The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-08-31
A MILITARY, NOT A CIVIC
QUESTION

That small but well-ueaning ele-
ment in the Annexation party which
objects, on ethical grounds, to the re
moval Of Royaist office-holders is
represented by Mr.. Albert +. Nichols,
in a letter which the STAR prints in |
this impression. Mr. Nichols views
the issue as an opponent of the spolls |
system, and his arguments are the
familiar ones which have been used in
the United States since 1882 to sup
port Republicans in office under a
Democratic president and Democrats
under a Republican administration.
They apply to conditions very different
from those which exist here. In the
United States, under the spoils system,
removals and appointments are matters
of party politics among men who are
equally loyal and faithful to the Gov
eminent That this principle Of reward
and punishment is wise may be set
down as a mooted question but wise
or otherwise, it does not affect the
situation in Hawaii The political
ethics of a revolutionary government
and country differ at the base from
those Of an orderly, settled and safe
community where a change in official
direction could not or would not be
likely to affect the tenure OF the gov
eminent itself In America the objec-
ton of a Democrat to "A Republican
holdover is purely political Here the
hostile attitude Of an Annexationist to
a Royaist official is patriotic. 1t is
kindred to that of soldier against a
spy in the camp or q doubtful recruit
on the picket line. 1t deals with a
question of public safety
The Provisional Government IS in a
state Of military defense Ii exists
behind sand bags and cannon. 1t
knows that an enemy conironts It
which, if possessed OF its defenses and
archives would overthrow it, execute
or Danish many of its leaders and re
store a heather and tyrannical power
Yet, in spite of this, it permits it
offices and the vantage ground within
its fortified camp to be filed with mer
who boast of their Royalst sympathies
Can any one tell what such men woul,
do in case of a sudden attempt at ;
cOub d etat : Would they, or wouc
they not surrender their keys to the
enemy? Would they, or would they
not hamper preparations Of defense
Would they, or would they not be
likely to set fire in the rear to property
which the Provisional forces were pro
tecting in front1 These are practica
questions that could hardly arise in The
country where Mr. Nichols civil service
reform theories have had their wides
application and test.
Granted, therefore, that a miitar,
government should take care not to lie
its enemies, or those fairly believed tC
be enemies, within its lines, it follows
that it should do all it can to secure
friends and supporters there. 1t canno
get them by giving premiums to laten
treason. The idea of Royalist re
movals and loyalst appointments
therefore, is simply the common sense
of a military situation. 1t is safe pol
itics, wise strategy and approved states
manship-a measure which would de
vote all the Governments energies anC
all its salaried outlay to the end of self
preservation, which is the first law O
bodies polite as well as of nature.
What Of the oath Of allegiance
Let us ask in what country an cath O
allegiance ever kept men from revoltin
against the constituted authority whicI
had required its acceptance Of them
The hell of political anarchy is pave,
with the fragments Of broken oath
and shattered promises.
As to the Annexation Club, we d
not wish to see it Tammauy Hal
but a Union League body comm
ted to the doctrine that only loyal me
shall hold office, TO the end that tn
great principles upon which the Coy
eminent is grounded shall not b
weakened, menaced or abused.
Regarding 'spoiIs," the STAR di:
claims the differences drawn from tn
use of that word. 1t has no FRIEND
to suggest for any office; but it hole
that where official salaries are disburse
the Government should make sure, b
wise selection of the men to whoI
they are given, that the funds are ne
diverted to the use OF those who al
plotting to undo the good work {
January nth, And when an offic