The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-08-21

Mr., JOSIAH QUINCY OF Massachusetts, AS
sistant Secretary Of State. presided at the
opening OF the Arbitration and Peace Con-
gress at Chicago last week. and delivered
the most important address OF the evening.
1t was. as rule. very intelligent and
reasonable address, but this remark. made
in the course Of 1t, is open to correction:
"The position of absolutely unquestioned security
which the United States occupies. not only among the
nations OF tho American continent but among ali tho
countries Of the world Ia the most striking example
which history can show of the peaceful influence Of
great nation 1t has beyond all question been most
fortunate thing for tho world that large part Of the
North American continent has been united under
government"
1t cannot be said truthfully that this
country occupies q position Of absolutely
unquestioned security against war. So
long as there exists to the north Of US q
dependency Of Great Britain. the danger of
provocations to war Is always present.
Differences are sure to arise, and actually
are arising all the time. which make our re-
lations with England far more delicate than
they are with any other foreign power.
The Dominion is weak. and it Is not gain
ing strength. 1t Is not united in anything
approaching a national sentiment. and
such concord seems now to be further off
than ever before. 1t is poor and backward.
and it Is not getting richer: and there Is no
promise Of any forward NOV ement so long
as it remains apart from us. Relatively to
the United States. 1t is becoming less and
loss powerful. This country is drawing tho
life blood from 1t. For these very reasons.
however. the jealousy toward the United
States. which distinguishes the policy of q
great political party Of the Canadians. en-
courages course to US which Is always
irritating and which entails upon US exceed
ingly troublesome differences with England.
Hence. so long as Canada continues apart
from us. it is Of ths nature Of an enemy
just across our border. an enemy CONNER
cially and politically. and it renders our
embodiment with England an ever-presens
possibility. OF course. If the Dominion sue
ceeded in egging on a violent quarrel. 1t
would lose what individuality 1t has. We
should promptly annex it by conquering it;
but the method would be barbarous. We
do not want it to come into the Union by
force. Neither do we want our peaceful
relations with England to be endangered
by its pestilent jealousy.
The best step toward educating the world
to peace. which Mr.. QUINCY could have sug-
gested. would have been tho union OF the
Dominion with the United States. That
accomplished. the danger of war between
the Two great English-speaking nations
would be avoided a. most wholly. The mat
tiers which have kept our diplomatic rela-
lions with England increasingly irritated
would be removed. England would no
longer be under the necessity OF taking
up the quarrels provoked by Canadian
spite and jealousy. If it has been a " for
tunate thing for the world that SO large q
part Of the North American continent has
been united under one government" still
further union to bring together the whole
Of the territory under the government Of
an English-speaklng people would be more
completely fortunate.
Every interest Of the Dominion dictates
such a union with us. Actually. 1t Is our
dependency rather than England's. Its
prosperity Is bound up with US. and not
with the power thousands Of miles across
the sea to which 1t now owes allegiance.
AS part OF tho American Union 1t would
be powerful to defend itself against all
corners. AS a colony Of Great Britain it Is
always at our mercy. Now it Is child
forever running to It's mother to settle the
consequences Of its chickering's with US.
Then It would have the strength Of man
hood to work out Its own career.