The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1885-12-04
STATUS OF FOREIGNERS.

"A tone of resentment pervades
Government editorials, whenever for
eiGn interest manifested in national
affairs is mentioned This must be
put down rs one of those modern
mysteries that cannot be solved to
the credit of the producing agents.
Why the present Cabinet should ar
rogate superior position over the
foreign element resident here must
battle anybody not an expert in the
ways of impudence. The Ministers
stand foreign themselves three to
one in respect of nativity and. ex-
traction. 1t is only an impertinence,
coming from that quarter, to insist
that no foreigner should have opin
ions upon national politics until he
has qualified as an elector of the
realm. The naturalization process,
in either of its different forms, is
such that the foreigner desirous of
acquiring citizenship has to assume
the risk of rejection upon grounds
other than not possessing qualitica-
tons that would give him respect
able standing as member of the
body polite in his own country.
This consideration presents q humili-
ating obstacle to hundreds of foreign
residents who would otherwise gladly
assume the responsibilities of citizeh-
ship in the nation for so long rs
they live within its borders. 1t is
the nations loss that so many people
reared under progressive institutions
are thus debarred from participating
in the privileges of self-government.
However, we claim for foreigners
having a stake in the country the
right to hold and express opinions
pertaining to the conduct of public
affairs. If they have taxation with
out representation, there is left them
the exercise of whatever legitimate
influence they may possess in the
community, and the free expression
of their sentiments, by voice or pen,
within proper bounds. AS contri-
butors to the national wealth, they
have right to a say in the admins
tration of the public revenues, SC
far as the individual voice may yield
its quota to public opinion. Bearing
their share of the public burdens, il
is theirs, surely, at least to state
their views regarding the degree Oh
manner of the levying of tribute.
From the influence foreign resi-
dents may possess to operate upoI
the powers to which they are subject
it would seem to be very impoliti'
to have them snubbed by apologist
of the Hawaiian Government, TO
venturing to show concern in th'
welfare of this country. Most desira
bic is it for this nation, under th'
circumstances in which it is placed
to be governed in harmony not only
with the highest indigenous ant
adopted intelligence, but also will
the alien product domiciled fo
longer or shorter periods within TIN
group. By profession the Govern
ment has boastedly adopted tn
Kings motto, ' Increase the Ma
ton. Is it in consonancc with tn
spirit of that sentiment that til
numerous class of residents, posses
sing the highest qualities for cit
zenship, who are making trial of tn
kingdom as a place of permanel
abode, should be insulted for ventu
ing suggestions upon the conduct I
public affairs? Apart from the in
policy of such Il line of tactics,
does not lie with the present Cabin
to hold unnaturalized residents
such contempt. The Ministers NAL
no scruples about employing allie
writer's to set forth their own CLAIM
upon national confidence. They a
themselves, by three-fourths ma
ority, less identified with the nati'
race than a great many OF the peop