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30.
relieved of tho'necessity of labouring for others 2 (by the
abolition of the slave trade) In it not desirable that they
should take the further step of learning to labour for
themselves. " (1)
The harsh tones of racial superiority were coftenod by a
genuine feeling that British civilization should be extended for
the benefit of the world at large; thin was almost identical
with the spread of Christianity. Hobson recognised the important
moral element in Xmperialinm! - "Thora exists in a considerable,
though not large proportion of the British nation,, a genuine
desire to spread Christianity anong the hoathen... and to do Good
work about the world in the cause of humanity. " (2) A writer in
1900 defined the raison d'etro of the British Empire "... not for
the cake of fortune to individuals or even of glory to the nation,
but for the cake of civilig ion, - in other words for the
diffusion of peace and justice over regions where these blessings
have hitherto boon unknown. " (3) Many Imperialists felt that
Empire could only be justified with reference to ".. our nobles
civilizing and elevating mission,. " (4)
The whito man's burden
(1) T'ho rmnir and the conturyg a narioa of essays on Ioporiaa
problema and pooaibilition by various writers$ London 1905, p,, 820.
(2) J, A. Robson, 0-pelt, ppo. 196»7r
(3) Fortnightly Reviews 1900 op , fit, p. 265.
(4) United Servianri irn Apo, 2Sovembor 1899, ppn, 137.1419, Rev.
Philip Young« "is war allowable? " p. 138"