Hawaii holomua = Progress., 1894-04-17
THE NEXT STEP.
Are We Fit for a Republic?

When the revolution through
the agency Of Mr.. J. L. Stevens
had become an accomplished fact
and Hawaii virtually was ruled
by the Stevens constituted Pro-
visional Government, q number
of prominent and wealthy citizens
were asked both here and in the
States, if Hawaii was fit to exist
under a Republican form Of gov
ernment in case the annexation
scheme should fall through. Mr.
c. r. Bishop, one of the richest
men in Hawaii, said that a re-
public was out of the question in
Hawaii-nei. He gave as his
reasons the character Of the
different nationalities which
never could be made homogeneous.
He further said that he would
as far as he could-withdraw his
financial interests from Hawaii
in case OF the establishment of
Republican form of government.
Mr.. Bishop wanted annexation,
he did not want republic nor
a monarchy. Mr.. LA. Thurston
that interesting specimen of
humanity, who made a most
peculiar statement regarding his
own virtue on the floor Of the
Legislative Hall in 10S6-stated
as soon as he reached Washing
ton, after the revolution and
pIeUTtSy tfut H~--s-ii nnrld never
prosper under republican form
Of government, but would have
to be ruled by a military oligar-
chy under the control, and in the
pay of the sugar barons. He said
that annexation was necessary,
that the return to monarchy was
impossible and that the estab-
lishment of an independent
republic was disastrous. As he
spoke, so spoke the other COM
missioners who were sent to
Washington as representing
Hawaii, and their little say was
recorded in every paper from the
East to the West, from South to
North. Messrs. Dole, Damon
and even little Billy" Smith
have been interviewed by scores
of newspaper men. and they have
all solemnly stated that Hawaii
cannot exist under republican
form of government. And now
these men who have laid forth
their principles and doctrines in
this matter come to the front and
say, "yes, let us establish
in Hawaii. :" They
are working against their own
convictions, against their own
pronounced principles, against
their better Judgment; but for
the purpose of keeping the brief
authority now enjoyed by them;
for the sake of-as they believe :
getting even with their political
opponents, they destroy the
future prosperity of this country
that gave them shelter and bread
and perhaps wealth and they
ruin a nation-natives
md foreigners alike-together
with themselves. for the mean,
low, narrow-minded purpose of
ruling a day, or an hour The |
election of delegates to the Con
Convention shows be-
rond doubt the future that Ha |
vail will be If a republic is estab- |
ished. The quarrel amongst the
Portuguese is simply a beginning. |
Under a republic the japanese. /
he Chinese, the Hswaiians and
he vastnumber of foreigners now
aloof. viii take hand
u the fight and the first election
Ield here will be pandemonium.
md no constitution, however fran
d. will be able to stand against
he popular sentiment that some
lay. earlier or later. viii break
Iown the attempts Of making a
hawaiian republic. a Hawaiian
'ligarchy. The new constitution
nay or may not for a while secure
! government that virtually |
caves the control Of the land in |