The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-05-18

square miles IS as follows:
Hawaii .....4,OOO Molokai ......13O
Maui ....... $50 Lanai ........ 100
Oahu $1,000. $50 Niihau $500. go
Kauai ...... 500 Kahoolarre. -. 60
Total $3.50
The group contains a population Of
about 80. 1000 natives and half-breeds and
about 5000 whites.
The extremes OF latitude and longitude
are from 10 deg. so min. to % deg. 20
min. north latitude, and from 154 deg. SO
min. to 100 deg. Is min. west longitude.
The position is nearly equi-distant from
Central America, Mexico, California and
the northern coast on the one side, and
the Russian Dominions, Japan. China and
the Philippine Islands on the other.
Honolulu, the capital of the principal
Islands, has been appropriately termed the
''half-way.house of the Pacifc"-the dis
lance from there to Shanghai being 4,47O
miles, to Panama 4,76O, to Sydney 1880
miles, and vessels, bound from San Fran
cisco to either OF those places, touch at
Honolulu, both going and coming. The
climate is the most equitable and salubri-
Gus in the world; for, according to meteoro-
logical observations taken, it appears that
there is only about six degrees difference
in the range of the thermometer between
a midsummer and a mid winter month
Is to 80 degrees being the usual te,npera.
ture of heat.
The soil is exceedingly rich and fertile.
and there are raised in the Islands nearly
all of the agric ultural productions of the
temperate, with some that are peculiar
to the torrid zone. Coffee gro VS. there Of
a superior quality, and the markets of Cal
~ilornia and Oregon are largely supplied
with it. The native population is small
and is constantly decreasing, as has been
the case, we believe, with all the tribes on
the Pacific coast.
1t probably results from their isolated
situation. which precludes them from in
termarriage with different races of people,
a state of things which always leads 10
degeneracy and depopulation. Since the
introduction of Christianity and c~iviliza-
ton among them, the decrease has been
more rapid than before, the vices of the
latter being sooner acquired than its vir-
tues. When the Islands were discovered
by Capt. Cook. about the year 1880, their
population was about 400, OOO-they nov
number only 8 10000 decrease Of $780,
900 in seventy years. The deaths dur
ing the last year were 7,943, while the
births were only 1,787-a most remarka-
BILE disparity, which indicates their speedy
extinction. AT this rate of decrease an
other generation will blot this people from
-, 49, - NJ T~l--l- -
already sparsely populated, and promis'
ing at no distant period to be entirely des.
titute of inhabitants, unless a new race
takes possession of them, the objections
which are urged against the annexation
of territories 10 our Union that are alrea.
dy settled by a different people. not &C.
customed to self government, will hardly
apply in the present case. for their popu
lation would 1901 be wholly American in
its character.
But, while the United States, under the
auspices Of a feeble and imbecile admin
istration, that was afraid to act lest il nigh
displease some foreign power. threw away
a most golden opportunity to acquire these
valuable Islands, the Government of LOU:
NAPOLEON has been intent upon finding
some pretext to take possession OF then
for France. The French Emperor is am
bilious of sign alizing his reign by some
conquest that will fatter the national pride
of his people, and has had his attention
long fixed upon this valuable group o
Islands in the Pacific. Their importan
commercial position and defenseless con
dition have excited his rapacity, and lat
/. advices from Honolulu state that he hai
I made demands upon their Government o
an extortionate and totally inadmissibl
character. incompatible with the libertie
of the nation. With a view Of supportin,
his claim, he has dispatched to the Nortl
Pacific two ships Of the line and four fri
gates-a heettha, is fully capable of effect
ing their subjugation. 1t is stated by
correspondent of The Providence Journal
, writing from Honolulu, that the King ha
! sent urgent requests TO our Government q
Washington to protect the Islands agains
the impending danger which is feared from
France. If this is so, we trust and beliey
that the administration of Gen. PIERCE wi
not hesitate in its duty, but will at one
order a powerful squadron to observe tn
I movements of the French in that quartz
Q of the globe, where we have interests
. such transcendent Importance, to be affect
, ed by the seizure Of those Islands by
foreign power. The aggressions of franc
i upon their nationality should be repelle
n at all hazards by the United States; tn
~star-spangled banner should wave owe
them as a protection against all assault
from that quarter; their Government has
right to expect as much at our hands, an
g it ought not to be disappointed. We ar
d in favor of a much more decided interver
e ton for their protection than that whic
the. New York Tribune proposes, whic
paper thinks that our Government shout
e unite with Great Britain in a protest again'
any invasion Of their rights by France
putting in a disclaimer also that we hay