Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1882-07-22
SATU URDAY PRESS.
RACE pREJUDICES.
JULY az, 1882

IL has been with some concern that wo have
witncsscd tho apparently growing antngonism
that has been manifested by the Hawaiian
toward the huot But until recently, there
was no evidence that such feeling though
admitted TO be very general among the more
ignorant, was in any way entertained by the
bcttor educated class of natives. To-day,
however, in the light OF recent events, wo arc
forced to admit that such n looling ia not with
out existence among the more enlightened
class, and evon among those who hold high
Office and power. Else, what could have
dictated the summary removal of certain Off
ccrs of Government of Caucasian blood who
wcro known to execute tho function Of thcir
respective Offices with ability, and fidelity to
the Government thoy served, while untriod
men were designated as proper persons TO fill
tho vacancies 80 ruthlessly made; and whose
special recommendation to place seems to have
been that they were Of Hawaiian blood. And
yet other changes of a kind with those arc
currently rumorod M to take place, while,
where il is possible 40 to work it, the appoint
mont of persons Of Hawaiian blood to il oc-
curing vacancies in Office, seems to have be-
como tho rule. We would ask, what kind of
regard is that for tho public good prevalent
among Legislators that required them to bc
reminded by foreign born Minister of tho
Crown that it was their duty to vote appro-
priations for the office and not for the man.?
While, however, this feolng of antagonsm
to foreigners whether born and reared on Ha-
waiian soil or not, has become well nour-
shcd infant, and is being made to grow undor
the auspices of n certain few who may have
their own temporary objects to serve by it, it
is nowhere rociprocated by the foreigner, who
is ever ready to treat the native as his friend
equally with those of his own color, both
socially and commercially, where his culture
and antecedents are such as offer no obstacle
to such connexion. Hawaiian young men now
holding positions of trust under this Govern
ment, have in more than one instance owed
their present elevation to the friendly assist
ance OF foreign born heads of Office. We're
there, however, any disposition upon the part
of foreigners to look with prciudged dsfavor
upon the native, such might be made in many
ways to work very oppressivey indeed But
the more advanced our civilization, the farther
are such thoughts of distinction away from us
In appointments to Offices of trust under
Government the foreign population of these
Islands by every principle Of justice has a
right to a voice. And if in the exercise of
that right the complaint of tho present dspo-
sitioE to bestow these Offices Unfortunately
upon those of pure Hawaiian, or mixed blood,
it must not be thought that it is with any
party or race-feeling that it is done. Com
potency, reliability and integrity, form the
standard by which the foreigner would guage
the elevation of men to Office, whether of their
own or other blood, and there is no cultivated
and enlightened foreigner whose interests are
would offer any disparagement to the advance
ment of natives according to such standard,
or who does not look with certain sense of
pride upon every Hawaiian youth who by his
industry and integrity is enabled to hold a
post OF honor and emolument under Govern
ment. We could point TO young Hawaiians
who have conformed with this standard, and
whose prospects are bright as consequence;
but it would be invidious to individualize
These we honor and respect, and wish
well to. But while we do this we cannot
but look with grave concern upon a spirit
which is growing among those in power to
ignore the claims of worth and competency
for those of race alone. None but weak and
corrupt government could ever support such a
system, and We trust that proper contempla-
tion OF its possible results may awaken men
in power to truer sense of their duties in
the case; and that the time may como when
merit, and not toadyism and sycophn,cy, or
considerations of race or color will rulc in
the appointments to office.