Polynesian., 1851-11-22
For the PoIynesian.

interest the late articles in your paper on the sub
ject of temperance by his Excellency the Minister
of Foreign Relations. The frankness and candor
of the articles deserve much commendation, and
their temperance, too, considering the nature
of the subject. We are not without hope, that his
Exellency may yet see and embrace the truth on
this important subject. We should rejoice in such
an acquisition to the temperance cause. We ehave
known great numbers who have taken up this sub
ject with precisely the same views expressed by
Mr.. W., but on further examination have given
ample, ofteetotal principles. From the well-known
candor and philanthropic character of Mr.. w. may
not hope that the same will be true in his case
If such should be the case,we venture to say he will
never again express his approval of the dstillation
of rum on Hawaiian sugar plantations But enter
tanning the opinion, that spirits taken regularly in
moderate quantities are hlrmless, if not useful
luxury, it is not strange that he should wish the
profit of the manufacture to accrue to Hawaiian
planters. If he believed that the moderate use of
spirits on the whole hurtful, and moreover was
the fruitful source of all the drunkenness in the
world, his views of dstillation, especially among
people of so little moral cultivation and so little
sefrestraint as the Hawaiians, would be very diff
ferent. Common sense, without any array of
facts (which might, however, easily be given,l
teaches that terrible drunkenness would follow in
the train of these distieries. Even among peo-
pie of far more selfrestrain they are always nurse
ries of intemperance.
With regard to duties there is more room for
honest difference of opinion among those who
adopt true temperance principles /; on the ground
that high duties do not keep out the evil.
The principles laid down by McCullock are pro-
badly correct it regards those articles which are
regarded by the great majority of the people ne
cessary to their comfort, their pleasures. In a
free country, it is of little to make laws which
conflict with the views and wishes of the great
majority of the community. Such laws will gener-
ally be dsobeyed, or remain dead letter But
where the great majority believe that the true in
terest and happiness of the community are pro-
NOTED by a law-the law can certainly be enforced.
Twenty years ago, it would have been in vain for
the States of Vermont and Maine to have enacted
laws prohibiting the sale of intoxicating drinks as
beverage, and authorizing the destruction of the
prohibited article. But such laws have now been
enacted with the prospect that they will be carried
out. The subject first submitted to the decis-
ion of the people, and the Legislators followed in
their wake, believing that any traffic which was
regarded by the people generally, as nuisance
could and should be stopped. This was the right
course. And the prospect is, that mmeasurable
So in regard to high duties, wherever the people
generally believe that their interests and the inter-
ests of the community are subseVed by high duties
such duties can be enforced, and smuggling
prevented mainly, if not entirely. this is not so,
we must say, it is useless to make law. 1t will
only give new energy to crime. The selfish and
unprincipled must have their way.
With regard to high duties at these islands, it is
my opinion, if the question could be fairly tried,
that Sc of the population, including foreign and
native would be in favor of high duties: and one
half of the remaining sixth, have probably pecu-
mary interest in the traffic. The vote in the last
legislature would lead to this conclusion, and also
the fact that not more than l6 of the native popu-
lation taste of foreign spirits. That high du-
ties have increased the consumption of spirits at
the islands, has not yet been shown and never can
be, because it is not fact. There other causes
in abundance, which have increased the consump-
tion without attrbuting it to an imaginary cause.
1t would be hard to prove that with low duties, the
consumption would not have increased ten fold
more.
One word more in regard to temperance socie-
ties, and will close. Mr.. w. inquiries do they
Temperance societiesl pursue their object here,
through the use of the same means by which tenn
perance societies have succeeded elsewhere Z!
Private societies are all very well in their own
sphere, but when they seek to override King,
Lords, and Commons, they 60 beyond their
sphere"
am unable to understand the bearing Of these
remarks. Temperance societies here and N other
parts of the world, 90 far as am acquainted. nave
been conducted ON the same principles, and have
aimed at precisely the same objects. These go
cieties endeayor by the presentation Of facts aru
ments, and moral sussion to induce the whole com
munity to adopt the principle Of total abstinence
from intoxicating drinks beverage. This object
they regard as in the highest degree, philanthropc,
and believe Unreasonable good has been sccom-
pIshed by these societies. They have no CON
nection, as societies, with church or state If the
great body polite can De brought . saops ssI s,Is
such measures to guard the community against
best. So in regard to churches. But temperance
men here and everywhere viii claim the night to
make all other men teetotallers IN principles ano
nractice. If by ex1mple or persuasion, argument
they can effect this object; conscious that they are