The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1902-03-04

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arff viii De- nofhlHr more tthH o.
rame within aN months uf tht umH
~ Hen the refty afHt nutt BE- called .uf.
h1fsa. flni and dfarl ns. fHf battle
royal ~ possession uf che Legislature.
would srem nj nri Stance to be- im
polite. There are honest opinions
however. on both sides. ana the Qnef
tlHn resolves itHtf into une Uf RpIrht
az argument The men Uho think there
should be heht tain ~ a surrender.
BOT che reneral who refuses 90 uncover
h's position upon r feInt Hf che enemy
hnda that his hidden guns make good
practice when the decisive engagement
comes on
when the majority party leaders tala
of the inutliity of n campaign. t would
appear % an observer that the position
is weak one. The very fact that "a
majority party violates every rule and
precedent ~ the game of politics and
waits for the minority party 90 uomi-
nate shows that there is no desire Go
give battle. and 20 rick opening out the
arguments which must have weight
with the people. showing every maneu-
yer which b. counted upon Co storm the
citadel 81 the enemy, Is at least bad
tactics.
II will be almost n year before the
next session OF the Legislature is con
vened. The regular election will be
held on November 4th. Long before
that day arrives the people viii see
even more fully than they DO now the
terrible mistake that was made In put
ting the legislative branch OF the gov
eminent into the hands Of incompe-
tents, and the longer this fact rankles
In the minds OF the voters, the worse
Il will be for the majority party. As
the matter now IL there is In the hands
Of the Republicans an excellent club
with which to make the fight The
Home Rulers went into the first cam
paiRn Of the territory without anything
but promises. There was nothing more
on the other side, and the Independents
won.
Now 1t Is different. The Home Rul-
ers have "A record. II is written in
their own book. and the result is that
on that record they may be placed con-
tinuously on the defensive. Their sins
are written and they can not escape
the judgment. There are sins Of omis-
sion as well as sins OF commission.
Would Il be wise, when such weapons
are at hand. to weaken and cheaper
them by wettinR the powder in a little
skirmsh which has not the dignity Of a
fight? Would not the result Of making
this fight a hard one be that the enemy.
knowing Just what IL to be brought
against him, will prepare his defenses
and thus reduce the power of the argu-
mentative side Of the campaign?
1t Is not alone a matter OF money.
although that Is OF course feature,
but 1t is also a question OF the force OF
argument which might be adduced. and
the consequent weakening of II by
use. for the people who have once been
called out with a battle cry, want a
new shibboleth with which to conjure
when the same fight is on again.
The committee starts into its work
with a prejudice. There are men on IL
whose belief is fixed. They have made
II known, and 1t would take strong ar
Eument to break 1t down. But they
will find that the thinking man. who
has given his time to consideration OF
this matter. will believe that when
there 10 so much at stake none Of the
methods OF fighting should be publish
ed,