The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1906-12-06
THE FRIEND ON
THE ALIEN CLAUSE
DECLARES TT WOULD BE ~ VIO-
LATION OF NO TREATY OR 9TH
EE RIGHTS.

lIlN lNlNrlilNt
It is said that the chief opposition
to the proposed law limiting the issu-
auce of retail liquor licenses to citizens
comes from sugar interests that fear
the effects upon japanese laborers;
hence the clamor anent it's unconstitu-
tionality, If liquor selling were a right.
privilege or liberty belonging to citi-
zens Of the United States the case
might be different. The Supreme Court
has decided that it is not A State leg
islature might require that license to
retail liquor within its borders be held
by one person whom it should design
ate. yet the law would hold This prin-
ciple should be held clearly in mind.
The law limiting licenses to citizens is
found in Mississippi, Missouri and wy
oming The courts have held it consi-
tutional Let the opposition to the
law urge other Arguments. This one is
untenable,
Now just how much weight should
be attached to the argument IF we
pass this law our laborers will make
trouble?' In the case of every pro-
posed law there are three questions
which should always be asked before
its enactment First, Is it right? Sec
ond Does the public veal demand it?
Third Can it be enforced? That the
alien clause falls within the line of
right action needs no proof. The State
does no man an injustice or wrong Of
any kind in forbidding him to retail
liquor. The fact that the saloons con-
Quoted by aliens are as a class the
worst that we have, that they are
debauching the Hawaiians all over the
Territory and that disregard of our
laws is hagrantly exhibited therein is
evidence enough that the highest in
terests of all the people will be SUBJ
served by ending them. Nor does any
one question the feasibility of enforce
ing such a law. If this b. true the law
should be enacted. To refrain from
doing so because Japanese laborers viii
resent the action by making trouble is
cowardly and coWardice never pays.
1t is even more unwise tnan cowardly.
Like all brave people the japanese are
not inspired with respect by a surren-
der They have the greatest venera-
ton for the man who will stand by the
right, especially if the right lie in the
sphere of patriotism. 1t is a reflection
also upon the high moral sense of this
chivalric, honor-loving people to urge
any such argument as eve will not be
true to the sacred interests Of our ma
ton for the man who will stand by the
of liauor-drinking money-seeking for
eign laborers." Appeals to patriotism
move the japanese more deeply than
any other. Tell them frankly that love
Of our country demands the law ana
so we mean both to have it and en-
force it, They will recognize its JUS
tice and respond like the brave and
true men they are. To plead the argu-
ment at the head of this paragraph is
as safe and sagaciOus as it would be
to demand that We allow the Japanese
to do as they please in the matter OF
the importation of girls for immoral
purposes in order to keep the laborers
contented. In Japan Americans worthy
of the name are careful and loyal 10
the Emperor in obeying his laws. Jap
anese worthy of the name are ready
to act reciprocally here. If you desire
to elicit the best in a man, appeal to
that best. Let no such bugbear as
labor agitation brighten us from doing
our plain civic duty in the enactment
of the alien clause, making it clear
from the outset that it is aimed at no
one race or class of foreigners among
-. hut &c meant to apDly to all as
means of safeguarding not only the
sacredest interests of our own couh-
trymen, but also all aliens among us
against the dread, common enemy OF
mankind. the drink demon.