The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-03-31
Oar Sandwich xslaaAs CowrespeaAenes.
HeNoLSLv, 8. l.. Jan. 10, 1859.
The Effect Of the Missio~avy Movements on ae

tho most bene6cent and oreditabIe achievements of
Christian missionary enterprise to be found in
tho regeneration OF the people and institutions Of
the Sandwich Islands, it is by no means pleasant
thing, with greatly improved chances to see and to
learn the real condition Of things there to find ones
self in doubt whether the missionaries deserve cre-
dit reprobaton for their services in that behalf
To say the manners and customs of the islanders
are not amelorated, in great degree, would DO
unfair Captain Cooks not slain there any moro;
but could they have escaped q very considerable
abatement Of ferocity under an intercourse with
civilized people? 1t is not intended however, to
urge the inevitability of more peaceful demeanor
on the part of that people, in way to deny credit
to the missionaries for their services in inducing the
change. Frigates and whale ships might have ac-
complshed it, but the missionaries did it chiefly
The morals taught by the missionaries to these
people were unexceptionable; being from the code
upon which rest our hopes, and the hopes of the
world and it is due to candor to state the crews of
some whale ships, and of frigates, proved
anything but aids to the labors of the missionaries
or examples Of the principles they striving to
introduce. 1t is doubtful if, in this department,
more appreciation is awarded to the missionaries
than their diligence will justify. But they did
more--they furnished to this people maxims and
institutions OF government; ana here controversy
begins.
1t would be hard to render valid reason why
something should be required from the missionaries
to these islands, which has not been furnished by
their class since the hour they were cautioned by
their master that his ''kingdom was not of this
world, and so disqualified for secular affairs; wise
and liberal notions of government yet the failure
of ages might have suggested forbearance, il the
prophecies of their calling did not The world will
receive its morals from the church, but not it's poll
cy. The Church Of Rome, the shrewdest of human
contrivances for purposes like these was never equal
TO them; and though, in its long experience, kings
and emperors have passed under its yoke its temporal
dominion has declined and is well nigh lost. As tito
demonstrate the unitness of ecclesiastical agencies
for secular purposes, this has happened while the
spiritual empire Of that Church was expanding
hence, in Pho Mono is seen the superior of moro
numerous brotherhood than ever before acknow-
edged n pope, and fugitive from the seat of that
power which once was able to compel royalty to
hold the stirrup for his predecessor.
The and obuseness of ccclcsiastics, in times
past, may be somewhat palliated by the circum-
stance, that in this department of human affairs,
error and folly rervaded the world; yet, of the
army of blockhcads and tyrants whose memory is
preserved TO us, the clerical wing is conspicuous.
Their ranks have furnished to mankind arbitrary
governors, cruel Prosecutors and covetous tax gath
eiers. In the case in question the marvel is that
men, themselves bred under republican institutions,
saw fit in the presence Of ignorant people, to ig
more them, and to impose upon docile and confd-
ing race, form of government rcpudiated by their
own fathers at the cost Of protracted and bloody
war 1T was not too much to expect from American
missionaries, that in case they concerned themselves
beyond teaching the islanders better religious
faith, they would strive to commend to them, also,
a better civil policy. At the time they used their
credit with their converts to amplify the monarchy,
the subjects of monarchcal governments rivals
Of the Americans for the affections of the isanders
and it is not more fortunate than surprising that
the Hawaiian government in its late strait, did not
rather seek the protectorate of Great Britain, than
annexation to the United States
The system of government devised by the Mis-
sionaries is eminently cumbrous and expensive, as
well as anti-repubicau, and considered with re-
ference to the area and population OF the islands
themselves, it is absurd, monstrous even. An
empire, represented the map of the world by dots
is scarcely TO require governmental machinery,
which France finds it hard to bear. And of tho
small area Of these islands, how small portion is
of arabic or inhabitabo land. These islands, in
fact, seem rather bases for stupendous mountains
than anything else. The mountains are volcanoes
besides, and in process of time have made barren
and desolate the country around The tillabc lands
ofthc Hawaiian Kingdom are circumscribed indeed
1t is questionable whether its population exceeds
eighty thousand-it may reach ninety thousand 1t
really does not lie upon the surface how so little
lard and so few people can require, besides king,
Ministers Of Foreign Affairs Of the Interior, Of
Public Instruction. aud the Lord knows what be-
sides-all copied from the dcspotsms Of tho Old
World where such functionares are understood to
be useful, chiefly. to bIowbeat or to deceive
trangcgs, and to obstruc the diffusion Of knowledge
among the people.
OF coulse such system can no more be sup
ported without expense in Hawaii than elsewhere
hence the exactions Of all sorts from foreigners
well as natives. One get out of Vienna with
|, IS trouble than out Of Honoulu-passports are
cessary in both cases, but in Vienna is not
bound to go to the government printer, and pay him
to print notices that the party meditates leaving the
country.
he whole matter would appear better if, after
having compelled the people to tolerate this swarm
Of officials. the most desirable posts had been al
ttaI IN, hui t1na ..pnr C.ct tan,
missionary, or his nominee is in every place worth
having; and it would really seem the people had
become :. hewers of wood and drawers Of water" to
such as have, indeed. put down the worship of
ee-duddce and. perhaps, weakened the public
appetite for dog
The missionary society, as such, is not responsi-
bic for this state of things. Its constitution and
by laws are understood to forbid its agents to med
die with the civil affairs of the people to whom they
sent; and il is believed the gentlemen who have
abandoned the altar for the cabinet, at the same
time dissolved their connection with the society.
The power and influence of that body is used to ac
quire the stairs necessary for other purposes and
then discarded.
The moderate stipend allowed by the board to its
missionaries is. in most instances, quoted as the
cause Of the change in pursuits by the latter. Sala
lies remain unchanged, while their families increase
There is certainly force in the claims of women and
children to support, under the circumstances; but
there is a question whether it might not be an i'm
piosement upon the system of the board, to for
bear altogether the employment of fathers mis-
sionaiies II is not suggested that steps be taken
in resrect of such have already achieved that
lation, but that, in time to come, the board may
prove how much less earthly servitors they arc
whose bride is the church. Except sin, nothing has
so encountered the Protestant Church as the wives
and children Of its ministry; and if the Catholic
Church is again pressing it hard it is because so
little is diverted from church purposes for the sup
port Of its priesthood. The whole matter is illus
trated in your own diocese. When tho writer lived
there, Bishop Onderdonk received for the imposi-
tion of hands," some seven thousand dollars per
annum, and then CRIED g hands of )" at
the same time, Bishop Hughes, with flock ten
times as numerous, found q thousand dollars
enough, and to spare
The sum of this present matter seems to be, the
missionaries have taught the islanders well in mo
rails, but badly in politics.
The remedy lies, then, not with the missionaries.
who probably do not think any such thing. Ii Is |
very generally believed here, the Hawaiian govern