The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-09-13
ShOULD PLEBlSCITE DECIDE !
The Prime Objections to the Royalist
Proposal of a Vote.

Proposal of Vote.
Prof w. b. Oleson contributes this
to the New York independent.
A majority vote, in an electorate of
only eleven thousand, ought [ to be
decisive in an issue of such inter
national moment. A few paltry hun
dreds of votes have held the balance
Of power in elections in Hawaii for the
past five years. These votes have not
represented the conscience and intel
ligenCe f native Hawaians even, but
have stood for a Corruptble element,
indifferent to the wel.being Of their
own race even, and content TO be
manipulated by an INSCRIPTIONS coterie
of utterly irresponsible foreign adven-
turers.
| Were this element even to suffer
detriment by high.handed and unjust
aggressions on their political rights and
| liberties, the issue would be less clear.
But annexation does not propose to
take away from but to add to the privi-
eges now enjoyed by the native race.
The Provisional Government, in all its
egislation, and in the spirit of its policy
as to the future, is becomingy soici.
tous for the interests of the native race.
1t is its own proposition to insist on a
guaranty of civil rights for Hawalians
under a treaty of annexation. Its
policy in planning for the division Of
the crown lands into homesteads, to be
freely acquired by all Hawaians not
now owning land, not transferable by
sale or mortgage, indicates consider
able craftsmanship that is truly COM
mendable
This is noteworthy, when it is con.
sidered that the native Hawaiian leaders
who oppose annexation are insincere
in that opposition. Six months ago
they were in open antagonism to the
monarchy, and publicly advocated an
nexation to the United States. Should
annexation come the Sc n en- will heartily
rejoice IN It. Their present opposition
is purely for some imagined political
advantage that may accrue to them
personally. 1t is not sincere, nor
actuated by love of country, nor by any
conviction that any other solution is
eventually possible. Should annexation
fail under the present auspices, these
men, were they to regain power, would
open negotiations again to accomplish
the same end-viz., the annexation of
the Islands to the United States.
The Hawaiian leaders, on the con-
rary, who are stalwart advocates of
annexation, have hitherto Loyalty up
held the independence of Hawaii
They have been 10th to relinquish the
cherished hope of Hawaii's continued
independence; and it has only been
actual governmental necessity that
has compelled them to seek permanent
relief for their race and land in annex
alton.
The abandonment of these men,
representing as they do the survival Of
the fttest in race that has well.ngh
spent itself in its contact with civiliza-
ton, by any referendum which may be
suggested by which an issue of utmost
moment to that race shall be decided
by show of hands rather than by a
show Of intelligent and character, is un.
worthy of the American name. Such
an abandonment would be a crime
against civilization. This great country
may dismiss the Hawaiian problem by
declaring in favor of plebiscite, and
thus content itself by desertion of the
American interests 1t has fostered in
that land, and prove itself recreant to
its worldwide responsibility in the
premises, and act inimical to its own
! large commercial interests in the Pa
ci6c; but how can it thus desert the
native sons of the soil who, in the
touching words of Noble Kauhane,
Vice President Of the Hawaiian Legis-
Iative Assembly, appear thus for recog-
milton and adoption: ave are the
children Of the United States. She is
our mother. Let the mother take hel
children to herself"