The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-06-05
AMERICAN HAWAIIANS.
ENTERPRISING PIONEERS OF
TRADE.
Their Long aud Honorable Record Men
Who Have Been a Credit to Com
merce and to the Nation.

To the Editor of the Herald: To
current talk on the Hawaiian problem,
let me add something that seems due
in plain justice to the American Ha-
waiians, as we may call them, giving a
brief look at what they have been, and
are, and how they have reached their
present trying position, basing observa
ton on an experience with them that
dates back in the old house here in
1877, when my late father first visited
the Islands. Through the seventy five
succeeding years the file of correspond
ence has been unbroken, while for
fifty years mercantile business was con.
tinuous.
Unlike much of the Western world
the Islands did not become subject tc
civilization in the course of the search
for gold or colonies. An English
marine explorer made them known to
the active world; their admirable climate
and their commercial advantages at
tracted white settlers, predominant
among whom from the first were Ameri-
cans
1t was during the greatest age of
American commerce when a remark
able race of our Countrynen took their
lives, as we'll as their fortunes, in their
hands and sought lands then little
known, where they established them.
selves and American mercantile bust
ness. AT the same time the missionary
spirit was aroused in our country to an
extent it had never yet been, and. as
preachers of religion and teachers OF
civilized life, its representatives went
far and wide, also seeking lands then
unknown.
Hawaii was one of these lands. OF
course it was the day of small things
when business there began. AS it has
been through business that existing
conditions have largely been reached
we may follow that subject. At first, as
is apt to be the case in undeveloped
regions, trade was by barter Produc-
tions and needs were few and simple.
Gradually both increased. Then the
great American whaling fleet made the
Islands their place of supply. Over
forty years ago it was thought that both
soil and climate were well adapted to
the growth of an important staple, and
the production of sugar was attempted.
The usual course of trial, disappont-
ment and final success followed, until
the largest industry and produce OF the
country was developed. The main
business and reliance became agricul-
tural rather than maritime.
The old days departed with their
almost sole reliance on mercantile
enterprise and new days came when
the figuring had to be largely on what
legislative acts permit, and that in re-
gard to single article. The founda-
ton and establishment of sugar raising
was by the Americans. And with none
of the aids accorded elsewhere to infant
and growing American industries.
The men who did the work and bore
the risk, faced the world and fought
their own way.
When this industry was fairly getting
on its feet came the we'll known treaty
with this country. By that, the great
bulk Of imports from the United States
were admitted free to Hawaii, and pro-
ducts of the islands were free at our
custom houses. Very few articles thus
free in our country found their way
east of the Rocky mountains.
Basing operations on the terms Of
his treaty, many Americans, by birth
or immediate descent, largely developed
plantations they had already estab-
lished, or they equipped new ones. A
very large amount of capital is thus in.
vested in no less than 90 establish
nents, Of which AZ are complete
plantations. In them some of the
canetields would reach a distance from
Copp's hill to the Back Bay Fens.
1t may be said that these Americans
went TO foreign country, and must
take their chances. But they are as
good and worthy Americans as can be
found anywhere. Sugar raising is not
only honest work, it is a necessity
They did not make the soil and climate
of the Pacific coasts. They went where
nature obliged them to go to do that
work. Very well, they have done it, and
no Americans deserve more wise and
fair treatment. By our former tart fl
they were protected by our present
they are left practically unprotected.
Their business, while of vital import
ance to them, is the great productive
reliance Of the country where they live
and when a single industry has become
main support it cannot be seriously
affected without, Of course, serious
results
No special privileges are needed OF
wanted, but simply fair play. If pro-
lection is right for certain classes, it is
right for others fully as deserving. II
reduction is right, all recipients should
also have their share-it should not be
put suddenly, wholly on one class.
In this state Of affairs we find some
one talking about sugar conspiracy