The Polynesian., 1841-03-13

tincnt which left them only the choice be-
tween yielding or destruction. 1t is an event
which would add lustrc to the annals of any
country, and betokcns high spirit OF dlsln-
tcrested patriotism in the rulers of the ma
tivcs. Power is none the less sweet TO Il
savage Prince, than to Christian Autocrat
or Mosem Sultan, aud the voluntary rein-
quisnment of no other law than selfish and
arbitrary will, for a code in which the rights
and powers of ruler and subject are clearly
defined Is AN act which entities the author
to the gratitude Of his subjects BY so do
ing Kanehameha Ill. has strengthened his
crown as it has brought him nearer to their
support and sympathics, and placed him up
on a higher position in regard to other pow
ers. If the independence of his kingdom
was recognized while he was comparatively,
but chief of q tribe of sayages, the guaran-
tee of its continuance becomes stronger,
when we see him the crowned head OF con-
sttutional monarchy, protected by the sym
bols of a regular government, ailordng
protection to the property and persons of
foreigners who reside in his domnions, re-
spected by thcm, and beloved by his own
people. In forming a judgment of the pol
ICY Of this government we should not be gov
crncd by the same criterion with which we
should view the acts of an enlightened ma
ton, but whether it is suited to their pccul-
lar position or not Some seem entirely to
th, th,t l,n nj i'm ri
laws are made for the Hawaiian people,
scarcely emerging from barbarism, and not
for those whose knowledge is based upon
the experience of centuries of civilization.
One of the difficulties with which this gov
ernment has to contend, and a powerful one
it is, is that it must so frame its legislation
as not to clash with the sell-claimed rights
of those from ether countries residing within
its limits. We think that the government
has uniformly shown a disposition to concil-
late such persons, and has frequently lower
ed its own dignity by submitting to treatment
unworthy the representatives of civilized ma
tons. On the other hand also, many veXa-
tons necessarily occur, which perhaps in
other countries would not be subject of
complaint, but which here becomes so, more
from long freedom from the civil regulations
Of older and more popuous countries, than
from any real restrictions upon personal lib
crty. Where barbarism and civilization
come in contact, some clashing will necessa-
rily cnsue, and much that is unpleasant to
each occur, but the evils of the collision are
but light compared with the good results.
Foreigners argue that before any perma-
nent improvement can take place here, arti-
cles OF export must be raised, and trade and
agriculture encouraged. The chiefs pro-
icss the same views, but the difference en-
lists in the plans for carrying them into ef-
feet The former urge for large grants of
lands for extensive plantations, and the intro
ducton of foreign capital and agricultursts
into the kingdom-and in this way give en-
pIoyment to the natives. The latter contend
| for small farms, with leases that while it Sc
cures to them the revcrsion of the land and
Improvements eventually, will ehecuaIIy
check any great foreign emigration. They
profess to see, and perhaps justly, the de-
cline of their own power with the increase
of the whites, A strong prejudice also eX-