The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1874-02-21
The Lessons of the Riot.

The lawless and violent proceedings connected
with the election Of HIS Majesty Kalakaua 10 the
Tyrone are important as showing 70 the. future re
sponsible officials Of the Kingdom, that Hawaiians
are no better than Americans. Englishmen or Con-
unentai Europeans, aud that the ordinary provisions
for the public order and safety which all civilized
governments are accustomed TO maiRtain as a matter
of course, are equally, as n matter of course, noces-
sary here. These lamentable events forcibly rciter-
ate the simple and central truth, which Is the com
mon law upon which all civil constitutions are con-
structed, that the end Of government is to secure
and protect the existence Of the body polite, and 10
assure to the individuals who compose IL, the safe
and tranquil enjoyment Of their natural rights aud
privileges. The neglect by the government on one
or two occasions during the past year as well rs AT
the late crisis, TO observe certain ordinary precan-
tons for the preservation Of order, deserves. as Il has
received, the severest censure and cTiiicism; the
present troubles, serious MS they are. are the Natural
results Of such neglect. This is not n late aud easy
judgment of the tendencies and character Of things
by their consequences. From the time the admins
tration of the last reign showed at the Barracks last
September their method, or want Of method, in deal
ing with police difficulties. thoughtful men have
anxiously looked forward to new and more tragic
scenes Of resistance to authority.
For want Of proper prudence on Thursday last, on
the part of the authorities, IA disturbance phiGl
ought to have been unimportan:, except ton low
candidates for the Changing. developed into n saw
age and bloodthirsty riot,--all but n JDassaere. IN
which the Representatives of the people. convened by
the regency for the performance Of The sncred trust
Of choosing n new chief magistrate, were assaulted
in the hall Of legislation by a mob, hunted down
and overpowered by numbers, beaten many Of thcm
almost 10 death, and only escapiug with their lives
because the rioters were armed with table-legs and
sticks instead Of more deadly weapons; the temple
Of Justice was defaced and insHlted and spaiiered
with the blood Of lawmakers; the government was
compelled TO endure the shameful humiliation Of
calling upon foreign troops to uphold its authority.
to guard its property aud to defend itself from lis
own citizens. The situation now is indeed "A grave
one; the national credit is assuredly shaken;
confidence in the government is destroyed; the very
existence Of Hawaiian Independence is endangered.
There are those who now look 10 see our civil
system assume a new character, under the permh-
nent protection of some foreign power. They think
the strength and stability OF the government IL de
stroyed and that it will be impossible TO 90 on as be-
fore. There is no use in denying the possibility OF
such a result. Rights and property Of alien resi-
dents must be protected by Hawaiian authorities, or
foreign authorities will have to do it. 1t is not diai-
cult to see how q repeated use Of naval assistance
might gradually develop into a permanent occupa-
ton.
There is but one way Of escape from such IA fate.
HE continuance Of the past policy Of mistaken le-
niency and blind confidence in luck, or Providence
perchance, lit matters little which, can only had 10
destruction or the loss Of our political integrity.
The path Of prosperity and safety now lies only in
resolution and vigilance. Strength must be devel-
oped by attention to discipline and order. Law
must be felt in its supremacy and severity. Punish
the bad for the sake Of the innocent. We may not
atone for the past, but we can guard the future.
Let the crime that is aimed at public order, inalien-
able rights, and national interests, be made forever
shameful, by the prompt and sharp penalties Of law
without respect to rank OF color or wealth. Then
only can our little country look up in confidence aud
among the nations, and win back pros.
perity, happiness and contentment to it's pecphe.
There is no need for us to place our fair possessions
in the sheltering hand of a friendly nation II We 3
only honestly and ably read the lessons Of our mis-
fortune.
We look to the new reign for the policy and lead
ership which shall avert the threatening evils.
8. b DoLE.