CONTROL OF DEPENDENCIES 391 



States, and no good reason has hitherto been advanced for with- 

 drawing instruction from them and leaving them with their lessons 

 half-learned, particularly in view of the fact that, without the stimu- 

 lating and directing influences proceeding from union with a civilized 

 nation, the bulk of the inhabitants would tend to revert to a condi- 

 tion not greatly unlike their ancient barbarism. No people is so 

 conservative as the barbarian. The restraining force of centuries of 

 tradition make it difficult if not impossible to take a step forward 

 without a helping hand. 



For these and other reasons it is safe to assume that the question 

 of Javanese independence, or Indian independence, or Philippine 

 independence may be ignored in a practical discussion, or relegated 

 to the limbo of academic debate. Neither the past nor the present 

 gives any indication that any change is practicable beyond a change 

 of superiors. If the Dutch should ever be willing to lay down the 

 burden of their East Indian administration, other nations would be 

 found who would not hesitate to take it up. If the people of the 

 United States should conclude that they are too arbitrary or cruel 

 in their dealings with dependencies, too corrupt or incompetent to 

 continue a directing hand over the government of the Philippines, 

 candidates for the suzerainty will not be wanting. 



The permanent control of certain dependencies appears thus to 

 be part of the general policy of the leading Western nations, and 

 there is no doubt that by this policy, taking into consideration the 

 whole history of colonies, the well-being of the inhabitants of de- 

 pendencies has been materially advanced by influences that have 

 come to them in consequence of their relation to a superior nation. 

 And the result on the superior nation has been scarcely less advan- 

 tageous. It has tended to substitute a generous view of humanity 

 for the narrow conceit which made even the wisest nations of an- 

 tiquity regard all nations beyond their borders as barbarians. 

 Working with another people or members of another race for the 

 advancement of public interests and the welfare of all members of 

 society tends to establish common views and sentiments of mutual 

 sympathy. England's character and standing among the nations 

 have been greatly influenced by her experience outside of her insular 

 boundaries. The wealth that has come to her from trade with her 

 dependencies has been less important than other results of her 

 political association with strange peoples and her cooperation with 

 them for the promotion of a higher form of civilization. And it may 

 be expected that conspicuous responsibilities for dependencies will 

 tend to steady the political mind of America. The policy of holding 

 dependencies is, however, not new for the United States, although 

 its continental dependencies have been inhabited by men having 

 part in the inheritance and cultivation of the rest of the nation. 



