The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1873-07-12

uon IN all constitutional go~yernments, the dissp-
pointed and disc0n,entei are apt to adop; some party
cry or set up some staDdard around which can gather
the " outs " Of all compilations and political crecds,
10 cooperate IN the often questionable tactics Of
politicians 70 make up q party, and inhame passions
on which they may get into notoriety or P~erchance
satisfy ambition for legislative honors. \ ieW weeks
ago, it vas limited that opposition to the measures Of
the Board Of Health to isolate lepers was to be the
r~sllying point Of such as these in Hawaiian politics,
but the firm attitude Of the Government and the
plain necessity Of such action seems TO have led
them to abandon that, and now opposition 10 the
proposed Treaty Of Reciprocity with the United
States, being s subject on which the native mind
could be more easily misled, it seems to be the band
Of union among the A~dullamites Ito use John
Bright's phrase) of Hawaii nei.
At a recent meeting, the proposition to oede =
naval station TO the United States in exchange for a
Treaty Of Reciprocity, was distorted and exaggerated,
after the usual style of a certain class Of politicians,
into an attempt to establish a Republic in the midst
Of this kingdom, and TO ~subjugate the people. OF
course, among foreigners such arguments would
only be used 10 raise \ smile. 1t is well known that
the proposition does not cover any intent to cede
any more rights TO the authorities of the navy yard
than are now enjoyed by the commander Of any ship
Of war in our harbor. In fact, 1t is supposed that
the Treaty may provide for certain privileges for the
Hawaiian Government as q right under the condi-
tions of the cession, which in the case Of war vessels
are now only allowed as n matter of courtesy. Hence
the long diSquisition upon the horrors of political
subjugation was foreign TO the question, and without
any foundation, either possible or probable, 50 far as
4 Treaty of cession was concerned.
We are told that just such arguments as were
used at that meeting have been used on many occa-
sions in Hawaiian history.
The foreigners that were around Liholiho when
the missionaries asked permission to land on Hawaii,
fearing TO lose their own Importance, urged upon the
King that if the missionaries were allowed to land
he would lose his throne and his religion. If there
had been popular suffrage in those days, they would
doubtless have got up q meeting and perhaps carried
a vote.
When it was first proposed to allow foreigners the
right to hold lands, these same gunner we're
urged that they would eventually dspossess the
native of all his property, and the native chiefs we're
much alarmed. When the Roman Catholic priests
were expelled from this country, it was under the
influence of just such bigotry and narrow minded
fears. When the sale of liquors were restricted, the
attempt was made to arouse the jealousy of the
hANi'N hNeN RNuhhS BuAbN navy
been the unworthy stock in trade of Hawaiian dema-
gogues since foreigners first came to the country.
The Hawaiian ought to be used to such talk.
The bugbear of annexation to the United States, is
cheap material for the anti-eyerything to work upon
native credulousness with, and they do not hesitate
to descend 10 use it, in spite of the apparent fact
that the people of the United States are opposed TO
the scheme even if the people of this country wanted
it, and that the President of that country in his last
message to Congress distinctly stated that fact.
The oession of Pearl harbor by no means implies
annexation. The ability to reject any proposition of
annexation would be just as strong as ever. and
under the prosperity induced by Reciprocity, the
nation might grow stronger.
OF any advantages to be gained by Reciprocity,
these politicians are careful to avoid mentioning,
except in a general way that they would benefit only
about fifty foreigners, which was the only exhibition
of acquaintance with political economy attempted.
1t is well known to the gentlemen connected with
that meeting, that no proposition involving any
conflict of jurisdiction was likely to be entertained
by His Majesty's Ministers, and yet they did not
hesitate to base arguments upon such q supposition.
Besides the great advantages of Reciprocity, it is
believed that if the United States had q naval station
in this group they would cause their subsidized lines
of steamships to call here, thus putting us in con-
nectiOn with China and Japan. Also that they
would cause this to be a station of the ocean tele-
graph, aud thus in the race of life Hawaii would
have q powerful and interested ally in securing these
advantages. Candid men, really anxious for the
future welfare of our little nation, with souls that
aspire to something more than a return to the malo
and pau, not blinded by hatred of America, would find
q place for considerations like these in putting such
a question before the native people.
Some Of the parties connected with the meeting at
Kaumakapili are not ignorant men. they have held
q fair reputation in the community, but if the con-
duct of that meeting is to be a sample of the political
course marked out by their ambitions, we must think
more of their ingenuity than Of their morality.
| believe, sir, that as yet no Treaty is in course of
negotiation. 1t is fair to presume, however, that His
Majesty's Government will inform themselves upon
what terms it is probable that they might secure to
this nation the advantages of such a Treaty, and if
they are satisfied that such a Treaty can be honorably
made, it is to be hoped they will negotiate one, and
then fairly lay it before the people and the Legisla-
tive Assembly. Arguments intended to arouse hos
tility to foreigners and their interests, have often
been used in that body, but so far in the history of
this nation, no Hawaiian Legislature has acted in
such q spirit, and have no fears that any conven-
ton concluded by His Majesty's Cabinet and shown
to the Legislature to be for the interest Of the king
dom, will net be ratified when it comes to the solem-
nifty Of a vote in that body.
In the meanwhile, to assume that a Treaty, if
made, will be a gross betrayal of the rights or inter-
ests of the natives, and to strive to create a preju-
dice in their minds against any Treaty at all, is I'M
worthy of fair minded men, however ambitious.
H. a. p. CARTER.
P. S.-Since the above was written l learn that
His Majesty and the Cabinet have decided to endeavor
to make a Reciprocity Treaty. In common with
others having interests identical with this kingdom, I
rejoice that these interests are not to be neglected,
and that honest industry meets with due encourage
ment among our rulers, in spite Of international