The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-03-01
AN OPEN LETTER
Mr.. 7. 4. Davies Makes PROPOSE
tiOl to HaVaiians.
GIVE UP ALL IDEA OF MONARCHY
And Accept Republic - Provided
Foreigners Will Work No More
For Annexation.


to the Hawaiian people, in the native
language, which we understand is be-
ing largely circulated among them:
TO THE HAWAIIAN PEOPLE!
My Dear Friends:
For 0years the Hawaiians have been
my friends, and 1 have always striven
to deserve their confidence 1t is for
this reason that feel it to be my duty
today, to say few words on your polit-
ical situation.
Five years ago a cruel blow fell upon
Hawaii. Many persons were blamed for
what occurred, but no one ever accused
the Hawaiian people themselves of
having caused their disaster | want
to tell you, Hawaiians, that l believe
everyone admires the noble, patient
way in which you have borne the dis
tress of the past years. You have
shewn that you can be trusted as Ma
tion, and that the true patriotism that
makes heroes is in your hearts. 1t is
not my intention to say anything as to
the origin of these troubles: l will only
state what appears to me to be the pre-
sent position and then l will say a few
words about the course which I think
it would be prudent and possible to
pursue.
Two things happened in January,
1898:
1. The Queen was dethroned.
2. The United States was asked to
annex Hawaii, and so to put an end to
your national independence.
The dethronement of the Queen
I
hearts; but when the Republic was re-
cognized by all foreign Governments, it
became the only. Government of Ha-
waii, just as a Republic is now the only
Government of France.
But there was something which was
more important to you even than
changing from a Monarchy to a Repub-
lie, and that was the proposal to change
your own flag for a foreign flag.
If the United States shall accept the
offer which has been made to that Ma
ton, then the Hawaiian flag will be
taken away and the American flag will
take it's place, and you will have to ac
cept the situation. But if the United
States shall refuse the offer, then you
will have to consider what is the wise
thing for you to do. If | can help you
to think, I shall be very glad to be of
use to you.
In the first place, the Hawaiians and
the foreigners must be friends and
work together. Do not think too much
about what has happened, but let US all
do the best for the future. Many of you
would like to get the Monarchy back;
but you cannot do so, because most Of
the foreigners would oppose you, and
neither the United States nor any 9TH
er Government can take steps to restore
the Monarchy, because as I said they
have recognized the Republic. But if
we work faithfully together, l believe
that you can keep your Independence
and keep your Hawaiian flag, and be
happy prosperous nation.
There are many foreigners who will
still want Annexation, but think there
are more who do not want Annexation,
but most of these do not want the
Monarchy again Now if the Hawaiians
are willing to accept the Republic, on
condition that the foreigners will give
up Annexation and that all shall have
votes and be friends, l believe that we
could stop all the quarrels and have
peace again, and that Queen Liliuoka
lani would came back and live a happy,
dignified life, as Princess Kaiulani is
doing, amongst her own people. I tell
you plainly, that if you do not consent
to this plan, am very much afraid you
will lose your independence in a short
time, if not now.
l am very sorry to lose the Monarchy
because it was the historical Govern
ment Of the country, although there
were many faults under the Monarchy
and it sadly needed reforming But it
is now too late to reform, and you must
recognize the fact that the Monarchy
has been overturned. Therefore I come
to you like a doctor who says: 81 can
perhaps save your life, if you will let
me cut off your arm" So l say: ''You
can perhaps save your independence, if
you will give up the Monarchy
And if you feel that the words I have
spoken are not the words you like to
hear, [ ask you to believe that they
come from one who values your friend
ship, and would not speak one word, or
do one deed to wrong you.
May God save Hawaii
Your faithful friend,
THEO. H. DAVIES
Craigside, Honolulu, March 1, 1898.
--szzssn