The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1873-11-08
UTLo. Noycmh.r ARA Is-g

Hmo, November 8rd. 1873.
To TIE EIa0r Of he Pacific Commercial Advertise
Sm;-lt is an undeniable fact in most countries,
that some portion Of its inhabitants cannot be con-
WINGED, that il is necessary for them 90 disturb their
own peace Of mind. comfort or apathy, for any posi-
BILE reason. They have nothing TO do with either re-
ligion or politics, nor even the welfare Of their fellow
men, SO long as their own pockets are well lined or their
broad acres unencumbered by mortgages. Changes
in government, or the measures Of n government in
volving the most important issues, are Of too small
moment 20 be needed by them; and they fondly hope
that somehow all viii go ON well for the balance OF
their time, let the future be what IL may for their
country. Why, Sir, the lrishman's argument
What right had he to care for posterity, postcrity
never did anything for him, had more sound rea-
son in it. Such men do not deserve the name OF
country, nor should they be regarded by their fell
lows as co~untrymen. Some few such selfish characters
we doubtless have in this country butt would here
take the liberty OF asserting boldly that there is not
- man in it. be his vocation or condition what il may,
who would escape without scath a period Of even
temporary agricultural depression. And. that such
n period, though without any apparent limit, is fast
approaching, anyone gifted with the most ordinary
faculties may plainly see foreshadowing. For several
months past, but still more lately our advices from
California are the more conirmatory Of this fact.
And now, MIR. Editor, where there Is effect there
must be cause; and l would here beg 20 put the ques-
ton to You seriously, and through the columns of
your paper TO the people generally.-why il is that.
while nearly every country under the sun is making
such rapid and important strides between other ma
tons and within themselves, these Islands are making
no progress, but the reverse. in commercial affairs
Are we lacking any Of the elements of greatness, in
ternally, geographically, physically or intellectually
If not,-and | do not believe we are, what il the
great bugbear that retards these Islands, located in
the very centre Of Pacific commerce, blessed too by a
beneficent Providence and with the great nations Of
the earth generally as our friends. from finding the
highway Of national prosperity
A great deal has been said and written during the
past year about the reciprocity treaty, though l fear
hat xary lttfla hoo hnan uos,al, az ooo ~ - l.u. l..
the proper quarter and by the proper parties to BE-
cure it. In fact, a good deal Of what has been writ
ten, in some Of the journals, upon the subject, has
reminded me of the suffering Methodist ut "A class
meeting, as follows: " Broth 'ren and Sistern, I've
got something to say TO you that will ma-ma-make
your very h-h-earts ti-tin-gle, ef | could only think
of it,
To the above inquiry, / could give. what TO me
would seem TO be clear and lucid answers, had | now
the time or your paper the space for It. But ] would
ask if you or any Of your readers would deem the
following remarks, pade II good many years ago. IN
the British Parliament, by one Geo. Canning, 10 any
way out of place just nowY At any rate IL can do
no harm to quote from said speech: "Ihave no dis
guise nor reservation he said-"I do think tliB
is n time when the administration Of the government
ought to be in the ablest and httest hands; / do not
think the hands in which it is now placed answer 10
that description; l do not pretend 10 conceal in what
quarter | think that fitness most eminently resides; |
do not subscribe 10 the doctrines which have been
advanced. that, in times like the present, the fitness
VI hhi W thNh HohbiChl itb - uo DhlA
of the consideration TO which a member Of Parlia-
ment may fairly turn his attention. | know not a
more solemn or important duty that a member Of
Parliament can have to discharge, than by giving, Mt
Sit seasons, n free opinion upon the character and
qualities Of public men. Away with the cant Of
measures, not men The idle supposition that il is
the harness, and not the horses, that draw the char
lot along; no sir, if the comparison must be made, if
the distinction must be taken, men are everything. |
speak, sir, of times of difficulty and danger, Of
times when systems are shaken, when most precedents
and general rules of conduct fail-then il is, that not
to this or that measure. however prudently devised,
however blameless in execution, but to the energy
and character Of individuals, n State must be indebted
for its salvation. Then il is that kingdoms rise or
fall in proportion as they are upheld, not by well
meant endeavors, laudable though they may be. but
by commanding, over-awing talents, by able men,"
The idea that the United States are unsolicitous
about us, was dispelled ut the time Of the late Kings
death, by its Immediately dispatching men-of-war
ships to these waters; and, still later, upon hearing
Of His present Majesty's illness, ordering the Admit
raj to your port. Though this latter action may be
owing to the row our soldiers cut up lately, and their
thinking We needed some helping hand (as well they
might when some twenty-eight soldiers defed all the
force the authorities could bring 20 bear against them,
and allowed them to dictate their own terms before
capitulating) Thus, whilst il would be gross injus-
tice for the United States or any other nation 10 deny
that our government is a respectable one, IL must be
fairly admitted by all parties that il is n miserably
weak one. Oh. ye deities and oh, ye shades Of the
once mighty Kamehamehas
That the proposed treaty is being f~avorably con-
sidered in the United States there is no doubt, nor is
there much doubt Of its being concluded, il not
killed by the very people whom it would most avail
And now, Sir, while our sugars are ruling Mt such
fearfully low rates in California, is the time for you,
and for all friends to reciprocity TO keep the matter
agitated. The present low price OF sugar is not only
r~etarding improvements Oh the plantations already
in operation, and preventing the owners from renew
ing their machinery for manufacturing purposes, 80
as to keep pace with other sugar producing countries:
but is also checking the laudable efforts Of numbers,
both of natives and foreigners, who are willing and
anxious to embark in the enterprise, If only the
slightest encouragement could be guaranteed them.
All Of which / contend could be done by the proposed
treaty Of reciprocity. With this treaty, Sir, we
could reasonably calculate on five cents a pound for
our sugar in 9 bags equal 10 five and three quar-
ter cents in " kegs which prices would not only
be remunerative TO the plantations already under
way. but would give n stimulus for new ones 10 start
and for old ones TO add TO their works, employ more
machinery, purchase more lumber and goods Of all
descriptions, employ all the unemployed labor Of
which there is no lack Notwithstanding an occasional
cutlery to the contrary at fair wages for a fair days
work, increase their property value. pay more taxes,
and, in short would enable all Of as 70 live better
and to die better Christians, as, at the above prices
even at the present rates Of shipment--S3OO,0O DOC
more money would annually be brought into the
country. Yours, y.
Do the People Have Rights the "Kilauea"