The Hawaiian gazette., 1868-10-07


Those who have noted daring the year
I its progress. say that it has grown in favor
with the people Of the United States, and
It has merits which must commend il to
their favor. That the more tits discussed,
and the more time that is given for spread
ing information, the more certain becomes
the prospect Of its ultimate ratification.
We are not of those who believe
its benefits VIII be confined to the Hawai-
ian people, and that the Reciprocity, IS
some have sneeringly said, Is entirely on
one side. Neither is that the view which
prevails among those in tie United States,
who have had this matter under oonsidera-
ton. The objections raised there we've
such as may be modified. or entirely re
moved by the progress Of events, the
changes incident to public life, and more
especially by the adoption Of policy Of
reciprocity by the Senate which now seems
{ to be probable The obstacles therefore
are not insuperable, the delay Of the rati-
I hcation is no, fstSl
1t becomes an important question
whether this matter shall be further urged
by Us. seeing that It has already been
clearly and persistently placed before the
Senate; whether the public sentiment here,
is sufficiently urgent 10 obtain this ratif-
cation. to demand further expense and
effort on the part of this Government to
secure that object!
Almost the whole of our population
have beer ardent supporters and advocates
Of iSis Treaty. and are still desinous, we
believe, that It shall be pushed forward by
an Hawaiian Envoy at Washington, who
may be al hand TO impart infoSnatiOn, allay
prejudice, eOmbsi objections, and in every
reasonable and faithful way represent our
interests in that place. Such an officer
seems to be called for, not only by thu
position Of the Treaty, but the growing
intimate relations. commercial and politi-
cal. that We must hereafter hold with the
United States, our ne-rest neighbOrs-
At this time We may well look back and
review the opposition to this measure
here. The folly Of the few, who have pre-
dicated financial ruin and distress upon
the rsjectionOf the Treaty. is most man
ifest- Such persons. while predicting
such = result, may almost be accused Of
desiring it. They have shown no sympa-
thy with the effort TO improve the condi-
ton and comfort Of our laboring classes,
no regard for the risks and dangers in
which our capitalists we're involved; no
desire to uphold this people and TO IN
crease our material prosperity and happi-
ness Defeated expectations. unsatiSfed
ambitions. or selfish hopes, have been the
basis Of their opposition.
Some have insisted that they were favor
able to It, while their every act has tended
to disparage and defeat its ratification.
These for Instance have put weapons in
the hands Of our opponents, by traducing
our labor system. our laws and the govern
ment Of our country. They have given
false impression by statements that there
Is in this country slavery, crouehing under
the name Of the cooIie system, thus jasti-
flying the statement Of Others that our
fields are cultivated by unpaid heather
labor; that men are sent to the whipping
post at the viii Of irresponsible overseers,
and other Ike representations tending TO
our ipjur?. If the passage Of the Treaty
IS Of any value to Us, We now pIace II
fairly before this community, IS to what
degree Of rep1obation Is due to those who,
from whatever motive, or from whatever
distorted notions Of duty. while residing
among Us and seeking TO make living
here, DO not cease 10 traduce our entire
community. OF Ike effect has been the
work of those who, for few dollars, or
for gratifying personal vanity, or love Of
applause, have given TO foreign newspapers
sweeping and unsupported statements,
which have become the basis of false IN
ductions to readers abroad The gauntlet
which the Treaty has been compelled to
pass, would already have crushed almost
any other pubic measure.