The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1877-01-06

success OF this measure, not only as mentioned
but BY soliciting and obtaining resolutions from
agricultural and commercial bodies then organized
in this country. And he concludes his report on
the subject by observing III under all these
will. be viii have gained an object Of vastly
greater advantage 10 this kingdom than all the ex-
penses which may attend his mission
Surely in view Of the part that Mr. Wyhie took in
the measure Of reciprocity with the United States,
beginning his efforts in 1S4S and continuing until
1865, and much later, Chief Justice Allen in his
reference TO q 90 first effort " in 1856 might have
given 3 larger credit to his ancient colleague, the
sage Of Rosebank, than merely 10 mention his name
as 3 member Of the Cabinet Of q young King, just
placed upon the throne, and who had no voice in g
measure that was brought forward for his sanction
By the old and experienced Premier, who had been
the mainstay of the throne Of his predecessor.
But these remarks are only a glance en- PEASANT
as / trust some ADLER pea will at some future day,
do full justice to the memory OF Wyllie, not merely
in respect TO reciprocity, but on account OF his
unweaTied efforts, attended with constant personal
sacrifice, in behalf Of the country which had placed
in his hands its public interests.
Surely in view of so much that was done for
this kingdom without adequate reward or emolu-
ment. a grateful country in its distribution Of favors
for services rendered, should not omit a monument
to Wyllie.
The next point in the review of the Chief Justice,
which has attracted my attention, and which 1
think calls for q passing word, Is in connection
with the resumption of negotiations in 1874. TIE
Chancellor remarks that about this period, having
spent some time in the United States on his own
personal affairs, he bad an opportunity TO inter-
view the American Secretary of State, who gave
him an assurance that he favored a treaty of reel
procity with the Sandwich Islands, which CONVEX
sation being referred at head quarters here, His
Majesty and Cabinet cordially acquiesced in his
view Of the prospect in regard to reciprocity, and
at once appointed a diplomatic mission TO renew
negotiations for a treaty of reciprocity at Wash
ington. Now it occurs to me that many obstacles
stood in the way before this mission could be set
on foot. And the obstacles were of such a nature,
49, 80 A@I- h NIL 14s h~N -Ar -nAHnAA.
of the government at that time, despaired of any
favorable issue, unless they were removed. There
was then in session a very wilful and contentious
legislature, which in its attitude. put a dead lock
on all public progress, or Improvement. Some OF
His Maiesty's Ministers, said on the street, at that
time, that there was no hope of anything being
done by the legislature in behalf of reciprocity,
immigration or any other important public meas
ure. And the Chief Justice said in q conversation
held on the evening of the 25th May 1874. that he
was apprehensiye on account OF the adverse atti-
tude OF the Assembly, and he trusted that no steps
would be taken to bring forward any resolutions
to favor renewal of negotiations, or a bill to pre-
ratify a treaty of reciprocity, unless there was very
strong assurance of success. But the steps were
taken by an active and Jealous "lobby," and by
this influence mainly, as a score OF members can
testify, was the temper of the Assembly softened,
and it was ultimately led to pass the bill which
ratified a treaty in advance, and so made 1t posi-
Bile. or sufficiently hopeful to warrant His Majesty
and the Cabinet TO appoint a diplOmatic mission.
Sic vos sed non yobis." &c.
A0Otner point l. WISH To say u WORD upon. ana
that is the assurance of the Chief Justice. that this
measure of reciprocity was carried in the Amer
lean Congress g purely on its merits" Now the
merits of the measure, as understood by Mr.
WyIlie and other faithful men devoted to Hawai-
ian welfare, were a perfectly equitable reciprocal
ton of benefits in a mutual remission of dulles
a fair commercial bargain without any collateral
political issue-of course the Chief Justice knews
that q collateral issue was brought into this meas
ure which is said to have been passed " purely on
its merits, ~ as the concluding words of the 4th
Article of the treaty clearly show, in saying that
this government shall mot make any treaty by
which any other nation shall obtain the same
privileges relative to the admission of any articles
free of duty, hereby secured to the United States"
/ must wonder that our senior commissioner
should have acquiesced in this concession, when
be must have had under his observation in his
early political days, the famous despatch of Daniel
Webster in respect to these islands, dated Dec. 10,
1912, wherein he declares. las the sense of the
government of the United States, that the govern
ment of the Sandwich Islands ought to be re-
spected, as an Independent sovereignty and that
no power ought to seek for any undue control, or
any exclusive privileges or preferences in the matter
of commerce." Also the words of Mr.. Abel 2.
Upshur. Secretary Of State. in his letter, July 5,
1913, who takes the same view, that the United
States will not endeavor to obtain any especial
:" advantages" from these islands. And also in
view of the same position taken il this matter by
Secretary Clayton, and by Secretary John G.
Calhoun, who was the first American statesman to
accord a recognition of independence from the
United States Government to this Kingdom. Yet
IN view OF all TINS assurance on the part OF emil
nent American statesmen, our Chancellor and the
Ambassador of His Majesty, could accept a stipu-
lation. which as set forth in a report of a COM
mittee on Foreign Affairs of Congress, presented
the collateral issue of ultimate political dependence
of these islands, on their government. as the chief
ground for their action. Mr.. Wyllie, who con-
tended all the time, SO long as he served a Hawai-
ian King, for identity of treaties with all powers.
as the best guarantee CT independence of this
kingdom, would never have consented to such a
concession and / feel assured that it would never
have been acquiesced in by any Hawaiian nego-
tiator in the days of Kamehameha " or V.
But " cui bono !" somebody says. all this COM
ment on the treaty, which is a good thing for many
interests. and has l am assured, benefited mine,
although my production, wool. has been left out
of its provisions. 1t may perhaps seem wise to
some TO take the good that comes to our hand,
without caring for results that concern other
people, and keep silence. But as /, like the Chief
Justice, feeling some weight of years, and having
even as he must have done tasted largely OF the
vanities of life. we feel in our later days a more
earnest regard for the utterance OF truth. for its
own sake, and regardless of consequences. Now
far be it from me to hint, or imply in any way
that our worthy Chancellor has uttered anything
in reference to this subject, but the truth. Still it
is possible, that owing to the infirmities of human
nature, which beset even great men, that truth
may be impaired, when partially set forth, by
Withholding something. or a suppressio veri.
WALTER MURRAY GIBSON.
Lahaina, Jan. 3. 1877.