performed
for both countries by the establishment of
the closest and freest trade relations"
Mr.. Farrar may be described as the Jacobin
of the situation, while Mr. Wiman is the
Girondist.
The Sun, looking round for coming
political issue to succeed the dead issues OF
the past, inclines TO the belief that Cana
dian annexation may ill the bill. 1t be-
lieyes that under the prevailing Indifference
on the subject there turks a strong desire 20
extend American dominion to the Arctic,
80 rs to avoid future chickering's about tar
ifs, canals, fisheries and rival steam ship
lines. 1t realizes that Great Britain would
not willingly part with the Dominion, but
IL believes that il would not go 10 war
to prevent annexation ii a clear majority of
the Canadian people were in favor OF 1t.
And II holds that the violent hostility to an
nexation and to American institutions
which is so often expressed in Canadian
papers and In the speeches OF Canadian
politicians is not an honest expression of
Canadian opinion. but is the vaporing of the
rump Of the Canadian Tory party whose
influence ceased with the death of Sir John
Macdonald.
The Sun is so intelligent paper that its
views are entitled TO respect. Mr.. Farrar,
too, is so bright man that what he says on
a topic which he has studied deserves care
fnl consideration. If they are both right,
and the question of annexation is going TO
become an actually, it is well that thought
should be bestowed on ii. Mr.. Wiman's
plan Of zollverein is perhaps even more
impracteabe than he considers annexa-
ton; and if it were practicable, it could
only be a stepping-sione 10 political union.
The German zollyereia was the prelude to
imperial absorption of the free cities
Mr.. Goodwin Smith has drawn attention
to the paralelism between the situation of
Canada to-day and that of Scotland at the
beginning of the eighteenth century. Eng
land and Scotland were separate kingdoms,
politically and commercially. The Scotch
had their parliament, which declared that
the same person should never sit on both
the English and The Scottish thrones. Each
nation had its tariff which was designedly
hostile to free intercourse. 1t was obyi-
ously the interest of England TO annex Scot
land, in order that the island should be
occupied by one and not two peoples. IL
was the interest OF Scotland TO be an
nexed, in order that Scotch coal, cattle and
linen should be admitted free into England.
Thus The negotiations for union eliminated
in compromise. by which England got rid
OF troublesome and often a hostile neigh
Dor, and Scotland got the markets for the
want of which she had been kept DOOR,
The union was opposed by the merchants
of England and by The mobiles and the
church in Scotland; but the people, out
side OF these classes. were in favor of it.
and The union was consunmated, as we see
now to The advantage OF both nations.
just SO. now, the oppositiGnto annexation
in Canada proceeds mainly from the church
in the province of Quebec and from the
Tories of Ontario, he represent the landed
class in England. Mr.. Farrar tersely paints
the sjtuation:
The knights and The oflicehoiders, Liberal as
well as Tory, are goiag about the country in
Weighing against the .fraiiorsp who complain
that LIE present state OF affairs is unsatisfactory
and urging The people TO live poriidRe''
rather than seek aud find prosperity through