The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-06-28

| ity. or acquiesce In q treaty to that end afte
IL was passed. they would have brigh
prospect OF retaining or regnining power
and In that event all the influence OF tn
ottawa Government would continue to b
arrayed against continental union. Or
suppose that the Liberals should re
main masters Of the Dominion TO
many years; would not that sector
OF them, which at present ardently wishes
for annexation, become lukewarm and In
different, having gained all or most OF the
commercial advantages OF union with the
United States without having been called
upon to pay for them by assuming any Of
the obligations OF American citizens? We
have something to sell. which is OF priceless
value to tho Canadians. Does not common
sense tell us that II we give 1t away for
next to nothing, a fair and full equivalent
will not afterward be pressed upon us
| Human nature acts not otherwise In na-
lions than In individuals. So far as senti-
ment is concerned. it is enlisted in Canada
! on the side OF the British connection. The one
| force operating in favor OF annexation Ia
self-interest. Annihilate that by premature
and gratuitous concessions. and the drift
toward continental union would be sum
marily and permanently stopped.
This is common sense. and It's injunctions
are confirmed by historical preccdents I'M
mistakably relevant and cogent. When the
union Of England and Scotland was mooted
in the carly years of the last century. it en-
countercd the most vehement opposition on
the part Of the Scotch. During the previ-
GUS four hundred years they had been en-
gagged In an almost incessant struggle to
maintain their independence. They had the
strongest sentimental reasons for wishing
to preserve their national autonomy. and
for avoiding political fusion with their age
long English enemies. Tho sole counter
balancing motive was the desire to share
the lucrative commercial advantages OF
their English nelghbors. The aim. there
fore. Of the Scotch negotiators was to sub
stitute commercial for political union;
and, could they have attained their end.
the two countries would undoubtedly have
remained separate until this day. save for
the flimsy emblem OF unity represented by
a common sovereign. But among the Eng
lish councillors Of Queen ANNE were men
quite rs shrewd and as far-sighted as the
representatives Of the Parliament at Edln-
burgh. They firmly refused to permit free
trade between the kingdoms unless Scotch
men would consent to share the political
duties and burdens OF Englishmen. Self
interest finally controlled the Scotch. and
the Act OF Union was passed by their Parlia-
ment though only by very small majority
on the part Of the representatives Of the
counties and the burghs.
A similar lesson is inculcated by the Ger
man Zollverein. which for many years be-
frr ha Of 10 In
mercial union with large number of other
German States. including especially those
which subsequently formed the North Ger
man Confederation. Did these commercial
ties have the effect OF stimulating political
sympathy with Prussia. and Of causing the
minor members Of the Zollverein to side
with her In the Diet Of Frankfort. and even
tually in WARP Far from it. Most OF these
very States joined in tho vote of the Diet
which placed Prussia under the BAN and.
levying forces under tho leadership OF Ham
over. they forced the Berlin Government to
divert q considerable part Of its army from
the main seat Of warfare In Bohemia. Had
Prussia refused to enter into q commercial
union with these States. their Industrial
and commercial interests would have DOW
erfully impeled them to closer political
relations. and the Berlin Government would
not have been 80 dangerously isolated in it's
hour Of need. AS it was. when duel to the
death with Austria was seen to be impend-
ing. Prussia found herself stripped by her
own hand Of the means of gaining allies.
She had nothing to offer in return for coop
Grafton. She had given away for next to
nothing all the commercial advantages
which the other States Of Germany would
have bought with great price.
The history Of Canada itself affords
still more conclusive lesson. After the
adoption of free trade by England in 1916,
there was great depression OF industry
and commerce throughout tho British
North American provinces. BY 1s49. move
ment in favor OF political union with the
United States gained great Roadway in
both OF tho Canadian parties. and mani |
festo was put forth at Montreal. signed not |
only by leading Liberals but by leading
Tories. This manifesto declared that Can |
ada could not exist us an independent re-
public. because independence would not |
open the North American continent to Ca |
madam products: 1t went on to say that the |
sole remedy for Canadian depression was
to be looked for In a peaceful separation |
from British connection. and in a union
on equitable terms with the great
North American confederation OF sover-
eign States. So certain was it that
this manifesto represented tho convictions
and resolves OF a majority OF the Canadians.
that Lord ELGIN. who soon afterward was
sent to Washington. privately assured the
pro-slavery leaders that nothing could
avert the annexation Of the Canadian prov |
nces and the consequent strengthening Of
the free-soil element in the Union. but a
reciprocity treaty by which Canadian prod
ucts might gain access to the American
market. The pro-slavery leaders hearkcned
to his words. The desired treaty was made
In 1854. and the flood of prosperity which
followed in Canada put an end to the an
neXation movement.
A burnt child breads tho fire. We have
'corched our fingers once with reciprocity.
ltwould be worse than puerile folly to thrust
hem into the fire again.