The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-02-03

of Hawaii were contented and salts,
fled with their government, and when
given an opportunity to express their
opinions they will decide by enormous,
by overwhelmingly majority in favor
of the form of government which has
recently been overturned by violence.
The Royalists of Hawaii, l might
even say the people Of Hawaii, because
the great majority of the people are
RoyaliSts, have been exceedingly pa
tent during this season of trial. They
have appealed their case to the United
States and they are quietly waiting for
the decision.
If the decision is to permit the peo-
pie OF Hawaii to decide for themselves,
have no doubt of the restoration Of
the queen. l have no doubt of the
vote, if that should be the way for de-
clsion of the question, and have no
doubt of the prompt execution Of the
popular will. AS yet there has been
no occasion for the people of Hawaii
10 take action in their own country
in defense Of their rights. The pecu-
liar conditions required the production
of evidence to the United States gov
eminent more than decisive action in
our own country. The world need not
think, however, that the Hawaiians
are disregardful of their government
and their throne; that they have ia
ken no action for themselves because,
they are needless of what may occur.
When any time comes for them to
declare their decision, they will be
found ready for the declaration.
| am not unmindful Of the apparent.
the inevitable destiny OF Hawaii. The
time will certainly come when it will
become associated with he United
States by protective treaty. No for
eign country other than the United
States can have any voice in the con-
troll of Hawaii, or in the direction of
its government. Hawaii must come to
the United States While approaching
this destiny of my country, L know
that the time is not now for its full
fillment. The people are not ready for
it; the laws of the two countries are
in some respects so different that re-
Cancellation of those of the smaller
country to those of the larger country
would be impossible.
While ! have no intention at this
time to engage in an argument upon
the political matters of Hawaii that
have been so prominently before the
people during the last few months, 1
desire to say that the labor question in
itself is sufficient to prevent the an
nexation of our country to yours.
The contract system is in force, and
seems to be necessary for the working
Of the sugar plantations. Many of
these contracts have yet years to run
before the date of their expiration.
The average price paid to a laborer
is S13 per month. Without these low
wages, and without the contract Sys-
tenn, low wages seem impossible, the
great industry of Hawaii would sud
denly cease. Since the time the legis-
lation of the United States so amended
the system of duties that the advan
tages that Injured to Hawaii from the
reciprocity treaty were lost, the plant
ers of the country have with great diff
ficulty made any profit from their bust
ness. They are enabled 10 maintain
operations only by cheap labor OBJ
tanned by contract. If Hawaii were
part of the United States, separate laws
could not be made for the Island State
or Territory. Its labor system would
be under the same laws as now OBJ
tain in the United States, by which
the contract system is absolutely pro-
hibited. The result would be that
either cur people would be lawless or
else the main industry Of Hawaii would
altogether cease, and a part OF the
United States territory would he in a
bankrupt condition.
The time for the change is not now.
Further development must occur, the
laws of the lesser country must be
brought to conform in principle with.
the laws of the greater country, the
welding must be gradual and any
change must be in accordance with the
will of the Hawaiian people.
Now, the Hawaiian people are op-
posed to annexation. They are opposed
to the handful of men who, controlling
by force, are governing in a way much
less satisfactory and much less eff
Gent than the government they
usurped
The threat of these armed men to
oppose any action of the United States
by force of arms is a mere pretense.
Such an event is beyond possibility
Their soldiers would not fire upon
American marines.
The people of Hawaii are for the res
toration of the monarchy, for the dig
nified, orderly government that was
conducted by the constitutional mon
archy. I am with the Hawaiians as
long as 1 live.
The United States government may
refuse to grant to the Hawaiian people
the justice they expect. It can do but
one of two things. Either it will re-
store the queen to the throne or else
leave the settlement of the politics of
Hawaii to the people of Hawaii.
| Whichever course the United States
government may pursue. I am certain
that the outcome will be satisfactory
An oligarchy, supported by a few
| bayonets, cannot be maintained against
the wishes of nine-tenths of the people.
SAMUEL PARKER,
Premier of Hawaii.