Page 74 - The Interest of America in Sea Power Present and Future

Hawaii and our Future Sea Power. 55

take into account the happy interval which
separates both our present territory and our
future aspirations from the centres of interest
really vital to European states. If to these safe-
guards be added, on our part, a sober recogni-
tion of what our reasonable sphere of influence
is, and a candid justice in dealing with foreign
interests within that sphere, there will be little
disposition to question our preponderance
therein.
Among all foreign states, it is especially to
be hoped that each passing year may render
more cordial the relations between ourselves
and the great nation from whose loins we
sprang. The radical identity of spirit which
underlies our superficial differences of polity
surely will draw us closer together, if we do not
set our faces wilfully against a tendency which
would give our race the predominance over the
seas of the world. To force such a consumma-
tion is impossible, and if possible would not be
wise ; but surely it would be a lofty aim, fraught
with immeasurable benefits, to desire it, and
to raise no needless impediments by advocating
perfectly proper acts, demanded by our evident
interests, in offensive or arrogant terms.