The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1868-10-31
The Letter 10 Warrington.

Cdllun OF an lnDuculel reSlIent 10 the cuNeTL-
ment at Washington. as published in the San Fran
cisco BuIstin of September 2lst, and copied into the
papers of this place and also the editorial comments
thereupon in the Gazette of this week. Both seem to
demand some notice at the present stage of affairs.
While the deductions made by the former may not all
be correct, nor the suggestions practicable, still the
treatment of the author by the ministerial reviewer is
neither logical nor d~iguifed. Beginning with an I'M
important though weak point, which does not at all
involve the merits of the main question, this reviewer
merely gives the lie to the first writer, complains of
malicious detraction, and ends up in personalities
both irrelevant and irrevcrent. The main body of
the document remains unassailed-not one point is
met with rational controversy, and not n word is said
in reply to the strong editorial in the same number
of the BgIieiiR, which is fully copied into this weeks
Gd-ette. 1t is, however, with reference 10 this inef-
fcient and complaining specimen of an editorial that
l have a few words to say, and not with respect to
the other articles, which may be left TO speak for
themselves.
In the first place, what moanness or what under
handed dealing is there in learning the honest and
real opinion of this community, especially when the
conduct of those in power is to be influenced by these
very opinions? To draw out expressions from an in
ferior derogatory 10 q superior, and then report them,
would certainly be undetermined and low, but it is
the duty of all those who hold influential positions to
know, as far as the people are ready to express their
opinions, what those opinions are, and base their
conduct thereupon. The wonder is, however, in this
instance, that the author should have expressed him.
self so freely ON this point. The people of Honolulu,
moreover, are not so afraid to have their opinions re-
ported abroad as the writer for the GaseHe would
seem to intimate. Are they indeed fearful that they
will meet with condiSn punishment for the holding of
principles that in an unguarded moment they may
happen to express? If so, this is far from being that
free country that the Gazette declares it to be.
1t is said the American Ministers and Consuls are
well versed in the ideas advocated by citizens here,
Persons of a delicate sense of honor and political good
breeding would, however, be hesitant in expressing
to a Minister Resident of another nation their opin-
ions respecting their own government. For those
naturalized or born here to do this, would be indeed
opposed TO that gentlemanly sense of honor of which
so much is said. 1t has not then as q general rule
been done, and it was not so inappropriate that an
American citizen, at home here, and openly and
avowedly in favor of making this a part of his own
country, should report-not private Conversations
but what he gathered to be the state of feeling, and
thus perhaps TO supplement the failing courage of
many who for various reasons do not see fit to back
up their previous censures on the Government by n
consistent and manly persistence. And after all, the
opinions spoken of are not anywhere near as promi-
nent in the article as those of the author himself, nor
are they brought unpleasantly forward in any way.
The writer of the communication to the American
Governments was not a letter " to the papers,
and has only as a secondary matter been made pub
lic-simply did his duty as an American citizen, to
his own country, and to the people of this country,
for whose sake he was sent for to come and occupy a
,1arn i'm shn nnrntru Dn We hnnacstr on1 ont
spokenly opposed to the Reciprocity Treaty. He had
an equal right to oppose it at Washington, to the
right of the other party and the majority to work in
its favor. If he deemed the multitude short-sighted
in seeking the temporary advantage of a treaty.
only partially defensible by the Government party
itself,-instead Of the more lasting and Interchangeable
and truly valuable advantages to be gained by incor-
poration with the United States Government, then he
was right in taking lawful means to thwart that
short-sighted policy then it was only to be true to
his own convictions that he acted as he did. Was it
done quietly? So arc all things of Importance, in
the sphere of diplomacy most especially.
These then were not 90 malignant Statements nor
was it 90 venomous advice - that the letter contained.
sit would be well if the people of this country
to quote the language of the writer of last Wednes-
day, should wake up to the idea g that he who speaks
the truth concerning their Government is - not their
ss common enemy - but their best and truest friend.
The present Government have pToUoked opposition;
have challenged opposition; have set themselves in
defiance of the opinions and good Will of the party of
freedom here and elsewhere. This was done in the
time of the late war in America; it was done at the
time of the Unconstitutional Convention of 1864;
they showed no sympathy then, and must expect
none now. But now when they reap the fruits of
their course, and encounter the natural consequences
of their position, hear their whining complaint,
90 Please gentlemen, do, if you please, not tell of what
We have done, for if you do, nobody viii come here"
- What foreign capitalist will lend you money p
What artisan viii ~emigrate to your shores, if he really
Gas it happens) what is true. These obsta-
stacles spoken of may not be Intentionally obstacles,
but they are none the less real. l do not know as
Ministers Resident, after the past expose of
the governmental feeling, are obliged or expected to
lovingly point out those obstacles. Nor are they to be
found fault with for expressing their judgment of things
here at Washington, as the editorial in question feel
ingly complains of y. McB." having done.
1t is boosted that there is full freedom of
ex preston here in this country. There are no
thanks due this Government for it, however. 1t is
needed to refer to the record of the last Legis-
lature to see what the Government would do if it
could, and what it would do did it not know too well
that there lay the rock on which it would wreck its
in glorious career. There IS social oStracism here,
here is determination to frown down and crush out
hose who utter truths essential to our healthy exist
ence, but which are deemed by some only next to
treason itself.
One sentence however we here quote as the most
correct dictum ever put forth by the Ga sette-how-
il may have been meant:
Let us examine, fellow citizens, this point together for a
moment, and then if we find the above suggestion a good one,
7esolve 10 frown upon the useless fault finder and malicious
whilst at the same time we carefully protect and
Seii founded opinion, and in his right and duty to expose a
wrong, or point out the injurious tendency Of any public meas
Ire, in such language and manner I'D may be justified between
nan and man."
viii the writer of the article that so freely charges
man whose policy is So far above his own in honesty
md consistency, that he cannot understand it,-who charges
hat man, l say, with falsity and malignity remember that
here are some who can never, in justice to this country and
Ter interests, forget his past political course. Late repentance
n politics il seldom sincere. The Republicans Of America
hose a repentant Democrat TO the Vice Presidency, and they
the bitter fruits thereof. When this writer can lay down
= straight-forwardly and sincerely and truly, reasons for the
On-RnneNation of these islands 5 that same NdlIe Qua; teTfy,
( which he speaks, has done in a previous issue, then may we
relieve in his sincerity. And will this community. also, re-
member that true and lasting principles Of Government are
worth more than temporary peculiarly advantage. ".
New YORK. Sept. PA letter from General Dix
o a friend in this city. just published. says: Il
been acquainted with Seymour for more than
quarter of a century. He is an aiDiable gentle
nan. of uneXceptiOnable private character. and of
talents, but you know as well as L that
e has not n single qualification for successful exc