The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-11
What Our Friends Say in Canada.

In the letter from Toronto which We
print this morning will be found the sub
stance OF interviews with two of the FORE
most Canadian champions OF continental
union. Mr.. GOODWIN SMITH. who may al
most be regarded as the originator Of the
movement. discusses the objections which
are sometimes made to the political incor-
poration of tho Dominion with the United
States; and his replies and reassurances
are confirmed by Mr.. MYERS lately Crown
Attorney for county in Ontario. who has
been dismissed from his post for openly
and vigorously advocating the union Of the
Anglo-Saxon race upon this continent
Mr. SMITH says truly that II this continent
is to be united and its nmitless resources
are to become the common heritage OF an
English-speaking people. there must be
sympathetic efforts on both sides OF the
border. 1t will not do for Americans to
fold their arms IN supcrcllious attitude
and tell Canada that when she knocks at
their door they will perhaps be ready to
let her in. Not thus was brought about
tho union OF England and Scotland. tho
union OF Italy. the union OF northern with
southern Germany. The fact is. however,
that the indifference to continental union
eAulDlLeu Wy bOluc AueIlCduS ID clLueT
based on Ignorance or is insincere. No
such Indifference can be affected by those
who are alive to the incalculable though
as yet undeveloped wealth Of the Dominion
In respect Of minerals, forests. fisheries. and
lands admirably adapted to the growth OF
wheat and barley. AS THE SUN has often
pointed out. we have on this side OF the
border placed under the plough almost the
last acre OF soil upon which wheat can be
grown at profit. On the other hand. i'm
mense areas OF virgin soil suited to wheat
| culture await us In the northwest terri
| tories OF the Dominion.
As to the fear sometimes expressed that
the entrance OF Canada into the Union
might upset tho balance of political par
| ties. this Is shown by Mr.. GOODWIN SMITH
| to be without foundation. From an ethnl-
cal point Of view. indeed. the Southern
States are most deeply interested In the
annexation OF the Dominion. for they must.
above all things. wish to see the white ee-
ment Of our population strengthened. But.
so far MS political parties are con-
| cerned. there is reason to believe that
the votes Of Canadians would DO equal
ly distributed between them. There GER
tainly could be no such thing as u solid
Canadian vote. because there would be
| no solidarity OF Canadian interests. Tho
British Canadians would not necessarily
act in concert with the French, nor would
British Columbia with the Atlantic mari
time provinces. AS regards protection and
free trade. the Canadians would be divided
in precisely the Same proportions as are
their American neighbors. 1t Is. in fact.
impossible to infuse any political virus into
tho question of continental union There
never was question more thoroughly
non-partisan. national. and patriotic.
Equally groundless In Mr.. SMITHS opin-
ion are the misgivings regarding our Ca
pacity OF absorbing the French Canadians.
who are mainly concentrated In tho prov
ince OF Quebec. Only as section OF a sep
arate Canada could that element be polit-
ical!y formidable. Included in the Union,
it would only constitute a State OF the
second magnitude; and peculiarities OF
race. usage. and language would gradually
DO effaceG by the mighty assimilating
forces OF the great republic. The large
body OF French Canadians who have emil
grated to New England are already under
going such process Of assimilation. With
their religion, on the other hand. they
would not have the slightest cause to APP
prehcnd interference under tho work.
ing Of American institutions. great
| change has como over the opinions OF
French Catholics on this subject. as is
pointed out By III. MYERS. who Is thor