The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1868-02-08
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
Y. FEBRUARY s.
Annexation.

Annexation.
DURING the session OF the Legislature in Sep
tember last, and the discussion of the Reciprocit,
Treaty, / received n communication chilling OF
me, as editor, TO express my views OH the subject
of ANNEXATION. Being opposed to the measure,
mainly from convictions of duty to my Sovereign,
| did not choose TO discuss the subject, and sup
pressed the communication. Ny silence, however,
has, I learn, been made the ground of repeated
assertions, by at least one of His MajcSty's Min
listers, that / am s~cbeming for annexation, which
l deny as having not even the shadow of founda-
ton.
The Government having itself opened the dis
cussion of the subject, by recent publications in
it's official native paper, 1 do not feel at liberty to
deny to the writer of the following article the
privilege of n hearing in these columns. No cx-
ceptions can be taken to his language, while his
thoughts are most clearly and beautifully ex-
pressed. And although his arguments are inge-
niously and forcibly stated, they are not sufficient
to convince me that a transfer of the sovereignty
of this group to England, France or America is
desirable, yet they demonstrate that the mere
holding of such opinions as are expressed, is not
conspiracy.
Should the time ever arrive when the King and
his chiefs become convinced that n transfer of
sovereignty to any foreign power may prove for
their benefit or that of their people; or should l
become convinced that a redress of the grievances
which the people now labor under, can be OBJ
tanned in no other way, 1 may then, in Difference
to their wishes or those of the people, yield my
own preferences for Hawaiian Independence, and
cnYynr u,,cb IN pnlie- Rut NJ prasanf INV ,nnttn
is, as it has ever been, "HAwAn FOR HAwAnANs.''
HENRY NJ. WHITNEY.
To The Efitor OF the Commercial A2uertiser:
I nm an annexationist, but not till lately did | sus-
pect that, on that account, l was a dangerous char
acter. The authoritative statements issued from the
Government Press, during the late election excite
ment, inform me that 1 am one of " a party" a fact I
was not before aware Of that / am q conspirator,'
and one of n nest of wasps,' all of which has struck
me so strangely, that I am led to examine the ques-
tions-why am | an annexatiOnistr AMI "a con-
spirator 20 and, Am I one of n party ?" To answer
the last question first 1 have never met but two or
three who openly avowed themselves annexationists,
though I have met many who declared themselves
afraid to avow their true sentiments for fear Of social
and OF annoyance from the Government
officials, perhaps persecution. and some who l thought
felt thus, but were afraid or ashamed to acknowledge
il. Here / ought to say that 1 am no. one who can
presume to judge of the sentiments of some of the
upper tier Of social circles, though I often meet and
sometimes exchange sentiments with some that l be-
lieve are Of that class.
a party y is meationei in one Of the Government
and the Editor of the Commercial .adrer-,
fissr is said to be the head of the party Now 1
only remember mentioning the subject but once to
.I.t ,a-anu all 80. ,u..-l n 4. .... - -
anHexatioaisf that he would resist annexation to
any extent, unless by ONE unforeseen event il be-
came necessary, and was done by the wish of the
King and chiefs. This made me the more surprised
that We had a party, and that this was the head. L
Am now convinced that l am one of a party, though
many of that party arc afraid to avow their convic-
ions, and seem to feel that there is something to be
ashamed of in such an svowal-some such feeling as
many Germans of the small States lately
annexed to Prussia had before that event. but who
low would rs stoutly resist disintegration. 1 feel
hat this party is a growing party, progressive some
would say. / believe that many things favor it ; the
commercial and agricultural necessities of the nation;
he lack Of stability in the Hawaiian Government, and
ut now, the efforts of Government officials to repress
md intimidate any discussion of the question, and
he prejudices they are carefully melting against for
igners, are increasing the party. / therefore answer
he question in the affirmative, 1 am one of ga
-:
81 am with my kind,
I entrance the purpose of God, and the doom assigned"
Now, am l a conspirator (Ohumu)? Is the reform
eague a conspiracy / do not know that 1 conspire
With any one; / have little time or inclination to talk
olitics my circle OF acquaintance is limited l have
lever met any one for the express purpose of discuss
ne the subject, though 1 do not know that such ac-
ion would constitute a conspirator l have made no
ecret of my opinions, though 1 do not know as they
Tould be regarded AS of much consequence Ever
/ became an annexationist. have freely and
penly expressed my opinions, just as have upon
he questions of paper money or reciprocity, and, 1
oppose, with just the same right. Thus, l conclude,
am not a conspirator.
The question of the exped;ency of the annexation
{ these Islands to the United States is as legitimate
;ubject for discussion as any other, and no odium
ught to attach to any who openly hold and sustain
lch n course.
Now, why am l an annexationist! 1 arrived here
arly in the f%ifties, with n strong prejudice against
american missionaries and American officials. I felt
nat / found here a better Government than l left be-
ind me in California, whittier 1 had gone from my
ative country. l became an ardent supporter of the
Government, though in the same quiet way
hat | am now an annexationist, not attracting the
or ever receiving any favOrs from the Gov
rnmcnt, or ever holding any Office. learned to re-
the chiefs with respect, believed in the courts of
- 81 I...ua a-l s,,l 49,, -o- 81 - A.