The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-19
CANADA FUTURE
DESTINY AT STAKE
B or d en- Pleads With
People to Defeat
Reciprocity.
HOLDS UP DANGER
HOLDS UP DANGER
OF ANNEXATION
Opposition Leader Makes Final
Appeal of Campaign, Asking
Voters to Rise Above Party
Lines and Prevent Absorp-
ton of Dominion by
United States.

Halifax. n. s., September 1s.-R L
Borden, the opposition leader, issued
final appeal to the people of Canada
to-day to defeat reciprocity. The APP
peal. In the form of a signed state
ment, declared that the people now I'M
derstand that they are called upon to
determine not mere question of mar
kets but the future destiny of Canada,
He appeals to Liberals and Conserv-
atives alike. and says he speaks not
as party leader, but as Canadian
citizen. whose hopes are bound up with
the hopes of his country.
While he says that the outlook Is
full of hope, he believes that we are
In truth standing at the parting of tn.
ways and he therefore begs the PEG.
pie to cast carefully considered vote
Tor the preservation OF our heritage.
Tor the maintenance of our commercial
and political freedom and for the per
.nanence of Canada as an autonomous
nation within the British empire"
After referring to the reciprocity
issue MS the most important question
ever submitted to the Canadian electo-
rate, Mr.. Borden says:
Means Annexation.
on either side of the boundary line
It's advocates realize perfectly that In
Its final outcome this treaty undo.hts
union of Canada with the United
states. The cLief magistrate of our
powerful neighbor on the south has
warned US In language of unmistak-
aole import that the contamination Of
this treaty will forever prevent this
consolidation OF our empire
with profound insight and clear
vision, he has made the memora BILE
declaration that II Canada accepts this
compact she can never become a mari
OF that great imperial commercial
oand which, as he anticipates viii
reach from England around the world
to England again We must make our
choice between reciprocity within tina
empire and reciprocity with the United
States. And let US never forget thai
Canada cannot become fiscally and
| commercially q part OF the United
states and remain politically part
and an important part-of the British
empire.
Can there be any doubt that this
compact Will result in prematurely dis
sipating those Astounding resources
which we hold. not alone for our own
use and profit. but In trust also for
those who are to succeed us? VIII
tae people of Canada willingly decree
that so splendid an inheritance shall
pass into other hands than their own.
The relations created by sis com
of the United States over our CONNER
cial destinies. Less than two years
ago. by the threat of prohibitory duties,
they forced our government TO alteu
our tariff. Do not imagine that the
spirit which compels this unwarranted
concession to our powerful neighbor
will die on the morrow Of its first
great succesS If we sacept this COM
pact we must antic!patesa renewal OF
the attempt. II the tariffs of fine two
countries are interlocked by this
treaty, be assured that the stronger
party will always carry the KEY
81 believe that we are in truth
standing to-day at the parting of the
ways. This compact, made in secret
and without mandate, points indeed to
a new path. We must decide whether
Canadianism or continentalism shall
prevail on the northern half OF
this continent. To-day Canada IS the
mistress of her destiny, She commands
both the Atlantic and theHPaciflc; she
holds the highways of the world. Out
s.>.e of the United Kingdom she is this
most important unit of the whole Brit !
ish system, that extends beyond every
sea and throughout every continent
and governs no less than one-hfth Of
the entire human race, With Canada's
youthful vitality, her rapidly increas.
ing population, the marvelo IS mate
rial resources, her spirit of hopefulness
and energy she can place herself with
in comparatively brief period in tho
highest position within this mighty
empire. This is the path upon which
we have proceeded, this is the path
from which we are asked to depart.
Il do not believe that the spirits OF
the Canadian people will sanction any
such departure"
In conclusion. Mr.. Borden makes an
on rU 10 tIa
above party lines, to take heed of the
higher considerations and to deter
mine their course with a sense of the
enduring results OF their decision
entreat them not to swerve from the
straight path that leads to the making
n "a nutinn