The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1873-03-15

70 call them and | heartily pray that they may be
forever united m the cause OF justice and liberty
cannot be contemplated without the utmost pleas-
ure by every enlightened citizen " the earth"
Al a momentous epoch. the two nations Informally
came together 10 check European absolutism by
asserting a principle from which neither has gecrdrd
and which has become a recognized principle oG
American policy. Its moral force was lately tcit a,
the close 81 the late rebellion. when the United
states having recovered their slrength, were ready
20 act, and the French troops. after a quiet intima-
ton. sullenly withdrew from Mexico and left Max
imilian to his tate. The United States will adhere
TO il. and Great Britain will not recede IRON H. for
her statesmen compelled its utterancc, and really
presided At ITS birth. In terms IL applies 10 these
islands as part Of the Western hemisphere.
ASPECT ~ uiE QUESTION To NATIVE HAwAnANs.
The most important question remains. How will
annexation Affect native HawaiiansG Before the
passage OF the great constitutional amendments,
aud the consequent legislation In the United States,
the question would have been a difficult one. Ii H.
now hard TO imagine how the personal rights OF
Hawaiians could be more perfectly secured Than
by the Constitution OF the United States. They
no longer depend upon race or color. uawniians
should also remember that whatever benefits the
whole country will benefit them.-tbat their lands
will rise in value-that intelligent labor will prove
more remunera,ive-that opportunities for self
improvement will increase with the progress OF the
country-aboye all, they can claim the inestlmable
privileges Of American citizens wherever they may
be thrown on the wide surface OF the globe, as
shipwrecked mariners, or by other misfortune.
DEPENDENT SOVEREIGNTY OF rHE HAWAIIAN NATION
WITHIN THE UNITED STATES.
But II does not follow, even IL this archipelago Is
10 become an integral part Of the American Union,
through which alone il will be known 10 other ma
tons, that the rights Of the native race will be
destroyed, its kings and chiefs degraded. or the ma
tional sovereignty extingoishei. The theory Of tho
United States Government will permit these islands
70 become n part Of its national dominion. 10 bc
defended by all its armies aud nayics, with n -four
ishing commerce upon its borders aud an opulent
foreign population 10 bear its burdens; and, yet,
within the outer limits. the Hawaiian nation may
retain its original integrity, without being taxable
for any Of the expenses Of foreign rule. Neither
could personal service of any kind be demanded
Of them in war or peace. They could make laws aud
enforce them, and the guardian country without
charge would protect them against invasion. Under
such conditions, the position of the Hawaiian race
would not be suddenly or materially changed. The
Royal Standard would still float, and the rights Of
the chiefs would continue. The crown lands and
palaces should be appropriated to Hawaiian uses.
Within specific portions Of territory they could
maintain an independent government upon their
own resources. Such n government would be e-
cusiyely Hawaiian, and there should be no cause for
giving all the high offices TO foreigners. The Hawai-
ians would thus enjoy n greater practical independ-
ence than while independent only in name, with
q government controlled by foreigners.
by this scheme the URited States, n strong ma
ton, would assume the general control OF the ISL
ands and their relations TO other countries, and
would maintain and defend the aboriginal nation
in all its integrity, inside OF their lines. BY the
Pearl River scheme, the weaker nation, after nd
hitting a most disturbing element, would continue
TO maintain a government aud foreign relations.
which experience has shown can only be done by
aid OF foreigners. The former scheme Is the sim
pier and more natural. But IL should be distinctly
understood that although the Hawaiian people
might preserve a peculiar sovereignty within the
dominion and under the flag of the United States,
they are by no means, under obligation TO accept
or retain it;--but it would be the right OF individ-
uals, or Of the whole nation, at any time hereafter,
to transfer their allegiance to the Federal Republic.
secure the privileges Of American citizens, acquire
the right to vote at American elections and become
themselves eligible to any Office OF honor, trust or
profit, without distinction of race or color.
LABOR QUESTION.
There is constant alarm about the labor question.
My views on that subject are well known, but as |
cannot qualify them, l will not repeat them. They
were formed in Massachusetts and no change OF
climate can modify them. But IL the labor system
is consistent with the Constitution OF the United
States, you have nothing TO fear. II IL is at vari-
ance with it, you can never expect q great republic
which has spent millions OF dollars and sacrificed
thousands of lives to extirpate the system OF slavery
and whose moral influence has compelled weaker
republics to withdraw their flag from the coolio
traffic, to foster in any way an institution which IL
abhors, especially by the votes of two-thirds Of ita
Senators. Nor could the design of such a project
be well concealed. On the other hand, II planters
can refine their own sugar and deliver IL FREQ of
duty all over the United States, they can leave the
labor question to take care OF itself and can afford
large concessions to the free principle.
HOW CAN ANNEXATION DE ACCOMPLISHED.
One more question. How can annexation be
efectedf Much more easily at each end than reel
procity ever can be. A reciprocity treaty requires
a two-thirds vote in the Senate. Annexation can DO
secured by n bare majority in each House. II IL
familiar history that the admission Of Texas hung for
II while upon the doubtful vote Of Senator Bagby Of
Alabama, which was only obtained at the last mo-
ment. An Act Of Congress or joint resolution ap-
proved by the President is essential to secure tlp
admission of this group Of islands as n state or terri
tory. The assent Of the United States may be given
at the last moment, or it may be given in advance by
On enabling act, authorizing admission after the
proper steps have been taken here Congress will
never consent to receive this country ne part Of the
American Union except upon the condition OF receiy-
ing the full and deliberate assent Of n majority of it's
people. This consideration, however, need not re-
strain interested individuals from Immediately pre-
senting petitions TO Congress for the passage Of such
enabling acts as shall make the annexation complete,
when the necessary conditions shall have been full
filed here, and such an act may contain the amplest
provisions for preserving the integrity Of the native
race rs a dependent sovereignty. 1t 10 perfectly COM
petent for individuals to petition the Congress Of tho
United States without awaiting the action Of tho
Hawaiian Government. They may get their petition
ready tomorrow.
Some say that the natives will not accept annexa-
ton. Have you ever tried them7 Is not declared
annexation, with all its advantages, quite as desira-
bic as disguised annexation with all its diffcultiesr
On the other hand, you have tried the United States.
and they have refused reciprocity. Will the Pearl
River bait conceal the hook this timer It will be
much easier 10 satisfy q majority OF the Hawaiian
nation that annexation Is beneficial than to per-
suade twO-thirds of the American Senate TO accept
reciprocity. A great country cannot be trihed with.
You ought not to begin by asking for more than you
expect. Determine in advance what you can afford
to ask for, and then stand by it. Let il be no job, nor
scheme Of spectators, beginning at Washington or
New York, and involving the corruption Of half OF
Congress, but the deliberate proposition Of an
humble, but heightened nation, who, having profted
by long and friendly relations with the United States,
desire the inestimabe benefits Of u more perfect
Union.
CONCLUSION.
The case presented assumes a very critical state
of affairs. | will not be responsible, in my own
judgment for saying how serious the crisis is. 1
am a lawyer, and must rely on the judgmento OF bus
mess men. and some Of them whom ! trust, tell me
that speedy relief is Indispensable. Relief by re-
ciprocity treaties aud small cessions OF territory
appears quite inadequate, and would not be ac-
ceptable TO the United States. Nothing is left but