The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-31
LAUR|ER MAKES
APPEAL To PEOPLE
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Continued from First uage1
hnaly bring the annexation of Canada
10 the United States
II is Impossible to treat such an
agreement with any Kind of respect.
II indeed It can he dignified with the
rame of argument For If it has any
meaning, its meaning is that the peo-
PIE OF canada would be seduced from
their allegiance by the prosperity to
follow the larger flow of natural pro-
ducts from this country 10 the other
Indeed the Very reverse would be
the natural consequence for the ex-
perlenee of all ages ahundantly tes-
tines that trade is ever the most
potent agency of peace, au1ity and
mutual respect between nations"
Nor is this all; this agreement.
winch in no way impairs our fiscal
policy which stil maintains at the
topmost the fecund principle of Brit
lsh Preference this agreement by
opening new avenues of trade. hther-
10 closed. would further improve the
friendly relations which exist between
this country and the mother country,
on the one hand the the American
republic on the other hand and which
IT IS hoped may. at no distant day.
eNentuate into general treaty of ar
hitration. the effect of which would
of war between the great empire. OF
which We are proud to form part,
and the great nation. which We are
proud 10 have as neighbors.
Parting of the Ways.
In statement quite as vigorous as
thar of Sir Wiifrid I.aurier. r. l..
Borden, leader Of the opposition. also
addressed the public to-day.
The government apparently decided :.
i i .r,rs
hurry or even in a panic. as they
gave no intimation to the many men,
hers of both sides Of the house. who
are accustomed TO spend the week.
end with their families and who left
Friday without the courtesy Of
notice.
The conservative party welcomes
an appeal upon reciprocity The
president of the United States has
more than once emphasized the fact
that Canada is to-day at the parting
OF the ways. Those two ways lead in
very divergent directions, The choice
Of the people will be frought with
momentous consequences to the des-
tiny of the country. 1t is right and
just that they should speak, because
with them rests the ultimate decision.
Canada has made uneXampled pro-
gress in the great work Of nation
PuIttinG StlEF COM EUtT8tiDN III 1870
That work has been carried on With
out any such treaty or agreement as
is now proposed. One would have
supposed that the government might
have been content to wait six months
longer in order that redistribution
might have been accomplished and
that supplies Necessary in the public
interest might have been obtained.
But apparently the government places
the reciprocity agreement above all
constitutional considerations.
Abuse of Power.
AT the. present time Mr.. Borden
states. the government is Investigate
ing an allegation that Minister of the
Interior oliver profited to the extent
OF $50. 600 In the transfer of land to
the .Ce madam Northern railway.
1T is a distinct breach of consti-
tutionai usage" Mr. Borden declares.
that parliament should be dissolved
while one Of its committees is engaged
in the investigation OF charges which
involve the honor of a minister of the
crown and the fate of the government.
Such a course constitutes an alarm
ing and dangerous precedent. The
course Of the government in delib-
erately stopping this inquiry was an
abuse of their power and
manifested in most striking manner
their utter contempt of public
opinion"