The Hawaiian gazette., 1871-02-15
Shall We Help Our.eI,e. {.

We understand that about two-thirds Of
the money estimated to be necessary to
putting afoat the Hotel project, has been
pledged by our citizens. 1t is believed that
the project is one demanded by our necessi-
ties, and one that ought to be pushed for
ward at the present time. Almost every
one is of opinion that good Hotel will
be paying concern to the Lessee, and
that, if properly managed, it viii be
great accommodation TO the travelling
public, as well as convenience to our own
resident population.
But opinions, beliefs and good wishes
are not the coin which will purchase
stones, bricks, mortar, lumber and skilled
labor nor out of these alone can any
building be constructed more substantial
than an air castle, or the baseless fabric
of a dream"
1t is certainly interesting to notice the
dreamy way in which our community has
handled this subject in the past. 1t is
nearly thirty years since Mr.. Wyllie pro-
posed to the citizens of the town of that
day to set about erecting hotel. 1t has
been talked of, at intervals, from that time
to the present; sometimes languidly,
sometimes with spirit that, while it
lasted, promised to result in something
tangible. Yet all ended in dreams-or
that slow-coach-idea of ours, that by-and
by some large-hearted, wealthy individual
from abroad, full of generosity, intent
upon our welfare, and Indifferent to profits
on his own investments, animated simply
with a burning desire to make us rich and
happy, would some fine morning land upon
our shores and straightway put up pala-
tial hotel, and "run it for our benefit
He has been prepared also to put his prices
so low that everybody could feed at the
table dhOte;, or deal more magnifcently
by our public by running the establish
ment free of charge to his customers.
Why not? Dreams are dreams, and
like cheap words their magniffcence costs
nothing. ~
There are still in our midst some dream
ers of this sort, and that such will ever put
their shoulders to the wheel" to help
themselves through the public veal, is
beyond possibility.
OF very different sort is one of the
subscribers to the bonds, an intelligent
mechanic, who rightly thinks that he can
employ all his means in his business, yet
comprehends that in general increase of
business his own particular branch will be
improved; that in helping public enter
prise he really helps himself; that the Gre
alton of business is the great secret of
success. "Put me down, though 1 may
have to borrow the money. 1t is better
for me to pay what difference of interest
may arise out of it, than to have the hotel
fall through for want of encouragement
and lack of public spirit"
We may rest assured that if we do not
help ourselves nobody will help us; and
that being an insular community, we must
depend ON our own exertions and the in
telligent development of our own re-
sources for progress and advancement in
prosperity.
1t is desirable that all the money re-
quired should be pledged before the build
ing is commenced, and it would seem that
no delay ought to occur in its being SO
pledged. We believe that many would
come forward if they would give the sub
ject consideration and think it over, or
even listen attentively to what is said or
written about it. 1t is singular, for in
stance, that some still think that the
project is that of stock company that
by taking bonds they venture all the
money advanced by them that the project
is another Kilauea stock company affair;
whereas the bond-holder simply loans his
money for five years, with the certainty of |
the principal beng returned to him, his
only risk being that the interest on the
bond may be five instead of nine per cent
or on the other hand, that he may gain
twelve or more per cent, if success attends
the establishment from the beginning
Such an investment, for so desirable an
end, ought to commend itself at once to
every dealer, mechanic and business man
in the town without personal argument or
persuasion.
We notice that the subscribers meet to-
day, to choose committee and to talk
over the matter, and we suppose the ad-
of pursuing the project further
will come up in the discussion.