An antagonism to the foreign residents, or rather to their political
influence, had grown rapidly. Some of the Americans had been unwise
in their language, and the discussion on the proposed cession of
Pearl River increased the popular discontent, and the jealousy of
foreign interference in island affairs. "America gave us the
light," said a native pastor, in a sermon which was reported over
the islands, "but now that we have the light, we should be left to
use it for ourselves." This sentence represented the bulk of the
national feeling, which, if partially unenlightened, is intensely,
passionately, almost fanatically patriotic.
The biennial election of delegates to the Legislative Assembly
occurred shortly before Lunalilo's death, and the rallying-cry,
"Hawaii for the Hawaiians," was used with such effect that the most
respectable foreign candidates, even in the capital, had not a
chance of success, and for the first time in Hawaiian constitutional
history, a house was elected, consisting, with one exception, of
natives. Immediately on the king's death, Kalakaua, who was
understood to represent the foreign interest as well as the policy
indicated by the popular rallying-cry, and Queen Emma, came forward
as candidates; the walls were placarded with addresses, mass
meetings were held, canvassers were busy night and day, promises
impossible of fulfilment were made, and for eight days the Hawaiian
capital presented those scenes of excitement, wrangling, and mutual
misrepresentation which we associate with popular elections
elsewhere, and everywhere.
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