ken the system, and the
conversion of the provinces of Canada into states of our Union
would introduce new elements of discord, while with Canada as an
independent and friendly republic we could, by treaties or concurrent
legislation, secure to each the benefit of free trade and intercourse
with the other, and without the danger of weakening the United
States. Great Britain, the common mother of both republics, could
take pride in her progeny and be relieved from the cares and
controversies that have arisen and will arise in her guardianship
of Canada. Her policy in recent years has been to surrender, as
much as possible, her legislative power over Canada, but, as Canada
is not represented in parliament and cannot be represented by a
minister at Washington, the spectacle of a British minister of the
highest rank engaged in an effort to negotiate a treaty for the
benefit of Canada about bait and fish and fisheries, imposing
restrictions of trade in direct opposition to the policy of the
mother country. This condition of Canada constantly invites a
breach of the peace between the United States and Great Britain,
but with Canada governed by a parliament and by local assemblies in
the provinces on a plan similar to our own, the two republics would
be independent of each other, and could arrange their matters
without any other country to interfere.

There were many other measures of interest and importance in the
discussing and framing of which I participated at this session,
but as this is not a general history of Congress, I do not deem it
necessary to mention them in detail.

CHAPTER LV.
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION OF 1888.
Majority of the Ohio Delegates Agree to Support Me for President--
Cleveland and Thurman Nominated by the Democrats--I Am Indorsed by
the State Convention Held at Dayton, April 18-19--My Response to
a Toast at the Americus Club, Pittsburg, on Grant--Meeting with
Prominent Men in New York--Foraker's Reply to Judge West's Declaration
Concerning Blaine--Blaine's Florence Letter to Chairman Jones--His
Opinion of My Qualifications for the Honorable Position--Meeting
of the Convention in Chicago in June--I Am Nominated by General D.
H. Hastings and Seconded by Governor Foraker--Jealously Between
the Ohio Delegates--Predictions of My Nomination on Monday, June
25--Defeated by a Corrupt New York Bargain--General Harrison is
Nominated--Letters from the President Elect--My Replies--First
Speeches of