The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1897-02-06
FOOD FOR THOUGHT.

muuications which appeals to reilec-
tion and common sense alike. In a
letter to this mornings Advertiser
he appeals for free thought and free
expression of opinion on the annex
alton question, aud follows up with
what in itself is strong argument
against annexation, If the thought
is thoroughly thought out. We re-
print that portion Of the letter to
which we especially refer:
THE late Sir j John Seeley, profes-
sor of Modern History in the Uni
versity of Cambridge, and member
of the Historical Society Of Massa-
chasetts, says: In the United States
we do indeed see boundless domin-
ion successfully guided under a
democratic system. But the terri
tory in this case, extensive though
it be, is all compact and continuous,
and the population, however large
it may come to be, will still be in
the main homogeneous. Ii the
United States should come into pos
session OF countries separated from
her by the sea, and of different ua
tionality, her position in the world
would be at once essentially altered.
4 x The supreme happiness for
a country of course is to be self.
contained, to have no need to in
quire what other nations are doing.
Very wisely did Washington advise
his countrymen to retain this happi-
ness as long as they could
"If, sir, any are tempted TO
argue that the material greatness
OF the United States necessitates the
annexation OF these islands and that
the time has come when her sons
must, OK necessitate, seek for the ex-
pansion Of that 'boundless dominion
whose shores are washed by two
mighty oceans, or enula,ing, it may
be, the wondrous colonial experience
OF the mother country, consider it
wise and patriotic to seek the alb
sorption OF Hawaii, then, say, let
them consider calmly and without
passion the profound, striking, aye,
almost phenomenal differences be-
tween the two countries.
"When | say profound, striking
and almost phenomenal, l refer not
to chronological or governmental
differences, but to the very evident
and patent fact of Great Britain be-
ing a small island with an ever in
creasing population, and that is even
now, more than three times as dense
as that OF China! and approaching
not far from 400 per square mile
And what, sir, do we find the condi-
ton Of affairs in the United States
that her loyal and steady sops should
seek in any way to extend her mag
nifcent aud commanding position
We find this: We find a noble and
extensive continent in which could
be planted forty Great Britains, and
with a population of twenty only
to the square mile! 'Stagnation and
progress indeed; how can any, hint
at the former, with such a vast and
open field for the latter?
"If, sir, as on another occasion
have said, the trials and triumphs ol
American civilization even now re-
vertebrate and echo round a world
what will be the condition of affairs
when her rapidly increasing popula
tion shall have approximated more
closely to that of Europe2 In the
food for thought here found is there
no room to suppose that Washing.
ton, the great and good, would not
have commended the action of the
present chief magistrate of seventy
odd millions of Americans, as wise
statesmanlike and prudent, The
ethical questions involved are moi
here touched upon, neither shall
ask your further indulgence to speal
OF the material advantages thai
might accrue to this community
| 49, .ooovat;op Nv ohiaof h n,