Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-05-13
FREE TRADE WITH CANADA.


dress. 1904
Let us not be content with mere ab-
attractions. 1t has been possible to
make. and in E.y Judgment 1t II still
possible to make. q treaty with Gan
ada which would. for years to come,
make us practically masters Of the Inn
ports into that dominion. In the last
ten years American manufacturers
have expended 500, 600 GOO In the es
tablishment Of plants in Canada,
which would have been kept at home,
with all the labor which that implies,
II there had been fair and perma-
nent relation existing between the
two countries. Not only so, but every
student of affairs knows that the
chance we now have across the border
will be completely destroyed unless we
treat with our peighbors upoH . fair
reciprocal basis. The farmers Of Iowa
have lost something in the foreclosure
Of the opportunity to feed the men
who are operating the plants to which
i have referred, and they Will lose
more when Canada raises the barrier
SO that England, France and Germany
will supply the material for the won
derful development upon which she is
Just entering, and which we are so
well able 10 supply. Ii has been said
that in order to obtain these changes
II will be necessary for VI to let into
our markets Canada's agricultural
products, or some Of them. believe
-. - xoIl <rnn k<s1t lAf
ask the farmers Of Iowa whether they
think they would lose in the ex-
change? Which would yeu rather do.
lose the market which would be Gre
ated by our vast imports into Canada
or meet Canada in competition In the
things which you produced assert
confidently that in the sharp struggle
with Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota,
the DakOtas, Nebraska, Kansas and
Missouri you would never be able TO
discern the influence OF Canada In
corn, oats, barley. hay, cattle, horses,
hogs, butter and eggs.
Gilbert s. Gilbertson's winnebayo
County Resolution, 1904
Resolved, That we commend Gov
ernor A. h. Cummins IN the conduct
Of the Office which he has % ably
filled, and that we recognize in ham
an executive who measures UP to the
highest standard OF personal integrity
and broad craftsmanship. We in
dorse his attitude on the tariff and
reciprocity. particularly with Canada,
believing as we do that the best inter
ests Of the people of the northwest,
Oil both sides of the line, are best
served by nearer approach to the
same trade conditions that have
brought prosperity 10 the several
states.
Governor Cummins' Denial, winterset
Speech, April Z. 1906
Gentlemen. never at any time, under
any circumstances, have suggested
such thing. l have said. and said
ii many times. that | wish Canada
were a part Of the United states and
that our flag evidenced the sovereign
ty Of the United States to the north
pole itself, and that did not believe
that there would any harm come 70
any Iowa farmer, or farmer any
where, by this extension Of our do
main. have said that would rash-
or have strip 200 miles in width
along the border of the United States
than all Of Mexico and all of the Phil
ippine islands. have So said and 50
believed; and I have not at any time
nor under any circumstances sug-
gested the propriety, or a possibility
Of reciprocity with Canada. or free
trade with Canada, I'm these agricul-
tural products. / don't want you 70
misunderstood me.