Nuhou, Volume I, Number 3, 4 March 1873 — Are We Under a Protectorate? [ARTICLE]

Are We Under a Protectorate?

Or are \ve independent ? These are questions suggested bjrrecent discussioiis and observations. We learnfrom a source wliieh we eannot, and wliieh 110 one else in this communit.y will doubt, that a lninigter has said in reply to a discussion on the question of reciprocity with the ITnited States of America, wliieh involved the consrcleration of a cession or a lease of a certain harbor, that it cannot be Bntertained at present on account of a certaiii "British pressure."

A British press«re indeed! What does that mean ? Tliat our mixiistry carmot, or dare not act in any measure regarding our national welfare witliout the ]jermission of a foreign power, or perhaps of many others. Because it may liappen if we venture to move in a certain direction,'we shall be cliecke.d by a French pressure; in another by a Ge¥man pressure; in still "another by a Danish pressure; or by a Spanish pressure; or possibly by a Japauese or a Fijian pressure. And iri this cit.se, we have not uuderstood the composition of tlie ministry; tlie Cabinet of Royal advisers. We liad supposed it to be composed of four of our respectable fellow citizens; but now we must add, as advisory meinbeKS, tlie i'epresentative of Great Britain; alid possibly several other foreign representatives. We don't know whetlier this "pressure " was in the shape of an oHleial protest or not; and we don't care; it is eiiougli for us to know that our niini.stry acknowkHlge a pressure, and llunk, wilt, or pause iii consequence. But they pause, not 111 ihe course of action, but pause froin attemptlng any; and are obviously glad <>f the excuse. Yes, these ministeis of the say, " wait, till we get- leave. Your Myjesty'sThroueesists, būt by permissioii, uiul wo darc not assort its indepei«tence, nor |(iefe«d ydnr Koval Ho'lKM'," I

We know that we lijv T e,.like many other smal| countries, as independent Staie, u t r hy the acquiescent polity of greafc States. But this our ajUtotnomy is_guaranteed a to usj and our integrity of dominiōn within ©uT borders is a right to be as sacredly and-manfully as if it were backed by ten guns. A Eritisli pressure« indeed! In such a situation, a miuister assert the honor of his King,- and the iijidependence of 'his eountjy at the risk of wealih, plaee, or life itself. :