Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1911-02-23
ARGUMENT FOR RECIPROCITY

differ somewhat with those of James
J. Hill on matters political and other
wise in corporate affairs, nevertheless it
is our idea that people of the North
west generally will feel an interest in
perusing his opinion on economic
questions, particularly where they affect
the Northwest. In what follows Mr.,
Hill states his views on the reciprocity
problem, a leading issue of today be-
tween the United States and Canada,
and which may quite properly be stated
as almost world wide in the interest it
is attracting.
The proposed reciprocity agreement
between Canada and the United States
is a measure of true craftsmanship
Intelligent citizens and public men
approve it. 1t is mainly opposed by
the demagogue.
There is no valid objection to even q
much freer interchange of commodities
between the two countries than that
provided for by the new treaty. 1t does
not affect the protective principle at all
because protective duties are of nc
more value between the United States
and Canada than they would be between
Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The notion that the price of any farm
product of which we produce a surplus
is affected by a duty on imports is a
relic of economic ignorance too dense
for this century. When we do not pro-
duce a surplus, but have to buy abroad,
it will be to the advantage of the home
consumer to buy as reasonably as
possible. Canada is our nearest neigh
Dor and our most advantageous market
for either buying or selling.
The spirit that opposes reciprocity
because there is in it some advantage
for Canada would destroy all commerce.
Trade is built upon the principle that
both parties profit by a fair interchange
of products. Reciprocity is the recogni-
ton and practiaa al embodiment of that
fundamental commercial axiom. Both
countries gain. But as there are about
100000 inhabitants in the United
States, our measure of gain is much
greater.
Our trade with Canada is now nearly
$3.50, 600 a year and growing rapidly
She is our third hest customer, ano
will probably soon take second place,
The union of all parts of the British
empire in a commercial federation is
only a question of time. When that
shall have been concluded, under a
system of preferential advantages insur-
ing the English market to the colonial
producer of raw materials and food pro.
ducts, and the colonial market to the
English manufacturer, it will strike the
United States a double blow.
Our best costumer, Great Britain
and our third best, Canada, will trade
less and less with US and more anc
more With each other, and it will the1
be permanently impossible to repair
the error. Indeed, the fate of formel
attempts to secure reciprocity, the rapio
growth of Canada in the tina
give dignity and pride to a nation, ano
all the economic conditions of the time
indicate that, should the present
measure fail, no other can succeed TO
years to come.
There ought not to be one voice IL
the country against an agreemen
worth more than armies and navies
ing of new markets elsewhere, for whicI
we are prepared to spend hundreds g
millions.
The public must not be deceived b
any pretenses of political hypocrisy
Every public man either knows or doe
not know the true value and obviou
effect of this reciprocity agreement. ]
he does not know, he Is not fit for hi
place, and such a confession shoul
DdulSu Aiu HUN ~, Ii u6 QO6S huO'
and yet opposes, he is a demagogue pre-
pared to sacrifice the most importar
interests of his own country, and the
close The greatest opportunity opene
to it in years, for the sake of som
supposed private political advantag
which he believes can be won by pande
ing to ignorant prejudice.
Every such man should be sent
the rear in the future political life
the United States, as defective in eith'
brains or honesty. By the fate of tn
treaty, our national character will
tested; and by his vote upon it, ear
public representative may be fairly ar
finally judged.
E.H rar .-~ ~