The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1911-02-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.

With scaut three weeks Of the Con-
gressional session remaining. not one Of
the important measures before Congress
when the session began has been disposed
of Reciprocity With Canada marked
a new line Of cleavage among the Repnb-
licans and Democrats in Was sington.
Early in the past week. Senators were
hopeful that they might solve the problem
by letting the reciprocity agreement
severely alone, but later it was brought
sharply to their attention that unless
there shall be a'vote on this reciprocity
agreement they will be called back 10
Washington promptly after the 9th Of
March and compelled to remain until
there is an expression in the Seuate either
for or against it. And now the President
is away from, Washington making
speeches mainly devoted to this reciproc-
ity with Canada question and there is a
strong impression that the country,
except in isolated sports, is in favor Of
the agreement recently made between us
aud our northern neighbor
The fact that the English papers and
the leader of the opposition in the
English Parliament are opposed TO the
reciprocity agreement between Canada
and the United States will doubtless have
some influence in favor of it's approval
by Congress in this county. 1t will be
many years, perhaps centuries, before
the United States and British America
become one country. but the dividing
line must some time fade just as the
the Mason and Dixon line has faded.
There are a hundred reasons for the
commercial, social and political solidarity
|of North America. There is not one
valid reason il opposition. There is no
possibility of the absorption Of Canada by
the United States or the absorption of the
United States by Canada. Absorption is
not 10 be thought Of, but commerce be.
tween the two countries ought to be as
free and unrestricted as between Ohio
and Indiana.
~
There is no opposing vote in the Senate
to Senator Cullom's project authorizing
a Lincoln Memorial worthy of the great
President and in keeping with high
ideals Of architectural grandeur. The
form of the memorial has not been
decided upon. 1t is left to the judgment
and taste ofa commission who it is hoped
will make a wide and appropriate
selection. There have been suggestions
lof boulevard connecting Washington
and Gettysburg. also project for a
triumphai arch like the Arch Of Triumph
| IN Paris or its prototype in Rome. There
Is also project to have the memorial
occupy the center of the great plaza
stretching from the Capitol to the Union
Stallion. The appropriation for this
monument is two millions. but it is
possible that this sum win be added to
before the memorial is completed.
~
The appropriation BY the lower houss
Of Congress for diplomatic residences il a
number of European and also in some
Asiatic capitals is new but needed de-
parture in our foreign diplomatic policy
The amount for the building of or pur-
chase of consular. auibassadorial or min
isterial residences not to exceed $ISo, 900,
but this amount will go much farther In
the building OF suitable residences for our
representatives in foreign countries than
Lii would in any American city. Now
having appropriately prepared for the
lodging Of our diplomatic representa-
tivess perhaps Congress can be peri
shaded to consider in an nnfreuzied
way proper uniform for our ministers,
consuls and ambassadors. something
different from the evening dress worn by
buffers and walters all over the world.
Careful analysts know that there is Just as
much vanity and affectation and .osler-
nation in Quakerlike plainness as there
is in gorgeous attire. and since an over
whelming majority of the world at home
and abroad get their first imp. essious from
clothes. il is not improper that we give
them through our foreign representatives
a correct impression Of the wealth and
strength of the United States. Our
affected plainness is not less ostentatious
than it is deceiving.
@os-.---