The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1867-11-23

status. an thereby compelled 10 run greater
risk n al business Transactions they have will
insly seen their houses, their farms and their
plantations sold at much les than. and in some
instances u one-third what. the property cost
them. Ar this they have quietly endured rather
than seem % he disloyal subjects.
The question now arises tch,f.er II is rigif that
they should endure all these injuries and more in
prospect. without At least endeavoring TO correct
the evil BY using the legitimate means To which
they are eniitled-wbether they should not lay
aside their personal feelings and contempt Of the
manner in which the Constitution was thrust
on the oountry, % 10 the polls, and elect men a
representatives who are capable Of acting in the
emergency. and guarding the vestige that re-
mains OF their rights. The last Two legislatures
have been composed mostly of natives, who have
had little knowledge Of the wants of the people,
and whose votes and opinions have been easily
influenced by the ministry on most questions
coming before the legislature. That body has
been composed almost wholly of government Office
holders, or Office seekers. who have been rendered
Office after the session, and in this way rewarded
for their votes. The present representative body
numbers sixteen Office holders. being a majority,
who may be termed HooFIENEA.I-hansers on for
the sake Of . living, and whose acts were always
viewed a. more or less BIASED by personal
interests.
on the other hand, those who show indePen-
dence. and a desire 70 act according TO principle,
and resist what they believe to Be a pernicious
measure, are sure TO be punished, in some way. if
il i in the power of government or its minions to
effect it. We might single cut instances of re-
ward for service and punishment for opposition.
which have become notorious. Tle representa-
tives Of the people should be men o. intelligence,
irmness and independence, who have no favors TO
ak from the ministry, and who are willing to
bear opprobrium for doing what they believe TO
be right. though it be in direct opposition 10 the
ministry. Where there are natives who have
shown these requisite qualities of representatives,
they should be nominated and chosen.
But the interests Of foreigners are increasing
every year 80 rapidly. that it is right and proper
that the people should be represented as far as
possible, by foreigners, we mean, only by such a.
have lived here long enough to become fully iden-
tilted with the people. their interests and progress.
The total number Of foreigners in the Kingdom in
lsG6 Was i .l94, of whom 1892 were males. 1t
i not improbable thai one-quarter of the real
and threc-fourths Of the personal property of
the Kingdom is owned by them while they con-
IE4tuNc Z 4cd-l ASIE-uILL- VI tic Elt4lc EGFcuue.
This class Of the population has therefore a spc-
cial reason why representatives Of intelligence
and ability should be elected.
Il i No argument 10 say that because a man
does not choose 70 take the cath of allegiance.
therefore his mouth must he closed, and lie has
no right 10 express his views ON politics. II he is
domicilel here, If he is an owner Of real and per-
sonal property, if, in q word, be chooses this
country for bis home. he has every right TO take
part in the politics of the country, TO express his
sentiments freely pro and con on every measure thar
affects his individual interests OF the public veal.
TL's "y'v-nmenr las in t0o MANY instances ac-
knowle1Sed the right of resident aliens 10 express
their opinions on public matters. 70 leave any
doubt on this point. II has done more-it has
ISOLATED thar Gdrice and cooperation. 1t must
be admitted, therefore, that the right of alien
residents To take part in any measures affecting
their interests, = established in fact, that their
right is a. firm as that of subjects, the chief diff
ference being this, that the subject may vote, the
alien can not. Few foreigners can be induced to
subscribe to the present Constitution, except it be
70 obtain Office or 10 meet other obligatory demands.
There are IrObably not twenty foreigners in the
kingdom. unconnected with government. who ap-
prove of the Constitution Of 1864. Consequently
the number of domieiled aliens must necessarily
increase. 50 long as the present unfortunate con-
stitutional ua5roglio Is allowed TO continues
Important questions of financial policy will I'M
doubtedly come up before the next Legislature,
among which we instance changes in the tariff,
an increase in the tax on personal and real pro-
Verty, an excise OF export tax and discriminating
duties on certain goods imported. Some of these
changes vii depend on the ratification of the reel
procity treaty, but even if that measure does not
become a law, il is possible that Others will be
proposed in the present tariff. Then, it is not
unlikely that another attempt will be made TO
flsten paper money on US. These are very i'm
portant ma;ters. which concern not simply the
natives. but erery foreigner an The kingdom.
whether he be q subject or not. No Legislature
that has ever convened viii have more important
service to perform than the next.
The reasons are strong why foreigners should
take an active part in the coming canvass, why
they should interest themselves in the choice of
Representatives, 10 whom IL granted the power Of
new laws. No man owning land, or doing
business here, or contributing 70 support the gov
eminent, has any right 10 stand aloof and make
no effort. and then turn and carp At the Leg
i~slature and the Government. because their acts
do not please him. Il i only after he has done
hrs duty, that he has the right to censure.
lie may not approve the Constitution. nor the
construction Of the Legislature, nor the present
Of elections; but we submit. whether he
ought not to fore-o his opinions and preferences.
if thereby the public welfare and safety may be
To stand supinely by and see his pro-
rerty depreciating in value,-to sit with folded
and allow inexperienced or unf, men to
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the taxes, and burden his prosperity, il