that purpose. By
something of argument and something of art, the scheme was defeated.
The opposition, led usually by Holman, of Indiana, consisted largely of
Democrats. Their reason was loss of revenue. That fact was always
admitted by the friends of the treaty. It was claimed also that there
was no advantage gained by the country from the introduction of rice
and sugar from the islands duty-free. It was asserted by the
combinations the prices were as high on the Pacific Coast as on the
Atlantic. On the other hand the Louisiana sugar planters opposed the
treaty on the ground that they were unfavorably affected. As the
importations from the islands never exceeded four per cent of the
consumption of the country, the treaty had no perceptible effect upon
prices. The sugar and rice interests were reinforced by the delegations
from Michigan, Ohio and Vermont, who opposed the treaty under an
apprehension that it would operate as a precedent for a revival of the
system of reciprocity with Canada.

The fact of the annexation of Canada to the United States, whether the
event shall occur in a time near or be postponed to a time remote,
depends probably on our action upon the subject of reciprocity.

Canada needs our markets and our facilities for ocean transportation,
and, as long as these advantages are denied to her, she can never attain
to a high degree of prosperity. England may furnish capital for
railways, but railways are profitable only where there is business and
production on the one hand, and markets on the other. The system of
qualified intercourse tends to make the Canadian farmer dissatisfied
with his condition, and as long as there are cheap lands in the United
States he will find relief in emigration.

The time, however, is not far distant, when the Canadian farmer will be
unable to sell his lands in the Dominion and with the proceeds purchase
a home in the States. When that time arrives he will favor annexation
as a means of raising his own possessions to a value corresponding to
the value of land in the States. The body of farmers, laborers, and
trading people will favor annexation, ultimately, should the policy of
non-intercourse be adhered to on our part, and they will outnumber the
office-holding class, and thus the union of the two countries will be
secured. It is apparent also that a policy of free intercourse would
postpone annexation for a long time, if not indefinitely. Give to the
Cana