St Damien of Molokai: What did he do? Why did he do it? (A response using his own words.)

With the recent talks about the statue of St Damien of Molokai in the Rotunda and the call by some to have it removed in favor of someone "more inspirational," And with others, going as far as to call him a "white supremacist" and a force of colonization; I thought it prudent to allow Fr. Damien to explain his own views on his actions, the world, and the people around him. What follows is a reading of a letter dated November 25, 1873. The letter is drawn from The Life and Letters of Father Damien, Apostle of the Lepers edited by Father Auguste Pamphile de Veuster. The collection of letters can be found at the link below.