The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1892-03-17

cru anu uortu-taSteru provinces
have declared an intention to seel
annexation on their own account
This Is but another way of asking
this government to treat with Eng.
land for the acquisition of those
provinces. We believe 1t would
be wise in our government to give
heed to these oyertures, without
overmuch consultation with Eng
land about it. Our theory of right
full government is, that.it rests upon
the consent of the governed, and
derives all Its powers from them
alone, having none of its own, nor
any otherwise derived; that such
consent may be withdrawn when
the government fails to serve its
proper purpose, and the governed
are the proper and sole judges of
such failure. Governments are FOR
THE PEOPLE, not for the governors.
All this is, to rs, undeniable, un-
less we are willing to give the lie
to our declaration of independence,
and condemn our practice for moro
ttan a hundred years. 1t is there.
fore not imperatively incumbent
upon us to consult any other than
the people concerned, though pru-
dence and courtesy might prompt
to different action. If those prov
inces should repudiate British rule,
for what sound reason should we
assume it to be just, rightful and
beneficent? But we need assume
nothing of the kind. We know
that British dominion is by force,
and not by right, and we, of this
nation have never been of any 9TH
er opinion; nor have we ever hesi-
tated to so represent it.
1t would seem, therefore, that
the true policy of this government,
is to negotiate for annexation.
That is better for all parties than
reciprocity, or anything else. 1t
is foregone conclusion with the
people of this country, that the
British provinces on our northern
and northeastern border, all of
them, from the Atlantic to the Pa
cific, MUST come into this union,
and that at no far distant day. If
they come by voluntary annexation,
all we'll; that is certainly best; but
if not, it.may be we'll for them to
know that WE CAN NOT AFFORD TO
HAVE THE BRITISH EMPIRE ON OUR
BORDER. The whole force of that
empire might be hurled against us
from that side in the event of war.
We cannot longer allow such an
advantage to remain with even a
possible enemy. Consequently, if
we wrest those provinces from
Britain as she wrested them from
France, we commit no offence
against right or justice. If the
spoliation of France by England
was excusable and allowable be-
cause English interests demanded
it, then the spoliation Of England
BY the United States, of those
same provinces, may be justified on
, like reason,
But suppose England should not
admit the validity of this reason
ng? 1t will be quite evident from
Ill the foregoing that it is not con-
that this government
hall care at all what England may
hink about it. England seeks all
,ver the world her own aggrand-
zements and security, and cares
at all what the people
yhom she finds it necessary to sub
ugate for the purpose, may think
If the matter. She leaves them
10 choice. 1t is enough that Eng
Ugh interests require that con-
luest, and the people affected by
t must submit, NoLENs voLENs.
Now we propose only to follow
lie example and act upon the teach
NC of our venerable mother. We
iced those provinces; must have
hem; and if she will notgive them
@ us, nor permit them to give
to us, then we must
10 even as she does in like circum-
tances; take them with the strong
land.
And here it is proper and time
= to speak Of great national en-
erprise now coming prominently
o the front. A proposition is be-
ore the present congress to con-
truct ship canal from lake Erie
o the Ohio river; starting at the
ity OF Erie, Pa, and terminating
t Beaver Falls, Pa point on
he Ohio, about thirty miles below
1t is beyond doubt a
matter of the utmost Importance
hat this canal be constructed. In
be event of war with England, on
ny account, it would be Of inesti-
,able value. By existing treaty
nth that power we cannot main