Polynesian., 1845-05-17
TIL POLY ESIA N.
OFFICIAL JOURNAL or TIE lMUAILAN
GOvERNNE.NY.
HONOLULU, SATURDAY, MAY II, ls45.


The first volume of the second series
ofthe Polynesian has drawn to a close. As
the organ of government, the official chan
mel through which it makes known to the
public its objects and policy, it could not be
expected that its tone or the manner in which
it has been conducted, would receive the
appreciation of the entire community. 1t
cannot be otherwise than that some will feel
aggrieved by any change in public measures,
for every change implies an alteration for
better or worse in the relations of indi-
viduals either towards the Government or
the public at large. individuals too COM
monty measure public acts by the apparent
or immediate bearing they may have upon
their personal interests. The question with
them is, whether their particular trade,
business or profession is benefited, or does
this or that innovation affect unfavorably
their present position. Politicians Of the
present day, we'll aware Of the universally
of this spirit, to sustain their designs gene
rally bring them forward in the guise Of self
interest. They appeal rather to the selfish
ness OF parties, setting before them benefits
or ACCOMPLISHMENTS to their particular avo-
cations rather than to heightened principle
or enlarged patriotic sentiment. This course
narrowing the horizon of each set from a
wide, general view, to a merely local glance,
engenders conflicting opinions which are
sustained with all the zeal a deep pecuniary
stake may serve to inspire. The advocates
OF each come at last to view their world as
the entire world, and to dcduce from it rules
which it seeks to apply to all. So that
although in reality, one branch of the human
race or one part of a nation cannot secure a
healthful prosperity without its rejecting
more or less favorably on the world at large,
yet each people or party seeking too exclu-
sively to impart their views to others, re-
CARELESS Of real differences of circumstances
and the force of previous associations, that
which if properly advocated would become
a common blessing, by an opposite and
headstrong course creates positive injuries.
Although nations towards one another NAV
bear the same selfish and hostile relations
which political parties within them indiyidu-
ally DO to each other, yet the government
OF a nation as a whole, from its command
ing position and centering within it the local
knowledge to be derived from all its con-
stltuent parts, is most likely to arrive at a
correct conclusion of what is for the general
welfare. Representatives from every quar-
ter and class are brought together to form
the complex machinery Of government, for
It Is only by an accurate knowledge of the
several parts that a right estimate of the
whole IS obtained. Individuals thus drawn
togetheri IN a government, enlarge their ideas
ny their wider scope of action; $each ac-
quires something from his fellow, and lust
IN that proportion does he divest himself
Of local pre- JUDGES and contracted views
Hence when all are well disposed a unifor-
NIFTY OF opinion and action, with alternate
concessions cnsue, highly favorable to Judi
c'ous legislation. 1t is frequently charged
upon a public man, as disreputable, that by
coming into office he has changed his views
or opinions. In many instances it would be