Ka Leo o ka Lahui, Volume II, Number 259, 14 August 1891 — Page 4

KA LEO O KA LAHUI.

"E Mau ke Ea o ka Aina i ka Pono."

KA LEO.

John E. Bush.

Luna Hooponopono a me Puuku.

Friday, August 14, 1891.

 

THE MISSIONARY "SACK" AND "WHIP."

 

                        It will be remembered that when the Legislature of 1888 were engaged in discussing the Election Act, which was finally placed upon the Statute Book, a series of provisions passed the second reading, whereby a secret ballot, on the so-called Australia principle, was adopted.  That result was attained only after a hard fight between the friends of an absolutely free ballot and the advocates of a ballot free only in name, where the employer could at will supervise and direct the vote of the employed: -- where the "boss" could absolutely dictate and control the ballot of his "lamb."  (We trust these terms, so common in California, will be understood by the politically punctillious gentlemen of the missional fold.)  The argument then advanced in favor of a secret ballot was, that it would guarantee to the voter an absolute freedom from all unholy coercion and restraint in the exercise of his suffrage.  And it would seem to the ordinary, unsophisticated and disinterested mind, that this was sufficient reason for the position taken in support of a free ballot.

            But the sugar barons, led by the most influential Noble of the Maui delegation, opposed the secrecy of the ballot, on the ground that, if secrecy meant independence, and freedom to vote as the voter personally desired, there was no telling how many "lambs" would stray from the missionary fold, at the first opportunity.  It was, in their opinions, essential to preserve their existing censorship of the votes of their employees and dependents, in orfer to prolong their political sway.  While their scores of servants could be marched in line to the polls, briskly stepping to the music of the missionary whip, and after arrival be handed each a ballot with missionary names thereon, with order to deposit that ballot and no other, in the box; - and while the "boss" could stand and absolutely and safely dictate and supervise the casting and the counting of the ballots - every thing was lovely for nabobs.  And so the argument prevailed on the third reading, that the public interest (for of course the missionary planters and their satallites constituted the "public"), demanded an open ballot, - one that the "boss" could prepare and have cast, without risk of any chicanery on the part of the obstreperous voter.

            But things have changed since the halcyon days of missionary supremancy.  Fallen are the towers, oh! missionary Israel, never again to be rebuilt within these tropic Isles,  The secret ballot is now engrafted upon the law, and the "sack" and the "whip" of the ungodly guild will alike be impotent to buy or bully the electors.  The opposite to secret voting, for many years prolonged the virtual slavery of the mass of the electorate to the wealthy and uncrupulous few, but the jubilee has dawned at last, and chains are stricken from the serf. From this day forth the voter, as he prepares and deposit his ballot, can revel in the consciousness that he is, for the nonce a MAN, beyond the reach alike of the corrupting "sack" and the galling "whip."

 

            Let it not be thought that only on the plantations and on their employees, were the degrading tactics of political coercion practiced.  Right here in the capital city of the Kingdom, the same enslaving influence was brought to bear upon the mechanic, the clerk, the laborer, and the financially dependent.  We would not intimate that those numerous and respectable classes generally, or even very numerously, bowed to the yoke of the wealthy; but none can appreciate better than those embraced within the classes named, the weight of influence, sometimes expressed in words, sometimes in acts, sometimes only in glances or grimaces, with which there independence was sought to be controlled, by those to whom they were beholden for employment, accommodation or other advantages.

 

            Let the free and independent electors befittingly hail and celebrate the advent of this tardy emancipation from the missionary lash, by marching to the polls at the first opportunity, and there so deeply burying the clique who have hitherto abused and oppressed them, that nothing short of Michael's trumphet will resurrect them from their political exitntcion.

 

THE QUEEN'S RETURN.

 

            Her Majesty and party returned from the tour of Oahu, by the afternoon train over the O. R. & L. Co's line, on Wednesday afternoon last, while little enthusiasm on the part of the native Hawaiians, marked the tour, there were in considerable demonstrations of positive hostility to her Majesty.  It is painful to chronicle, however, that the apparent attitude of her Majesty toward the sugar barons, and of the barons toward her, was about the same on this latest tour as when Her Majesty lately visited the other Islands of the group.  An extensive entertainment to the Royal Party, tendered by a rich planter of Waialua, was the last prominent feuture of the tour.

            It naturally suggests itself to one to ask, - what has the Quen done for the planters, or what favors do the sugar sharps expect at her Majesty's hand that they sould be thus lavish in their attentions and entertainments in such startling contrast to their lately expressed sentiments toward the present Queen and her family  Go to, when did the missionary planters give something for nothing, or squander luau's upon those they love not, except when they had axes to grind?  Do we not already know that the delectable missionary ring, foreseeing their inevitable defeat at the polls, are fawning upon a Royalty which in their hearts they hate, in the hope of using the Palace influence as a foil against the righteous indignation of the masses?  The idea of their selecting such a buffer to soften the school of politics, in quite consistent with the missionary character, or rather let us say, lack of character, - but it is hardly complimentary to the Queen or compatible with her true interests or dignity.

 

            What an exhilarating sight, to view the whole missionary camp on their "prayer-handles," before Royalty, "crooking the pregnant hinges of the knee, that thrift may follow fawning."

 

            We tender our sincere congratulations to Her Majesty upon her fortunate escape from injury, in an accident at Waialua,  On the return to her Waialua home from attending an entertainment at the Halstead Plantation House, as Her Majesty, in a wagonette, washeing driven across the Waialua stream, it being dark, and the driver being unfamiliar with the way, a deviation from the travelled way plunged the vehicle down a bank a into a hole worn by the action of the stream.  The Royal lady and her companions of the drive were thrown out, the carriage overturned and partially demolished.  The circumstances of the accident render the escape of the Queen and party, without serious injury, little short of marvelous.  Indeed, less seemingly serious incident of travel have often ended fatally for those concerned.  It is too much to hope that the Queen, having been this almost miraculously presetved will consider whether that preservation was intended as a means of good to her own people, or as a means of gain to those who love her not, and hate rhe people?

 

            WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT?

 

            The readers of the foreign press of this city, who are disposed to carp at this journal as a nuisance, will do well to consider some of the results of our late articles.  We resumed the publication of English articles on Monday of this week.  On Tuesday, the old hen of the Advertiser, that had been dozing on the roost for Heaven knows how long, awoke in screams of indignant terror at our return to the Saxon field.  But, more wonderful still, that alleged newspaper, the Bulletin, two days later awoke from a sleep of months, (if not of centuries), and actually committed the expensive indiscretion of indulging in nearly a column of (unfortunately) original matter, aimed partially at our discomfiture, and partially at the self-florification of the Bulletin.  Had it not been for the pen-thrust under the fifth rib, which we gave that sheet, it might not have given even that tardy, though feeble evidence, of lingering vitality.

 

            By the way, the Bulletin claims "to reflect the public sentiment" of this community.  Heavens! what a nauseating stream of sentiment it must be that waters this paradise of the Pacific, if in fact it be no greater in volume than is "reflected" in the three daily "sticks-full" of original matter, in the Bulletin.  Look at this page, neighbor, on any day of its publication, and you'll see more original matter that you give your readers in a week.  Ta Ta.

 

 

The Reason Why?

 

            That if the sovereign's memory is good, she is to be pitied, as she must feel an occasional qualm of conscience, when her promises to her own native people recur to her, she having acted the very reverse of those promises.  She professed to cherish the people's cause, and longed for a good and honest government, but now, after having secured herself in a then doubtful position through the support of her native subjects against the disaffection and dissatisfaction of the foreign element, she now turns her back coldly on the Hawaiians, and plays into the hands of the most dangerous and unscrupulous of the elements which compose her subjects, - the missionary sugar kings- the very parties who were the leaders against royalty once before.  These acts have been the cause of the lukewarmness of the Hawaiians toward their Queen, and we cannot in any sense blame them.  This treatment has built up a republican feeling in the country among the Hawaiians, which can easily be proven by asking the thinking men among them.  Naturally they are royalists, but the deception and the unjust treatment they have been subjected to and encouraged by the Queen and her government has lessened the Hawaiians esteem for monarchy as it now exists.

 

THE ADVERTISER.

 

            We make every allowance for the natural antipathy of our contemporary and the anger he must feel at our revivication in the English language.  The edition of the said organ in question sometimes honors us with his notice, and as his paper is essentially an advertising sheet, we have felt some measure of gratitide for the notoriety and consequent popularity that his attacks have produced.

            But we do not approve of the Advertiser's style; it is really coarse and ungentlemanly.  It is true he says "untruth" for "lie" as preachers do, but such epithets as "black guard," "vile," "noisesome,"  "obscene," "filthy," & c., are his most usual weapons.  When our English ceased through the infamous persecutions instigated bu the Advertiser faction, the old termagant came out with a whole volley of abuse, and having exhausted the vocabulary of vituperation at its command, wound up with a quotation from Swift or some ancient author who wrote before the development of modern ideas of decency.  The Bulletin joined in scolding rashly and in casting mud at the retreating foe.

            When we choose to write we can command a larger audience and most respect than either four rivals.  We know that the legal machinery is in the hands of the enemy and that it is actuated by malice, spite, jealousy, rage, envy, hatred.  We are dogged, worried, harrassed and threatened in every way possible by cowardly enemies who on no account expose themselves to danger, because we show their former and present treachery to the Hawaiian people, disguised as religion, etc.

            We stand approved by the people.  They buy our paper at the price of our two detractors combined.  We have been acquitted by a jury of our countrymen in spite of the united efforts of missionaries and their sympathisers.

            It may be unlawful to tear the cloak of law and piety from hypocrites; it may be that we are prohibited by law from exposing the crimes of these people: it may be that we are feared and hated by those that have bad consciences and characters to preserve: but we shall still strive to be a Voice, a Conscience, and a Light in the Darkness.

 

            ON DIT.

 

            That three thousand Japanese freed from their contracts have been added to our city population, many of whom are mechanics, and will no doubt use the privilege of exercising their skill, which they have under treaty.  This is the beginning of that blessed milennium which is part of the Fort Street Church doctrine.

 

            That KA LEO is to be congratulated on the accission of new editorial talent on its columns.  It would appear that even cats, capable only of harmless purring when fonfined uner the inspiration of a kangaroo. may turn manly LIONS, when allowed to utter many sentiments in a manly way, in an unfettered and independent organ.

 

            That the Bulletin quadruped true to its jumping characteristies had jumped from wishing the Queen when Princess, anathema, in an issue a few days after the revolution of 1887, to a leaping toad in favor of royalty, under the once dispised lady.  A nous avon change tout cela.

 

            That an "ex-editor," is writing the English "rubbish," published in that "scurrillous sheet" the LEO, and that several other "ex-editors" would be only too glad to be allowed to join in the same "dirty work."  Come along boys, all writers of good will are welcome to climb the hill of free ooinions in the only free newspaper of this town.

 

            That the Queen, when crossing a little stream near Waialua, was capsized from her wagonette just as neat and as vulgarly as if she had been the humblest of her subjects.  Her equerry and coachman ought to pay more attention to the safety of her Majesty, otherwise an opportunity may be given those republican spirits that seem to be a source of disquiet to the deputy Marsal, a chance to jump the executive mansion.

 

            That Mr. D. M. Crowley will give a lecture entertainment, with sixty magic lantern views, of "A walk through London," in the International Hall on Bethel Street, Monday evening next.  As a general lecturer there are none superior to Mr. C. in this community.  We hope the lecture will be well patronized, as we feel assured that it will be both instructive and entertaining.

 

            That it is a bad omen for royalty to fall to the ground, and worse when the ground is water; of course the Hawaiian can generally get up a mock funeral to ward off any serious result from it, which is done by the burial of a certain kind of banana tree as an effigy of the person whose fate is involved; the tree dressed in purple with a scarlet sash or maro, according to sex.  Something like this was performed for the benefit of an ex-minister, with the California casket of his late Majesty Kalakaua, with the delectable spectacle of a nude kahuna leading the cortege.  This latter would not be necessary in the case of the sovereign of the present stirp, as they are royal priests by inheritance to the Naua order of Priesthood.