Ka Leo o ka Lahui, Volume II, Number 269, 31 ʻAukake 1891 — TREACHERY. [ARTICLE]

TREACHERY.

It is ān ugly word, and in its eommon use, is applied to tho character and actions of the uncivilved races of the world. But &d to say it has also a descriptive application here in fair Hawaii, moreespecially among the men who enter administrative service of the government; and the past few years ha\*e furnisbed sorry exhibitions of the eunning treachery and littleness of our "great" men. Not the refined deception of Mephlsto or a Maehia-. avelli; or the skillful feneing of modern statecraffc and diplomacy, but just ordinary cut-thropt treacherv, such as might distinguish a barbaric province in China, Manahiki, New Guinea, Zulumen, or among the Mohawk Jndians. And tbis characteristic permeates all claBses of our public men: not only the Hawaiian and the half-caste who might be suspected of a barbaric tinge from their close consanguinity to their uncivilized ancestors, but the white resident also, be he pharasaical Christian or bold adventurer; as soon as they become "clothed in a little brief authority," they immediately throw of the lamb-skin of humility, and show the cloven hoof of a little mind full of conceit, deceit, prejudice and treacherv. Iu Gibson's regime we had a government. tbat while deceptive and somewhat unreliable in many things, had at least some of the dignity and honor that characterize civilized rule. But what have we had since, but a reign of turmoil and treachery, and what men have eome to the front, except one or two, but mediocre specimens of mediocrity. The revolutionary administration furnished an interesting mob of wreckers, and there was not | even honor among the robbers and would be aBsassins. Eaeh minister had his hand on his hilt while watching his colleagn j, and made it a study how best to deceive eaeh other and their friends. The few the then Attomev General has ināde leads us to believe that he might tell an intcrcsting tale of foul treachery that would shame the devil. The Cummins administratiou, directed by a second rate comedy actor, was a serio-comic affair that beat all the heavy villians of treachery that eVcn were put upon th« stBge. There was treacherv ga!ore, but thejr recortl is still fresh in the pviblic miml and | ueed not l>e detaile<l here; however, we do l>elieve tlmt theChinese Consul might send the recordof that administration to tlie high k ollicials in China as a guide lxx)k to doub!e discount eome of their own \vork. And now we Cuhinet, but treachery stifl the ruie irom whichthe pi-oplo suffV»r in mind and spirit as thc Lk»> has a]ready fuMy exposed. Xo one ran tell what these tour wil! do next. And \vhat have in thu various depanments of iho(J : ov* rn:nent tr.?acheroas to their trust

iAQd the eountry under their admin- i istration resking with corroption, | OflScials trēacheroiis fco their friends | and repudiating word of honor, | /md officials lying againgt eaeh other and endeavoring t© pull others down so as to pull thei«Belves up. The instanccs are numerous; let us paint out the most,glanng. A moi> grel specimen repxesenting at leasī three nationalities arose from obscurity into high office by treachery. and his poliiieal and persdilā} treacheries are such that puhlie indignation is aroused. Another waif from the South Seas rode a high -horse into office, since whieh the bump of treachery has heeome largely developed: he knows his old friends no longer and no one ean tell what dark schemes he meditates. Both friends and foe mistrust bim, and fēar that all elasses from Queen to pleheian will suffer from the treacherous power of harm versus brains. Another from the antipodes was universally applauded int® office with the belief. and understanding that he had courage and authority to do a a|mple dct of Justice to men, whode- ili treatment by his predecessor had been uniyersally con&emned; but now Mephisto whispers that this was only a giddy deception just in order to get there. Now a high. tribunal shows its treacheryto g©od government and moral law, by exhibiting a narrow-minded partizanship in a recent appointmont in in whieh political outweighed moral conBiderationi. Treackery, treachery everywhere, aiid what will be the end of it all? Can either the Charlestoii or the Pensacola tell us?