The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-12-14
A COMPLIMENT

An English exchange gives some per-
tinent views upon our Census figures
which are worth recording. Coming
from the source it does it is a tribute to
our progressiveness, and to our great
ness. 1t says:
The mighty nation has now a pOpu-
lation of 1920, 600. In the short space
of ten years there has been an increase
of nearly l3,2oOOOO, which is equivalent
10 almost p per cent for the decade, or
rather more than 2 per cent per an
mum. When we remember that 200
years a~O the population of the States
was under 800, UOU-Or rather more than
the present population of Bradford
and that 100 years ago it was but little
over 100000 it will be seen with what
amazing rapidity the young giant
among the nations has built up his
strength
The growth of population is the in
fallible test of national prosperity and
advancement. No nation has ever yet
risen to greatness with dwindllng pO-
pulation, and probably none ever will.
Declining numbers have been the in
variable concomitant of national stag
nation and deCadence. The growth of
the power of Great Britain, Germany
and Russia bears witness to the truth
of this sweeping generalization. Ameri-
with the progress they have made in
the last decade.
"These figures afford them ample rea-
son for pride and jubilation. The only
great power of the present day which
can vie with them in numbers is Rus
STA, and in wealth, in energy, in adapt
ability, in education and in that cum
ming industrial skill which is the foun-
dation of material prosperity they far
outsrip the subjects of the Gar"
There are thoughts worthy of con-
sideraton in the paragraphs quoted. AS
long as a nation shows increasing. num-
bers, as long as the family forms the
nucleus of that growth, that nation
is a progressive nation. What makes
the United States the young giant of
the world is the family, and it is the
well regulated family which makes the
numbers of a nation.
The family feeling was strong in the
New England Colonies and became
stronger in the New England States.
A man with sturdy sons and daughters
was a man to be considered, outside
of his wealth. The man who had no
sons and daughters no matter what his
wealth might be was to be pitied. The
old Jewish idea of a man having a
large family was understood, and the
Jewish saying that he need not be
afraid to speak to his enemy at the
gate was appreciated.
In the present stage of our progress
We need not be afraid that we shall
fall behind in the matter of population
and an ever increasing population. At
our present rate of progress in another
hundred years we would dominate the
world in a very different fashion to
what We do now. But domination is
not what one is considering. Healthy
growth is what should be thought of.
If we look at France we see where
restricted growth is telling upon the
nation. Though the rural French raise
families, even they restrict them in
many cases, while in the cities the re-
striction of children is habitual, and the
result is fatal. 1t is not only fatal to
the country from it's aggressive and
defensive side, but it is still more fatal
from its moral side. The decadence
of France, which must be acknowl-