The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-06-20
English Views of Canadian Annexation.

iSnSuSn views OF Sanauian Annexation.
The Canadian friends of continental union
believe that nothing but fucts and nrgu-
ments are needed to give overwhelming
strength to the movement for the incorpo-
ration OF the Dominion with the United
States. To bring the truth home to the
people. the Continental Union Association
OF Ontario have published O short study OF
the question from its economic side In n
pamphlet OF some fifty pages are set forth
concisely the reasons for believing that
Canadians cannot much longer acquiesce in
their existing political conditions. and that
relief is only to be found in voluntary
fusion with the great American republic.
Among the topics separately treated are
the expectations entertained when the
Dominion Confederation was formed; the
disappointment OF those hopes; the ac-
emulation OF federal and provincial
debt; the extortion practised on the ca
madam producers by the Canadian Pacific
Railway; the commercial isolation OF the
Dominion; the past relations OF Canada
with the United States, and the several
remedies suggested for the existing de-
preston. To several OF these topics we
may refer hereafter; but. for the moment.
we would call attention to the proofs mar
ehalled at the beginning OF this pamphlet,
that intelligent English statesmen have,
for some time past, expressed the convic-
ton that annexation to the United States
ts the natural. rightful, and inevitable So
luton of the Canadian question.
1t was at the very time when the bill con-
etituting the present Dominion Of Canada
was passing through Parliament that this
opinion OF JOHN BRIGHT was expressed in
the House OF Commons: For my part"
he said. l want the population OF these
provinces to do that which they deem best
for their own interests-to remain with this
country II they like 1t. In the most friendly
manner. or to become independent States
II they wish it.; II they should prefer to
unite themselves with the United States /
should not complain even OF that" That
II to say. while the sentiment known as
loyalism should not be discouraged by the
mother country. 1t should be recognized
that the motive which must ultimately pre-
vail In any colony Ia the consideration for
Its own material well-being. Eleven years
Inter Mr.. GLADSTONE. writing in the Nine
teenth Century. said Of the colonies that cit
Is the welfare OF those communities which
forms the great object OF interest and de-
sire" among English Liberals; hence, "if
the day should ever come when In their own
view that welfare would be best promoted
by their administrative emancipation. then
end then only, the Liberal mind Of England
would at once say: Let them flourish to
the uttermost, and. II their highest welfare
requires their severance. We prefer their
amicable independence to the!r constrair ID
subordination."
About tho same time. the late Lord SHER-
BROOKE (Mr. ROBERT Lowe. discussing In
the FortnighHy RerieC the value of the col
onies to the United Kingdom, said:
1T is not natural that nations which arc destined.
probably In tho lifetime OF soma persons now IN
existence. TO become moro populous than our own,
should submit to be foreve: In state of tuteago Our
wisdon Is to defer the change long possible and
when u does come TO throw captious obstacles In
tho way. but TO console ourselves BY the rejection
that the experience OF hundred years ago shows US
that 10 IL very easy to exAEgers,s the mischisfa
arising from snch n separation"
1t Is evident that Lord SHERBRooKR here
referred TO tho fact that British trade