The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1880-09-22

IHTEL mas DccQ muCu IOOA11u A4ottcAr 1cotC"S0
upon the visit of the King to the United States as
If that were an act which brought about the
Reciprocity Treaty. There were many, and not
entirely coinciding reasons and influences to which
the Treaty was due. No doubt the sentimental
view prevailed to some extent that it was benefit
to Americans resident here, and that it was q
pleasant thing 10 aid a small Kingdom which had
been the scene of such noted missionary work.
Others felt that in some indirect way the Treaty
would give prominent and legitimate influence
TO American interests here. Others, again, thought
that commercially the result in the long run would
give an equivalent. Some who have always favored
free trade desired to make an example or begin
ming in this way. No doubt the influence OF the
Pacific Coast was immense and conclusive on the
question. California, as represented by its capi-
talists believed that the Treaty would result to
their commercial advantage; that the increase OF
the sugar production would increase the demand
on them for machinery, lumber, and bread stufs.
The arguments of Chief Justice Allen, and his
personal acquaintance with men like Wood, Ham
lin Blaine and others, and the practical showing
and the address of Mr.. Carter, also had much to
do with obtaining vote for the Treaty. Many
Others who had friends here, and whose sympa-
thies were with us, worked for that end. The
Kings visit, which must have been no less de-
hghtful to himself than to others, was made at a
favorable time, and the way In which he usually
bore himself gratifed and surprised people in the
United States But without the influence of oul
friends at the Coast the Treaty would have been
an impossibility. Without their continued aid
and interest in us, its renewal will be out of the
question.
There is much inaccuracy in naming those who
are supposed to have received the benefit of the
| Treaty. The planters, rule, have not enriched
themselves, but are on the contrary involved il
heavy debts for improvements and purchases o.
| mills and otherwise. The time was land we hop
Isl coming for them TO recoup themselves, provided
always that no panic in the money market shal
destroy the credit of plantation securities, ant
render it impossible to get money to go on. Th
large expenditures made in consequence of tn
Treaty have been among shipping men, importers
and the laboring classes. Look at the plantation
accounts, and see where the money has gone.
| -
WE PUBLISH to-day two communications, signe,
respectively /" Crv1s" and "JUsrTrIA' to which W
invite thoughtful attention. There seems to be nj
I doubt that, as "Civis' says, the alternative is
| Ministry, which means the Government, responsi
bls TO the country before the Legislature, or else
"utter absolutism for the King and irresponsibilt
for the Ministry" The intelligent classes mus
do their duty at and before the elections. The
must take the trouble and incur the expense of as
sisting to enlighten the public mind and especial
the Hawaiians, ON matters of public concern. An
more, they must be ready to furnish from thei
number men who will be candidates, and activ
and willing candidates for the legislature. Fail
i
1t is our opinion, that much of the trouble whic
we have seen and are now experiencing is due t
the fact that such public spirited action has nc
been taken. Men are ready enough to find faul
with the entire government, including Kinl
Ministers and members of the legislature; and I
prophesy evil and nothing but evil from ignorar
Legislatures, and uncontrolled and absolute excl
else of the will or whims of the Sovereign. Bu
let each man answer for himself, whether as
member of the body polite he has done his leeit
mate share of public duty. And even now, whe
the necessity to exert good and healthful Unfit
ence on national affairs has almost culminatet
although there is free, and perhaps often excitet
unwise and impractical talk, how much are pee
pie doing in perfectly legitimate, peaceful an
proper way towards improving things? Whel
are the prominent men in the country who al
making publicly known over their own signature
their views of the situation, with wise suggestion
as to modes of improving it? We cannot ON
here to refer again to the shanelessly, untruthf
and incendiary assertion made by the Adrertise
Express that, " the traitorous opposition Pre-,
hopes to create disloyal division among the nj
tive people by arraying chief against chief" "
have at all times urgently discountenanced an
thing of the sort, and the editor of the Adpertis
if he has read our columns must be aware of IL
fact. But we rely on the unerring effect of col
centrated and well expressed united public sent
ment to bring about all desired results. Let me
consult freely and as publicly as they choose abo
public matters. If public discussions are held, |
the speeches be published in full, in Hareaiian
well as i'll English, that the whole country may s
plainly what is said and what is meant, and to a
nul the effect of misrepresentation.