The Hawaiian gazette., 1893-07-18

country declare for a change Of cur
form of government, irrespective of
I the possibility of future annexation,
they will be sustained by the tax
/ payers and reputable citizens of this
/ country, and no dissent will be heard
I If the present government should be
placed lawfully and constitutionally
in power.
The people will not submit to Pre-
torianism or indefinite delay in settle
ing the question.
Either of the two conditions means
rnin. Both are grossly unjust and in
consistent with the principles which
the anneXationists must possess and
profess if they are fit to become
American citizens.
The step recommended, that is, the
convenlng of body of lawfully cho-
sen representatives and carrying out
their conclusions, means sustaining
right and justice. The people have
the right to demand that it be taken;
you (meaning the Provisional govern
ment) have no right to refuse to take
it or to impede or prevent tiff you
are honest.
But there is another and more ur-
gent reason for such action. 1t should
be impelled by gratitude to and COLI
sideration for our friend the United
States. These islands, it is we'll
known, have been befriended and in
reality protected at all times by the
great republic. 1t is claimed that our
political change has been effected by
representative of the United States in
violation of justice, decency, comfy,
treaty obligations and international
law.
That representative came near to
casting an indelible stain upon the
American nation. But why ask the
United States to judge him? ellis fu-
ture fate does not concern us. Let the
Hawaiian people assemble by duly
chosen representatives, let the people
declare how and by whom we shall be
governed, and ask the United States,
if it should be necessary, to assist us
the people. Now we call upon
you and the Provisional govern
ment, who profess an attach
ment for the United States so great
that it impels you to surrender Ha-
waiian independence for American
citizenship, to save our great friend
and neighbor from disagreeable
task by taking the vote of the Ha-
waiian people and following the
popular will. You will then show
that you are fit to become American
citizens, and do not wish to trample
under foot every gift of liberty, every
principle of representative govern
menU, every guarantee of justice and
right. Do now what is just and
right not from fear or necessity,
nor until il is demanded by the
United States, but because you owe
the fulfilment of that duty to the
people who permit you to represent
them and to those whose faith in
your honest motives must be justified
by your own conduct.
Put your house in order so that you
may show to the American Con-
gress when it assemblies what is
truly the wish of our people, in
whom after all the sovereignty rests,
and ask your great neighbor to help
you if the wish expressed is reason
able and rests on proper grounds.
This course will not alone pre-
serve the high estimate in which
you, and many of those who are
with you, are held at home, but will
commend your cause, which will
then be the cause of the people of
Hawaii, to a respectful and advant-
ageous consideration in Washington.
am, with every assurance of my
high esteem,
Yours sincerely,
PAUL NEUMANN.