The Hawaiian gazette., 1896-12-08

] looking at Things as I1ey are, lney
will come forward and work with us
from this day on to accomplish that
which we deem best for the political
! and property interests of this coun-
! try-anneXationi Some were speaking
/ to me about the matter tonight, and
stated so far as the objects of the Club
! were concerned they were in hearty
accord with them, and would work for
/ them from this time on, but as this
/ was an orgaization meeting of this
| Club they did not feel like coming and
taking an active part at this stage, but
would like do later on.
ut has been questioned by some-the
/ question has been raised within the
| last week or two what the use of the
reorganization of the Club will be ben
eficial in several different ways. In
times past, during periods of excite
ment, when issues have come before
the community which have solidified
them, we have had the citizens in this
town in a completely united condition;
many were here in the old Armory in
January, 1893. You remember what
the feeling was so intense it fairly
thrilled the people there. There is
none of that feeling here tonight that
great issues are imminet, that the
events of the next few days, or hours,
may mean either life or death, but
now, as then, there are great issues
which have to be met; it means it will
be harder to make those issues now
than then.
1T is comparatively easy for people
TO get out under circumstances of ex-
citement and act 1t is comparatively
harder for them to work in a work-a-
day manner for the enforcement of
an object. 1t is consequently going to
be more difficult than under those pc
riods of excitement and semi-warlike
situation. 1t is going to take more
moral strength to accomplish it now
than under those conditions.
The work to be accomplished now
is work which will not go with a rush,
because every one is thinking of that
alone, but work that will be accom-
plished by each and every member of
the community who believes that an
nexation lies in working for it on his
level best of his own account. The
work will not be accomplished alone
by the election of officers here tonight.
''The members need not think they
are going to leave annexation in the
hands of the officers alone, and do
what is necessary. What is needed is
to have officers attend to the details
of the Club, to the routine duties of
the Club. You must go out into this
community and each one of you eXer-
else his personal interest among his
personal friends, and those who have
heretofore no decided thoughts. That
is the work that pays, and accomplishes
what is to be accomplished.
IF you know man who has here
tofore been a royalist, who is now
halting on the fence, and does not
know whether it is sound thing and
to the interests of this community to
favor annexation, do not let him have
any peace; argue with him, find out
what troubles him, whether he thinks
social conditions will be antagonistic
to him or his friends, whether he
thinks his business will be injured, or
whether it is matter of sentiment
sticking in his mind; but you find out
what the point is.
You ask if annexation is going to
be brought about by people who want
it at this end of the line That is to
great extent true; but it is never
theless true that there is nothing like
unity in the community to accomplish
the purpose. We have seen that in
American politics.
'On the Pacific Coast they tried year
after year to get a member of the Cabi-
net in Washington, and year after
year the disposition has been to give
them representation. But the contend
ing factions has resulted in getting no
member there. That is simply for il
lustration. If we have contending fac
tions here, one resisting the other, we
simply injure ourselves at the other
end of the line
4 believe within the next few
months the question is to be brought
up and discussed at the Washington
end of the line, and the pressure we
can bring to bear there by perfecting
the unity of the representation from
this end Of the line will affect the re-
suit there. That is why think benefit
will be obtained by the reorganization
of this Club. This is only nucleus
of the Club; if you remember the con-
stitution provided for branch clubs.
There will, perhaps, be those among
our old Hawaiian friends who will not
feel like coming into our central or
ganization. Many among our Portu-
guese friends, perhaps, who may de-
sire to have their own clubs. Any one
who wants to come in and form an or
ganization under the broad scope of the
constitution tonight, should be made
welcome under any individual prefer
ences they may have. We should en-
couarge them to do so.
THE particular lines upon which ac-
ton will be taken by the Annexation
Club, l think, it is too early to state
now. 1t is matter which should have
careful consideration and discussion.
l think the proposition which has been
adopted in the constitution to have
open meetings will be valuable in that
it will give members an opportunity to
come forward and be heard, make sug-
gestions, and keep alive the subject of
annexation, and propagate the senti-
ment thereof in the United States. That
/ understand was one cause of dis
satisfaction in connection with the
former organization, which the COM
mittee who reDorted the constitution