The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-01-31

HONOLULU, Dec. ITO be insu-
lated is to be narrow. To be narrow
is to be bigoted. What Hawaii needs
for redemption under any form OF
government is easy and continuous
intercourse with the rest of creation.
Nothing will bring about this much
needed redemption so quickly as the
laying of cable about which there
has been everlasting talk. Three
complete surveys OF the route were
made by the United States govern
ment several years ago. AS no adj
ministration stays in power long
enough to carry out any extended
international policy, and as the OPP
posing party seems to consider IL pa
trioIic and self-respecting To upset
whatever foreign policy its hated rival
may conceive, hope tells flattering
tale IN whispering that the appointed
hour has arrived and that Congrsss
will legislate in favor Of Hawaiian
cable, the contract for which Colonel
u. S. SpaldiDg carries in his pocket as
he now haunts the marble halls OF our
capitol.
Ohioan by birth, Colonel Spalding
first came to Hawaii In 1858 as secret
agent of our government. In govern
ment papers relating to Hawaii, I find
the following letter from Colonel
Spalding to his father. 1t is very
no m of ho 4
though dated April Ia, 1869:
"Our latest advices seem to convey
the idea that the reciprocity treaty
was beyond hope and the effect is be-
ginning to be generally felt and seen.
Men who have kept silent for months
have openly expressed themselves of
late as being in favor of annexation,
and began to talk of forming an
organization or party with that end
in view.
"What they want to know is that
they will be backed up by the United
States and its representatives here in
all proper measures taken by them to
secuTe a change in the political senti-
ment of the islands amt their annexa-
tion at the earliest possible period.
"This means necessarily q war on
the party of the United States, but
feeling that they are supported by
our government anu It's officials, even
to the continued presence of a man.
of war, il necessary, and Intervention,
should this government attempt to
stop free speech and a free press, or
put down al American simply be-
cause he is an American and ex-
presses himself favor ably toward the
United States.
"Americans whose opinions are en-
titled to respect claim that they have
never baj from the government of
the United States that countenance
and support that England and France
have always extended 10 their sub
jects here. They say-and, am dis.
posed to think, with some Justice
that while an Engli5hman or French
man, even though holding an Office
under this government, never forgets
his country, Americans have been
brought up and become more thor
oughly Hawaiian than the natives
themselves. L know this TO be
true in regards to some Amer.
leans now holding Office under
thir government and from the
records of some Of our ministers, a.
well az their sub-equent careers.
am satisfied there has been ground for
complaint. No doubt the American
party has made mistakes. They had
the power, and ought TO have fought
rather than lose it. But coming from
missionary stock, it WIS contrary to
heir PRINCIPLES aud feelings io Resort
to bl 'ws. Besides, some of their hest
material was drawn off by means of
royal favor aud the honors and emo-
luments Of 1ffice. The dollar Is
as powerful here as in more enlight-
ened countries, and Americans are
apt 10 forget all else in the accumula-
ton OF riches.
81 told you had no hope for an
nezati0u while there wa a chance for
reciprocity. Events do not change
my opinion. On the contrary, feel
that the desire of am exation is
stronger today than ii has been at any
time since my arrival on the islands,
simply because the prospects for the
treaty are felt to be almost hopeless,
and the planters must have relief by
annexation.
English and French Ascendency.
81 have already given you my
opinion as to what the missionary or
American party would do il left to