Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1854-01-07


Filibusterins. .-..Opinion of the California
Press.
The proceedings of the fibusters under Colonel
Walker, were regarded at first in San Francisco, as
| grand hoax and though published veritable
transaction, many had their doubts of the whole af
fair Indeed, so repugnant was the whole matter to
the first principles of right and justice that but few
found to give full eountenance to it, while at
the same time there evident leaning of the
majority towards giving the enterprise their sanction.
A good. sound English writer has wisely said that
"morals are the cement and security of society,"
When these are disregarded, and the principles
adopted of subverng right by might, then truly is
society insecure, and the cement by which it was
held together dissolved. And let the principles be
carried out to its legitimate and inevitable results
let it be applied to private well public acts and
all security is lost; the weak become prey TO the
strong and e,rry element of right is excluded from
the transactions of men.
But there were some writer's in California who
took more just view of the transaction and uttered
their sentiments with boldness and freedom although
for the moment, We may hope, unpopular. Thus a
correspondent of the California Courier writes with
the principles that do honor to man
The attention of all intelligent and honest peo-
pie particularly called to the principles OF the free
booters Or in common parlance, of the 6libusters.
The importance of the subject demands its careful
consideration, in all its bearngs-the present article
furnishing mere suggestions, instead of lengthy
view Of the principles in question. 1t becomes all
lovers of free institutions to notice the wide distnc
ton between patriotism and ilibusterism. The one
is devoted to the carrying out the great principle of
love of country, which increases with the love OF
right and opposition to wrong. Fihbustersm Is diff
ferent altogether Love of country or resistance to
wrong or despotism constitutes no part OF Its spirit
principles. 1t begins, continues and ends in SELF
The vanity of power the avarcious lust for money
are the motives of the wouldbe patriots of the pre-
sent day. Ostensibly in the name of spreading tho
principles of republicanism-b really in the most
corrupt and demoralizing of human passions.
That any man with soul enough
to admire the teachings of the immortal Washington,
and OF the higher commanding law. follow peace
on earth-good will to men" should favor the ma
raudng expeditions Of the present day, is matter
of great regret it is of questionable honesty Of
character. Might does not make right. If one mur-
der makes villain, scores of murders cannot make
hero. Yet the unthinkng multitude appear to favor
the nroad of this California Pzarro, with SILENT if
not with expressed appreciation.
Applause waits success,
Its success that coors all in life;
Success makes fools admir'd-makes villains honest,
All the proud virtue oil this vaunffng WoYto
Fawns on success and power-howe'er acquired"
1t is high time for all American citizens to make
their principles known and felt by the lawless free
booter, by the petty housebreaker For the latter
the Jail and the States prison Is built to protect
ciety from his pcayune steaings-for the former the
highest dignitaries of the federal government offer
the approving smile, and allow him to violate sa-
cred law of nations and to go forth to murder the
most patrio.io "it,ens of Lower California-punder
their property and violently assua.. A-..i-ie. eS
their country.
The citizens of California duty to themselves
and to the civilized world to put down the attempts
of these men, who neither regard the laws of God
man. The federal Government has expressed itself
not insensble to the wrongs inflicted upon an Amer
ican citizen by foreign country and it becomes
cry American citizen to be less insensible to the
wrongs committed by American freebooters upon the
weak and unprotected inhabitants of other countries
and to regard these woud-be heroes of the present
day ,as posterity undoubtedly will, as
"Plagues Of men-conqucrors who leave behird
Nothing but ruin wheresoe'er they roam,
Till conq 'ror Death discover them men,
Rolling in british vices, and defom'd;
Violent shameful death their true reward"
The editor of the same paper says, We ha We on
desire to encourage by pen flibusters, but how
shall arrest these things; Did not our ancestors
rob the poor Indians of their possessions in this coun-
try: What series Of mercusabie eyueities have We
inflicted on the red man. Texas was acquired by
the same system of pader, and SO California; and
the occupation of Mexico is just as certain as the
sun rises and SETS But while we
see and feel all this, we shall permit under cir
cumstances, these migratory parties to compromise
the integrity of this country. The government
should in good faith carry out her treaty stipula-
TONS"
And yet iersasable craaeities and system Of p'der
are adduced apology for doing what the editor
says " all our sympathies are against
The editor of the Pacific after recting the fact Of
taking possession and declaring Republic. says:
s'Col. Walker then issues an address to the peo-s
ple of the United States setting forth his " reasons,
sc. How much they have achieved of glory and
fortune in seizing upon two old and dilapidated
towns and hosting flag over realm Of barren
rocks remains to be seen. One thing Is evident
they are in imminent want of men and means to hold
on with. Hence their grand pronunciamento issued
at the Head Quarters Of the Republic, in true
Mexican style. Let no one be deceived, or join an
expedition that shall bring dscredit upon himself
and country. Wait awhile and let the smoke clear
up"
TRx SAN FnASc1sco Pass on FnLnrsrERrNe--- -
Of the morality, the original right and wrong OF
6llibustering there can be no question: Inc matter
in nutshell il briefly this: Mexico aud the United
States are at peace; the former has one State q
little detached from the Others which certain parties
in California desire possess. As private indvidu-
ais they plan attack for the purpose Of getting the
possesson of it. According to the laws Of nations
thew are no better than robbers. An invading toe
Of that kind the Mexcans would in the eyes Of the
civilized world be justified in destroying they
should fall in their hands. To reverse the case;
band of Mexican Guerrillas were to make z descent
in an American town those of them who CHANGED to
be taken would be put to death as robbers. II