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Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont film6s en commenipant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d' illustration et en terminant par la derniire page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaltra sur la derniire Image de chaque microfiche, selon Sa cas: Ie symbole •-► signSfie "A SUIVRE", Ie symbole V signifie "FIN ". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre fllm6s A des taux de reduction diffirents. Lorsque Ie document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seui ciichA, il est filmi d partir de Tangle sup6rleur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en has, en prenant Ie nombre d'images n^cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants lllustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 6 Ci 9m\ f:v' 'ir> ^^ r COMMERCIAL UNION SOME LETTERS, PAPERS, ASD SPEECJIES. '^H^resUmtP hme taken i^ fi^''^;^J'J''^Lun^rie and tra^ '^»^^ "*^^ * |5SX1X«C«*." ^m- - COMMERCIAL UNION BETWEEN THE United States and Canada. SOME LETTERS. PAPERS. AND SPEECHES. "We live in a new and exceptional age. America is anotbai* name for OppoTtuaity. Ita ■whole Vi« story appears like a last effort ol the Divine Providence on behali of the human race. "— EMEK80N. -••♦- NEW YORK,: ERASTUS WIMAN, 314 BROADWAY. c f? 'i'!:iSii^^-S^-i^^^^<:Si.^^^--^':.im£^^-s~'JX^-^^^^^^ INTRODUCTORY. in the following pages are grouped together some Letters, Papers, and fl^cechea on the subject of Commercial Uxion between the United States and Canada. No attempt is made to include anything like a complete list of publica- tions on this topic, but simply to rescue from the oblivion of a daily newspaper, and put in permanent form, some productions which might otherwise be difficult of access. The compilation tvill be added to from time to time as occasion may arise. The object is to make accessible some vieivs regarding this question, ivhich is perhaps, in its extent and eventual effects, the largest questio.i now before the public. On the next page will be found a copy of the bill introduced into Congress by the Hon. Benjamin Butterwouth, ivhich may ivell form a basis for the discussion which impends on this important topic. The publisher apologizes for permittivg so large a space to be filled tvith his own productions ; but, having given the subject a good deal of attention, he prints his views in default of something better. Copies of the pamphlet can be had on application to the address on the title page. THE BUTTERWORTH BILL To provide for full Keciprocity between the United States and the Dominion of Canada. Whereas controversies have arisen and are now existing between the Government of the United States and the Government of the Dominion •of Canada, growing ont of the construction of treaties affecting fishing interests; and Whereas, by reason of the contiguity of the two countries and the similarity of the interests and occupations of the people thereof, it is desired by the United States to remove all existing controversies and all causes of controversy in the future, and to promote and encourage business and commercial intercourse between the people of both countries, and to promote harmony between the two Governments, and to enable the citizens of each to trade with the citizens of the other without restriction and irrespective of boxmdaries, as fully and freely as though there was no boundary-lino between the two countries : Therefore, He U enacted by the Senate and House of Bepregentativet of the United Staten of Amer- ica in Congress assembled, That whenever, and aa soon an the Govei-ninent ot the said Dominion of Canada shall, by act of her Par- liament, permit all ai ticlea of trade and com- merce of whatever name or nature, whether the product of the soli or of the waters of the United States, or manufactured articles, live stock of all kinds, and its proilacts, minerals «nd coal tlie products of the mines of the United States, to enter the ports of the said Dominion of Canada free of duty, then all ar- ticles manufactured in Canada, and all pro- ilacts of the soil and waters, and all minerals and coal product of the mines of the said Dominion of Canada, and all otlier articles of every name and description prmluced in said Dominion of Canada, shall be permitted to enter the ports of the United States free of •duty ; It being the Intention of this act to pro- vide for absolute reciprocity of trade between the two countries as to all articles of what- ever name' or nature produced in the said countries respectively. SEC, 2. That when It shall be certified to the President of the United States by the proper officials of the Government of the said Dom- inion of Canada that the said last-named Government, by act of Parliament, has au- thorized the admission into the ports of said Government of all articles of trade and com- merce pron framed, so far were we outwitted in negotiatitm, that imdor it wo had giviMi to the (Canadians a market free of duty for »2'29,()0(),(>00 worth of their products, while they gave us a free market for scarce half as nuicli. It admitted into the United States free of duty 9t per cent, of all Canada sold us, while they collected duties on 42 per cent, of all we sold to them. It gave them our great market free for their crops, in com- petition with our own farmers, and it ex- cluded our manufactures from Canada. To this, or any other partial arrangement, the people of the United States \v\\i never again cousent. They would probably accept commercial union, with unrestrlcte l trade, comnu)n fish- ing rights, and coast trade privileges. An equalized tariff would abolish tlie expensive double line of Custom Houses and officers along the border, aud all consular service in Canada, from the Atlantic to the Paciflc. This would be a largo saving to both sides. The coast provinces could freely sell coal to New Eugland,and Pennsylvania could supply coal to Upper Canada. The Manitoba far- mers could buy their Implements and supplies and sell their crops In St. Paul, or where they pleased. It \vouid give Western faimers free lumber, and would open a wide market for the products of the Canadian forests. It would secure to our fishermen rights to fish on every shore clear to the Pole, to buy bait and everything else, and It would give our people free fish. The Tariff would have to bo the same, and internal revenue taxation the same. In Canada and the United States, or there would be in- finite fraud and disturbance of trade. This, would require some changes, but not great ones. The Canadian Tariff Is now not very far from ours. It collects on the total Import* into Canada about 10 per cent, lower average duty than does ours on the total imports into thre United States. The Internal revenue taxes on whiskey and tobacco are now not^ very different. COMMERCIAL UNIOS IX SORTH AMERICA. RecolptH from rev«nu<« inlKlit fairly be <11vIiI(m1 between tlie 1 wo countrieH aeconlliiK to ])oiiiiIntl(>n. Tho into of n^veniie now eol- levt«'(). In a coniinercliil union, wltli a eoniinou taritT untl the b«»r«ler free, probably a largi'V P-" t .if the importH of CantMla than at preHont would enter 1).V way of New York and the Ne\s Enfcl^iiid portH, an*l the reeelptH at Canadian portH would, of trouiHe, e(»rreapondhiKly fall off. ThlH would have t<) be adjuHted by piisH- injcovera fair proportion of the re\e'iu'.i to Ciinada. All theHt) detailH (ioiitd hoou be fairly settled if the matter were onco earnest- ly undertaken. Who would oppose it? In this eonntry, some Hpecuil intereHtH fearinK Canadian com- petition in the tradi in logn, the supply of flsh, and in barley, perhaps; but with f^oneral dlsousHlon this would be soon overcome. In view of the itreat advanta/itcH to be Kalnerests, wnich will be all gone In 25 years, at the present rate of destruction, would b(i re-enforced by the vast woods of Canada. Many of our people distrust reciprocity treaties, and changing revenue laws ]»y illplo- maey. That is the proper work of Coiigro.ss. and of Congress alone. Some would fear that a common tariff with a foreign country would make the whole system unchangeable in any partlcnlar wilhoiit the consent of both, and thus practically put it beyond th*» power of Congress, where the Constitution puts it. But wo can at any time withdraAv frt.m a com- mercial union, if it works unfairly, and no power can be taken from Congress, or be oven limited, except by the action of Consreas Itself. It may be said that the opposition of Eug- land will be fatal— that negotiations nuist be through the British government, which would never consent to be plaued In a less favorable position than the United States by the Canadian tariff. It is not ('ertain whether she has the power to control the question, or the position to stubbornly oppose the meas- ure. Sir Alexander Gait said. In 1880 and at other times, that Canada had the whole power over duties. The Marquis of Lome. Govemor- General,|fald. in 1882, to the Canadian Parlia- ment : " You have the pow er to make treaties on your own responsibility with foreign na- tions;" but he added, "and your high com- missioner 1h associated, for purposes of nego- tiation, w ith i\w Foreign Uttloe." in fact, they have legislated as they ])lean«d touching the tarilT upon Knglish as welt as other goods. The llndtof their treaty-making power would seem to exclude Canada from making any tr(>aty atfeeting the Dominion ns a )>ortlon of the British Empire. .Fudging by the past, s::.' by the facility w ith which Eng- land has consented to each step in Canadian iiuiepeiidence, it is not likely that the Impi>- rial (ioverni.ient would intlexibly nslst a general desire of the Camulian pe(»ple for a common tarllT arrangement with the United States. In Canada it would meet the active opjiosi-^ tion of certain manufacturing interests, who would dread the rivalry of clu ajxir Anu'rh-an goods in their line of production; of all the otUcial class, w ho would of course sti iiggle hard to jireserve everything as it is; and of all those more Immediately under English in- duenco, whose tirst thought would be tliat such a ineasurti would tend to ext^lude ?^ng- lish goods by the tarilT, while admitting the American free of duty; and ihey would, no doubt very sincerely, regard it as almost equivalent to annexation. But, among the Canadian ])en))le generally, tin discussion of the proposition would strengthen It with the great majority. The powerful mercantile class in every town and village would be the Hrst to favor it, and the farujors would soon iinderstmd it. Perhaps a vague apprehension of animxation would be felt, but with general discussion of the subject, and its business aspects, this would dit-appear. They would soon realiz.. that our citizens are no longer eager to iucor])orate new peoples ; that they refused the rich and populous island of St. Thomas, and the republic of San Domingo, in both of which 1 1 people had all voted for an- nexation ; that V- discourage and detest tllibustering ; thu laska was rcductantly ace(>pted after we h A ourselves bound in a compact with Rnssin \ho had recently been to us a gf»od friend in the hour of tro'.;S]«. Americans do ncit care to see a dozen senaiors and forty memb»n'8 in Congress representing a new population suddenly brought into the Union. The Immense vacant region of good lands in the northwest would bo welcome, but it will bo long betore we will consent to Incorporate peoples. The work of assimilat- ing the diverse elements we now have is quite enough for us. In one sense, there would be a business an- nexation of ea one of them changed its policy. The arrange- ment, which was not unfair in 18.54. became grossly so before 1867. The settlement effected by the Treaty of Washington was found equally oppressive to American inter, ests, and although we had paid heavily for our share of the bargain, it was we who terminated it at the earliest moment, and Canada who desired its continuance. The policy of irritating restrictions wliiuh Canada has begun, and which tho United Statss probably will adopt by way of retaliation, cannot be regarded as either normal or de- iSirable between countries so closely associ ated in neighborhood, in the community of so many interests. All these have failed, or will fail ; and it remains to seek some other which will be better adapted to the interests of both countries, and calculated to put an end to the irritating frictions which have attended all tne.se. The plain common sense of the situation .seems to us to point to a policy exactly the rcA-erse of the policy of restriction of inter- course. We aie two nations very similarly circumstanced. Both are made up of men who are building up in the new world social structures based on all that is best in the civilization of the old. Both have much the same national resources, the same capacity as producers, the same wants as consumers. Both have been obliged to find, in the protec- tive policy, the means to develop an indus- trial system suited to the demands of their natural situation. Neither is content to make shift with agricultural, cattle raising, and the scanty manufactures which could not but come without collective action In the foster- ing of other industries. 1 n language, in faith, in culture, in governmental methods, the twO' coutiles more closely resemble each other than either resembles any other In either the old or the new world. Why, then, not establish absolute freedom of commei'cial intercourse between them, and abolish the costly line of commercial demar- cation, wltlch at present sunders them f The- only obstacle to such a plan is the difference in the tariffs of the two countries. But this, difference la much diminished by the revision of our tariff in 1883, following the adoption COMMERCIAL VNION IX NORTH AMERICA. ir of Protection by Canada In 1879. To etfect the eHtablinlinient of agreement on this point there wonlrt be no need of any formal treaty through ^'le intervention of English dlpl'-- macy. All that would be necessary would be the assimilation of both tariffs to an agree- ment reached by a commission of coiuerenie, togetlier with the removal of all duties from articles which cross the common frontier in eltbor direction. This would carry with It the perfect equalization of the status of tlie fishermen of both nationalities, both on the llshin^-bankH, and In our ports and markets. It win be objected that this arrangement will sacritlce the Interests of certain classes In both countries. Let us look at the.se seveially. The fishermen of Canada and of the United States will be left free to compete with each otlier for the American market, on terms equally favorable to both. Our fishermen will secure access to the Inshore fisheries, the right to puichase bait, the light to land and dry their fish, the right to forward fresh fish to American markets by rail. There will be an end to the bounties to Canadian fisher- men paid by the Dominion Government. At the same time the Canadian fishermen will obtain the right to send their fish to our mai'kets free of duty. The position of the two classes will be equalized as never before, and the questions now in dispute simply will dis- appear. Under the terms of equality chus established, and never before enjoyed by our fishermen, the hardy sons of New England will bold their own, and do their share in building up that Industry to which we look for oiir supply of trained seamen. It le alleged that our lumber interest will be saoiiflced by the frte Importation of Cana- dian boards and planks. But we already Im- port saw-logs free of duty ; and our supply of many sorts of t'mber is so e-;han8ted that we should gain by a greater facility to draw on the ample Canadian supply. On the tribu- taries of ihe St. Lawreuce aie great forests of fine timber which It no-.v hardlj' pays to have taken to the United States, because of the much heavier cost of sending <^aw-log8 than sawetl lumber. We must look at this . queKtIon of the lumber supply broadly, Ir* view of the national needs, and not simply with reference to this private Interest. Lum- ber Is a thing by Itself. Ita slow growth makes it a very 'different thing from a wheat 01' corn crop ; the uses of trees in relation to the rain supply make a limited production o'f lumber a benefit rather than a loss. And the- plant of the Industry is neither too bulky nor too coiitly to prevent Its transfer by its own- ers to the Ottawa. On the Canadian side it is alleged that the . new manufacturing industries of the Domin- ion will be hurt by the competition of those longer established on our side of the border. Will they be more In danger of such competi- tion than are the newer manufactories of our own South and West? The truth Is that in a growing continent like ours, with fresh popu- lation pouring in from the old world, markets are expanding whenever industries are in a normal condition. There always is room for tlie newer establishments in such a country. If they be not exposed to the crushing com-, petition of the overdone Industries of the old. And the Canadian Industries have some Im- portant advantages in the possession of the great water-power of the St. Lawrence and the present cheapness of labor, which will enable them at least to hold their own against any competiiiou they would have to encounter from us. The establishment of sucl. au .irrangement would have an additional advantasro to the priilected industries of both countries, in that It would Impart a permanence to the pro- tective polity in both which it does not now possess. For the sake of this fi eedom of na- tional Intercourse the people of both would stand by Protection, as Its abandonment, un- less simultaneous In both, would Involve the le-establishment of the custom-house line-a line which now sunders our continent, Inter- cepts natural intercourse, and breeds dis- agreements between the two great Anglo-- Saxon nationalities of the New World. COMMERCIAL UNION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. LETTER FROM THE HON. J. W. LONGLEY, ATTORNEY-GENERAL OB NOVA SCOTIA. "Dear Sir: The proposition to take «lown the custom houses hetween the Uulted States and Canada, and provide for a common tariff against the rest of the world, is the most wide-reaching and important political matter now demand- ing tlie consideration of the ureat English- speDking communities of Nortli America. It is momentous, not alone on account of the commercial difficulties it would overcome, and the commercial advantages it would se cure to the people of both countries, but not less for its inevitable consequences upon the social and political relations between the two peoples, between the Empire and the Great Republic which has grown up in America. Viewed from a Canadian 8tandpoint,it seems the complement necessary to the commercial existence and prosperity of tlie Dominion. However warm the political sympathies may be between the several provinces of the Do- minion—and there is a question about that— no one can honestly say that there is any natural commercial relationship between them. Between the Maritime Provinces and Ontario there is but little trade, and that lit- tle is, for tlie most part, aitiflcial and profit- less. Between Ontario ani Manitoba there is some trade, but the latter province would prefer to trade with the St ites and Territories to the south of it. Between British Columbia and the rest of the' Dominion there is scarcely any natural trade at all. On the other hand, betwepu the Maritime Provinces and the New England States there is the most natiiral and intimate commercial relationship, which no hostile barriers have been ablo to destroy. Between Ontario and the great States of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinoi' and Michigan, there is a stead.v, active, and valuable trade. Between Manitoba and the Northwest, and MinnesotA, Dakota -and Montana, is the natural course of trade ; Avhile British ColuBibla flnds its. complement In California and Oregon. An examination of a large map of Nortli America will reveal the wliole situation at a glance. Why this customs line, extending all the way from the Atlantic to the Pacific, should exist, is a problem for some ingenious intellect to solve. If it is a good thing to have custom houses dividing territories, then it would be the correct policy to intersect Ontario with a customs line, and to guard Cincinnati from the dangerous competition of Cleveland by a customs line between Northern and Southern Ohio. If the people of the United States were Turks or Chinese, there might be a reason foi wishing to discourage intimate intercourse. If the inhabitants of Canada were Indians or Patagonians,^ then the United States might be indiflferent In regard to all kinds of rela- tionship. But, when it is considered that the people of the two countiies are identical in race, language, laws and institutions, then these barriers indeed seem absurd and unac- countable. But there are difficulties, and these can only be overcome by matnal forbearance and con- cession . The average American, confident of the position of his country, views the matter with indiflFerence, and is disposed to treat Canada with contempt. Recognizing that the trade of the United States is yearly becoming more valuable and important ;to Canada than the trade of Great Britain, the ordinary Am- erican cannot understand why Canada should not at once bow down before her great neigh- bor and make terms. But the man who elim- inates sentiment as a factor in making his calctilations in regard to communities of men is sure to reach erroneous results. Sensible Canadians realize plainly enough that unre- stricted trade with the United States would be of immense value, and they a/i^ anxious to secure it. But let it not be foigott«n that Canada is a part of the British Empire, (ind the Canacl'an people are loyal to Biitlsli in- terests, not in a sense of toadyism, but in a Just sense of mutual obligation. Great Britain has always dealt fairly with Canada, and the people of Canada, if t'ley are worthy of the race from which they sprang, will deal squarely with Great Britain. It is quite pos- COMMERCIAL U^ION IN NORTH AMERICA. 13^ Hible, at no distant date, a point may be readied when tlie Interests of Canada and the interests of tlie Empire will begin to senarate, and the two countries will puruue their caretir along divergent paths; bnt the feelings of mutual regard and attachment, It is to be lioped, will never bo extinguished. The people of the United 8tat«s r^ust ap- proach the peopio of Canada on this qnestion, not with the expectation that the latter are going, for the mere sake of commercial ad- vantage, to throw the interests of the Empire aside, and Join their interests with those of the great nation on their own continent; bnt, rather, that in a closer relationsliip between the two great countiies of North America there may be a growth of that spirit of mu- tual regard between the United States and Great Britain which, during the past twenty years, has been so happily developing. I do not believe that Great Britain will Interiiose any oloitaclo to a Commercial Union between the Ui. ted States and Canada, if the Canadian people give unmistakable evidence of a desire for It. The more intimate and cordial the rela- tions between Canada and the Unittnl Statec,. the more lapldly wi?l all indications of ill will between the Brldsta and American people- disappear. I have JuHt had time to express a strong sense of the value and importance of a Com- mercial Union, and to hint at the spirit in which the United States- from wliom sucli'a proposition must emanate— should approach It. The passing of Mr. Butterworth's pro- posed meattiiro by the Americaii Congress will, in my Judgement, be an enormous step in the accomplishment of this grt>at object. The- tempest in a teapot, over the wretclied fisher- ies dispute, is unworthy of great and enlight- ened communities. Let us forget all about the herring and the codfish, and take a great step in the direction of natural trade, inter- national comity, and the ultimate reunion of the English-speaking race. J. W. LONOLEY. Halifax, March 28, 1887. MEMORANDUM CONCERNING CANADA. FROM WHARTON BARKER, ESQ., — TO— HON. WK. M. EVARTS, SENATOR OF THE I^^ITED STATES. Philadelphia, January 5th, 1886. TLe expiry of the settlement of the FIsli- *eiieb Question, which was furnished by the Treaty of Washington, re-opens the still larger question of our commercial relations with the Dominion of Canada. President Cleveland has intimated his sympathy with the Tiew that a closer connection with our neighbor on the North would be to the ad- vantage of both countries; and there is the usual pressure from New England and north- ern New York for a revival of Reciprocity. The general objections to treaties of re- •«iprocity, which Mr. Cleveland's message his laid before Congress, apply with as much force to the case of Canada as to any others. There Is one other and still greater objection in this case, that such a treaty w ith Canada ■would not relieve us from the necessity of maintaining along our Northern froutiev a custom house line, whose gro^f ing costliness would be equalled only by its pennanent in- •«(Bciency. And, as our last bargain of this kind with Canada showed, the establishment of Reciprocity is attended with constant and annoying di^putes as to which party had got the better ot the other, and which was carry- ing out its terms with the greater houesty. The time seems ripe for a bolder and more statesmanlike arrangement with our neigh- •bors ou the North. For seven years past they have been following our example in protect- ing their home industries ngaiuht foreign competition. This policy has had a large measure of success, aud Canada is to-day more confirmed in Its attachment to its Na- tional Policy, as it well calls it, than at the first. But there has been a limit to its suc- "Cess, which might Imve been foreseen from the first. The population of the Dominion is less than five million people, and these are divided by natural obstructions into groups, which Lave but little natural commerce with each -other, while they would have much with the -adjacent American States, if they were not sundered by political boundaries. Tlie largest group- that in the two old Canadian provinces —numbered two million eight hundred thons- -and people In 1881. The development of a vigorous manufactitring oystem under such •conditions is almost impossible; the market accessible is too small for the existence of large and competing establishments, excej>t in the ca.se of few industries. For this reason the Protectionists of Canada ha\e had to be content with statistical exhibits of the suc- cess of their poli<'y in opening new channels of employment, wlilcli are far from what conld be desired. With this cxperleuco ')ehlnd them, there is every rea.on to believe that they are ready to consider a proposition to extend tlioso rnarkets, by becoming a pai t of our industHal area, and through the entire abolition of restraints upon commerce be- tween tlie two nations. A Commercial Union with Canada, such as is here i»rcposed as preferable to reciprocity, would be established on the footing of a com- mon tarill'fdr both countries, aud tlie distri- bution of the receipts from customs on the basis of population, or ou some other basis that might be thought more equitable. As the present Canadian tariff contains many duties "for revenue only," its assimilation to our own would be attended by some loss of revenue to Canada ; and it would not be un- fair to guarantee her a sum equal to her pieseut receipts for a number of ytars. By this arrangement the custom-houses of both countries would be along the Atlantic coast alone, and each group of the Canadian prov- inces would interchange its products with the adjacent group of American States, as fi-eely as though all were parts of the same country. In a word, it would etfect Just s JCh a fiscal revolution as iu 1789 changed the thiiteen American States from a number of Isolated industrial communities, into a coun- try connected by mutual services and benflts. On the Canadian side of the line such an arrangement is distrusted by some, as a fore- ruuner of what they are pleased to call annex- ation. Within the last twenty years the American people have given the world assur- ance enough that they are amply satisfied with the area Providence has assigned thorn, and that they find the problems they havo already on their hands quite enough to tax their energies, without increasing them by adopting those of their neighbors. Canada has neither that homogenity with our own people, nor that internal concord, which make COMMERCIAL UNION IN NORTE AMERICA. 15 such an ,8 a fore- 1 annex- ars the d aasur- atisUetl Mi tliam, y have to tar hem by Canada ur own :h make the proposition of her addition to ns an attrac- tive one. We have every reason for wishing well to her ; none at all for deslriiig to absorb her. And the notion that conittierclal union Involves political absorption, wliere the peo- ple concerned are not politically homogenous, is fully refuted by the example of England and Ireland. No Amer'ran Interest would be adversely Affected by this arrangement, while those of Canada would be greatly benefited. It is true that we M'ouM beg'n to draw more freely upon the forests of the Dominion for our sup- ply of lumber, and that some opposition may, therefore, be expected from the lumber inter- ests of Michigan. But in this matter it be- hooves us to have respect to larger national interests than those of the lumbermen. Our forests are rapidly disappearing before the tlemand for railroad-ties and other forms of lumber, and any arrangement that would check the drafts upon theniwould be anational benefit. The present duty on all lumber, but saw-logs, is a premium on the extinction of our American forests, whose removal would be a measure of national protection. Canada has enoitgh and to spare for our use, and a drain whjch only Implies the opening of her area to agriculture, means the detriment of ours through the disturbance of the rain sup- ply over a large part of our area. The Commercial union of the two countries would furnish the best possible solution of the ttsheriea question— that perennial puzzle of our diplomats. We should i)ay no price for the use of her flshing-grounds, and lay no re- strictions on the importation of her tlsh. Our fishermen would have the same advantages and facilitlea of all kinds as her own ; and the endless tangle of questions and disputes would disappear as completely as though we were the owners of the St. Lawrence Qulf. The admission of Canadian shipping to our coasting trade would be a natural and. per- haps, a necessary feature of the arrangement. The people of the seaboard provinces, like those of our New England States, take to the seafaring life much more readily than do the inhabitants of our more soxithern coast. If once we were to adopt tliem heartily into our mercantile marine, we might look to them for the permanent and ample rjupply of shipping for our coastwise trade, and for that trade >vlth the West Indies, which is now' trans- acted so largely In European bottoms. Our dependence upon Norwegian or Italian ves- sels for such a stn-A-ice as this 'vould come to an end with th»^ removal of the line of custom- house demarcation, which sundi im us in the sea, as well as on the land, from our nearest American neighbors. The relations of labor would not be modified by the new arrangement <^xcept so far as the IncreaitHl itrosperity of C.mada would put a check to the immigiation of her French peo- ple into the United States. At present the existence of a great supply of underpaid and unemployed laboi- across the border, works as badly for our worknum, as does the influx of Irish labor into Great Britain for the Biitlsh workman. It is In the intercuts of American labor that we should level up Canadian con- ditions by an industrial assimilation of the two countries, since there is no means of ex- cluding the Canadian workman from our country, if any such were desirable. Already much has been done by the protective policy of Canada; but the same causes which have kept that from being a perfect success, have also operated to prevent Canadian wages and opportunities of employment from equalling ours. Our task and that of the Canadians is the same. We are both engaged In tlie work of converting a great continent into a continent of civilization, freedom, and Christian faitli. They are the only co-workers with us wltli whom we can feel the closest sympathy, for our neighbors southw.ard are separated from us by barriers higher and more impassable than those of politl<;al division. If for a time Canada seemed to be drawn by attraction to an un-American ideal of her position, and to cherish political and industrial dependence upon Europe, that time has passed away. Every recent movement in her history )ias brought us into more intimate agreement as to the goal of our common endeavor, and the means by which io is to be attained. The time seems to have come for removing the last barrier to the closest fellowship in the administi'ation of our common heritage of re- sources and capacities. For these reasons, the appointment of a Joint commission to open this question with the Canadian government, at the earliest date possible, is urgently desired by many of the people of both countries. RESOLUTIONS —OF THE— NATIONAL BOARD OF TRADE. ST. LOUIS SESSION, 1871. Mr. Plumer, of Boston : On behalf of the Committee appointed to confer with the Delegates from the Dominion Board of Trade, I beg to submit as. their report the following resolution, unanimously recommended by them to the Board for its adoption : — Resolved, That the Executive Council be directed to memorialize Congress, t > provide, by law, for the appointment ot a Commission to meet Commis- sioners from the Dominion of Canada — should the Dominion Government appoint a like Commission — to negotiate a basis of a treaty between Great Britain and the United States for commercial relations with the Dominion of Canada upon the following, or some other broad and comprehensive principles : 1st. The introduction of all manufactures and products of the United States into the Dominion of Canada, free of import daty, and the like concession by the United States to the manufactures and jjroducts of the Dominion. 2d. Uniform laws to be jiassed by both countries for the imposition of dtities on imports, and for internal taxation ; the sums collected from these sources to be placed in a common treasury, and to be divided between the two countries by a per capita, or some other equally fair ratio. 3d. The admission of Dominion built ships and vessels to American registry, enrollment, and license, and to all the privileges of the coasting and foreign trade. 4th. The Dominion to enlarge its canals and improve the navigation of the St. Lawrence, and to aid in the building of any great lines of inter- national railroad, and to place the citizens of the United States in the same position as to the use of such works as enjoyed by the citizens of the Dominion, the United States, and the several States, giving the citizens of the Dominion the same rights and privileges over works of the same character in the United States. Oh motion of Mr. Plumer, the report was taken up for consideration, and the resolution was adopted nnanimously. FROM A UNITED STATES POINT OF VIEW. )E. MR. WIMAN BEFORE THE NEW YORK BOARD OF TRADE. [ to confer submit as. I by them ) Congress, t Coramis- jvernment reen Great Dominion prehensivfr he United the like cts of the (osition of From these It ween the I American coasting ligation of of inter- the same Ins of the pitizens of Ithe same ition, and New Youk, February 23. — The following? speech was delivered by the President of tlio Canadian Club btiforcs the New York Board of Trade and Transportation at the Hotel IJrunswick : — BWEEl'INO AWAV COMi IICIAL UAKUIKUS. Mr. WiMAN Hald that the poHslblUtit's aris- ing out of tlio freest commercial relatioiiH be- tween the Uiilte;l States and Canada were worthy of the hlKhost consideration. A period in tlie litetory of the two conntricH had been reiiched when it was possible that all tl»o commercial barriers between tliem conld be swept away. The time had come, the speaker believed, when it was feasible tliat the com- merce of tlie United States could pervade the wliole northern continent, and that, without let or hindrance, the development of tlie North- West, wlilch had been so marvellous, and whicii, so far as tlie United States were concerned, had now almost reached its bound- ary line, would continue to contribute to tlie greatness of this nation. This development Avithin tlie Canadian Hues had gone forward with a rapidity quite equal to that of the United States. The growth in all material respects of Canada, in her splendid cities, in the extension of her railways, the improve- ment of her public works, and in the steady progress of all that goes to make up a great nation, made her to-day a very attractive field for the extension of business. Have you realized the magnitude of Can- ada? Its area covers 3,600,000 square miles, while that of the United States covers only 3,036,000 square miles. Canada is equal in extent to nearly the wliole continent of Europe. It will be said that thr Is largely made up of inhospitable and unproductive regions. But the modlflcation of the climate, through the Influence of large bodies of fresh water, is sufficient to remove fron\ it the re- proach of sterility, till now its wheat-growing zone far exceeds that of the United States. ai)d wheat was one of the most delicate of plants. PUOl'OSED BECIPROCITY. If between that great country, possessing many advantages wliioh this country does not possess— if betweea these two great countries a complete commercial freedom should exist, is It not a question which should receive the most thorough and the most Im- 2 partial consideration J As a sign of the at- tention wliteh the matter was receiving, the bill as introduced in Congress by the Jlou. Benjamin Butterworth, of Ohio, was refen'ed to. That measure proposed a aee than one million two hundred thou- sand square ndles. If in this tcndtaicy north- ward, and all tht^se climatic advantages, ther(^ la fouiul an attraction in the wheat producing regions, surely, if the United Htati>8 can enjoy therein a market for Iht agricultural imple- ments, her boots and shoes, and all her other manufactures, and her natural produiits with- out let or hindrance, or without cost, why should »he not do sol The rapid settlement of the North- Western States makes certain an equally rapid settlement of North-Westeru Canada. THE HUDSON HAT RAILWAY. An outlet, via the Hudson Bay route, for the railway system, which in the last two years has been used as a supplement to the' Canada Pacific railway, is almost a certainty. With Winnipeg as near to Liverpool as New York, with an Inter-State Commerce bill which in the United States disturbs and upsets and revolutionizes the charges for transportation, the Hudson Bay railway is more likely to bo built than ever before. Why should not all this vast territory be made tributary to the growth and progress of the United States by breaking down all the barriers to commerce between them ? But it is not in flsli and wheat alone, or in the regions of trade which produce them to the greatest advantage, that a temptation Is. offered to the trade and commerce of the United States. THE LUMBER INTERESTS. In the single article of timber and lumber this vast country would receive an advantage far greater than on almost any other article. In Canada there are sixty different kinds of timber, and the forests of pine, of which there are nineteen varieties, possess for the United States an attraction of the greatest possible character. Think of the denuded forests of Maine and the Saginaw, and of the treeless prairie lands of the West, and of the necessity and activity of bviilding in the East, and then compare how inadequate is the supply of timber for the necessities of these localllties. In British Columbia alone the lumber industries of that province wUl arise to immense importance. To have free access to the vast forests which Canada controls,, and to have, without taxation or any bariler whatever, the best that the North American continent affords in the shape of woods, is to- place within the grasp of the residents of the United States a facility and advantage of the greatest value. At present a twenty per cent, duty on Canadian lumber Just adds so* COMMERCIAL US ION IX XOIiTIl AMEIilCA. 19 lumber Ivantage article^ t kinds >f whlcli for the greatest deimdetl id of the d of the ihe East, is the of these lone the^ ill arise )• access lontrols^ bariier merican >d8, is to- ts of the ;e of the >nty per ftdds ■» inbch to tho cost of tin* creation of liomoM. A freodom of «'oinnier(!lnl rclatloiu' Ix^twctMi tlie two coiiiitrleH would inort^aHo largely tli*' ]ioHHil)llit.v of ovoiy man owning Ills own vintt-clad cottaK*\ and chan^InK from Com- munlstHand AnarchlMts men who wctc proud to own lioiueH of tholr own. But aHldc fioui llHhoilcfl, Krain, and tlmlter, thoro aro numer- ouHolhoruatiiralproductH which thlHrountry iiecdH. NOVA SC'OTIAN VOK\. FIKI-DH. Tn the matter of Nova 8colla/i coals for the Eastern Btates, the advantages of tli" EaHt- ern manufacturei are clear. Not only iu Nova Heotla, hut throughout the Northwest- ern Territories there is a poHHlblllty of the "Widest devehipment of the coal regions. In Saskatchewan, Athabasca and other points ; there are workable seams of from four to ten feet In thickness of the best kind of coal, and in the npheavings of the Itocky Mountains the highest grades of anthraelte are reached Avithln the Canadian liorder. So far west as British Columbia, coal is now being shipped at the rate of three hundred thousand tons per annum to San Francisco, wheio it com- mands tho highest price, notwlthstaadlng a duty of twenty per cent, against It. From ocean to ocean, within the Canadian border, the geological details show great riches In the coal-producing territory, which ought to ho available to the United States by breaking down all commercial bairiers between It and Canada. Not the least of the advantages which AVOTild result from a free commercial relation would be the development of Cana- dian phosphates, which of late years have attracted a good deal of attention. The pro- duction has increased from five thousand four hundred tons in 1877, to twenty-five thousand tons in 1885. There is i^othing which the South so much lU'ods as the fer- tilizing iorces which Canadian phosphates, properly treated, would furnish. Tliere are numerous other natural products which it is needless to mention, but Including copper and iron, which are available for develop- ment. Almost a continent of productive power, possessing more than tho ordinaiy natural advantages, is available for American eutery|[^o, American capital, and American trade, if but the magic touch of Freedom and a free market is afforded to it. BELATIVK ADVANTAGES. It may he urged that the advantages to the United States will not he so great, from a complete fi-eedom of commercial intercourse, as they will he to Canada. Well, we cannot te-night go into a question of book-keeping. It is sufficient to know that Canadians them- selves do not think that the advantage would he on their side. They have some consider- able development in manufactures, which not a lew of them consider would be severely oompet<-d with by the skill, capital, and enter- Itrise of competitors from tlie United statei*, if the local market wcrt' open to tlu-m. But IlieHc inanufa<'turerH, no doubt, would lie willing to take their cliances. With tlie frugality of tlieir worklngnu>n, their in- dustry, the advantage of natuial leMources, great water-i>owers and other facilities, tlu'y would try to hold tluMr own. But It would be an even race, a friendly j'ompetitlon, wlifeh the manufacturers of the United states r..e certainly not afraid to en<'onnter. If their Canadian brethren a<'ro8s the border are ^^illing to take the risk. There are many proilucts tli»>re svliich niight tlnd a market hem. It would be an advantage to the ])eople if aueli could be the ease. It would be an e(|ual advantage to manufacturers here to have a nuirket such as is being developed, and in the next tlfty years will be developed, In the regions to the North-WcHt. It Is true that <'ompl»'te ctmunerclal freedom between tho United Htates and Canada would not be popular anuuig English nuinufaeturers. To tax goods of tho mother country at a liigli rate, and y»>t let the products of the United Htates come in free, would seem a poor reward to the mother land for all the costliness, the anxiety, and tho risk which she had hitherto encountertnl ; but if a great advantage could be secured to her oirsprlng by a commercial alliance sjich as is proposed, surely England will not exact so great a sacrifice as it would be to f rego the ofter. Tnere comes a period in the history of every nation, like that in the experience of every business man, when a change in relations opens and broadens oppor- tunities for advantage to employes or connec- tions, when if selfish considerations inter- vene, great injustice is done. Canada is woiklng out Its own destiny of self-govern- ment. English laws, English language, English literature, and loyalty to English in- stitutions pervade it completely and entirely That it should forever remain disassociated in a commercial point of view from the great nation on its holders s-ems unreasonable. If at this Juncture in affairs a complete commer- cial freedom could be created between the two countries, while many in England might oppose it. a popular vote in England would certainly couHrm it. It might be a difficult thing to accomplish, but not an impossible one ; and Canada is so far grown, so far inde- pendent, and so far self-reliant, that|a refusal to permit her to avail herself of the advan- tages of the vast market which the United States affords, and to become enriched by a closer contact with this glorious Republic, while still maintaining her loyalty to the British throne, would be an act of such in- justice as might materially lessen the loyalty to that throne. Viewed, therefore, from both a British and Canadian point of view, there seems no sufficient barrier to prevent th» so COMMEUCIdL U.MOX IX .SOUTH AMERICA. I rurrylnjc <»nt of tlic uropimltioii tliivt complfti! roniiiuii'clal froctlimi ulKiiiltlexlMt iMstvvtoii tlif tw«toouutri{«a. CANADA'S IH'.BT. Tt Ik truo tliiit CaiiHtla Iibm a vii«t poim- liir <1«>l)t In itroportloii U> Itx iiopiilatimi. IMh 4M)uall.v lru« tliat that ilfht Iihh hecii cieatiiii liy rcnilcrliiK arctMsllilt' aliiiOHt a coiittin'iit iif protliictlVHKiill. Koiiu' other iiKHlf of taxalioii Ihuii that (if (liitloH (III liiiporfatioiiM iiilRht have to he a(U>ptc(l, liiit llm fact that the iiiarkctH wliUh tl><> L'uited Ht.itcs afford coiihl be freely opened for her natural piodurtloiiM, Wduhl (lovelo)) wHh such rapidity the vast ri!Kl'»"« which theMo expenditures haveoiien- «d up, that Canadians would, no dcdht, gladly «ul»iiiit to taxation in dlften>nt fornm to make up for the loss of reTeniie now levied upon Inijmrts from the United Htates. Of course, there are diflBculth'M in the way of a i>rop(»sl- tlon for complete eonunercial InlercoiirHe, but tl-ey will dlsapiiear as tliey are aiiproachul; Jind if the New York Jioard of Tiado and other liberal eommerelal budles entertain fa- vorably Die idea ; if it i.-i made the suhject of dlMCUMsioa and investlKatlon, it is belUived that goiid results will follow. No better nds sloD can a man liav(« than to enlarge tho boundaries of comuK^rce. Next to IncnfaHlng faclUtica for itu acoommodation, the creation of new markets, thr onlarjromont of reaonrcea, and solldifylDK and building up of Die VMm- nierce of the country Is an object W(Mlliy of iiian'n hlglitmt pow(^rH. That tlilH nan be ao- couipllHhed in a greater degree by the pro- posed breaking down of coiiiinerciMl Itarrlera to tl>e north iH as clear as the noonday huh. The bill of Mr. Hiitterworth, therefore, la full of IntereHt, and though there Is no immedlato h(>p(< for its pansage, its scope aiai reKUltH may welf l>e discussed. Comparing it with the bill of Mr. Belmont for retHllatlou and non-intercourse, Is like comparing light with darkoesK. The Hutterwortli bill ^mrtakes of tlui spirit of the age, enlar^scd commen^lal freedom, a liberal treatment, u self-reliant attitude, and a comprelicnHiv(> polh'y. Mr. Itelmout's bill for retul'atlon and non Inter- course partakes of the dark agen, when by force and jirossure treaties were wrung from dependent natiOus, and natural advautagcs possessed by neighboring nations were seized regardlesA of sonsequeuces. As bctw(»u these two nieasureH the public will Judge, and 1 venture to predict that if the facts were properly put before the great Anu'rlean pnb- lie, a popular vote to-day anu>ng the fair- niiuded, liberal, enlightened nu'rchantsof the country would be ten to one in favor of com- ni«irc!al treadom between the countries on this continent. IS! THE CANADIAN FARMER'S FUTURE. AN OPEN I.K'rrKR FROM ERASTUS WIMAN, OF NEW YORK, -TO— VALANCEY E. FirXEU, I^t^., FARMERS' INSTITUTE CONVENTION, COURT HOUSE, TORONTO, ONTARIO. DEAB SIR : A Lkttku from you In the public prints of April 18, with H(iv«ral othorH from thinking farniors In various looalltloH, lr.(!fc,at«\s that tlio Convention of roprcHentatlvos of Farni- an' iDstltnti'H, to be hold In Toronto on tho 28Ui innt., will pohbohh more than ordinary Interest. It appears to bo universally ad- mitted that some changes are ahsolut(!ly essential to restore prosperity to the farming community of Canada. The object of the Convention Is avowedly to dlfcuss, a:>d if ])0S8lble discover, what remedies are avail- able to relieve the depressed condition, and gloomy prospect of that numerous and moat respectable class. It Is doubtful if in ail the world there is a community In whom the virtues of Industry, fruifality, or Integrity are more marked, thereby entitling them to the highest measure of comfort and happi- ness. Yet It may be doubted If there is any class of the community in Canada whose hard labors are so poorly requited; whose economies accomplish so little iu the shape of accumulations, or whose prospects are so uncertain. Thinking men who lova their country, and who look below the 8urfa( s, will see, in this condition, results most ^'■^^ astrous ; for, If the farmer cannot prosper in Canada, there is no hope for Canada. The whole superstructure of her commerce, and her manufactures rest upon his ability to consume and pay. If this ability is re- stricted, if it steadily deat Britain, one-half of the total value of the exports to that coun- try. Biit it is not by loans alone that the Canadian farmer has been endeavoring to get rich. In the language of Ooldwln Smith, he has been attempting to get rich by tax- ation—lifting himself by his boot straps, as it were. Just how far such a feat can be successful the present condition Illustrates. Perhaps the numerous delegations that have waited upon the Finance Minister, at Ottawa, to increase the duties levied on various necessities of life, may contribute U- a solution of the unhappy condition of the average Canadian farmer. Certainly, if a community can get rich by taxation, these gentlemen possess the remedy, for it follows that the greater the taxes the greater the lichos. But something more is needed. A reniwly greater and more effective la essential for the Canadian farmer than that which is to be found in borrowing (money or increasing taxation— something that will accomplish more than subsidizing railroads, building un- necessary canals, or spendiJig money ou cruisers to hunt down the shipping of ft friendly power. What is most needed by the Canadian farmer to-day is a better price for liis produce. What his ueoeasitles require is a larger market. 22 COMMEliCIAL UNION IN NORTE AMERICA. I 3 li The movement contemplated by yonr luHtltutes toward improved drainage, the encouragement of breeding horses, and to- ward better fertilizers, la good and wise in its way. But, if beside this, a grei,r and near-by market can be secured, if con- tinuously better prices are possible, this, and this alone, will bring back prosperity to the Canadian farmer. It may well be asked, how can this great boon be achieved] I answer, it is within the grasp of Cana^la to- day. By a complete reciprocity with the United States, a market such as the world has net or equalled, is open to every Canadian farmer. A wealthy and extravagant people are at her very bordeis, and badly need her products. They are willing and ready to pay liberally for them, and to adrait thom free of duty. The only condition they exact is that their products should be admitted into Canada on the same terms. In other words, that there should be as complete an inter- change of pi*oducts between the United States and Canada as there is between Ontario and Quebec— as there is between New York and New Jersey. These are the provisions of the bill introduced Into Con- gress by the Hon. Benjamin Butterworth, of Ohio— a bill that will become a law within a year, if Canada shows a disposition to co-operate on the earn' lines. It needs only that resolutions fa\i)rable to such a movement should pass the Canadian Parlia- ment, and that there should be no more irri- tation on the fishery question. It needs only a kindly, neighborly disposition on the part of Canada, and the greatest boon which the United States can gi-ant, or which tlie Canadian farmer can receive, is within the possibilities of an early day. It may be said that thes*^ possibilities are overiated, and that the ideas expressed by the British Lion Tail-twisters in Congress, and elsewhere in the United States, indicates a hostility to Canada, and that reciprocity, in the present condition of public sentiment, is out of the question. It can be forcibly replied, that the vast mass of thinking men in the United States feel that an abolition of all trade restrictions on tliis continent is most desir- able; that from the President and bis Cabi- net, down to these very Tail-twist«r8 them- selves, not a man of prominence has yet expressed himself but has been favorable to a settlement of all international ditBculties by a Conimercial Union between Canada and the United States. A Reciprocity Treaty, such as existed from 1854 to 1867 (under which Canadian farmers prospered as they never prospered before or since), is an Impossibility. Ameri- cans fesi that it was one-sided and unfair to them ; and such a partial and temporary remedy is now clearly oat of the question. Bat that it is posaible to pass an Act con- templating the more comprehensive measure, whereby there will be secured a permanent and complete commercial nnion between the two great Englisli sp'^aking nations of the North, no one here doubts who watches the signs of the times. Its very comprehensive- ness makes it '^(tractive. The possibilities of an extension of the trade of the United States into the unknown regions of the North, the advantages that would result from the free introduction of the great agricultural, mineral and other resources of the Dominioii. together with the prospect of settling, once iot all, the various inter- national differences that continually arise: these considerations help forward a favorable conclusion. The financial condition of the United States, her vast surplus, the necessity ol reduction in her taritf revenues, are also important factors, while the peculiar rela- tion of political parties, one to the other, on this quMtion.make the time an opportune one for tA passage of an Act favorable to Commercial Union with Canada. It has all along been felt by Canadian residents here, who closely felt the pulse of public sentiment, that If only the fishery question could approach even a temporary adjustment, during this Spring, the best results would follow, in the shape of a friendly discussion of enlarged commercial relations between the two countries. Fears were entertained that by some injudicious seizure In the Gulf of St. Lawrence, some harsh or mistaken proceeding, the growing sentiment favorable to an amicable settle- ment of this vexed question would bo turned into a feeling of indignation and hostility, resulting in retaliation, non-intercourse, and perhaps actual war. Under conditions of such suspense, and in the face of danger, come the proposals for settlement of the fishery question on the basts proposed by Lord Salis- bury, whereby the right to fish in Canadian waters, and to buy supplies, is awarded on condition that Canadian fish are admitted to the United States free of duty. This proposal, if carried out, while it seems to yield important privileges, is one that is destined to accomplish results more bene- ficent than it has ever been the good fortune of any British minister to accomplish on this continent. Not only does it seem like a divine intervention, to settle at a most critical mo- ment a question that was assuming a most serious shape, but it comes like a mes<>..ge of peace to the American people, yielding up to them valuable privileges, and Inviting them to take the first step in the direction of free commercial intercourse, which they will not be slow to follow. For the settle- ment of the fishery question in this way does not necessarily close the dlacaasion of en- larged international relations. On the con- trary, this a^uatment only opens it up, and COMMERCIAL UNION IN NORTH AMERICA. 23 an a manner that frees it from the only Berioas source of complication, so that with a,U the conditions favorable, already referred to as existing in this country, it seems not Improbable, now tliat public attention has been directed to the question, tliat a very little effort would result In such action by Congress as would, so far as it is concerned, remove all barriers to the freest commercial intercourse with Canada. That this action coald be helped forward by some expression from the Canadians themselves no one aoubts ; and it remains for Canadian larmers to insist tliat their representatives in Parlia- ment should give this expression of wishes shape and form. In talcing this step the larmers would vastly Improve their pros- pects, and maltea move toward increasing the value of every acre of land, and every article of produce they could grow. All the advantages of an open market, with «ixty millions of people,are within their grasp. All the advantages of contiguity, o^excellent means of communication, of extreme pros- perity among liberal buyers, without the payment of duty, without the sacrifice of a single political principle— all this within a year is possible to the Canadian farmer. If he chooses to exert his influence on bis repre- sentative in Parliament at Ottawa. It need not be a party question. It is better that it should not be. Farmers may differ about religious matters, or on politics, or on modes of cultivation, but there can be no difference in opinion as to the benefits of a free and open market, with the most progressive and the wealthiest nation of the continent. There can be no difference of oi)inion as to the ad- vantage resulting xrom a.n advance in prices of every bu^nel of barldy, of every horse that is fo'' sale ove" t>»e border, for every lamb tha'j bleats, for every chicken, or even for ever J dozen eggs that the farmer's wife gathers -and last year the United States re- ceived from Canada fourteen million dozen of eggs ! This is a question of economics, not of politics, and hence, can be discussed In farmers' institutes with perfect propriety. Sut it is the duty of politicians of all shades to examine It, and it is within the power of politicians of both parties to promote it. The farmer certainly, whose interests above all others should be watcheil, and by every means promoted, has the right to demand that his representative should investigate the aiibject, that he sould not be bound down by party lines on a matter of such moment, And that he should vote tor such measures or resolutions as would ludicate to the United Btates the wishes of bis constituents. If the farmers will let their wishes be known to their members by letters and petitions, on •even postal cards, their voice will be potent. Pew men at Ottawa will fail to heed the «xpros8ioii of a nnanimtins sentiment for a larger market and better prices, if urged upon them by anything like a united and hearty movement of their constituents. There are not a few who think that the present moment is the most important one for the future ot Canada tliat has yet occurred in her liistory. A great opportunity exists for vastly improving her prospects by a com- mercial alliance with a neighboring nation. By this alliance, and still remaining a British Colony, and working out In her own way the problem ot self-government, she can be inde- pendent ot all the evils that beset a repub- lic, and yet, by this commercial bargain, our native country can have all the untold ad- vantages of vast markets ; share in the wealth of the most money-making and most progressive people in the world ; compete in manufactures at all points, with the ad- vantages of great natural products, abundant water powers and a frugal and Industrious population. By this means, and by this alone, can the world be taught that Canada can hold her own in a free market with the pro- ducts of her farms, of her fisheries, or of her factories : it remains with the farmers of Canada to see that this chance is afforded her. I trust you, and other farmers who may read this letter, will pardon the presumption which prompts it, but situated as 1 am, with common interests, with a knowledge of the common welfare of the two countries, and, as I grow older, with my thoughts and attec- tions turning to my native land, I cannot resist the temptation to point out what I con- ceive to be the path that leads to her pros- perity. Communities here, without one-half the natural advantages which Canada pos- sesses, are In the highest degree prosperous. The mortgage indebtedness in whole States has been enormously reduced, If not entirely liquidated; where ten years ago the inteiest account from the West to the East was a heavy burden, there are now numerous farmers in the West who seek investment in the East. Local and governutcntal Indebt- edness is being rapidly reduced; g'-eat pro- jects carried forward within the mei-ns of each locality, and without borrowing a dol- lar, and a general condition of hopefulness and material strength unequalled elsewhere in the world. These are not from any dift'er- ence in form of government, or any advan- tages from political organic policy, except and save the one that, as between the varied com- monwealths of the Union there aie no com- mercial barriers. The activities of the one help to build up, support, and make prosper- ous the activities of the other. Canada, self- reliant, self-poised by a commercial union, can be made the equal. If not greater than any of these great commonwealths, and thereby possessed of a greater prosperity than ever entered the heart of man to con- ceive. Thus, while under existing conditions 24 COMMERCIAL UNION IN NORTH AMERICA. her vast natural resources and geographical advantages are restricted, aud from present indications yield her but a partial and meagre prosperity at best, she could at one Iwund become the moat envied of all nations in the world. She might then become the most pros perous and the most contented, as she is even now the richest country in the world, though the want of development renders her liable to the reproach that she is one of tlic poorest. I venture to address this letter to you, sir, because ol he worthy position which yon occupy, an . the public sDirit that you have evinced iu the promotion of the agricultural interests of your native land, and 'jecause of your well-known liberality and activity in promoting eveiything that advances the> good of your fellow countrymen. Faithfully yours, ERASTUS WIMAN. New York. April 2(!, 1887. IS RECIPROCITY POSSIBLE? A SECOND LETTER TO VALANCE Y E. FULLER, Esq., PRESIDENT' OF THE FARMERS' INSTITUTE CONVENTION, -FROM— ERASTUS WIMAN, OF NEW YORK. Dear sir':— Yon are good eLDngh, in your recent cominunicationp, to say that the lettei" which I took the liberty of sending you two weeks ago, on the Farmer's Future, has not only heen almost universally read, hut by the fanners has. been almost universally approved. Yoti further inform me that one of the chief difficulties encountered in the Dominion by the advocates of Commercial Union between Canr.daand the United States, is the doubt that in the'latterlcoui^try a move- ment to accomplish this piUDose could be successfully carried out. From what you say. In some quarters it appears to be feared that the great boon which Canada might secure by this arrangement is not within her grasp, and that, untU there is better evidence of the expectation being fultilled in the United States, it is unwise to evoke an ex- pression in Canada in its favor. It is not surprising that such a doubt exists, and you urge me to write you another letter for pub- lication, setting forth tlie reasons why this hope Is entertained that action favorable to Commercial Union can be secured in the United States. It must be admitted that the possibilities on the surface seem uncertain of carrying through Congress a measure such as that proposed by Mr. Butterwouth, which, if it became law, and was met by a cones- ponding acjion of the Parliament ol Canada, would result in Commercial Union between th« two countries. Judged by the frequent expression of hostility to Great Britain by professional politicians who hope thereby to catch the vast Irish vote, no action favorable to a colony of that empire might be expected in this country. Equally impossible does it seem that any movement toward reciprocity is possible in the fa«e of the abrogation of the treaty which prevail<^d from 1854 to 1866, and the determined opposition which meets any proposition to renew that convention. To these two apparently true indications of adverse public sentiment is added a keen sense of the injustice which the action of the Canadian government conveys to the people of this country by defending the Fisheries of Canada with armed cruisers, and by insisting on such an interpretation of the Treaty of 1818 as makes a convention of comity an eugine of hostility to the people for whose benefit it was agreed to. How thoroughly Justified the Canadi m govei nment may be In what it has done, or is doing in this regard, makes IlttPj dlfiferenca so far as feeling here is concei'-ed, as in shown by the decisive movement In Congress on the retaliation bill, a movement which has hardly a parallel In any legislative body In times of peace, in the extent of damage it would inflict, not only on a nearby neighbor, but on this country itself. In view of all these and other indications. It does seem Incredible tliat an arrangement might be reached by action In the Congress of the United States, whereby every barrier which exists between the trade of the two oountries could be swept away ; that an ar- rangement could bo reached, not only adjust- ing all existing differences, and removing the possibility of future complications, but that each country should open to the other Its ter- rltory for the freest commercial Intercourse. The difference in the I wo conditions, as they exist now, and as they would exist then, is so marked as to seem Impossible ot achievement in the present state of feeling. It Is there- fore no wonder you say our friends in Canada liesitato to believe the good news to be true, th'it it is possible in the near future to work out a change so gi'eat, and full of results of such magnitude. But in reply to this apparei tly reasonable inference, it may be said that the surface In- dications ara leally not seriously Influential. Thus, the desire to catch the Irish vote will never seriously interfere with action to im- mensely beuetit the country. While there is lots of buncombe, and plenty of resolutions ou paper regarding Ireland, and apparent an- tagoulnm to England, no real leiilslation has been affected thereby. So with regard to limited reciprocity, the objection to the old treaty was not against the principle itself, so . much as against wliat was considered to be the one-sldeduess of the treaty. This objec- tion is entlrelj removed when a Complete Re- ciprocity Is proposed. In the proposed uni-- versal exchange ot products and manufac- tures, such aa Is Implied in Commercial L njon, . mMmmmmimimiitm 96 COMMEliCIAL UNION IN NOItTH AMERICA. S.' the opponents of the old convention absolutely ■Tjecome the advocates of the new plan. Then, "\vlth regard to the Fishery question, if the ad- verse action thereon is not too harsh and Irri- tatluR, it can be made a positive force contri- butory to the movement for such a wide and permanent adjustment of the relations between the two countries as will forever re- Inove the possibility of a recurrence of these tlifferences, 80 you will see that In all the ap- liarent impediments to favorable action in Congress In behalf of unrestricted intercourse. It would not take much to change them to Impelling motives In this direction. That these conclusions are justfled, it is only necessary to point out the fact that the introdactiou of the Butterworth bill has been almost universally commended. There is hard- ly a public man on either side of politics, who has been consulted, but has expressed an ■opinion favorable to it. It is true that some see ditflculties in the way— some cannot be- lieve that England will consent to permit Canada to admit free of duty the manufac- tures of the United States, while she exacts «,duty on those of Great Britain. It is true, many fail to immediately .n>prchend how the ^details are to be worked out, how the tariff of the two countries is to be adjusted, and the combined revenues to bo distributed. But where one is met who urges objections such •■as these, titty are pronounced in favor of an ex- tension of the commerce of the United States Into a country larger than their own on the one hand; and, on the other hand, equally in favor of having free access to the enormous 'resources of Canada, in her fisheries, miner- als, timber, and agricultural products. These, It is argued, can all be made immensely cou- •tiibutory to the progress of the United Htates; -and, as the public revenues now show a sur- plus of over one hundred millions of dollars per annum more than is needed for the ex- •pensos of the government and the extinguish- ment of the public debt, the proposition to ■•abolish all the duties on Cauailian products, of all kinds, tlnds exceeding favor, provided a similar movi iit is simutaneoualy made ■in Canada. It i,i one of the modes by which the public revenues can be reduced witnout imperilling auy distinctive interest. ludoed, •in many minds, the very interests which a high tariff has stimulated, are advanced by 'the possibility of opening up new markets •on the one hand, and the bringing in raw material from new "ources, without duty, •on the other. As has already been said, the .proposition for commercial union, in the United States, appeals with equal force to the iprotectionistand the free trader, for to the one it is a free ti ansfer of products into a country ■already protected, while to the other it is an •extension of commerce, without burdening the product with taxation, and admitting -tree of duty the large contributions of raw material which Canada can make. Indeed the effect of an arrangement with Canada, would probably be to lower the United States tariff, while calling for a slight advance of that of Canada, so as to attsiln a uniformity the change In either need not be marked. A very important consideration to be borne in mind is, that while no distinctive interest in the United States is threatened by a change so great, no distinctive political party Is opposed to it. The contributions of CHnavlthal, so firm and yet so friendly. No one can liave watched the policy of the Washington admin- istration closely— no one who has any know- ledge of its tendencies, or is at all familiar with their personnel, but will be satisfied, that if the Canadian people through its Parliament Indicate a desire to be commercially united with the United States, the movement WDuld have a hearty support from the President and his Cabinet. Hence, the Importance of prompt action In Canada, for over one-half the term of the present administration has al- ready expired, and a new election eighteen months hence may make all the difference In the world. I now come to a motive that here helps for- ward the desire for Commercial Union, which needs to be handled very gingerly. This motive is to hope tliat, should the Canadians be brought into a closer commercial relation with the United States, It would, in time, be followed by a political alliance. It is the dream of some good people that the form of republican goverment should cover the con- tinent; and it Is to many a matter of real surprise that Canada has not long ago bid «ood-bye to Great Britain, and sought admis- «ion into the American Union. It Is, however, proper to say that to the vast mass of Ameri- cans it is a matter of perfect indifference whether Canada is annexed or not; while there is a considerable section who would dtrongly oppose it, because of the nerious political complications that would follow In ▼lew of party Infiuences, and the uncer- tainties it would beget as to party triumphs for years to come, lint Commercial Union, while it seems to be a step in the right direc- tion for those wbo desire a pv^litical union, does not, to others who are ludlh'erent, imply more than It really performs ; while to the politician it threatens no disturbance in calcu- lations and combinations. So that, vast as are the consequences that may flow from it commercially, its political slgniflcance is by no means certain, and it thus commends Itselt alike to all. Bight here let me say a word or two about the view of 'this matter In Canada. Be- cause any considerable section in the United States advocate Commercial Union, in the hope that it will be followed by annexation, it does not Imply that in Canada such a motive should prevail. Canada cannot be annexed without her free and hearty consent, and those who are familiar with the loyalty that permeates her through and through, know that unless under great stress of absolute and sorrowful necessity, she will never lessen her allegiance to Great Britain. The material advantages whicn a connection with the United States would bring would be the only Justification for the step. To save the country from life-long bankruptcy, and to put her people on the high plane of prosperity, might to the majority be deemed sufficient to pal llate a peaceful revolution, whereby Canada should sever her connection with the dear mother-land. But, thank God I this is un- necessary. All that annexation would bring in Its material advantages. Commercial Union brings; all that the closer political alliance would accomplish In benefits to Canada is accomplished by complete reciprocity. With Commercial Union granted, there is nothing In the form of goverment in the United States that will give to Canadians any advantasre which they would not then pos- sess; and Biitish connection, with all its advantages, and the glory of all its tradi- tions, would be more permanent than ever before. The logic of this conclusion is irresistible, and parties in Canada who attribute annexation motives to Canadian advocates of Commercial Union show only how partially and imperfectly they under- stand what they are talking about. For the strongest advocate of Commercial Union with the United States, Is, in the existing conditions of Canada, the strongest advocate for political union with Great Britain. Another class in the United States who favor Commercial Union with Canada are found in those who regard her Sv r<'.^presentat'ves today by a large majority, jtrovided an expression favorable to the measure could be had from tho people of Canada through their Parliament. Aside from the foregoing considerations which prevail in the United States, favorable to a commercial union with Canada, there are numerous others of equal weight, but I have exhausted both your patience and the space rightly belonging to me. I admit ihatl have done only partial Justice to the subject, but it is too large a matter to be dis- cussed within a narrow space, and some fu- ture opportunity must be taken to amplify the facts as they exist here. I would not have obtruded myself upon yon and your as- sociates again, but for your urgent request that I should give the reason for the faith that was in me, that the sentiment in this c» autry in favor of reciprocity with Canada could be greatly augmented if a dis- position was shown in the Dominion in that direction. To be associated with you, sir. In your caph;«.lty as a leader among an army so vast as the farmers of my native laud— so stal- wart, so frugal, and so worthy, and yet so- helpless In their present condition, and so hopeless as to their future— to be engaged wUhthemlna mission to accomplish a pur- pose so great as that of throwing open the markets of these vast commonweaJths to the*r free access, is snfSclent to stimulate one to the greatest exertions, and the greatest sacrifices. I thank you most heartily for the kind words you have said, as to the efforts- that are being put forth to beget a proper understanding of this great question on both sides of the line. And with much regard, I remain, Faithfully years, ERASTUS WIMAN. r COMPLETE RECIPROCITY. SHORT EXTRACTS AND LETTERS. ^Exb act jyom S2)eech on Retaliation Bill by Hon. Robert R. ITitt, Member of Congress from Illinois.'] " And let me not speak of 'reciprocity ' without expressinp; a liearty hope that we shall yet have reciprocit.y ct^uiplete with our northern neighbors — no one-sided game, as it was the last time when we made a treaty in 18ri4, in ^Avhich we were so thoroughly outwitted, that under it we gave to the Canadians a market for $229,000,000 worth of their products to come in with- out paying duty during the time that reciprocity treaty was in force, while under it they gave us a market free of duty for scarce more than half as much. So ingeniously w^as it framed at our expense that it admitted free of duty 94 per cent, of all Canada had to sell to us, and left 42 per cent, of all we sold to Canada still burdened by their tariff. In spite of kindly feel- ing for neighbors, and desire to see enlarging commerce, we soon had enough of such costly reciprocity, and tenninatod the treaty. Of a far different stamp is that wider, fairer reciprocity contemplated in the bill introduced a ■day or two ago by my friend from Ohio [Mr. Butter worth], whi<;h would abolish all diities on the Canadian border, make a common tariff and cus- toms union, sweep away all custom houses across the whole continent, dis- pense with the whole consular service in Canada, and remove all custom house lines to follow the lines of the ocean. I would gladly see that done. But it will not be a reciprocity like the last, which denied to our manufac- tures the market of Canada, and gave to Canadian agriculture tlie vast mar- ket for their products which our splendid manufacturing system and popu- lous centres had slowly built up." ^Extract from Sj)eech on Retaliation Bill by Hon. N. Dingley, Jr., Manner of Congress from Maine.'] "I may add in passing — although this question is not involved in the liresent controversy with Canada — that when this question of the reciprocal privileges of all the vessels of the United States and Canada, in the ports of each country, shall be settled, 1 shall for one, and in my judgment this country will, be ready at any time to give a candid consideration to any propositions looking to real reciprocal trade relations with Canada. By real reciprocal trade relations I mei;in such as will.adiait the manufactured products of this country into Canada free of duty, while retaining a duty on the manufactured products of Great Britain and other countries, in return for an admission of Canadian products into our country free of duty, while we retain duties as to similar articles imported from other countries. But auch one-sided reciprocity as that provided by the treaty of 1854, we do not ufacturer. " I cannot conceive that the majority of our Manufacturers are incapable of holding their own against the Americans. This is no. question of ' Protection.' We do not seek to give our markets to the Americans unless they give us theirs in return. We take the broad' ground that the interests of the farmers of On. tario are paramoiint to those of auy other class and that the progress of Ontario has been through, and is dependent upon, the pros- perity of the farmers. This is an indisputable fact, and if the removal of all restrictions on trade between the Dominion and the United^, States will benefit you, through you it will benefit the whole country. The farmers of, Ontario have never appreciated their own importance, nor have they In the past as a united whole asked for that which their own good sense tells them will be for their future welfare and prosperity. Are we to continue in this condition 1 It rests with you to decide.. The means is given you through this Instiiute to make your voice felt. Look to your own Interests, other bodies will take care of theirs but in so doing you have the comforting cont° vlction that while you are protecting and fostering your own calling, you are acting for the welfare of the whole. If you approT«- of this Resolution,. let not the matter rest 32 COMMERCIAL UNION IN NORTH AMERICA. here. Ubc, each and all of you, your influonco to Qiake tins issuo a live one. AdtlreHH, or soo your member of the Uouaeof CommoiiH, and make him feel that the interest of tlie real power of his constituency— the farmers- demand and must receive his best attention ; that lio represents you, not hirnHclf or any particiilur class. This is not a party question but it is one in wliicli every fanner, reKai'N lliui n itroclniiia- tloii Hliimlil be iHHuett by the Uovurnur lu coiiiicll. Thus for twenty.one yt'arH Ciininln lins l)«»m ii.MkliiK iiH to renew oiir fornmr friendly imd rwlpiixal tnidn lelntlonH with lier. To all tlilH we have tiirnetl a deaf car, and In none of tlm piovlHlonH now before ConnreHH provldlnj^ for extended and fiee reclpiocal trade n^latlonH with all otlnu' countileH on thlH 1ienitN|>ltere, Ih there a Mingle provlHhtn made for thoHu of Oaniida. ConMld(>iatlonn of InttMTiatlonal etlquett»> maybe urged against extending snthayio vision to a coiintiy which has a nominal colonial existence, Bnt when she has arrived at a period of her lilstory, wlien she makes her own tarltl' and unmakes It, independent of and without reference to the Impeilal gov- vrnmenf, she Is entitled to full recognition In the great sisterhood of utiiteH In all such commercial relations. Shall we commit any offense against Eng- land In extending this offer to .,'auada! Let UH see what some of her people say. No longer ago than last may Jos»>ph riiam- berlain said In the British Houseof Commons that the legislature of Canada was free to pass an act declaring her Independence and sovereignty, anil no man lu tliat house Avould raise u voice or hand against it, while John Bright declared to an eminent Canadum statesman that Canada should ccmsult her real Interests by cultivating close relations ■with the great people on the south of her, :ts nature seemed to have oue destiny for li ih countries. The Dominion of Canada has ii larger area than the whole of the United States it we exclude Alaska, reaching from the Atlantic to the Pacitic, and with no thought of magni- fying the Importance of our great neighbor of the north over those countries on the .south, permit me to Invite your attention to a few statistics, which show how intimately we are bound by great ar^ >rles of trade to the Dominion of Cau.ada. To make our llgurealr.celllglble and fully understood, I shall have to place In contrast our trade relations between the countries north and south of us as shown by the statis- tics of thosa-conntries. In 1885 the amount of goods Imported into the Dominion of Canada from Great Britain and the United States wore as follows : From Great Britain, $43,418,000 ; from the United States, $50,492,832. While daring this siime peilod the aggregate Impoits of all the Central and South American States were «323,800,000, of which amount the United States contributed $27,589,429, and to all the countries south of the Bio Grande we sold $81,719,000, about 20 per cent, more than was sold to our neighbor, Canada. Thus to all this vast territory on the south, containing a population of OT«r 4A,000,0(M), there was nold *-..!. about 20 per cent, more than to the Famlnlon of Canada, containing u population of but n,0()0,iM)0 of people. To illustrate further, the relative import- tLKi'Vi of these commert hil relations, the HtatlsticH show that the exports of ('anatia per capita were greater than those of the United States, and her per capita imports are also gieater than our own. Her per capita railway mileage Is about the same as those of the United States. Her growth of population from the date of our Declaration of Indepen- dence up to the prcKcnt day has been equal to our own, ours at that date being about 3,000,000, and hers being less than 300,000. The records of her criminal courts show that she has a smaller percentage of crime than we have. She is the only country in the world whose national debt is not a war debt, with the ex(»(» mllex northweHt of Ht. Paul we find a.itually the great wheat fields of Mils continent, and which when fully developed, will not only eijual, but far surpass the great Odessa region In Russia, and 40,000 H.juare miles of coal underlie this same territory. Those are some of the past and present con- dltl.,ns of our relations to this great country rhe great question Is what shall be their future? Shall we extend the same courtesy to her that we are exton.llng to our southern uelghborsf Why should we not} Hhall we remove the custom house, or shall wf , nort them by two lines of fortlttcathn. . h nearly 4,000 miles long, the one built by our Helves and the other by our neighbors 1 It Is for our governmenl to say.