The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-11-20
THE IDEA SPREADS.

The Hawaiian is gradually advanc-
ing to the idea of annexation. 1t was
natural that sentimental reasons
should make large body of Hawa-
iians cling to the idea of royalty.
With royalsts of this class The Star
could have no fault to find. To rea-
son with, to argue, to strive to show
them that another course was for
their personal advantage was the end
and aim of much of the argument
used in these columns, but one always
gave the Hawaiians credit for their
personal views. 1t is not the Hawa-
iian Royalists who are to be blamed,
but it is the erstwhle citizens Of the
United States, or descendants of Unit
ed States citizens, who are grievously
to blame for leading the hawaians
astray.
1t seems almost incredible. but it is
fact, that the bitterest of the Roy
alists are those who by birth are Re
publicans. That man should, in
these days emancipate himself from
ideas of the divine right of kings and
other monarchial rubbish, is conceiv-
able. it is the natural trend of the
worlds thought, but that he should
revert back from republicanism to the
monarichial idea, and then become
most ardent supporter of the etfete
and worthless institution is inconceiv-
able; and yet faces us as fact
But in spite of the leading of the
monarchy loving foreigner, and in
spite of all the unsound advice which
has been given, the Hawaiian is be-
ginning to express himself as distinct
" against restoration. In the mass
he has not yet reasoned himself to an
neXation, but he has made an enor-
nous advance when he has cast away
the idea of monarchy and believes in
accepting the present Republic.
From accepting the Independent Re
public of Hawaii to believing in and
earnestly asking for annexation is but
a small step. The fact is that the Ha-
waiian, like all isolated races, does
not realize how weak he is. Cases of
this kind occur among the hill tribes
of India. The immensely of the pow
err of the great nations of the earth
does not strike home, as it does to
continental people, who from actual
experience and from historical tradi.
ton fear their powerful neighbors
There has been no overunning of Ha'
wall by a foreign foe. 1t is difficult
for the Hawaiians to realize the dan
ger from without, which others so full
ly realize and so keenly dread An
neNation means that safety to life
and property which we can never give
to ourselves. 1t is all nonsense to tall
of our weakness protecting us; it vii
protect us as long as things in the Pa
cific go smoothly. but it will protect
us no further, and when the clash Ot
races comes, as come it must, Hawaii
part of the great power, which car
give protection.
Sooner or later this will be realiz
ed by the Hawaiian. He has recog,
nized that his political rights under
the Republic if he will only use them
are the same as those of every one
else. His only fear now is that under
annexation he will not have the same
rights. 1t is certain that he will, but
there are those who tell him that he
won't, and in the clash of words he
becomes alarmed. but that will wear
away in time, and before very long it
will be found that the large mass of
the Hawaians will have thoroughly
realized the situation and will hail an.
neNation as an absolute boon to theiI