Polynesian., 1851-05-31
Che polpnesian.
For the POlynesian.

1 For the Polynesian.
SINCE writing to you last, Mr. Editor, on the
state of things, among US. relative to lands
houses, and the laws Of life and health-so
imperfectly understood, or so fagrantly dis
regarded by Hawaiians generally have
had an interview with the most intelligen
people, and have cOnversed with them freely
on their prospects, obligations, and hopes.
They seem grateful to the King for his kind
wishes, expressed so fully last year, in his
opening address, before the Legislature, that
his people should all obtain Allodial titles to
the lands which they occupy. They say,
however, that the benevolent desires of His
Majesty have, by no means, been carried
out; and, in the case of multitudes of
the poor and inexperienced laborers, it
never will be carried out, unless they have
assistance. The suggestion which made,
that agents be employed to sell lands, in the
several districts Of the Islands, seemed to
please them This l should earnestly recon-
mend to the attention of the Legislature !;
fully believing that, unless something of this
sort be adopted, the great body of the poor
Hawaiians will be destitute of permanent
homes. There should be no delay.
Our people admitted the correctness Of
what had written, of their methods ofliving,
of their houses, mode of eating, sleeping,
SC. +; in a word, of their transgressions of the
laws Of health. We then talked over the
subject Of Legislative action, and now COM
NIT to paper, and forward you some things
which think worthy of the attention of the
Mobiles and House of Representatives.
suggest then
l. That an address be prepared by the
joint wisdom and benevolence of both
branches of the Legislature, addressed to
the People, in simple but forcible language,
solemnly warning all of their danger, and
sugg esting the means of safety. There is
professional talent enough, combined with
native, to prepare an address that would
thrill the nation, and result in incaIculabIe
good Let the danger of the nation be faith
fully portrayed, from physical weakness, de-
crease of population, rush of foreigners, and
constant increase of foreign influence, the
disposition of some foreign governments to
interfere with the Hawaiian, and take advan-
tage of its weakness. Let all be assured
that no Hawaiian, desiring land, shall be put
off single year, on account of his poverty !;
but that Government VII. see to it that every
man shall actually 5c put in possession Of as
much land as he needs. Let appeals be
made to all, to wake up TO sense OF obliga-
ton, to love their King and country; to ac-
cert the boon offered them in the shape of
lands; and each Of them create, as soon as
possible, a comfortable and pleasant home !;
| TO build decent house, and furnish it with
comforts and conveniences; to be induStrI-
Gus, enterprising, and economical; and in
stead of Fastening TO spend all their earnings
in trinkets, and silks, and horses, deposit a
share, at least, in some safe place, which
may be available in time Of need. Let the
subject of education be urged in this address.
Let il be shown that nothing on earth can be
compared with knowledge - that, without
instruction, man is but little elevated above
the brute creation; that riches can equal
the riches of the mind-no pleasures weigh
ance of educating their children-oi sustain
ing schools throughout the land; in short, of
becoming wise and intelligent people. So
on the laws of health let the address show
the importance of this subject; draw out
somewhat fully, some suggestions which
would aid the people to lengthen their lives
and preserve their health also to save the
lives of their children, and thus, * possible,
to turn the tide of decrease, and save the
nation beg the members Of the Legisla-
ture to pardon these suggestions, and Of their
own wisdom prepare an address which, by
the blessing of God shall arouse the people
to sense of their obligations; shall be a
directory IN the way to temporal safety.
Another suggestion would make is, that
it be an ndictable offence for any man to
occupy low, small, dirty, leaky house, filled
with vermin, and exposing its occupants 10
suffering and death.
The sick and helpless should in some way
be provided for; and the government should
inquire into the expediency Of doing some
thing of this sort. hope the time is not
distant when the Hawaians will have class
of officers whose duty shall De to look into
such cases, and make provision; class
something like the Selectmen of a New Eng
land township. As things now are, there
may be some cases where the occupant OF
house is excusable for living in wretched
hovel filled with vermin, and exposed to the
Iingress Of rain and cold; the man may be
unable to procure better quarters, and there
may be none to care for him. OF case Of
this sort say nothing, except that such oc-
cupants should be cared for, either by friends
or by the public. Let there be no unmiti-
gated suffering in land like this. Butt
speak of other cases--of Hawaiians in the
vigor of youth or manhood; able-bodied,
healthy men, who occupy houses of the
meanest description Cases are not uncom-
mon of individuals Of this description, who
live shamelessly in houses, low, dirty, leaky
novels, scarcely suitable for the accommo-
dation Of swine, while yet they purchase
horses and beads, and other useless trinkets.
Legislation, in such cases, should interfere.
Law should lay upon such her strong hand.
Their example is pernicious. habits
are nuisance.--They invite cholera, and
other diseases, to enter and destroy the
inmates, and spread through the country.