Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-09-30
Trying to Provoke Bad Feeling.

ScFlDcS the OHlteu 0tdteS as our COM
mercial enemy. The hostility of that
country to us has not been concealed
but open and if we do not know what
is the attitude of the United States
towards Canada it is not for want OF
being told. The newspapers of the Uni
ted States are very candid and they
give us their opinions upon all occa-
sons without reserve. The Congress
of the United States legislates against
our interests, and members of both
houses Of that body make elaborate
harangues in which they describe our
many iniquities from their point of
view and tell us how easily they could
overrun our country and annex it to
their own. The very fact that We have
the presumption to exist appears to ex-
asperate them, for does not this con-
tinent belong to the United States that
great religious nation, which eXempl-
fies the principles of Christianity by
lynch law, and by threats against the
liberty and independence of five mil
lions of people.
In 1854 a treaty was made between
Great Britain and the United States
ulluSI Will AluiilDCl VI al tlNlCo
mostly natural products, We're recipro-
cally admitted free into the United
States and Canada. That reciprocity
treaty lasted for about twelve years.
and under it's operation the trade be-
tween the two countries largely in
creased. SO far as this province was
concerned the balance of advantage
from the treaty was largely in favor of
the United States for they exported to
us more than twice as many goods.in
value as we sent to them. But the
very fact that our people were in favor
of this treaty and were deriving some
advantages from it was enough to con-
denim it in the eyes of the politicians
of the United States. The treaty was
abrogated at the instance of that coun
try, and one of the avowed objects of
this act was to SO hamper our trade
that Canada would be forced into an
neXation. This statement of the de-
sres, aims and intentions of the Ameri-
can people on that occasion was not
made in secret, but on the floors Of
Congress and in the press, and the idea
of coercing Canada in this fashion was
thought to be perfectly proper and
highly commendable. Canada'S ans
wer to this insolent challenge was con-
federation, and from that hour a new
spirit sprung up in the breasts. of the
people of the provinces Of British North
America. Instead of driving Canada
into annexation Canada has become
formidable rival of the United States
in respect to many products in the
markets of the world, and every hour
bat rix l,xy ic hpnnIniJ1O 1ypnnor
cheese, for instance, Canada has beat
en- the United States completely in the
British markets and we are steadily
gaining in other lines. SIT.
John Telegraph.
Now as a matter of fact, in return
for the privilege of fishing on her
coasts without limitation as to distance
from shore, and few other compare
lively trifling advantages, this country
gave free admission to Canadas agri-
cultural staples, the products of her
diaries and lumber mills, her wool and
her coal. Can it be that the Telegraph
is so silly as to suppose we would have
terminated that arrangement for any
reason save that we were getting the
worst of the bargain?
We will assume the Telegraph has
more intelligence than to presume any
one this side the line will absorb any
such "tommyrot,"- use the only eX-
preston fit to characterize the Tele
graphs statement that the United
States derived the greater advantage
from the treaty. No, the Telegraph is
talking for political effect among it's
own constituency; it is trying 20
arouse enthusiasm for preferential dut-
les favorable to England; it would like
also to bring about condition such as
might possibly provide it's free trade
allies in this country with a cry of
alarm.
To say that the treaty was abrogatei
to force Canada into union with the
United States is to say that which has
no foundation in fact. 1t was realized
that Canadian reciprocity had proved
q sham. We were giving her enormous
favors in return for which we were re-
ceiving very little. Why should we not
say that if Canada wanted any such
special privileges she must come in with
us and share our responsibilities? By
this it was not meant that she would
be compelled to do this or that we
wished to compel her or that we ex
pected her to do so. On the contrary
there would be many in this country
who would view with apprehension the
annexation of Canada under present
conditions should she come knocking
for admittance which she is unlikely tt
do. Her debt, her corruption in the
seats of the mighty, the prejudices q
many of her people are drawbacks no
to be overlooked. But she is our neigh
Dor and it is desirable for her as wei
as for us to be neighborly. When
however, she assumes that the only
way in which we can be an acceptabl,