The Hawaiian gazette., 1899-12-05
MAKING HASTE SLOWLY.

Flint the blade, then the ear. then tn,
fnl1 corn In the ear. That is the the.
~ upon which self-government under
Tie pending Act Of political organiza-
tjua for Hawaii will work out. We
cannot think 1t Is other than Just and
sensible; and II Is essentially Ameri-
can inasmuch as all Territories of the
United States go through the same
evolutionary process. The seed Is
planted when the preliminary steps for
the organization of the new political
gins to form in the exercise of the lin
tied right OF self-control which Ter
ritorial rule permits; the full corn in
the ear is Statehood. Here Is an evo-
luton which runs few risks and takes
NO chances and by means OF which
Hawaii Is sure, In time, 10 realize its
best and highest aspirations. But IL
We demand first the full corn in the
ear we invite the failure OF our hus-
bandry.
With due respect to the native vote
We still contend that it would be peril
0us to let that vote control the major
part OF the administration of Island
a9airs under the appointed Governor
~ II could and would do II the plan
advocated by the Star were carried
out. Moreover the Governor would be
thereby reduced. save for his veto pow
er over enacted bills. 10 the merest lay
figure. We should have no very diff
fsrent civil service than we had under
the monarchy and much OF the same
personel. How would that comport
with the ambition to Americanize Ha-
wall? The native, belonging though
he does to the most advanced of the
dark races" hardly claims for him
self the capacity, nor does he seek the
responsibility, Of setting up and carry
ing on a distinctive American govern
ment here. That Is a task for Amer
leans, not Polynesians. Left to them
selves, as the probable majority vote
of these Islands. the Polynesians would
doubtless elect and ordain good ma
tive government as such governments
70. But there would be very little
Americanism in it and We are not pre-
pared to surrender that boon even to
confer an educational advantage on
the aboriginal inhabitants. 1t is bet
ter for Hawaii to have American rule
than native rule and for that reason
the Governor appointed by the Presi-
dent will himself name the great Off
GERS Of State. Deprive him Of that
right and confer 1t on the natives and
he becomes but little more than the
immaterial chairman Of a government
which. in its character, its methods of
business and It's personnel will bear a
fsteful resemblance to that which went
ont, with a general good radiance, in
1893.
In due time, of course, all officers,
from Governor down, will be elective.
But let us hope when that time comes.
races Of American sympathy will not
only be In the majority but that the ma
tives themselves will have become Am
ericanixed and ready, as they are not
ready now, 10 follow our national way
Of doing things instinctively. They
win learn and unlearn fast after the
seed corn has been planted. 1t will be
their privilege to practice American
politics in the purely local field where
their power to work mischief and exalt
demasuSues will be limited. Having
Esined illness there the question Of in
vestins them with higher responsible
ties may then come up. Judging the
native politician by his past We con-
tend thAt. In no other than this eau
tious and evolutionary way, could Ha-
waii be safely governed. And safe gov
ernment is the sine qua non OF pro-
gress and prosperity.