The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1892-07-14
THE HOUSEHOLD TROOPS.

These are the days OF retrencn-
ment Everybody admits the neccs-
sity of reducing public expense by
every prudent measure. AT the
same time when once the knife is
>cl,d, and the slashing is freely in
duJgud in, there is danger of cutting
TOO deep Ia dangerous places, and to
make Il wound which will prove diff
ca - heal.
1T Is proposed to reduce the al
ready small body of household
troops; and here serious question
arises, whether this reduction may
not be attended with preponderating
evil. The discipline of the men, the
excellence of their drill and general
appearance cannot be questioned.
Nor can it now fairly be said that
they are not loyal to their duty and
allegiance.
1t is a significant fact that the OPP
position or ridicule expressed for the
guards may invariably be traced to
two classes of people. Either an
nexationists or revolutionists. 1t
was openly stated by the speakers
of the recent Liberal party that when
the lighting came it would be with
the soldiers and not against them.
How grievously mistaken this idea
was is manifest from the records OF
the treason trials. Now, therefore,
if report speak true, this same party
clamor for the abolition of the guards
altogether. The very fact that the
entire disturbing element III the COM
munity is opposed to the household
guard furnishes one of the bestargu-
ments for vigorously opposing any
dimnution of its strength and eflici-
ency.
Many reasons may be urged why
lhrguard should be maintained at least
a. It's present strength. Democratic
Amrrca has an army which, in pro-
portion 10 It's population, is about as
considerable as ours. 1t is an ack-
uUwl d9,d necessity in all govern
mcuLs that certain nucleus Of force
must ic maintained wherewith to
Keep and preserve peace, and put
down at the outset any possible out
burst of revolt or lawlessness. Our
own tIOops would serve such pur-
pose thoroughly, and would give the
citizens time to organize Il corps of
defense, more effectual and power
full, should occasion demand. Some
such concomitant of Royalty is uni
versally conceded TO the Sovereign.
| For many reasons, but for this es-
pecially, which may have escaped
the consideration of some of US.
The first impulse in every revolu-
tionary movement is to gain posses
sion of the person of the Sovereign.
The evidence in recent trial went
to show that the proposed plan of
rebellion was to capture the Queen $
person. The Sovereign, then, occu-
pies the position of first attack, Her
danger IS greater than that of any
other person. Is it right to leave a
woman, with no fitting protection, to
N, ct alone the first onslaught of
revuIuli, nary excitement? BY the
limr sufficient corps of defense was
organized, she would in all probabil-
iA he in the hands of her enemies,
and rIrrovulution "fait accompli.
nave said that Annexationists
and RevolutiOnists are opposed to
the maintenance of our very modest
company of soldiers. Nothing
would suit the former better than tC
have no means of Quieting disturb,
ance except the American warship il
port. 1t would be the first step tC
permanent occupation and ultimate
destruction of our independence.
Most people don't want annexation a.
all, but to get il in such an undigni,
fled manner as acknowledging
we are incapable of taking care O
ourselves must be repugnant to any
body with the least feeling of respect
for the country.
Reyolutionsts always prosper il
the weakness Of the ruling power
The guard may not be much, but il
is more than sufficient to OyeTawC
these heroes in our midst. DO away
with our center of protection and yol
fortify the enemy and strengthen hi
hands by every man you dismiss. A
discharged soldier is but a poor citi
zen, If not allowed to fight for or
der, he will delight in fighting agains
il.
Let the Legislature think patiently
before it determines upon a course
twught with danger none the lesi
real bceause ridcuIed by the thought
lvs-. LOYALIsT.