The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1893-03-28

be commerce between them. Japan
lay in the path to China, and it was
inevitable that there must be peaceful
intercourse, or there would be armed
collision. There are certain rights
which belong to all nations, and
which must be claimed in the interest
of humanity. AS English ships had
broken down the wall of China, so did
All American fleet open the door of
Japan, simply by an attitude of firm
ness and justice; by demanding no.
thing but what was right, and sup
porting it by an imposing display of
force. Thus Japan was opened TO the
commerce of America, and through it
of the world.n l do not believe that
the spirit of Perry and of Preble is
dead in the hearts of the American
people. When negotiations for the
annexation of Texas were before Con-
gress, Benton, the great Missouri Sem
ator, opposed the measure. So did
Van Buren,, the prominent candidate
of the Democratic party. So did
Henry Clay, that prince among
American orators. But the people of
America were on the side of Texas,
and Missouri turned against Benton,
and Van Buren, was rejected by the
Democratic Convention, and Clay was
defeated at the polls, and Texas was
admitted to the American Union.
There may be delay on the part of
Congress, but the American people are
on the side of Hawaii, and the same
great popular impetus that bore the
patient people of Texas enthusiastic
ally into the Union, will doubtless
bear Hawaii, also. We believe this,
because we have faith in the loyalty
of the American people, to the great
commercial, industrial, and political
interests of humanity. But should it
come to pass, and may God forbid it,
that America declines to accept her
high responsibility in the premises,
then on you rests the responsibility,
as representatives of the resident
forces OF civilization, to maintain
here stable and competent govern
ment. You must meet this response
bility or you must go backward. Are
you willing to go back to all that
January l4th meant to you and
yours ? That would be to divest
yourselves of every constitutional
right, and to jeopardize every indus
trial enterprise, and to crowd the
Anglo-SaXon out of this country. Be-
fore us, there lies future of immeas-
urably vaster meaning than the area
of these islands would seem to justify.
But to go backward would be to
wreck all that on the lee-shore of an
incompetent and corrupt government.
1 do not believe you intend to go
back. There is nothing but disaster
that way; but forward there is every
promise of prosperity, if we remain
steadfast to our high responsibility.
Said man on the street the other
day, pointing to the American flag at
the Government Building, ooh, Pm
only waiting till that flag comes
down" Let me say to that gentle
man, If he is here tonight, that that
flag has a habit of staying where it is
put, that it is flag that has rever
come down, except at nightfall, and
that it always comes up again with
the sun. But seriously, what does
any man hope to accomplish in case
that flag does come down? Does he
propose anarchy? Martial law is the
complement of anarchy. Does he
propose to undo what you have done
humiliation and loss? Does he pro-
pose to brighten and put to dismay
the men who counted the cost in this
movement and then gave themselves
heartily to it? No, a thousand times,
no. That flag may come down, and
we may be thrown on our own re-
sources, but the spirit that resisted
the encroachments of January 18th,
even in such contingency, would con-
tinue to assert and maintain itself to
the end. But we have no reason to
doubt the ultimate annexation of
Hawaii to the United States. The
flag that is over us is here to stay.
Long may it wave, the symbol of
peace, of justice, and of stability.
Union, strong and great
Our hearts, our hopes, are all with thee,
Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers. our
Our faith triumphant DER our fears,
Are all with thee,-are all with thee.
Mr. Oleson's speech was received
with the utmost enthusiasm, almost
every sentence being applauded.
Mr.. II. Y. Castle also made
speech, dwelling on the advantages of
annexation and the necessity for una
nimity among its supporters.
DR.. McGrew being called on was
received with tremendous applause.
He said that everything mad been
said before him. He had been talk
ing annexation for the last twenty
years and was glad to see that so
many of his friends had come over at
last. They were good men and would |
carry it through. (Applause).
Mr.. Young thanked the audience
for calling on him. The meeting was
the most gratifying thing he had seen
for long time. He was whole |
souIed annexationist and most of |
even of those who opposed annexa-
ton did so because they said they OBJ
jected to the method. 1t would be a |
miracle if any method could be de- |
vised which would suit everybody. |
He was as good friend of the Ha-
waiians as anybody and had worked |
for years for Hawaiian independence,
and would do so still if he saw the |
smallest prospect of any benefit re
sulting from it. He did not believe
the question would be settled to-mor-
row, but all they had to do was to
keep stiff upper lip and it would
come out all right. (Applause).