The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1873-03-01
lNuttsn loT ihe Z. Z AdNeTnscEI
Cur Industrial Interests.

II il a strange fact, which has been casually re
marked upon by the COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER, that
/ those az Honolulu in favor Of closer relations with
the United States have kept their views " sub roSs, ;"
! while the opponents of measures indispensable 10 the
industrial life OF the nation have not been oyernodest
in expressing their sentiments Whatever apology we
may seek TO make for the sensitiyeneSs of the former
10 proprieties, We cannot easily explain away that
ohsequiousneSs Of the latter, which has called forth
the comment of the California editors, that they will
be able TO show why American-born people here have
out done natives and others born under = monarchy
in their hurried and profound expressions Of SdInira-
ton for the kingly office, when they have a list Of
the candidates for the Offices 10 be filled under the
new monarch; they might have also added, and Of
whatever business establishments seem 10 flourish
best under the present tariffs But as selhshneSs is
generally blind 10 its own interests, IL Is not difficult
10 show, that in all this there is likely 10 be a series
Of sad mistakes at the most important crisis OF the
industries Of this cOuntry- Whatever promotes the
general business Of these islands, whatever brings in
an intelligent, moral and enterprising population,
whatever secures capital for the development Of in
ternal resources, promotes every branch OF business,
whether il be that of mechanic or merchant or
farmer, advances the income and the dignity of civil
officers, and even If 1t does sometimes for q while
slightly increase taxation, affords what is better than
light taxes with p~aralyZed industries, with the pay
ment of tariffs on exports equal TO double our reye-
nue. En- for abundantly paying the heaviest taxes.
The writer of this article happened TO take "A voyage
on the steamers running from San Francisco 10 San
Diego at the time when suddenly the vast Mexican
estates Of Southern California were thrown into the
market. The enthusiasm with which multitudes
hurried to that agricultural paradise. filling each
steamer with 500 passengers, was said TO have been
like that of the breaking out of the WashOe excite
ment. The result was that county taxes had indeed
soon TO be paid in little towns formerly haunted
by vsqueros and Spanishlndian horse thieves; but
in less than two years the most Staunch and intelli-
gent and moral classes of Virginia City and of Cali
fOrnis cities had established schools and churches in
all those towns. and three thriving banks had been
built in the sleepy city Of Les Angeles, and three
rFlHaJ IA1 fhnra rRauua IN a.nsEa ~ taarp 1f
$50, 900 per month, and railroads and canals for ex-
tensive irrigation had been commenced. Had some
of our prominent citizens been there with prospect
of petty salaries depending on the resumal of an OLD
regime, with British or German jealousies of America,
with business relations with Europe prOspering by
tariffs on American goods, doubtless they would have
been as disinterested and modest as recently at Ho-
nolulu in crying down new projects.
But with US it is not merely a question whether we
shall make an effort for a vast increase of prosperity.
1t is now, with the decrease in the value Of our ex-
portations, with the decrease of our forces for labor
and of our capital and credit, with the decrease of
our population and the corresponding increase of our
national debt, becoming a question Of life and death
for the financial, if lot social, interests of these
islands.
Now. while it is thus evident that the projects
offered for closer relations with the United States
are fraught with good, and Indispensable to our
prosperity. it is just as evident, even now, that they
are feasible. Even if annexation to the United
States is necessary for these islands, our chief ruler.
who was ready to submit his claim for the throne
to a plebiscitum, who now more sincerely and
magnanimOusly than any former ruler seeks the
welfare of these islands. would, of course, be ready
to make the slight change from his present form of
Office to that, for instance, of the lifelong magis-
tracy of the territory or State Of the American
Union, with the increased dignity, arising from
vastly increased population and internal improve
ment and Observation-Disclosures, and from eminence
also in the greater American Government and OF
course the masses of the natives, who have been in-
different to such changes even as the former abro-
cation of their Constitution, who were only by the
skillful efforts of foreigners aroused to their pres
ent enthusiasm for the new order OF things, would
when they knew that their Hawaiian King was to
continue their ruler. as also perhaps Hawaiian
judges and other officials to remain in power, when
they also knew of their advantage in the national
and of the value of their lands, consent to the
necessary change.
But If it is necessary merely TO strive for q reci-
procity treaty with The United States, and to make
adequate effort for it, either by the cession of a
naval depot to that country, or by the visit of His
Majesty to Washington, or by some other method,
those who are the chief. if not only, opponents of
this project. who, with ~professed patriotism for this
land of their present adoption, yet through the
prejudices of the antiguated monarchies OF the old
world against American institutions, or through
petty business interests, are striving to thwart the
whole measure for the welfare of these islands,
should be branded as traitors to the very country
to which they profess loyalty. 1t is time that feel
ings of delieacy should be thrown off and import
ant national projects be not merely meditated
upon SUB Rosa"