The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-12-24

heads are the Advertiser
There is an impression sometimes
created by sensational reports that the
Hawaiian people are not reconc1led to
American supremacy in Hawaii, and
that their opposition is shown by their
political and legislative tactics.
To understand partially the situation
one must remember that shortly before
annexation there occurred the downfall
of the monarchy. the establishment of
a provisional government, followed by
the Republic of Hawaii, the avowed
purpose of which was Union with the
United States" During this period of
change and friction passions ran high,
and when it finally eliminated in an
nexation, it was but natural that some
were disappointed, others embittered.
Some conception Of the situation may
be obtained by imagining for moment
a complete change in the conditions
that now exist in America. Presume
if you can, that the leaders OF our
great Republic, supported by constant
lv increasing numbers, maintained that
the destiny of the United States was
the surrender of our autonomy in a
greater union of all the republics in
the Western Hemisphere. Suppose SUCH
a. result accomplished. Would there
not be found many, while admitting
that such situation presented
grander and noblen future, whose
hearts would be flied with sorrow to
see the flag under which their fore
fathers had lived give way to another
symbol; to see their autonomy lost
forever?
THE HOME RULE IDEA
With these thoughts in mind can we
blame the Hawaiians if, temporarily,
they yielded to the influence of self
seeking and ambitious leaders, who
played on their feelings and urged the
formation of a political party composed
purely of Hawaiians. through which,
with the preponderance of Hawaiian
voters, they could secure control and
bring about conditions similar to those
which had existed in the past?
There were of course, many among
the HawaiiaEs with wider range OF
vision and greater wisdom, who argued
that a political party which appealed
to race prejudice would not be credit
to the Hawaiian people; that even
though in control of the legislative
functions of the Government, they
would need to rely, as they had in the
past, on those whom they had found
by experience to be equally interested
with them in the welfare of these is +,
lands.
At a meeting of prominent Hawaiian
leaders Just prior to annexation, those
who held out the hattering future OF
"Hawaii for the Hawaiians" exclusive
ly were asked: ITO whom do we turn
for help when in difficulty? To whom
do we Hawaiians look for assistance?
Each and every one of us know men
whose skins are not like ours, but who
have lived among US many years-per-
haps born hereto whom. in time Of
trouble we have not turned in vain,
and who we know are equally interest
ed with us, not only in these Islands.
but in our own race, and we should
not exclude them from our councils or
from our political parties"
Notwithstanding this division of opir-
ion, native or Home Rule party
was formed, and it swept the Territory
IN the first election after annexation.
a majority in both Houses.
But, lacking unselfish, intelligent and !
reliable leadership, it accomplished
little.
FAVORABLE REACTION. ,
a reaction followed. The Hawaiian {
people were too sagacious and too well
oility of return to the old regime t
Thew recognized that the race hatred ]
.ngendered and fostered by their ire 6
ponsible political leaders would event c
Tally bring them nothing but contempt, q
nd as their numbers We're diminish +
ng, their only hope for retaining per- T
the privileges that had been y
,ranted them was by their proper and .
isnif1ed use. They perhaps have not .
et valued as fully as we might wish ,
he privilege of universal suffrage, but T
hey are exceedingly anxious to dem =
nstrate their capacity for self-govern- - -
lent, and they take great pride in the = =
act that they have always been the u
lost Intelligent and progressive por-
on Of the Polynesian race. G
There is no evidence, therefore, Of any a
ecord of deep-seated hostility or oppo- o1
tion or their part to American con-
-oI. The history of these ISLANDS
early shows that the subject of an g.
exation was not new to them: 1t had se
cen agitated and discussed from early r
ays e.
That they have accepted the situation -,
nd are in full accord with 1t can not =.
? better Illustrated than by the fact -
lat. while the last Legislature was '"
,mpqseI largely of Hawsiians, yet an