The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1872-11-09
From Advertiser, Nov. 5
The Good Templars not Exclusive-A Reply
to "Cosmopolite."

Mr.. EDITOR In your SEMI-WEEKLY CONNER
CIAL ADVERTISER of October 3lst, l find a cOmmu-
nication signed "CosmOpolite,' and headed LEX
elusive Good Templars'' AS that communication
contains SOM grave misstatements, l shall feel much
obliged if you will allow me to reply to him through
your columns.
"Cosmopolite,' - in speaking of the Order of Good
Templars, says, 81 am told that it is an extremely
exclusive body, in which the rules of caste and race
are rigidly observed, so rigidly indeed that any per-
son having a single drop of Hawaiian blood in their
veins, is denied admittance to the Lodge. This
actually is the case, as l am credibly informed, at
least in regard to one of the lOdges,-the one that
convenes at the lower end of King street, refer
ring. Mr.. Editor, to Ultima Thule Lodge, No. l, L.
D. G. T., as that is the only one in that place.
Now | am in q position TO deny this statement as
made above in toto. On the contrary, the only
qualifications necessary for any person to possess in
order to be eligible for membership in Ultima Thule
Lodge, No l, /. o. G. T., are distinctly stated on the
record of that Lodge,-that they shall be of a good
moral character, and be able to understood the Eng
lish language intelligibly. AS proof positive of this
being the law Of that Lodge, l here state that there
is now q member in good standing in that Lodge,
who attends the meetings Of 1t regularly, and shares
alike with the white members in all the privileges of
membership, a full blooded half white, Miss Emma
J. Mitchell, whose fIther is one of the Oldest mem
bers in the Lodge and a white man, and whose
mother was a full blooded Hawaiian.
Now, Mr.. Editor. that these are facts. any men,
Der of that Lodge in good standing will inform
you. or u visit to the Lodge room, and an lnspec-
ton of the Lodge record and roll, viii prove it
beyond a doubt and l shall be most happy to ac-
company any one wishing to satisfy himself to the
Lodge room and exhibit the above proofs.
Again. "Cosmopoliten further states that. " A
respectable woman with her husband, who is an
industrious mechanic. were denied admittance to
Ultima Thule Lodge No. /. for no other reason than
because her mother was an aboriginal Hawaiian.
although her father was one of the superior race"
In this statement there is one error, and also, an
assertion, that cannot be proved by the facts of the
case. The error is in saying, " with her husband. !"
| most positively state that her husband did not
apply at all. He was formerly a member of this
Lodge. but took a clearance card some months
since and has never made any application for re-
admission. The assertion is that she was refused
admittance on account of her HsTaiian blood.
Now. Mr.. Editor, how is "COsmopOlite,' or any
one else, even though a member of the Lodge, and
present at the time. to know this, can be or they
look into the hearts of those who blackballed this
applicant, (supposing it to be known who they are,
which is next to impossible, the ballot being secret)
and read the reason of their so doingH
That she was blackballed l admit, but as it appears
that those who have Hawaiian blood in their veins
are admitted as members, as proven by the actual
presence in the Lodge Of one half-white now q men,
Der, and by the law in regard TO qualifications nee
essary for membership; how can " Cosmopolite,' or
any one else, say that that was reason she was
rejected. He, or his informant, may be under the
impression that that was the reason, but they cannot
know it.
In every secret order it requires but very few
black balls to reject an applicant, lin this Order of
Good Templars it requires five black balls) and even
taking COsmOpolite's " ground that she was rejected
on account of Hawaiian blood, which l do not believe.
is it just to condemn the whole Lodge of nearly one
hundred members, for the action of a few, or to de-
clare, Gas " Cosmopolite u does) that the whole order
preach, but do not practice charity?
4 few words more and / am done. The qualifi-
catien requiring an Ineligible understanding of
the English language, was made on account of the
work of the Lodge being conducted in English, and
to avoid having TO interprete everything. In Queen
Emma Lodge No. 2, the language used in the'work
is the Hawaiian, its members being composed of
Hawaiians, half-Hhi;e, and several whites, whose
relatives being there, and they also understanding
the language. preferred joining that Lodge. The
members of Queen Emma No. 2 visit Ultima Thule
No. l, and Uice versa. and l have yet to hear of the
first instance of a want of attention, or an inten-
tional slight, thrown upon a visitor in either Lodge.
Lastly, Mr.. Editor. l would askif "CosmOpolite"
is not a member of the Order, (of which factImust
say l have my doubts) how comes he to be so well
informed of the working. and business transactions
of an Order claiming to hold their meetings in
secret session.
And now Mr.. Editor. please excuse the length of
this communication but I know what an amounto of
good the Lodge. and the Order have done myself,
and others, and l lave it too well to allow such an
attack to pass unnoticed, when l had the means of
refuting it, and | could not well do so in fewer
words. Yours respectfully,
w. NJ. WALLACE.