Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1904-07-02
AN ANNIVERSARY OF pop ULAR
GOv5sNM ENT.

No one willing to contemplate the
past for moment wilt claim that Ha-
wall is now less enthusiastic In its cell
ebration of the anniversary Of the Dec
laration of Independence than during
the days when the islands boosted u
national independence Of their own. 1t
is true that Honolulu has spent less
money in recent years In elaborate
celebration OF the Fourth. no 50 IHucn
money has gone up In smoke, but no
failure has been made to recognize the
day.
Take the Territory as a whole. how
ever. and Independence Day is more
widely, and II is safe to say. more
heartily, celebrated than ever before.
In place OF sIO.VUU celebration in ho-
nolulu we have appropriate programs
at Hilo, Hawaii. Kahului. Maui. and
many Of the smaller hamlets. Though
the exercises OF the day may be less
expensive in the capitol city. there is
more widespread participation in
events which citizens throughout the
Territory deem appropriaue. There
has been no reduction In the fund OF
American patriotism Notwithstanding
there is less centralized noise.
Hawaii's attituae toward the natal
day OF the Nation OF which IL Is now
part. gives no cause for regret from
any American. fhe Declaration of
Independence Is read IN more places
and more citizens assemble to listen
TO the admOnition of selected orators
who review the grandeur of the Amer
lean past and present timely thoughts
Tor the guidance OF Hawaii's individual
future as factor in general national
advancement. The iiash OF rockets and
the tinsel OF display that money can
buy has biyen way for more pro-
found contemplation OF the duty OF the
citizen, his rights as guaranteed by the
governmental system established by
hardy forefathers. his responsibility In
maintaining those rights and prlvil-
eyes Tor posterity. The present day
Fourth In Hawaii furnishes cause for
congratulation rather than commiser-
alton. Though men who would he
Americans for business reasons only
may take a pessimlstic view OF the SIT
uation, the phalanx of the people, on
whom the Territory and the Nation
must depend for strength and progress
sive development on sound American
principle, are more responsive to the
spirit OF the occasion.
sturdy. hardworking. honest citizen
ship has made the nation what 1t is.
As long as the daily history OF Hawaii
marks the steady breaking down OF the
barriers OF prejudice, less dictatlou OF
the people by Official rings, larger and
freer sway for independent, honest
thought and action, we may leel salts
he'd that the Declaration OF Independ-
ence as text for American citizens
Is losing none o. its vitality In the ler-
ritory of Hawaii.
The very fact of other localities than
Honolulu taxing hand in exercises
on the Fourth may be regarded as an
evidence of advancing American'teach-
ings in methods OF government. The
day when Honolulu as the center OF
local government, can dominate and
dictate has gone. This is fortunate
for all concerned. The foundation
principles for which the statesmen Of
our country fought, is the right OF
every community to independent gov
eminent, promoting the general well
fare by self-goyernment as opposed DO
the seffdom or arbitrary dictation from
n centralized authority.
Great Britain lost the original thir-
teen colonies through a. foolish attempt
to destroy the principle OF local self
government, arbitrary taxation without
representation. Just 80 certain as the
nation or any integral part
OF the nation strives TO revive. keep
alive or maintain this old monarchical
idea In spite OF popular demand. the
Nation or the State or the Territory
will promote rebellion. II may not
ind expression in an appeal TO arms,
but the American Nation was founded
10 secure government by the people. OF
he people. for the people. Though I'M
,eded by selfish officials or citizens who