Polynesian., 1844-10-12
.THE OILY ESIA N.
OFFICIAL JOURNAL or III HiHAIIAN
COVER INTENT.
HONOLULU, SATURDAY, OCT. ~, 1874.


TO destroy is easy; to construct difficult.
Nothing is more common than to detect flaws
in a neighbours work, while selt-scrutiny
dies from inaction. In this age, a man ne
glectful of his own appropriate sphere, arro-
gates to himself the fullest judgment of mat
ters, to accomplish which, he is as adequate
as to scale a glacier, orto discover the toun-
tain Of life. Surely we live in an era-pcr-
haps we should say on an island-unparallel-
ed for dissemination of knowledge. The
physician bows dcferentially to the shop
man; the lawyer must succumb to the supe-
rior legal attainments of the merchant; the
merchant himself must yield to the mechan-
&c, and the mechanic will find many who
never handled a tool, who feel themselves
quite competent to lead him to the utmost
bounds of his art. The grcy-hcaded and
studious theologian is set Alright by the beard
less youth, and the veteran seaman compel
led to listen to profound disquisitions on his
favorite profession, from the lips of puny
oCu~ lSSll. uuNC uCuIu I1cu
speak knowingly of the private lives, princi-
pies and actions Of others, and upon inquiry,
found that a gulf as wide as Tartarus exist
ed between them. Imagination, or a desire
to support some interested theory, furnished
them with an incxhaustible supply of facts.
Again, we have heard others declaim most
oIOOloOt1v 0no.pof ov,1o ,yho,o o,:.,,
to be traced but to one source, viz, minds
that must grumble or burst. They reminded
us of one calling out I" fire" in Noah's flood.
But seriously, although a general dissent
nation Of knowledge is a very good thing,
and to be aided by all true men, is the sys-
tenn pursued here beneficial , Is it fair, lust
or generous Does it not lead men from
their appropriate pursuits, in which they
might attain an honorable proficiency, into
a labyrinth of uncertainties, with the pros
pcct of being lost amid their own self-crcated
mazcs Honest criticism and discussion
from those qualified to judge, are beyond
price. They are the parents of truth, but
with all due Difference to those who think
otherwise, it really appears to us that the
opinion of a man who has devoted his life
time to his profession, is in regard to that
profession, Of more value than that of those
who are %unacquainted even with its simplest
technical terms. Yet how often do we find
such speaking dogmatically on abstruse
points, concerning which neither their cdu-
cation or habits fit them to be suitable Judges.
II It is the truth simply that is desired, it is
necessary only to allude to the inconsistent
cy, and candid individuals will avoid the
fault; but if it is done to cavil, to dispute, to
hinder the operation of wholesome opinions
and laws, there remains no cure but the es-
tabl'shment of an enlightened public senti-
ment, which will frown down all such
attempts to disarrange the body domestic
and polite. 1t is a daily habit, also, to an
'madvert in condcmnatory terms, upon
public measures, and each individual bring
ing those measures to the touchstone of
ms private wishes, interests or animosities.
shapes them accordingly, and they appear
to HIM good or bad as they agree with his
%criteria. The motives of their authors and
supporters are too as freely spoken of as
it the All-sceing power of the Searcher
Of hearts, had been dispensed to human in
trinity. Will sober reflection Justify this
course Indeed, it would be a STRANGE