The Hawaiian gazette., 1869-07-07


year. in Honolnlu. with less jubilant eel
ebratiou, than for many years past. In
fact. aside from little boatrraclng, horse
riding. the closing Of many of the stores.
the small procession Of that worthy
society, the Good Templars, and that indie
scribable bearing of elation and pride,
which is always observable on the coun-
tenanee Of the native-born American citi-
zen. on his nations natal day. the day
passed as most other days do with US, dur
ing this dullest season of the year.
Various reasons may be assigned for
this sudden apathy among our American
fellow residents, as regards the celebration
of the Fourth of July among these rea-
sons, we can but feel that the tendency Of
late years. (the past two or three, in par
ticular,) to make the celebration of the
day as much demonstration of approval
or disapproval of the course Of Hawaiian
politics, or an opportunity to thrust sights,
and attempt to humiliate, or markedly neg
lect those who are laboring among US, as
of mutual congratulations and rejoicing,
upon the recurrence of another anniversa-
~ of the announcement of American In
dependence, as one great cause why efforts
] have not been made to celebrate the day,
this year, as has been the practice to cele-
brate it in former years, that is, by public
professions, orations, etc.
In former years, it had been the practice
for all Americans to unite IN celebrating
the day. regardless of political opinion or
position in this country, and it seemed to
be mutually understood, that on that day,
all political and we may say, personal ami
mosities, were sunk and forgotten, in the
general desire to do honor alike, to the
great principles promulgated, and the great
nation founded, by the Declaration of In
dependence of July 4th, 1776. In those
days, Ito which many look back with re-
gret,) the Fourth of July was, with Ameri-
cans here, day of real rejoicing, so much
so, indeed, that the rejoicing became infec-
tious, and none, of whatsoever nation or
creed, could get through the day in Homo
lula without partaking, in degree, of the
enthusiasm and good feeling of their neigh
bors. People then, could go to listen to
an eloquent oration without the fear lest
they should, in so doing, be obliged TO lis
ten to disparaging allusions to the Govern
ment, under whose protection they were
peacefully living and enjoying every liberty
compatible with good government; neither
could they apprehend that they should
hear their neighbor, with whom they asso-
ciated every day, and whom they respected
and esteemed, made the object of the ora
tors sarcasms and denunciations. Those
were the days, when all alike, who admired
the principles set forth 10 the "Declara-
ton of Independence, or whose forefathers
fought and suffered with the patriots who
achieved the national existence, proclaim
ed by the Continental Congress, could par
ticipate in the festivities CT the occasion
without being questioned as to whether
their views on Hawaiian politics agreed
with Messrs. A., 3. and c., who might
deem themselves to be the infallible direc-
tors of public opinion.
1t is to be regretted that this happy
state of things should have changed that
of late years no Fourth of July celebra-
tion has passed, without the orator of the
day taking occasion to make political al
lusions entirely foreign to the celebration
of the day; and personal illusions which
are most unseemly on such occasions, and
which one, who Is sufficiently honored by
his fellow citizens to be thought worthy of
being called upon to address public as
sembly, should hesitate, before making any
where. We all recollect the Grafton of
Reverend Gentleman, then resident here,
on the occasion of the celebration of the
Fourth of July, 1867. We all recollect
too, certain, what many then thought and
still think, uncalled for sarcasms directed
against the Government and certain Off
cials of the Government of this country.
1t was asked then, and it may well be
asked now, what the orators opinion upon
Hawaiian politics had to do with the cele-
bration Of the Fourth of July? What
his opinion Of any individual then in exist
ence, had to do with the principles laid
down in the Declaration of Independence ?
Many good, loyal Americans, as loyal,
as proud of the present position, and as
hopeful Of the future of their country, as
the orator himself. heard such portions of
his address with disapprobation and regret
and many Of them, no doubt, felt that 1t
would be better not to make demonstra-
ton on the 4th of July. lest it might not
be got over without the committees of
arrangement, feeling it incumbent upon
themselves to refrain from inviting certain
persons to participate in the celebration,
lest the presence of such persons might
make it extremely awkward for the orator
Of the daH To exercise his wit and noMers