The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-02-06
KINGS DREAM
The Plan of KaIakaua
For Empire.
Hon. RoIIin N. Daggett Writes of the
Scheme as Originated by
w, M. Gibson.

Hon. Rollin NJ. Daggett. formerly
United States Minister to Hawaii. has
an article on Kalakaua's Dream of En-
pire in a recent Chronicle, from which
is extracted this description of Walter
Murray Gibson. Speaking in particu-
lar of Kalakaua's desire to organize
and head a Polynesian Empire. Mr..
Daggett writes:
Inc scheme originated in the fertile
and daring brain of Premier Walter
VI. Gibson Immediately after the coro-
nation OF Kalakaua in February. 1882
lie had assisted in the election of Ka-
lakaua to the throne in 1874. and had
been steadily advanced in the public
service until he reached the head of the
ministry and became the trusted adj
wiser OF the crown. Known to be am
Ditious and crafty, he was distrusted
by most Of the European and Ameri-
can residents Of the kingdom. and uni-
Nersally denounced by what was known
as the missionary element--a power
tul class which in the end was mainly
instrumental In revolutionizing the
government and establishing a repub
nc on the ruins of the native monar-
ehy' put as he spoke and wrote the
hawaiian language fiuently and to a
large extent enjoyed the confidence of
the native people, the King persistent
~ declined to part with his services
lie was one Of the strangest men of
MS day-a puzzle alike to his friends
and foes. After having been a va
grant rover Of the sea i'm his own shin
ana suffering Imprisonment at the
hands Of the Dutch authorities in Su-
matra on the charge of melting the
natives OF the island to rebellion he
haue MS appearance in the Hawaiian
group as Mormon missionary from
utah' ana soon made himself promi-
heht IN pubic affairs. His life was en-
snrouded In mystery; even the land of
MS nativity was question of doubt;
out whether American or English by
Dlrth-and as occasion served he
Cialned 20 be either-he was a man of
broad learning and unquestioned abili-
ties. The cast OF his mind was dreamy
ana imaginative, and he was more a
poet than a statesman, and less dis
honest than impractical and adventure
some Among his literary works are
Prison Life in Weltervreden." Hen
ry the Illustrious Of Portugal" Essay
on Camoens." and a volume of "sani-
tary Instructions for the native Ha-
waiians.
II was this strange being. with his
mental magnetism and fascinating
tancies, who for the last ten years of
his life controlled the official hand of
kalakaua 10 was through his influ-
ence that the Hawaiian Legislature au-
thorized and provided for the corona
ton OF the sovereign-elect. and through
his skill and sagacity that the ceremo-
MES OF the occasion were impressiyelv
enacted In the presence of the repre-
sentatives of the most of the great civ
ilized powers and with the warships
OF many nations giving salutation to
the event in the harbor of Honolulu.
This courtesy was intensely gratifying
to the ambitious Premier, through
whose efforts II had been extended. but
he greatly Overestimated its signif-
canoe. He construed II as a sudden
recognition of Hawaii as a great ma
ton, and began to dream Of extending
its boundaries and making Il a power
TO be felt in the civilized world. Then
the idea Of a great island confederacy
dawned upon and fascinated him. He
discerned but little difficulty in the
way OF organizing such a political
union, over which Kalakaua would be
the logical emperor, and he the Pre-
mier of an almost boundless empire
OF Polynesian archipelagoes. The con-
ception, gllded by the imagination of
the visionary author, was equally fas-
Cinating to the newly crowned King,
and soon projects looking to its reali-
cation began to be quietly advanced.
In pursuance OF a carefully prepared
programme OF operations, few
months after the coronation a bark
was purchased by the Hawaiian Gov
eminent and dispatched to the Gilbert
islands, under pretext of returning a
number OF contract laborers to the
group, but secretly conveying commits
siOners from the King authorized to
negotiate with the several chiefs for
the extension OF a Hawaiian protec-
torate over the whole archipelago.
This accomplished, the commissioners
were to visit other groups on similar
errand. Meantime Premier Gibson adj
dressed 20 the several governments a
formal protest against any further
annexation Of Polynesian islands by
foreign powers. The pompous protest
was rewarded with q smile, the bark
was wrecked after vague conferences
with a few OF the Gilbert island chiefs,
and the commissioners got back to Ha-
wall as best they could. This ended
Kalakaua's dream OF empire, for he
cyuld never after raise money enough
TO purchase and equip ship for Glib
sons peaceful Conquest OF Polynesia.
A