The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-06-08

affair are these: The fight or flight,
whichever the Toronto World may choose
TO term it, took place In tho course Of the
raid made by tho Fenians into Canada in
1866 The invaders and the Queens Own
Regiment OF Toronto Volunteers met at
| Ridgeway: and the Queens Own. owing. as
| they explained, to some strntogical mis-
take, ran away. losing nine men as they
ran. This is now represented as battle y"
with tho Americans" and the Jlngoes OF
Ontario have taken to decorating annually
the graves OF the victims OF stratcgical
error. In the species OF history inculcated
TO Toronto schoolboys at such times no ref
ercnce Is made to the prompt and efficient
measures taken by tho United States Gov
ernment to Illustrate the Fenian plans;
but the Inference is encouraged that the
Americans, as a people, were authors or
ahettors Of the raid. and were only baked
in their iniquitous designs by the incom-
parable valor OF the Canadian militia.
Continental union ia an economical. and
not n sentimental question. The argu-
ments In favor Of 1t are addressed to COM
mon sense and to the pocketbook; and
nothing could show more plainly the straits
to which tho opponents Of the movements
arc reduced than their custom OF beating
the drum over this Ridgeway business. The
Fenian raid OF 1866 was. rs We have said,
repressed by the United States Govern
mcnt and repudiated by the American
people. We assure our Canadian friends
that we have not tho slightest wish to con-
quer them. We would not spend penny
for the purpose. 1t has been estimated
that it cost us at least seven billions OF dol
lars to reannex the Confederate States
against their will. Ono Investment Of that
kind is enough for several centuries. II
the Canadians desire to obtain the COM
mercial advantages belonging to members
OF our Union by accepting the political
responsibilities Of membership. they will
have to signify the wish In q constitutional
and peaceful way. Tho application must
come from them; and all that Americans
can say is. that it will be cordially well
coined. 1t Is for the Canadians to decide
whether they prefer annexation and pros
perity. or Ridgeway celebrations and dry
rot.
Meanwhile. ono cannot but wonder
whether the Loyalists OF Ontario expect
to impress the English public mind by
demonstrations Of the kind just witnessed
at Toronto. II there is an atom Of sin
cerity In their noisy protestations Of de-
votion to England, why do they not prove
it by reducing the customs duties levied in
Canadian ports on British products? Tho
manufacturers OF Manchester and Sheffield
would rather hear less talk about the Union
Jack. and SEQ more disposition to favor the
goods covered by that flag. From the vew
point OF the British merchant there is too
much stage business and too little sub
stance in the Jingoism Of Ontario.
Tho future of Ontario. as OF the other
provinces Of the Dominion, will not DO de-
by a lot Of schoolboys carrying
wooden guns. The farmers are the masters
Of the country. and. when they have made
up their minds where their interests lie.
they will proclaim their intentions at tho
ballot box. They are keen-sighted. hard
headed fellows. and it Is only question OF
time when they will get tired Of paying the
piper willie the Jingoes dance.