The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1873-08-30
HILo, August 18th, 1873

SIR.-When perusing the many articles which,
during the past few months, have appeared in your
paper on the subject of reciprocity-some of them
deserving of great credit for the very able manner in
which the subject has been handled, whatever a
parcel of would-be-thought friends may aver to the
contrary have frequently been reminded of that
pregnant exclamation of Sancho Panza, blessed
be the man who invented Sheep not that l wish it
to be understood, by this quotation, as by any means
implying that our Ministers have been altogether
slumbering since they have been in office; but, l do
mean to infer that the initiatory steps, which they
have Just taken, might as well as not have been
taken months ago. Perhaps, however, in the Cab
net there were those whose convictions, as to the
policy or the good that might accrue from reciprocity,
were not clear; and whose "eyes had to be couched
for cataract - in order that they become recipients
of the new and eliminating light. 1 trust it is from
conviction that their views have been changed,
instead of from conversion-as conversion without
conviction is neither more nor less than hypocrisy.
For months past, and uninfluenced by other than
a most sincere belief in the abstract justice OF the
measure, | have advocated this Treaty of Reciprocity
on the proposed terms-the ceding of Pearl River.
My ideas, as well as being strengthened by the views
taken by our planters and others, whose policy has
NAWNJS ~ IAOAASNNG vi IN ~ SN-A1
were based upon higher considerations. Therefore
as l did not adopt those views loosely, / shall not
abandon them lightly. On the contrary, after Civ
ing my fullest consideration to the argument of those
who were formerly, like myself, opponents, but now
advisers of the change, l can see no substantial
reason for departing from my deliberate views and
asserting to n measure which justice, and in truth
the future welfare of these islands, have alike
induced our Ministers TO adopt. And / would here
wish to add that it rejoiceth not only the writer, but
numbers amongst the rejecting portion of this COM
munity to find that after mapping so long, the Cab
met has not proven faint-hearted or capable of
yielding their actions and opinions to the bTutum
fuEmen of the -NuhOu and others of the Sc outs"
Far be it from me, however, to assert that amongst
those who have held to opposite opinions, there be
not some who have done so from the best and purest
motives, and from the honest convictions of their
consciences. The public career of some and the
private virtues of others, would belle me if L dared
assert the contrary; but, 1 do dare to assert that it is
not from those pure and disinterested motives the
above mentioned clique have acted and are still con-
tinuing to influence the ignorant masses. l can
only say of these would-be philanthropists that my
candid opinion is their hatred to the present Cabinet
is only equalled by their Ignorance and consummate
assurance.
Oh, Mr.. Editor, the ways that are dark, and
tricks that are VAIN ! III treating II LnlS I'LL OF
reciprocity, you are not dealing with n fractional or
insignificant interest, but with one which, numeric-
ally speaking, is the most important Of any in this
kingdom. If the prosperity of this country is once
allowed to recede-as recede | am fully convinced it
must if some such measures as the Ministry now
contemplate be not carried into efect-the conse- |
quences may be more ruinOus than any of us can
yet foresee. This country has now arrived at that
epoch where it must either progress or fall back-it
cannot by any possibility stand still. 1t will pro-
gress fast enough if you but give it scope; if you
check it, it will inevitably decline. So, God speed
the treaty.
About on a par with those old fogies who so sagely
declare that it is only the planters and 4 limited
number of others amongst us who would receive any
benefit from reciprocity with the United States, /
must, before closing, relate an incident that came
under my own personal observation the other day.
Whilst walking along our Hio beach, L came in con-
tact with O group Of foreigners and natives, some of
whom we're gesticulating most violently, and loudly
discussing the merits-pros and cons-of the pro-
posed treaty. Now, methinks, as | was well &C
ouainted with the crowds an opportunity to vent
my long pent up feelings on the subject, so-with n
salutation-I begged they would allow me to do so.
| had however, by courtesy, first to allow the gentle
man, who was then speaking-and who was an
enemy to the treaty-to get through with what he
had to say. The reason he could not make up his
mind to reciprocity was, that 1t could not possibly
benefit the islands, for, said he, :" when the duties are
taken off the sugars, the consumers and refneries in
San Francisco will expect to purchase them the
sugars, not the Duties at a proportionate rate to
the amount of duties RENTED - and at this sapient
idea, which seemed at that moment to have forced
itself into his brains-he with some others fairly
chuckled with delight. Now, mon dieu Mr..
Editor, after such a clincher as that, what could do
but touch my hat and leave as quickly and with as
good grace as possible? / had never viewed the
matter through those specs before. l think that
chap stands q fair chance Of being sent to the next
Legislature. tours, y.