The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-09-30
on BOARD STEAMSHIP AUSTRALIA
Sept. d.


shore and sky-aad all that one can see on the
horizon is dim, low cloud. which grows
DINNER and dimmer-the memory of the islands
IS like dream.
Those great mountains, veiled in tenderest
green from cloud-tipped summit to the oceans
emerald edge below, the silver waterfalls tum-
bling from on high down into the dark blue of
the deeper sea, that extravaganza of foliage
and of flowers, the glory of sunshine on the
Iava-created hills and the benediction of shade
in the dusLy, wide ravines beyond which rises
mountain after mountain-it is all like won
derfu transformation scene, where splendor
follows splendor till one is satiated with lowell
ness.
Where every prospect pleases
Ana only man is vile,
Quoted the distinguished Congressman who
stood beside me on the AustaIas deck.
=, don't know that the honorable gentleman
alluded particularly to the Hawaiian Islander,
or that mentally he made any distinction be-
tween white man and brown. But his quota
ton. is particularly apt in the present instance.
Fol here in Hawaii, the best beloved, the most
richly endowed of all Mother Natures beautiful
family, the old, old struggle for Anglo-Saxon
supremacy is going on.
The centuries-old tragedy is being repeat
ed upon a stage small comparatively, but
with a perfection of gorgeous setting and char
acters whose classical simplicity gives strength
to the impersonation. The only new phase in
the old drama is that this time a republic is
masquerading in the despot's role. The United
States, founded upon the belief that just gov
ernment can exist only by the consent of the
governed, is calmly making up Tor the bloody
fifth act-preparing to take a nations life with
all the oomplacent assurance of an old-time
stage villain.
For Hawaii has not asked for annexation.
There are 100, coo people on the islands. Of
these not ) per cent have declared for annexa-
ton. To the natives the loss of nationality is
he+eful, abhorrent.
1t is the old battle-the white man against
the brown; might against right; strength
against weakness; power and intellect and art
against docility, inertia and simplicity.
And the result?
g tell the natives that work for me-" said
man suffering from an acute attack of annex
alton mania to me, '''you might as we'll walk
out into the sea and attempt to push back the
onCOming waves with your two uplifted hands
as TO try to prevent what's coming.
81 pt,=-I,, question Of conquest, az
nit" he went on. 1--WE are stronger and we'll
win. It's a survival of the fittest.
The strongest memory | have of the isl
ands is connected with the hall of the Salvation
Army at Hilo, on the island of Hawaii. Irs a
crude little place, which holds about 300 people,
should think. The rough, uncovered rafters
show above, and the bare walls are relieved
only by Scriptural admonitons in English and
Hawaiian:
Boast not thyself of tomorrow"
''Without Christ there is no salvation"
As entered, the bell on the foreign
church, up on one of the beautiful Hilo hills,
was striking ten. The place was packed with
natives, and outside stood a patient crowd IN
able to enter. 1t was a women's meeting, but
there were many men present The women
. were dressed in Mother Hubbards of calico or
. cloth and wore sailor hats-wnite or black
The men were in coats and trousers of Ameri-
en- make.
Presently the crowd parted and two women
e. walked n both very tall, dressed in handsome
frse-howing tain-d gowns of black crepI
: braided in black. They wore black kid gloves
: and large hats of black straw with black feath-
ers. The taller of the tWo-a very queen in
!: dignity and repose-Wore nodding red roses in
[.
waist long, thick necklace of closely strung.
. deep-red, ooral-lihe flowers, with debate ie7ns
=. iaterspersed.
This was Mrs. Kuaiheani Campbell, the
president of the Womens Hawaiian Patriotic
League. Her companion was the secretary of
the branch at HiIo.
1t was almost pitiful to note the reception
of these two leaders-the dumb, almost adoring
: fondness in the Women's eyes; the absorbed.
: dose interest in the mems dark heavy faces.
! After the enthusiasm had subsded the min
ister of the Hawaiian church arose. He is tall.
blonde, fair faced, three-quarters white, as thev
say mere. Clasping his hands in front and
looking down over the bowed dark heads be-
fore him he made the short opening PRAYER.
He held himself well, his sentences were short
and his manner was simple.
There is something wonderfully effective in
earnest prayer delivered in an ancient language
with which one is unfamiliar. One hears not
words, but tones. His feelings, not his reason.
are appealed TO- Freed OF the limiting effects
of stereotyped phrases the imagination supplies
the sense. Like The Hebrew and the Lain the
Hawaiian tongue seems to touch the primitive
sources of ones nature, 10 strip away the COM
plicated armor with which civilization and
worldliness have clothed US and to leave the
emotions bare for that wonderful instrument, a
mans deep voice, to play upon.
The minister closed and a deep murmurinp
"Anen'' from the people followed.
watched Mrs. Emma NaWahi curiouslv as
she rose to address the people have never
heard two women talk in public in quite the