The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-10-22
"The Higher Law"

The great Secretary, Americas honored and
greatest statesman, Seward, said in his remarks
at n private dinner among a few friends in San
Francisco, after speaking of the greatness, wealth
and glory of the Republic
Who now can wonder that the down-trodden
and exhausted peasantry and artisans of Western
Europe, as fast as facilities for their migration
could be obtained, have availed themselves of the
asylum this continent has offered them? Who
can wonder now that the oyercrowded population
of the Asiatic shore have rushed by thousands
upon thousands to share in the treasures of our
mountains and the great wealth of our forests,
plains and prairies? Who does not see in these
several movements that irresistible force which,
according to their different sentiments, concerning
overruling power, men call Destiny or Provi-
dence? Who does not. see that these forces,
which we thus call Destiny and Providence, are,
after all, human wants, human aspirations and
ambitions, which will work out their end whether
we know it or not, by one means or by another ?
Under other conditions the miners of California
would have invaded China and brought its
heather people here. as their forefathers invaded
Africa and brought its heather inhabitants here.
Under other conditions a sturdier, but equally
necessitous, people in China might have invaded
defenceless California and appropriated its wealth
and treasure to themselves.
Who, now, can wonder that all these strange
and horrid events of the past 300 years have pro-
duced social and political agitations, conflicts and
civil wars, within the American continent
throughout all Spanish America, all French
America, and even within the United States ?
Who wonders now at the eccentricities of Puritan
zeal, of Catholic bigotry, of Protestant intoler-
ance, of Native Americanism, of Know Nothing
ism, of anti-slavery, of emancipation and anti
emancipation? Who wonders now at the French
revolution, the restoration of liberty and nation
atty in Italy and in Germany, and the active
tendency toward democracy and selfgovernment
everywhere manifested Who wonders now at
the voluntary annexation of Louisiana, Florida,
Texas, Utah, New Mexico, California and Alaska?
Who wonders at the accomplished aspirations of
Mexico to initiate and improve on the example of
the United States? Who wonders at the surren-
der of Alaska by the Gar of Russia, and the
Impotence of the people of st. Thomas, St. Do
mingo, Cuba, and indeed of all the West Indies
TO obtain the protection of the United States ?
Who thinks it wonderful that the islands of the
Pacific and the nearer shores of Asia, desire and
demand peaceful commerce free immigration, and
material, moral and social connection with the
United States? Who supposes that this mighty
wheel which SO powerfully and so increasingly
disturbs and moves, and whirls around the popu-
lation of three continents is to be all at once
arrested and reversed?
Let our Legislators and Constitution makers
and founders and builders of new States, think of
it! For myself, L have long ago accepted it. 1
know that the movements of the great wheel may
and should be regulated so that it may keep on
its endless motion in harmony with the ultimate
end of the perfection of civilization on the CONT
nent and throughout the world, without convul-
sion, without destruction, without war, and with
out bloodshed. IF the political and religious in
situations we have established have all the virtues
and excellence which we claim for them, they will
stand frmer and benificently accelerate the great
changes which are before us. If they cannot do
this they will change. and adapt themselves to
the exigencies that were foreseen when they were
formed. In this, as in everything which affects
human institutions are powerless in conflict with
the higher laws which providence has appointed.