The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1874-01-21
Noble Sentiments.

In the native newspaper KuoKoA, we find a
letter from Mr.. William R. Castle, dated New
York, December s, 1873. Mr. @. is student
and assistant in the law Office of VIM. NJ. Evarts,
the distinguished attorney who so ably argued
the American case before the Geneva Board of
Arbitration. His letter refers to the political
questions which have lately been discussed here,
and after abiding to the interest which he has
taken in them, expresses his sentiments at con-
siderable length. We extract few paragraphs
to show his views:
Let me say just where l stand regarding
reciprocity. am strongly in favor of it, be-
cause l know it will be OF great benefit to our
nation. but am opposed to giving up Hawaiian
territory But if it would bring reciprocity to
lease Puuloa to the United States while the
treaty lasts, should favor that, with the clear
understanding that at the end Of the treaty Puu-
loa be returned. l want that clearly understood.
But when the great question of annexation to
the United States comes and the end of Hawaii
an independence, then l stand firm and strong
against annexation. think that Hawaii's truest
interest is to remain independent and govern it.
self
Let us see what the argument that reci-
procty means annexation amounts to- The
United States and Canada for many years had
the United States No! It is to-day free
and independent nation and strong, because it
had the great benefit Of reciprocity so long, Has
the United States annexed any country with
which it has had treaties No! and defy any
body to show that this country ever used treaty
to annex any other country. William H. Seward,
when Secretary of State, bought Alaska of Rus
STA, and Congress confirmed the purchase so as
not to dishonor his act but the whole country
were so angry and made such loud murmurs that
no officer of this nation has ever dared to do
such a thing again. President Grant wanted
very much to get San Domingo, and some said,
Why don't you do it? You are the head of
this peopler But he did not dare, for he knew
that in this nation the people rule, and the people
will not act foolishly, so he urged very strongly
upon Congress to get possession Of that country,
because be said, all the people of that nation
wish to join this nation" But did Congress for
this reason annex San Domingo? The people
of San Domingo wanted and asked to be allowed
to join the United States. No. Congress re.
fused, because the people of the United States
did not want San Domingo Now, you will all
ask, WHY did not this people want San Domin.
go, il that people knocked at the door, and cried
TO be let IMP This is the reason. The people
of this country do not care to extend the nation
any wider, the country is not yet full and they
all look at the cost of thing before they do It,
They ask-shall we gain anything if San Do
mingo is annexed And because they know it
will cost far more than ii will bring, they all say
no, let us not annex that country So it is
with Hawaii. Ii our nation should go to the
door Of Congress and say, We are from Hawaii,
we are poor aud weak. please let us enter your
great family and become annexed !-the mem.
bers of Congress, and all the American people
would say, Shall we gain anything, or will ii cost
US much money to annex Hawaiig and if they
found it would cost much, they would say to the
messengers OF Hawaii, standing at tho door, We
are sorry because you are poor and weak, but We
W. "ot "ahN W iet you iui u viii cost US TOO
much.' So you will see how foolish il is to lear
this nation, and believe that it wants to gobble
up Hawaii, for even il Hawaii asked it, it would
be refused.
But must say adieu. Always remembering
Hawaii as my home, as the most beautiful land
on which the sun ever shone u land which may
be most richly blessed and whose good influence
may be spread far and wide over the quiet Paci.
ic, il her people only will have it thus. The ma
tons look upon Hawaii as the land where darkness
has given place to light, ignorance has fed before
education, aud where justice and law are well
observed, till Hawaii, no longer pupil, can
teach the world. Oh Hawaii will you erase
tins bright record, and restore the blindness of
olden times cannot believe it. May the God
OF nations and of power watch over and guard
you rendering true our motto Ia mau ka en- O
ka alma ka pono!