The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1895-08-12

A recent magazine article on tlad-
stone has couple OF paragraphs
which have curious resemblance to
recent Hawaiian history illustrating
the adage that "History Repeats
Itself"
The first paragraph shows how
England has acted when her sub
iects have been outraged in foreign
lands and how she will probably
soon act in these islands.
Referring to a memorable palia-
mentary debate in 1850 in which
Gladstone gave distinguished assis-
lance to Palmerstone the article
says:
The debate arose out of the affairs
of Greece The Greek Government,
having refused certain demands for
compensation which the English
Government had made in behalf OF
certain English subjects, Admiral
Sir William Parker was ordered to
otoceed TO Athens for the purpose
II obtaining satisfaction, failing in
which, the. admiral blockaded the
Pir@us. Palmerston, however in a
speech OF five hours duration, won
the day. AT it's close he challenged
he verdict of the House, whether
the principles which bad guided the
foreign policy of Her Majssty's
Ministry had been proper and fitting,
aud whether, as subject OF ancient
Rome could hold himself free from
indignity by saying ''Civis Romanus
Sum-" British subject IN foreign
county should not be protected by
the v,gilant eye and the s. rong arm
Of the Government against injustice
aud wrong. 'Civis Romanus" set
led the matter. VINO was, in the
House of Commons, so rude that he
would not be a Roman? Who was
here so lacking IN patriotic spirit
hat he woald not have his country
men ~ good as any Roman citizen
If them sl2 The phrase carried
he day. The victory was all with
PaImersiou. He had, in the W rds
II Shakes peare's Rosalind, wrestled
we'll, and overthrow more than his
enemies.
In the second paragraph read Ha-
waii instead of Naples, aud with the
modification which 45 years have
forced on civilization, Mr.. Glad
stones words would suit Hawaii:
The Winter Of lS5O-51 found Mr..
Gladstone in Naples, aud that event
furnished one of the most remark
able aud interesting incidents in his
lie. Ferdinand, II, OF Naples and
Sicily, uicknamed "Bomba," was then
on the throne, He was charged with
"remorselessly shooting down rebel
lons subjects" aud with "unparal-
leled cruelty to political opponents
and patriots who dared to advocate
the rights Of humanity" Bomba
was the popular nickname Of the
King-a nickname which preserved
in the pc pular memory the slaughter
by the royal troops in the streets of
Naples. While in Naples Mr., Glad
stone learned that large number
of the citizens who had formed the
opposition to the Cham Der OF Depu-
ties had been exiled or imprisoned
by King Ferdinand, and that up
ward Of 10000 of Bomba's subjects
Gas reported) had been flung into
prison on a charge of political dis
affection. Mr. Gladstone visited the
prison exploring underground dun
geons, convers ny with the prisoners,
and witnessing their sufferings. He
found that, of lao deputies returned
to the Neapolltan Parliament, rs
were in prison or exiled, AID that
more than 10000 other subjects of
Ferdinand had been cast into prison
on the charge of political disaffec-
ton. Burning with indignation, he
published, in the form of "Letter
to the Earl OF Aberdeen" detailed
narrative OF the trials, sentences and
suferings endured by the wretched
prisoners, and in scathing terms de-
nounced the Neapolitan authorities
The publication. OF this letter pro-
duced an intense sensation. 1t cir
culated through Europe, and was
answered by official statements which
fatty contradicted his. In second
letter he corrected some errors, but
held tenaciously to the main points
OF his story. Mr.. Gladstone's efforts
produced the happy effect of reliey-
ing several political prisoners, not
ably one Poerio, whose name at that
period was in everybody's mouth.