The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1873-08-02

Dc true OF any eUQEL Whicn Will ever De UlAlt ~ our
prosperity; that it VIII take time to accomplish the
object, which is very true, but which should not lead
Us TO give up the attempt, for the advantages will be
as valuable doubtless for many years, As at the
present time. 1t should however be remembered
that the success Of such 4 treaty does not of itself in
sure prosperity, unless we by our efforts avail our
selves Of its advantages. l 10 not understand that
its supporters claim for the treaty that it is q uni
versal panacea for all ills. 1t should be only one Of
many efforts which the opportunities and resources
Of the nation invite its friends to make, and its ne
g~otiation should not weaken efforts in other directions.
It should be emembere by those who array
themselves against the treaty that the class pref
udices and intoIerant suspicious which they seek to
excite in order to defeat it, will remain as obstacles
TO any other measures which may be brought for
ward, and that their efforts can but be evil in their
effects whether this plan succeeds or fails. The
appeals that are now being made to the native Ha-
waiians to combine against certain classes of for
eigners. and the efforts to convince them that any
measures proposed by foreigners must necessarily be
opposed to their interests and be conceived in a
hostile spirit, are but seeds sown in their minds
which can only produce evil. am aware that many
motives may influence opposition from certain for
eigners. I am not surprised that hostility 10 the
United States may lead some to try and influence
Hawaiians against that country, just as the Fenians
in America doubtless honestly thought they we're
justified in trying to embroil their adopted country
with Great Britain, for some expected benefit to
Ireland.
1 am aware that the bitter hostility which some
evince to our leading interests will impel them, in
spite of better judgment, to sacrifice any national
good rather than see success crown the efforts of
those they have taught themselves to hate. know
that opposition to those who are in Office will often
lead men to oppose measures that they may prevent
their success from rejecting credit upon those who
carry them out. l presume too that men acting
from these and kindred motives may, by processes of
s~ophistry, persuade themselves that they are acting
from higher motives, but from a purely Hawaiian
standpoint why free trade with the United States
should be Objectionable, or why the existence of a
United States naval station at Pearl river should be
deemed disastrous, L am not able to see. A people
jealous of their own naval power, would Of course
have a motive to prevent the establishment of an
arsenal on their shores, and thus it is true that
England or France would not be likely to make such
a treaty, though both have coded territory, but that
such an opportunity for advancement would be
declined by Greece or Belgium, provided they were
able to secure such a one, 1 cannot conceive. Italy
We know has done so, and Denmark was very anx-
ious to follow the example of Russia in ceding terri
tory to the United States.
1t is argued that the treaty is supported by those
whose interests would be b~eneftted, and that it must
therefore be bad for the natives. The interests of
individuals in the aggregate make up the interests
of any community, and it is the honorable labor of
each person for his own interest primarily under the
law and with due regard to the interests Of others,
which constitutes the progress and wealth of nations;
and Hawaii is no exception to this rule. The envy
and hostility which the prospective success of any of
the community excite in the minds of those who, I'M
willing to strive for, cannot expect to attain to, any
of the success, would certainly sum Jalser right to
walk by them the self-interest of those who, in striv-
ing for themselves, cannot help but elevate others.
"In spite of the worlds duh endeavor,
To degrade and drag down and oppose il forever"
As a judicial rule, it is doubtless correct that a
man should have no interest in a case submitted
to his decision but to claim that it should prevail
in national questions, would be as absurd as to say
that a man should not control his own business be-
cause he had an interest in it. The practical effect
of increased prosperity in our agricultural and graz
ing interests, will be to stimulate new enterprises,
and through competition raise the price of labor and
material, and thus enlist in favor of such increase of
prosperity the interests of all working classes. To
eACluue lueSe IrOm pOuLlCdl lDuueQCG DeCauSe u I0elE
interests, and to repress such attempt at develop
ment is to relapse into barbarism.
L confess that with your correspondent I" L see
that there are difficulties to be overcome, but believe
they should stimulate US to greater exertion. 1 trust
that our government viii approach the question in a
statesmanlike manner, basing the proposition to the
United States Government upon the broad ground of
the mutual advantage of the two countries, as 1 have
sfofa1 n in tho opepip0 Of fbic article If fhav are
met in a fair spirit of negotiation on broad grounds.
l trust they will make a treaty, but any hsggling
convention, conducted in an overreaching spirit. 1
would earnestly deprecate and regret. l do not be-
lieve that the honor of this nation would be compro-
missed by the cession of Pearl Harbor. The sover-
eighty of a territory or any part of a territory is held
as a trust for the good of the nation, and is to be
held, exercised or coded, as the national good de-
mands. If the great benefits of reciprocity with the
United States can be obtained by such a cession, it
seems to mt that every consideration of national
progress, prosperity and independence calls for the
cession.
The independence and integrity of Hawaii is in no
danger from external foes they only have to fear
the slow disintegration which comes from national
decadence and the ebbing away of the prosperity and
strength of the nation this is the evil which now
threatens US and which we should stop at all hazards.
l do not say that this treaty is the only way to
meet this change, but | believe it to be the most
available and best way, if it can be accomplished at
all. We should, however, lend our best efforts to
any plans or measures which might be proposed,
from any source, which we believe practicable. | am
convinced that the worst evil We can do ourselves or
this nation is to excite polish prejudices, (more easily
excited than alleged) and so prevent any measures
from successful operation. To this end, we must op-
pose those who would simply hang upon the drag
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