The Hawaiian gazette., 1894-02-16

v
the United States.
These same armed men who have
usurped the POWERS of government,
point 10 all the development of Ha-
waii as though il were the result of
their own actions. They enjoy the
roads, the educational system, the
street railways and the telephones,
and placidly point them out 10 stran-
gers as evidences of their good govern
ment of the country. They quote the
laws relating 10 the morality and tenn
perance OF the people as an indication
OF the high civilization and enlighten-
ment of their government.
The fact is that they have merely
| stepped upon what others have build
Ell, taking 10 themselves the credit for
the institutions and the development
that belongs sOlelyto the constitutional
monarchy which, in thirty four years,
accomplished more than any other
government in this world for the pro-
gress of the country and the education
OF the people.
l want 10 return to this government.
l am no. satisfied with the usurpatlon
of power by men who hold control
! Dlerely by force of arms. The people
! of Hawaii Were contented and salts
fed with their government, and when
given an opportunity 10 express their
| opinions they will decide by enor-
nous, by overwhelming majority in
| favor of the form of government which
has recently been overturned by vio-
! lence.
The royalists Of Hawaii, / might
even say the people of Hawaii, be-
cause the great majority of the people
are royalists, have been exceedingly
patient 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,
1 have no doubt of the restoration of
the queen. l have no doubt of the
vote if that should be the way for de-
| cisiOn OF the question, and l have no
doubt of the prompt execution of the
popular will. As yet there has been
no occasion for the people of Hawaii
TO take action in their own country
in defense of their rights. The pecu-
liar conditions required the produc-
| ton of evidence 10 the United States
| Government, more than decisive ac-
ton in our own country. The world
need not think, however, that the
| Hawaiians are disregardful of their
government and their throne; that
they have taken no action for them
selves because they are needless of
what may occur. When any time
comes for them TO declare their de-
cision, 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 the 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 appre-
ciating this destiny of my country, l
know that the time is not now for its
fulfillment The people are not ready
for it: the laws of the two countries
are in some respects so different that
reconciliation of those of the smaller
country TO those of the larger country
would be impossible.
While | have no intention at this
time 10 engage in an argument upon
the political matters OF Hawaii that
have been so prominently before the
people during the last few months,
desire to say that the labor question
in itself is sufficient TO prevent the
annexation Of our country to yours.
The contract system is in force, and
seems 10 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
SIS 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-
taSes that Injured to Hawaii from the
reciprocity treaty were lost, the plant
ers of the country have, with great
difficulty, made any profit from their
business. They are enabled to maiu-
tain operations only by the cheap
labor obtained by contract. If Hawaii
were part of the United States, sepa- |
rate laws could not be made for the |
Island State or Territory. Its labor |
system would be under the same laws |
as now obtain in the United States,
by which the contract system is ALSO 1
lutely prohibited. The result would .
be that either our people would be
lawless, or else the main industry of .
Hawaii would altogether cease, and a /
part of the United States territory .
would be in 4 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 10 annexation. They are Op-
posed to the handful of men who, con-
trolling by force, are governing in
way much less satisfactory and much
less efficient than the government
they usurped.
The threat Of these armed men to
oppose any action of the United States
by force OF arms Is Il mere pretense-
Such an event is beyond possibility.