The Independent., 1898-03-19
ooRREsPoNDENoE.
Mr.. Davies Replies to Mr. White.

SIR,-A letter from Mr.. Clarence
M. White, entitled "a Reply to Mr..
T. H. Davies" appears in your col
umns to-day. l have read this let
ter carefully and conscientiously
three times, and | am ashamed to
confess that / am absolutely unable
to understand the writer's political
position, his object in writing, or
even the subject of his letter. / am
bound to admit that Mr.. White is
evidently as much in the Gark as re-
CARDS my letter, but he has certainly
not read it three times, even il he
has read it carefully at ALL
l assume that am correct in in
ferring that Mr.. White is Hawaiian
patriot, that be feels keenly the
humiliation that has befallen him in
common with his countrymen, and
that he was unsuccessful in the ex-
ertions which he no doubt made to
avert the national disaster from
which he suffers.
AT this point there comes to my
mind the memory OF carter who,
driving needle ssly along the road,
managed to get his cart into rut
from which he could not extricate
it. He Immediately called upon
Jupiter to help him, but all that
the god would do for him was to
say, "Put your own shoulder to the
wheel"
May |, although l am not Jupiter,
humbly suggest some such method
to Mr. White. He says that he does
not pretend to be leader-then let
him follow, and tell bis fellow coun-
trymen what he intends to follow
Your correspondent is utterly mis-
taken in his recital of the opinions
and advice which he says l have
given; but never mind met is his
house that is on fire. There is nei-
ther patriotism NOR principle in be-
ing willing to be even "a reluctant
witness of national slaughter" which
l understand to be the idea Of hero
ism which has presented itself to
Mr.. Whites mind; but if he lets the
slaughter go on, l am afraid that he
will find himself classed not only
with the "passive victims" but
amongst the "inglorious because pas
sive agents" also.
Amongst the surprises that await
Mr. White when he comes to read
my letter again, is the fact that the
| Constitution and the oath are not
mentioned, nor even limited at. The
central point of my whole letter lay
in the words:
eff the Hawaiians are willing to
accept the Republic, on condition
that the foreigners will give up an
nexation, and that all shall have
votes and be friends, | believe that
we could stop all the quarrels and
have peace again"
/ have an unfortunate habit OF
using short simple words Of one
syllable that have no hidden mean
ing. The words | have quoted car
only mean that the foreigners must
satisfy the Hawaiians that clauses
32 and 101 will be practically giver
up, so that there shall be no more
attempt at annexation, and no oath
imposed upon native Hawaiian
before he can vote.
recommend the Hawsiians tC
satisfy the foreigners that upon
these conditions they will accept tn,
Republic,
Mr.. White informs us that he hal
already outstripped me in gestinl
rid OF the Monarchical idea, anC
therefore | cannot see why he doe
not for once strive to be a leader
and say to his fellow men; "Let u
band together in quiet way, ant
agree that if the foreigners will dc
their part in this proposal, we will
do ours"
The time has not come yet, anC
will not come until and unless the
Government is convinced that an
nexation will not be accomplished