HAWAII AND THE SOUTHERN AMERICANS.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—In the Spectator of February 25th, you say, in regard to the probable treatment of the Princess Kaiulani by the United States Government, "it is hardly probable that the entreaties of a coloured person' will weigh much with the Senators from the South, whose opinion tells so heavily in the Democrat ranks." If this be 'meant as a jest, one can only regret that the sense of humour is probably too little cultivated in the majority of mankind to enable them fully to appreciate it ; but if meant seriously, it really seems to call for a word of protest. I do not mean now to discuss the honesty or dishonesty of the part recently taken by Americans in the Hawaiian affair, for as the Senate did not ratify the treaty, the matter will be left for the new Administration to deal with, with the chances greatly in favour of fair treatment of the Hawaiians. I should, however, like to suggest a doubt as to whether any American, Southern Senator or not, ever thought of the Princess Kaiulani as a "coloured person." Whatever the feeling of Americans to the African race may be, it is distinctly different from that entertained towards other non-Caucasian races. Our ill.treatment of the Indians is due rather to their being in the position of Naboth than to any race-feeling, while the anti-Chinese sentiment finds its origin in the competition of their cheap labour and, to some extent, in their immorality. No American would, I think, call a Hindoo a "nigger," an expression not unknown in India, I am told. Whatever appeal the Princess Kainlani may make will be heeded by those Senators and others who are anxious to act justly towards all parties concerned, and disregarded by those of the Ahab type, very much as if it were made before Aus- tralians, Africanders, or Englishmen. If any just claims which she may have be disregarded, it will be because other claimants are more powerful, not because she does not chance to be of unmixed Anglo-Saxon descent. We may be un- principled, but are not quite so given over to race-prejudice as your remarks would indicate.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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