that absolute monarchy and tyranny, the sacrifice of human life to a cruel superstition, grass huts, nakedness, and utter disregard of the family tie, are better than the state of society the natives now enjoy, may conclude that the missionary work is a failure; but it is a badly depraved taste and diseased mind that draws such conclusions.

CHAPTER V

THANKSGIVING

IT seems superfluous to speak of holidays in a country always in holiday attire. In Honolulu one holiday is much like another. Christmas, so far as the weather is concerned, is the same as July. The Chinese and Japanese coolies and many of the natives go barefooted the year round. Tho with the natives life is one long, continuous vacation, they enjoy these special days set apart, allowing even the most industrious to enjoy a few hours' recreation. When the President of the United States issued his proclamation setting apart a certain day in November as a day to return thanks to God for the many blessings we enjoy, the president of the Hawaiian republic issued a similar proclamation, so that the two Thanksgivings might come on the same day. Those on that side of the Pacific go to church just five and a half hours later than we do.

The Thanksgiving of 1895 was celebrated in a style that surpassed anything heretofore known in Honolulu. In their rejoicing at the proven stability of the republic the officials became generous, and it was

rumored a few days before Thanksgiving that some who had violated the laws of their land were to be pardoned, especially those on "the reef" (Oahu prison) for complicity in the recent rebellion. Some of them had no doubt stained their hands in blood during that brief struggle. Treason used to be regarded as the most serious of all crimes, and in monarchies is still punished with death, but in republics, tho it is made a capital offense, the penalty is seldom enforced. A republic has less to fear from treason than a monarchy. The treason of 1895 consisted in an effort on the part of some white men and Hawaiians, instigated by the Louisiana Lottery Company, to attempt the restoration of the queen. It is openly charged by some of the officials on the islands that the insurrectionists had promise of English aid.

There were various opinions among the people in regard to pardoning the offenders.

"It won't do," declared Mr. Magoon, the father of Judge Magoon. "Let 'em out and they'll go right back to their mischief again. I tell ye it's in 'em."

"No. I believe they have got enough of it!" declared another. "They've had almost a year on the reefs, and they won't want to tackle the republic again in a hurry."

"They ought to be hung!" declared a third.

"They are murderous, and planned to blow up the Central Union Church with women and children," said another.

"Be merciful, even as ye expect to receive mercy,' put in one with more of a missionary spirit.

A gentleman who had listened in silence to the conversation, on being appealed to, answered:

"If I had my way about it, I would pardon every Hawaiian and Englishman connected with the attempted overthrow of the republic, but I would hang every American."

"What, are you not an American?"

“Yes, and that is the very reason I would hang every American who would attempt the overthrow of a republic. Some charity should be extended toward the Hawaiians and English, for they have never enjoyed that higher education in political freedom which republics alone can give; but an American brought up under the stars and stripes, who knows what real freedom is, and who takes up arms in favor of the best monarchy on earth, is not fit to live. He should hang."

An Englishman who was present began to interpose some objection to this bluntly expressed Americanism, but the Yankee interrupted him with:

"It is not for you to put in your say, Mr. Johnny Bull. You British, raised under such infernal institutions as royalty even in a mild form, know no

more of the genuine liberty of a republic than a plow-horse."

The Englishman's face grew alternately red and pale, and he looked as if he would like to punch the American's head; but the saucy fellow had well-developed muscles, so, biting his lip, the Briton bore the insult in silence.

Mr. Charles Wilson, marshal under the queen, and now agent for her estate, was busy circulating a petition for the liberation of some of the political prison

ers.

Tho a friend of the ex-queen, Mr. Wilson had not been implicated in the rebellion. While soliciting signatures to the petition for a pardon, he represented himself as a strong friend of the republic. Speaking to Mr. Lowrie, the sugar planter, he said:

“I assure you, if any man raises his hand against this government I will be the first to pull a trigger on him."

Some hoped and others feared that all the political convicts would be pardoned. Some of the prisoners. were too defiant to ask for pardon, yet President Dole was ready to grant it to all who would ask, and give promise of living the lives of peaceable citizens.

"He don't dare keep us here long," one of the most notorious of the prisoners boldly declared. "They will have to pardon us anyway, so let us not humiliate ourselves by asking for it or by making any promises."