The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1901-10-29
A GUNpOwDER SUNDAY.
(From Saturdays daily.)

We think the Governor would act I'M
wisely in letting the Manoa valley Sun
day fiesta go on. The sentiment which
opposes military maneuvers and firing
on Sunday Is not captious and Is in
line with the spirit Of the Hawaiian
Sunday law. That law insists that the
Christian Sabbath shall not be used by
some people In way to disturb the
peace Of others; and we submit that a
field day of the militia, where the troops
fire ball-cartridges and cannon-shot at
an imaginary foe-whether, the process
is called, q sham battle or something
else--is a marked disturbance of the
quiet which the law permits those who
choose II to enjoy.
1t should not be forgotten, least of all
by the Governor, that this Territory,
like all the new American possessions,
Is on trial before the people of the
United States. A panel Of false wit
nesses has sought and is yet seeking,
to impeach the moral status OF this
community, in especial that Of the local
authorities. AS officials and citizens
Governor Dole and his friends are the
targets of calumny today in half the
newspapers Of the United States. For
why? AS the slanderers have 1t, for
infractions OF laws for the protection of
public morals and for being un-Ameri-
cam" and yet in the face Of II all the
arm Of his administration turn Sunday
into a day Of martial uproar and to put
for the moment, what has been called
the American Sabbath, on the low
moral plane Of the European Sabbath.
The argument for this departure both
from the spirit of the law and from
local and American presidents. does not
strike us as even plausible, much less
convincing. 1t Is said that the mem
bers of the National Guard cannot af-
ford to leave their Jobs on week days
to do military duty. Has there been
any general request for day off?
Would not merchants and other en-
ployers be likely to grant one II asked
to do so? This office, which employs
about one hundred people, would always
be willing to excuse its National
Guardsmen. II II has any, for the an
nual field day. SO would other offices
and stores. But even II objections were
raised by the employing class. the
secularlzation of Sunday ought to be
resisted on the ground OF general prac-
tees 1t must suggest and excuse. If
the militia are to have sham fights
Sunday Just because its members are
employed at other tasks week days,
there Is no logical reason why there
should not be a wide open Sunday for
everybody. Why not barbecues? Why
not horse racing? Why not barkeep-
ers' picnics and dances Mt the beach?
Why not firemens tournaments? There
are thousands OF people who cannot at
tend such things on week days except
at the price of days work; and If
the only argument for n militia sham
fight on Sunday Ia valid then 1t also APP
plies to the cases we have mentioned.
Formerly, Thanksgiving day. II we
remember correctly, was used for field
day purposes and as 1t Is near by we
see no reason why 1t should not have
been selected this time. The choice Of
Sunday. II seems to us, was a needless
offence TO the moral views of the COM
munity. To insist upon 1t will not pop.
ularize the Guard In quarters which
have. in the past, given 1t steady
and not uninfluential nor unwelcome
support.