The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-12-01
SELF RELIANCE.

Long before annexation, which all
hope means independence, the Hawai-
ian people had developed a very con-
siderable ability for self government.
If we go back forty years we will see
that there was more of self govern
ment then than now. Many local
matters in the fourth, fifth and sixth
decades of the century were well and
properly managed by the local com
munities, and local self government
was being very practically taught.
But tins did not suit a monarchial
government and centripetal force
set in which drove everything into
the hands of centralized executive.
Now this is what The Star desires to
overcome, and what Americanism
must overcome.
The Advertiser makes a comparison
between the negroes of the South and
the conditions here. 1t says THE
negroes of the South have not been
able to make good use of the suffrage
in these times, despite two centuries
of white example," To this there are
two replies. In the first place the Ha-
waiian is in very different position
from the negro of the South. The
Hawaiian is the descendent of genera
lions of free men. The negro of the
South is the descendent of genera
lions of a subject race. How can any
one expect the good use of the suf-
frage" from an enslaved race, it was
natural that it should be to a certain
extent misused at the outset The rian
who has been the under dog in the
fight and has been bred as the under
dog is apt to go astray when he be-
comes the upper dog.
One might further take exception to
The phrase 1.-TWO centuries of white eX-
ample" The two centuries of white
example meant two hundred years of
the inculcation that might makes
right and the degradation of the sub
ject race. This was no example"
that could lead race onward and up
ward. 1t lead downward to lower
depths and produced the troubles
which the American people in the
South are facing today.
But The Star refuses to compare the
Hawaiian with the negro of the South
ern States. The Hawaiian is on very
different plane. He has been accus-
toned to vote, he is keen politician,
he is well educated. Few countries
can show such a record of literacy as
this OF the native Hawaiians nearly
eighty-four per cent over the age of
six years are able to read, of the part
Hawaiians 81 per cent are able to do
the same. The news of the world is
current and commented upon from
Niihau to Kalae. The great questions
of the world are discussed in Kona
and Puma villages, as they are discus
sed in London or Washington or San
Francisco. The point of view may be
different, but the knowledge of the
subject is clear. 1t seems to The Star
that one can predicate fairly what the
'compatriots of Bob Wilcox and j. w.
Bipikane" may do with their privil-
eyes. One can predicate that they will
vote intelligently, and that their de-
sire will be for good and honest gov
eminent. Both the gentlemen have
made political mistakes in their lives,
but who has never made a mistake?
Who is there who does not learn from
his own errors?
If we are going to raise a territory
of free men, and that is the inner core
of American Government, we must en-
trust the people with privileges to use
to the best of their ability. To fear
swapping of the intelligence of the
country because there may be mis-
takes made at the outset is to fear
DOGGY man. We want to get on to the
plane of self government as soon as
we can, and the best way to do it is
TO entrust the people with privileges
which they will learn the value of
and will guard with earnest care.
In family, self reliance is a thing
to be cultivated, and those children
who are not coddled and kept in cot
ton wool, but are thrown on their won
responsibility early in life are the
more apt to prove satisfactory men
and women. So it is true of a growing
community, give it local self govern
ment, let it learn even from its own
errors and it will become an honor
able, upright and self reliant state.