Year: 1863

1t is 8 source OF Infinite Wonderment
among the railroad stockholders Of the
great East and West lines, among the in
dividuals comprising the transit companies
that ply their business between the lakes
and tide water On the Hudson, among
the hosts Of forwarders, commission mer-
chants, and the like, in Buffalo, Oswe~
so, Albany and New York, why the West
should oppose the abrogation Of the Reel
procity Treaty, and protest against re-
turn to the old condition Of things when
the St Lawrence doated not q pound OF
Western freight TO the Atlantic. We can
tell them, and in terms that they can un-
derstand.


The exactions Of New York upon nil
Western business passing eastward over
her canals and railroads, are now all that
can be borne. The policy Of that State is
nov, as it has been, to make the West pay
the total cost Of the construction Of her
works of internal improvement. To this
end her commercial regulations and tar
riffs Of tolls arc always framed and so sue
cessful has this policy worked, that during
the few years past, the West has not only
paid the total interest on the cost Of the
canals with which she is concerned. but
sum sufficient to detray the ordinary ex-
penses Of the State Government, besides
large annual additions to the Sinking Fund
for the final exiting guishnent ofall that she
owes. The regulations which compel that
large tribute are both unf4ir and oppres-
aiyc-tramed in palpable disregard OF
State comfy and in flasrant violation Of
commercial justice. But the Injustice and
oppression have probably reached their
acme. The free navigation OF the St.
Lawrence, secured by the Reciprocity
Tted,y, forbids those who control New
York policy TO 60 further in their wrong.
Another turn Of the screw, and the Cana.
dian route, though leading through a for
eign and not friendly country, would re-
cciye the vast frcights that New York
would lose; and the New York canals
and the falling business Of New York
City would tell in way not
to be misunderstood that cxac-
ton has its limits that may not, with
impunity, be ovcrttepped. The st. Law
renee then, as long Us it remains open and
free to the transit Of our produce, is bal
auce-wheel and safeguard which the ag-
1iculture Of the West cannot afford to give
up. The experiences Of the past teach us
plainly enough that when the contem-
plated improvements Of that route are
completed and the way to market thereby
is made broader, easier and cheaper, the
exactions Of New York must be broken
down by competition. And as every dol
lar in reduction Of freight is Just that sum
added to the price Of the article carried,
at the place where it is produced, our far
mets arc not so stupid as not to see that
their interest is indissolubly connected
with all that promises cheap freight, and
that they will not, without resistance, give
up that which secures it.


As long as the st. Lawrence remains as
it is under the treaty, We are safe from fur
thcr inflictions. And it is just that fact
and no other that has stimulated and given
resonance and strength to this cry for a1b-
rogation. To grasp more from the trade
OF the West, to exact higher tolls, larger
freights, heavier charges, and to make
New York canals. New York transit com
panies, New York railroads, and that host
Of midd1e-men between Buffalo and the
sca-board, the recipients Of the vast sums
that would, as long as the treaty is in force,
90 into our farmers pockets, are the only
objects Of the sudden outcry that has been
raised. We warn all our representatives
in Congress, whom an agricultural vote
can ever reach, that they had better have
miustones about their necks and be cast
into the sea, rather than consent to this
enormous robbery which New York is
striving to effect They are doomed men
who, if residents Of the West, in auy way
aid or abet it.


We understand, because We everywhere
see, the-.outuoppings Of that intrigue by
which Congress is to be pushed on to q
consummation Of what the plotters against
the prosperity Of the West do most desire
We see and appreciate the art by Which
the temporary feeling Of irritation against
our Canadian neighborsis seized upon and
made to serve their bad purpose. Wc have