In his message to Congress, Taft said the time for closer economic relations with Canada was now, with past disputes between the two nations now rightly consigned to the history books.

“One by one the controversies resulting from the uncertainties which attended the partition of British territory on the American Continent at the close of the Revolution, and which were inevitable under the then conditions, have been eliminated--some by arbitration and some by direct negotiation,” he wrote. “The merits of these disputes, many of them extending through a century, need not now be reviewed. They related to the settlement of boundaries, the definition of rights of navigation, the interpretation of treaties, and many other subjects. Through the friendly sentiments, the energetic efforts, and the broadly patriotic views of successive administrations, and especially of that of my immediate predecessor, all these questions have been settled.”

Unfortunately for reciprocity proponents on both sides of the border, Taft said Canada was now at a “parting of the ways” which soon became a rallying cry for anti-free traders north of the border.

“The Dominion has greatly prospered. It has an active, aggressive, and intelligent people. They are coming to the parting of the ways,” Taft wrote. “They must soon decide, whether they are to regard themselves as isolated permanently from our markets by a perpetual wall or whether we are to be commercial friends. If we give them reason to take the former view, can we complain if they adopt methods denying access to certain of their natural resources except upon conditions quite unfavorable to us?”

That controversary, however, was well into the future as the American President concluded his upbeat message to Congress.

“Since becoming a nation, Canada has been our good neighbor, immediately contiguous across a wide continent without artificial or natural barrier except navigable waters used in common,” Taft said. “She has cost us nothing in the way of preparations for defense against her possible assault, and she never will. She has sought to agree with us quickly when differences have disturbed our relations. She shares with us common traditions and aspirations. I feel I have correctly interpreted the wish of the American people by expressing in the arrangement now submitted to Congress for its approval, their desire for a more intimate and cordial relationship with Canada. I therefore earnestly hope that the measure will be promptly enacted into law.”

You can read President Taft’s message in full at this link.