The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-01-11

Mr.. Sifton, being introduced by Mr..
Hill, said in part:
1t Is very important for us that
kindly relations should be cultivated
ana we should avail ourselves of every
opportunity to acquire knowledge of
In regard to our constitution. Our
the relations of nations. dislike is often
caused by lack of acquaintance. We
snould therefore endeavor to learn
much OF the conditions that prevail
mere and you should seek to know
more OF our manner of life and GUS
toms. There is not it seems to me
enough familiarity between the two
great sections of the continent. There
is not as much knowledge Of Canada
among people in the United States
as would be desirable. There is plen-
" OF information accessible, but it Is
not obtained as freely as we would
wish. You are engrossed with your
affairs and are too busy to give all
the attention to us we would like.
Was Greatly Surprised.
'I was surprised at question ask
ed me by man in Omaha but yes
terday. He wished to know the f1nan-
clal relations between Canada and
Great Britain, and asked whether we
paid taxes into her treasury 1 re-
piled that since 1875, when the Amer
lean people objected to paying taxes
to Great Britain, she has not attempted
to exact any from us.
There is general misapprehension
in regard to our constitution. Our
constitution is purer and freer than
your own. You have the president,
who is elected, and we have the COVER
nor general, who is appointed, but who.
nevertheless, acts on his own initia-
tive We have the house of commons
6U nd he
house. You have your congressman
who, being elected by the people, think
they are to act as the representatives
of the people. There is one difference in
our legislative system, in that when
a bill passes the house of commons it
is passed as a matter of course by the
higher branches. Here when a bill
is passed by one house there is no
assurance that 1T will become q law.
Bills are often tied up and defeated
by the senate. The difference is that in
our government the will Of the people
is given more immediate effect. But
I have no disposition to criticise your
form of government.
1--WE are content with our methods
of legislation and our government, and
believe that it is effective and pure.
We are bound to Great Britain by
the fundamental law, and are as well
attached to her by mutual good feel
ing, and the sense of security induced
by the assurance that she will use her
power to protect her colonies.
Government a Mere Device.
"But government is a mere device,
the end of which is to afford adminis-
ton of laws, and to maintain society.
The essential thing about a people
is virtue, and having that they will
be able to carry out their ends and
designs without any difficulty.
Mr.. Hill has very well pointed out
the mutual interests that exist between
us, and l fear that I can add little to
what he has said, but 1 may say that
though we are far behind the United
States in material progress, yet we are
not discouraged, for we realize that
America represents the results of the
greatest achievement recorded in his
tory. When we consider that you have
over $4,000, 900 people, against our
100000, there will be no room for
jealousy on our part and no reason for
deSpfSing US on your part. The devel-
opment of the United States is due to
a combination of circumstances never
paralleled in the history of the world.
During that eventful period since the
close of the Civil war there have been
opportunities offered in this country
that have never been the lot of any
other generation. That is why gentle
men like Mr.. Hill have come to the
United States from Canada, and we are
pleased to see that they have been
able to take advantage of the circum-
stances.
Conditions Have Changed.
When the United States offered such
opportunities to young men within the
past years it is not surprising that we
have lost many Of our best men and
that you have gained them. But condi-
tions have now changed, for instead of
Canadians coming to the United States,
the development of the vast regions of
the western part of our country has
offered new fields. The tide has turned
and now instead of 1t being from north
to south, it is from south to north.
Last year $4,000 people from the states
have entered the Dominion.
There was once treaty between the
United States and Canada on the sub
ject of reciprocity. but it was abrogat-
ed by the United States. You now see
that such treaty would be of benefit
to you, and do not blame you. Every
one should seek his own interests. I
have no sympathy with people who rail
at others because they are furthering
their own ends, for every one has a
right to attend to his own affairs on
the basis of right and business prin-
ciples. / will say in regard to the pro-
posed treaty that If it is made we will
expect to give the United States it's
proper rights and that we will expect
the United States to accord the same to
us. In other words, we will ask 100
cents for every dollar. This is the prin-
ciple on which the agreement will be
made.
Treaty Depends on People.
The effort to form a reciprocity
treaty few years ago when the COM
mission met in Washington failed, in
my judgment, because there was lack
ing determination and spirit for mu-
tual concessions and compromises. If
you win look up the definition of the
word reciprocity" you will find that it
does not apply to such a state of feel
Ing. Whether another attempt to form
ulate a treaty will meet with better
success depends largely upon the peo-
pie of the United States. I wilf-say
that Canada will make no treaty under
the terms Of which she will not get as
much as she gives.
Tt appears to me that the sentiment
In favor OF the formation of reciprOc-
Ity treaty Is growing in the United
States, but as yet small proportion Of
the country has expressed it's opinion.
The government must act, however,
upon the desires Of majority Of the
rAnDle."