Evening star., 1895-11-01
AS A CANADIAN SEES US
A Visitor Who Thinks Our Central Govern
nent Too Weak.
Why His COuntrymen Might BE Un-
willing to Be Annexed-AdmfratfO ton
of President Cleveland.

Mr.. Colin Macdougall. one Of the leading
citizens of Ontario. has arrived in Wash
ington after a visit to the Atlanta exposi-
ton and is stopping at Wizards Hotel.
Mr.. Macdougall speaks in high praise of
the result Of the efforts of the southern
people to illustrate their industrial pro-
sress, and while he speaks admiringly of
, the American people he comedies nothing
In his loyalty to the British flag. He is
not in favor of annexation of Canada with
the United States and to Star reporter
today he discussed this subject in a mod
crate tone, but in a highly interesting
manner.
Canada will never be annexed to the
United States.' said Mr.. Macdougall I'm
the first place you must remember that the
people Of Canada have feeling of loyalty
to their flag that is above any selfish or
commercial interest. While we are anxious
for close commercial intercourse with the
United States and while every financial
depression in this country affects US we
see no reason for and have no idea of any
political alliance with the great republic
to the south of us.
Weakness in the Government.
''The Chicago strike was watched by the
people of Canada with deep interest, and
there was a very general feeling in that
country that that incident furnished an
example. if 1 may speak very plainly of
weakness in your central government. We
do not think that the United States has
a strong enough central government Alt
geld in Chicago contend ed for the extreme
JeHersonian principles and had they been
carried to their fullest extent the result
might have been disaster of immense
magnitude. What saved this country from
difficulty was the course of President
Cleveland, whom 1 admire greatly. In fact
10 my mind, he is one of the three great
est living statesmen. I place them in this
order: Leo XIII, Gladstone and Cleveland.
Mr.. Cleveland sent the federal troops to
Chicago ostensibly for the purpose of pre-
venting any hindrance to the carrying of
the mails Had he stuck closely to the
principles of pure democracy, he would
not have interfered and that might have
resulted. as l have said, in a great dis
aster. That Chicago riot was suppressed
this government, but because there was a
strong. determined man in the presidential
chair. Had Mr.. Cleveland been a weaker
man he might have done nothing
When the Population Grows.
''The United States. with great deal Of
land to the acre. which it has enjoyed in
the past, may have gotten along very WELL
indeed. but as the country settles up when
the population numbers 300 600 600 or nor
haps 300.OOO.OcO. the need of this strong
central government will be seen. In Cana
da we are Independent in our local govern
lnent we nave director general, who ex-
ecutes the laws through a cabinet such as
your own. We like the monarchical form
or government because it gives a strong
centralized power that can act, if neces-
sary, though there is seldom occasion for
it. These are important reasons, which ap-
peal to the people of Canada in favor of
their present political institutions independ-
ent OF their love of country and their
flag
Mr.. Cleveland is greatly admired in
Canada, and is regarded as q great states-
man. If his plan for reforming the tariff
should be realized. it would draw the coun-
tries very much closer together in their
commercial relations"
Mr.. Macdougall will visit Mt. Vernon to-
day, and will then leave for his home He
| speaks In words of praise of the hospitality
OF the southern people and of their exposi-
tion at Atlanta