Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1894-05-31

own agricultural industries which are
worthy Of the most thoughtful consideration
of this body. 1t is at the expense, too, of
Large National Political Interests.
Prior TO the reciprocity treaty Of 1854 we
We're selling Canada from two three times
as much as we were buying from her, and
we were steadily gaining in the proportion.
The year before that treaty took effect we
sold them over $26, 600, 900 in value and
bought less than 80, 000.00 Then they be-
gan to gain in the proportion, and at its
abrogaton in 1866 were selling us nearly
double what they bought of us The ratio
then changed again, and this time in our
favor We soon sold them as much as wo
bought, and within 10 years were selling
them 30 per cent more, and such was the
proportion last year.
If such were the results of reciprocity in
natural products, no wonder Canada halls
with delight the advantages which it is pro-
posed now TO voluntarily concede to her in
our markets with respect to the same pro
ducts. and that our farmers on the border
are corrcsponliagly depressed. Since the
publication of this bill the Canadian press
have been iubilaut with the prospect for
selling their farm products in our markets
at prices enhanced 10y just the amount of
the reduction of duty.
Theories Mr.. President, are grand and
high sounding, but the slightest practical
experience with Canadian farm products
will prove to the most confirmed theorizer
who pays the duty The tariff is tax in
this case. and the Canadian farmer pays the
duty. The theorist cannot buy a horse. or
a sheep, ton of hay, or dozen Of eggs
across the line without learning it, or find
sorrow Why, then, should we relieve
Canada Of this contribution for the support
of our government, and place an
Additional Burden Upon Our People?
do not believe in discriminating against
Canada in our tariff legislation to force her
to some desired result | believe. however.
that our relations with her require lis not to
legislate in her interest and against our
selves. Let us simply legislate for our
selyeS-couSut our own interest as an in
dividual would in regard to what he should
produce Let US ignore theories so far as
the tariff on Canadian products is concern
ed at least. and have such rates fixed by OK
ports as shall give us the greatest amount Of
revenue paid 10y the Canadian producer aud
the least amount at the expense of the
American consumer
y
substantially complies with those require
mcnts, there is 10 doubt in my mind that
the people of Canada will, during the period
of service of senators now on this floor, be
knocking at our doors for admission.
Whether it viii he wise to receive them or
not, it Is certainly desirable that they should
leaIn that their future welfare is dependent
upon their relations with this country, ami
that the closer these are the better for them
Senators who seek t. combine the free
silver and free trade doctrines will find that
it is not possible to make them auxiliary to
each other but that they are, and must b3
under present conditions, anita gOnistic. They
| rc.giving gold-standard England the con
/ troll of manufactures and commerce, and
! expect that we can maintain bi-mc;allism
/ against the commercial power that we put
! into her hands. And Mr.. President, though
! the Till has been given many titles which
are pertinent according to the different points
of view from which it is considered. in the
aspect which | have chosen to treat it. it
seems t. me it should be entitled, "A bill
/ to prrpc.uate the territorial jurisdiction ana
! the financial and commercial power Of
/ Great Britain in America.
Instead of such IL result ! for one would
/ prefer to hasten rather than postpone the
/ time when no part of America shall own
| allegiance to a foreign power. and when
! the United States shall hr. as the greatest
good Of mankind requires that our nation
/ should bc, the uLqucstionod guardian
/ against European control Of the rights and
| the Uulisputed arbitcr Of the destinies OF
| tine Western hemisphere.