The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-05-01
MONDAY, MAY l, 1898,
PATRIOTISM: WISE AND OTHER.
WISE.


WISE.
1t is hardly to be presumed that
body led by demagogues and inspired
by kahunas can be reasoned with in a
matter of politics by those with whom
its members are met to disagree; but it
may be that a thoughtful man here and
there in the Hawaiian Patriotic League
will hold aloof from the folly of his col
leagues long enough to feel the force
of the objections which adhere to the
monarchiCal cause.
Suppose for the sake of argument
that the organized weakness known as
the royal government should be re-
stored2 The existence Of that feeble
administration has provoked unrest and
violence off and on for the past decade
and was ended by seizure of the
islands by the United States. The
group had been taken once before by
England and might have been again by
Japan, if the Americans had not raised
their flag upon it first incidentally to-
this, foreign laws-which, under annex
alton could have done no harm-were|
passed which laid the sugar industry
PROSTATE. Business fell off, commerce
declined and property values decreased.
In all this was the logical result of in
sular independence in small country,
occupied by alien races and surround
ed by covetous or competitive neigh
bors-a result which would assuredly
be again felt if the Queen should be
restored A protectorate, could such a
thing be had, might indeed defend her
reign from other forms OF foreign inter
ference, but it would not secure it from
local revolution, nor would it prevent
other nations, even that affording the
proteCtorate, from subjecting it to a
tariff framed in behalf of competing
cane growers. AS before there would
be uneasiness, outbreaks, discomfort,
insecurity, and until better form OF
government had been established, no
one would come here to invest his
money.
1t is such a condition as this to
which the ex-Queen is pointing the
way of those who were once her PEG.
pie. She would like to return to the
old status because she would gain all
the benefit that could come to anybody
those of free rent and big pay for
doing nothing but making a pretence
of dignity and royal worth. Little she
cares for what would happen to other
residents of the Hawaiian isles Poverty
might stalk abroad, the hordes OF Asia
might submerge the native population
industry might struggle for bare sub
sistence, values might near the vanish
ing point-all this would be nothing tc
her while she could play the monarch
and sap the life of the land.
If the object of patriotism is tc
secure the good of the country tC
which one happens to belong, then the
Hawaiian Patriotic League has tht
best of reasons to avoid a committal tc
this royal incubus and to seek a unior
with the American republic. Unde
the stars and stripes Hawaii would Sc,
no more days of anarchy or misrule
Her progress from peace to wealth, ant
from wealth to greatness would flint
assurance in the corresponding ad
vances Of the great power of which sh
would then be an integral part He
native Citizen-then a freeman and
participant in the choice of a ruler fo
the first time in his life--could look a
men full in the face, conscious that n
nation, however strong, could safel
modest him or make him afraid. Their
would be riches, growth and prosperit
here in the benefits of which all mel
of whatever color, would in some wa
share.
These are the alternative condition
which royalty and annexation Offer
would be happy augury for the peac
and greatness Of the Hawaiian islanC
if the Patriotic League could ri.
above weak fealty to tradition an
seek the way which would offer it
political haven instead of stormy Sc
TURN ON THE LIGHT.