The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1883-10-24


THE Reciprocity Treaty, the golden
band which links Hawaii to the United
States-may it never be broken !" That
was Postmaster Whitney's toast at the
Planters lunch last Friday The vigorous
applause which it received Showed how
truly the sentiment was appreciated by all
true lovers of Hawaii 1t was a happy in
spiration on the part of our Postmaster
General. and there are many outside of
those who happened to be present at that
meeting who will heartily endorse it.
But gold, however pure, can be dis
solved by the powerful aqua rcaid, and the
links of ou golden band are threatened
with the action Of powerful acids, which,
if left to work their will may dissolve
them, as the aqua rCgi1 does the gold of
commerce. These influences must be
watched; they are watched, and we have
men who have devoted themselves to this
matter, and who are constantly wiping off
the scalding drops that fall upon the band,
and keep it bright and pure, as it ought to
be. The influences, however, which affect
our band do not only come from without,
they come from within.
A complication of causes brought about
the treaty. Political, mercantile and sen
timental feelings worked for us. The lat
ter had as potent an effect as any Hawaii
has been regarded. and is still regarded,
as a child of the United States. 1t was
United States citizens that devoted them
selves to the ciyilizing and the educating
of the Hawaiian race. The political and
social impress has been that of the United
States.
The number of people, who have sym
pathy with the self-abnegating and disin-
terested motives of the early missionaries
to these islands, Is by no means small, it
can count its heads by millions and its in
huence both in intelligence and wealth ex
ceeds its influence in mere numbers. Such
people have helped and many are even yet
willing to help Hawaii, but Hawaii will
not help herself From reliable sources
we learn that the course of extravaganza
entered upon by the executive of this
country within the last eighteen months
has been most disastrous in alternating the
goodwill of this section of thought. Such
men cared nothing for our trade argu-
ments, or our political arguments, both of
which are cogent: what they cared for was
the building up of state which would be
a credit to the enlightenment and civiliza-
ton brought from the United States.
The dissOlvept acid from within, then is
the heavy expenditure for nonsensical
which the government of Kala-
kaua /, has Haunted before the world. The
large class of gentlemen to whom we are
alluding say, " to what end Is it that we
support those islands That merely q
small family of Hawaiian chiefs, and a
hood of parasites. who batten on their
favors, should spend money lavishly,
squander it in coronahons and travesties
of royalty, drill fifteen or twenty cavalry
men at enormous expense, neglect the
most necessary expenditures and plunge
the country into a sea of debt that it will
take it years to unload ~ This certainly
was not the view of that wealthy New
York merchant, who in reply to question
Iponsthe treaty, said, "No matter if it is
not quite fair, America IS satisfied; we look
upon Hawaii with a friendly eye, and we
ook to her institutions growing on our
models"
Do Hawaiian institutions grow on such
models do we see the slightest effort
lfter obtaining republican simplicity in
)ur government. Far from it Year after
rear has the greed for shew displayed it
self, and the original simplicity been de
parted from. until now. the very future is
being discounted Cannot the blind guides
IF our little ship Of state get even faint
glimpse of the light of truth Could we
lave gone to Congress and shewn that
Hawaii, as far as her administration of |
public affair is concerned, was model |
ingdom, instead of being the very re
-erse, full of corruption and venality from
he highest officer of the crown down
wards. there would have been little trouble |
bout the renewal of our treaty, our mer
antile and political points being good, |
he sentimental view of assisting flourish |
ng little state would have been sure to
AIRY the day Alas, that it should not be
o. Alas : that those whose duty it is to |
ook after the welfare Of this nation. should
o basely have neglected their duty. The
ime for remedy is slowly but surely slip
ing BY Is it that after all the guides are
lot blind. but are of their own freewill and
naice aforethought leading the little Ha-
Taiian nation to as sure and speedy ex
inc6on rs possible
There is danger to the golden band "
rom without, but the danger from within
5 very serious and the oRWs of causing that
anger must lie heavy ON the consciences
f those men, who having the power to
ave, only lent a more vigorous push