Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-09-23
Reciprocity Is Good Indian.

annexation, more than we feared i
as an entering wedge for free trade
In spite of the fact that Canada
with = population of 9.ooo,oo0. was Il
which We. with more than 9o.000,00i
people, would enjoy. they have repudt
ated the proposed trade arrangement
by an overwhelming" vote.
Former Liberal Leader Laurier ae-
eepts his defeat as the end of his
political career. He saw the adYan-
tagcs to his people in the agreement
with the United States. He well un-
dcrstood that Canada had been given
the leng end of the bargain. He real
lied that the loss To the farmers OF the
United States would be the gain OF
the farmers north of the boundary.
He grasped the magnitude of benefit
to Canadians III the great markets to
the southwark, He favored the un-
reciprocal arrangement for the same
REASON thai We VI fbdiit SPHNHS' ~
his meat was our poison. We could
not blame Premier I.aurier, but,
rather. the Americans who cared more
for the advantages to American manu-
facturers and tradesmen than for the
millions OF producers.
In Maine we felt that we had been
sold to the interests and when the
American parliament was whipped,
ogled and coerced into passing the
hoped TO see the Liberals showed un-
der, and our prayers were answered
Today we feel grateful to the lack of
ght which influenced our Cana
dian neighbors.
Now is the time to begin to study
conditions for more equable ana
scientific trade arrangement with our
cousins to the northward.
Selfish haste has wasted a splendid
opportunity.
Those who would drive the plan
through at any cost, in advance OF
the consideration of the distinguished
board created for that purpose. should
take the lesson to heart.
The ways in which Providence meas
ures to their fellows the capacity Of
men are beyond the grasp of peliu-
clans.
This is not time for suikinG. Re
lations have not been strained by re-
fusal 10 agree. The man who thinks
the result of Canadas vote should bt
an excuse for aloofness on Uncle
SaIn's part, IS narrow. The Unlteo
States IS in no better position I
drive a hard bargain than before
We offered too much, and Canadians
thought they saw q cat IN the meal
1t was a human sentiment. Thee
could not understand why we Offered
so ianeh for so little. They did no
understand that the plan was nicely
calculated to cause one class of Ameri-
cans 10 pay well for tile gains others
expected.
The great question is now ripe tof
intelligent consideration by botl
countries 4 trade agreement fair to
all and within the comprehension OF
all should be candidly, deliberately
arranged.
The destiny OF both peoples is close
commercial interchange and when
such an era has been reached both
countries win prosper under it, but
in the nature of conditions, we should
expect Canada to draw more from II
than would Uncle Sam.
The probable Immediate effect o.
the defeat Of reciprocity on American
politics is worthy of some considera'
ton. A variety of opinions will ap
pear. undoubtedly. but the forgiyinl
and forgetting elements of American
character may be counted on. che
wound from a sword thrust that die
not reach is soon healed.
Moines prosperity has not been i'm
paired; her land values are maintained
Plans interrupted by dubious pros
poets may be resumed and promoted
Maine and all border states may
rest assured that any future attempts
at trade agreement with Canada viii
be carried out in the sunlight of pub
licity, and that farming interests vii
be granted as much opportunity fol
hearing as steel trust, beef trust ol
any other trust.
Politicians and people have had :
valuable lesson. These are days o
publicity; and;s party exigencies n
longer enveIop and control homes
men and newspaper voices. 1t i
preferable to lose 81 the right sid
than 10 wiTe under sihe dictauon o
sonhistries OF the devil or his agents
Reciprocity that was not recipro