The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1890-03-17
the SANDWICH ISLANDS.
(Trans'oted from le Franco Cali-
fornien, Feb. 2O.)

IUIUfcU, FeU. @O.)
In the little Kingdom of Kalakaua
power is discussed as in great
States, and, when on the subject of
coming elections, the two rival par
ties INDUCED in sharp recrimina-
tons. The "Reform Party" would
IN reality annex the Islands to the
United States. The other, called
the "Nationa! Party" were very
energetic during the elections, the
polls showing for them a large ma
jority. We desire to say nothing
about these events which are of
small interest in themselves if, in
speech delivered on 30th January,
1890, the Reverend Missionary
Thurston, Minister of Interior, had
not attacked France in q fashion as
astonishing as it was dishonest.
1t is necessary, in order to ac-
count for these unjustilablc attacks,
to recall the year lS49. At that Pc
Rod, wearied by the constant insults
to our flag, Commandant Laplace of
the French frlgate 'pArtemisc,"
was forced to give lesson to King
Kamehameha and his Councillors.
The Honolulu fort was dismantled
and the Kanakas brought TO submits
sion. 1t is particularly necessary to
note that the commanders Of the
English and American ships in port
did not make the smallest protest,
and when the affair was arranged,
the French retired without in any
way attempting to touch the indie
pendence of the Sandwich Islands,
which remained safe under guaran-
tee by treaty.
One would not expect to see, after
so long time has elapsed, Minis
ter of religion and of Government,
come forward and make public
speech Of such exaggeration, as to
completely disguise the historical
doings above alluded to, in which
the role of France was always legal
and dignitied. Such, however, has
been the case, and Mr.. Thurston,
whose position should have imposed
upon him a dignified reserve, attack
cd France in the most shameless
fashion for the manner in which she
acted on the epoch above named.
Our nationality at the Sandwich
Islands has been lnsutcd. The
French Minister, M. d'Anglade, has
protested, perhaps as yet without
enough force, and His Majesty Ka-
lakaua could only make insufficient
excuses in declaring that the speech
of his Minister, made during an
electoral campaign, had no political
significance, and in no way express
ed the opinion of the Hawaiian Gov
eminent. The protest of the French
Commissioner should have been, we
consider, more energetic. The Min
lister of friendly Government must
not he admitted to announce pub
licly that France, abusing the weak
ness of an adversary, caused 4
treaty, or an arrangement, to be
signed under the menace of her can.
mons. Everyone knows how much
Of that is false, and can easily un.
derstand the indignation of our com
patriots at Honolulu.
| The National Hawaiian Party ha:
done public justice concerning those
base assertions, as being more Jesu
itical than parliamentary. Thes'
orators (the "Nationals") have de
clared that if there is one country Il
whom the Sandwich Islands Ow,
their independence, it is precisely
france who, with England, was thu
first to recognise that independence
The electors have pronounced thei
verdict, and the Reverend Thurstol
will be forced to relinquish the powe
he would continue to WELD, but TO-
his imprudent utterances.
The attention of the French Gov
eminent has further been appealed
to on this incident, and it will judg,
if the reparation, with which thu
French Minister had to be content
ed, is not in itself direct insult.