, 1868-05-05

it ever should be presented to him in its
original form, will have no little difficulty
in deciphering lis contents. How it ever
will he presented to Him, we are at a
loss to know. We have tried to picture
to our mind the proceedings of the cere-
mony, and fancy we see the Minister for
the Colonies handing it to His Majesty
between a pair of tongs, for its whole
outward appearance is such, that we doubt
whether he would have the courage to
do it in any other way. This, certainly,
would make rather a diSagreable impress
sion, and hardly secure to it a gracious
reception. 1t is, however, not only on
formal grounds that we would advise the
public TO refrain from putting their names
to this strange document. Our greatest
objection TO it is its contents. We believe
that if the inhabitants of this Island were
called upon TO vote on the simple and
broad question, whether they desired to
become a part of the United States of
America, or remain Danish, they would
by an overwhelming majority vote for the
hrSt and that with just reason, for all
their interests point in that direction.
Now, the object of the address is neither
more nor less than TO petition His Majesty
TO make us an integral part of the Mo-
ther-country. This sounds very fine, if
not very grand, but do those who have
got up the address, really believe in the
feasibility of such a wish We will give
them all credit for sincerity, but in doing
so. we are afraid that we must question
their good sense. They must he aware
that the fuIfIlment of their wish would
cost the Mother-country a yearly loss in
revenue of some $500, 900. Are we justi-
fled in suppoSing that the M0thpr-coun-
try will make such a sacrifice? Why the
loss of such a revenue would be a great
deal more than the interest of the Capital
which the Mother-country hopes to get
Tor us. The gentlemen who rave got up
the address must be men of business, and
know what the loss on such a transaction
would be. On the one side the Mother
: country who hopes to get say several
Millions of dollars for US, the petitioners
on the other hand, who not only ask the
Mother-cOuntry to give up all prospects
of so good a bargain, but besides to bur
then themselves with additional taxation
to the amount stated, say $500, 900. Is it
reasonable 10 suppose that such a wish
will be gratifed We think not. Fur
thermore, we are convinced that St. Tho
mas and st. Johns once separated from
us, the fact of our becoming an integral
part Of Denmark, would not prevent our
labourers from emigrating to those ISL
ands /; and it is on this question Of the
loss OF labOur that the future welfare of
this island mainly depends. We have
passed the time of protective dniies.
They might for a sort time be partially
established again, as intimated in His Ma
jeSty's answer to the petition fthe Colo
NAL Council, but for how long? Not a bit
longer than those who would have to pay
the increased taxation at home, would
submit to it. And let US be assured, that
would not be very long. And, what then?
A new era of distress and bitter disap-
pointment to the inhabitants of this Island.
No, if we cannot exist without protection,
we canno exist at all. For there is no.
body who in the long run will give US
that kind Of DrOtpctiOn ~ npOtoottoo fbo4