Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1882-01-14
SATURDAY PRESS.
MIR. GIBSON REVIEWED.
JdNNART l4.lss2.

We have lately published some interesting
correspondence of Walter NJ. Gibson, regard
ing his connection with the Mormons, as we'll
as some documents which throw light upon
his transactions in Netherlands India. 1t is
now proper that we disclose our reasons for
doing 40. Mr.. Gibson is public man. He is
now u member Of the Legislature. He is also
the editor of newspaper which has been
active in criticising men and measures. As II
Legislator he has not hcsitnted TO fercclv
attack the motives of men, and those who have
the administration of public affairs in their
hands know too well the vindictve energy
with which he has pursued them. He has
been especially forcible in Investigating tinan-
cial accounts, aud the session of the last
Legislature protractcd in order that lie
might have time to detect Irregularities in the
public accounts. lie has assumed Il lofty po-
sition Casting stones lie has, lie was and
is bound to that lIe does not live in u glass
house. Moreover, lie has assumed the cha,,,-
| pionship of the Hawaiian race, and in doing
30 he has not hesitated to bclittlo tie work of
those who have done much il not all that has
|
therefore the right, and it it is Il duty as well,
to put before our readers such facts regarding
his public life as shall enable them to Justly
estimate his character. In addition to what
we have already published, we will refer to
several recent acts of his public life, which
will bring down to the latest dato the material
| for his public biography. In the Legislature
OF 1878 he obtained all appropriation of 81 800
for the publication of Sanitary instruction
for the Hawaiian People" He thereupon
wrote small treatise on the snhjoct and drew
in one sum the amount of 1900 in payment
for it. We are willing to leave it to any conf
petent judge whether onc-fourlh of that
amount would not have secured ttcatso
equally valuable from any good medical prac-
titioner in this city. No details of expenses
were ever, wo are informed, rendered to the
government. In 1850, while still Legislator,
he secured u contract to supply the lcpers on
Moloka with sheep. 1t is well known that
the Hawaians DO not like sheep meat. He
not only forced this meat upon them, but got
his pay in ndrD'ce, before sheep Was deliv-
cred. If he can point to anothe. instance of
this kind, we should like to know it. OF the
newspaper contract wherein he obtained $4,000
in return for pledgng his loyalty, our readers
are we'll acquainted and we will not enlarge on
the matter further. A Legislator who covers
himself with the paint Of public devotion, and
tricks himself out in tho fine feathers of con-
secration to national interests, must expect to
bo dealt with severely, if he is caught de-
scending from his high estate. He must ex-
pcct to put the same cup to his own lips which
he forces to the lips of others. Few men, in
deed, can boast of spotless lives, and every
man should hold in his hands the mantle of
charity. But if one cast away the tender
mercies, and takes the sword, lie must expect
to perish by 1t also. For months tho Elci.
Mr. Gibsoh's newspaper, has been stirrn. up
the natives to discomfort with the whites.
Some of the Fee articles we have published,
and they exhibit u rancour, II distrust of the
foreigner which has never before appeared in
native literature. The general idea conveyed
has been, aud is, that the Foreigners are not
well disposed towards the natives, and that
the natives ought to keep the political control
in their hands. These statements arc often
supplemented hy suggestions that Mr.. Gibson
is Tho true friend of the Hawaiian. In this
we ace an attempt TO place the natives in au-
tagonism with the foreigners. From the be-
| ginning till now the natives have been content
To live side by side with the foreigner, trust
ing in all Important matters to his superior
skill, education and energy. The Kameha-
mohas and the high chiefs made constant
acknowledgment Of this. They made no at
tempt to run u dividing line between tho two
races. The opinions of Mr.. Gibson, as ex
pressed in the Adceriissr and the Flee, 10 far
to prove that he IL attempting to put the races
| IN antaIoDism; TO create a suspicion against
the foreigner; tn stir them up to do that " hicl,
without intending il, may be vastly injurious
to foreign interests. M one for a moment
doubts that il the liawaiia,,s had been lett To
themselves, "Consular jurisdiction would
| have existed here, and the independence of
the Kingdom would have been sadly impaired.
That soine Of the natives should feel rcstless
| at the natural domination uf the whites in
energy, skill, aud education, is not surprising
That u white should aggravate this feeling
and seek TO disturb the harmony which has
hitherto existed between the races, is a matter
to be regretted. Mr.. Gibson has placed hinl-
self ont ot sympathy with those who have
some right to call themselves tho real friends
OF the natives. lie is doing no idle work, but
that which leads, though he may not see it.
to serions consequences. lie may not be
striving for disturbance or revolution, but we