Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 10.djvu/830

 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CANADIAN MIGRATION

At not infrequent intervals the student of New World politics has thrust upon his notice the various problems arising from the dependency of the Dominion of Canada. It may be the announce- ment that a resolution has been introduced in Congress 1 to the effect that the President be requested to learn and advise Congress upon what terms, if any, honorable to both nations and satis- factory to the inhabitants of the territory primarily affected, Great Britain would consent to cede to the United States all or any part of the territory lying north of and adjoining the United States; or it may be the rumor of discontent over the deliberations of the Alaskan Boundary Commission; 2 or it may be the perpetual question of retaliatory tariff legislation that keeps to the front the fact that Canada is not likely to remain in her present colonial status for any long period. Speculation upon the outcome natur- ally raises some questions in the mind of every British American resident in the United States ; and it is from that standpoint that I propose to discuss the thought which has been suggested.

The sentiment embodied in the resolution mentioned is not new to the American politician, as it has been broached more than once in national party conventions, and was embodied in the Articles of Confederation; nor is it distasteful to the average citizen of the United States. For purposes of discussion at least, let us therefore assume that, so far as this country is concerned, Canada may enter the Union any time she pleases. Let us see, in the first place, what grounds Americans have for believing that Canada is desirous of changing her allegiance; second, what Canadian sentiment is in regard to such a proposition; and, third, what the effect of such a change would be.

So far as the first inquiry is concerned, it takes no special acumen to see that the average man bases his belief on the fact that Canadians are about him on every side. He may know

1 February as, 1903. * October, 1903.

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