The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1896-11-02

SAN Francisco, Oct. rs, 1896.
Hon, john w. FOSTER, San Fran
cisco, Cal.
Sir: You were Secretary OF State
in the Cabinet OF President Harri-
son when, early in 1893, a treaty was
negotiated by you, on behalf of the
United States, with certain gentle-
men protesting to represent the
government OF the Hawaiian Islands,
the object of which treaty was The
absorption Of our native land, aud
the extinction of the Hawaiian Ma
ton, by the United States. You are
now on your way to Honolulu, and
reports and interviews published in
the press Of this city represent you
as being bent upon the further pro-
motion of the project of annexation,
which was stayed by the act Of
President Cleveland, out of regard
for the political rights and desires
of the Hawaiian people.
We are native Hawaiians, mem.
bers of the musical organization
formerly existing under the name Of
tho Royal Hawaiian Band. We are
absent from our native land against
our desire, having been denied the
privilege OF earning a livelihood in
the land of our birth, by the usurp-
ing and non-representative parties
who, since January IL, 1898, have
ruled Hawaii at the point of the
bayonet, such denial being based
upon our refusal to swear allegiance
to tie usurpers, and to forsswear he
forms OF government under which
we were born, and had always lived,
until the date named, and which
had existed in Hawaii from time
immemorial.
We assure, aud believe that, in
your relationship OF The treaty mon
toned, you acted in ignorance Of the
conditions existing ia Hawaii, OF the
means by wbi3h the parties claiming
to be the government OF, and seek
ing to convey our country to for
eign nation, obtained their lease Of
power; and OF the true sentiments
Of the people justly entitled to speak
for Hawaii, upon the subject of its
absorption by the United States.
We, therefore, welcome the prospect
OF your visit in orr country at his
time, and trust you will hold your
self in receptive mood, for the ac-
curing Of information upon the true
conditions u Hawaiian sentiment
concerning political annexation to
America, Aud we have every con-
fidence, in view OF year known rep
utation as q promoter OF political
equality aud justice, and MS ali ad-
vocate and exemplar Of true repub-
lican principles OF government, that
you will not, after learning the
sentiments of the Hawaiian people
upon this momentous question:, fur
Their seek to have imposed upon
them political condition from
which they shrink with dread, and
with grave forebodings az TO its effect
upon their future as a people.
The proverbial devotion of the
American people to the principle,
expressed by your President Lincoln
OF government Of the people, by
the people, and for the people,"
should, we humbly submit, now sug-
gest 10 this great nation the pre-
priety Of deferring any further steps
looking towards the political annex
alton OF Hawaii until the will OF the
qualified voters Of cur country, as
tested by the constitutional pro-
visions existing January II, 1898,
shall have been formally registered
through the midium OF a plebiscite.
With sincere Wishes for Your
health and enjoyment, upon your
proposed trip, We remain, sir, on
behalf OF the Band
(Sign'd.) JOE, X. KAAuA,
Sol. a. Hiram,
JOSEPH ARA