Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-09-19
By Opposition Leader Bor-
den to Canadians
To Defeat Reciprocity. Signed
Statement 10 People.
laurier Equally as Confident as
Ever OF Reelection.

Halifax, y. s.. Sept. 1s.-R. l.. Bor-
den, the Opposition leader, issued a
final appeal to the people Of Canada
tonight to defeat reciprocity. The APP
peal. in the form of a signed state
lnent, declared that the people now
understand that they are called upon
to determine not n mere question OF
markets. but the future destiny Of
Canada
He appeals to Liberals and Copser-
Natives alike and says he speaks not
as party leader, but as Canadian
citizen. While he says that the out
look is full of hope. he believes that
we are in truth standing at the part
ing of the ways" and he therefore begs
the people to cast soberly consid-
cred vote, for the preservation of our
heritage: for the maintenance of our
commercial and political freedom. and
for the permanence of Canada as an
autonomous nation within the Brit
ish empire
Mr. Borden's statement follows.
TO THE PEOPLE OF CANADA;
AS this campaign closes and the
solemn duty confronts us of deciding
for all time, the most momentous
question ever submitted to the Can
adam electorate, I declare with per-
feet sincerity to nay fellow country
men that the outlook is full of hope
The keen attention which the people
have given to the discussion OF this
question has made the few weeks OF
this campaign far more revealing than
months of ordinary debate. Through
out this. Dominion the electorate now
understand that they are called upon
to determine not mere question Of
markets, but the future destiny of
Canada, perhaps of the empire.
Even from the economic side the
reciprocity compact is but a step in a
greater process. on either side of the
boundary line its advocates realize
perfectly that in its final outcom. this
treaty undoubtedly means the COM
mereial and fiscal union of Canada
with the United States The chief
magistry OF our powerful neighbor on
the south has warned us in language
of unmistakablc import that the con-
summation of this treaty win forever
prevent the consolidation OF our en-
pire. With profound insight and clear
vision he has made the memorable
compacy. She can never become
part of that great imperial CONNER
eial band, which. as he anticipates,
will reach from England around the
world to England again. We must
make our choice between reciprocity
within the Empire and reciprocity
with the United States. And let US
never forget that Canada cannot be-
come fiscally and commercially part
of the United states and remain
politically part ef-and an important
part-of the British Empire.
Can there be any debate that this
compact will result in prematurely
dissipating those Astounding resources
which we hold not alone fer ctr own
use and profit, but in trust also for
those who are to succeed us? Are we
not bound in honor to transmit free
and unimpaired to our descendants the
marvellous heritage which our fore
fathers won and held Will the peo-
$ pie of Canada willing decree that
such an inheritance shall pass into
other hands than their own?
The relations created
The relations created by this com
Dt@tl VIII increase lliItE1btd lllt ptNNA
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 alter
our tariff. Do not imagine that the
spirit which compelled the unwarrant-
ed concession to our powerful neigh
Dor viii die on the morrow of its first
great success. III we accept this COM
pact, we~must anticipate a renewal of
the attempt. Where is our guarantee
that the renewed pressure will be met
in any flrmer fashion than before? We
recognize our constant duty to main
tain the most friendly relations with
the great neighboring nations; but |
ask you to believe that such relations
can best be assured if we preserve in
the fullest measure our political fiscal
independence and autonomy.
above all do not forget that the
nomentous choice which You must
make is for all time. If the tariffs of
the two countries are interlocked by
this treaty be assured that the strong
er party will always carry the key.
II believe that we are in truth stand
ing today at the parting of the ways
This compact, made in secret and with
out mandate, points indeed to new path
We must decide whether the spirit of Ca
nadianism or of continentalism shall pre-