St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-12-23
GIVE HAWAII A REPUBLIC.


1t may we'll be doubted if the people
of the Hawaiian islands are qualified,
either by nature or education, for self
government. They are scarcely re-
moved from a condition of barbariSm-
but two or three generations from can
nibalism. They are IN indolent race,a
are other peoples in the semi-tropics.
They lack both the moral and intel
lectual stamina of the Caucasian, and,
being prone to vice, seem to be rapidly
succumbing TO diseases resultant from
their iudulgences. The Kanakas, like
the native Indians of North America,
are dying off, and ere many years will
follow the AztecS and become extinct.
They are unused to the new civilization
that has been forced upon them, and go
down before 1t as the grass does be-
fore the prairie fire.
1t is manifest to every one who has
investigated the subject that the eau
caslan race must ultimately supplant
the Kanaka oh the Hawaiian islands. 1t
may be that the existing crisis in the
affairs of the kingdom may greatly
hasten the footsteps of destiny. In The
ISL - PlSoOuG o4 / bltO lllI VI
the country are in a hopeless middle.
The monarchy has the support of the
native population, but is impotent
against the foreign influence, and, even
if restored by force of arms, could not
long sustain itself. 1t has neither the
respect nor the confidence of the for
eigners, who would disregard its au-
thOrity with impunity. If the United
States government should undertake to
sustain it, a military and naval force
would have to be maintained there, an
undertaking that would be Impractical
BILE. We cannot afford to permit the
kingdom to pass under the control of
Great Britain or Germany. Such a
change in its status would be a constant
menace to Our government. The only
course remaining is to permit or encour-
age the establishment of a republic on
the ruins Of the monarchy.
But such a republic would necessarily
be one only IN name. The dominating
races would control its every depart
ment; the natives would be practically
DISTINGUISHED and ignored. Even if
they cared enough to seek to vote, they
could be easily Influenced, for they are
weak and prone to barter their influence
for some present and tangible ad van
tage. They cannot understand the be IL
efts or the duties of citizenship; it is
doubtful if they can ever learn them,
any more than they can learn industry
or chastity. They are too shiftless and
Indifferent of the future to care for it.
A monarchy, mild and indulgent in
form, would be the best for the natives.
1t would please them most by relieving
them of all responsibility for the gov
ernment. But the queen. having re-
fused the offer of restoration to the
throne, has destroyed hope Tor the
monarchy. A republic Is the only re-
course. But it should be a republic in
fact, as we'll as in name. The existing
provisional government is not republic
can in any respect. 1t is simply a band
of conspirators organized for purposes
of plumber and power. 1t has the sane
ton of neither the native nor the for
eign inhabitants. tits self-constituted,
autocratic, indefensible from every
point of view. 1t should have no lot or
part in the adjustment of the affairs of
the people, for it is inherently traitor
Gus.
Probably the easiest and the best plan
for our government to adopt would be
to order a plebiscite Of the people of the
islands, and, if a republic were favored,
to assist in establishing it on a basis
that should secure to every person his
right to a voice in the administration
| of affairs. If he shall hereafter neglect
to enforce that right, the fault will be
! his own. But a satisfactory and fair
constitution having been adopted, and
the first officers having been chosen
under the supervision of u govern
ment, the supervision should be with
drawn, and the responsibility should
cease. In all contingencies, however,
we should guard against the interfer-
ence of European nations in the affairs
of the islands. If they shall recognize
any foreign power as their guide,
philosopher and FRIEND" that power
must be the United States; for our in
terests in the islands. commercial and
political. are too important to be en-
%dangered.
AS the queen will not accept the