Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-06
. WORDS OF WISDOM
Which Canada Should Carefully
Consider and Digest.
Stick to Us and We viii See That
You Have a Fair Show.
Go Against Us and You Will Pay
Penalty of Your Folly.

Fitchburg, Mass, Nov. 5.-Former
Postmaster Charles Emory Smith was
the principal speaker at the annual
banquet of the Fitchburg Merchants
Association held at the 'Johnsonia, to-
night. Some 2l5 members of the asso-
citation We're present and the guests
also included United States Senator
George +. Hoar, former Gov. John ID.
Long. and Rev. E. A. Morton of Bos-
ton. each of whom spoke briefly Her.
bert n. Wallis presided and the speech
es were interspersed with orchestral
selections. Mr.. Smith dwelt chiefly up
on the great industrial advancement
experienced by this country during the
past 80 years and the remarks Of the
other speakers were along the same
line. He said in part:
Mr.. Chamberlain's plan proposes to
put a ring fence around Great Britain
and Their give tariff preference to her
colonies. we cannot be unmindful that
this policy may have serious concern
for us. but if we keep our rightful
trade weapons in our hands we need
not fear the issue. 1t has special inter-
est for us in it's hearings on Canada.
Canada is our third best customer Mr..
this continent and bind her more close
IT, in imperial bonds. But have we not
stronger cards to play than England?
Will Canada be content to sacrifice her
own interests for the interest of Eng
lish manufacturers? Will she con-
sent to renounce her own right of in
dependent action for the sake Of an
empty imperial connection"
For five years Canada has given
preferential rate to England. Yet in spite
of it our exports to Canada have grown
faster during that time than England's
exports. That fact shows the natural
commercial connection. We do not seek
the annexation of Canada. We would not
trammel the political freedom or aspira-
tons of our neighbor. If the two coun-
tries which stretch along side by side for
$o0O miles shall ever come together 1t will
be with free and full consent by the nat
ural law of gravitation; but. while polit-
'ically distinct. the two American lands or
kindred blood and law may well have
close commercial relations. Why should
they not in mutual interest have an intel
ligent and statesmanlike system of broad
reciprocal agreement?
There is another vital conditions. Brit
ish imperialism has its burdens II Can
ada is to divorce itself in both a political
and commercial sense from her own con-
tinent and bind herself with England she
must pay the cost. She must contribute
to fleets and ornaments. She must ac-
cept the chances of Europe's conflicts.
She must be prepared to face attacks
upon her invading outposts. But why
should not Canada understand that. so
long as she Keeps out of European wars,
the United States will not permit any
European war to be extended to this con-
tinent? We have drawn a circle around
the American continent and made the
Monroe doctrine its dominant law. No
extension of European power within that
circle will be allowed. 1t is but q deduc-
ton Of that doctrine that no European
war shall be suffered to wage itself with
In the American realm. Herein lies the
true safeguard of Canada in consulting
and protecting her own independent inter-
ests. free from imperial restraints and
burdens and it will be wise and well for
her to understand and appreciate the
broad American spirit"