Polynesian., 1845-01-18
TIL POLY ESIA N.
OFFICIAL JOURNAL or TIE ia UAHAN
GOVERNMENT.
HONOLULU, SATURDAY, JAN. IS, ls45.

The chiefs of this archipelago rapidly be-
came aware of the growing competition and
differences of opinion Ito which we made al
fusion in our last)between the people and the
whites. They feared the result of the in
creasing wealth and numbers of the foreign
crs upon their own sovereignty and to
neutraIize the advantages which the greater
intelligence of the whites gave them in this
silent, though persevcring contest, clung
with a tenacious grasp to the right of soil.
While that was held in an iron-grasp, it was
evident that the increase Of the foreign
wealth and population must be small. At
the same time it became equally as apparent
that by such a policy the progress of their
own subjects was retarded and their reve-
nues curtailed. The foreign population had
80 increased and their character so far ad-
vanced, that it became also necessary, IN
order to give them that protection and JUS
tice, which, by the comfy of nations, is due
from a government to all, whether native
born or not, who reside within its territory,
to accord to them a more enlightened legis-
lation. One which should, while keeping 10
view the peculiar situation Of this peo-
pie, be modeledsafter that of more civilized
lands. TO effect this, and at the same time
while they retained the sovereignty of the
soil, to raise up among their W people a
more enlightened body of subjects, attach
ed to the country and government, and ad-
equate to meet and sustain itself against any
foreign competition, a revolution in their
policy became indispensable. They procee-
ded however, cautiously in the change
AT first the advice Of foreigners was sought,
and many of their suggestions became laws.
In time a few in whom they had confidence,
were induced to take Office under them
Changes nov became more frequent, and
their policy more liberalized. But in at
taching foreigners to their government, they
had placed themselves in a position some
what obnoxious to foreign powers. 1t so
happened that a large majority of those in
their service were Americans. 1t was soon
urged against them, and with no inconsider-
able show of plausability, that the govern
ment, though ostensibly Hawaiian, was re-
ally American, and the country would soon
become a bona-fde American colony. The
Americans in office were the first to per-
ceive the improperly of owning allegiance
to one country while in the service Of
another and the invidious position in which
it placed their adopted country. Actuated
by a desire to put themselves in a situation
the most favorable for the real interests Of
this young nation, they proposed the adop-
ton OF the oath of allegiance, and showed
their own sincerity by being the first to
make themselves Hawaiians. The example
of other countries that find it expedient to
encourage emigration was Immediately adop-
ted, and though the system is far from be-
ing matured, the results have been most ia
vorable. As the government has become
more organized, capable individuals have
been found of various nations, willing to
relinquish their native allegiance and devote
themselves to the service of this. The num-
Der OF naturalized subjects is already very
considerable, and increasing at a ratio,
which will cause them before long, greatly
to outnumber the resident aliens. All this
has been effected under many disadvantages
and great obstacles. What may not be