Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-28

of freedom and democracy The people must
nave full voice in all that concerns their
affairs. 1t is quite contrary they urge to
American principles to absorb a population
into the Union without their free consent
No Consent Asked.
The last position can hardly stand, in face
OF the fact that every territory yet absorbed
by the United States has been appropriated
without asking the consent of the inhabi-
tants, except Texas. and no vote was taken
then from the people. In every other case,
Louisiana New Mexico, California, Arizona,
Alaska, II is nearly certain that majority
OF the Inhabitants, in their ignorance, would
nave refused consent to come into the Union.
And yet, no one questions that to SO enter
,ne Union was the highest political privi-
lege and the greatest material advantage
that could be conferred upon those coun-
tries Precisely the same is the case with
Hawaii Notwithstanding their prejudices
II WIN be the nobest possible political ele-
Vatlon TO the kanaka people to be admitted
as citizens of the United States
AS to their indefeasible right to have their
consent asked-what fallacy this is, What
40 they know about the question? How can
they possibly form a sound Judgment upon
the subject? Their Kahuna priests all warn
them against becoming Americans Their
BRUSH neighbors all protest against the
american robbers of their country, and
these poor, childish, ignorant natives believe
them, and will refuse what is for their own
highest advantage. On this whole field of
reasoning about rights of self-government
nmitauons and exceptions have constantly
TO be recognized. Minors have to he eX-
copied, as well as some other classes An
important exception is in this very matter
OF national relations. OF what is best in
sucn matters men generally are far less
capable OF judging than of what concerns
their local interests. 1t necessarily results
that such national relations have to be de-
termined by the princes or the leaders of the
q
selves. At least such is the general rule
Inc common Hawaiian Is a very simple
weak-minded person. He is child in intel
!ect-a natural minor He has always lean
ed upon chief, superior He naturally
Graves to be directed and governed, like a
child. A kindly despotism exactly fits his
disposition. The benevolent American has
come to Hawaii. educated, civilized and ele-
waited him, as fast and far as his feeble ma
ture would bear, and, 1t is feared, rather
faster The Hawaiian was given a vote for
iower mouse, never for the upper one, until
the foreigners constitution gave such a
vote TO all holders of 5000 income. He must
continue to be in some things under guard
ianship, In statu pupillari until intellect
ana character are more highly developed
BY proximity, by commercial relations and
by practical direction and cherishing of
the Hawaiian people for seventy-five years,
the United States are their natural guard
JAMS. 1t belongs to the United States beney-
olently and wisely to determine what shall
be done with the Hawaiians. 1t is not for
these natives to settle the question for them
selves. any more than 1t is for any child to
say where his home shall be. Hawaiians
may suitably vote upon some subjects The
question of their national relations is a
wholly unsuitable one for their own deci-
sion.
Should BE Paternal.
The true part of American statesmen
evidently is to determine what is best for
the interests of the United States IN dis
posing Of Hawaii, consistently with true
regard to the interests of all classes of
Hawaii's permanent inhabitants To con-
suit the ignorant masses Of those inhabit-
ants on such weighty question does not
seem the part of good sense or statesman
ship.
There is especially fallacy, and a colos-
sal one in the assumption that annexation
robs the Hawaiians of their country. Ad-
hitting Hawaii to the Union does not de-
stroy its existence a free state The
country is in no sense taken away from its
inhabitants. So far from being lessened in
honor and privilege the people of Hawaii
will be incomparably exalted. 1t may he
fitting for Americans to question sharply
the expectancy of taking in so frail and
feeble sister; they reed not hesitate
ABOUT doiES Hawaiians any injustice there
by. Such admission will be a proud gift
and hoIor to the people
But is 1t not severity to deprive Ha-
waiians of their national Independence?
has long been Independent only in name.
She Is utterly dependent now On the pro-
tectins authority Of the United States. That
authority has for some years been all that
has prevented England from seizing Ha-
vail, SO much needed for binding together
her imperial possessions Aside from this,
should America refuse us, We could not
possibly lorg maintain secure and stable
government. We contain too many con-
ficting race elements. among which the
kanakss are in a hopeless minority, and in
case of cry break up would fall prey. 1t
is utterly preposterous to talk of Ha-
waiians preserving their independence.
Deprivir q them of that honor by annexa-
ton is the last scruple that needs to trou-
Bile American statesmen. II they do not
speedily gather in under protection a
live necessity for security will drive US to
seek the sterner protection which England
will gladly accord.
The Earthquake.
Two items of special local news are note
worthy. One is a shaking up by earth
quake last Sunday night, the Sth, IL PM,
and 9th, am The writer was awakened
at both hours by heavy, swinging shakes.
A frieLd states that he was wakeful
CROUCH to note four other slight shocks
during the night. Some clocks were stop
ped and a few dishes broken; no walls
damaged. The center of disturbance ap-
pears to have been the active volcanoes on
Hawaii. 1t was ascertained by telephone
" lHdt hdu, dl the SOutn enU OF
that island. experienced eight shakes. some
of which were of great severity. All parts
of the island were shaken. 1t is probably
ten years since any severe shock has been
experienced.
Our volcano experts regard these shakes
as probably premonitory of an eruption.
more probably of the chief agitator, Mauna
Loa, but possibly of the more steady vol
cano KalGuea, or It may be of both. 1t is
ten years since the last eruption of the
big mountain. ard quite time for a fresh
output of lava. The last flow buried ten
square miles twenty feet deep with rocks.
saw 300 acres of new land just made out
into the ocean. Mounting upon ii, we
found it still white hot within, as seen
through crevices. steamer is due to-
morrow from the volcanic district. Like
the Indians white man, our volcanoes are
mighty onsartin.''
FfIibusters Arrested.
The other item relates to the arrest on
the 9th of a couple of filibuster agents or
schemers from the coast There is said to
be abundant evidence of conspiracy against
them. Their examination has been post
poned en- account of the death of one of
the justices of the supreme court, r. F.
Bickerton. One of the men, named Sheri-
dan, is said to be Identified the Morrow